IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES, PARTS OF WHICH
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Henry Barber, of 149, Aldersgate Street, in
the City of London, Agricultural Implement Maker, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES, PARTS OF WHICH
Sealed the 16th September 1864, and dated the 22nd March 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Henry Barber at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 22nd March 1864.
I, DAVID HENRY BARBER, of 149, Aldersgate Street, in the City of London,.
Agricultural Implement Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS," to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates more particularly to the general construction,
arrangement, and combination of the various parts of mowing machines,
and consists,
Firstly, of an improved arrangement for sustaining the backward pressure
of the finger bar, which is accomplished by the employment of a main shoe
rigidly attached to the finger bar, and extending backwards between the
driving wheels to the rear corner of the main framing, where it is connected
to a lug or bracket by means of a swivel box, in which box the rear end of
the main shoe is free to rock or turn, and thus allow the finger bar to adapt

page_text: itself to the surface of the ground. The box itself may be set at any desired
height, for the purpose of raising or depressing the points of the guards.
Secondly, of a peculiar arrangement for setting the finger bar forward to
compensate for its backward deflection by usage. For this purpose an
adjustable lateral brace rod is employed attached at one end to the fore part
of the shoe, whilst its opposite end passes through the side of the main
framing, and is there tightened up by a nut, the brace rod being at or about
right angles with the shoe.
Thirdly, in the employment of an arrangement for elevating either or both
ends of the finger bar, or for bringing it into an upright position for
transporting. This is effected through the agency of one single hand lever in
connection with a segmental rack chain and foot rack, the two racks operating
in combination with each other or separately. The object of the foot rack is
to hold down the heel of the finger bar, whilst the point is elevated by the
segmental rack and chain. In combination with this apparatus a spring bar
is employed for holding the foot rack out of gear when not in use, thus per-
mitting the finger bar to rise and fall freely according to the surface of the
ground.
Fourthly, of an arrangement for elevating or depressing the points of the
guards. According to this arrangement two frames are employed, the upper
or draught frame being hinged at its rear end to the centre of the lower or
main frame, and to the main frame which carries the cutting apparatus is
fixed an upright or curved bar or standard, which passes through a slot in the
draught frame, and is connected thereto by means of a pin passing through
one or other of a series of holes in the upright standard, thus allowing the
front of the main frame to be raised or lowered. .
Fifthly, of an improved mode of connecting the end of the connecting rod
with the sickle, whereby the latter is prevented from binding when thrown in
any position. This connection is formed by having two upright lugs on the
end of the sickle, between which lugs is fitted a block held in its place by a
pin or bolt, which allows the block to turn freely between the lugs, the pin
or bolt forming an axis parallel with the sickle. To this block is jointed the
end of the connecting rod by a horizontal bolt or pin at right angles to the
bolt or pin above referred to, the whole forming a double horizontal hinged
joint.
Sixthly, in releasing the finger bar when raised, and depositing it upon the
ground by the aid of the foot alone of the driver, which is to be brought in
contact with one end of a horizontal foot lever, acted upon in the opposite
direction by a spiral or other spring. This lever serves as a detent by

page_text: 'engaging into the teeth of the segmental rack herein-before referred to, in
which position it is maintained by the spring, but is released when pressed
against by the foot of the driver.
Seventhly, of a peculiar arrangement of coupling and gearing for preventing
the sickle from acting when the machine is moved backwards. The supporting
wheels of the machine each contain an internal spur wheel, which gear into
corresponding pinions loose on the ends of a transverse driving shaft carried in
suitable bearings in the lower or main frame. Inside these small pinions is
formed an internal ratchet, the teeth of which operate against the ends of two
spring dogs or palls carried by a disc, which is fast on the transverse driving
shaft. When the machine is moving forward the internal ratchets by coming
in gear with the dogs or palls impart a rotatory motion to the discs and shaft,
and operate the cutting mechanism, but when the machine moves backwards
the internal racks or ratchets will have their motion reversed, and their teeth
will pass over the spring dogs or palls without imparting motion to them, and
consequently the transverse driving shaft and cutting mechanism will remain
stationary.
Eighthly, of an improved arrangement for working the clutch employed for
throwing the cutting mechanism and driving gear out of action when required.
This arrangement consists of an upright hand lever, to which is attached a
rod connected to a disc carrying a horizontal cam surface and working on a
fixed, centre. This cam surface operates upon one end of a lever, the other
end of which is forked to engage with an ordinary sliding clutch box on the
transverse driving shaft above referred to, which is held in gear with a bevel
wheel on the driving shaft by the pressure of a spiral spring on the opposite
end of the clutch lever. On pushing forward the upright lever herein-before
referred to, the cam will act upon the clutch lever and draw the clutch out of
gear with the first wheel of the mechanism which drives the sickle; or, in
lieu of this arrangement, both the pinions may be drawn out of gear from the
spur wheels in the supporting wheels of the machine, and this. may be effected
simultaneously on both pinions by sliding rods actuated by a wedge or incline
moved by the upright hand lever above referred to, the rods being also
connected to clutch levers, which embrace the pinions.
Ninthly, of an improved arrangement for counteracting side draught in
mowing and reaping machines, and other implements in which side draught
would naturally occur. This consists of a horizontal segment fixed to any
convenient part of the machine or implement, and provided with a number of
pin holes. To the centre from which this segment is struck is pivoted a
horizontal lever, which is free to travel over the surface of the segment, but is

page_text: fixed in any desired lateral position according to the line of draught required
by a pin. To this end of the lever is attached at its centre a "double tree,"
which point of attachment is in all cases the line of draught of the machine or
implement.
Tenthly, in attaching an adjustable plate to the track board, which plate!
carries the separating handles, so that they may be raised or lowered as
required.
Eleventhly, in the employment of a supporting pin in the main shoe, to
prevent the sickle from dropping down when the finger bar is in an upright
position.
Twelfthly, in the application and use in reaping and mowing machines of a
peculiar clip piece for keeping the sickle in its proper position. It is con-
structed with two lugs extending back to a shoulder on the main shoe to
which it is firmly bolted.
It is obvious that the machine herein-before described may be employed as
a reaper by adapting thereto the well-known reaping appliances, such as the
tilt platform, self-acting rake, or manual delivery apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said David Henry Barber in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 22nd September 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
HENRY BARBER, of 149, Aldersgate Street, in the City of London, Agricultural
Implement Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said David Henry Barber, Her special license that I, the said David
Henry Barber, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said David Henry Barber, my executors, administrators, or
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, PARTS OF

page_text: "
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said David Henry Barber,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, or under the hand and seal of one of them, should par-
ticularly 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 immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Henry Barber do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates more particularly to the general construction,
arrangement, and combination of the various parts of mowing machines, which
are also applicable as reaping machines where the proper reaping appliances
are attached thereto, and consists,―
Firstly, of an improved arrangement for sustaining the backward pressure of
the finger bar, which is accomplished by the employment of a finger bar rigidly
attached to the main shoe, which extends backwards between the driving
wheels to the rear corner of the main framing, where it is connected to a lug
or bracket by means of a swivel box, in which box the rear end of the main
shoe is free to rock or turn, and thus allow the finger bar to adapt itself to
the surface of the ground. The box itself may be set at any desired height
for the purpose of raising or depressing the points of the guards.
Secondly, of a peculiar arrangement for setting the finger bar forward to
compensate for its backward deflection by usage.
For this purpose an
adjustable lateral brace rod is employed attached at one end to the fore part
of the shoe, whilst its opposite end-passes through the side of the main framing,
and is there tightened up by a nut, the brace rod being at or about right
angles with the shoe.
Thirdly, in the employment of an arrangement for elevating either or both
ends of the finger bar, or for bringing it into an upright position for tran-
sporting. This is effected through the agency of one single-hand lever in
connection with a segmental rack chain and foot rack, the two racks operating
in combination with each other or separately. The object of the foot rack is
to hold down the main shoe, whilst the point of the finger bar is elevated by
the segmental rack and chain. In combination with this apparatus a spring
bar is employed for holding the foot rack out of gear when not in use, thus

page_text: permitting the finger bar to rise and fall freely, according to the surface of the
ground.
Fourthly, of an arrangement for elevating or depressing the points of the
guards. According to this arrangement two frames are employed, the upper
or draught frame being hinged at its rear end to the centre of the lower or
main frame, and to the main frame, which carries the cutting apparatus, is
fixed an upright or curved bar or standard, which passes through a slot in the
draught frame, and is connected thereto by means of a pin passing through
one or other of a series of holes in the upright standard, thus allowing the
front of the main frame to be raised or lowered.
Fifthly, of an improved mode of connecting the end of the connecting rod
with the sickle, whereby the latter is prevented from binding when thrown in
any position. This connection is formed by having two upright lugs on the.
end of the sickle, between which lugs is fitted a block held in its place by a
pin or bolt, which allows the block to turn freely between the lugs, the pin or
bolt forming an axis parallel with the sickle. To this block is jointed the end.
of the connecting rod by a horizontal bolt or pin at right angles; the bolt or
pin above referred to the whole forming a double horizontal hinged joint.
Sixthly, in releasing the finger bar when raised, and depositing it upon the
ground by the aid of the foot alone of the driver, which is to be brought in
contact with one end of a horizontal foot lever acted upon in the opposite
direction by a spiral or other spring. This lever serves as a detent by engaging
into the teeth of the segmental rack, herein-before referred to, in which posi-
tion it is maintained by the spring, but is released when pressed against by
the foot of the driver.
Seventhly, of an improved arrangement for working the clutch employed for
throwing the cutting mechanism and driving gear out of action when required.
This arrangement consists of an upright hand lever, to which is attached a
rod connected to a disc carrying a horizontal cam surface, and working on a
fixed centre. This cam surface operates upon one end of a lever, the other
end of which is forked to engage with an ordinary sliding clutch box on the
transverse driving shaft above referred to, which is held in gear with a bevel
wheel on the driving shaft by the pressure of a spiral spring on the opposite.
end of the clutch lever. On pushing forward the upright lever, herein-before
referred to, the cam will act upon the clutch lever, and draw the clutch out
of gear with the first wheel of the mechanism which drives the sickle. Or in
lieu of this arrangement both the pinions may be drawn out of gear from the
spur wheels in the supporting wheels of the machine; and this may be effected
simultaneously on both pinions by sliding rods actuated by a wedge or incline.

page_text: moved by the upright hand lever above referred to, the rods being also con-
nected to clutch levers which embrace the pinions.
Eighthly, in attaching an adjustable plate to the track board, which plate
carries the separating handles, so that they may be raised or lowered, as
required.
Ninthly, in the employment of a supporting pin in the main shoe to prevent
the sickle from dropping down when the finger bar is in an upright position.
Tenthly, in the application and use in reaping and mowing machines of a
peculiar clip piece for keeping the sickle in its proper position. It is con-
structed with two lugs extending back to a shoulder on the main shoe to
which it is firmly bolted.
The machine herein-before described may be employed as a reaper by
adapting thereto the well-known reaping appliances, such as the tilt platform,
self-acting rake, or manual delivery apparatus, as required.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
I shall refer to the several Figures on the two Sheets of Drawings hereunto
annexed, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts through-
out all the Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the Drawings, represents a side elevation of a
machine constructed according to my Invention, and adapted for mowing
grass; Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the same, with a portion of the
sickle and finger bar broken away. Figure 1 (Sheet 2) is a Diagram or
skeleton view of a portion of the mechanism (looking upon the front of the
machine), shewing the sickle and finger bar in three different positions. The
rest of the Figures on this Sheet are separate details, which I shall herein-after
more particularly describe and refer to.
A is the main framing of the machine, which is centred at a upon the axle B
of the main supporting wheels Ċ, s so as to be capable of adjustment thereon; D
is the tongue or draught pole, which is connected to the axle B by the metal
straps or braces E, E, to which straps is bolted the footboard F of the
machine. A segment G is bolted to the front part of the main framing A,.
and passes up through the footboard and between a pair of lugs 6, 6, bolted
thereon, a hole being made through these lugs, and corresponding holes in the
segment, to that by passing a pin through the lugs and segment the main
framing may be fixed at any desired angle, and the points of the guards
depressed or elevated accordingly; H is the main shoe, to which is rigidly.
attached the finger bar I; this shoe is prolonged or extended, backward between
the supporting wheels, and has a journal and enlarged head c formed on its

page_text: rear end (shown at Figure 2 in detail), which fit into a corresponding socket K
attached to a bracket L, Figure 3, bolted to the main framing. This socket
(shewn in detail at Figures 4, 5, and 6) is made in two halves bolted together,
and is capable of swivelling or turning upon the centre bolt d, which attaches
it to the bracket. Provision is thus made for allowing the main shoe not
only to rise and fall at its front end, but to rock or turn on its longitudinal
axis. The swivelling socket is capable of adjustment vertically in its bracket
to afford facility for depressing more or less the points of the fingers or guards;
M is a chain attached to the front part of the main shoe, and passing over
and secured to a grooved quadrant N attached to a lever O, which turns
upon a stud centre e bolted to the footboard of the machine. On the attendant
drawing back and depressing this lever, it is obvious that the front end of the
main shoe, with the inner end of the finger bar, will be correspondingly ele-
vated, and in order to maintain these parts in their elevated position, at any
desired height above the ground, a toothed rack f is formed inside the quadrant,
and a detent bar or lever P is made to engage with the teeth of the rack.
This detent lever works on a centre at g, and is pressed against the rack by a
pin h, acted upon by a helical or other spring in a box Q bolted to the foot-
board. When it is desired to release the main shoe, in order to lower the
same, the attendant has simply to press forward with his foot the free end of
the detent lever; R is a tail piece projecting from the inner side of the main
shoe to which it is securely bolted; the upper end of this tail piece is jointed
to a foot rack S, which passes up through the footboard, and has a curved or
other convenient toe piece formed on its upper end to allow of its being readily
pushed forward by the foot of the attendant when required. A bar is fixed a
to the footboard with which the teeth of the foot rack S can be engaged when
requisite, by forcing such rack forward in the manner described; T is a hori-
zontal lever working on a fulcrum h³, and acted upon at one end by a pin and
helical or other spring, which tend always to press the opposite end of the
lever against the front of the foot rack, and so hold the teeth back out of s
contact with the detent lever in the footboard, excepting when such rack is
pushed forward by the foot of the attendant. When this rack is thus locked
the main shoe will become rigid, or be prevented from rising when the qua-
drant N is operated upon, but the pull of the chain will cause the outer end
of the finger bar to rise, the main shoe turning on its longitudinal axis in the a
swivelling socket above referred to, as shewn in the blue lines in Figure 1
(Sheet 2). It will thus be seen that either end of the finger bar can be
raised or lowered separately by one lever affording facility for mowing along
sidelong ground, or for lifting the cutters over obstructions, either at the heel,

page_text: as shewn by the red lines, or at the outer extremity of the finger bar as shewn
by the blue lines. In order to adjust the finger bar horizontally at any height
(as shewn by the black lines in Figure 1 (Sheet 2), the heel is first brought
to the proper elevation by means of the quadrant and chain, and there held
fixed by bringing the foot rack into action, whilst the outer extremity of the
finger bar is brought level with the heel by a further depression of the qua-
drant lever, which will be held in its place by the detent lever P; U is a
tension rod or brace, which is jointed at i to the fore part of the main shoe,
and extends transversely across the front of the machine, being securely bolted
to the outer side of the main framing; this brace serves to support the finger
bar and main shoe against the lateral strain when at work. A separate head V
is rivetted to the heel of the sickle or knife, as shewn in Figure 7, and on
this head are cast two lugs j, j, between which works a swivel block k. on a
horizontal axis; a horizontal bolt hole is made through this block at right
angles to its axis, and serves to couple the end of the connecting rod, W.
thereto, a pin being passed through the forked end of the rod, and through
the bolt hole in the block. By this means a double horizontal joint is obtained,
which will allow the finger bar to assume any desired angle with the con-
necting rod without interfering with the proper working of the joint. The
opposite end of the connecting rod is attached to a crank pin l in the usual
manner, such crank pin being fitted to a disc m fast on the front end of the second
motion shaft X.; this shaft works in bearings n, n, bolted to the main framing,
and has a bevel pinion Y keyed on to its rear end, which gears into a bevel
wheel Z running loose on the first motion shaft o, but capable of being
coupled therewith, or thrown into action by means of the sliding clutch bar p;
this clutch is actuated by a short forked lever a working on a fulcrum r, and
having a stud or projection on its free end, which enters a circular box s
(shewn in detail at Figure 8) fixed to the main framing. Within this box
there is a spring t, which tends to force outwards the free end of the clutch.
lever, and so throw the clutch into gear, and maintain it in that position until
acted upon by the disengaging lever t¹, which is centred. upon. the main axle
of the machine, and is like the lever O, convenient to the hand of the driver
or attendant, who is seated upon the seat u bolted to the.footboard. A rod v.
is connected at one end to the lever t¹, and at the other end to the periphery of a
cap w (Figure 9), which turns freely upon the fixed box S round the central bolt
or pin x. On the under side of this cap there. is formed a single cam surface y,
which when turned presses against the raised projection r³, and moves the clutch
lever so as to disengage or throw out of gear the clutch p. If preferred, the
spring in the fixed box may be dispensed with, and a cam groove or double cam

page_text: surface formed in the cap (as shown in Figure 10), which shall move the end
of the clutch lever in both directions, according to the motion of the cam.
Motion is transmitted to the shaft o by means of an internal toothed wheel z
bolted to each of the main supporting wheels. These toothed wheels gear into
spur pinions 1, which are cast in one piece with an internal ratchet disc 2 work-
ing loosely on the shaft o. Into the teeth of these ratchets are engaged two
hinged palls, which are carried by a disc keyed on to the shaft 0, and situate
inside the internal or hollow ratchet discs, helical, or other springs being
employed for keeping the palls in gear with the ratchet teeth. The object of
this arrangement is to allow the ratchet discs to revolve freely on the shaft o
without imparting motion to the driving gear when the machine is being
moved backwards. When the machine, however, is moved forward then the
motion of the ratchets being reversed, their teeth by engaging with the palls
will carry round with them the pall carrying discs and ratchet discs, and with
them the shaft o and driving gear. In order to allow of the separating
handles or prongs 5 of the track board 6 to be raised or lowered, so as to vary
their angle with the surface of the ground, I employ an adjustable plate 7
(Figure 11), which is pivotted to the track board by the bolt 8. A second
bolt 9 also passes through the plate, and through one or other of a series of
bolt holes made at different heights in the track board, hence, by passing this
latter bolt through a suitable hole the angle or height of the prongs may be
varied, as shewn. A pin 10 is fixed in the main shoe for the purpose of pre-
venting the sickle from slipping down when the finger bar is elevated to a
vertical position for transport. 11 is my peculiar clip piece, shewn in detail
plan at Figure 12, for keeping the sickle in its proper position laterally on the
finger bar. This clip piece is provided with two lugs 12, which extend back-
wards and bear against a shoulder on the main shoe to which it is firmly
bolted, as shewn clearly in Figure 2 (Sheet 1). In this machine the length
of the finger bar is made to correspond to the guage or distance between the
supporting wheels, so that these wheels will always pass along the track last
cleared. When it is desired to use this machine as a reaper any of the
ordinary well-known reaping appliances, such as the tilt platform, self-acting
rake, or manual delivering apparatus are to be added thereto.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―

page_text: First, the general construction and arrangement of reaping and mowing
machines, substantially as herein-before described.
Second, the application and use of a main shoe extending to the rear of
the machine, and capable of rising and falling, and of turning on its longitu-
dinal axis, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-before
described.
Third, the peculiar arrangement and combination of mechanism for raising
or lowering either or both ends of the finger bar, and maintaining such bar in
position, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the application and use of the brace rod or for compensating
for the backward deflection or strain of the finger bar when in operation, as
herein-before described.
-
Fifth, the peculiar arrangement of mechanism for elevating or depressing
the points of the guards, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the application and use of a double horizontal hinged joint for con-
necting the sickle with the connecting rod, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the arrangement of mechanism for releasing the finger bar and
depositing it upon the ground by the action of the foot alone of the driver or
attendant, as herein-before described.
-
Eight, the peculiar combination and arrangement of mechanism for
throwing the driving gear of the cutting mechanism out of action when
required, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the application and use of an adjustable plate attached to the track
board for the purpose of raising or lowering the separating handles or prongs,
as herein-before described.
Tenth, the application and use of a supporting pin in the main shoe for
preventing the sickle from dropping when raised to an upright position, as
herein-before described.
Eleventb, the application and use of the peculiar shaped clip piece, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Henry Barber, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
D. H. BARBER. (L.S.)