Improvements in Reapers and Self-binding Machines.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Reapers and Self-binding Machines.
I, GEORGE EDWARD JEFFERY of West Worthing in the county of Sussex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPERS AND SELF-BINDING MACHINES" to be as follows:— .
My invention consists of an improved reaper having improved sheaf-binding
Imechanism in combination therewith, the said improved sheaf-binding mechanism
being also applicable to threshing machines for straw-binding.
My improved reaper and sheaf binder is constructed substantially in the following
manner.
The machine travels upon two wheels in the usual way, viz:-a main, or driving-
wheel, which gives motion to all the various parts of the mechanism, and a smaller
travelling wheel, which supports the outer end of the sickle frame.
The frame of the machine consists essentially of two distinct frames, a main
frame and a supporting frame; the latter, which emcompasses the driving wheel,
is formed of two flat bars, one on each side of the driving wheel, the said bars
being bolted or otherwise securely fastened together at their ends, in front and rear
of the said wheel.
The centre of each side of the supporting frame is bossed and bored for the axle
of the driving wheel, and the draught pole irons are attached to the said bosses.
The driving wheel is made fast on the axle, so that the axle revolves in its bearings
in the said bosses.
The driving-wheel has an internal spur wheel, formed upon or attached to it and
a pinion is provided to gear with the said internal spur wheel, such pinion being
keyed on a short shaft which is journalled in a boss on one of the sides of the
supporting frame, a certain distance behind the driving-wheel axle boss; and the
frame is extended upwards above such boss for the attachment thereto of a bearing,
which receives the boss of a bevel pinion, gearing into a bevel wheel keyed on the
outer end of the aforesaid internal spur wheel pinion shaft.
The main frame carries the principal part of the mechanism. It is fitted over
the supporting frame, and consists principally of two longitudinal timbers, bolted
together at the ends, one timber being somewhat longer than the other. This main
frame is capable of a certain amount of vertical movement, which is provided for
1
71

page_text: as follows: A vertical rack is secured to each end of the supporting frame, and
pinions to gear with the said racks are provided on the main frame, motion being
given to such pinions by means of worms and worm wheels-Studs are provided
on each side of the supporting frame which enter slots in vertical standards fixed
to the undersides of the longitudinal timbers of the main frame, the said studs
thus retain the main frame in position and define the extent of the vertical
movement.
The lower ends of the said vertical standards are connected by longitudinal rails
which have attached to them the sickle frame; and a vertical screw is provided to
regulate the connection of the small travelling wheel with the sickle frame, so that
by means of the aforesaid racks, worm wheels and worms and the said screw, the
sickle can be adjusted to any required height and the stubble be left as long or
short as desired.
The draught pole irons are connected to the main frame by an adjustable screw,
which serves the double purpose of steadying the frame and of raising or lowering
the finger points of the sickle.
The longer of the two longitudinal timbers of the main frame carries a bracket,
having at its outer end the bearing of the axle of the reel. A chain wheel is keyed
on such axle and another chain wheel is keyed on the inner end of the driving
wheel axle, which is prolonged for the purpose, and the two wheels being connected
by a chain, the reel is driven directly from the main driving-wheel.
The slats or collecting bars of the reel are not fixed to the arms in the ordinary
way, but have a motion given to them exactly similar to that of the floats of the
feathering paddle-wheel of steam ship, so that the cut stalks are pushed by the
flat side of the slat on to the travelling web, leaving the ends even, and there is
no tendancy to lift the ends of the stalks as in the ordinary reel, a well made sheaf
being thus ensured.
:
The sickle frame consists of the finger-bar in front, and a bar parallel thereto
behind, the said bars being connected at their outer ends by a cross-bar, to which
the small travelling wheel is attached by the vertical screw as before mentioned.
The finger bar and the bar parallel thereto are not rigidly connected with the
main frame, but are each provided with a horizontal rack sliding in suitable guides
in the main frame. A spindle extending from front to rear of the said frame has
two pinions keyed thereon gearing with the said racks, thus enabling the machine
to be made narrower to pass through gateways or other similar places. Inside and
outside dividers are fitted to the sickle frame in the usual way. On the upper sides
of the longitudinal timbers of the main frame are standards for supporting the
elevator box and elevator driving spindle, also the spindles &c. of the binding
apparatus. The elevating apparatus consists of an endless travelling web or band
carried on chain wheels and guides. The said web is provided on its outer surface
with slats or laths, each such slat having numerous curved tines or fingers projecting
vertically therefrom.
•
A chain, preferably of an open square link pattern, forms the outer edge of each
side of the web-The material of which the web is formed is not in one continuous
piece, but is provided with eyelet holes and lacing at suitable distances to allow it
to be adjusted to the length of the chain, as the said web is liable to vary in length
according to the state of the atmosphere.
Carried in bearings on the outer ends of the finger bar and the bar parallel
thereto aforesaid, is a spindle provided with two chain wheels around which the
web with its chains passes. The web extends horizontally from this point towards
the main driving wheel as far as the main frame, when it passes under curved fixed
guides and then goes upwards, to another set of curved fixed guides, which change
its direction to the horizontal again, over the top of the driving wheel, on the other
side of the said wheel is a spindle with chain wheels, similar to that just described
and supported in bearings in the main frame, around which the web passes and
then returns to the point first mentioned, being guided by similar curved fixed

page_text: guides to those just described. The said guides are preferably formed of angle iron,
and only the chains which form the edges of the web bear upon them.
The part of the web which ascends, and also that part which passes over the
driving wheel, is cased in, to retain the cut grain in contact with the web. The
aforesaid projecting fingers on the web ensure the grain being carried forward.
Just beyond the upper chain wheels the case ends in a hopper, leading down to the
binding apparatus, to be presently described.
The travelling web ordinarily used in self-binding machines is unable to be
provided with tines on the slats, as the web would require to be raised too far
above the ground to allow the grain when cut close to be lifted on to the web by
the reel.
In my improved machine I provide a radial apron placed at the back of the
sickle bar, and terminating on a level with the travelling web, against which apron,
the aforesaid feathering slats of the reel, work to deliver the cut grain upon the
web. On one of the lower rails of the main frame is a toe-step-bracket carrying
the end of a vertical spindle, which slides through the centre of the before
mentioned bevel pinion on the supporting frame. The bevel pinion has a key way
formed in it and a feather extends along the vertical spindle, or a key way may be
formed in the shaft and a key fixed in the pinion, thus enabling the pinion to slide
on the shaft when the main frame is adjusted for height.
A bevel wheel runs loose on the lower end of the said vertical spindle just above
the toe-step-bracket, but it can be thrown into gear with the spindle when desired
by means of a clutch worked by a lever, or other suitable contrivance. The said
bevel wheel gears with a bevel pinion keyed on a horizontal shaft, supported in
bearings on the lower part of the main frame. The front end of the said horizontal
shaft is fitted with a disc-crank, which drives the sickle bar by means of a
connecting rod in the usual way.
Between the said disc crank and the outer bearing, a chain wheel is keyed on
the horizontal shaft, which drives the endless elevating web, by means of a chain
connecting it with another chair wheel, keyed on the projecting end of the upper
elevator spindle-The other end of the said upper spindle is provided with a rigger
which by means of a belt drives a feed roller at the bottom of the hopper. The
said roller extends the whole length of the hopper and consists preferably of a
spindle, or small roller, provided with numerous curved teeth or fingers. The said
feed roller delivers the cut grain from the bottom of the hopper into a kind of cage
about the size of the required sheaf.
The back part of the said cage is formed of a number of wires, through the spaces
between which, the needle bar, and the combined compressing arm and bound sheaf
delivery arm pass, and the front part is formed of curved tines fixed to a spindle,
which is free to rotate partially, the said tines being counterbalanced by a lever
with adjustable weight and spring.
The knotting apparatus, which will presently be described, is contained in a box,
which is fixed to a transverse bar on the main frame and is adjustable on the said
bar, to suit different lengths of grain. The spindle that drives the knotter, is a
horizontal spindle, extending the length of the main frame and receives an inter-
mittent rotary motion in the following manner-A spur pinion is keyed on one end
of the said spindle and the said pinion engages with a spur wheel carried on a stud
on the main frame-The said spur wheel contains four times as many teeth as the
pinion on the knotter spindle, so that one quarter revolution of the spur wheel
gives a complete revolution of the knotter spindle. I do not necessarily confine
myself to the said proportion of four to one, as a greater or less proportion may be
used if desired. A peculiarly formed ratcliet, with four teeth or notches, is fixed
on the said spur wheel, and a crank on the upper elevator shaft, drives the
said spur wheel, by means of a connecting-rod attached to a lever pivotted on
the main frame and carrying a pawl that works in the notches in the aforesaid
ratchet.

page_text: The length of stroke of the said crank is such as to move the pawl lever and
ratchet a certain distance, but is not sufficient for the pawl to engage the following
notch on the return stroke, and the knotter consequently remains at rest until the
larger spur wheel is moved sufficiently to allow the pawl to fall into the said
following notch, when the knotter spindle is moved one revolution. The aforesaid
horizontal knotter spindle carries a crank at each end, to work the needle bar and
the combined compressing arm and sheaf discharger respectively.
The spindle, carrying the aforesaid curved tines with adjustable counterbalanced
weight, has a cam fixed on one end, and when sufficient cut grain has been
delivered by the feed roller into the cage, the tines are forced out to their full
extent and the cam puts into action a lever pivotted to the centre of the large spur
wheel and fitted with a pawl, which engages with the teeth of the said large spur
wheel and moves it sufficiently to enable the aforesaid pawl, on lever worked from
crank on elevator spindle, to engage with the next notch on the four toothed
ratchet aforesaid. The knotting apparatus is thus set in motion and the sheaf
bound and then forced out by the discharger, which consists of one or more semi-
circular arms partially embracing the sheaf, the said arms are jointed to the upper
end of a vertical radius bar, and hanging radius arms are jointed at their lower
ends to the backs of the said semi-circular arms, the upper ends of the said hanging
arms being keyed on a rocking shaft, which is set in motion by a connecting rod
and crank on the end of the knotter spindle. By this means the semi-circular
arms are depressed at the right moment, and the sheaf discharged thereby.
A platform is provided to receive the discharged sheaf; upon which it may be
retained as long as the person in charge of the machine shall deem necessary.
needle bar, is a straight horizontal bar carried in suitable guides. Pins in the
sides of the needle bar are embraced by a fork at the lower end of a hanging arm,
keyed at its upper end on a rocking shaft, to which a definite amount of angular
motion is given by means of a connecting rod and crank on the knotter spindle
and a reciprocating horizontal motion at the right time is thus imparted to the
needle bar.
The
The mechanism for forming the knot in the string, is contained in a box and set
in motion from a single vertical spindle.
The said vertical spindle has a mitre bevel wheel keyed on its upper end,
gearing with a similar mitre bevel wheel on the horizontal knotter spindle on the
main frame bereinbefore mentioned-A horizontal bolt is supported in suitable
guides within the knotter box and receives a. reciprocating motion from a crank
pin on the lower end of the aforesaid vertical spindle, the said crank pin working
in a slot in the said bolt, or the said crank pin may work the bolt by means of a
.connecting-rod, or it may move the bolt in one direction by working against a
transverse shoulder thereon, and a spring be provided to give the return stroke.
The needle bar enters the knotter box through suitable apertures, it is formed of
a trough section to contain the string and has a suitable projection on the end to
guide the string into the jaws of the looper. The string is contained in any
convenient receptacle on the machine, and is conveyed through the rocking shaft of
the forked arm which drives the needle, (the said shaft being made tubular for that
purpose) and then down the forked arm to the needle bar.
The looper is an arm pivotted at its lower end in the knotter box, and provided
at the upper end with jaws to receive the string from the needle.
It derives its motion from the aforesaid reciprocating bolt by means of a pin,
with which it is provided working in a slot in the said bolt.
The looper conveys the string from the needle to the gripping rollers, one of
which is made fast on a spindle, and has on its side radiating arms or teeth to
assist the roller in gripping the string, the other is mounted on a lever and is
pressed against the periphery of the first roller by a spring. On the other end
of the said roller spindle, is a ratchet wheel, driven by a pawl lever moved by a
pin working in a corresponding alot in an arm projecting downwards from the

page_text: reciprocating bolt aforesaid. So that as the bolt goes forward carrying the looper
down, the gripping rollers are at rest, but as soon as the looper has delivered the
string to the said rollers and the bolt returns, the rollers rotate sufficiently to grip
the string. The slot in the bolt, which works the looper has a little play in it, so
that the bolt travels a small portion of its return stroke before it begins to raise
the looper again.
The aforesaid spindle of the gripping roller is made long enough to receive on its
outer end a circular knife or cutter to sever the string when the knot is formed, or
if preferred a plain knife may be affixed to the reciprocating bolt for the same
purpose.
The ends of the string having been gripped by the rollers are now in a position
to be seized by the jaws of the knotter. The said knotter consists of a vertical
spindle, journalled in bearings and provided with a spur pinion which is driven by
a spur wheel, having twice the number of teeth, on the vertical mitre bevel-wheel
spindle aforesaid.
The lower end of the knotter spindle is turned outwards to form one jaw, and
the spindle is tubular, to receive a spindle having a bent end which forms the
second jaw. The said jaws are kept in contact by a helical spring at the upper
ends of the spindles, and the internal spindle has a key or pin working in a groove
in the tubular spindle thus compelling them to rotate together. The underside of
the mitre bevel-wheel on the vertical spindle is provided with suitably formed
cams, which bear upon a roller arm at the end of the internal knotter spindle and
open the jaws of the said knotter at the right times.
The aforesaid helical spring, which draws the jaws together is contained in a
case or boss on the top of the spur pinion, the said case revolves with the spur
pinion, but a slot is left in the case to allow the roller arm to rise and fall. As the
mitre bevel wheel only makes one revolution to two of the knotter, the cams only
come into play once in every two revolutions of the knotter, so that the jaws are
opened and closed at the proper intervals.
In conjunction with the knotter is the string depressor, used for placing the
string in position to be caught by the projecting jaws of the knotter when rotating
to form the knot.
The said depressor consists of two arms, pivotted to the knotter bracket, bent to
the required form and joined at their outer extremities.
At a certain distance from the pivotted ends are pins to enter a circumferential
groove in a clutch that slides on the external knotter spindle, the said clutch
is raised and lowered by the internal spindle, by means of a pin which passes
through a slot in the tubular spindle, and the required motion is thus given to
the depressor.
The mode of working my improved machine is as follows:-The machine is
adjusted to the height at which it is desired to leave the stubble, by means of the
racks and worm wheels before described-The points on the finger bar are then
adjusted by a handwheel on the screw, which connects the draught pole irons with
the main frame, and the smaller travelling wheel being also adjusted by means of
its screw, the machine is prepared to cut the crop.
The reel, which is adjusted by moving its bracket bearing on the longitudinal
timber of the main frame, delivers the cut grain on to the endless travelling web,
which carries it upwards and then over the top of the driving wheel into the feed
hopper, where it is fed by the feed roller into the cage. When the cage contains
sufficient grain to form a sheaf, the weight and size of the said grain moves the
counterbalanced lever, and the cam on the spindle of the said lever puts into
action the pawl lever, which moves the large spur wheel sufficiently for one of the
notches on its four toothed ratchet wheel to engage with its pawl lever before
mentioned.
The said spur wheel then makes one quarter of a revolution, while the spur
pinion on the horizontal knotter spindle makes a complete revolution, setting in

page_text: action the knotter mechanism, which binds and ties the sheaf and then discharges
it, as before described.
All the levers controlling the various working parts of my improved machine,
are placed conveniently to the drivers seat, and by means of the racks on the sickle
frame the total width of the machine can be reduced, which is a great convenience
when passing along narrow roads or through gateways.
The sheaf binding and discharging mechanism herein described as in combination
with a reaper, may with equal facility be attached to a threshing machine for
straw binding as before mentioned.

page_text: Improvements in Reapers and Self-binding Machines.
I, GEORGE EDWARD JEFFERY of West Worthing in the county of Sussex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :—
My invention consists of an improved reaper having improved sheaf-binding
mechanism in combination therewith, the said improved sheaf-binding mechanism
being also applicable to threshing machines for straw binding.
My invention is constructed substantially as illustrated in the accompanying
five sheets of drawings in which,―
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reaping and self-binding machine constructed
according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a rear end elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 are elevations of the adjusting arrangement of the small
travelling wheel.
Figure is a rear end elevation partly in section and Figure 7 is a front
elevation of the sheaf binding mechanisın, drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 8 is a detached view of the cam which actuates the needle bar.
Figure 9 is a detached view of the crank which actuates the depressing arm.
Figure 10 is a vertical transverse section of the mechanism for forming the knot
in the string around the sheaf, drawn full size.
Figure 11 is a front elevation of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a partial back elevation of Figure 10,
And Figure 13 is a plan of the spur gearing in Figure 10.
The same parts are indicated by the same letters or figures of reference
throughout the drawinga
The machine travels upon two wheels in the usual way, viz: a main or driving
wheel a which gives motion to all the various parts of the mechanism, and a
smaller or travelling wheel b, which supports the outer end of the sickle frame.
The frame of the inachine consists essentially of two distinct frames, a main
frame and a supporting frame. The latter which encompasses the driving wheel,
is formed of two flat bars c c', one on each side of the driving wheel, the said bars
being bolted or otherwise securely fastened together at their ends, in front and
rear of the said wheel.
The centre of each side bar of the supporting frame is bossed and bored for the
axle d of the driving wheel, and the draught pole irons e e¹, to which the draught
pole is secured, are attached to the said bosses. The driving wheel is made fast
on the axle, so that the axle revolves in its bearings in the said bosses.
The driving-wheel has an internal spur wheel ƒ formed upon or attached to it
and a pinion g is provided to gear with the said internal spur wheel, such pinion
being keyed on a short shaft g¹ which is journalled in a boss g² on the side c of the
supporting frame, a certain distance behind the driving wheel axle boss; and the

page_text: side c is extended upwards above such boss, for the attachment thereto of a
bearing, which receives the sleeve or boss of a bevel pinion h¹ gearing into a
bevel wheel g³, keyed on the outer end of the aforesaid internal spur wheel pinion
shaft g¹.
The main frame carries the principal part of the mechanism.
It is fitted over the supporting frame, and consists principally of two longitudinal
timbers or bars i ¹ bolted or otherwise securely attached together at the ends. The
bar is somewhat longer than the bar i as abewn. This main frame is capable of
a certain amount of vertical movement upon the main frame which movement is
provided for as follows: Screws are supported in bearings on the main frame
and work in nuts ³ ³ fixed to the supporting frame, so that on the rotation of the
screws the main frame is raised.
The said screws are connected by bevel or other suitable gearing as shewn so
that they are both rotated together from the horizontal spindle j*, and the said
shaft may be provided with a handwheel or ratchet lever placed near the drivers
seat. In place of the said screws and nuts, vertical racks may be secured to each
end of the supporting frame, and pinions to gear with the said racks may be pro-
vided on the main frame, motion being given to such pinions by means of worms
and worm wheels or other suitable devices, but in practice I prefer the arrangement
of screws and nuts as above described and shown in the drawings. Studs k are
provided on each side of the supporting frame which enter slots in vertical
standards fixed to the underside of the longitudinal bars ii of the main frame,
the said studs thus retain the main frame in position and define the extent of the
vertical movement. The lower ends of the said vertical standards are connected
by longitudinal rails m, which have attached to them the sickle frame. The said
sickle frame preferably consists of an angle bar n in front and a similar bar n¹
parallel thereto behind, the said bars being connected by cross bars nº n³. The
small travelling wheel b is attached to the bar n³ in the following manner.
A'vertical casting o is attached to the bar n³ and has a vertical screw of journalled
therein. The said screw passes through a nut or tapped hole in the end of the
axis of the wheel b and the end of the said axis is formed square to slide in guides
in the bracket o as shewn.
The screw o' is rotated by means of the bevel gears o* o* and these said gears,
by means of a chainwheel and chain are driven from the shaft j so that the three
screws and o' are all worked simultaneously together, so that the sickle can he
adjusted to any required height by the driver without leaving his seat and the
stubble be left as long or short as desired. Figures 4 and 5 shew clearly the above
described arrangement for adjusting the wheel b.
The draught-pole irons are connected to the main frame-by an adjustable screw.p,
which serves the double purpose of steadying the frame and of raising or depressing
the finger points of the sickle, independently of the parallel adjustment obtained
by the screws j j¹ and o¹.
The longer of the two longitudinal timbers of the main frame ¹ carries a
bracket which forms the bearing of the axis q¹ of the reel. A chain wheel q' is
keyed on such axis and another chain wheel q³ is keyed on the inner end of the
driving wheel axle d, which is prolonged for that purpose, and the two wheels
being connected by a chain, as shewn, the reel is driven directly from the main
driving wheel.
The slats or collecting bars q' of the reel are not fixed to the arms in the
ordinary way, but have a motion given to them exactly similar to that of the floats
of the feathering paddle of a steam ship.
They are hinged to the arms of the reel as shewn in Figure 1 and the feathering
action is given by means of the pin q³ placed eccentrically to the reel axis, and the
connecting rods 9 from the said ping to each elat. The advantage of this
arrangement is that the cut stalks are pushed by the flat side of the slat on to the
travelling web, leaving the ends even, and there is no tendancy to lift the ends of
the stalks as in the ordinary reel, a well made sheaf being thus ensured, -

page_text: The bars n n¹ of the sickle frame are not rigidly connected with the main
frame, but each terminates in a horizontal rack sliding in guides in the main
frame, as shewn.
A spindle extending from front to rear of the said frame has pinions
keyed thereon gearing with the said racks rr, and by means of a winch, hand-
wheel or any other suitable device affixed to the spindle the machine may be
closed up or made narrower to enable it to pass through gateways or other places,.
which would not admit the full width of the machine.
Neither the sickle blades nor the finger points are shewn in any of the drawings,
as they may be of any of the usual well known patterns. Inside and outside
dividers to the sickle frame would be fitted to the machine in the ordinary way,
but they are also omitted from the drawings as these parts have no immediate
connection with the essential features of, my present invention.
On the upper side of the longitudinal bars i i¹ of the main frame are standards 8
for supporting the elevator box and elevator driving spindle, also the spindles and
other parts of the sheaf binding apparatus.
The elevating apparatus consists of an endless travelling web or band t carried
on chain wheels and guides. The said web is provided on its outer surface with'
slats or laths t¹, each such slat having numerous curved tines or fingers projecting
therefrom as shewn. A chain t², preferably of an open square link pattern forms
the outer edge of each side of the web t. A spindle u provided with two chain
wheels u u, around which the web with its chains passes, is carried in bearings
on the outer end of the sickle frame. The web extends horizontally from this
spindle towards the main driving wheel a, as far as the main frame, when it passes
under curved fixed guides vv and then goes vertically upwards to another set of
curved fixed guides, which change its direction to the horizontal again, over
the top of the driving wheel. On the other side of the said wheel, is a spindle w
with chain wheels ww, similar to the spindle u and wheels u¹ us, above described,
carried in bearings on the main frame, and around which the web passes and then
returns to the spindle u, being guided by curved fixed guides v³ ³ similar to the
guides vv. The said guides are preferably formed of angle iron, and only the
chains which form the edges of the web bear upon them.
The part of the web which ascends and also that part which passes over the
driving wheel is cased in, as clearly shewn in Fig. 2 of the drawings, to retain the
cut grain in contact with the web.
The afore mentioned projecting curved tines or fingers on the slats on the web
ensure the grain being carried forward.
Just beyond the upper spindle w and chain wheels w w the case ends in a
hopper, formed of the boards x x¹, which leads to the binding apparatus to be
presently described.
The travelling web ordinarily used in sheaf binding machines is unable to be
provided with tines on the slats, as the web would require to be raised too far
above the ground to enable the grain, when cut close to be lifted on to the web by
the reel,
In my improved machine I provide a radial apron y. placed at the back of the
sickle bar and terminating on a level with the travelling web, against which apron
the before mentioned feathering slats of the reel work to deliver the cut grain.
upon the travelling web
On one of the lower rails m of the main frame is a toe-step bracket 2 carrying
the end of a vertical spindle 3 which slides through the centre of the bevel pinion h¹
on the supporting frame before mentioned.
The bevel pinion h¹ has a Key way formed in it and a feather extends along the
vertical spindle 3 or a key way may be formed in the shaft and a feather or key
fixed in the pinion, thus enabling the pinion to slide on the shaft when the main
frame is adjusted for height. A bevel wheel 4 runs loose on the lower end of the
gaid vertical spindle 3, just above the toe-step bracket 2, but it can be thrown into-

page_text: gear with the spindle when desired by means of a clutch 5 worked by a lever 6 or
other suitable contrivance.
The bevel wheel 4 gears with a bevel pinion 7 keyed on a horizontal shaft 8
supported in bearings on the lower part of the main frame. The front of the
horizontal shaft 8 is fitted with a disc crank 9 which drives the sickle bar by means
of a connecting-rod in the usual way, but the said connecting rod is not shewn in
the drawings.
A horizontal shaft 10 similar to the shaft 8, is supported in bearings on the
main frame on the other side of the bevel wheel 4 and carries a bevel pinion 11
gearing with the wheel 4. The outer end of the shaft 10 carries a chain wheel 12
which drives the endless elevating web by means of a chain 13 connecting it
with another chain wheel 14 keyed on the projecting end of the upper elevator
spindle w.
In my provisional specification I describe the spindle was being driven from the
Bhaft 8, but in practice I prefer to employ a separate shaft 10 for this purpose as
above described.
On the other end of the spindle w a chain wheel 15 is keyed which by means
of a chain 16 and chain wheel 17 drives a feed roller 18 at the bottom of the
hopper xx. In place of a chain and chain wheels, pulleys and a belt may be
used if preferred to drive the feed roller as described in my provisional specification.
The feed roller 18 extends the whole length of the bottom of the hopper and is
provided with numerous discs 19 having curved teeth or fingers of the form shewn
in the drawings. A similar feed roller 20 is placed at the other side of the hopper
but is divided into two lengths to admit the knotting mechanism as shewn and
is driven from the roller 19 by means of pairs of spur wheels 21 and 22 at each
end. The said feed rollers deliver the cut grain from the hopper into a kind of
cage about the size of the required sheaf. I do not confine myself to the particular
form of teeth on the feed rollers as shewn in the drawings, and such rollers may
have plain surfaces or corrugated surfaces in place of teeth if desired, though in
practice, I prefer to use the teeth as shewn and described.
The back part of the sheaf-cage is formed of a number of curved, wires 23,
affixed to the board a¹ of the hopper, and through certain of the spaces between
these wires the needle bar 24 and the bound sheaf delivery arms 25. 25, pass when
in action. The upper front part of the sheaf cage is formed of wires 26 affixed to
the board of the hopper, and the lower front part of curved tines 27 fixed to a
spindle 28, which is free to rotate partially in bearings in the brackets 29.29. The
said tines are counterbalanced by a lever 30 with an adjustable weight as shewn.
The knotting apparatus is contained in a box 31 which is affixed to the front
of the hopper as shewn, but it may be placed on a transverse bar on the main
frame, so that it can be adjusted on the said bar to suit different lengths of grain,
as described in my provisional specification.
The knotting mechanism is driven through a horizontal spindle 32, which
extends the length of the main frame and receives an intermittent rotary motion
in the following manner.
A spur pinion 33 is keyed on one end of the spindle 32 and engages with a spur
wheel 34 carried on a stud on the main frame. The said spur wheel 34 contains
four times as many teeth as the pinion 33, so that one quarter of a revolution of
the wheel 34 gives a complete revolution of the spindle 32, (I do not necessarily
confine myself to the said proportion of four to one, as a greater or less proportion
may be used if desired.) A ratchet 35 with four teeth or notches is affixed to or
formed upon the spur wheel 34 and a crank pin 36 upon the elevator spindle w
drives the said spur wheel 34 by means of a connecting rod 37 attached to a pawl
lever 38 pivotted on the stud axis of the wheel 34. The length of stroke of the
crank pin 36 is such as to move the pawl lever and ratchet a certain distance, but
is not sufficient for the pawl to engage the following tooth on the return stroke, t
and the spur wheel 34 and, in consequence, the knotting mechanism remain at rest

page_text: until the wheel 34 is moved sufficiently to allow the pawl 38 to fall into the next
tooth, when the knotter spindle 32 will be rotated one revolution. The said spindle
carries a device at each end to work the needle bar and the sheaf discharger
respectively, as will be presently described.
The spindle 28 carrying the aforesaid curved tines 27 has a crank pin 39 provided
at one end, and when sufficient cut grain has been delivered by the feed rollers
into the cage to form a sheaf, the said tines are forced out to their full extent.
The crank pin 39 is furnished with a connecting rod 40 which is pivotted to the
pawl lever 41, the said pawl lever is pivotted on the stud axis of the wheel 34 in
the same manner as the pawl lever 38 and engages with one or other of the four
notches 42 on the internal periphery of the wheel 34. When the tines 27 are
forced out as above described the said pawl lever 41 engages with one of the
notches 42 and thus moves the wheel 34 sufficiently to enable the pawl lever 38 to
engage with the next tooth in the ratchet 35 and move the spur wheel 34 one
quarter of a revolution.
The knotting apparatus is thus set in motion and the sheaf bound and then
forced out by the discharger.
In place of the crank pin 39, I may, if preferred, employ a cam as described in
my provisional specification.
The discharger consists of one or more semi-circular arms 25 (in the drawing
two are employed) partially embracing the sheaf.
The said arms are jointed to the upper ends of vertical radius bars 43, while
hanging radius bars 44 are jointed at their lower ends to the backs of the arms 25.
The upper ends of the arms 44 are keyed on a rock shaft 45 which has a short
arm 46 keyed on one end, jointed to the arm 46 is a connecting rod 47 having a
looped end. The said looped end (shewn clearly in Figure 9) embraces the knotter
spindle 32 and has a stud or projection 48. A short arm 49 with crank pin 50 is
fixed on the spindle 32 by a set screw in the proper position as shewn, and the
crank pin 50 coming in contact with the projection 48 pulls the connecting rod 47
forwards and by means of the peculiar arrangement of the radius bars 43 and 44
brings the arms 25 into the position shewn by the dotted lines and so forces the
bound sheaf out of the cage. As soon as the crank pin 50 has passed the
projection 48 a spring 51 immediately returns the arms 25 to their original
position.
The discharged sheaf is received upon a platform 52, upon which it may be
retained as long as the person in charge of the machine deems necessary.
The needle bar 24 is a straight bar having a horizontal movement through the
guide socket 53, a hanging fork 54 keyed on the rock shaft 55 has a pin passing
through a vertical slot in the end of the needle bar as shewn. A short arm 56 is
keyed on the rock-shaft 55 and has a connecting rod 57 jointed thereto. This
connecting rod also has a looped end (shewn clearly in Figure 8) embracing the
spindle 32 and has a stud or small roller 58. A cam 59 is keyed on the spindle 32
and is of such a form, as shewn, that it brings the needle bar forward into the
knotter box and retains it in that position during the greater part of the rotation
of the spindle 32, but as soon as the recess in the cam comes opposite the roller or
stud 58, the spring 59. pulls the needle back again. My provisional specification
describes a crank as being used to actuate the needle bar, but I find in practice
that a cam action gives better results, as the needle bar has to remain some time in
the forward position, while the knot is being tied, and the sheaf discharged..
The mechanistn for forming the knot is contained in a box 31, as before
mentioned, and is set in motion from a single vertical spindle 60, the said spindle
has a bevel pinion 61 keyed on its upper end, gearing with a bevel wheel 62 on
the knotter spindle 32. This bevel wheel is twice the diameter of the pinion 61
but has half its teeth removed, so that during one revolution of the spindle 32, the
spindle 60 remains idle for half the time of such revolution, but during the other
half makes a complete revolution. A horizontal bolt 63 within the knotter box
receives a reciprocating motion from the spindle 60, by means of a slot and crank

page_text: pin as clearly shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 13. If preferred the crank pin
may work the bolt. by means of a connecting rod, or it may move the bolt in ono
direction by working against a transverse shoulder thereon, and a spring be
provided to give the return stroke, but in practice I prefer the arrangement as
shewn in the drawings.
The needle bar enters the knotter box through an aperture 64. The said bar is
formed of a trough section to contain the spring and has a projection on the end
to guide the string into the jaws of the looper.
The string is contained in any convenient receptacle 65 on the machine and is
conveyed through the hollow rock shaft 55, it passes out through a hole in the said
shaft then goes under a guide on the arm 54 and then under a pin on the needle-
bar into the trough in the said bar. Rollers are provided on the string box as
shewn to regulate the tension on the string.
The looper 66 is an arm pivotted at its lower end in the knotter box and
provided at its upper end with jaws, as shewn, to receive the string from the
needle bar. The looper derives its motion from the bolt 63 by means of the
connecting rod 67.
·
In the drawing an additional looper 68 is shewn with a single jaw worked by
the same connecting rod, to more effectually ensure the string being carried down
to the gripping roller. The gripping arrangement consists of a roller 69 with a
serrated convex periphery" mounted on a stud, a bolt 70 with a curved concave end
to fit the roller is pressed up by a spring 71 against the said roller, and the loopers
carry the string from the needle down the curved slot 72 in the side of the
knotter box and force it between the roller 69 and the bolt 70, the roller is rotated
by this means while the string is securely gripped against the serrated edge of the
roller by the spring bolt. A spring pawl 86 permits the roller to rotate in one
direction only.
This gripping arrangement is a modification of that previously described in my
provisional and I find it in practice to be more simple and effectual. Thus in
place of a spring roller, I employ a spring bolt, while I cause the string as it is
carried down by the loopers to rotate the roller, instead of employing special
devices for that purpose. The required pause in the looper is obtained sufficiently
by the fact of it being driven by the crank pin from the vertical spindle 60.
The knife 73 for cutting the string slides in guides on the outside of the knotter
box as shewn, and is worked directly from the bolt 63 by means of the bent
arm 74.
When the string has been gripped by the roller and bolt the knot is then formed
by the jaws of the knotter.
The said knotter consists of a vertical spindle 75, provided with a spur
pinion 76, driven by a spur wheel 77, on the spindle 60.
The wheel 77 is twice the diameter of the pinion 76, but has teeth on half its
circumference only, as shewn clearly in Figure 13. So. that the spindle 75 remains
at rest during half the revolution of the spindle 60 and makes a complete
revolution during the remaining half. The lower end of the spindle 75 is turned
outwards to form one jaw 78, and the spindle is tubular, to receive a spindle 79,
having a bent end which forms the second jaw 80. These jaws are kept in contact
by a helical spring 81, and the spindle 79 has a key or pin working in a groove in
the tubular spindle 75 as shewn, thus compelling them to rotate together. The
underside of the bevel pinion 61 is provided with a cam face 82, which through
the medium of the sliding bracket arm 83, fitted with small roller, depresses the
spindle 79 and opens and closes the knotter jaws at the right times.
In conjunction with the knotter is the string depressor 84 used for placing the
spring in position to be caught by the jaws of the knotter as they rotate.
The said depressor consists of two arms, pivotted to the knotter bracket, bent to
the required form and joined at their outer ends, as shewn. At a certain distance
from the pivotted ends are pins with small rollers to enter a circumferential groove
in a circular sleeve 85, that slides on the spindle 75, the said sleeve is raised and

page_text: lowered by the internal spindle 79 by means of the aforesaid pin working in a
groove in the tubular spindle 75 and the required motion is thus imparted to the
depresser by the cam 82.
The position of the depressor at the end of its stroke, when holding down the
string, as also the open position of the knotter jaws, are shewn clearly by dotted
lines in Figure 10.
When the string has been brought down by the depressor, the jaws rotate,.
twisting this string (as also the other end of the string loop which is round the
sheaf and is held by the gripping device) around them into a loop. The ends of
the string in the gripping device then enter the open jaws, as they come round, the
jaws close, gripping the string, which is then cut off by the knife, and the sheaf
being forced out by the discharging arms the loop is pulled off the jaws, and the
ends of the string being held in the jaws are pulled through the loop, forming a
plain firm knot without any loop or waste of string.
In Figure 1 the chain wheels and chain which drive the reel from the main
driving wheel axle are only indicated by dot and dash lines; In Figures 1. 2 and 3
the sickle knives and finger points, sickle bar connecting rod and inside and
outside dividers are omitted to avoid complication, as they are no part of the
invention and their form is well understood. The seat for the driver is also
omitted in these views, but it would in practice be affixed on the outer left hand
side of the machine as seen in Figure 2, and the various levers or handles con-
trolling the different parts of the apparatus would in practice all be arranged to be
within reach of the drivers hands, so that he could adjust the height and width of
the machine and throw the various part in or out of gear without leaving his seat.
In Figure 3 part of the elevator casing is broken away to shew the main driving
wheel partly in section with its internal gear and pinion and the bevel gear for
driving the adjusting screws j j³..
The elevator web with its side chains is also broken away, only a portion
passing over the roller u being shewn.
In Figure 7, z z¹ are metal plates forming the ends of the elevator casing and
hopper, and sockets to form bearings for the various spindles are affixed to these
plates as shewn. Figure 6 is a section of Figure 7 through the line X X but the
plate is only indicated by dotted lines, in order that those parts of the
mechanism on the outside of such plate may be clearly shewn. The chain wheel 16
working the feed rollers is however omitted in Figure 6 and the sides x x¹ of the
hopper are only shewn by dotted lines, with the exception of the upper part of x1
which is shewn in section.
The front of the hopper is removed in Figure 7 and the back is broken
away, the lower edge being indicated by dotted lines only, (as in Figure 6) that
the spindles and other parts behind it may be clearly shewn. In Figure 11 part
of the knotter box is removed as shewn by the broken line to exhibit the internal
mechanism more clearly. In Figure 12 the upper parts of the spindles and the
bevel wheels are omitted as these are clearly shewn in Figures 10 and 11.
Figure 13 is a plan through the line Y Y in Figure 11, but the spindles with
the spur wheel 77 and pinion 76 and the bolt 63 are not shewn in the same
relative positions in the two views.
The binding mechanism as shewn in Figures 6 and 7, is, as before described,
arranged to be driven by a chain from the reaper rotating the spindle w, but if
this binding mechanism be affixed or applied to a threshing machine for straw
Obinding, the spindle w may be driven by a chain from any suitable spindle on such
threshing machine, or in place of a chain wheel on the spindle wa plain pulley to
receive a belt may used. When used for straw binding the endless travelling
web t is not required as the threshing machine will deliver the straw directly into
the hopper xx¹.
My improved sheaf binding mechanism may not only be used in combina-
tion with my improved reaping mechanism for binding grain, or with a threshing

page_text: machine for finding straw as described, but it may also be applied to any existing
form of reaping machine for binding grain.
And the various parts of my improved reaping mechanism, may be applied to
any existing form of reaping machine and may also be employed in combination
with any existing form of sheaf binding mechanism.
The mode of working my improved reaping and sheaf binding machine is as
follows:
The machine is adjusted to the height at which it is desired to leave the stubble
in the manner before described. The finger bar is then adjusted by the screw on
the draught pole. If necessary the reel is also adjusted by moving its bracket
bearing g along the timber and any convenient form of tightening pulley may
be employed to take up the slack in the chain by which it is driven.
The said reel delivers the cut grain on to the endless travelling web, which
carries it upwards and delivers it into the hopper where it is fed by the feed rollers
into the sheaf cage. When the cage contains sufficient grain to form a sheaf, the
weight and size of the said grain moves the counterbalanced tines and the crank
on the spindle of the said tines brings into action the large spur wheel by means
of the pawl lever as before described.
The said spur wheel by means of the pawl lever worked from the crank pin on
the upper elevator spindle then makes one quarter of a revolution, while the
spur pinion on the knotter spindle makes a complete revolution, setting in action
the knotter mechanism binding and tieing the sheaf and then discharging it as
before described.
One great advantage which I attain by the use of the height adjusting mechanism
is, that the sickle frame can be raised so far above the ground that the machine can
be driven along a road on its own wheels, thus avoiding the necessity for the use
of supplementary travelling wheels.
I wish it to be clearly understood that I do not claim as my invention a reaping
and sheaf binding machine per se, as various forms of such machines are well
known and in constant use; but, 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 :-
(1.) The improved reaping and sheaf binding machine substantially as herein
described and shewn.
(2.) In a reaping machine the combination of two frames, with screws and
nuts, or racks and pinions for adjusting the height of the sickle frame, substantially
as herein described and shewn.
(3.) In a reaping machine the peculiar arrangement of screw adjustment to the
axis of travelling wheel b, in combination and worked simultaneously with the
screws or racks which adjust the main frame, substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shewn.
(4.) In a reaping machine provided with vertical adjustment as herein before
described the combination therewith of a bevel pinion h¹ having a sleeve journal
and a vertical spindle 3, sliding in the said bevel pinion with key way and 'feather,
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn.
(5.) In a reaping machine the combination therewith of a screw p. for adjusting
the connection of the draught pole to the frame of the machine to raise and lower
the finger points, substantially as herein described and shewn.
(6.) In a reaping machine the attachment thereto of the sickle frame by racks
and pinions for reducing the width of the machine substantially as and for the
purposes herein described and shewn.
(7.) In a reaping machine the application of feathering motion, to the slats of
the reel, substantially as and for the purposes berein described and shewn.
(8.)-In a reaping machine the combination therewith of a radial apron y
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn.

page_text: (9.) In a reaping machine the combination therewith of an endless travelling
elevator web provided with chains at the edges and flat guides, substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shewn.
(10.) In a sheaf binding machine the combination therewith of a hopper xx¹
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn.
(11.) In a sheaf binding machine the combination with a hopper of a feed
roller or rollers having plain or corrugated surfaces substantially as and for the
purposes herein described.
(12.) In a sheaf binding machine the combination with a hopper of a feed
roller or rollers having curved fingers or toothed discs 19 substantially as and for
the purposes herein described and shewn.
(13.) In a sheaf binding machine the combination therewith of a cage formed
of wires 23 and 26 and curved tines 27 to receive the grain to form the sheaf,
substantially as herein described and shewn.
(14.) The improved arrangement of sheaf binding mechanism for cut grain or
straw, substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to figures 6
and 7.
(15.) In a sheaf binding machine the combination therewith of a spur wheel 34
provided with a double set of ratchets and pawl levers, substantially as and for the
purposes herein described and shewn.
(16.) In a sheaf binding machine the needle bar and cam for driving the same
substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to Figures 6. 7. and 8.
(17.) In a sheaf binding machine the discharger arms 25 worked by a crank
substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to Figures 6. 7. and 9.
(18.) In a sheaf binding machine the crank or cam on spindle 28 for starting
the spur wheel 34 substantially as herein described and shewn.
(19.) The improved mechanism for forming the knot in the string in a sheaf
binding machine substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to
Figures 10. 11. 12 and 13.
(20.) In knot tieing mechanism for sheaf binding the horizontal bolt 63 worked
by crank pin from vertical spindle 60 substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and shewn.
(21.) In knot tieing mechanism for sheaf binding the looper 66 and mode of
working same from bolt 63 substantially as and for the purposes herein described
and shewn.
(22.) In knot tieing mechanism for sheaf binding gripping rollers with convex
and concave surfaces substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
(23.) In knot tieing mechanism for sheaf binding the gripping roller 69 and
spring bolt 70 substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn..
(24.) In a knot tieing machine for sheaf binding the knife 73 driven from the
bolt 63 for cutting the string substantially as herein described and shewn.
(25.) In a knot tieing machine for sheaf binding the string depressor 84
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn.
1000