Year: 1886

page_text: >
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the firm of Allison Brothers, of 52.Chancery
Lane, London, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, which has been communicated to me from abroad by
Charles Thomas Mason, Junior, of Sumter, South Carolina, United States of
America, Engineer, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
The object of my invention is to provide a practical machine for picking cotton
in the fields, and thereby to avoid the slow, laborious and expensive method of
picking by hand.
-
Many efforts have hitherto been made to construct a cotton picking machine
without successful results, owing chiefly to the following reasons:-
-(1) that the
picking devices hitherto employed will not discriminate between the cotton fibre
and other portions of the plant, and, in gathering the cotton, collect fragments of
leaves, stalks and bolls; (2) that they also break and injure the plant itself;
(3) that they do not remove nearly all the cotton which is in condition to be
harvested; and (4) that they are apt to become worn out, mutilated or destroyed
by their frequent abrasions against the tough stalks.
My present apparatus overcomes all these difficulties, and under conditions of
actual use has given uniformly successful results. It embodies two principal and
essential features, namely, first, the peculiar construction of the picker stems which
directly gather the cotton, and second, the construction of the organized machine
wherein said picker stems are operated.
"
By a "picker stem I mean a cylindrical body having disposed around its
periphery numerous delicate teeth or points, the function of which is to collect the
cotton from the bolls. This picker stem I construct in accordance with the
following principle namely, that the picking teeth thereupon shall be so disposed
that their engaging points or euds shall not project above the general surface of
the cylinder, but shall be bent over and guarded either (1) by their backs or upper
portions which by reason of the bending of the teeth project outwardly beyond the
D.
1
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page_text: points of the latter, or (2) by guards formed upon, combined with or constituting a
part of the picker stem, (3) or by both bending the teeth and providing guards as
described.
By reason of this construction, all relatively hard bodies such as leaves, stems,
stalks or bolls first meet the rounded projecting backs of the teeth or the guards,
and hence encounter a smooth hard surface with which they cannot engage. The
soft elastic cotton, however, presses into the spaces surrounding the points of the
teeth, and is caught by said points, so that by the rotation of the stem on its axis
the cotton only is thus withdrawn from the bolls, and is so gathered as already
stated free from particles of woody fibre and leaves.
In my organized machine several of these picker stems are arranged, in con-
nection with transmitting mechanism whereby said stems are operated by reason
of the movement of the machine as it is drawn along by animal or other suitable
power. This machine I construct in accordance with the following general prin-
ciples, namely, (1) that the stems shall be caused to rotate on their individual axes
in contact with the cotton to be gathered, so that the teeth may engage with said
cotton; (2) that the rotation of the stems on their individual axes shall be inter-
mittent first in one direction to gather the cotton on the teeth, and then in the
opposite direction to release the cotton so collected from the teeth; (3) that the
stems shall be arranged in gangs and shall have also a movement of translation
whereby they are bodily introduced into the plants and then withdrawn therefrom;
(4) that the movement of translation of the stems shall bear such a relation to the
movement of rotation of the stems on their individual axes, as that the stems while
in the plant shall rotate in the proper direction for their teeth to engage with and
collect the cotton and that said stems while out of the plant shall rotate in the
opposite direction so that their teeth may release the cotton so gathered; (5) that
the movement of translation of the stems shall bear such a relation to the forward
movement of progression of the machine containing them as that the stems shall
travel rearward at about the same speed as the machine is moved forward, so that
by the composition or resultant of these two movements the stems shall have no
actual movement of translation with reference to the plants into which they enter
and in which they rotate on their individual axes. By this means I prevent
breaking or mutilation of the plants owing to the stems being forcibly drawn.
through them and by reason of the dwelling of the stems for a certain period in
the plant I afford time for the effective removal of all cotton which is in condition
to be gathered.
In carrying these principles into practice, I may either arrange the stems
.horizontally causing them to enter and leave the plants in a lateral direction with
reference to the latter; or I may dispose the stems vertically and lower them into
.and raise them out of the plants. I prefer the first mentioned arrangement and
hereinafter describe in full a machine constructed in accordance therewith. I also
describe as a modification of this machine, the construction which I use when the
stems are to be moved vertically into and out of the plants.
Referring now to my picker stem, it will be apparent that this may be con-
structed in accordance with the principle above set forth in a variety of ways. In
practice I prefer the form in which the backs of the teeth guard the points, as
very efficient and cheaply constructed and this form I first describe. In order to
exhibit other modes of carrying my new principle of construction into practice,
I also represent in the drawings and fully describe several modifications of my
picker stem, all of which I find by experience to be practically useful and effective.
Each of these stems possesses certain advantages in matters of detail, which are
hereinafter described.
Referring now particularly to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive of the drawings, Figure 1.
is a partial side elevation and section of my picker stein. Figure 2 is an end view
showing the manner of attaching the strips to the supports, and Figure 3 represents
a portion of one of the strips enlarged. In these figures 1, 2 and 3, similar letters
of reference indicate like parts.

page_text: A is the central rod: B and C are supports thereon which may be of wood.
D is a rounded cap rigidly secured to the end of the rod. F and G are two
adjacent strips similarly formed. All the other strips are formed in like manner.
Each strip consists of a strip of plate metal having teeth formed integrally with
it by cutting or in any other convenient way. The strips are inserted in channels
cut longitudinally in the supports B and C as shown in Figure 2, and in this
manner are secured in place. The teeth are all bent over in the same direction
and the teeth of one strip as for example F, lie partially over the intervals
between the teeth of the next adjacent strip, as for example G. The teeth of each
strip are so bent that their points lie on a level with or a little below the arched
or bent over portions of said teeth and the teeth of two adjacent strips are so
disposed that the teeth of one strip shall be on a level with, or a little below the
bent or arched portions of the teeth of the next adjacent strip. It will be seen
that in this construction I use no guards or partitions between the teeth,
Instead of forming the teeth upon strips of metal disposed longitudinally upon
the cylinder, I may modify this construction so that the teeth are secured radially
around disks which are placed upon a central rod, and between which toothed
disks are interposed plain disks of smaller diameter. Here also the points of the
teeth are guarded by the curved backs. This modification is illustrated in Figures 4
to 7 inclusive of the drawings.
Figure 4 is an elevation with a portion broken away and in section to show the
internal construction. Figure 5 shows one of the toothed disks. Figure 6 is a
partial section of one of said disks on the line x x of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a view
of a portion of one of said disks enlarged showing the teeth. In Figures 4 to 7
inclusive, similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
A is the central rod or stem. B is a rounded cap piece rigidly secured to the
end of said rod. C is a thin plate of sheet metal having secured by solder or
otherwise in struck-up recesses at the circumference, bent wire teeth D. The
engaging end a of each tooth is even with or slightly below the back b of said
tooth. The said end is also placed in close proximity to the back of the next
adjacent tooth Figure 7. In this way the backs of the teeth form guards for the
teeth and prevent the latter engaging with the hard or woody portions of the
plant. Between the toothed disks C which have central apertures through which
the rod A passes, are interposed thin spacing disks E. These spacing disks are
equal in diameter to the solid portions of the toothed disks, so that the teeth D as
shown in Figure 6 extend beyond said spacing disks. The spacing disks should
be made thin, so that the cotton receiving spaces or intervals F which they cause
to be formed between the teeth of two adjacent toothed disks will be abundantly
large for the cotton to expand into, but small enough to keep out pieces of leaves
and burrs. I find that intervals of about 1 inch left between the teeth of
adjacent circumferential rows, answer practical requirements in this respect.
It will be obvious that a stem constructed as shown in Figures 1 to 3 or in the
modified form Figures 4 to 7, will discriminate between the cotton fibre and other
parts of the plant without the use of guards or projecting partitions between the
teeth, and at the same time will present a large available space around the teeth
in which cotton can be collected by said teeth. The special advantage of this is
that the stem will operate longer before it becomes filled with cotton and hence
will gather more cotton before clearing becomes necessary.
When guards or projecting partitions are used to protect the teeth I employ other
modifications. Thus in Figures 8 to 13 inclusive, I represent a modification in which
teeth are formed upon strips of metal, which are arranged longitudinally upon the
cylindrical support in manner similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3, but in
which the strips are made wider and are provided with recesses having projecting
partitions between them, so that the teeth on one strip lie in the recesses and
hence between the partitions formed in and upon the next adjacent strip.
Referring to Figures 8 to 13 inclusive in which similar letters of reference
indicate like parts, Figure 8 is a side elevation. Figure 9.is a vertical longitudinal

page_text: section of the same on the line 2, 2, of Figure 10. Figure 10 is a transverse section
on the line 3, 3, of Figure 8. Figure 11 shows a portion of one of the toothed and
reversed plates. Figure 12 is a transverse section of one of said plates on the
line 5, 5, of Figure 11. Figure 13 is a sectional view showing the toothed and
reversed plates attached to a solid core of wood or other suitable material instead
of. to the internal disks and end pieces as represented more particularly in
Figure 9.
The
D is the supporting rod upon which are rigidly secured the metal flanged disks
or rings E, E, E, and end pieces G, G. A, A, are a series of bent reversed and
toothed plates of sheet metal. The inner sides of these plates rest against the
flanges of the disks E. Their ends are confined between the end pieces G, G, and
the cap pieces C and B, by screws H as shown or by other suitable means.
upper end piece C is conical in form. The lower end piece B is partly conical but
has two flat sides so as to be substantially wedge shaped. Its extremity is rounded
and not pointed for reasons hereafter explained. The stem may be suspended at
the upper end of rod D or in some cases it may be desirable to provide a bearing
at its lower end. In the latter event, the cap B is not made of wedge shape, but
conical in form like the cap piece C and the rod D is extended downward through
said piece to enter any suitable bearing or support.
The plates A are made of sheet metal and may be conveniently struck up and
cut out in dies. Each plate consists of a long strip, on one side of which are
formed teeth a. Near the opposite side and in the body of the plate are formed
indentations or recesses b. The teeth a are bent over and the plate is curved
transversely so as to adapt it to the periphery of the rings E as shown in
Figure 12. The plates A are arranged upon the rings E so that the teeth a of
one plate shall lie in the recess 6 of the plate next adjacent as shown in
Figure 10. The point, c, of each tooth, a, should be so far bent over as not to
protrude beyond the partitions c¹, Figure 12, which separate the indentations or
recesses, b.
I find it preferable to make the end B of wedge shape so as to have a blunt
curved instead of a pointed end, which prevents possible breaking or bending of
the plant.
In Figure 13 I exhibit a wooden core F to which the plates A are directly
attached, the ends of said plates being held in cap pieces at both ends in the
manner shown. The rod D is shown in dotted lines.
Instead of making the teeth upon one longitudinal plate or strip, to enter
recesses in an adjacent strip as above described I may form apertures in a longi-
tudinal strip and arrange teeth in said apertures, bending down the points of the
teeth so that they will be guarded by the metal on the edges of the apertures.
These teeth may be formed directly of the metal of the strip or they may be of
wire soldered to the latter. This modification is represented in Figures 14 to 20
inclusive in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
Figure 14 is a side elevation. Figure 15 is a vertical longitudinal section.
Figure 16 is a transverse section on the line 2, 2, of Figure 14. Figure 17 shows a
portion of one of the slotted struck-up plates. Figure 18 is a section of same on
line 5, 5, of Figure 17. Figure 19 is a section of one of said plates through the
slot and showing the tooth therein detached. Figure 20 shows a portion of a
slotted plate A with the tooth formed integrally of said plate. E is the supporting
rod upon which are rigidly secured the metal flanged disks F, F. Their ends are
confined between the end pieces G, G, and the cap pieces B and C, the said
pieces G, G, and B and C being suitably formed to receive said ends, and fastening
screws H or other suitable devices being provided for securing the parts together.
The plates A are strips of sheet metal arched transversely. In said plates are cut
slots, a, and beside said slots are formed small recesses or indentations d. In each
recess, d, I secure a wire tooth D. This tooth is bent in arched form and lies in
the slot d. The teeth are so bent or curved that their pointed ends shall lie on a
level or a little below the outer surface of the plates A so that said plates thus

page_text: serve as guards which prevent the leaves or branches of the cotton plant, engaging
with the teeth, but do not prevent the cotton in the bolls from being so engaged.
The separate plates A are secured together at their edges preferably by solder or
brazing. The upper end piece C is conical in form, and the lower end piece B is
wedge shaped and has a rounded or blunt lower edge for reasons already set forth
in Plan II. The said end piece B may also be made in conical form as explained
in the preceding plan.
The plates A may be made separately and soldered together at their adjacent
edges, or a single sheet of metal may be used struck-up in a series of convex beads
cach provided with slots etc., and each bead being the same as one of said plates A.
The plate may be bent around the disks F and have its meeting ends secured by
solder. Instead of employing separate teeth D inserted in recesses, d, of the
plates, A, teeth may be struck out of the metal of the plate itself within the slots, a,
as shown in Figure 20 at D, in which case the recesses, d, are omitted.
It has already been stated with reference to the modification represented in
Figures 4 to 7, that the intermediate disks are plain and simply serve to separate
the toothed disks and so afford a larger cotton gathering space around the points
of the teeth. I may modify this construction so as to make the intermediate
disks form guards after the manner represented in Figures 21 and 22 in which
similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
Figure 21 is a side elevation and partial longitudinal section. Figure 22 shows
one of the toothed metal disks separately. a, is a metal rod, having a conically
pointed lower end, b, and at its upper end a conical cap, c. Between the end, b,
and cap, c, and upon the rod, a, are arranged wooden disks, e, and metal toothed
disks, d, alternating with one another. The object of the conical point and cap is
to enable the stem readily to penetrate and leave the bushes without catching.
The metal disks have at their peripheries sharp teeth or hooks that are slightly
bent or curved in the direction of their rotation while the disks, e, which may be
made of wood or other suitable material are shouldered to form grooves between
their edges in which rest the hooked teeth of the metal disks. The diameter of
the wooden disks is at least equal to but preferably greater than that of the metal
disks even at the extreme points of their teeth, so that the hard material of the
plant strikes against the edges of the wooden disks which act as guards to protect
said teeth, while the cotton fibre presses between the disks and is caught by the
teeth and drawn out of the boll.
The metal disks may be cut with their teeth from sheet metal or they may be
made of wire bent to the required shape.
..
Having described my new cotton picker stem and also various modifications
thereof, I now proceed to explain my new cotton harvesting machine in which said
picker stem constitutes the principal feature, and by the mechanism of and in which
the stems contained are caused to operate to gather the cotton from the plants.
This machine is represented in Figures 23 to 31 inclusive.
Fig. 23 is a top view of the machine.
Fig. 24 is a central longitudinal section on the plane of the line w, w, Fig. 23.
Fig. 25 is a rear view.
Fig. 26 is a bottom view, in detail.
Fig. 27 is an enlarged detail section on the plane of the line x, x, Fig. 25.
Fig. 28 is an enlarged detail section on the plane of the line v, v, Fig. 27.
Fig. 29 is an enlarged detail view of one of the pickers showing mode of support
of same.
Fig. 30 is an end view of one of the cotton picker stems and of the bar or doffer
for removing the cotton therefrom.
Fig. 31 is an enlarged detail section of stem and doffer on the plane of the line z, z,
Figure 27.
The machine in operation passes over the row of plants from which the cotton
is to be gathered. The wheels therefore travel in the spaces on each side of the
row, and the horse is hitched in front of and to one side of the machine so that

page_text: he may walk in one of said spaces. The machine contains two symmetrically
disposed compartments, 1 and 2, united together by transverse pieces, at a point
sufficiently high to enable the cotton plants to pass between them. The picking
mechanism operates in the space between these compartments, and delivers the
gathered cotton into both of them. In each compartment, one of the wheels is
journaled, and the picking devices are actuated by mechanism transmitting motion
from one of the wheels. The cotton accumulated in the compartments is by.
suitable conveying and elevating devices carried into receptacles attached to the
rear of the machine.
The framing of the machine is as follows:-
A, A, A, A, are longitudinal bottom pieces. Beneath these are transverse
bottom pieces B, B1, B, B, the latter not being shown. From the rear ends of
the longitudinal pieces A, A¹, A", A¹, rise four upright posts C, C, C, C,
Fig. 25. From the front ends of said longitudinal pieces, rise four corresponding
posts D, D', D, D¹¹¹, one of which D' is shown in Fig. 24; the others not being
shown. Above the posts C, C¹, C, C, are longitudinal top pieces E, E¹, E", E¹¹,
corresponding to the bottom pieces A, A¹, A", A¹¹! Finally above the top
pieces E, E, E, E, are three transverse top pieces F, F¹, F", Fig. 23.
On the rear side of the machine, Fig. 25, are two transverse pieces G, G',
extending between the posts C, C₁, and two corresponding pieces, G, G,
extending between the posts Cu, C. There is also a transverse piece H extending
between the posts C, C. In front of the machine there is a transverse piece, I,
extending between the posts D¹, D¹¹. On top of the machine Fig. 23 are short
longitudinal pieces J, J₁, extending between the transverse pieces F, F¹.
K and K¹ are the wheels. Each wheel has a short axle L and L. The outer
end of the axle L is journaled in an upright post M extending between the
longitudinal pieces A and E. The inner end of said axle is supported in a bearing
arranged upon two parallel posts N, N1, Fig. 24, extending between the longitudinal
pieces A¹, E. The axle L' of the wheel K¹ is supported in similar manner on the
other side of the machine. Each wheel is enclosed in a casing O.
The foregoing completes the description of the framing of the machine and the
wheels on which it is supported. When the machine is moved forward the rotation
of the wheels sets the picking mechanism in motion. I will next explain how this
is accomplished.
The picking mechanism consists of a series of rotating stems, each rotating around
its own axis. The stems are arranged radially around metal rings, and as these
rings surround a vertical shaft, which rotates in a horizontal plane, the stems
therefore have a circular movement of translation besides their own rotary
movement. The rings which support the stems, together with other devices
bereafter to be explained, are arranged vertically above one another in two groups,
which for convenience of description, I shall hereafter call the picking cylinders.
One picking cylinder is shown at P, the other at Pl. These cylinders are rotated
on their vertical axes, by the movement of the machine in the following manner.
On the axle L¹ of the wheel K¹ is a sprocket wheel Q Fig. 23. On a shaft R
extending across the top of the machine and having bearings on the top longi-
tudinal pieces E, E¹, E", E¹¹¹, is another sprocket wheel Q¹. Between the sprocket
wheels and Q extends the chain belt S. Consequently the rotation of the
wheel K¹ and axle L¹ through the medium of the belt S, rotates the shaft R.
On the shaft R and near its middle, Fig. 23 is another sprocket wheel T. On a
short shaft R', which is suspended in hangers, Fig. 25 from the short longitudinal
top pieces J and J¹, is also a sprocket wheel T¹. Between these wheels T and T¹
extends a chain belt S¹. The rotation of the shaft, R, is therefore by the chain
belt S transmitted to the shaft R¹.
On the ends of the shaft, R, are bevel pinions, which engage with similar
pinions U, U¹, fixed to the vertical shafts V, V₁, upon which shafts are secured
the picking cylinders P, P¹. The shafts V, V, are supported at their lower ends
in steps W. The shafts V, V, and consequently the picker cylinders P, P¹, are

page_text: therefore rotated by the wheel K¹, through the medium of the sprocket wheels Q, Q¹³¸·
belt S, shaft R, sprocket wheels T and T¹, and belt S₁, shaft R¹ and bevel
gearing U, U.
The driving gearing of the picker cylinders is preferably so constructed and
arranged, that the speed of rotation of said cylinders shall equal the speed of
forward motion of the machine. Inasmuch therefore, as the picker cylinders
revolve from front to rear, while the machine is moving bodily forward, it follows
that the radial stems on said cylinders will, with reference to the cotton plants
into which they enter, be for a certain period stationary. The advantage of this
is, as will be more particularly explained hereafter, that time is afforded for the
picker stems to rotate on their axes in the plant, and so gather all the adjacent
cotton from the bolls. After the cotton has been gathered, the stems are caused
to surrender it. The mechanism for this purpose will also be fully described
further on.
Referring more particularly to Fig. 24 directly beneath the picker cylinder is
shown an endless conveyor belt, X, passing over pulleys Y, Y₁, having bearings
in two parallel bottom bars Z, Fig. 26. This belt is provided with projecting
points to catch and hold the cotton that falls from the picker cylinder above.
On the shaft of the pulley, Y¹, is a sprocket wheel, which by a belt, a, drives
another sprocket wheel secured on the shaft of a pulley, b. Over the pulley, b,
passes another belt, c, also covered with points or projections; this belt passes
over a pulley, d, on a short shaft, e, supported in journals upon and in rear of the
posts C, C¹.
Beneath the other picker cylinder on the opposite side of the machine, is a
horizontal belt, and an inclined belt arranged as above described, the upper end
of the inclined belt passing over a pulley, d, on a short shaft, c¹, arranged between
and in rear of the posts C, C
On the shafts, e, el, are pulleys, f, f', which by belts, g, g¹, are driven by the
shaft R. This shaft as already explained, receives motion from the wheels by
the chain belt S.
It will be apparent therefore that from the shaft, R, motion is transmitted first,
as already described to the picker cylinders and second and simultaneously to the
shafts, e, e', belt, c, and corresponding belt, belt, a, and corresponding belt and
belt X and corresponding belt. The belts X and c are conveyors. The cotton
falling upon the conveyor X is taken therefrom by the elevating conveyor, c, and
is thereby lifted above the level of the mouth of the bag, h, which is supported on
a curved bar, 2, secured to the rear of the machine. Into this bag, the cotton falls
from the elevating conveyor, c. A bag may be placed in rear of each side of the
machine and thus two receptacles may be filled simultaneously-and when filled
may be removed and empty bags substituted.
The compartments 1 and 2 are boarded or covered on their lateral sides. The
front end of each is rounded and at its lower portion is provided with a pro-
jection, j, analogous to the pilot of a locomotive. The object of the projections, j, j,
is to separate the plants in the row passing through the machine from the plants
in the adjacent rows.
Referring now more particularly to Figs. 27, 28, 29 and 30, the construction and
arrangement of the picking devices is as follows:-
Fig. 29 shows one of the picker stems, k. This may consist of a central rod ¹
supporting a metal envelope, l, longitudinally corrugated and having a series of
recesses in which are formed teeth, the points of said teeth being disposed below.
the level of the adjacent guards formed by the envelope, l. The envelope, l, is
supported on the central rod, k, in any convenient manner. At the end of said rod
is provided a rounded piece, m, Figs. 29 and 30.
The construction of this picker stem may be in substantial accordance with any
of the modifications hereinbefore set forth.
In Figs. 27 and 28 n is a ring of cast metal having two circumferential rims or
flanges, o, o, and radial arms p, attaching its centre sleeve, q, to said flanges.

page_text: The sleeve, q, surrounds the rod and is fastened thereon by a set screw, r. The
inner end of the picker stem rod / passes through and has bearings in the rims or
flanges o, o'. In this way each picker stem, k, is supported in the plane of the
ring n, and projecting radially from its circumference.
On the portion of the picker stem rod k³, included between the rims o, o¹, is
secured a conical roller 8 which may be covered with leather or rubber to increase
'the frictional contact.
t and t¹ are parts of a loose mutilated metal ring-one portion, t, being placed
above the ring, and the other portion t¹. being placed below said ring. On the
under side of the part, t, is formed a circumferential groove or channel in which is
placed a circular piece of metal, u, having an inclined surface which may be
corrugated or roughened. Spiral or other springs u¹ are inserted between the
piece, u, and the piece t. In the under portion there is formed a similar
groove or channel, on its upper side, and in this groove is placed a curved piece, v,
similar to the curved piece, u, and also springs similar to the springs, u¹.
w, w', w¹¹, etc., are disks which may be of wood having large circular openings
through which loosely pass the upwardly projecting portions of the sleeves q.
These disks are rigidly secured to the inner casing of each compartment by means
of bars, x, x, shown best in Fig. 24.
Referring now to Fig. 28 it will be seen that the lower disk, w, being rigidly
'supported by the bar, x, receives upon its upper side, the portion, t', of the
mutilated ring. The stem supporting ring, n, is then next in order above, and
this ring is secured to the rod by its sleeve. The roller, s, in said ring, n, then
rests upon the curved piece, v, in the groove of the part t¹. Above the ring, n, and
resting thereupon is placed the part, t, of the mutilated ring. The circular piece, u,
then bears upon the roller, 8, immediately beneath it. Finally above the part t
is another disk w¹, and the various portions provided upward in the same order
again.
The function and operation of this mechanism is as follows:-
When the central rod of the picking cylinder is rotated in the manner already
described, the rings, n, all rotate with it, being rigidly fastened upon it. The
disks, w, however remain stationary, being so held by their fastening bars x.
The rings, n, therefore rotate between the fixed disks w.
It will be apparent that when the ring, n, rotates, the roller, 8, will be turned
on its axis by reason of its contact with the plate, v, beneath it. So long as the
roller is in contact with that plate, its rotation will be in one direction. But the
plate, v, does not extend entirely around and under the ring n. The mutilated
ring has one part, t', below the ring, n, and another part, t, above said ring.
Consequently after the roller, 8, has travelled a certain distance, it runs off the
plate, v, beneath it. But the ends of the part t of the mutilated ring are imme-
diately above the ends. of the part, t¹. Hence 'as the roller, 8, leaves the plate, v,
its upper surface constantly comes in contact with the bearing plate u. The effect
of this is to reverse the direction of rotation of the roller, so that over one portion
of its circular travel, the roller and consequently the picker stem turns on its
axis in one direction, while during another portion of its travel, it turns in the
opposite direction.
The object of this will be clear from Fig. 27. The picker cylinders turn in the
direction of the arrows, that is, from front to rear of the machine. It will be
noticed that the central rod of each picking cylinder is situated just outside the
compartments 1 and 2, so that the picking stems move into and out of the com-
partments during their revolution. The change of axial rotation of the stems
occurs just as the latter enter and leave the compartments; or in other words,
while outside of the compartments 1 and 2, the stems rotate in one direction, and
when inside the said compartments, they rotate in the opposite direction. While
they are outside of the compartments or rather between them, the stems gather
the cotton. The cotton, by its own elasticity presses slightly into the recesses
on the stem, sufficiently to be grasped by the teeth and becomes wound about the
..

page_text: stem. When the latter enters the compartiment, it is at once turned in the opposite
direction; while so turning the periphery of the stems meets the doffing blade or
blades, y, which are secured to the lower edges of bars, z, Figs. 27 and 30. The
cotton as represented in Fig. 31 is thus removed from the teeth of the stems and
falls upon the conveyor belt X beneath.
The number of rings, n, and disks, w, and consequently the number of stems on
the picking cylinders, may be varied at will, to suit the height of the plants. The
stems are preferably arranged as shown in Fig. 27-that is, those on one picking
cylinder alternating with those on the other cylinder.
The device for applying draft to the machine is shown in Figs. 23 and 24.
The animal is attached in the shafts 3 and 4, the shaft 3 extending rearwardly
and being secured to the side of the machine. 5, 6 and 7, are braces for the shafts
extending laterally and 8 and 9 are braces extending upwardly; 10 is the
whittle tree.
The operation of the entire machine can now easily be followed. As it is
drawn forward, the pilots or dividers on the compartments 1 and 2 push all the
plants of the row to be harvested into the space between said compartments while
inoving the plants of the adjacent rows on each side; outwardly and clear of the
wheels. The picking cylinders have a revolving motion rearwardly equal in speed
to the forward motion of the machine. The picker stems are therefore not drawn
laterally through the plants, but simply enter the latter and are withdrawn again
being stationary or nearly so while in the plants. While in this position, the
picker stems rotate on their own axes and so gather the cotton. The construction
of the stem is such that it collects only the ripe cotton, it does not gather branches
or leaves or unripe bolls.
፡
As the machine progresses, the filled stems move into the compartments, new
empty stems meeting the succeeding plants. As soon as the steuis arrive inside
the compartments, their axial rotation is reversed. This disengages the cotton
which falls upon the horizontal conveyors whence it passes to the elevating
conveyors and by these last it is delivered into the bags provided in rear of
machine to receive it.
The operation of the machine is therefore continuous as long as it is in motion.
I have found in actual practice that the apparatus drawn by one horse is capable
of harvesting about four bales of cotton per day, delivering the cotton in excellent
condition with very little dead leaves, seeds and other impurities in it. 1 regard
the manner of introducing the stems and withdrawing them from the plants as a
feature of great advantage, inasmuch as the stems uut being dragged laterally
through the plants, do not break the latter and are not themselves subjected to
undue strains and wear. At the same time they are enabled to rotate directly in
the bushes and so perform their function of gathering the cotton.
Instead of causing the picker stems to move in a horizontal plane in entering
and leaving the plants, I may so modify the machine as to cause them to move in
a vertical plane-that is, so that they are moved downward into the plants and
after gathering the cotton are lifted out. This modification of my machine is
represented in Figs. 32, 33 and 34. Fig. 32 is a side view of the frame in section
through the line x, x, of Fig. 24, the crank arms being in vertical position. Fig. 33
is a plan view with the crank arms in horizontal position. Fig. 34 is a detail.
Similar letters of reference in Figs. 32, 33 and 34 indicate like parts.
A represents the main frame of the machine which is mounted to travel upon
running wheels B. Upon this frame are arranged transversely in bearings two
cranked shafts, one of which is composed of short shaft sections C, C, C, and crank
arms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, connected at their ends by short rods C¹, C, C, and the
other of which crank shafts is composed of short shaft sections D, D, D, and crank
arms 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, connected at their ends by short rods D', D¹; D¹.
These two crank shafts bave at each end chain wheels E, E, E¹, E¹, which are
connected together in pairs by chains F, F. For driving these crank shafts, à
double chain pulley G is arranged with one set of its teeth meshing into the

page_text: chain, F, and its other set of teeth geared into a chain H (see dotted lines, Fig. 32),
which extends down to a chain wheel, I, on the axle of the main running wheels, B,
and imparts therefrom to the crank shafts the power required to rotate them.
The frame A is composed of a series of parallel bars arranged longitudinally or in
the line of draft, and between each of these bars is arranged a picker frame J, com-
posed of parallel bars bearing two rows of downwardly projecting pendent picker
stems K. These picker stems are journaled at one end on the short rods C¹ of one
crank shaft and at the other end on short rods D¹ of the other crank shaft, so that
as the crank shafts revolve the picker frames are carried in parallel relation to
each other with their pendent stems downwardly in front, then to the rear and up
again, then forward at the top and down again causing the picker stems to
penetrate the cotton bushes and rise vertically therefrom again without any
dragging or lateral motion in the bushes, the rear motion of the lower set of
picker stems from the revolution of the crank shafts being sufficient to offset the
advance movement of the machine.
The picker stems may be provided with elastic central rods so that they will
spring to one side or the other of the stalks and not break the same. When said
stems are nearing their lowest point, a rotary motion is given to them about their
longitudinal axes in the direction in which the hooks of the disks are pointing and
after they rise from the bushes the direction of the rotation is reversed so as to
release the teeth from the cotton and allow the latter to be removed and collected.
For this purpose each one of the picker stems has its rod at the top detachably
connected to a small bevel wheel, g, which engages with a bevel wheel, h, on the
shafts z', 1, of which there is one for each of the two rows of stems in each picker
frame. The shafts, ¹, are arranged horizontally above the picker frames and are
rotated by two bevel gears j, j, on the opposite ends of a short shaft k. This shaft
bears two small pinions Land m. One of these, 7, engages directly with a segmental
gear wheel, n, and the other, m, engages indirectly with a segmental gear wheel, o,
through an intermediate pinion, p, see Fig. 25. The segmental gear wheels are
rigid on the shafts D¹ and the shafts D¹ are rigidly fixed on the arms 9 to 10 so
that as these arms travel around the crank shafts, the segmental gear wheels n
and o also turn on their own axes. The gear teeth on these wheels n and o are so
disposed in segments that during one part of the revolution or while the picker
stems are down one of these segmental gears, n, turns pinion, ɩ, and rotates
shafts, k and i, in one direction and during the other part of the revolution the
other segmental wheel o through pinion, p, reverses the revolution of the shafts k
and i.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
First A cotton picker stem consisting of a cylindrical body having upon its
outer periphery bent picking teeth, the said teeth having their engaging ends or
points disposed at or below the level of their backs, substantially as described.
Second A cotton picker stem having a series of hooks or teeth and alternating
guards, the engaging ends of said hooks or teeth being disposed even with or
slightly below the surface of said guards, and the said guards being spaced or
off-set from the points of the teeth to permit the cotton to press in between the
guards and catch into the teeth substantially as described.
Third: In a cotton picker stem, a central rod and supports thereon and a series
of strips of metal having bent picking teeth formed upon them, the said strips
being disposed parallel to and surrounding the central rod and secured at or near
their ends in the supports substantially as described.
Fourth-In a cotton picker stem, two or more strips of metal secured to
supports attached to a central rod, as set forth, the said strips having picking
teeth formed upon them, the said picking teeth being bent over so that the points

page_text: "
of said teeth shall lie on a level with or a little below the arched or bent portions
of said teeth, substantially as described.
Fifth In a cotton picker stem, two or more strips of metal secured to supports
attached to a central rod, the said strips having picking teeth formed upon them
and the said teeth being bent over and disposed so that the teeth on one strip
shall lie partially over the intervals between the teeth of the next adjacent strip
and so that the points of the teeth on the first mentioned strip shall lie on a level
with or a little below the arched or bent portions of the teeth of the said adjacent
strips, substantially as described.
Sixth A cotton picker stem constructed in substantial accordance with the
drawings, Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive and description thereof.
Seventh-In a suspended cotton picker stem an end piece or cap for the lower
end thereof, substantially of a wedge form and having a blunt or rounded lower
edge or extremity substantially as described.
Eighth A cotton picker stem having on its periphery, a series of recesses or
indentations, the said recesses being arranged side by side and longitudinally or
parallel to the axes of the stem and teeth arranged in said recesses, the engaging
ends of said teeth being on a level with or slightly below the outer surface of the
partitions between said recesses, substantially as described.
Ninth A cotton. picker stem constructed in substantial accordance with the
drawings, Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, and description thereof.
Tenth In a cotton picker stem a periphery formed of a single sheet of metal
having parallel longitudinal convex beads struck up thereon and a series of slots
cut in each bead and a bent tooth formed or secured in each slot, the said sheet
being bent around suitable supports attached to the central rod and having its
meeting edges soldered or otherwise joined, substantially as described.
Eleventh-A cotton picker stem constructed in substantial accordance with the
drawings, Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive, and description thereof.
$
Twelfth In a cotton picker stem, two or more circumferential rows of teeth
bent over or curved, projecting from the exterior of said stem and cotton receiving
intervals or spaces between said rows of teeth substantially as described.
Thirteenth-In a cotton picker stem, a circumferential row, or circumferential
rows of picking teeth projecting from the outer periphery of said stem, the said
teeth being bent over or curved in the same direction and the end or point of each
tooth being placed in close proximity to the next adjacent tooth and disposed
below the level of the upper side of the bent over portion of said adjacent tooth,
substantially as described.
Fourteenth-In a cotton picker stem, a series of plate disks of like diameter
each alternate disk being bent over or curved teeth projecting from its circumference
substantially as described,
Fifteenth A cotton picker stem constructed in substantial accordance with the
drawings Figs. 14 to 20 inclusive, and description thereof.
Sixteenth-A cotton picker stem constructed in substantial accordance with
the drawings Figs. 21 and 22, and description thereof.
Seventeenth-A cotton picking machine having sets of picker stems which sets
revolve about a vertical axis in combination with means for imparting to said
stems an independent rotation about their individual axes first in one direction
and then in the other, substantially as described.
Eighteenth-In a cotton harvesting machine, a cotton picker stem projecting
radially from a support, a means of rotating said support and thereby giving said
stem a circular movement of translation, and a means of simultaneously rotating
said stem on its longitudinal axis, substantially as described.
Nineteenth-In a cotton harvesting machine, a cotton picker stem projecting
radially from a support, a means of rotating said support and thereby giving said
stem a circular movement of translation, and a means of simultaneously rotating
said stem on its longitudinal axis in alternately opposite directions, substantially
as described.

page_text: Twentieth-In a cotton harvesting machine, a cotton picker stem projecting
radially from a support, and a means of rotating said support, and thereby giving
said stem when gathering cotton, a circular movement of translation in a direction
opposite to that of the forward travel of the machine, substantially as described.
Twenty-first: In a cotton harvesting machine, the combination of a supporting
wheel, a shaft and á cotton picker stems or series of stems radially projecting from
said shaft, and intermediate power transmitting devices between said wheel and
said shaft, whereby motion is transmitted from the wheel to the shaft, and the
latter is caused to rotate, thereby moving the cotton picker stem or stems, while
gathering cotton, in a direction opposite to that. of the forward movement of the
machine, and at a speed equal or nearly equal to that of said forward movement
substantially as described.
Twenty-second:--In a cotton barvesting machine, a series of cotton picker
stems radially projecting from a support, a second series of cotton picker stems
radially projecting from a second support, the said supports being relatively so
disposed, that the stems on one support may alternate with or enter the intervals
between the stems on the other support, and a means of rotating said supports
substantially as described.
Twenty-third In a cotton harvesting machine, the combination of a shaft, a
means of rotating the same, a circular support rigidly secured thereon, a cotton
picker stem having its central rod journal at one end in said support and projecting
radially therefrom, a roller rigidly attached to said central rod near the bearings
thereof and two fixed plates or bearing surfaces supported one above and the other
below said roller, and in contact therewith, the said parts being so combined and
arranged that the rotation of the shaft shall cause the roller to move along one of
said bearing surfaces, and be thereby rotated in one direction and then along the
other of said bearing surfaces and thereby be rotated in the other direction, thus
causing the revolution of the cotton picker stem on its longitudinal axis in
successively opposite directions, substantially as described.
Twenty-fourth-In a cotton harvesting machine, a shaft, a means of rotating
the same, a series of circular supports rigidly secured to said shaft, cach support
having journaled in its periphery and radially projecting therefrom one or more
cotton picker stems, and a series of independently sustained fixed rings not
connected to said shaft, but enclosing the same, interposed between said supports,
substantially as described.
Twenty-fifth-In a cotton harvesting machine, in combination with a cotton
picking stem radially projecting from a support and having a circular movement
of translation, and also revolving on its longitudinal axis, a fixed independently
supported clearing bar for removing the cotton gathered by said stem, substantially
as described.
Twenty-sixth-In a cotton harvesting machine two cotton receiving compart-
ments connected together by transverse bars near their upper portions, having
between them and below the said bars, an open space through which pass the
plants to be operated upon, when the machine be moved forward and having
arranged in said space, two parallel vertical rotating shafts, each shaft having
projecting from it radially and horizontally, a series of revolving cotton picker
stems, the said stems during a part of this rotary movement entering the said
compartments and there delivering their gathered cotton, substantially as described.
: Twenty-seventh-In a cotton harvesting machine, and in front thereof, two
pilots formed and adapted to push or crowd the row of plants to be harvested into
the space between said pilots, and to push outwardly the adjacent rows, substantially
as described.
Twenty-eighth-In a cotton harvesting machine, the combination of a cotton
gathering device, a means of actuating the same, a means of removing the gathered
cotton and causing the same to fall by gravity upon an endless conveyor belt
arranged beneath said removing device, an endless conveyor belt adapted to
receive the cotton from said first mentioned belt and elevate it to or nearly to the

page_text: top of the machine, and a receptacle adapted to receive the cotton falling from said
last mentioned conveyor, substantially as described.
Twenty-ninth-In a cotton harvesting machine, a supporting wheel and its axle,
means of transmitting the motion of said wheel from said axle to a shaft, means
of transmitting motion from said shaft to the cotton gathering devices and means
of transmitting motion from the same shaft to the conveyors for receiving and
transporting the cotton from said gathering devices to a receptacle, substantially as
described.
Thirtieth-A cotton harvesting machine containing two sets of cotton gathering
devices adapted to operate on opposite sides of the same row of plants, each set of
devices being in combination with a means of removing the gathered cotton
therefrom and a means of conveying said cotton to a receptacle.
Thirty-first-The process of picking cotton consisting essentially in detaching
the cotton from the bolls by winding the same upon a cylinder, and then detaching
the cotton by unwinding it from said cylinder, substantially as described.
Thirty-second-The process of picking cotton consisting essentially in detaching
the cotton from the bolls by winding the same upon a cylinder introduced end wise
into the body of the plant and then detaching the cotton by unwinding it from
said cylinder, substantially as described.
Thirty-third The process of picking cotton consisting in first crowding the
mass of bolls into a narrow space, and then detaching the cotton from said bolls by
winding it upon a cylinder and then detaching the cotton by unwinding it from
said cylinder, substantially as described.
Thirty-fourth-A cotton picking machine constructed in substantial accordance
with the drawings Figs. 23 to 31 inclusive and description thereof.
Thirty-fifth-A cotton picking machine consisting of the parallel moving
frames J, combined with and mounted upon the crank shafts, the vertical rotary
picker stems K, K, having bevel wheels at their upper ends, the horizontal shafts i, i,
with bevel gearing therewith and gearing for transmitting power from the crank
shafts to rotate the picker stems on their axes substantially as shown in Figs. 32,
33 and 34.
Thirty-sixth-A cotton picking machine having sets of picker stems which sets
revolve about a horizontal axis in combination with means for imparting to said
stems, an independent rotation about their individual axes first in one direction
and then in the other substantially as described.
Thirty-seventh-The combination, with the parallel barred frame A, of the two
cranked axles C and D, the picker frames journaled at opposite ends on the cranks
of said axles, to maintain them in parallel position while rotating and the picker
stems depending from the picker frames, substantially as shown in Figs. 32, 33
and 34.
Thirty-eighth-The combination with the picker stems having bevel wheels at
their upper ends, the picker frames and crank shafts, of the shafts i, bearing bevel
pinions, shaft K bearing bevel pinions j, j, and pinions and m, the segmental
gears n and o, made rigid on the crank shafts and the idle pinion p for reversing
the rotation of the picker stems substantially as shown in Figs. 32, 33 and 34.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1886