Cotton Harvesters.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 20th May, 1893
Cotton Harvesters.
I, GERARD BEEKMAN of No. 5, East 34th Street, New York, County and State
of New York, United States of America, Lawyer, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My present invention relates to means for operating flexible rotary stems adapted
to pick growing cotton from the plants as described in my Letters Patent of the
United States No. 427,218, dated May 6th, 1890, and in subsequent Letters Patent
of the United States.
The herein-described improved mechanism is also adapted for operating flexible
rotary picking stems of the character described and claimed in a separate application
for a Patent of Great Britain, No. 23,936 of 1892 wherein each stem is provided at
its extremity with several flexible branches that extend the efficiency of the device
to seize the cotton.
My present invention relates to the class of cotton harvesters in which the system
of rotary picking stems which are projected out in positions adapted to enter and
intervene the branches of the plants, are moved backward orbitally at substantially
the same rate of speed as the motion of the harvester forward over the ground.
The objects of my present invention are to simplify the actuating mechanism; to
render the machine self-adapting to the variable structure of the plants; to avoid
mutilation of the branches and foliage of the plants; and to minimize the power
required to operate the large requisite number of rotary stems provided to search
the cotton plants thoroughly.
My present invention consists in certain improved means for carrying and
operating the system of picking stems between the rows of plants and more particu-
larly in the instrumentalities herein shown and described under various modifications
for imparting both orbital and individual rotation to the system of picking stems
and also causing their said individual rotation to cease at proper times and accom-
plish the removal of the cotton from them and the disposal thereof. Provision is
made for the advancement and retraction of the picking stems among the plants
in such a manner that the stems while revolving individually may remain in contact
with the cotton a sufficient length of time when engaged, but when disengaged may
Sweep through the plants with a yielding motion in search of cotton to seize upon.
Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification and
in which similar characters of reference designate parts that correspond functionally
throughout the several views:
Figure 1, represents a side elevation of a suitable carriage, with the picking
mechanism thereon ;
Figure 2, a plan view of Figure 1 ;
Figures 3, and 4, vertical sectional views taken in planes at right angles to each
other, showing the stripping and transmitting device for removing the cotton from
the pickers and delivering it to the receptacle or basket;
Figure 5, a horizontal section taken on the line -, of Figures 3, and 4; and
Figure 6, a similar horizontal section showing a modification.
Figure 7, is an enlarged side elevation partly in section, showing the cotton picking
mechanism of the machine;
Figure 8, a plan view of Figure 7, illustrated in connection with a row of cotton
plants.
Figure 9, embraces side views in detail, the same appearing partly in section,
showing the construction of one of the subordinate supports and its method of

page_text: detachment from the depending arm of the main support on which it oscillates and
has its connection with suitable mechanism for driving the pickers.
Figure 10 embraces a horizontal sectional view taken on the line e-x, in Figure 9,
and also a plan view of the subordinate support in said figure.
Figure 11, embraces detail views of the various parts of the mechanism in
Figures 9, and 10, shown separately.
Figure 12, is a side elevation partly in section, illustrating a modification of the
picker mechanism adapted for operating an increased number of picking stems and
showing a modification in the construction of the trifurcated main rotary support;
Figure 13, a plan view of Figure 12;
Figure 14, an enlarged sectional elevation showing the interior construction of
the subordinate supports used in Figure 12; and
Figure 15, embraces several detail views relating to Figure 14, namely: view (a),
a horizontal section on the liner, Figure 14; view (), a horizontal section on
the line, Figure 14; view (c), a sectional detail view of the subordinate
driving shaft; view (d) a detail, showing one of the vertically movable spindle
rods; view (e), a detail, showing the spring supports for the upper ends of said
rods; view (f), a detail showing the spring supports at the lower end of said rod;
and view (g), a detail view showing one of the flexible tubular arms 5, in Figure 14,
and the manner of fastening the same.
Figure 16, illustrates a further modification similar in general principles to the
device shown in Figure 12;
Figure 17, a plan view of Figure 16, embracing also certain detail views of the
parts hereinafter described.
Figure 18, embraces an enlarged sectional elevation (a) showing a modification
in the mechanism contained within the subordinate supports for driving the pickers;
and also (b), a horizontal section of view (a) taken on the line -x.
Figure 19, embraces a front elevation (a) of the spindles in Figure 18; the
exterior case being removed; and also a partial front elevation (b) projected
diagrammatically, showing the lower portion of view (a) to illustrate the operation.
Figure 20, embraces a sectional elevation (a), showing an interior mechanism
for the subordinate support similar in general character to that shown in Figure 18,
together with certain modifications; and a horizontal section (b) taken on the
line of view (a).
Figure 21, embraces detail perspective views (a), (b), showing the construction
of the case enclosing the mechanism in the subordinate supports, and also
views (c), (d), (e), and (f), illustrating certain modifications in the construction
of the bobbins which rotate the picking stems.
In all the figures, I illustrate the flexible rotary picking stems 1, and suitable
mechanism for individually rotating them, mounted upon rotary supports 2,
which are trifurcated or provided with any suitable number of rigid dependent
arms bearing subordinate oscillatory supports 3.
The picking stems 1, are orbitally rotated by the rotation of the maiu
support 2, in the direction of the arrow 7, moving the picking stems backward
or retrogressively at substantially the same rate of speed as the motion of the
harvester forward over the ground in the direction indicated by the arrow 8.
The said picking stems 1, are individually rotated by means of mechanism con-
tained within the subordinate supports 3, hereinafter fully described; both the
said orbital and the said individual rotations being imparted to the stems by
means of a driving shaft 4, suitably geared to the said interior mechanism. The
several subordinate supports 3, are permitted to oscillate or in other words
partially rotate upon their vertical axis independently of the motion of the said
interior mechanism, so that the said picking stems 1, which although themselves
are flexible and supported ir. flexible arms 5, composed of coiled wire tubes, may
yield the more readily when encountering the branches of the plant and dwell for
a period in the plant when engaging with the cotton, or at other times sweep
rapidly among the branches in search of unpicked cotton. Rotary stripping

page_text: brushes 6, are provided at that part of the orbit in which the picking stems 1, are
swept away from the plants; and the said brushes 6, the rotary supports 2, and
the driving shafts 4, may all be mounted in a frame or carriage of any suitable
character adapted to be moved over the ground by manual force or other power.
In Figures 1, and 2, 1 illustrate a suitable form of carriage adapted by its single
traction wheel 10, and overhanging basket 11, and concentrated framework, to
avoid interference with the two adjacent rows of plants between which it passes.
The machine is propelled and balanced by the hand bar 12. The shafts 4 are
revolved by the traction-wheel by means of the belt 13, and gear-wheels 14, 15.
The brushes 6, are revolved by the flexible shafts 16, attached to the shafts 4.
In conjunction with the brushes 6, I provide a transmitting tube 17, having
feeders 18, shown more particularly in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6; both the feeders and the
tube having upwardly projecting barbs so that when the feeders which touch the
brushes reciprocate spirally as indicated by arrows, they catch and transfer
the cotton which has been drawn from the picking stems 1, inwardly and upwardly
to and through the tube 17, delivering it to the basket above. The feeders 18.
are actuated by means of twisted bands 19, passed around sheaves 20, the lower
one of which is rotated back and forth by means of gears 21, 24; the latter
gear 24, being attached to an oscillating shaft 22 (Figures 1, and 2), operated by
a block 23, which engages with a spiral groove on the said shaft as indicated, while
said block is carried about in a circle upon the crank pin shown by dotted lines on
the shaft of the gear 14 (Figures 1, and 2); the shaft 22, being thereby rotated
to and fro.
The principles of the interior mechanism within the subordinate support 3, which
are applied in Figures 7, to 11, and also applied in connection with various modi-
fications in the remaining figures of the annexed drawings, are embodied in the
following essential elements:
A subordinate driving shaft 25, in each subordinate support 3, bearing frictional
driving rollers 26, is rotated by means of a master-wheel 27, having gear teeth
which engage with the gear-wheels 28, of all the said subordinate driving shafts 25;
said master-wheel also bearing gear-teeth by which it receives motion from the
gear 29, of the main driving shaft. 4. In Figure 7, the master-wheel 27 is mounted
on a shaft 60, extended from the rotary frame 2, and a gear wheel keyed on this
shaft meshes with the gear wheels 28.
Bobbins 30, are provided upon the flexible picking stems 1, which bobbins are
held in frictional contact with the rollers 26, by means of idle spindles 31, so as to
receive a spinning motion as long as pressure is maintained between the spindles
and the bobbins and the driving rollers. Various means are hereinafter described
for relieving such pressure at proper times in order that the picking stems 1, may
temporarily cease their individual rotation for the cotton to be stripped from them
by the rotary brushes 6.
Each bobbin 30, bears two flexible picking stems 1, 1, projecting in both direc
tions of its axis, so that for a given number of stems, the number of bobbins is
reduced to the minimum, and the complicity and friction of the mechanism for
driving the bobbins reduced correspondingly.
The flexible stems 1, may be composed of leather thongs or fibrous cord or other
elastic shafts as described in my aforesaid Letters Patent of the United States,
No. 427,218; and the said picking stems may, moreover, be provided with branched
ends flexibly attached as described and claimed in my aforesaid separate application
for a Patent of Great Britain.
Referring specifically to Figures 7, to 11, inclusive, the mechanism in further
detail consists as follows:
As indicated by arrows in Figure 8, a retrogressive direction of rotation is given
to the master-wheel 27, on the side thereof next to the row of plants; this rotation
being more rapid than the revolution of the main support 2, when the machine is
picking. When the machine is not picking, the main rotary support 2, which is
independently rotative, will, however, revolve with the master-wheel 27 at the same

page_text: speed thereof; the picking stems themselves being idle. Orbital rotation is thereby
imparted to the support 2, by the frictional resistance of the picker mechanism
comprising the gears 28, shafts 25, rollers 26, and bobbins 30. When the sub-
ordinate supports 3, and their projected stems encounter the plant and retard the
revolution of the main support 2, rotation is imparted individually to the picking
stems 1, which are therefore dependent for their spinning motion on the aforesaid
retardation.
The individual rotation of the shafts 25, in the direction indicated, teuds, by the
frictional resistance of the bobbins 30, ou the rollers 26, to swing the subordinate
supports 3, which are free to oscillate to a limited extent by means of their bearings
which support the said shafts 25, as seen in Figures 7, and 9, in a direction facing
the plants when approaching the same as illustrated in the lower portion of Figure 8.
After the picking stems 1, have engaged with the cotton, the backward oscillation
of the subordinate support 3, as seen in the upper part of Figure 8, will permit the
picking stems that have engaged with the cotton to remain in contact therewith a
sufficient length of time to twist each portion of cotton into a rope-like form and
attain thereby a secure hold upon the same and extract it from the bolls of the
plant. The picking stems thus enter end wise so as to intervene the branches of the
plants, and subsequently trail out therefrom end wise; the yielding motions above
described adapting the operation of the pickers to the variable structure of the plants.
The rigid arms of the main support 2, which bear the supports 3, diverge down-
wardly and apart from one another at angles which correspond approximately with
the angles at which the limbs of the cotton plants grow upward, and the extremities
of the trifurcated frame 2, thus removed from one another will afford clearance on
their forward return motion at the side of their orbit furthest from the plants so
that the lower limbs such as may extend beyond the vertical axis of rotation of
said frame 2, will not be encountered or mutilated by any rigid part of the machine.
This feature of clearance applies to both constructions of the main support 2,
herein illustrated in Figure 7, and in Figure 12.
For convenience, the support 2, revolves on ball bearings upon a ring 40,
Figure 7, mounted in the frame of the machine, and beneath this ring there is a
cam or surface of variable contour having its most prominent part on the side
thereof nearest the stripping brush 6, as seen in Figure 8.
The idle spindles, which are arranged in an are concentric with the rollers 26, to
confine the bobbins 30, as seen in Figure 10, are movable retractively and longi-
tudinally at the same time. When the spindles are depressed by the rods 41
(Figure 7), controllable by the cam 40, they release the bobbins and cause the
picking stems 1, to cease their motion preparatory to removing the cotton which
has been collected thereon.
It will be observed, moreover, that but one rod 41, in each depending arın
controls all of the spindles 31, one at a time so as to release them successively when
the subordinate support 3, swings forward opposite the brush 6, after leaving the
plants as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 8. This successive release enables
each picking stem to continue spinning until it actually touches the stripping
brush 6, preventing thereby accidental dropping of the cotton when not firmly
adhered on the rotating stem.
The oscillatory supports 3, are for convenience of construction and repair made
separable from the rigid depending arms of the main support 2, as seen in Figure 9.
The upper sections of the shafts 25 are each connected to the lower sections
thereof by means of a flexible wrist and separable coupling, as also illustrated in
Figure 9. The lower ends of the spindles 31, are supported on oblique springs,
and their upper ends on oblique sliding bars to cause their retractive motion by the
longitudinal motion imparted by the rod 41, herein before described. These
mountings for the spindle 31, appear in detail in Figures 9, and 11.
Referring to Figures 12 to 17, inclusive: The groups of picking stems 1, each
similar in general arrangement to those illustrated in Figure 7, are employed in
plural vertical series; one group being placed above another on each depending

page_text: arm of the main support 2, as shown in Figures 12, and 16. A single subordinate.
driving shaft 25, extends from each gear 28, to each subordinate support in vertical
alignment; the capacity of the machine being accordingly increased without
multiplicity of operating mechanism.
The groups thus arranged lie in circular series at different levels upon the
common rotary support 2, and any number of such circular series of groups other
than that shown may be employed one above another.
The shafts 25, are composed of separable sections united by suitable couplings
so that any one or more of the subordinate supports 3, mounted on said shafts and
independently oscillatory about the same may be readily removed without
disturbing the others by the uncoupling of the joints of said shafts.
The mechanism interior to the supports 3, in Figures 12, and 16, is similar in
general construction and principle to that herein before described with reference to
the preceding figures, as will be seen by reference to Figure 14. In said figure,
the spindles 31, rotate upon non-rotary spindle rods 50, mounted in obliquely pro-
jected springs at their upper and lower extremities, which springs appear in plan
view at (e,) () Figure 15. When the rods 50, are raised, they slide through the
spindles 31, causing them to retract from the bobbins 30, releasing them to arrest
the pickers as and for the purposes herein before described; each spindle rod 50,
bearing an independent roller 51, arranged in series in an arc about the shaft 25,
and acted upon by the encountering cam 52, in successive order when the subordinate
supports 3, oscillate opposite the stripping brush. The contact of the cam 52, with
the rollers 51, occurs only when the shaft 25, is depressed. This depression is
caused to occur to each shaft 25 when it passes nearest to the stripping brush 6
(Figure 13), by means of a stationary cam 53, (Figure 12), upon the frame 62, of
the machine, which cam has an irregular groove that through the agency of lifting
levers 54, raises and lowers the gears 28 at proper times. Each gear 28 is raised
as at the right hand portion of Figure 12, during the major part of its orbit of
rotation, and is depressed as at the left hand portion of Figure 12, when near the
stripping brush. The master wheel 27, is constructed to accommodate the above
described motions by means of its hollow center and connection to the gears 28, by
means of the circumferential rib and grooves illustrated. The driving gear 29,
maintains its engagement with the central crown of the master-wheel 27, at all
times. In Figure 12, the main support 2, is revolved in the proper direction as
indicated by the arrow 7, in Figure 13, by means of a shaft 60, affixed thereto and
bevel gears 61, receiving motion directly from the driving shaft 4. The tendency
of the subordinate supports 3, to oscillate in one direction by the frictional resis-
tance of the mechanism within, is counteracted or partially counteracted by means
of suitable springs 65, such as the one illustrated in Figure 14, so that the
oscillatory motion of the picking stems and their supports is rendered yielding
while in contact with the plants. The spring 65, is also adapted by its connection
to operate longitudinally as well as torsionally and counterbalance the weight of
the supports 3, shafts 25, and gears 28, relieving the pressure upon the arms 54.
In Figures 16, and 17, the main support 2, is also driven independently by a
shaft 60, and gears 61. Figures 16, and 17, also show the modification of pro-
viding a rotary cam 70, upon the main support 2, in lieu of a stationary cam 53, as
described with reference to Figure 12. The stationary frame 62, of the machine
carries an oscillating collar 71, pivoted thereto, bearing a roller at the side of the
collar opposite the pivot, which is received in successive depressions as seen in
view (), Figure 17, while the support 2, rotates. The roller of the collar 71,
being disposed toward the stripping brush 6, (as seen in Figure 17), and the
depressions in the cam 70, occurring coincidently with each depending arm of the
frame 2, carrying the pickers, will cause the master-wheel 27, which rests by means
of friction rollers upon said collar 71, to tilt or descend on one side thereof and
cause the pickers touching the brush to cease their spinning motion by the depression
of the shafts 25, each in turn.
The modification (6), included in Figure 16, comprises a substitute for the bevel

page_text: gears 61, consisting in a worm on the shaft 4, and a worm gear on a flexible
extension of the shaft 60.
In Figures 18, to 20, inclusive, the driving rollers 26, are constructed in the
form of truncated cones which frictionally engage by the vertical pressure thereon
of the spherical bobbins 30, retained by the spindles 31. The spindles 31, in this
instance, may or may not be vertically movable. In either case, the depression of
the shaft 25, with reference to the other parts will release the bobbins, and in order
to obtain a successive release of each vertical series of bobbins in order as herein-
before described, some of the spindles 31, may be made vertically movable in the
shell of the support 3, as indicated in Figure 19; moreover, the movable spindles
are given different lengths at their lower ends. When the shaft 25, is depressed
opposite the stripping brush, the support 3, rests upon the frame 2, and the shaft
descending further, releases, first, the series of bobbins confined by the non-movable
spindles 31, and subsequently releases the other bobbins in order, according as
each successive spindle is arrested by its abutment on the lower inner end of the
case or shell of the support 3, as seen in view (b), Figure 19. A roller 81, is pro-
vided to allow the support 3, to oscillate freely after it touches the frame 2, and
the spring 66, is provided in order both to counteract the frictional tendency of the
mechanism to oscillate the support 3, and also to exert downward force, if necessary,
in addition to the weight of the supporting shell 3, upon the spindles 31, when the
shaft 25, is raised in order to frictionally confine the bobbins 30, upon the conic
surface of the rollers 26, insuring transmission.
In Figure 20, the spindles 31, are all vertically movable, and when the shaft 25,
is depressed, the support 3, descending with it, causes the dependent shanks 82, of
the spindles to project into the path of the encountering roller 80, so that when the
said support 3, oscillates past the stripping brush, said spindles are successively
raised, effecting the cessation of the spinning motion of the pickers sequentially
as before. When the shaft 25, is raised as in the drawing, springs 86, interposed
between the spindles and the upper part of the supporting shell 3, serve, in con-
junction with the spring 66, to hold the shell and spindles downward, causing the
bobbins 30, to bear with friction upon the cones 26.
The construction of mechanism set forth with reference to Figures 18 and 20, is
applicable to any of the forms of general driving mechanism such as that illustrated,
for instance, in Figures 12, or 16, wherein the motion or release of the spinning
motion of the pickers is dependent upon the vertical position of the driving
shafts 25 with reference to the supports 3. As seen in Figure 21, views (a), (b),
the shells of the supports 3, may be sectionally constructed having the arins 85,
which contain the flexible supporting tubes 5, separable into halves, for convenience
of access to the interior parts. The sectional construction of the shell also
appears in view (b), Figure 18, in which it will be seen that the wing 89, of each
section is overlapped by another, forming when placed together a cylindrical case.
Webs 87, view (a), Figure 21, are provided to prevent the branches of the plant
from catching or becoming entangled with the angular projections.
The spherical bobbins 30, applicable to Figures 18, and 20, may be sectionally
constructed as in views (c), (d), (e), Figure 21, the lower part being of metal or
other solid substance, and the upper part of india rubber, faced, if necessary, with
a metal washer, as in view (e), to receive with yielding resistance the weight of
the support 3, and spindles 31. As seen in view (f), this elasticity may also
be obtained by the use of a helical metallic spring in lieu of india rubber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In a cotton harvesting machine having flexible rotary picking stems, the
hereindescribed mechanism for actuating said stems, consisting of one or more
main rotary supports for moving the pickers orbitally, and suitable means for
conveying the said main supports along the rows of cotton plants, and mounted

page_text: upon each said main support a series of subordinate supports having independent
oscillatory motion, each bearing a group of said picking stems and means for
rotating the stems individually, substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference
to the annexed drawings.
2. As a means of conveying and actuating the rotary supports and the pickers
and picker actuating mechanism thereon such as described in Claim 1, a vehicle or
carriage provided with a central traction wheel and framework adapted for
clearance between the rows of plants; the said picker supports depending from
said framework to engage with the plants substantially as hereinbefore set forth
with reference to Figures 1, and 2, of the annexed drawings.
3. In combination with the pickers and picker supporting and actuating
mechanism described in Claim 1, suitable means for causing the individual rotation
of the picking stems to cease during a part of their orbital rotation, rotary
stripping brushes for removing the cotton from the picking stems when they cease
said individual rotation, and reciprocating feeders and a transmitter each provided
with upwardly disposed barbs, all co-operating to collect and deliver the cotton
into a suitable receptacle substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to
Figures 1, to 6, inclusive in the annexed drawings.
4. The hereindescribed oscillatory supports 3, for the flexible rotary picking
stems provided with elastic tubular arms 5, for projecting said stems elastically
outward, and means for moving said supports in an orbit retrogressively at
substantially the same rate of speed as the motion of the harvester forward over
the ground so as to touch and enter the plants; the tendency of said supports 3,
being to oscillate or move in such a manner that the pickers shall accommodate
themselves to the variable structure of the plants and also remain in contact with
the cotton a sufficient length of time to extract it when engaged, but when
disengaged sweep through the plauts in search of cotton to seize upon.
5. The hereindescribed character of main rotary support 2, for orbitally moving
the picking mechanism; said support being suspended at its upper part from the
frame of the machine, and at its lower part trifurcated or otherwise sub-divided
into depending rigid arms diverging as in Figure 7, or otherwise separated apart
from the axis of rotation as in Figure 12, bearing the picking devices, and adapted
to clear the lower limbs of the plants when such arms or the picking devices
thereon are recovered forwardly in their orbital motion as set forth.
6. The hereinbefore described arrangement of the subordinate supports bearing
the groups of pickers in a plurality of circular series one above another upon the
main rotary support as illustrated in Figures 12, and 16, of the annexed drawings.
7. In combination with the main rotary support carrying several circular series
of subordinate supports, one above another as in Figures 12, and 16, the herein-
described arrangement of said subordinate supports in vertical alignment, and the
driving shafts 25, extending through those that are vertically aligned adapted to
individually rotate all the picking stems thereon.
8. The combination with the hereindescribed subordinate supports and picking
devices thereon, of driving shafts extending vertically through them, forming means
of support and axes of oscillation, and means, such as springs or equivalent devices,
for counteracting the tendency of the frictional transmitting mechanism within the
supports to oscillate them in one direction.
9. The hereindescribed construction of the driving shafts 25, in separable sections,
certain members being mounted in the main support 2, and other members providing
a means of mounting the subordinate supports 3, so as to render them removable
and free to oscillate for the purposes set forth.
10. In a machine for harvesting cotton, the hereindescribed means of mounting
and rotating the flexible picking stems, consisting in a suitable support and bobbins
thereon with means for rotating the same, each bobbin bearing two such picking
stems projecting in both directions of its axis, substantially as berein before described
with reference to the annexed drawings.

page_text: 11. In combination with the bobbins 30, and the picking stems connected there-
with, the hereindescribed means for rotating the same, consisting in friction
rollers 26, bearing on said bobbins and transmitting motion to the said stems by
frictional contact; means being provided to support the said bobbins in a suitable
position.
12. The hereindescribed mechanism for rotating the picking stems, consisting in
bobbins attached to the stems, frictional driving rollers engaging with the bobbins
and spindles for confining the bobbins and maintaining their frictional contact with
said driving rollers, together with means for relieving the bobbins from their
confinement between said spindles and rollers when the pickers touch the stripping
brush substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
13. The means hereinbefore variously described for maintaining or relieving the
pressure of the spindles 31, upon the bobbins 30, for the purposes set forth.
14. The means herein before variously described for relieving the pressure of the
several vertical series of bobbins 30, in each support 3, in sequential order when
they touch the stripping brush for the purpose set forth.
15. The combination with the picking stems 1, the bobbins 30, the driving
rollers 26, and spindles 31, with means for relieving said bobbins from confinement
for the purpose set forth, when the driving shafts bearing the said driving rollers are
depressed, and means for depressing said driving shafts when the pickers actuated
thereby pass the stripping brush substantially as hereinbefore variously described
with reference to Figures 12, to 17, inclusive, of the annexed drawings.
16. The hereindescribed specific mechanism for imparting or arresting the
rotation of the picking stems, consisting in bobbins 30, of spherical or other
suitable form, and means for supporting them in position, and the tapered driving
rollers 26, mounted upon the longitudinally movable driving shaft, which, by its
longitudinal motion is adapted to engage or disengage the said rollers with the said
bobbins substantially as and for the purposes set forth in Figures 18 and 20, of the
annexed drawings.
Dated this 28th day of December 1892.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.