Improvements in Harvesting Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harvesting Machines.
We, JAMES HOWARD and GEORGE GIBBS, both of Bedford; in the County of Bedford,
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The first part of our invention is designed to simplify the construction and reduce
the number of parts of metallic frames of sheaf-binding harvesting machines, and
to obviate or avoid the liability of the parts to work or become loose; our improved
method of constructing the said frames being applicable to various forms of iron or
steel, such as single L angle, double Z angle, T-shaped or channelled bars and
other well-known forms, or the H-shaped bar described in the specification filed with
an application for Letters l'atent dated 31st March A.D. 1888, No. 4904.
The second part of our said invention relates to an improved method of actuating
the reels of sheaf-binding harvesting machines.
The third part of our said invention relates to an improved method of sliding the
binding tables of sheaf-binding harvesting machines.
The fourth part of our said invention relates to an improved form of packer for
sheaf-binding harvesting machines.
The fifth part of our said invention relates to an improvement in the transport
attachments of sheaf-binding harvesting machines.
The sixth part of our said invention relates to improvements in sheaf-carriers for
sheaf-binding harvesting machines.
In carrying the first part of our invention into practice, we construct our improved
metallic frames for sheaf-binding harvesting machines as follows, that is to say :-
Instead of making the end-portions and the cross-portions of the frames of separate
bars, and connecting them together at the angles or other parts by clips or other
appliances, we construct each end-portion and cross-portion of a single bar, the two
ends of each bar being brought together and butted, welded or otherwise suitably con-
nected. The front and rear ends of what is known as the elevator portion of the
frame are so formed that the bottom portion of each end becomes a sill to which are
attached the cross-portions of the harvester frame required for carrying the main wheel
and gearing.
The upper parts of the elevator portion of the frame forming the front and rear ends
are so shaped that they will carry the binding table, the elevators, and the appliances
for actuating the reel, for tilting the knives and for carrying the driver's seat and
foot-board.
The framework of the platform is made as follows, that is to say :-The finger-bar
forming the front portion of this framework is preferably of angle iron or steel, the
inner end of which is turned up and united to one of the cross-portions of the frame
above described for carrying the main wheel and the gearing. The rear and outer
ends of the platform are formed of two bars, one end of the rear portion being united
to the sill of the rear end-frame above described.
In carrying the second part of our said invention into practice, instead of actuating
the reel of our improved harvesting machine by means of a pitch-chain or by cog-
wheel gearing or other well-known means, we impart the necessary motion to the reel
by means of a worm attached to the front end of the spindle of one of the elevator-
rollers; this worm is geared with a worm-wheel upon one end of a connecting rod,
the opposite end of which is attached to the spindle of the reel.
In order to allow the reel to work in the various positions required, the said con-
necting rod is made telescopic and has a universal joint at each end.
In carrying out the third part of our said invention, we effect our object as follows, viz.:
-we affix a screw-threaded rod to the rear end of the upper part of the binding table,

page_text: and upon this screw-threaded rod we place a mitre wheel the centre of which is tapped
to fit the said screw-threaded rod and which is held between lugs on the rear end-frame.
When it is needful to slide the said table, the driver actuates a winch, upon the lower
end of which is fixed a mitre wheel geared with the aforesaid mitre wheel.
Another method of providing for the sliding of the binding table is to affix a nut to
the end of the said binding table, into which nut is inserted the end of the screw-
threaded rod, one of the mitre-wheels being made fast upon the other end of the screw-
threaded rod and held between lugs on the rear end-frame, a winch actuated by the
driver as above described being provided for imparting a sliding motion to the
table.
In carrying out the fourth part of our said invention, instead of forming the
oscillating packers with one prong only, as heretofore, we, in order to facilitato
the passage of the cut grain from the elevator to the binding mechanism, furnish
the packers with two or more prongs, which may be so arranged that the prongs
of each packer are in line, or they may be so arranged that one prong is in advance
of the other.
In carrying out the fifth part of our said invention, instead of securing the axles of
the carrying wheels (used for transporting the machine) to the harvester-frame, by
means of brackets bolted upon the axle and also to the harvester-frame, we dispense
with the bolts hitherto used for securing the axles to the harvester-frame, and, in lieu
thereof, we fit a drop latch or button to each axle-bracket, so that, when attaching the
axles and brackets to the harvester, the drop latches or buttons are simply turned
down, gravity alone sufficing to keep them in position. Time in removing the
harvesting machine from field to field or place to place is, by this means, economized.
In carrying out the sixth part of our said invention, we mount upon an axle secured
to the frame of the harvesting machine a table having two leaves (three or more
leaves may be employed) which we hinge or pivot at or near the centre the axle by
preference being placed underneath the said table.
The table is held in position for receiving the sheaves by a pedal arrangement under
the control of the driver; the said table is connected to the pedal by means of suitable
bell-cranks and connecting rods.
When it is necessary to discharge the sheaves collected upon the table, the driver
releases the pedal; the weight of the sheaves then causes the leaves of the table to drop
or partially rotate and thus discharge the said sheaves.
Dated this 17th day of August 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harvesting-machines.
We, JAMES HOWARD and GEORGE GIBBS, both of Bedford, in the County of Bedford,
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The first part of our invention is designed to simplify the construction and reduce
the number of parts of metallic frames of sheaf-binding, harvesting-machines, and to
obviate or avoid the liability of the parts to work or become loose; our improved
method of constructing the said frames being applicable to various forms of iron or
steel such as single L-angle, double Z-angle, T-shaped or channelled bars and other
"well known forms; or the H-shaped bar described in the specification of formier
Letters Patent dated 31st March A.D. 1888, No. 4904.
The second part of our said invention relates to an improved form of packer for
sheaf-binding harvesting-machines.
The third part of our said invention relates to an improvement in the transport
attachments of sheaf-binding harvesting-machines.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a plan of a harvesting-machine having our present improvements applied
thereto, some of the parts being removed.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the said machine.
Figure 3 is an elevation of one side of the said machine.
Figure 4 is an elevation of the other side thereof, the travelling-wheels being
removed.
Figure 5 is a perspective view, showing more clearly the construction of the
frame.
Figure 6 is a side elevation, and
Figures 7 and 8 are front views illustrating different forms of packers hereinafter
described.
Figure 9 is a rear elevation partly in transverse section, and
Figure 10 a longitudinal section on the line x, x, Figure 9, both drawn to an
enlarged scale, illustrating the means for detaching the travelling-wheels.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In carrying the first part of our invention into practice, we construct our improved
metallic main frames for sheaf-binding harvesting-machines as follows, that is to say :-
Instead of making each of the end-portions and each of the cross-portions or trusses
of the main frame of separate bars, connected together at the angles or other parts
by clips or other appliances, we construct each of the sides or end-portions A and
of the cross-portions or trusses B of a single bar, Figures 1 to 5. The two ends
of each bar are brought together and welded, butted or otherwise suitably connected.
The parts A, which form the sides or ends of what is known as the elevator-portion of
the main frame, are so constructed that the bottom part of each forms a straight hori-
zontal piece or sill a, to which are attached by brackets B¹ (Figures 4 and 5), the
cross-portions or trusses B of the main frame, required for carrying the main wheel
and gearing. The said parts A of the elevator-portion of the main frame are shaped
as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 so that they will carry the binding-table, the elevators and
the appliances for actuating the reel, for tilting the knives and for carrying the driver's
seat and foot-board, as shown in Figure 4.
The platform-frame is made as follows, that is to say :-The finger-bar C forming
the front portion of this frame and the brace C¹ are preferably of angle-iron or steel,
the inner end c of the finger-bar C being turned up and united to one of the cross-
portions or trusses B of the main frame. The portions D and E of the said platform-
frame are formed of two bars, the portion D being united to the sill a of the main
frame above described. The general arrangement of the parts of the frame is more
clearly shown in Figure 5.
In carrying the second part of our said invention into practice, instead of forming the
oscillating packers M with one prong only, we furnish the said packers with two or
more prongs M¹ Figures 4, 6, 7 and 8, in order to facilitate the passage of the cut grain
from the elevator to the binding-mechanism. The said prongs may be so arranged
that those of each packer are in line with each other, or so that one prong is in advance
of the other as shown in Figures 4 and 6. By this means, we obtain a more efficient
collecting or packing and delivery of the straw to be bound.
In carrying out the third part of our said invention, instead of securing the axles of
the carrying-wheels (used for transporting the machine) to the harvester-frame by
means of brackets bolted upon the axle and also to the harvester-frame, we dispense
with the bolts hitherto used for securing the said brackets to the harvester-frame
and in lieu thereof we construct the axle-brackets in the manner shown in Figures 9
and 10. S is the bracket which is secured to the axle W by means of bolts as
shown, and which is formed with a recess to allow of its being slid over the sill a.
T is a drop-latch or turn-button, which is pivoted at T¹ to the bracket B. When
the whole is in position, that is to say, when the bracket has been slid over the
silla, the latch T is allowed to fall into the position shewn by the full lines in
Figures 9 and 10, so that it engages with the sill a, and the bracket is thus securely
attached to the harvester-frame, gravity alone being sufficient to hold the latch T

page_text: in its operative or locking position. When it is desired to remove the travelling-
wheels, all that is required is to raise the latch T into the position shown by the
dotted lines and the bracket can at once be removed from the sill a. In Figures 1
and 2, the travelling-wheels are shown in position on the frame; each of the
axles W, at its inner end, is passed into a retaining socket Z attached to one of
the cross-pieces or trusses B. By this arrangement of the travelling-wheels and their
axles and axle-brackets, a considerable saving of time is effected in the removal of the
harvester from place to place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it understood
that we claim :—
First In a sheaf-binding harvesting-machine, the main frame having the sides or
end-portions A and the cross-portions or trusses Beach formed of a single bar having
its ends brought together and welded, butted or otherwise connected, the said sides or
end-portions and the cross-portions or trusses being firmly connected, substantially as
set forth.
Second In a sheaf-binding harvesting-machine, the platform-frame comprising the
finger-bar C formed of angle iron or steel and having its inner end turned up
and united to one of the cross-portions or trusses B and arranged in combination with
the brace C, and the rear and outer bars D and E, substantially as set forth.
Third In a sheaf-binding harvesting-machine, a packer provided with two or more
prongs arranged one in advance of the other, or otherwise arranged, substantially as,
and for the purpose, above specified.
Fourth In a sheaf-binding harvesting-machine, the combination, with the axle-
bracket, of the drop-latch or turn-button pivoted thereto and adapted to engage with
the sill or other suitable part of the frame, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
Dated this on day
Of VO IXXU
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.