IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FINGERS OF REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William McIntyre Cranston, of Worship Street, Finsbury,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
FINGERS OF REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES." A communication from abroad
by Walter Abbott Wood, of Hoosick Falls, New York, in the United States of
America.
Sealed the 30th December 1879, and dated the 1st July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William McIntyre Cranston
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st July 1879.
WILLIAM MCINTYRE CRANSTON, of Worship Street, Finsbury, in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FINGERS OF REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
A communication from abroad by Walter Abbott Wood, of Hoosick Falls, New
York, in the United States of America.
This Invention relates to "Improvements in the Fingers of Reaping and Mowing
Machines, whereby the usual clogging of the under surface of the knife sections
while at work is prevented, which clogging by the fingers at present constructed.
causes the knife sections to lift and be clear of the steel strips or plates, which are
fitted to maintain the sharpness of the knife edges.
According to this Invention the two ears of each finger are formed with their top
Furface below the usual level, and in line with the botton of the slit in the finger,
within which the knife section travels to and fro, that the steel plate or plates
occupy a position above the level of the body of the finger, and that the top of the
plate and the two side edges of it are exposed above the stock of the finger. A
stud or projection is formed on the top between the ears, and a notch is formed in
the rear of the plate to correspond with the projection that the top of the plate and
the stud are level
The upper surface of the steel plate is flat for the under surface of the knife
section to slide upon; the two side edges of the plate always scraping off the gum
and other substance which adheres to the knife by the cutting operation.
By this Invention the knife sections of reaping and mowing machines are kept
clean while at work, and are prevented being lifted from the steel plates which are
fitted to maintain their sharpness, as the cutting edges become blunt from the
coarseness of the material they may be cutting..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William McIntyre Cranston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st January 1880.
WILLIAM MCINTYRE CRANSTON, of Worship Street, Finsbury, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FINGERS OF REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES." A
communication from abroad by Walter Abbott Wood, of Hoosick Falls, New York,
in the United States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in the fingers of reaping and mowing
machines, whereby the usual clogging of the under surface of the knife sections
while at work is prevented, which clogging by the fingers at present constructed
causes the knife sections to lift and be clear of the steel strips or plates, which are
fitted in the stocks to maintain the sharpness of the knife edges.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the annexed Sheet of Drawings clearly show this
Invention.
The two ears A, A, of the finger are formed with their top surface B below the
usual level, and in line with the bottom C of the slit in the finger, within which
the knife section travels to and fro, that the steel plate D (or plates) occupies a
position above the level, that the top of the plate D and the two side edges of it
are exposed on and upon the stock E of the finger. A stud or projection F is
formed on the top between the ears, and a notch G is formed in the rear of the
plate to correspond with the projection; that the top of the plate and the stud
when in position, as in Figures 2 and 3, are level. The notch G is slightly bevilled
or inclined on its edge, and when placed in position on the stock the stud F is
hammered down to wedge the plate and to assist the rivet pin H to hold it
firmly.
The upper surface of the steel plate is flat for the under surface of the knife
section to slide upon the two side edges of the plato, scraping off the gum and other
substance which adheres to the knife by the cutting operation.
By this Invention the knife sections of reaping and mowing machines are kept
clean while at work, and are prevented being lifted from the steel plates, which are
fitted to maintain their sharpness as the cutting edges become blunt from the
coarseness of the material they may be cutting.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Constructing fingers for reaping and mowing machines with the upper part of
the stock arranged for the fixation of a steel plate thereon, as described and as
shown in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William McIntyre Cranston, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty first day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
AD A NOTON