IMPROVE- MENTS IN HORSE RAKES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Huxtable, of Brayford, in the County of Devon,
Agricultural Machinist and Implement Maker, for an Invention of " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN HORSE RAKES,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Huxtable at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1881.
JOHN HUXTABLE, of Brayford, in the County of Devon, Agricultural Machinist
and Implement Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE RAKES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of "horse
rakes," whereby the same are rendered more efficient than heretofore, and the chief
object I have in view by employing the following arrangements is to obtain any
desired "pitch" of tooth, 6, the said teeth can be set any distance apart for
collecting different kinds of crops, or for any other desired purpose, and also for
imparting to each of the said teeth a "vertical" and "lateral tension, for the
purposes hereinafter described.
To accomplish this object I propose to make the part carrying the framework of
the rake of angle or T iron, or of any other suitable shape or section, on which I
fix, say, four collars or eyes in a parallel line, through which, say, two pieces of
iron slide, capable of being expanded or contracted by means of worm wheels and
rack gear, the latter preferably being formed out of the said sliding pieces and
actuated by a lever handle connected to the worm wheels, the said two sliding
pieces are turned at right angles downwards, each at one end, through which a slot
hole is made for receiving the axle of wheal and for adjusting the same to its
required position; at one end of such sliding pieces, and near to the slot holes
before referred to, I turn two bearings on which I fit two arms which turn on the
said bearings; these arms stretch forward and receive the ends of bar which carry
the bosses to which the teeth are fastened. The said arms are peculiar, having a
branch arm on the outside to withstand any extra pressure which may be put on
them. To obtain any desired "pitch" of tooth, and for imparting a tension to the
same, I propose putting between each tooth a spiral or any other suitable spring.
ID 1

page_text: By turning the lever handle before referred to in connection with the worm wheels
and rack gear, the said springs can be compressed together, and by reversing the
said handle the action of the springs will expand the teeth to the desired width.
As the ends of bar which carry the bosses to which the teeth are fastened would
come in contact with the spokes or arms of an ordinary wheel (when the teeth are
compressed) I propose bending the spokes outwards, forming a recess for the said
bar on the inside to facilitate the adjusting of the wheels to the required height;
and for expanding or contracting the teeth I employ the following arrangements :-
Two sweep pieces are made fast to the two outside collars or eyes (or by preference
to the T piece carrying the framework), these sweep pieces stretch forward and
take the cross piece of shafts to which the horse is attached; the said sweep pieces
at their lower extremity have a hole in each to receive a cross bar to which a
frame is hung, consisting of a roller and two pikes; the latter is formed out of two
pieces of iron, which are slid on over the said cross bar and capable of turning on
same; the said roller and pikes are raised by a chain when the rake is at work, but
when the wheels require to be adjusted or the teeth expanded or contracted, the
chain is unhooked, the frame let down, the pikes coming in contact with the
ground will raise the rake bodily both sides at once by the movement of the
horse forwards, the said pikes being longer from the ground than the centre of
wheels,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Huxtable in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th December
1881,
JOHN HUXTABLE, of Brayford, in the County of Devon, Agricultural Machinist
and Implement Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE RAKES.”
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of "horse
rakes," whereby the same are rendered more efficient than heretofore, and the chief
object I have in view by employing the following arrangements is to obtain any
desired "pitch" of tooth, ie, the said teeth can be set any distance apart for
collecting different kinds of crops, or for any other desired purpose, and also for
imparting to each of the said teeth a "vertical" and lateral tension for the purposes
hereinafter described.
To accomplish this object I propose to make the part carrying the framework of
the rake of angle or T iron, or of any other suitable shape or section, on which I
fix, say, four collars or eyes in a parallel line through which, say, two pieces of
iron slide, capable of being expanded or contracted by means of worm wheels or rack
gear, the latter preferably being formed out of the said sliding pieces, and actuated
by a lever handle connected to the worm wheels; the said two sliding pieces are
turned at right angles downwards, each at one end, through which a slot hole is
made for receiving the axle of wheel, and for adjusting the same to its required
position; at one end of such sliding pieces and near to the slot holes before
referred to I turn two bearings, on which I fit two arms which turn on the said
bearings; these arms stretch forward and receive the ends of bar which carry the
bosses to which the teeth are fastened. The said arms have a branch arm on the
outside to withstand any extra pressure which may be put on them. To obtain
any desired "pitch" of tooth, and for imparting a tension to the same, I propose
putting between each two teeth a spiral or any other suitable spring; by turning
the lever handle before referred to in connection with the worm wheels and rack
gear, the said springs can be compressed together, and by reversing the said
handle the action of the springs will expand the teeth to the desired width. As
the ends of bar which carry the bosses to which the teeth are fastened would come
in contact with the spokes or arms of an ordinary wheel (when the teeth are
compressed), I propose bending the spokes outwards, forming a recess for the said
bar on the inside; to facilitate the adjusting of the wheels to the required height
and for expanding or contracting the teeth I employ the following arrangements:
Two sweep pieces are made fast to the two outside collars or eyes (or, by preference,
to the T piese carrying the framework); these sweep pieces stretch forwards and
take the cross piece of shafts to which the horse is attached; the said sweep pieces
at their lower extremity have a hole in each to receive a cross bar to which a
frame is hung, consisting of a roller and two pikes, the latter is formed out of two
pieces of iron which are slid on over the said cross bar and capable of turning on
same; the said roller and pikes are raised by a chain when the rake is at work,
but when the wheels require to be adjusted, or the teeth expanded or contracted,
the chain is unhooked, the frame let down, the pikes coming in contact with the
ground will raise the rake bodily both sides at once by the movement of the horse
forwards, the said pikes being longer from the ground than the centre of the
wheels.
And in order that my Invention may be more fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to Drawings
hereunto annexed.
The same letters of reference indicate commanding parts in all the Fionros

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the said rake constructed according to my
Invention shewing "pivotted stand" pikes and roller for raising the rake (both
sides at once), and for winding the rake teeth together, also shewing tooth in
position, and the slotted guide and joint.
Figure 2 is a back view of rake shewing worm wheels, rack gear, and handle in
position for actuating the sliding pieces and rake teeth, also showing the collars OP
yes mounted on the framework. The dotted lines represent the rocking frame
and teeth raised for emptying the load.
Figure 3 is a back view. of the pivotted stands, roller, and pikes for lifting and
sustaining the weight of rake when raised for expanding or contracting the teeth,
and for adjusting the axle of wheels.
L
Figure 4 shows another form of pivotted stand without roller.
Figure 5 is a side view of the winding handle; and Figure 6, an end view of the
guide piece employed when expanding or contracting the rake.
Figure 7 is a detached view of hinder part of framework showing sliding pieces
and axles of wheels in position. The dotted lines show the position of rocking
frame with the spring arrangement when emptying the load.
Figure 8 is an end view of one of the sliding pieces which is turned at right
angles shewing slot hole for adjusting the axle of wheel as desired.
Figure 9. is a separate view of one of the sweep pieces with collar or eye
attached.
Figure 10 is a detached view of one of the pivotted stands for raising the rake.
Figure 11 is a detached view of one of the collars or eyes fixed on the inner
part of the framework.
:
Figure 12 is detached view of a rake tooth and slotted guide and joint in
position mounted on the rocking frame.
:
Figure 13 is a detached view of one of the worm wheels.
Figure 14 is a separate view of one of the sliding pieces showing rack gear,
teeth, and bearing.
:
Figure 15 and 16 are detached views respectively of the slotted guide, and the
joint for imparting firmness to each tooth independently, also shewing screw
threaded spindle for connecting the ends of the cross pieces.
Figure 17 shews a tooth and joint in position.
Figure 18 shows another form of tooth fastening which may be used in
connection with spiral or other shaped springs.
Figure 19 shows one of the arms which carry the rocking frame and teeth.
Figure 20 is a side view of same shewing ends of crosspieces and bolts, the
dotted lines represent the branch arm and bearing.
Figure 21 is a view of cross pieces, which I may prefer to use for obtaining
different "pitch " of teeth.
-
'
Figure 22 is a view of teeth brackets and teeth in position on the bar, shewing
spiral springs; the said springs can be compressed together for the purpose last
mentioned.
:
Figure 23 is a perspective view of one half of the machine_complete, constructed
according to my Invention.
A, Figures 1 and 9, is the framework of the rake, which is here shown of angle
iron section, but may be of T-shaped iron or other suitable section. C, C¹, 0, 0,
Figures 2 and 7, are the collars or eyes fixed in a parallel line on the said frame
work or main support of the rake; through these eyes the sliding pieces B, B¹,
slide. These sliding pieces are actuated by the worms D and D', Figures 2, 7, and
13, which are right and left handed, and which gear with the rack teeth on the
two sliding pieces B, B³, so as to be capable of expanding or contracting them,
that is, bringing them further apart or nearer together by turning the lever
handle E, which is supported by the guide piece F fixed to the axle of wheel H, as
shown in Figures 2 and 6. The sliding pieces B, B¹, have a bearing turned at I, I',
(see Figures 2, 7, and 14), on which two arms J, J', Figures 7, 19, and 20, are fitted,
and capable of turning on the said bearings. These arms have each a branch
}

page_text: The said
arm Ja on the outside, which takes their bearing at the end of the sliding pieces at
B³ and B*; the said arm withstands any pressure that may be put on it when
expanding or contracting the teeth. These arms stretch forwards from the bearing I
on which they turn, and are connected to the rocking frame on which the teeth K
are fastened. The said rocking frame can be made either with a series of cross-
pieces or bars L¹ placed crossways to one another, see Figures 2 and 21. The
middle parts of these diagonal bars are connected by bolts L, Figures 2, 12, and 21,
and are capable of turning on such bolt. These bars are connected at one end by a
screw threaded stud M³ formed out of the joint piece M, Figure 16.
spindle has a nut fitted on it for screwing the cross pieces or bars L' together.
The bolt M, Figures 12, 16, and 17, is for securing the teeth and for keeping them
firm in the joint. The other ends of the cross-pieces are also connected together by
a screw threaded stud formed out of the slotted guide N, Figure 15, which has a
nut for screwing the other end of cross pieces together; or the rocking frame can
be constructed similar to that shewn at Figure 22, which consists of a bar of iron
stretching across the rake, and on which are slid the bosses P, to which the teeth K
are fastened. Between each of such bosses or in connection with the teeth I propose
putting a spiral spring or any other shape spring suitable for the purpose.
The rocking frame (whether made with springs, as in Figure 22, or with cross-
pieces, as described with reference to Figures 2 and 21, for obtaining any desired
pitch of teeth) is connected to the arms J, J', by the bolts R, R¹, and by means of
the said arms turning on the bearings I and I' it imparts a rocking motion to the
frame, and lifts the teeth simultaneously by means of the lever S, Figure 1,
actuated upon by the attendant. The pivotted stands T, T, T, Figure 1 (shown
in different positions) are hung on a bolt or stud on the two sweep pieces W,
Figures 1 and 9, one on each side of rake. The said pivotted stands can be
connected together by a bar T, Figure 8, which goes through the roller, and on
which the latter is free to turn when the pivotted stands assume the position shown
at T, Figure 1 (the said bar T also connects the latter by means of nuts and
screws, as shown). The said stands are hung up to the shafts U, Figure 1, when
the rake is at work, as shewn at T, Figure 1, but by preference I fix two studs on
the two sweep pieces, Figures 1 and 9, to which the catch V is hooked. To effect the
expanding or contracting of the rake for the purpose herein described the pivotted
stand T is released from the studs W when they assume the position shewn at T.
The horse is then moved forwards, when the pikes or ends of pivotted stands come
in contact and stick in the ground, and lift the rake bodily from the ground, both
sides at once, the said stands being further from the ground than the centre of
wheels to secure the rake in position. When thus lifted I employ a claw W
formed out of the pivotted stand. The said claws come in contact with two check
pins or studs W¹, made fast to the sweep picces W, and determine the position of
Take. The rake being thus lifted from the ground, the lever handle E, Figure 5,
which is made square at the end E', is put through the hole in the upright guido
piece fixed on the axle of wheel H and on to the bar X, Figure 2, in the end of
which is a socket with a square hole to receive the square and E¹ of handle E. The
said guide piece F, Figures 2 and 6, imparts steadiness to the handle when in
action. The handle E being thus connected with the bar X on which the worm
wheels D, D¹, are fixed, and the latter geared into the raak teeth of the sliding
pieses B, B¹, it will be readily seen that the rotating of the handle E will cause the
sliding pieces to expand or contract as desired, together with the arms J, J',
Figures 2 and 7, and rocking frame, shown at Figures 2, 21, and 22, by which
means the teeth connected therewith are expanded or contracted, or any desired
pitch "obtained for the purpose herein described. The horse is then put a few
steps backwards, when the pivotted stands assume the position T; when they can
be hooked up to the stud or shaft, as shown at T. To obtain more room on the
inside, and for preventing the crop gathering round the spokes or arms of wheels,
I propose bending the spokes outwards, as shewn at H, Figure 2, thus forming a
recess on the inside. The axles of wheels are shown at Y, Y, Figures 2 and 7;
"

page_text: these axles have shoulders on the outside, as shewn, to withstand the screwing of
nut to prevent the said axles shifting in the slots while at work. I prefer to use
set screws, shewn at Z, Z1, Figures 7 and 14, on which the axle rests; and which
can be adjusted in any desired position.
.
:
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and: in
what manner the same is to be or may be performed, I would observe in conclusion
that I claim,
First. The combination and arrangement of parts for actuating the sliding parts
of the rake, substantially as set forth.
Second. The employment of eyes or collars mounted on the framework in such
a position as to assure a parallel motion to the sliding pieces, such motion being
imparted by means of right and left handed screws in the form of rack gear or
otherwise.
п
Third. The means for expanding or contracting the teeth, so that any desired
pitch" or distance apart may be obtained, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The slotted guide for keeping the teeth in position, as shown in Figures
1 and 12, in combination with the cross pieces or lazytongs shewn at Figures 2.
and 21, for obtaining any desired pitch of teeth, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The pivotted stands hung on studs, bolts, or joints in such a manner as to
raise the rake both sides at once, and to regulate its position as desired, substantially
as set forth.
Sixth. The combination of parts forming the improved horse rake with adjustable
teeth, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Huxtable, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
TAR
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