IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING County for the Invention MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hornsby, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln,
and John Innocent and George Thomas Rutter, both of Spittlegate, in the
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
County of Lincoln, for the Invention
MACHINES." Partly a communication by the late Richard Hornsby, of Spittle-
mata oforagoid
Sealed the 28th February 1878, and dated the 2nd January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hornsby, John
Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 2nd January 1878.
JAMES HORNSBY, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, and JOHN INNOCENT
and GEORGE THOMAS RUTTER, both of Spittlegate, in the County of Lincoln.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES." Partly a communication by the late
Richard Hornsby, of Spittlegate aforesaid.
The object of this Invention is mainly to give the driver more perfect command
over the machine, so that whilst sitting on his seat he can readily raise or lower the
machine, throw the machine in or out of gear, tilt the machine, and also vary the
rate at which the rakes deliver the cut crop from off the platform.
The raising and lowering of the machine is effected by a spindle passing through
the fixed axle upon which the main wheel turns; the spindle may have on its outer
end a worm wheel, into which gears a worm, which can be turned by a crank
handle within reach of the driver, whilst on the inner end of the spindle is a pinion
When the spindle is
which gears with a toothed arc carried by the frame.
turned the arc and frame will be raised or lowered. The toothed arc is carried
by the frame in such a manner that it can move up and down in guides, and
the frame rests on a spring carried by a bolt fixed to the arc, consequently the
weight of the machine is supported on the spring. The axle for the main wheel has
a disc forged on it at its end to come against and be bolted to a flat surface on the
quadrant, the pinion before mentioned can therefore be close up to the end of the
main wheel axle.

page_text: The throwing the driving mechanism in or out of gear with the main wheel is
also effected through the axle. For this purpose a rod is carried through the axle
either through its centre or through a groove at its exterior. The outer end of the
rod is connected to a small foot lever, whilst the inner end of the rod may be con-
nected to one end of a small lever carried by the quadrant, the other end of which
is connected to the clutch fork. The clutch fork acts upon the pinion, which gears
with the toothed wheel carried by the main wheel and slides the pinion end wise
on its spindle so as to move it up to or away from a driving pin which the spindle
carries.
.
The stem of the clutch fork has a spring around it to force the pinion up to and
into gear with the clutch pin, and so make the pinion fast on its spindle, but when
the foot lever before mentioned is pressed on the spring is overcome and the pinion
set loose. When the pinion is set loose on its spindle a spring catch takes hold of
the foot lever and holds it fast. When the pinion is again to be made fast with its
shaft the driver has simply to knock up this catch by his foot, the foot lever will
then return to its original position. The clutch fork and lever connected to it are
both carried by the quadrant to which the axle of the main wheel is bolted.
The tilting of the machine might also be effected through the axle of the main
wheel, or it may be effected as described in the Specification of a Patent, No. 3482,
in the year 1875, by means of a lever within reach of the driver; in this case we
pass through the axis of the lever another axis, and on the outer end of this axis
we fix a lever handle, with a catch upon it to take into notches in a fixed rack or
quadrant, so that the lever handle can be held in any desired position; on the inner
end of the axis is a lever arm, from which an upward or downward movement can
be given to the finger used for shifting the switch piece of the cam, by which the
action of the rakes is controlled so as to bring this finger opposite to any one or
other of the revolving cams which act upon it, and thereby vary the rate of delivery
as described in the Specification of the Patent, No. 2890, in the year 1876.
The bracket which carries the cam for controlling the action of the rakes we cast
in one piece with the cam.
Instead, also, of using switch pieces turning on centres to cause the trucks of the
rake arms to run on the inner or outer tracks of the fixed cam we in some cases use
sliding switch pieces and work them in the same way that the turning switch
pieces were previously worked, and as is described in the Specification of the Patent
above mentioned.
To support the inner side of machine when the platform and cutters are turned
up for travelling we form on or secure to the bracket to which the platform is
hinged an axle in such a manner that the axle may remain below the platform
when the platform is turned down for work, and be ready to have a wheel placed
upon it whenever the platform is turned up for travelling.
The outer end of the platform we support on a castor wheel connected as hereto-
fore to the divider plate by a double joint, and at the same time we form the arm
which carries the axis of the wheel in two parts, jointed together with a horizontal
joint, and with a worm on one part gearing into a rack or arc on the other part, so
that by turning the worm the outer end of the platform can be raised or
lowered.
The divider plate we secure to the top of the finger bar instead of to its under
side, as heretofore, so that it may offer less obstruction to the passage of the machine
over the ground.
The arrangements herein-before described for enabling the driver readily to
control the action of the machine are applicable to machines provided with a pole
for two horses, or with shafts for one or more horses.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Hornsby, John Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd July 1878.
JAMES HORNSBY, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, and JOHN INNOCENT
and GEORGE THOMAS RUTTER, both of Spittlegate, in the County of Lincoln.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES." Partly a communication by the late
Richard Hornsby, of Spittlegate aforesaid.
The object of this Invention is mainly to give the driver more perfect command
over the machine, so that whilst sitting on his seat he can readily raise or lower
the machine, throw the machine in or out of gear, tilt the machine, and also vary
the rate at which the rakes deliver the cut crop from off the platform.
The raising and lowering of the machine is effected by a spindle passing through
the fixed axle upon which the main wheel turns; the spindle may have on its outer
end a worm wheel, into which gears a worm, which can be turned by a crank handle
within reach of the driver, whilst on the inner end of the spindle is a pinion which
gears with a toothed are carried by the frame. When the spindle is turned the arc
and frame will be raised or lowered. The toothed arc is carried by the frame in
such a manner that it can move up and down in guides, and the frame rests on a
spring carried by a bolt fixed to the arc, consequently the weight of the machine is
supported on the spring. The axle for the main wheel has a disc forged on it at
its end to come against and be bolted to a flat surface on the quadrant; the pinion
before mentioned can therefore be close up to the end of the main wheel axle.
The throwing the driving mechanism in or out of gear with the main wheel is
also effected through the axle. For this purpose a rod is carried through the axle,
either through its centre or through a groove at its exterior. The outer end of the
rod is connected to a small foot lever, whilst the inner end of the rod may be con-
nected to one end of a small lever carried by the quadrant, the other end of which
is connected to the clutch fork. The clutch fork acts upon the pinion, which gears
with the toothed wheel, carried by the main wheel, and slides the pinion end wise
on its spindle so as to move it up to or away from a driving pin which the spindle
carries.
The stem of the clutch fork has a spring around it to force the pinion up to and
into gear with the clutch pin, and so make the pinion fast on its spindle; but
when the foot lever before mentioned is pressed on, the spring is overcome and the
pinion set loose. When the pinion is set loose on its spindle a spring catch takes
hold of the foot lever and holds it fast. When the pinion is again to be made fast
with its shaft the driver has simply to knock up this catch by his foot, the foot
lever will then return to its original position. The clutch fork and lever connected
to it are both carried by the quadrant to which the axle of the main wheel is
bolted.
The tilting of the machine might also be effected through the axle of the main
wheel, or it may be effected as described in the Specification of a Patent, No. 3482,
in the year 1875, by means of a lever within reach of the driver; in this case wo
pass through the axis of the lever another axis, and on the outer end of this axis
we fix a lever handle with a catch upon it to take into notches in a fixed rack or
quadrant so that the lever handle can be held in any desired position; on the inner
end of the axis is a lever arm, from which an upward or downward movement can
be given to the finger used for shifting the switch piece of the cam, by which the
action of the rakes is controlled so as to bring this finger opposite to any one or
other of the revolving cams which act upon it, and thereby vary the rate of delivery
as described in the Specification of the Patent, No. 2890, in the year 1876.
Instead, also, of using switch pieces turning on centres to cause the trucks of
the rake arms to run on the inner or outer tracks of the fixed can, we in some cases
use sliding switch pieces and work them in the same way that the turning switch

page_text: Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2 is a side elevation, and Figure 3 is a front elevation
of a reaping machine constructed according to our Iuvention.
All these Figures are drawn partly in section.
A, A, is the main frame of the machine in which is formed the bearing for the
axis B of the first motion pinion B¹, and upon the same bearing the quadrant C is
mounted and is able to turn. D is the axle of the main wheel of the machine; it
is fixed to the quadrant, and is hollow or tubular, having the hollow spindle E and
also the rod F passing through it.
The driver's seat is supported from a casting G, which fits on the end of the axle
D; the stay H passing to the fore part of the frame prevents the seat from turning,
whilst the worm wheel E' fixed upon the end of the spindle E prevents movement
along the axle. In the casting G bearings are formed to carry the worm E2, which
can be turned by means of a crank handle; this worm gears with the worm wheel E',
so that the driver can, whenever he pleases, by turning the crank handle, cause the
spindle E to rotate. This spindle at its inner end has upon it the pinion E 3, which
gears with a toothed arc I. This are does not form part of the quadrant C, but is
able to slide in curved guides upon it. It has projections 1', I', upon its back, and
these project through slots in the guide. To one of the projections I¹ a rod I² is
jointed, and a spring surrounding the rod and resting upon a disc at its lower end
supports the frame A.
When the pinion E 3 is turned the frame is raised or lowered, but it is free to
play as the machine travels over uneven ground, and as the pressure upon the sup-
porting spring varies.
The rod F can be moved longitudinally within the spindle E by means of the
treadle lever K; in Figure 3 this lever is shown depressed, so as to draw the rod
outwards, and it is retained by the spring catch L, which, however, the driver can
free with his foot when he so desires.
The rod F when drawn out operates upon the lever M, which has its fulcrum
upon the quadrant, and which operates to draw back the fork N, and with it the
pinion B¹, so that the projections upon the boss of the pinion may no longer engage
with the pin B2 fixed in the axis B, and then the forward motion of the machine
can take place without rotating the axis B and driving the cutting parts.
The projections upon the boss of the pinion B¹ are so formed that when the
machine is backed they pass the pin and the axis, and parts to which it transmits
motion remain at rest; the stem of the fork N can slide through the eye at the end
of the lever M whilst the lever remains at rest. N¹ is a spring surrounding the

page_text: stem of the fork, and whenever free it forces the projections into gear with the pin.
By these means both the raising and lowering of the frame of the machine, and also
the in and out gear, are worked by the driver from his seat by connections passing
through the axle of the main wheel. A solid axle D may in some cases be employed,
as is represented in Figure 3A, and having simply a groove in it to receive the
rod F, so that it can work freely between the axle and the boss of the wheel.
If it be desired also to effect the tilting of the machine to vary the pitch of the
fingers by a connection through the axle, this may be effected in the manner repre-
sented in Figure 4, which is a plan of a portion of the machine, with some of the
parts in section. Here the rod F, which by its longitudinal motion operates upon
the lever M in the manner already described, is capable of being rotated; it has a
handle upon its end with a locking bolt upon it, taking into teeth formed upon the
part G to retain it in any position in which it may be set.
The end of the rod F
is squared for some distance, and it can slide through the boss of the handle, so
that the rotary and the longitudinal motions of the rod can take place quite inde-
pendently the one of the other. The rod F has upon its inner end the arm F¹, and
from this arm a link passes to another similar arm upon an axis O. The axis
O is mounted upon a bracket fixed upon the fore part of the frame, it is hollow and
from an arm O upon it another link descends and is jointed to the pole P at a
point in rear of the bolt or spindle P', which forms the main connection between
the frame and the pole. Qis another axis passing through the hollow axis O; it
is capable of being turned and locked in position by means of a lever handle upon
it with a bolt taking into teeth formed upon the bracket; Q is an arm upon the
inner end of the axis Q, and from this arm a rod passes to the lever, which shifts
from one grade to another the automatic rake controlling gear which calls upon
the rakes to deliver, as described in the Specification, No. 2890, in the year 1876.
In Figure 1 the same arrangement is shown, but here no provision is made for
moving the axis Q by a connection through the axis of the main wheel, but a handle
for working it is applied directly to its end.
Figure 5 is a plan of the rake controlling cam and parts in connection there-
with. The dotted circles R and R₁ represent the rollers on the rake arms passing
along the two alternative paths. S is the switch piece, capable of sliding rectilinearly
in guides, and the position of it in the guides determines whether the rollers R, R³,
take the inner or the outer path; as shown in the Drawing, the sliding switch stands
in a position to direct the rollers on to the outer path.
A link T connects the slide S with a short arm on the axis U, upon which there
is also the finger U¹. V is a cam, which as it revolves operates upon the finger and
so alters the position of the switch.
The axis U can be slidden longitudinally, as described in the former Specifica-
tion already referred to, so as to bring the finger in front of different parts of the
cam, carrying different numbers of rises, so that the switch may be operated more
or less frequently, as may be desired; in Figure 3 W is a projecting axle formed or
fixed upon the frame, and adapted to receive the wheel W¹, which is used when
travelling upon the road or elsewhere for long distances. When the wheel W¹ is
required the platform is first raised into the position shown, the wheel is slipped on
to the end of the axle W, and is secured by a pin; the wheel employed is the same
as is used to support the platform on the further side when the machine is at work,
it is seen in Figure 1. X is a stay inserted between the axle W and the plat-
form to sustain the latter in its raised position.
Figure 6 shows in elevation, and Figure 7 in plan another method of arranging
the axle W, so that it may remain always in its place and be ready for use when-
ever required. In this case a socket is formed upon the portion of the frame to
which the finger bar is jointed, and into the socket a straight axle is inserted and
secured by a bolt or key. The way in which the axle W is applied in a back
delivery machine is shown in Figure 8, which is a plan of a portion of such a
machine. As in Figures 6 and 7 a socket is formed in the part of the frame to

page_text: which the finger bar is jointed, and into this socket the axle is inserted and per-
manently fixed.
The axle may be mounted to turn about a pivot, as is indicated in Figure 7*,
where the dotted lines indicate the position into which the axle may be turned when
the machine is put to work.
The other plans where the axle is fixed are, however, preferable.
In each of
these arrangements the axle W is so applied that it in no way interferes with
the action of the machine in work, and consequently the axle W need never be
removed.
In order to facilitate the raising of the platform and the insertion into its place
of the stay X, an operation which at present requires two men for its safe per-
formance, we provide a roller a upon the frame, as is seen in Figure 3.
The roller a can be turned by means of a handle upon its end, so as to cause it to
wind up the cord or chain b, and a ratchet and pawl lock it to prevent unwinding.
At the end of the cord or chain b there is an eye bolt 6', and when it is desired
to lift the platform the stem of the bolt is inserted into a hole formed to receive it
in the finger bar, and a pin is put through the stem of the bolt on the underside of
the finger bar. The platform is then readily wound up to the height required to
allow the stay X to be placed.
Figure 9 shews two other arrangements for raising the platform; c¹ and c² are the
two parts of a telescopic rod passing from the eye bolt inserted into the finger bar
to a corresponding bolt upon the frame. On the part crack teeth are formed, and
this part is able to slide upon the part c², to which it is confined by a strap. The
part carries a pinion, and when by means of a handle the pinion is turned the
parts c¹ and c² move the one on the other, and so the platform can be drawn up or
lowered. This apparatus is removed from the machine when not required
for use.
Another arrangement is shewn in the same Figure, consisting of a toothed arc
fixed to the platform and a worm upon the frame.
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the castor wheel and parts in connection there-
with, by which the platform is carried on the further side. The same parts are
seen in plan in Figure 1. Y is the divider plate, so called because the divider is
fixed to it. By a link Y¹, connected with it by a pin joint, the divider plate carries
an arm having at its outer end the axle to receive the castor wheel. This arm is
made in two parts, Z¹ and Z². The part Z' is pin jointed to the link Y¹, and the part
Z is in turn jointed to the part Z³, and in such manner that it can move up or down
to vary the distance of the fingers from the ground. On Z' an arc of teeth is formed,
and with these teeth a worm engages; the worm is mounted upon the part Z³, and
can be turned by a key or handle until the required adjustment is obtained. By
the provision of this three fold joint between the divider plate and the wheel
freedom of movement, either forward or backward, and facility of adjustment are
fully attained.
Figure 11 is a plan view illustrating the method by which shafts may be substi-
tuted for the pole in these machines when made of small size.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention and the manner of performing
the same, we would remark that we have omitted from this our final Specification
matter of Invention to which reference is made in our Provisional Specification.
The matter of Invention so omitted originated with the late Richard Hornsby, of
Spittlegate, but the matter of Invention included and herein-after claimed in this
final Specification did not so originate, but was invented by us, the Patentees. What
we claim is,
First. So arranging the gear for raising and lowering the machine that it can be
actuated by means of a handle within reach of the driver, operating through a con-
nection passing through the axle of the main wheel of the machine.
Second. So arranging the gear for throwing the driving mechanism in and out
that it can be actuated by means of a handle within reach of the driver operating

page_text: through a connection passing through the axle of the main wheel of the
machine.
Third. So arranging the gear for tilting the machine or altering the inclination of
the frame to the pole that it can be operated by means of a handle within reach of
the driver, operating through a connection passing through the axle of the main
wheel of the machine.
Fourth, So arranging the gear for calling upon the rakes to deliver, and the gear
for varying the inclination of the pole, that they can be actuated by means of
handles within reach of the driver, giving motion to concentric axes forming parts of
such gear.
Fifth. Combining a switch piece, sliding to and fro in guides with the cam for
controlling the rake arms.
Sixth. Providing upon the bracket or portion of the frame to which the platform
is hinged an axle to receive the wheel for travelling so arranged as not to interfere
with the action of the machine when at work, although remaining attached to the
machine.
Seventh. The provision of lifting appliances connecting the platform and the
frame to aid in raising the platform.
Eighth. The triple joint between the divider plate and the castor wheel, sup-
porting the further side of the platform.
Ninth. The construction of the parts of reaping machines severally, substantially
as described and represented in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Innocent, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
INO
INNOCENT
(1.8)
INO INNOCENT (LS)