IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of
Harris and Mills, of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HARVESTING MACHINES."-A communication from abroad by George
Harding, of Philadelphia, in the United States of America.
Sealed the 2nd February 1869, and dated the 4th August 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph
Barnard Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with.
his Petition, on the 4th August 1868.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and
Mills, of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES," (a communication to me from abroad by
George Harding, of Philadelphia, in the United States of America,) to
be as follows:-
The Invention relates, firstly, to improvements upon that description
of harvesting machines in which the rake arms are mounted upon a

page_text: vertical axis, and are all caused to travel in the same path when
gathering the standing crop towards the cutters, whilst one or more of
them are, in addition to gathering the standing crop towards the cutters,
caused to sweep the cut crop off the platform, the others being caused
to travel above the platform clear of the cut crop thereon, cams being
used to impart the various motions to the rakes or beaters. And this
part of the Invention consists in making a portion of the cam way
opposite to the platform which guides the rakes or beaters which gather
but do not discharge the crop moveable, so as to cause the arms of any
one of these heads or beaters to descend on to the platform and become
a discharging rake by following the auxiliary cam for the time being.
This moveable cam piece may be placed under the control of the driver
on his seat on the machine by means of a cord or equivalent connection,
and thus the means of regulating the frequency of discharge and the
size of the gavel or sheaf is placed under his control. Instead of
employing a moveable cam other devices placed under the control of
the driver may be employed. Although an auxiliary cam is valuable in
practice for guiding the rake head or beater, which discharges the cut
crop whilst passing the platform, this may be dispensed with by per-
mitting the floor of the platform or the rim to determine the path of the
discharging rake or beater. A pointed washer is placed on the bottom
of the roller on the knee pieces to prevent the roller jarring against the
head of the moveable cam, if out of position. An extension slat or piece
is attached to the outer end of each head so as to overreach and act in
combination with the outer rim or fender of the platform in gathering
in and discharging the crop. And it is preferred to attach it by a loose
screw, so that it can have sufficient play to enable it to accommodate
itself freely to the surface of the divider or rim of the platform, although
it is not necessary to attach it loosely if it be elevated a little.at the
outer end. When loosely attached a stop should be used to prevent its
dropping in front of the cutters.
The Invention also relates to an improved mode of adjusting and
sustaining the platform of reaping machines for different heights of cut;
and consists, first, of a pawl held in position by a spring and ratchet in
connection with the sliding action of the ground wheel; and, secondly,
of a vertical screw working through a projection attached to the axle
plate of the main wheel, and a nut carried by the gear frame; thirdly,
of an improved mode of fastening the tongue by attaching its rear end

page_text: to the gear frame by a bolt on which it vibrates, and attaching the
tongue brace by a bolt to the inner shoe in combination with a bent
lever, connecting rod, and slotted wedge, and a fender board with notches
or steps. By this arrangement the platform and cutting apparatus can
be tilted upon the axles of the two supporting wheels, and the proper
pitch given to the fingers.
The Invention also consists in the employment of an eccentric
movement for causing the rake arms automatically to operate the
moveable cam way at the will of the driver, instead of the driver
directly operating the moveable cam way. This arrangement prevents
the roller at the heel of the rake arms from ever coming in contact
with the point of the moveable cam way, and prevents the possibility
of two revolving arms next to each other in succession from following
that cam way, by which they would be made to discharge the cut crop
from the platform. The rake arms are attached to the central rake
head by means of metallic connecting pieces having slots in them and
bolts, whereby the rake heads can be adjusted up or down so as to suit
the gathering or discharging of the crop as described. The revolving
rake heads are guided while gathering and discharging the crop by pro-
jections from the lower side of the metallic rake arms passing into cam
ways, as heretofore described, one cam way guiding those rake heads which
gather and do not discharge the crop, and the other cam way guiding
those rake heads which both gather and discharge the crop. A portion
of one of these cam ways is made moveable at the will of the driver
so as to cause any gathering arm at pleasure to discharge or not. The
moveable cam piece is moved so as to permit the rake arm to discharge
by means of an eccentric, cam, or lever turning on a pivot and operating
by means of a lever and cord. This eccentric, cam, or lever is so
constructed that by the driver pulling the cord or connection it is turned
in front of the moveable cam way, and the roller attached to the rake
arm in revolving carries the eccentric, cam, or lever on. And this
eccentric, cam, or lever moves the moveable cam way so as to cause the
roller of the rake arm to pass on the inside of the moveable cam way,
and thus the rake discharges the cut crop from the platform. The
moveable cam way piece is restored to its position by a spring acting
thereon; the roller on the heel of the rake arm retains the eccentric,
cam, or lever in position until the next succeeding rake has passed the

page_text: point at which the eccentric, cam, or lever can act upon the moveable
cam, and thus no two arms in succession can discharge the cut crop
from the platform, and it is impossible for the roller on the rake arm to
come in contact with the extremity of the moveable cam way.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 4th February 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN
JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris & Mills, of 35,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
*second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, Her special
licence that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors,
'administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Benjamin
Joseph Barnard Mills, 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 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 HARVESTING MACHINES," a communication
to me from abroad by George Harding, of Philadelphia, in the United
States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:
The Invention relates, firstly, to improvements upon that description
of harvesting machines in which the rake arms are mounted upon a
vertical axis and are all caused to travel in the same path when gathering
the standing crop towards the cutters, whilst one or more of them are in
addition to gathering the standing crop towards the cutters caused to
sweep the cut crop off the platform, the others being caused to travel
above the platform clear of the cut crop thereon, cams being used to
impart the various motions to the rakes or beaters; and this part of the
Invention consists in making a portion of the cam way opposite to the
platform which guides the rakes or beaters which gather but do not
discharge the crop moveable, so as to cause the arms of any one of these
heads or beaters to descend on to the platform and become a discharging
rake by following the auxiliary cam for the time being. This moveable
cam piece may be placed under the control of the driver on his seat on
the machine by means of a cord or equivalent connection, and thus the
means of regulating the frequency of discharge and the size of the
gavel or sheaf is placed under his control. Instead of employing a
moveable cam other devices placed under the control of the driver may
be employed. A pointed washer is placed on the bottom of the roller on
the knee pieces to prevent the roller jarring against the head of the
moveable cam if out of position. An extension slat or piece is attached
to the outer end of each head so as to overreach and act in combination
with the outer rim or fender of the platform in gathering in and.
discharging the crop.
The Invention also relates to an improved mode of adjusting and sus
taining the platform of reaping machines for different heights of cut; and
consists, first, of a pawl held in position by a spring and ratchet. in
connection with the sliding action of the ground wheel; and, secondly,'
of a vertical screw working through a projection attached to the axle.
plate of the main wheel and a nut carried by the gear: frame; thirdly,
of an improved mode of fastening the tongue or pole by attaching its.
rear end to the gear frame by a bolt on which it vibrates, and attaching"
the tongue brace by a bolt to the inner shoe in combination with-a-bent.

page_text: tilted upon the axles of the two supporting wheels, and the proper pitch
given to the fingers.
The Invention also consists in the employment of an eccentric move-
ment for causing the rake arms automatically to operate the moveable
cam way at the will of the driver instead of the driver directly operating
the moveable cam way. This arrangement prevents the roller at the
heel of the rake arms from ever coming in contact with the point of the
moveable cam way, and prevents the possibility of two revolving arms
next to each other in succession from following that cam way by which
they would be made to discharge the cut crop from the platform. The
rake arms are attached to the central rake head by means of metallic
connecting pieces, having slots in them and bolts, whereby the rako
heads can be adjusted up or down so as to suit the gathering or dis-
charging of the crop as described. The revolving rake heads are guided
while gathering and discharging the crop by projections from the lower
side of the metallic rake arms passing into cam ways as heretofore
described; one cam way guiding those rake heads which gather and do
not discharge the crop, and the other cam way guiding those rake heads
which both gather and discharge the crop. A portion of one of these
cam ways is made moveable at the will of the driver so as to cause any
gathering arm at pleasure to discharge or not. The moveable cam piece
is moved so as to permit the rake arm to discharge by means of an
eccentric, cam, or lever turning on a pivot, and operating by means of a
lever and cord. This eccentric, cam, or lever is so constructed that by
the driver pulling the cord or connection it is turned in front of the
moveable cam way, and the roller attached to the rake arm in revolving
carries the eccentric, cam, or lever on; and this eccentric, cam, or lever
moves the moveable cam way so as to cause the roller of the rake arm
to pass on the inside of the moveable cam way, and thus the rake dis-
charges the cut crop from the platform. The moveable cam way piece
is restored to its position by a spring acting thereon, the roller on the
heel of the rake arm retains the eccentric, cam, or lever in position until
the next succeeding rake has passed the point at which the eccentric,
cam, or lever can act upon the moveable cam, and thus no two arms
in succession can discharge the cut crop from the platform, and it is

page_text: Figure 1 is a side view and Figure 2 is a plan of a reaping machine
constructed according to the Invention; Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
are various views of some of the parts.
a, a, are arms carrying heads a' and mounted on axes of motion at a³,
carried by a hub or head 6' fixed to the shaft or axis b which is supported
in suitable bearings and has rotary motion given thereto, as will be
well understood. Each arm has a knee piece a³ attached to it, see Figs. 3;
these knee pieces are provided with friction rollers a' which pass along
the cam ways. The heads a¹ are attached to these arms so as to travel
in the same plane in gathering the grain which is about the level of the
top of the cutters. The cam way c, c³, c³, guides the arms a which carry
all the heads, both those which gather and do not discharge, and that
which both gathers and discharges, while the cam d, d', d³, guides the
arms of the heads which gather and do not discharge while passing
the platform, and the auxiliary cam e, e¹, c², guides the arm which
discharges the grain while passing the platform. The part d¹ of the cam
way d, d', d', is made moveable so that when thrown into the position
shewn in Figures 2 and 6 it permits the arm or arms of the rakes to
descend to the platform and discharge the cut grain therefrom by
following the auxiliary cam e, e', e, for the time being. The axis of
the moveable cam d¹ is acted upon by a spring d³, which always tends
to hold the moveable cam d' in the position shewn at Figures 2 and 6,
but when a friction roller a is passing along the auxiliary cam way
c, e', e, it acts upon the part d* of the moveable cam d¹ to throw it
into the position shewn by red lines in Figure 6, when a stop g' formed
on the weighted lever g is caused to rise into position to retain the
moveable cam d¹ in the position last described. The weighted lever g is
connected by a wire or cord g² to a lever h, the lower end of which is
placed in a convenient position to be acted upon by the foot of the
driver. The friction rollers a when acting upon the part d* of the

page_text: moveable cam d¹ continue to hold such moveable cam in the position
shewn by the red lines in Figure 6 until the stop g¹ has risen to hold
the moveable cam d' correctly in position. By these means the driver
is enabled to regulate the size of the gavel or sheaf by causing any
desired arm to be acted upon by the auxiliary cam 'e, e', e², when desired,
whilst it is rendered impossible for any two succeeding arms to 'discharge
the cut crop from the platform. The friction rollers a when passing
along the auxiliary cam e, e', e, open the switch piece d² which is hinged
as shewn, and when the rollers a are passing along the cam d, d', d²,
they would close the switch piece d² if it should happen to be open.
A pointed washer a³, see Figs. 3, is placed on the axis at the bottom of
the roller to prevent the roller jarring against the head of the move-
able cam if out of position, the point of such washer acting to move
the moveable cam into its proper position.
Instead of causing the rollers a to follow the moveable cam or the
auxiliary cam, as before described, the moveable cam may be operated
as shewn at Figure 11, in which case it is acted upon by a spring to
hold it in the position shewn by the black lines to cause a roller a* to
follow and be acted upon by such moveable cam, whilst by means of a
lever d³ and a cord or other connection g³ the driver is enabled to operate
such moveable cam d¹ so as to cause the auxiliary cam e, e', e³, to act
upon any of the rollers at when desired.
Or if desired the arrangement shewn at Figures 12 and 13 may be
used where the moveable cam d¹ is moved so as to permit the rake arms
to discharge by means of an eccentric cam or lever i turning on a pivot i¹
and operating by means of a lever and cord or other connection g².
The lever i is so constructed that by the driver pulling the cord or con-
nection g the lever i is turned in front of the moveable cam d', and the
roller at attached to the rake arm in revolving carries the lever i on,
whereby the eccentric cam or lever is caused to act against the
lever d' carried by the axis of the moveable cam d¹ to move the cam d¹
into the position shewn by the red lines in Figure 12, and thereby cause
the roller a of the rake arm to pass on the inside of the moveable cam
way to be acted upon by the auxiliary cam e, e¹, e, and thus the rake
discharges the cut crop from the platfrom. The moveable cam d' is
restored to its position by a spring acting thereon, as before described..
The roller at on the heel of the rake arm retains the eccentric, cam, or

page_text: lever i in position until the roller a' carried by the next succeeding rake
has passed the point at which the lever i can act upon the moveable
cam, and thus no two arms in succession can discharge the cut crop
from the platform; and it is impossible for the rollers a to come in
contact with the extremity of the moveable cam d³:
Although an auxiliary cam is valuable in practice for guiding the rake
head or beater which discharges the cut crop whilst passing the platform
this may be dispensed with by permitting the floor of the platform
or the rim to determine the path of the discharging rake or beater.
An extension slat or piece a is attached to the outer end of each head a'
so as to overreach and act in combination with the outer rim or fender
of the platform in gathering in and discharging the crop, and it is
preferred to attach it by a loose screw so that it can have sufficient play
to enable it to accomodate itself freely to the surface of the divider
or rim of the platform, although it is not necessary to attach it loosely
if it be elevated a little at the outer end. Its useful effect is to co-
operate with the divider in bringing in the grain, clearing off the divider,
and to co-operate with the rim of. the platform. When loosely attached
a stop a' should be used, as shewn in the Drawing, to prevent its dropping
in front of the cutters.
For the purpose of adjusting and sustaining the platforms of reaping
machines for different heights of cut the following arrangements, part
of which is shewn more clearly at Figures 4 and 5, are employed. The
outer edge of the platform carries a notched plate or bracket; which
is capable of sliding up and down in the frame or plate to which
the axis of the grain wheel is attached; a pawl. acted upon by
a spring serves to retain this end of the platform at any desired height
by entering one or other of the notches in the plate or bracket j. The
platform and gear frame are made to move up and down on the
axle plate m by means of a vertical screw n having a hand wheel ni
fixed on the upper end thereof; the lower end of the screw shaft n
passes through a nut attached to the back side of the gear. frame 1.
A collar n on the screw shaft n works upon a bracket m¹ extending
from the axle plate m, and it is by this collar n' and bracket m¹ that
the upper end of the screw n is supported, and to which the gear
frame is thus adjustably suspended. The driver can from his seat turn
the hand wheel to the right or left, and thus raise or lower the gear

page_text: frame, platform, and cutting apparatus upon the axle plate. The tongue
or pole p is attached to the bracket p* carried by the gear frame by
a bolt p' at its rear end on which it vibrates, and the brace piece p²
is attached by a bolt p³ to the shoe of the finger beam. The tongue
or pole p is by links q' connected to a bell-crank or bent lever q
carried by the bracket p*, and such lever q is by a connecting rod q³
connected to a lever q³ which is capable of turning on an axis at q'.
The lever has connected thereto a spring stop q³ to enter one or
other of the notches or steps in the fender board or quadrant q°. By the
foregoing arrangements the platform and cutting apparatus can be
tilted upon the axles of the two supporting wheels and the desired
pitch given to the fingers.
I have not thought it necessary to enter into a description of the other
parts of a reaping machine, as such are well understood and form no
part of the present Invention.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the
mode in which the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein shewn and
described; but what I do claim is,―
First. The employment of a moveable cam placed under the control
of the driver, and the novel combinations and arrangements of parts
for operating such cam in such manner that the driver can at pleasure
cause any of the rake heads to follow the course of an auxiliary cam
and descend to the level of the platform so as to act as discharging
rakes, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. I claim the novel combinations and arrangements of parts
whereby the moveable cam is operated in such manner as to prevent
the possibility of any two rake arms following in succession the course
of the auxiliary cam and so discharging the grain from the platform
when not required.
Thirdly. I claim the employment of overhanging extension attach-
ments to the heads or beaters, constructed and operating in manner
substantially as herein shewn and described.
Fourthly. I claim the novel combinations and arrangements of parts
for raising and lowering the platforms of reaping machines at both
ends in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.

page_text: Fifthly. I claim the novel combination and arrangement of parts
for tilting the platform and cutting apparatus in manner substantially
as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.

page_text: MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 35, Southampton Buildings,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES." A communication to him from
. abroad by George Harding, of Philadelphia, in the United States of
America, dated the 4th August 1868, No. 2444, which Letters Patent,
and all right, title, and interest therein are now vested in Samuel
Johnston, of Brockport, New York, United States of America.
DISCLAIMER. AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the said Samuel Johnston.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
bearing date the 4th day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-second year of Her reign, did for
Herself, Her heirs, and successors, give and grant unto the said Benjamin Joseph
Barnard Mills, his executors, administrators, and assigns, the sole privilege of
making, using, exercising, and vending within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES," for and during the term of fourteen
years thence next ensuing:
And whereas, in pursuance of a proviso contained in the said Letters Patent,
the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills did within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent cause a Complete Specifi-
cation of the said Invention to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office:
And whereas, by an assignment dated the 19th day of April 1877, and registered
in the Great Seal Patent Office the 23rd day of April 1877, the said Letters
Patent, and all right, title, and interest therein, became vested in the said Samuel
Johnston

page_text: And whereas the said Samuel Johnston has been informed and has reason to
believe that a certain portion of the Invention described and claimed in the said
Specification were not new in respect of the public knowledge and use thereof at
the date of the application for the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE therefore, that I, the said Samuel Johnston, by and with the
consent of Her Majesty's Solicitor General, do alter and amend the said Specifica-
tion as follows, that is to say:-
Referring to the Queen's Printers' copy of the said Specification, on page 10 I
strike out the whole of the matter contained in the 31st, 32nd, and 33rd lines con-
stituting the third claiming clause; and I also strike out the word Fourthly, and
substitute therefor the word Thirdly at the commencement of the 34th line; and
on page 11 I strike out the word Finbly, and substitute therefor the word Fourthly
at the commencement of the 1st line.
And in order that the effect of the said Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration
may be fully understood I annex a copy of the said Specification as it will appear
when such Disclaimer has been made, the introductory and concluding clauses
thereof being omitted.
"
"The Invention relates, firstly, to improvements upon that description of"
harvesting machines in which the rake arms are mounted upon a vertical axis "
"and are all caused to travel in the same path when gathering the standing crop
"towards the cutters, whilst one or more of them are, in addition to gathering
"the standing crop towards the cutters, caused to sweep the cut crop off the "
platform, the others being caused to travel above the platform clear of the cut
crop thereon; cams being used to impart the various motions to the rakes or "
"beaters. And this part of 'the Invention consists in making a portion of the "
"cain way opposite to the platform which guides the rakes or beaters, which"
gather but do not discharge the crop, moveable, so as to cause the arms of "
"
st
"
"
"
ona
"
"
any of these heads or beaters to descend on to the platform and become a "
discharging rake by following the auxiliary cam for the time being. This "
"moveable cam piece may be placed under the control of the driver on his seat
"on the machine by means of a cord or equivalent connection, and thus the "
"means of regulating the frequency of discharge and the size of the gavel or
"sheaf is placed under his control. Instead of employing a moveable cam other "
"devices placed under the control of the driver may be employed. A pointed "
"washer is placed on the bottom of the rolier on the knee pieces to prevent the
"roller jarring against the head of the moveable cam if out of position. An
"extension slat or piece is attached to the outer end of each head, so as to over-
"reach and act in combination with the outer rim or fender of the platform in
gathering in and discharging the crop."
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
The Invention also relates to an improved mode of adjusting and sustaining
"the platform of reaping machines for different heights of cut, and consiste, first,
"of & pawl held in position by a spring and ratchet in connection with the
sliding action of the ground wheel; and, secondly, of a vertical screw working
through a projection attached to the axle plate of the main wheel and a nut "
"carried by the gear frame; thirdly, of an improved mode of fastening the "
"tongue or pole by attaching its rear end to the gear frame by a bolt, on which"
"it vibrates, and attaching the tongue brace by a bolt to the inner shoe in com-
"bination with a bent lever, connecting rod, and stop lever, and a fender board "
"with notches or steps. By this arrangement the platform and cutting
"apparatus can be tilted upon the axles of the two supporting wheels and the
"proper pitch given to the fingers."
"
The Invention also consists in the employment of an excentric movement for "
"causing the rake arms automatically to operate the moveable cam way at the "
"will of the driver instead of the driver directly operating the moveable cam
way. This arrangement prevents the roller at the heel of the rake arms from

page_text: "
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
وو
ever coming in contact with the point of the moveable cam way, and prevents
"the possibility of two revolving arms next to each other in succession from
"following that cam way by which they would be made to discharge the cut crop
"from the platform. The rake arms are attached to the central rake head by "
"means of metallic connecting pieces having slots in them and bolts, whereby
"the rake heads can be adjusted up or down so as to suit the gathering or dis- "
charging of the crop as described. The revolving rake heads are guided while "
"gathering and discharging the crop by projections from the lower side of the "
"metallic rake arins passing into cam ways as heretofore described; one cam
way guiding those rake heads which gather and do not discharge the crop, and "
"the other cam way guiding those rake heads which both gather and discharge
the crop. A portion of one of these cam ways is made moveable at the will of"
"the driver so as to cause any gathering arm at pleasure to discharge or not. "
"The moveable cam piece is moved so as to permit the rake arm to discharge by
means of an excentric, cam, or lever turning on a pivot, and operating by means
"of a lever and cord. This excentric, cam, or lever is so constructed, that by the
"driver pulling the cord or connection, it is turned in front of the moveable cam
and the roller attached to the rake arin in revolving carries the excentric,
cam, or lever on; and this excentric, cam, or lever moves the inoveable cam way
"so as to cause the roller of the rake arm to pass on the inside of the moveable"
cam way, and thus the rake discharges the cut crop from the platform. The
"moveable cam way piece is restored to its position by a spring acting thereon,
"the roller on the heel of the rake arm retains the excentric, cam, or lever in
"position until the next succeeding rake has passed the point at which the "
"excentric, cain, or lever can act upon the moveable cam, and thus no two armis "
"in succession can discharge the cut crop from the platform, and it is impossible
"for the roller on the rake arm to come in contact with the extremity of the "
"moveable cam way."
ic
"
"
"
way,
"
"
33
"
ور
"
"
"
"
"And in order that the Invention may be more clearly understood and readily"
carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more"
"fully to describe the the same."
"
Figure 1 is a side view, and Figure 2 is a plan of a reaping machine con-
"structed according to the Invention; Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, are various "
"views of some of the parts."
"
'
"
"
""
"
"
"a, a, are arms carrying heads a¹ and mounted on axes of motion at a³, carried "
"by a hub or head 61, fixed to the shaft or axis b, which is supported in suitable "
"bearings and has rotary motion given thereto as will be well understood. Each "
arm has a knee piece a³ attached to it, see Figures 3, these knee pieces are
"provided with friction rollers a' which pass along the cam ways. The heads a¹"
"are attached to these arms, so as to travel in the same plane in gathering the
grain which is about the level of the top of the cutters. The cam way c, c¹,
"guides the arms a which carry all the heads, both those which gather and do
"not discharge and that which both gathers and discharges, while the cam d, d', d²,
guides the arms of the heads which gather and do not discharge while passing
"the platform, and the auxiliary cam e, el, e, guides the arm which discharges
"the grain while passing the platform. The part d' of the cam way d, d¹, d, is "
"made moveable, so that when thrown into the position shewn in Figures 2 and 6"
"it permits the arm or arms of the rakes to descend to the platform and discharge
"the cut grain therefrom by following the auxiliary cam e, e¹, e, for the time."
being. The axis of the moveable cain d' is acted upon by a spring d³, which "
"always tends to hold the movable cam d' in the position shewn at Figures 2
"and 6, but when a friction roller a is passing along the auxiliary cam way e, e¹, e², "
"
"
"
"
"

page_text: "
"it acts upon the part de of the moveable cam d to throw it into the position
"shewn by red lines in Figure 6, when a stop g¹ formed on the weighted lever g
"is caused to rise into position to retain the moveable cam d' in the position last"
"described. The weighted lever g is connected by a wire or cord g³ to a lever h,"
"the lower end of which is placed in a convenient position to be acted upon by "
" the foot of the driver. The friction rollers at when acting upon the part d* of "
"the moveable cam d' continue to hold such moveable cam in the position shewn
by the red lines in Figure 6, until the stop g¹ has risen to hold the moveable "
"cam d' correctly in position. By these means the driver is enabled to regulate
"the size of the gavel or sheaf by causing any desired arm to be acted upon by
"the auxiliary cam e, e', e, when desired, whilst it is rendered impossible for any
"two succeeding arms to discharge the cut crop from the platform. The friction"
"rollers a when passing along the auxiliary cam e, el, e, open the switch piece d²,
"which is hinged, as shewn, and when the rollers a are passing along the cam
d, d², d³, they would close the switch piece d if it should happen to be open.
"A pointed washer a³, see Figure 3, is placed on the axis at the bottom of the "
"roller a to prevent the roller. jarring against the head of the moveable cam, if"
"out of position the point of such washer acting to move the moveable cam into "
"its proper position."
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"Instead of causing the rollers a to follow the moveable cam or the auxiliary
"cam as before described, the moveable cam may be operated as shewn at "
Figure 11, in which case it is acted upon by a spring to hold it in the position"
"shewn by the black lines to cause a roller a to follow and be acted upon by "
"such moveable cam, whilst by means of a lever d³ and a cord or other connec-
"tion g² the driver is enabled to operate such moveable cam d so as to cause the "
auxiliary cam e, el, e, to act upon any of the rollers a' when desired."
"Or, if desired, the arrangement shewn at Figures 12 and 13 may be used"
"where the moveable cam d¹ is moved so as to permit the rake arms to discharge
by means of an excentric cam or lever i turning on a pivot , and operating by
means of a lever and cord or other connection g². The lever i is so con-
structed that by the driver pulling the cord or connection g³ the lever i is
"turned in front of the moveable cam d' and the roller a attached to the rake"
"arm in revolving carries the lever i on, whereby the exentric cam or lever is "
"caused to act against the lever d", carried by the axis of the moveable cam d¹ to "
"move the cam d into the position shewn by the red lines in Figure 12, and thereby "
cause the roller a of the rake arm to pass on the inside of the moveable cam
way to be acted upon by the auxiliary cam e, e', e, and thus the rake discharges
"the cut crop from the platform. The moveable cain d' is restored to its position
by a spring acting thereon, as before described. The roller a' on the heel of the "
"rake arm retains the excentric, cam, or lever i in position until the roller a³,
"carried by the next succeeding rake, has passed the point at which the lever i "
can act upon the moveable cam, and thus no two arms in succession can
discharge the cut crop from the platform, and it is impossible for the rollers"
"a¹ to come in contact with the extremity of the moveable cam d¹."
"
"
"
"
"
<
"
Although an auxillary cam is valuable in practice for guiding the rake-head"
フラ
"
"or beater which discharges the cut erop whilst passing the platform, this may be
dispensed with by permitting the floor of the platform or the rim to determine
"the path of the discharging rake or beater. An extension slat or piece a is
"attached to the outer end of each head a¹ so as to overreach and act in com-
"bination with the outer rim or fender of the platform in gathering in and dis-"
charging the crop, and. it is preferred to attach it by a loose screw, so that it "
can have sufficient play to enable it to accomodate itself freely to the surface
"of the divider or rim of the platform, although it is not necessary to attach it
loosely if it be elevated a little at the outer end. Its useful effect is to co-
operate with the divider in bringing in the grain, clearing off the divider, and "
"to co-operate with the rim of the platform. When loosely attached a stop a' should"
"
"

page_text: "
"
"
"
"
"
”
"
"be used,
as shewn in the Drawing, to prevent its dropping in front of the "
" cutters."
"For the purpose of adjusting and sustaining the platforms of reaping machines "
"for different heights of cut, the following arrangements, part of which is shewn "
more clearly at Figures 4 and 5, are employed. The outer edge of the platform "
"carries a notched plate or bracket j which is capable of sliding up and down in
"the frame or plate to which the axis of the grain wheel is attached; a
"pawl j acted upon by a spring serves to retain this end of the platform at any
"desired height by entering one or other of the notches in the plate or bracket j.
"The platform and gear frame are made to move up and down on the axle "
plate m by means of a vertical screw n having a hand wheel n¹ fixed on the "
upper end thereof; the lower end of the screw shaft n passes through a nut."
"attached to the back side of the gear frame l. A collar n on the screw shaft n
"works upon a bracket m¹ extending from the axle plate m, and it is by this "
"collar n and bracket m¹ that the upper end of the screw n is supported, and to
"which the gear frame is thus adjustably suspended. The driver can from his
"seat turn the hand wheel n¹ to the right or left, and thus raise or lower the gear.
"frame, platform, and cutting apparatus upon the axle plate. The tongue or
pole p is attached to the bracket p*, carried by the gear frame by a bolt p¹ at "
"its rear end on which it vibrates, and the brace piece p is attached by a bolt p3"
"to the shoe of the finger beam. The tongue or pole p is by links q¹ connected
"to a bell-crank or bent lever g carried by the bracket p*, and such lever q is by
"a connecting rod q² connected to a lever q³ which is capable of turning on an
"axis at . The lever q³ has connected thereto a spring stop q5 to enter one or
"other of the notches or steps in the fender-board or quadrant q. By the "
foregoing arrangements the platform and cutting apparatus can be tilted upon
"the axles of the two supporting wheels and the desired pitch given to the
"fingers."
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"I have not thought it necessary to enter into a description of the other parts "
"of a reaping machine, as such are well understood, and form no part of the "
"present Invention.".
"Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in "
"which the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that I do not "
"confine myself to the precise details herein shown and described, but what I do "
"claim is,—-
"
"First. The employment of a moveable cam placed under the control of the "
"driver, and the novel combinations and arrangements of parts for operating such "
"cam in such manner that the driver can at pleasure cause any of the rake heads "
"to follow the course of an auxiliary cam, and descend to the level of the plat-
"form, so as to act as discharging rakes, substantially as herein shewn and "
" described."
"
Secondly. I claim the novel combinations and arrangements of parts whereby
"the moveable cam is operated in such manner as to prevent the possibility of any
"two rake arms following in succession the course of the auxiliary cam, and so
discharging the grain from the platform when not required.".
"
"
"
"
13
Thirdly. I claim the novel combinations and arrangements of parts for raising "
"and lowering the platforms of reaping machines at both ends in manner sub- "
"stantially as herein shewn and described."
"
"Fourthly. I claim the novel combination and arrangement of parts for tilting
the platform and cutting apparatus in manner substantially as herein shewn and
" described."
ار
"
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Johnston, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight

page_text: I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the above-named Samuel Johnston, the
Assignee of the above in part recited Letters Patent which were granted to the
herein-before named Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, to file in the Great Seal
Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same relates, the above-written 5
Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.