IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND FOR BINDING GRAIN STRAWS AND SIMILAR CROPS INTO BUNDLES OR SHEAVES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William McIntyre Cranston, of 30, Worship
Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND FOR
BINDING GRAIN STRAWS AND SIMILAR CROPS INTO BUNDLES OR SHEAVES "
-
-A communication from abroad by Walter Abbott Wood, of
Hoosick Falls, State of New York, United States of America
Sealed the 4th January 1876, and dated the 24th July 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William McIntyre
Cranston at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 24th July 1875.
I, WILLIAM MCINTYRE CHANSTON, of 36, Worship Street, Finsbury,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "
'IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING
AND FOR BINDING GRAIN STRAWS AND SIMILAR CROPS INTO BUNDLES OR SHEAVES,"
(a communication from abroad by Walter Abbott Wood, of Hoosick

page_text: Falls, State of New York, United States of America), to De as
follows
This Invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus.
for collecting and for binding grain straw and similar crops into
bundles or sheaves, and consists,―
Firstly. In an arrangement of mechanism by which the cut crop as it
falls on to a travelling band attached as a platform of a reaping machine
is carried by prongs and endless belts into a receptacle in which the
quantity of the crop therein is encompassed by arms, and has a wire or
cord wrapped round it, the end of the wire being then twisted
upon a portion of itself and fastened; the wire is afterwards severed,
and the bound or tied up bundle thrown out of the receptacle on to the
ground
Secondly In arranging the gathoring, or collecting, and the binding
mechanism upon a separate framing upon wheels that it may follow in
the wake of a reaper or be used at other times.
Thirdly. In arranging a pressure fork or frame with curved prongs in
front and-on top of the endless belt or elevator of a binding machine for
retaining the gathered crop in the divisions of the endless belts on its
way to the receptacle or cradle.
for
Fourthly In arranging a receptacle at the side of a reaper
receiving the cut crop, the receptacle having a motion end on by
gearing and clamp handle, to determine the position of the bending and
tying wire to suit different lengths of crop.
Fifthly. In arranging a spring box appliance on the frame for the
reception of the wire passing from a bobbin to the eye of a clamp or
wile carrier, the spring box being capable of rotation to take up the
shock of the wire while the carrier is travelling in a circular direction
upon and around its centre.
Sixthly. In arranging gripper appliances in the wire carrier for
effecting the twisting operation, and also the severing by a gearing
action in a fixed rack attached to the receptacle or its support
Seventhly In arranging segmental toothed gearing on a shaft driven
by the motion of the machine, the gearing fitting at intervals for
actuating a compressor which has to travel fast during one portion of
its travel.

page_text: Eighthly. In arranging an ejector on the gearing shaft, that by a
separate motion the ejector lifts the tied bundle and throws it over the
edge of the receptacle on to the ground
Ninthly. In arranging a tilting or canting apparatus to tho draught
pole and main frame to determine the height of cut and the angle at
which the gathering shall be done or be set up to clear the ground.
1
And, Tenthly. In arranging flexible strips on or in the receptacle
to retain the crop within range of the compressing and binding
mechanism.
The Invention is as follows.-Supposing the apparatus to be affixed
as part of a reaping machine, the working parts would then receive their
motion from the main bearing wheel or from one of them, according to
the construction This wheel is situated between two side walls, one of
which serves for the elevator band to travel on (as the clevator bed),
and the other as the receptacle for the cut crop to fall into. The
receptacle has a shit in it for the compressor arm and also the pointed
head of the binder arm to pass through in the circular rotation, which
they obtain from a shaft arranged above the receptacle or cradle, and
driven by chain gearing from the main wheel or from a whelp upon
the axle In this slit or slot is a curved rack geared into by a pinion
within the head of the binder arm, the pinion being rotated for the
purpose of twisting the wire after the wrapping has been effected A
cutter is arranged in connection with the pinion for sevening the wire.
Belund the slit is fitted a spring barrel with a whorl upon it, and a hole
through its side terminating in a groove through which the wire from a
bobbin is led, a wrap of the wire upon the whorl causing the whorl to
turn when the binding arm in which the end of the wire is gripped is
travelling over the segment of the circle farthest from the whorl, the
whoil returning by the action of its spring to take up the slack caused
by the binding arm travelling over the segment of the circle nearest the
whorl.
The binding arm is rigidly fixed upon its shaft, and carries round
with it a compressor arm and a sheaf ejector arm, both of which have
independent movements given them by segmental gearing and guide
cams, springs being fitted to return them to be ready for the next repeat
operation
When arranged as a hinder only to Sall

page_text: the binding mechanism is mounted upon a frame carried upon travelling
wheels, one or more of which is provided with suitable gear, driving and
working the binder, and provided with bands to convey the grain from
the gathering fingers in front to the receptacle or cradle.
filed by the said William McIntyre Cranston in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 24th January 1876
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
MCINTYRE-CRANSTON, of 36, Worship Street, Finsbury, in the County
of Middlesex, send greeting
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William McIntyre Cranston,
Her special Licence, that T, the said William McIntyre Cranston, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William McIntyre Cranston, my 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 aud
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, with the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
COLLECTING AND FOR BINDING GRAIN STRAWS AND SIMILAR CROPS INTO BUNDLES OR
SHEAVES," (communicated to me from abroad by Walter Abbott Wood,
of loosick Falls, State of New York, United States of America,) upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William McIntyre
Cranston, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
descube and ascertam 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 immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William McIntyre Cranston, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say
This Invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus for
collecting and for binding grain, straws, and similar crops into bundles
or sheaves.
Firstly In an arrangement of mechanism by which the cut crop as it
falls on to a travelling band attached as a platform of a reaping machine
is carried by prongs and endless belts into a receptacle, in which the
quantity of the crop therein is encompassed by arms and has a wire or
cord wrapped round it, the end of the wire or cord being then twisted
upon a portion of itself and fastened. The wire is afterwards severed,
and the bound or tied up bundle thrown out of the receptacle on to the
ground.
Secondly. In arranging the gathering or collecting and the binding
mechanism upon a separate framing (upon wheels, that it may follow in
the wake of a reaper or be used at other times.
Thirdly. In arranging a pressure fork or frame with curved prongs in
front and on top of the endless belt or elevator of a binding machine
for retaining the gathered crop in the divisions of the endless belts on
its way to the receptacle or cradle
Fourthly In arranging a receptacle at the side of a reaper for
receiving the cut crop, the receptacle having a motion end on by gearing
and clamp handle to determine the position of the binding and tying
wire to suit different lengths of crop.
Fifthly In airanging a spring box appliance on the frame for the
reception of the wire passing from a bobbin to the eye of a clamp or
wire carrier, the spring box being capable of rotation to take up the
slack of the wire while the carrier is travelling in a circular direction
upon and around its centre.
Sixthly. In arranging gripper appliances in the wire carrier for
effecting the twisting operation, and also the severing by a gearing
action in a fixed rack attached to the receptacle or its support
Seventhly In arranging segmental toothed gearing on
a shaft
driven by the motion of the machine, the gearing fitting at intervals

page_text: Eighthly. In arranging an ejector on the gearing shaft, that by a
separate motion the ejector lifts the tied bundle and throws it over the
edge of the receptacle on to the ground.
Ninthly. In arranging a tilting or canting apparatus to the draught
pole and main frame to determine the height of cut and the 'angle
at which the gathering shall be done, or be set up to clear the
ground.
And, Tenthly. In arranging flexible strips on or in the receptacle
to retain the crop within range of the compressing and binding
mechanism.
The Invention is as follows -Supposing the apparatus to be affixed
as part of a reaping machine, the working parts would receive their
motion from the main bearing wheel or from one of them, according to
the construction. This wheel is situated between two side walls, one of
which serves for-the-elevator band to travel on (as the elevator bed) and
the other as the receptacle for the cut crop to fall into
The receptacle
has a slit in it for the compressor arm and also the pointed head of the
binder arm to pass through in the circular rotation which they obtain
from a shaft arranged above the receptacle or cradle and driven by
chain gearing from the main wheel or from a whelp upon the axle. In
this slit or slot is a curved rack geared into by a pinion within the head
of the binder arm, the pinion being rotated for the purpose of twisting
the wire after the wrapping has been effected. A cutter is arranged in
connection with the pinion for severing the wire Behind the slit is
fitted a spring barrel with a whorl upon it, and a hole through its side
terminating in a groove through which the wire from a bobbin is led, a
wrap of the wire upon the whorl causing the whorl to turn when the
binding arm, in which the end of the wire is gripped is travelling over
the segment of the circle farthest from the whorl, the whorl returning
by the action of its spring to take up the slack caused by the binding
arm travelling over the segment of the circle nearest the whorl
The binding arm is rigidly fixed upon its shaft, and carries round
with it a compressor arm and a sheaf ejector aim, both of which have
independent movements given them by segmental gearing and guide

page_text: Figure 5 is a top view of a portion of the apron showing the angle

page_text: lever O.
Figure 21 is a horizontal section through the pin n' of the arms m³
and n³, as shown in Figure 10.
Figure 22 is a front view of the binding head m; Figure 23 is a top
view of the same, Figure 24 is an under side view of the same
Figure 25 is a top view of the rotating part of the wire holder and
wire cutter; Figure 26 is a transverse section of the arm of the same,
Figure 27 is a top view of the fixed part of the wire holder and wire
cutter, Figure 28 is an under side view of the same.
Figure 29 is a longitudinal vertical section of the binding head mul
with its shield removed, as shown in Figure 22
Figure 30-18 a-section longitudinally through the stud bolt q' of the
friction roll q, shown in Figures 23 and 24.
Figures 31, 32, and 33 are vertical sections of the wire holder and
cutter showing the position of the binding wire during the process of
binding.
Figure 34 is a top view of parts as shown in Figure 33.
Figure 35 is a transverse vertical section of the rack box Y', shown in
Figure 10, Figure 36 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same.
Figure 37 is a longitudinal section of the rack.
Figures 38 and 39 are top views of the rack box Y' with the binding
head in the act of passing through it, and showing how the twisting
pinion and wire holder and cutter are operated, and Figure 40 is a top
view of the twisting pinion and a portion of the rack.
The apparatus is composed of a frame A, A, drive wheels B, the grain
wheels C, the reel E, the driving gear D, the pitman F, the pitman
lever G, the cutter bar II, the pole I, the whiffletrees K, the driver's
stand L, the lifting lever O, and rear wheel M. The rear wheel M how-
ever is allowed to turn only with the pole I, to which it is rigidly
attached, as shown in Figure 1.
The lifting lever, as used on the header, is perfectly rigid with
reference to the main frame, both horizontally and vertically, while
the pole is also rigid horizontally, and is only allowed a vertical move-
ment for the purpose of raising and lowering the cutter bar.

page_text: To enable the machine to be more easily and quickly turned around
I joint the pole I and lifting lever O to the frame A, A, as shown in
Figures 1 and 16, so as to allow the driver standing on the foot board L
to change at pleasure the inclination laterally of the pole to the frame.
One mode of joining laterally the lifting lever is shown at v², Figure 1,
and consists of the simple interposition of a metallic hinge as therein
shown.
A mode of jointing the pole is shown in Figure 16, and consists in a
simple pin
I' that plays in a conical slot A' in the rear girt A of the
frame, as therein shown. Around the lower portion R, Figures 1 and 18
of the capstan P that takes bearing in the pole I is the cable Q, that has
its ends firmly attached to staples or hooks driven in the rear girt A¹ on
either side of the pole Secured to the pole is an upright piece or
standard, Figures 1 and 18, that has attached theicto a cast-iron
holder t' for receiving and holding the end of the lifting lever O. The
cud or handle is provided with a sping O', Figures 1, 18, 19, and 20,
that is used to retain the lever O in the holder t', as therem shown J 18
a cross bar on the pole, to which the horses' heads are hitched
S is a
circular plate of iron attached to the pole, as shown in Figures 1 and 16,
and used after the manner of the ordinary "circle iron on wagons to
prevent the pole and the parts rigidly joined thereto from tipping over
sidewise.
"
In order to adapt the moving apron W to the binding platform Y, so
that the grain may be surely conducted from the former to the latter,
the apron is constructed in the ordinary manner of strong cloth 10,
Figures 2, 3, and 5, but the slats or straps a² for keeping it extended are
attached on the under side thereof, in order that at least a portion of its
upper surface may be more closely approached by the binding platform Y
than the slat, as heretofore used, running quite across the top of the
apron would permit, otherwise the grain would lodge between the apron
and the platform
To aid in carrying the grain squarely across the platform or to prevent
it from turning while being cared, the upper side of the apron is
attached by rivets, that also pass through the straps a², the short slats
or lugs a', Figures 1, 2, and 3; or instead of the slats a¹ the rivets may
secure simply a large washer a¹¹¹, as shown in Figures 4 and 7. Where
the slats or lugs a², shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5 are used the binding
platform Y is provided with fingers y¹, that running between the rows

page_text: of slats and close to the body of the apron aid in picking up the grain
and conducting it upon the binding platform.
When simply the washers a¹ are used nearly the full edge of the
binding platform is brought close to the body of the apron, only
openings being left therein through which the washers pass, as shown
in Figure 7 The apron W runs horizontally across the table over the
rolls b', and then is carried up a short distance over the driving roll or
drum m, as more particularly shown in Figure 2.
As heretofore used the horizontal portion of the apron is held down at
its front and rear sides in the manner the rear portion of the apron
herein described is held, that is, by the slat or piece 2, Figures 1 and 3,
that terminates at the angle of the apron (that is, at the point where
the elevating portion of the apron commences) with a spring z³, over the
outer end of which the apron is drawn as the drum m revolves. However
well this device has worked on the front side of the apron of the header,
it will not answer to hold down the front side of the horizontal portion
of an apron carrying grain across the reaping platform, and afterwards
elevating it into a binding attachment, inasmuch as the butts of the
grain resting thereon throughout the entire length of the cutter bar are
so far retarded as to deliver the grain heads first upon the binding 1
platform To remove this cause of the grain turning, and also to enable
the apron to run above the cutter bar so as to prevent the grain from
riding on the sickle bars for the purpose of keeping the apron down,
simply the angle piece e" is employed, that has its ends turned up as
shown m Figure 6, to prevent the apron as it passes under it from
catching This angle piece e" may be of any rigid material, but spring
steel is preferable, and it should be secured to the cutter bar with the
spring part above the apron at that point where it is desired the elevating
portion of the apron should commence, Figures 1, 5, 6, and 8.
To prevent the grain from running under the spring e" it is covered
by the wooden block d' that rises above the spring for carrying the
grain over it
The binding platform Y is supported on the end of the
cutter bar H, and the end of the cross bar a continued, Figures 1 and 8,
and the top thereof should be of the curvilinear form shown in the
latter Figure.
The binding attachment is supported. as shown in Figures 1 and 15.

page_text: front girt of the main frame A, A, and the end q of the cross bar x, and
consists of a shaft g that is supported on the bearings g¹ and g¹, and to
which is rigidly attached the arm m³ that bears the binding head m", and
that is provided with a segmental pinion m³. On the shaft g is a second
or compressing aim that turns freely thercon, and that playing in
advance of the binding arm m³ is secured thereto by a spring that has
its ends held by a bolt passing through it firmly against the cars t¹¹ of
the arms, as shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15.
Passing through the bearing 9" and a short distance below the shaft g¹
is a stud bolt n', more particularly shown in Figures 15 and 17. On this
stud freely turns the arm n' that is provided with a segmental gear n³,
in which plays the segmental pinion m³ and a cam head n", on the
face of which the pin m' in the binding arm m¹ works as the arm m²
rotates.
On the binding arm m³ several different kinds of binding heads m",
whether binding with wire or cord, may be used
It consists simply of
a stud bolt 66", Figures 22, 23, 24, and 29, which passes through the
end of the arm m³, and on which turns the twisting pinion 2 and the
1otating part 44', 55', 88', of the wire holder and cutter, and to which is
keyed or otherwise firmly secured the fixed part 33¹ of the wire holder
and cutter.
The form and position of the parts are as shown in the Drawing, and
they are shielded by the shield II" that is riveted to the arm m³,
Figures 22, 23, and 24 On this shield, and making a part thereof, is
the horn I' and the ear I", to the latter of which is attached a friction
roll 9, Figures 22, 23, and 30
h, Figure 1, is a sheet-iron shield fastened to the arm m¹ and shaft g
in such a manner as to prevent the binding material from catching on
the
springs t¹ or other projecting parts.
Underneath the binding table Y, and secured in any desired manner
thereto, is a reel k, Figures 9 and 10, for carrying the wire, and a rack
box Y', through which the binding head m" passes after having passed
the wire around the bundle. This rack box bears a rack s, Figures 35,
36, 37, 38, and 39 that operates the twisting pinion 2 and a lug s¹ that
operates the rotating part 44, 55, 88', of the wire holder and wire
cutter.

page_text: The twisting pinion 2 may be any ordinary pinion, but should have
the teeth cut a little deeper than those of the rack, so as to allow the
wire to be inserted between its teeth without making it liable to come
in contact with the rack teeth, as shown in Figure 40.
The apron
W may be operated in any desired manner, as by a sprocket
wheel a on the crank shaft bearing a chain running over the loose
sprocket wheel that clutches in the sprocket wheel c, that is keyed or
otherwise securely fixed to the shaft or axle of the driving roll or
drum m of the apron W, Figures 1, 7, and 8
clutched in or out of the wheel cat pleasure by means of the lever d,
Figure 1
The loose wheel b is
The binding attachment may also be operated in any desired manner,
as by a chain on the sprocket wheel c driving the sprocket wheel e on
the intermediate-shaft e¹,-Figure 1, that in turn by means of the pinionf
operates the gear f¹ attached to the binding shaft g¹ that by a complete
revolution in one direction performs the entire operation of binding.
During the operation of this machine if it be desired to turn it around
in a right-hand direction the same may be effected by turning the
capstan P so as to incline the pole I to the frame A, A, as shown-in
Figure 1, when the forward movement of the horses will turn the
machine. To keep the machine moving in a right line it is only
necessary to keep the pole I in a line perpendicular to the rear girt of
the main frame A, A
To raise and lower the cutter bar the hand of the driver should be
applied to the handle of the lifting lever O to press down the spring O¹,
Figures 1, 18, 19, and 20, when the handle may be withdrawn from one
socket of the holder and again inserted in another above or below it
at pleasure, where the spring O' upon being released securely holds it as
shown
The forward movement of the machine through means of the gear
set D and sprocket wheels a, b, and c, rapidly revolves, the apron W
carrying the cut grain first across the platform in front of the cutter
bar and then over the drum m, delivering it in a continuous stream upon
the concave surface of the binding platform Y, where the rotary move-
ment of the arm m³ attached to the revolving shaft g¹ causes it to be
-bound into bundles and cast upon the ground at the side of the machine
in the manner following, to wit -The arms being in the position shown

page_text: by Figure 10 secure the end of the binding wire k¹ carried on the reel k
in the binding head m" by inserting it between the fixed and rotating
parts of the wire holder, which is accomplished by placing it in the
position shown by the right-hand portion of the dotted line marked 7"¹¹,
Figure 22, when by revolving the rotary part 44', 55¹, 88¹, one-third of
a revolution the end will be drawn between the rotary part and the
fixed part of the wire holder, as shown by 7 in Figure 22, where it is
represented as compressed between that portion marked 5 of the arm 5, 5¹
of the rotary part of the wire holder and wire cutter and the face of the
adjacent portion 3¹ of the fixed part 33 of the wire holder and wire
cutter, then the arm m' revolving in the direction indicated by the
arrow in that Figuic (10) and driving before it the compressing arm
increases still more the space between it (the arm m³) and the arm n¹
by means of the pin m³ acting in the cam groove m³ until the arm n¹ is
swung up so far as to allow the pin to leave the groove when the arm n¹
becomes stationary, and remains so while the pin m³ sweeps around the
circular face of the cam head n", as shown in Figure 11, at which time
the position of the wire with reference to the binding head is shown by
dotted lines marked 7", Figure 22, that is, it has commenced to enter
the rear opening 35 between the portions 3 and 3' of the stationary part
of the wire holder and cutter.
The arm m¹ continuing to revolve and driving the compressing arm ›ª
as before soon passes the arm 1, when the teeth of the segmental
pinion m³ on the arm m¹ striking into the teeth of the segmental gcar n³
on the arm n¹ causes the latter arm to be driven down or back over its
course again, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, until the ends of the two
arms meet near the front end of the rack box Y¹, at which time the seg-
mental pinion m³ has run out of the segmental gear n³ and the pin m² has
again reached the face of the cam head n" and again enters the cam
grooven, that is, of such shape as to allow the pin m³ to hold the arm n'
firmly against the arm m², as shown in Figures 8 and 9, while the latter
drives it back again through the rack box until the pin m' having
reached the bottom of the cam groove n³ acts again on the right hand
face thereof, so swinging up the arm ³ until the pin leaves the groove
as before
And so the operation is repeated for each bundle.
As the arms are driven together the unbound grain on the table or
binding platform Y is sized between the arm ¹ and the compressing
arm ', as shown in Figure 9.

page_text: If the quantity of grain is sufficient the compressing arm is driven
back toward the arm m', as shown by dotted lines in same Figure, the
spring & allowing the arms to adjust themselves to the amount of grain
seized between them, and yet compressing whatever quantity may be
siezed with the full force of the spring.
While the arms are approaching each other, and when slightly in
advance of their position, shown in Figure 12. the wire k¹ having worked
up the inclined face of the horn 1¹ swings over its point and enters the
rear side of the twisting pinion 2 and the rear opening 35 in the fixed
part of the wire holder and cutter, as shown by the left hand portion of
the wire indicated by 7" in Figures 22, 23, 24, and 31
The arms continuing to approach each other the arm n¹ seizes the wire
and loops it around the grain, as shown in Figure 13, until the arms
having come together it drives it (the wire) into the front side of the
twisting pinion and between the. arms 44' and 55' of the rotary part and
into the mouth 3' of the stationary part of the wire holder and cutter,
where its position is fully shown by 7" in Figures 22, 23, 24, and 31
As the arm m¹ meets the arm n¹ and commences to drive it back the
binding head m¹ enters the end of the rack box Y', when the twisting
pinion 2 meshes in the rack s, Figure 38, causing the pinion to com-
mence rapidly revolving, and so twisting the ends of the wire that is
around the grain together, as shown in Figure 33
The first movement of the twisting pinion 2 draws the wire into the
circular groove 3 in the fixed part 33' of the wire holder, as shown by
7 in Figure 32, while the lug &' striking the arm 55¹ of the rotary part
of the wire holder and cutter Figure 38 revolves the part one-third of a
revolution so binging down the arm 44' to the position occupied by the
arm 55¹, as shown in Figure 39, and so continuously the passage of the
binding head m" through the rack box Y¹ causes the lug s¹ to rotate
the rotating part of the wire holder and cutter one-third of a revolution,
or over the space occupied by an arm.
As the rotating part is operated by the lug &' it first bends the
wire 7, Figure 32, over the cutting edge 3", Figure 32, and forcibly
seizes it between the face of the part 3¹ and the holder 4 when the
cutting edge 41 following severs the wire, as shown in Figure 32, so
separating from the main body of the wire that portion that runs around

page_text: the bundle, and has it ends held from being withdrawn from the
pinion 2 by being looped under or back of the pinion in the groove 3111
of the fixed part aforesaid, and enabling the continued movement of the
pinion, as the binding head sweeps through the remaining portion of the
rack box Y¹ to twist these ends together, as shown in Figure 33, thereby
completing the process of binding. As the arms again open to the
position first assumed, as shown in Figure 10, the bundle is discharged
from the arms and falls upon the ground
After the wire 71 is severed by the cutting edges 4' and 3", Figure 32,
and the end 7 of the wire running to the recl is held as previously
described between the parts 3 and 4, Figure 33, this end 7 becomes
the new end, that as the arm m' again revolves is looped around the new
grain on the binding platform Y, and inscited in the twisting pinion as
before, and so on continuously.
It should be observed that the recesses 5", 4", and 8", Figures 22, 25,
26, 31, 32, and 33, and very much in holding the end of the wire, as
thereby the extreme end thereof remains uncompressed and so being
larger than that held in the jaws prevents the end from being withdrawn
until released by the movement of the rotating part.
It may also be observed that serrating the face of the parts 4, 5, and 8,
after the manner of a sickle, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, aids some-
what in holding the end of the wire.
It will be seen that as the binding head passes through the rack box
the roll & working against the flange or side » keeps the pinion in the
rack, that the shield 1 is to protect the parts of the binding head as it
passes through the grain, and that the first teeth in the rack Figures 37
and 38 arc shortened to prevent the teeth of the pinion catching
tliercon.
The following Figures represent modifications of the foregoing.-
Figure 41 is a perspective view of a harvesting machine with the
attachment, Figure 42 is an end clevation, Figure 43 is a plan view of
the same.
Figures 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51, represent parts assembled and
detached of the binding head, Figure 52 is a cross sectional elevation ;
Figure 53 is a perspective view of the binding head

page_text: Figures 54, 55, and 56 represent the take-up spool; Figure 57 is a
plan of the rack box.
The
The cradle or receptacle A into which the cut grain is delivered from
the elevating apron is composed of a suitable framework covered with
sheet metal or other suitable material. At one side there is firmly {
bolted to said frame a pillar or standard B with an arm b projecting
from the top thereof, and extending over said cradle to its centre
pillar B and its arm 6 support the operative mechanism of the binder
which is driven through the medium of the shafts C and D, and their
pinions actuated by and connected with the main driving wheel E. At 1
the outer end of shaft C is mounted a binding arm F which carries at
its outer end the binding head G and a compressing arm H. There is
also pivoted to the end of the arm 6 and operating in connection with
the binding and compressing arm II,F, a vibrating arm I
The arm F has upon its hub a segment gear J which meshes with a 1
corresponding segment K upon the hub of the arm I, whereby said arm I
is actuated in one direction as the arm F rotates and is moved in the
opposite direction by means of the pin L and cam M
If it be desired to impart to the compresser II a more rapid advance
during that portion of its revolution which is at the apex of its circuit 2
two teeth or cogs N are attached to the hub of said compresser H, and
to the segment K are attached two corresponding teeth O projecting
beyond the teeth of said segment which are adjusted to mesh with cach
other at the proper moment and impart to the compresser a more rapid
advance When said gears N, O, go out of mesh the arm I recovers its 2
position by the action of the spring P
The momentum of the moving parts is considerable, and as the arm I
is for a moment during each revolution twice out of gear with those
parts which actuate it, its momentum may sometimes be so great as to
carry it too far for proper engagement again unless provision is made to 3
limit its movement at each extremity, there is therefore placed upon the
arm I a stop Q which coming in contact with the hub of arm F
prevents further movement of arm I in that direction, and to limit the
motion of said arm in the opposite direction there is fixed to the arm
a stop R, though it may be arranged like the stop Q by a projecting 3
portion of the hub of said arm I One or both of said stops may be made
adjustable by means of screws.

page_text: The binding head G is constructed in two parts, one being the pointed
inclosing shell g and the other the base block and shield which is located
partially within said shell and secured there by screws. The form of
the part a is shown in Figure 48. On the inner side of the base / there
is a stud & upon which the twisting pinion S is mounted, as secured by a
screw, and on the outer surface opposite said twisting pinion the
clamping nipper plate T is mounted. At a and d the base plate is cut
away or notched so as to permit the binding wire to approach and enter
between the teeth of the twister, which consists of a single pinion S
projecting from said head at one side thereof, far enough to engage with
the rack U to receive therefrom its rotary motion. The clamping
nipper T is pivoted to the outer side of the base plate h, and is actuated
by the contact of one or the other of studs e, f, with properly disposod
cam surfaces ", ", located in the rack box U The front edge of said
nipper is provided with a notch k, and it works under stationary plato V
clamping the end of the band wire thereunder, while it by the same
movement cuts the wire free from the slicaf by means of said notch
acting against a stationary cutting edge formed by a stool plate m
inserted in the base plate h. The thickness of the nipper plate is not
quite equal to the thickness of the space within which it moves beneath
the plato V, so that the binding wire may be drawn under said plate by
the notch, and clamped there while the head G is being carried around
tho gavel. During this movement around the gavel the binding wire
becomes bent backward over the hooking end n of the plate V and
downward through the space or notch d, where it enters between two of
the leaves of the twister, and at this moment the compresser H advances,
as heretofore described, and pushes the binding wire in front of the
ledge p, whereby it is prevented from escaping from its position in the
twistor

page_text: thecis placed upon the root w so as to prevent the said
pinion from backing off. A large or stationary apron B¹ is secured to
the bars to project over and cover the joint or scam between the
binding machine and said bar s, and to prevent the lodgment of grain
therein.
If the grain stands thin upon the ground it may happen that during
the time of one revolution of the binding arm an insufficient quantity
of grain will have been cut for a proper sized sheaf, and it is therefore
required that the attendant may stop or start the binding mechanism at
will. For this purpose a ratchet clutch C¹ is arranged upon the shaft D,
whereby with the treadle d¹ the binding mechanism may be thrown out
of gear at any moment, but when so stopped the weight of the revolving
arms might cause them to move forward or backward into inconvenient
positions unless restrained There is therefore placed upon the shaft D
a ratchet g', with which a spring pawl e¹ engages. The clutch is made
with double faces as shown, so that the arm cannot revolve any faster
than its driving shaft during those portions of its revolution when the
weight of the said arm tends to accelerate its movement.
Small ledges D' are placed on the surface of the grain receptacle just
opposite the orifice, through which the binding head G enters the mass
of cut grain to separate it into gavels These ledges turn outwardly
from said surface in a direction nearly horizontal, and their effect is to
cause the mass or sheet of descending grain to assumo a horizontal
direction at that point, so that the head G will penetrate and separate
it with greater ease and less liability to entanglement with the stalks of
grain.
The arms H, I, between which the grain stalks are gathered and
comprossed to form a sheaf, through moving with a positive motion, yet
necessarily move with an elastic pressure, so that the said arms may
accommodate themselves to gavels of different sizes, and also avoid the
harsh and sudden compression of the gavel which would otherwise
occur, whereby the straw might be broken. Thero is therefore placed
upon arm H the spring X', and auxiliary thereto the tension spring E¹
is placed upon the arm I. This latter spring may be made of any
suitable clastic material. It aids more particularly in gathering the
bundle prior to its full compression between the yielding arm H and

page_text: rigid arm J, and thereby prevents the drawing out of an unnecessary
length of binding wire.
Attached to the cradle are two light flat springs F¹, F', which prevent
the sheaf from swinging out of position just prior to the moment of
discharge when it has been liberated from the arm I, and by their
recoil, when the sheaf has passed over them, they effect a complete
separation of the unbound grain from that which has been bound.
It sometimes happens that the grain lies upon the cradle in a thick
loose mass.
This may be in consequence of its being somewhat tangled,
and in this condition it sometimes becomes entangled with the segment:
gears of the arms F and I, and to prevent such entanglement I attach
to the arm b a stationary fender rod G¹
The slack wire is taken up at cach revolution by a spring take-up
spool II' located beneath the cradle. Said spool is constructed with a
grooved disc ¹³ mounted upon a spindle ', which latter is firmly secured
to the frame A. A coiled spring k', having one end secured to said
spool and the other end to said spindle serves to actuate it, and a
surrounding case or barrel I' encloses and protects the spring. The
case 1' is closed at one end and provided with several spurs which
penetrate the wood of the frame A and keep it securely in position.
The spindle has a shoulder which comes down upon the bottom of
case 1' and thereby prevents it from turning around.
The spool H is rotated until the spring has sufficient tension to tako
up the required slack of the binding wire, which is then passed through
the orifice m¹ and out into the groove n². When the binding head
makes its circuit around the gavel so much wire is drawn from the recl
Jas will equal the circle described by said binding head, and this
quantity is in excess of that required to pass around the sheaf. The
iecoil of the spring / rotates the spool H' and takes up the surplus
The case I serves as a break on the spring or a limit to its expansion if
the binding wire should be suddenly broken. In such event the spring
would rapidly uncoil until the pressure of the revolving spring against
the case gradually checks its motion; otherwise the rapid revolution of
the spring and spool and their momentum would cause the breakage of
the centre coil or its connection with the spindle 2.
The orifices through which the binding wire passes may be re-enforced
by bushing or protected by friction rollers, as at ª³.

page_text: Seventhly. The cradle A, provided with the retaining springs F¹, as
and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William M'Intyre Cranston,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of
January, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W. M. CRANSTON. (L.S