IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES, AND IN A DRARATHIS FOR MAKING UP CUT CROPS INTO SHEAVES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Whitworth, of Ingoldmells, in the County
of Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES,
AND IN A DRARATHIS FOR MAKING UP CUT CROPS INTO SHEAVES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin Whitworth at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th December 1873.
I, EDWIN WHITWORTH, of Ingoldmells, in the County of Lincoln, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING UP CUT CROPS INTO SHEAVES,"
to be as follows:--
The object of this Invention is, firstly, to construct reaping machines
in such a manner that the crop as it is cut is delivered from them in the
form of sheaves properly tied. For this purpose the delivery rake or
rakes, which sweep the cut crop along the platform and ordinarily throw
it off therefrom, are arranged to sweep the crop as usual to the delivery
side, but in place of throwing it off therefrom the rake is caused to rise
and leave the bundle of cut crop below an arched frame. This frame

page_text: forms a support for an endless band having teeth upon its exterior to
gear with a toothed wheel by which it can be driven. At one point of
the band an arm stands out from it and carries a spring clip.
The cord or wire employed for binding the sheaves is wound upon a
reel, its end is taken hold of by the spring clamp, and the endless band
being caused to revolve the cord or wire is carried around the bundle of
cut crop which is lying below the arched frame before-mentioned. If
wire is used as the binding material, the wire when first taken by the
clamp is by it laid into a radial slit in a disc wheel, and after being
carried around the bundle of cut crop is laid into another radial slit
opposite to the first slit; the endless band then comes to rest and the
disc wheel is caused to make a few turns and so twist together the top
and bottom wires. The endless band is, then again set in motion, and
the clamp is caused to release its hold of the wire and again seize the
wire between the sheaf and the reel from which the wire is being
drawn. A cutting apparatus then severs the wire between the sheaf
and the clamp. The endless band then again draws forward the wire,
whilst at the same time the finished sheaf is removed from the platform
and a fresh bundle of cut crop takes its place below the arched frame,
and the wire is led around it in a similar manner to that above
described.
In order that the wire may always be bound around the several
sheaves with an equal amount of tension, whether there be much or
little in a bundle, the reel upon which the wire is wound is by a
friction driving wheel caused to revolve in an opposite direction to that
in which the reel has to turn as the wire is drawn off from it, and it is
thus caused to again wind up the wire on to the reel after the wire has
been carried partly around a bundle, and before the two ends of the wire
are twisted together.
When a cord is used in place of wire a knotting mechanism is used to
ție together the ends of the cord with a knot in place of twisting them
together as when a wire is used.
In place of the cut crop as it is received upon the platform of the
machine being swept into bundles by rakes and deposited beneath an
arched frame at one side of the platform for a cord or wire to be passed
around it, as above described, the cut crop may be swept sidewise into a
basket or trough at the side of the platform by means of fingers or

page_text: carriers mounted upon an endless travelling band, or by other suitable
means; and when a bundle of the cut crop has thus been delivered into
the basket or trough an arm carrying a string, or like material, may be
passed around it and a knot tied on the string. The string may then be
cut and the tied up bundle thrown out from the basket or trough. A
fresh bundle of cut crop may then be received into the trough and the
same operations repeated.
A similar arrangement of apparatus for tieing up cut crops into
bundles may also be adapted to horse rakes, the bundle after being
gathered together by the rake teeth being elevated into a trough at the
back of the implement, and while resting in such trough having a wire
or cord carried around and tied or twisted together, as above described,
by an endless band or by a revolving arm.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edwin Whitworth in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 19th June 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWIN.
WHITWORTH, of Ingoldmells, in the County of Lincoln, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Edwin Whitworth, Her special
license that I, the said Edwin Whitworth, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edwin Whitworth, 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
REAPING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING UP CUT CROPS INTO SHEAVES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Edwin Whitworth,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly

page_text: 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 im-
mediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edwin Whitworth, 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 object of this Invention is, firstly, to construct reaping machines
in such a manner that the crop as it is cut is delivered from them in the
form of sheaves properly tied. For this purpose the cut crop is removed
in bundles from the platform on to which it falls into a trough or
receptacle at one side of the platform where it has a cord passed around
it, as herein-after described, and tied into a knot so as to secure the
sheaf, and the sheaf so tied is then delivered from the trough or re-
ceptacle; or a wire may be used in place of a cord, and in this case the
ends of the wire may be twisted together to secure them.
.
A similar arrangement of apparatus for tieing up cut crops into bundles
may also be adapted to horse rakes, the bundle after being gathered
together by the rake teeth being elevated into a trough at the back of
the implement, and while resting in such trough having a wire or cord
carried around it and tied or twisted together.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed I have shewn various views of a
reaping machine constructed according to my Invention to deliver the
crop in bundles properly secured by a wire or cord around them.
Figure 1 is a front view; Figure 2 is a plan; Figure 3 is a longi-
tudinal section; and Figure 4 is a side view of the machine; Figure 5
is a enlarged view of the knotter and cutter. In these Figures A is a
land wheel of an ordinary reaping machine; B is the table on which
the cut stalks of cereals are received.
On the pin C carrying the nave of the land wheel A is a bevil
wheel D¹ connected to and driven by the land wheel when in operation,
and is disconnected by sliding the bevil wheel D¹ on the pin clear of the
land wheel by a forked lever E when the reaper is travelling or not
cutting.
On the boss at the back of the bevil wheel D¹ is fixed a toothed drum F¹
communicating motion by an open linked chain and toothed drum F2 to

page_text: the dummy or beater shaft G, and the dummies or beaters G¹, G², &³, Gª:
The dummy shaft G runs in the bush of a standard carriage H. On the
dummy shaft G is fixed a toothed drum I' driving by an open linked
chain by the toothed drum 12 a shaft J which runs in the bush of an.
arm K secured to the frame and standard II. On one end of the shaft J
is fixed a cam L for actuating the knotter M and its cutter N, and on
the other end is fixed a crank O for driving the picker P for delivering
the sheaves behind the machine after they have been tied; the picker P
is connected by a link Q to a lug on the standard H, and by the rotating'
of the crank O controled by the link Q a forward picking motion casts.
the sheaf out of its basket.
On the pin of the land wheel A and in front of the bevil wheel D¹ is.
placed a swivel double horned carriage S free to turn, and which carries
a longitudinal shaft T driven by a bevil wheel D² from the bevil wheel D¹
to admit of the longitudinal shaft T inclining more or less as the tables.
and knives rise or fall to suit the height of the cut, and to admit of the
machine being raised sufficiently clear of the ground when travelling.
On the longitudinal shaft T is placed a toothed drum U¹ which drives an
endless open linked chain over a toothed drum U2 at the far side of the
table, on this endless chain is fixed a carriage V having a tip fork or
gatherer W which collects the cut stalks of the cereals and sweeps them
into a basket X fixed at the side of the platform. On a link in front of.
the tip fork W is fixed a spring catch Z which prevents the fork falling
back when loaded, but leaves it free to tip when passing over the toothed
drum when descending at the basket side.
On the longitudinal shaft T is another toothed drum A, A¹, commu-
nicating motion by an open linked chain to a toothed drum A, A³, and a disc
plate B, B, running on a stud C, C; the disc plate forming the lower end
of the basket. Near to the outer edge of the disc is fixed an arm D, D,
with a clip at its extremity formed with a V mouth for receiving a band
or string for passing around the sheaf to the knotter M; one jaw of the
clip is fast on the arm, and the other is movable and is pressed up to the
fixed jaw by a spring; the face of each jaw is serrated so that the cord.
or band when seized by the clip is bent to and fro by the serrations, and
a secure hold on the cord is thus obtained. At the bottom of the jaws a
piece is cut away to allow of the ends of the string which are cut off,
as herein-after described, being got rid of, otherwise these ends accu-
mulating in the clip would choke it and jam the jaws. On the open

page_text: linked chain driving the disc B, B, in which the arm D, D, is secured,
two talons E, E, are fixed which come into action alternately on two
stops F, F, on the disc plate, causing pauses in the rotation of the
arm D, D, to allow of the sheaf being swept off the table into the basket
for knotting and delivery.
In the basket is placed a sheaf compressor G, G, for accomodating the
various sizes of the sheaves according to the crop. In the arrangement
shewn this compressor may be constructed in any desired manner.
G, G, is a bent lever moving on its pin G, G³, and having a tail piece to
it connected by a link G, G2, to an upright bar with a hook top G, G³,
sliding in a staple G, G', secured to the basket side. The bent lever is
forced forward by a spring G, G³, jointed to the basket bottom X. On
the top of the platform B is a bar having a projecting arm H, H, sliding
in staples; this is actuated by a talon H, H³, on the chain working on the
drums U¹, U2, which in its revolution catches the arm H, H, and carries
the bar with it, pressing on the back of the spring G, Go, forcing the
bent compressor G, G, forward and drawing the upright rod with its
hook top G, G³, down, thus compressing and holding the sheaf until
tied. The arm H, H2, passes over a spring catch H, H³, which prevents
the compressed sheaf forcing back the slide bar H, H. Behind the
talon H, H', is a second talon H, H', which after an interval of time
arrives over the spring catch¸H, H³, presses it down and allows the
bar H, H, to slide back, which is accomplished by another slide bar I, I,
under the table, but connected by a pin I, I', with the slide bar above
the table, thus when the second talon H, H', is pressing down the spring
catch H, H³, the first talon H, H¹, is acting upon an arm I, I³, on the
under slide bar I, I, and carrying it back ready to be again carried
forward at the proper time.
It will be observed in timing the various parts of the machine for
performing the operations of gathering, tieing, cutting the string, and
delivering the sheaf, the relative speeds are obtained by proportioning
the number of teetli in the drums to the number of links in the chains
driving the various parts of the machine.
I will now describe the manner in which motion is given to the
knotter for tieing up the cord after it has been laid around a sheaf.
On the shaft J is the cam L having grooves cut in it in which a roller
J, J, on the end of a lever K, K, traverses, giving a forward and

page_text: backward movement to the lever K, K, and allowing pauses or rests for
the operations of tieing and cutting the string. The lever K, K, is
carried on a pin K, K', in a plate secured to the arm K, and a bar L, L,
from the basket X. The other end of the lever works between the
talons M, M, fixed on a slide bar M, M¹, sliding in brackets M, M², fixed
on the side of the basket X. On the slide bar M, M¹, is a fixed pin M, M³,
projecting through the basket side to actuate the knotter M.
backward movement to the lever K., K, and allowing pauses or rests for
the operations of tieing and cutting the string. The lever K, K, is
carried on a pin K, K', in a plate secured to the arm K, and a bar L, L,
from the basket X. The other end of the lever works between the
talons M, M, fixed on a slide bar M, M³, sliding in brackets M, M², fixed
on the side of the basket X. On the slide bar M, M', is a fixed pin M, M³,
projecting through the basket side to actuate the knotter M..
The knotter M consists of a rod N, N, having two swells upon
it N,N, N, N³.
In the back of the swell N, N', is cut a long slot terminating in a fine
spiral turn. In the chair N, N³, carrying the knotter is a fixed pin N, N*,
which slides in the long slot and spiral groove which controls the forward
movement of the knotter M. On the front swell N, N2, is cut a spiral
groove which turns the knotter round. The spiral groove terminates at
each end in a short straight slot, which allows of a rest or pause, and
then acts upon a talon N, N³, at each end of a connecting bar N, Nº,
which slides backward and forward to cock and uncock a hook trigger
O, O, mounted at the forward end of the rod N, N.
The operation is as follows:-A reel P, P, is carried on brackets P, P¹,
on which the band or string is wound, friction being put on the reel to
prevent the string being run off too easy. The string is passed through
a hole in the basket side P, P², and fixed between the jaws of the arm
D, D. The arm then carries the string partly round and pauses for the
gatherer to deliver the sheaf upon the string. The knotter is then
caused to advance so that its end which carries the trigger 0, 0, pro-
trudes through a slot in a plate Y, by which the knotting apparatus is
enclosed. The end of the knotter thus comes below the cord, which
is distended between the hole or eye at one side of the basket and the
clip on the arm D, D, which is resting at the opposite side of the basket.
The sheaf is then delivered into the basket and over the string, and
when this has been done and the compresser has compressed the sheaf a
second talon F, F, completes the rotation of the arm D, D, which carries
the string over the top of the sheaf and over the hook trigger O, O, of
the knotter M. The trigger is then cocked or turned backwards into
the position shewn by dotted lines in Figure 5 by the forward move-
ment of the slide bar N, No, and its talon N, N³, and the two ends of
the string are thus secured behind it. The knotter with the string is.

page_text: then carried back by the lever K, K, and its stud M, M³, acting in the
spiral groove on the forward swell N, N². The strings are thus drawn
into a loop through the slot in the guard plate Y, at the same time the
knotter makes a complete turn, twisting one side of the loop around
itself. The backward movement of the slide bar N, Nº, and talons N, N³,
then uncocks the trigger, which falls over the strings which by the
previous movement have been laid in front of it, and as the knotter
completes its backward motion the strings which were behind the trigger
slip over the strings, which are now covered by the trigger, and thus.
complete the knot. The knife R, R2, is then caused to turn on its
pivot R, R³, and to sever the strings between the knotter and the clip
on the arm D, D. The end of the string passes from the reel through
the eye or hole in the side of the basket thus remains held by the clip,..
so that when the arm is again revolved the clip carries the cord across.
the basket, as before described.
Motion is given to the knife in the following manner:-At the back
of the cam L is an eccentric groove conveying motion by a roller on a
lever Q, Q, supported on a pin Q, Q', in an arm on the bar L, L, from
the basket carrying the lever K, K, which gives a backward and forward
movement to a slide R, R, moving in brackets R, R², and actuating the
knife R, R², which as before stated is hung on the pivot R, R³. Between
the knotter M and the jaw of the arm D, D, there is a piece cut out at
the bottom of the jaws of the arm D, D, to allow of the ends of the
string escaping%; otherwise they would jam. At the end of the knife
there is a piece R, R*, projecting from it, which as the knife severs the
strings on one side of the knotter comes against the strings on the
opposite side of the knotter, and which are between it and the sheaf,
and so tightens up the knot, at the same time drawing the severed ends
through the knot to avoid any danger of its becoming untied. A diagram .
view of the manner of tieing the knot is shewn at Figure 6, and a
diagram of the knot when completed at Figure 7.. When the knot has
thus been completed the picker ejects the tied up sheaf from the basket,
as herein-before described, and the arm D, D, again makes a half turn
to carry the string across the basket, when another sheaf is delivered on
to it, and so on continuously.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner
in which I prefer to carry the same into effect, I would have it under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of the mechanism.

page_text: herein-before given, as other arrangements of mechanism may be adopted
for delivering the cut crop in bundles into the trough or receptacle at
the side of the platform; and also that the means adopted for giving
motion to the arm D and to the knotter may be varied, as also that other
arrangements of mechanism for tieing the knot may be adopted, and
also other means may be adopted for expelling the sheaf from the trough
or receptacle after it has been secured with a cord tied around it; but
what I claim is,―
1. The construction of reaping machines in such manner that the cut
crop is delivered in sheaves or bundles into a receptacle, across which a
cord or wire has been previously laid, and in such manner that the sheaf
is then compressed and the cord or wire laid completely around it, and
automatically secured by knotting or twisting, and then cut off before
the tied up sheaf is ejected from the receptacle, substantially as herein
described.
2. The combined arrangement of receptacle, knotting apparatus, and
apparatus for carrying a cord around a sheaf of cut crop, substantially
as herein described.
3. The employment in combination with a receptacle for receiving
bundles of cut crop of a bar D, D, and clip mounted upon a revolving
disc or arm at the end of the receptacle to carry a cord or wire around
the sheaf or bundle, substantially as herein described.
4. The combination with a horse rake of apparatus arranged, sub-
stantially as herein described, for tieing up into sheaves bundles of the
cut crop as they are raised by the rake.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edwin Whitworth, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.