IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES, Patents
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips,
both of Spittlegate Ironworks, Grantham, in the County of Lincoln,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES,
Patents, with their Petition, on the 16th June 1869.
We, RICHARD HORNSBY and JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, both of Spittle-
gate Ironworks, Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
AND MOWING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SHARPENING THE KNIVES OF BUCH
MACHINES," to be as follows:-

page_text: We construct a two-wheel reaping machine, which may also be
used as a mowing machine, in the following manner:-The main
carrying wheels are mounted upon an axle, which also carries between
these two wheels a cast frame having the driving gear upon it. The
slade or arm of the finger bar is jointed to this frame at its hinder
end, and the frame is arranged to turn freely on the axis, so that the
finger bar may follow the inequalities of the land. The pole of the
machine is fixed on a bridge piece resting on the axle at either end of
the cast frame, but allowing the frame to play freely around the axle
beneath it. The cast frame carries the axis of a pinion gearing with a
ring of teeth driven by the main carrying wheels. On this axis is also
a bevilled wheel driving a bevilled pinion on the axis of the crank,.which
by a long connecting rod actuates the knife. The ring of driving teeth
actuating the first pinion is on the outer side of the machine, but the
inner main carrying wheel also drives it when revolving forwards by
rotating the axis by a ratchet which allows the wheel to revolve inde-
pendently in backing. The slade or arm of the finger bar is jointed
to the gear frame by a long pin joint, and the pin can easily be removed
from the joint when required to take off the finger bar and cutting
parts and substitute another one as necessary to adapt the machine for
mowing. The finger bar which is used in reaping has a platform upon
it to receive the cut crop, which is raked off in bundles by rakes fixed
upon arms mounted on an inclined axis, carried by the finger bar and
driven by a wheel and pinion and a chain wheel and chain from a
chain wheel on the inner main carrying wheel on its outer side, or that
towards the finger bar; or the platform may be cleared by rakes
mounted on a hollow vertical axis, on which they are able to rock
under the control of links connecting them with a fixed point at a
suitable distance from the centre line of their axis. In order to prevent
the finger bar rising when it gets into heavy work the draft bar is
connected with it, so as to hold it down with sufficient force. The seat
which is used when mowing is behind the pole, and as usual in mowing
machines the weight of the man counterbalances the pole; but in reaping
this seat is removed, otherwise it would be in the way of the rake arms,
and the seat is placed forward on the pole, and a shaft or shafts may
be mounted on the pole that the weight may be thrown on to the backs
and not on the necks of the horses. In order to slide the first pinion
in and out of gear the fork which controls it is made to slide through
guides, and a notch is formed in its stem, over it a screw is mounted, the

page_text: thread of which makes only a portion of a turn and engages with the
notch in the clutch fork; there is a lever on the axis of the screw with
a weight upon it, and by the throwing this weight over from side to
side the screw is partly rotated, and a corresponding longitudinal motion
is given to the clutch fork. In mowing this lever is within convenient
reach of the man's hand, and in reaping he can easily work it from the
seat on the pole by cords or otherwise. The finger bar is lifted by
depressing the forward end of the gear frame, and also by drawing
downwards an arm projecting from the slade beyond the pin joint con-
necting it with the gear frame. This is done by a hand lever acting
with quadrants and chains.
In reaping machines with a single main carrying and driving wheel,
and where this wheel to adjust the height of the finger bar is carried
on a quadrant or arm turning on the axis of the first motion pinion,
we cast the gear frame carrying this axis and the axis of the crank
which drives the knife in one piece. The pole is fixed to this frame
on the side opposite to the wheel in place of on the same side as here-
tofore; this admits of the frame being made shorter and lighter, as the
pole can be lengthened to compensate, so as to overlap the wheel, which
cannot be done when it is on the same side. The rakes to clear the
platform are mounted on an axis carried by a bracket on the top of
this frame, it may be an inclined axis or a hollow upright axis, with
the rake arms governed as above described. In either case we drive
the rake axis by a toothed wheel upon it gearing with a pinion on an
axis having a bevilled wheel at its end, which works with a pinion on
the same axis with the first motion pinion.
In order to grind reaping or mowing machine knives, especially where
the bar is fixed on the top of the blades or otherwise, we employ a small
portable grinding frame, in which, when the workman is seated, he
has a small grindstone or grinding wheel in front of him.
The axis of
the stone is directed towards him and is driven by a pulley actuated by
a cord passing around a wheel which the workman causes to revolve
by means of a treadle. The diameter of the stone is sufficiently small
to enter the angle between two adjacent blades and grind their edges,
it may be about three inches in diameter. The table on which the
bearings of the axis of the grindstone are carried is supported on three
legs, two of the legs, one on either side of the table, are vertical, the
third is a curved central leg projecting well forwards towards the front,

page_text: and the seat for the workman is upon it, this leg of the frame passing
between his legs. The three legs are tied together near the bottom by
a bar bent to a bow form, and this also carries the axis of the treadle.
The two vertical legs are also tied together higher up by a bar, on
which is mounted the stud axis of the wheel which the treadle
works.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th December 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RICHARD
HORNSBY and JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, both of Spittlegate Ironworks,
Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto us, the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips, Her
special licence, that we, the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin
Phillips, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
we, the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND
MOWING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SHARPENING THE KNIVES OF BUCH
MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Richard
Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips, our executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under our, or their hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of one of us or them, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin
Phillips, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to
say:
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping and
mowing machines and in apparatus for sharpening the knives of such
machines.
We construct a two-wheel reaping machine, which may also. be used
as a mowing machine, in the following manner:-The main carrying
wheels are mounted upon an axle, which also carries between these two
wheels a cast frame having the driving gear upon it. The slade or
arm of the finger bar is jointed to this frame at its hinder end, and
the frame is arranged to turn freely on the axis, so that the finger
bar may follow the inequalities of the land. The pole of the machine
is fixed on a bridge piece resting on the axle at either end of the cast
frame, but allowing the frame to play freely around the axle beneath
it. The cast frame- carries the axis of a pinion gearing with a ring
of teeth driven by the main carrying wheels.
On this axis is also
a bevilled wheel driving a bevilled pinion on the axis of the crank,
which by a long connecting rod actuates the knife. The ring of
driving teeth actuating the first pinion is on the outer side of the
machine, but the inner main carrying wheel also drives it when re-
volving forwards by rotating the axis by a ratchet which allows the
wheel to revolve independently in backing.
The slade or arm of the
finger bar is jointed to the gear frame by a long pin joint, and the
pin can easily be removed from the joint when required to take off
the finger bar and cutting parts and substitute another one as necessary
to adapt the machine for mowing. The finger bar which is used in
reaping has a platform upon it to receive the cut crop, which is raked
off in bundles by rakes fixed upon arms mounted on an inclined axis,
carried by the finger bar and driven by a wheel and pinion and a
chain wheel and chain from a chain wheel on the inner main carrying
wheel on its outer side, or that towards the finger bar; or the platform
may be cleared by rakes mounted on a .hollow vertical axis, on which
they are able to rock under the control of links connecting them with
a fixed point at a suitable distance from the centre line of their axis.
In order to prevent the finger bar rising when it gets into heavy work
the draft bar is connected with it so as to hold it down with sufficient
force. The seat which is used when mowing is behind the pole and

page_text: as usual in mowing machines the weight of the man counterbalances
the pole, but in reaping this seat is removed, otherwise it would be
in the way of the rake arms, and the seat is placed forward on the
pole, and a shaft or shafts may be mounted on the pole that the weight
may be thrown on to the backs and not on the necks of the horses.
In order to slide the first pinion in and out of gear the fork which
controls it is made to slide through guides and a notch is formed in
its stem; over it a screw is mounted, the thread of which makes only
a portion of a turn and engages with the notch in the clutch fork;
there is a lever on the axis of the screw with a weight upon it, and
by the throwing this weight over from side to side the screw is partly
rotated, and a corresponding longitudinal motion is given to the clutch
fork. In mowing this lever is within convenient reach of the man's
hand, and in reaping he can easily work it from the seat on the pole
by cords or otherwise. The finger bar is lifted by depressing the
forward end of the gear frame, and also by drawing downwards an
arm projecting from the slade beyond the pin joint connecting it with
the gear frame. This is done by a hand lever acting with quadrants
and chains.
In
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawings is a plan, and Figure 2 is a side
view of a machine thus constructed and arranged for mowing.
both Figures a portion of the finger bar is broken away, and in Figure 2
the inner wheel is removed; Figure 3 is a back view of the same
machine arranged for reaping; Figure 4 a side view, partly in section
of the same.
a, a, are the carrying wheels of the machine: They are
mounted on an axis b, and by means of ratchets and pawls they rotate
the axis with them when running forward and revolve freely in a
backward direction; c is a ring of teeth fixed on the axis b; d is a
cast-iron frame carrying the driving gear and having the slade or
arm fixed on the finger bar e jointed to it. The axis b passes through
the frame d by a passage formed for it, and the frame occupies nearly
the whole of the space between the main wheels; f is a bridge piece
with eyes at its end through which the axis passes; it carries the
driver's seat f, the foot plate f, and the pole f³. The fore part of
the frame d is of a trough-like form and contains the bevilled wheel d',
the axis of which is supported in bearings bolted to the frame on either
side, and also carries the first pinion gearing with the ring of teeth c.
The pinion & can slide upon the axis and when drawn back towards the

page_text: bevilled wheel it turns freely thereon, but when the pinion is moved out-
wards or in the contrary direction these ratchet teeth on the end of the
pinion engage with a pin fixed on the axis, and so the axis is driven;
dis a bevilled pinion gearing with the wheel d¹. It is fixed on an
inclined axis carried in a tubular passage in the frame d, and has at
its lower end a crank which by a connecting rod d³ drives the knife
or cutter; g is the slade or arm fixed at the inner end of, the finger bar;
it has two lugs or sockets g¹, g', upon it through which a long pin is
passed, connecting it with the frame d by means of the corresponding
lugs or sockets do, do, which are also bored to fit the pin; h is an arm
fixed or jointed with a limited amount of play to the top of one of
the lugs or sockets g'; h' is a chain passing down from this arm under
a pulley on the foot plate to a quadrant on the axis of the hand lever h³,
so that by means of this hand lever the arm h¹ can be drawn down
and the outer end of the finger bar raised to a corresponding extent
by turning as on an axis about the pin connecting the finger bar with
the frame. The hand lever h³ can be retained in any desired position by
the link h*. The axis of this lever is carried in a socket or bearing at
the front of the foot plate f³. It has upon it in addition to the quadrant
already referred to another quadrant from which a chain passes to a rod i
projecting upwards from the top of one of the bearings of the wheel d³,
and so through this chain, the same action of the hand lever h³, which
lifts the outer end of the finger bar, is caused to depress the forward
end of the frame d and raise its hinder end together with the inner
end of the finger bar. In this way obstacles are passed and the finger
bar is carried when out of work. In order that the finger bar may not
lift when it gets into a heavy crop the draft bar k is fixed to the frame d,
and the connection is made either higher or lower according to the
state of the crop and the power found to be necessary to keep the
finger bar down. The whipple trees to which the horses are harnessed
are attached to the draft bar. To slide the pinion & in and out of gear
a fork d is employed, which embraces a collar upon the pinion, as is
more clearly seen in Figure 5, the fork can slide in lugs or guides
which carry it, and which are formed upon one of the bearings of the
pinion axis. On these lugs or guides the weighted lever d**· pivots,
and on it around its centre of motion a worm d*** is formed, taking
into a notch in the stem of the fork, so that by throwing the lever over
from side to side the fork is moved lengthways and the pinion shifted
either in or out of gear, as the case may be. In adapting the machine

page_text: for reaping the pin is removed from the joint connecting the slade
or arm g of the finger bar with the frame d, and another finger bar
and slade, shown in Figures 3 and 4, are substituted for those shown
in Figures 1 and 2. The reaping slade has formed or fixed upon it
a standard g carrying in bearings an axis g³, on which are fixed the
arms g of the takes or beaters by which the crop is laid towards the
cutting apparatus and when cut is swept off the platform of the
machine. g is a bevilled wheel on the axis g³ gearing with a pinion g
on an axis, which also carries the chain wheel g', and g8 is an endless
driving chain passing around this wheel and also around the smaller
chain wheel g³. The wheel g' is when reaping temporarily clamped
on the inner end of the axis 6 or upon the wheel and the rakes and
beaters are thus driven; or the wheel g' may be permanently fixed.
The reaping finger bar has a platform fixed upon it to receive the
cut crop, and this platform is further supported by a small wheel at
its inner end as the Drawings shew. In place of using an inclined
axis g with the rake and beater arms rigid upon it a vertical axis
may be used, the arms being jointed upon it and controlled by links
connecting them with a centre or point of suspension at a distance
from the lines of the axes in the manner described in the Specification
of a former Patent granted to us, and dated the 29th day of September
1866, No. 2523.
Figure 6 is also a side view partly in section, and Figure 7 a portion
of a plan of the machine arranged for reaping. The seat for the driver
is in this case shifted to a socket fixed on the pole, so that the driver
may be out of the way of the rakes, and to prevent the weight of
the driver falling upon the necks of the horses a shaft is fixed to
the pole, as is described in the Specification of our former Patent, dated
3rd of December 1868, No. 3683. In order to enable the driver to throw
the machine in and out of gear without leaving his seat a rope as
is shewn in the Figure is employed passing from the seat over a pulley
placed vertically over the centre of the lever d**. By jerking this
rope the lever can be thrown over and its position can be reversed
either way.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention the mounting the
pole and the driver's seat of a mowing and reaping machine on a bridge
piece supported at its ends by the main axis and receiving beneath it

page_text: and between its ends the frame of the machine. Such frame also being
carried upon the axis as herein-before described.
We also claim the combining with a reaping machine having two
main or driving wheels. delivering rakes or beaters carried by arms fixed
on, an inclined axis or jointed to an axis and governed by links as above
described, by supporting the axis of such rakes or beaters from the slade
or arm of the finger bar which is jointed or hinged to the frame of the
machine.
We also claim the general arrangement of reaping and mowing
machines, substantially as herein-before described. In reaping machines
with a single main carrying and driving wheel and where this wheel
to adjust the height of the finger bar is carried on a quadrant or arm
turning on the axis of the first motion pinion we cast the gear frame
carrying this axis and the axis of the crank which drives the knife in
one piece. The pole is fixed to this frame on the side opposite to the
wheel in place of on the same side as heretofore, this admits of the
frame being made shorter and lighter as the pole can be lengthened to
compensate so as to overlap the wheel, which cannot be done when
it is on the same side. The rakes to clear the platform are mounted on
an axis carried by a bracket on the top of this frame, it may be an
inclined axis or a hollow upright axis with the rake arms governed as
above described. In either case we drive the rake axis by a toothed
wheel upon it gearing with a pinion on an axis having a bevilled wheel
at its end which works with a pinion on the same axis with the first
motion pinion.
Figure 8 is a side view, Figure 9 a back view, and Figure 10 a plan
of a machine thus constructed, such portions only of the machine are
shewn for the most part as are necessary to the explanation of our
Invention. a, a, is the cast frame of the machine with the pole b jointed
and clamped to it in front and on its outer side; c is the axis of the first
pinion mounted in bearings on this frame; and d is the quadrant also
mounted on the frame a and concentrically with the axis c; e is the
main wheel mounted on a stud on this quadrant and capable of being
raised and lowered by turning the screw f. The screw is carried on
the frame a and gears with worm teeth formed on the quadrant; g is a
bracket or standard fixed on the top of the frame a and carrying the
two axes gl and g³. On the axis g¹ the arms
the beaters and rakes by means of which the
are fixed and they carry
crop is laid towards the

page_text: cutting apparatus and when cut is swept off the platform of the machine.
g' is a toothed wheel on the axis g¹ gearing with a pinion on the axis g³,
and this axis at its lower end has upon it the bevilled wheel g³ gearing
with a bevilled pinion go on the axis c of the first pinion, and in this way
the rakes and beaters are driven. As in the former case in place of
fixing the rake and beater arms upon their axes they may be jointed
to the axis and governed in the manner described in our Patent dated
29th September 1866, No. 2523, the axis g being then set vertically in
its bearings or nearly so.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention the constructing
reaping machines with a cast frame having the pole attached to it on
its outer side, such frame carrying upon it the axis of the first pinion,
and also and concentric with this axis a quadrant adjustable by a screw
or other equivalent contrivance and having upon it the stud axis or
centre of the main wheel, as herein-before described.
We also claim the method of driving the axis of delivering rakes or
beaters of reaping machines by means of a bevilled pinion on the axis of
the first motion pinion driving a bevilled wheel on an intermediate axis,
which also carries a pinion gearing with a toothed wheel on the axis of
the rakes, as herein-before described.
In order to grind reaping or mowing machine knives we employ a
small portable grinding frame in which when the workman is seated he
has a small grindstone or grinding wheel in front of him.
The axis of
the stone is directed towards him and is driven by a pulley actuated by
a cord passing around a wheel which the workman causes to revolve by
means of a treadle. The diameter of the stone is sufficiently small to
enter the angle between two adjacent blades and grind their edges; it
may be about three inches in diameter. The table on which the bearings
of the axis of the grindstone are carried is supported on three legs, two
of the legs one on either side of the table are vertical, the third is a
curved central leg projecting well forwards towards the front, and the
seat for the workman is upon it, the leg of the frame passing between his
legs. The three legs are tied together near the bottom by a bar bent to a
bow form, and this also carries the axis of the treadle. The two vertical
legs are also tied together higher up by a bar on which is mounted the
stud axis of the wheel which the treadle works.
Figure 11 is a side view of an apparatus thus constructed for grinding
the knives of reaping and mowing machines.

page_text: Figure 12 is a plan of the upper part of the machine; Figure 13 is a hori-
zontal section taken just above the treadle, and Figure 14 is an elevation
looking towards the face of the operator. a, a, is the three-legged frame
constructed as already described and with a seat at a' on the central leg.
On the top of the frame is mounted the headstock b carrying the hori-
zontal axis c on which facing the workman upon the seat is the small
grindstone or grinding block. c'; d is the treadle, it is mounted on an
axis carried by the iron band which ties the legs of the frame together;
e is a connecting rod passing from the treadle to the crank pin f' on the
wheel f, which is mounted on a stud on a cross bar of the frame.
driving cord passes around the wheel f to a pulley on the axis c which
is thus rotated; g is the reaping or mowing machine knife in the
position in which it is applied to the grindstone or grinding block. By
this arrangement it will be seen that the cutters can readily be ground
close in to the inner angles, whether the cutter bar on which they are
fixed be upon their upper or their under side. The bevil of the cutting
edge in the angle is given by the curve of the periphery of the stone or
block.
A
As respects this part of our Invention, we claim, the construction of
grinding apparatus for grinding the knives of reaping and mowing
machines, substantially as above described.
In witness whereof, we the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin
Phillips, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourteenth
day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-nine.
RICHARD HORNSBY.
(L.S.)
JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS. (L.B.)