IMPROVEMENTS IN OR ADDITIONS TO REAPING MACHINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF BINDING UP CROPS CUT THEREBY
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Agars Walker, commonly called John George
Agars Walker, of Dane's Hill, near Retford, in the County of Nottingham,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR ADDITIONS TO REAPING MACHINES
FOR THE PURPOSE OF BINDING UP CROPS CUT THEREBY,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Agars Walker at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1878.
GEORGE AGARS WALKER, commonly called John George Agars Walker, of
Dano's Hill, near Retford, in the County of Nottingham.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
ADDITIONS TO REAPING MACHINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF BINDING UP CROPS CUT
THEREBY."
This Invention has for its object the binding of cut crops into sheaves or bundles
before leaving the platform of the reaper. For this purpose I attach improved
mechanism to a self-raking reaper, which shall bind the straw in bundles with wire
before they are deposited on the ground. To accomplish this object I arrange a
traversing motion across the rear of the platform, in preference a parallel slide;
the platform of the reaper I extend a short distance on its own level, and near the
extremity of which is fixed the slide, which carries arms for compressing the
straw, and carrying it across the platform to the rear of the machine, where it is
bound.
The compressing arms project a required height above the platform, so that they
may take all the straw with them when in motion across the platform after the
sheaf has been raked into position, compressing it at the rear of machine, where
the binding is completed.
Under the rear of the machine is fixed the reel carrying the wire for binding,
which is a simple spool; but I take the wire over a tension drum (which I will
hereafter describe more fully) and through a guide. The wire is held by a pair of
cutting and retaining pincers, which are fixed at the extreme end of the slide

page_text: before mentioned. On this slide making its return motion after binding the last
sheaf, it takes the wire back with it from off the reel and across the platform;
when nearing the end of its backward motion a lug on the slide comes in contact
with an arrangement of lever arms which lift the wire upwards, under which wire
the sheaf is placed by the action of the rake, and on the arms returning to their
normal position the wire is left over the sheaf to be bound with a required tension
obtained from the tension drum, the slide then returns and the compressing arms
before named press the straw into a bundle at the back of the reaper, at the same
time the tension drum takes up any slack wire and retains its tension, so that a
sheaf can be bound of any size. After the sheaf is bound it is delivered off the
platform by the return motion of the slide.
The pincers for holding and cutting the wire are not rigidly fixed to the main
slide, but are carried on a centre which allows them to be depressed a little, which
they are when binding every sheaf; by the action of a lug or projection placed in
position and suitably shaped for this purpose, this lug at the same time opens the
mouth of the pincers, depresses them below the first ond of wire, and by the action
of running off the extremity of lug the pincers are caused to close sharply by a
spring at their back, and thereby cut off a length of wire, and retain the con-
tinuous wire from the tension drum and off the reel. The pincers have a flange
and groove down their centre to assist them in holding the wire securely; a
projection on the opposite edge to the cutting one also assists the pincers to retain
the wire; they are V shaped at the mouth to enable the continuous wire to be
readily led into them.
The tension drum is arranged somewhat as follows:-I employ a ribbon spring
of required strength, which I place in a fixed box made to receive it; this box has
bearings on its outside plates for a spindle to pass through them; the spring
attaches itself to this spindle by a one-sided catch which catches in a hole in the
end of inside lap of the spring when it is required to put tension on the drum
(turning the drum backwards it does not catch in this hole, as the catch in the
spindle is one-sided, as before named). Outside this spring box and at either side
is fastened to the spindle the tension drum (a disc grooved out at its periphery);
the wire leads from the reel through an eye in the drum, commencing at its centre
and coming out at the centre of the groove on its periphery; before the wire is
placed through this eye the drum should be turned up a sufficient number of times
to get the required tension to take up a sufficient quantity of slack wire.
I will now describe how I propose to twist the wire ends together. For this
purpose I provide duplicate sliding racks flanged top and bottom; in the cogs and
flanges of these racks I suspend a pinion for twisting the wire ends. The racks
carrying the pinion when placed in their normal position are not opposite each
other, but their extreme ends overlap sufficiently to prevent the pinion from passing
out of gear, so that one rack stands almost entirely beyond the other; the racks
are attached to each other by a light chain or cord passing over a runner suitably
fixed, so that the moving forward of one will cause an opposite motion to the
other, and the racks in motion pass each other, and the pinion simply revolves, but
does not traverse. The twisting pinion has a disc or plate attached to it which
revolves outside the flanges of the racks; this disc or plate has two grooves or
nicks in it at opposite sides, in each of which a wire end is placed for twisting;
this disc or plate also prevents the wires from entering any other positions but
those which are intended for their reception, the groove for holding the continuous
wire has at one side of it a projecting guide or book to lend this wire in, the other
is placed in the wheel by the pincers.
Under the small pincers is fixed a half circular or carved stop, with which a
guide for wire from pincers comes in contact. When the slide is at and near the
extremity of its motion this guide and stop nip the wire ends, and hold them while
they are being twisted together. The guide on slide has a spring at its back
which allows of it being compressed a certain distance. The mouth of guide is V.
shaped, and projects about level with mouth of pincers; the pincers are on one side

page_text: of the racks and pinion and the wire holder the other, the wire. holder being on
the side next the sheaf being bound. The arms for lifting the wire consist of
levers with runners at their ends, one lever being at each side of the platform, and
both being connected together by a rod; these levers are brought back to their
normal position by the action of a suitable spring. Also a spring is arranged for
driving the racks home after such spring is compressed by a lug on the slide, and
the wires are placed in position in the pinion and plate. This lug is depressed at a
given time and the racks are let off, the spring driving them home and thereby
twisting the wire, the wire at the same time being held underneath, and both ends
being at liberty at the top, so that they are not liable to twist together at both
sides of the pinion; to accomplish this the pinions are made to operate just before
the racks, releasing one end of the wire and cutting the other, the continuous
one.
I purpose to drive the binding mechanism from the reaper as follows:-It will
be understood that I get all the notions of my binder from the main slide, which
will be required to traverse about four feet, and it is arranged about parallel with
the outside of the reaper wheel, as the reaper and binding platform rise and fall for
cutting various lengths of crops; the cog wheels with which I get the proper speed are
carried on an expanding arm thus:-On the main axis I fasten a spur wheel, and on
the binding reaper frame above another spur wheel, this wheel and frame leave the
main axis and wheel on same when the reaper is raised to cut the straw higher. I
connect these two spur wheels by an intermediate one carried on the joint centre
of a folding arm fitted to work on the main axis (the same centre as the lower spur
wheel), and on the stud which carries the top spur wheel on the elevating binding
and reaper frame. From this top centre I drive either a crank and connecting rod
or crank, connecting rod and lever, which would reciprocate the main slide of the
binder; but other means of driving the slide may be employed.
The delivering rake of the reaper I arrange to rake up the sheaf, more or less,
according to the length of straw; this 1 accomplish by working the rako under a
guide which keeps it from lifting till required; this guide can be moved into any
position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Agars Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
December 1878.
GEORGE ACARS WALKER, commonly called John George Agars Walker, of
Dane's Hill, near Retford, in the County of Nottingham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
ADDITIONS TO REAPING MACHINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF BINDING UP CROPS CUT
THEREBY."
This Invention has for its object the binding of cut crops into sheaves or bundles
before leaving the platform of the reaper. For this purpose I attach improved
incchanism to a self-raking reaper which shall bind the straw in bundles with
wire before they are deposited on the ground. To accomplish this object I arrange
a traversing motion across the rear of the platform, in preference a parallel slide; the
platform of the reaper I extend a short distance on its own level, and near the
extremity of which is fixed the slide which carries an arm for compressing the
straw and carrying it across the platform to the rear of the machine, where it is
bound.
The compressing arm projects a required height above the platform so that it
may take all the straw with it when in motion across the platform after the sheaf
has been raked into position, compressing it at the rear of machine, where the
binding is completed.
Under the rear of the machine is fixed the reel carrying the wire for binding,
which is a simple spool, but I take the wire over a tension drum which I will here-
after describe more fully. The wire is held by a pair of cutting and retaining
pincers which are fixed at the extreme end of the slide before mentioned. On this
slide making its return motion after binding the last sheaf, it takes the wire back
with it from off the reel and across the platform; when nearing the end of its
backward motion a lug on the slide comes in contact with an arrangement of lever
arins which lift the wire upwards, under which wire the sheaf is placed by the
action of the rake, and on the arms returning to their normal position the wire is left
over the sheaf to be bound with a required tension obtained from the tension drum ;
the slide then returns, and the compressing arms before named press the straw into
a bundle at the back of the reaper, at the same time the tension drum takes up any
slack wire and retains its tension so that a sheaf can be bound of any size. After
the sheaf is bound it is delivered off the platform by the return motion of the
slide.
The pincers for holding and cutting the wire are not rigidly fixed to the main
slide but are carried on a centre which allows them to be depressed a little, which
they are when binding every sheaf by the action of a lug or projection placed in
position and suitably shaped for this purpose; this lug at the same time opens the
inouth of the pincers, depresses them below the first end of wire, and by the action
of running off the extremity of lug, the pincers are caused to close sharply by a
spring at their back, and thereby cut off a length of wire, and retain the con-
tinuous wire from the tension drum and off the reel. The pincers have a flange
and groove down their centre to assist them in holding the wire securely; a pro-
jection on the opposite edge to the cutting one also assists the pincers to retain the
wire; they are V shaped at the mouth to enable the continuous wire to be readily
led into them.
The tension drum is arranged somewhat as follows. I employ a ribbon spring of
required strength, which I place in a fixed box made to receive it; this box has
bearings on its outside plates for a spindle to pass through them, the spring
attaches itself to this spindle by a one sided catch, which catches in a hole in the

page_text: end of inside lap of the spring when it is required to put tension on the drum,
(turning the drum backwards it does not catch in this hole as the catch in the
spindle is one sided as before named). Outside this spring box and at either side
is fastened to the spindle the tension drum, which has a groove at its periphery; the
wire leads from the reel through an eye in the drum commencing at its centre and
coming out at the centre of the groove on its periphery; before the wire is placed
through this eye the drum should be turned up a sufficient number of times to get
the required tension to take up a sufficient quantity of slack wire.
I will now describe how I propose to twist the wire ends together. For this
purpose I provide duplicate sliding racks, flanged top and bottom; in the cogs and
flanges of these racks I suspend a pinion for twisting the wire ends. The racks
carrying the pinion when placed in their normal position are not opposite each
other, but their extreme ends overlap sufficiently to prevent the pinion from passing
out of gear, so that one rack stands almost entirely beyond the other; the racks
are attached to each other by a light chain or cord passing over a runner suitably
fixed, so that the moving forward of one will cause an opposite motion to the other,
and the racks in motion pass each other and the pinion simply revolves, but does
not traverse. The twisting pinion has a disc or plate attached to it which revolves
outside the flanges of the racks, this disc or plate has two grooves or nicks in it at
opposite sides in each of which a wire end is placed for twisting this disc or plate,
also prevents the wires from entering any other positions but those which aro
intended for their reception; the groove for holding the continuous wire has at one
side of it a projecting guide or hook to load this wire in, the other is placed in the
wheel by the pincers.
Over the small pinion is fixed a half circular or curved stop with which a guide
for wire from pincers comes in contact. When the slide is at and near the
ovtremity of its motion this guide and stop nip the wire ends and hold them while
they are being twisted together. The guide on slide has a spring at its back which
allows of it being compressed a certain distance. The mouth of guide is V shaped
and projects about level with the mouth of pincers, the pincers are on one side of
the racks and pinion and the wire holder the other, the wire holder being on the
side next the sheaf being bound. The arms for lifting the wire consist of levers
with runners at their ends, one lever being at each side of the platform, and both
being connected together by a rod; these levers may be brought back to their normal
position by the action of a suitable spring, or in the manner herein-after described.
Also a spring is arranged for driving the racks home after such spring is compressed
by a lug on the slide, and the wires are placed in position in the pinion and plate.
This lug is depressed at a given time and the racks are let off, the spring driving
them home and thereby twisting the wire, the wire at the same time being held
above, and both ends being at liberty at the bottom, so that they are not liable to
twist together at both sides of the pinion; to accomplish this the pincers are made
to operate just before the racks, releasing one end of the wire and cutting the other,
the continuous one.
I purpose to drive the binding mechanism from the reaper as follows:-It will
be understood that I get all the motions of any binder from the main slide which
will be required to traverse about four feet, and it is arranged about parallel with
the outside of the reaper wheel; as the reaper and binding platform rise and fall
for cutting various lengths of crops the cog wheels with which I get the proper
speed are carried on an expanding arm thus:-On the main axis I fasten a spur
wheel on the binding reaper frame above another spur wheel; this wheel and
frame leave the main axis and wheel on the same when the reaper is raised to cut
the straw higher; in order, therefore, to keep these wheels in gear, I connect these
two spur wheels by an intermediate one, carried on the joint centre of a folding
arm fitted to work on the main axis (the same centre as the lower spur wheel),
and an the stud which carries the top spur wheel on the elevating binding and
reaper frame. From this top centre Î drive either a crank and connecting rod, or

page_text: crank connecting rod and lever which would reciprocate the main slide of the
binder; but other means of driving the slide may be employed.
And in order that my said Invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings,
more fully to describe the same.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a reaping machine with my improved
binding mechanism combined therewith; and Figure 2 is a plan of the binding
mechanism.
Figure 3 represents a side view of part of the traversing slide with pincers and
guide or wire holder attached thereto.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a plan and end view of the pincers, a side
elevation of which is seen in Figure 3.
Figure 6 is an edge view, and Figure 7 is a plan of the twisting pinion.
Figure 8 is a side view of a traversing spring, lug, or driver, which operates the
racks, and of a fixed lug or projection which releases the spring, lug, or driver from
the racks at the desired time.
Figure 9 represents an under side view of the wire holder or guide.
Figure 10 is a cross section of the guide tube and slide piece; and Figures 11 and
12 are respectively edge and side views of the tension drum and reel; and Figures
13 and 14 are separate views of parts thereof.
Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18 are various views of the lug for operating the
pincers.
a is one of the main supporting and driving wheels; b is part of the framing;
and c is one of the rakes and rake arms of a reaping machine to which my
improved binding mechanism is attached.
To the reaper platform I suspend a tubular guide d in which reciprocates the
the slide piece e to which motion is communicated in the following manner:-
-I
connect a curved angle iron frame b' at one end to the tubular guide d and carry
it over the driving wheel a and connect it at its other end to the framing in front
of said wheel, and to steady the same I fix to about the middle of such curved angle
iron frame b¹ one end of a stay rod or bar 6%, the other end of which is fixed to the
frame of the machine.
To the axis a² of the driving wheel I fix a toothed wheel as which, gearing into
an intermediate toothed wheel a³, gives motion thereby to a toothed wheel a
mounted on a stud 3 from from the angle iron frame b'.
The wheel a³ is carried on an axis b* carried by the two arms 65, 6º, the said
wheel working between such arms.
The proportions of these wheels can be varied to change the speed of the binding
mechanism as desired.
Above the frame b' I fix in a bracket b7 a stud 68 on which is mounted an
oscillating arm, which receives motion through the connecting rod f', from the
crank pin a carried by the toothed wheel at.
The lower end of the arm is by the connecting rod fi connected to the
stud e', carried by the projecting arm es, fixed to the side e, and thus a reciprocating
motion is communicated to the slide by the rotation of the driving wheel a.
This slide piece e carries the pincers g, the wire holder or guide h, and the spring
lug or driver i for giving motion to the racks k, k*.
The wire holder or guide his formed with a guide rod h¹ which works in, and
is guided by lugs or projections e³, whilst it is pressed forward by a spring h² to
give it a yielding pressure on the wire in its motion.
The projecting arin e in its motion forward takes the cut crop to be bound across
the platform and over the twisting pinion ; where it is collected into the form of
a sheaf and bound.

page_text: At the end of the tubular guide d are arranged the racks k, k*, which are
mounted with capability of sliding on the slide rods by means of projecting lugs
or bearings kl, fixed to such racks and fitting the rods . These rods are secured
at one end to the lips or flanges & cast on the tubular guide d, and at their
other ends to the casting m which is connected with and supported by the reaper
frame.
In the forward motion of the slide e the lower part of the lug or driver
which is fixed to the slide by the part 23, seo Figure 8, acts against a projection
formed or fixed on one of the lugs or bearings k of the rack * and thereby gives
motion to such rack.
To one end of each rack is connected a chain ³, which passes partly around a
guide roller, so that as motion is given to the rack by the spring, lug, or
driver i, such motion is by means of the chain 3 also communicated to the rack k,
but in the contrary direction to that of the rack k*, and thus rotary motion is
given to the twisting pinion j the teeth of which are taken into by the teeth of
both the racks. The rack is also at its other end connected to one end of a
chain, the other end of which is connected to a spring drum ko, the tendency of
which is constantly to wind up the chain thereon. Thus after the spring, lug,
or driver i has given motion to the racks in one direction and is liberated from the
projection by the curved part coming against the projection m², the spring
drum, which has been wound up by the motion of the racks, acts upon the
chain and thereby returns the rack to their normal position, as shown in the
Drawings.
This mode of giving rotary motion to the twisting pinion, that is, by two racks
mounted and operated as described, forms an essential feature of iny Invention.
The pinions for twisting the ends of the wire has a groove j' on its periphery, in
which take the top flauges of the two racks by which it is supported. The upper
side of this pinion has a disc or plate attached thereto, which is shaped as shown
more clearly at Figure 7, and is provided with two slots j", one opposite to the other
for the reception of the wires.
n is a solid iron lug fixed to the casting m, and shown separately at Figures 15,
16, 17, and 18. It is so shaped that when the pincers 7 come into contact with
it, which they do at every advance of the slide e, such pincers are operated in
the following manner :-The projection g' on the pincers coines against an incline n¹
on the lug n, which incline acts to open the pincers on their centre g², and when
running off this incline the pincers are suddenly closed together again by the action
of the spring g³, and in the return motion of the pincers the projection g' is enabled
to pass the lug n by passing through the slot ns in such lug. The lug n is also
forined with another incline n³, which acts on the face of the pincers at g* (see
Figures and 5), thus depressing them on their axis g*.
h
As nearly as possible over the centre of the twisting pinion j is suspended a
plate m which is fixed to the casting m; this plate m is hollowed out as shewn
in Figure 2; with this hollow the wire holder or guide comes in contact when the
side has nearly completed its outward motion. At this time the spring lug or
driver i comes in contact with the projection m² on the edge of the plate m, which
causes the lug or driver i to rise, and thereby at the required time to cease to act
on the racks.
•
On the casting m is a bearing m³ in which is centred an arm m' which is
provided at its end with a roller m³ for lifting the wire at this end of the binder
mechanism. To the axis of this arm is fixed the lever me, which by a connecting
rod m³ is connected to a lever m forming part of or projection from the lever m³,
which latter is mounted on an axis m³ carried by a bearing m10 fixed to the under
side of the tubular guide d at the other end of the machine.
12
The lever ms carries at its end a roller m" by which the binding wire is lifted at
this part of the machine.
The lever m forming a projection from the lever m³ is acted upon in the one

page_text: direction by a roller es mounted on the projecting arm e² to raise the lever m³ into
the position shewn by dotted lines, whilst instead of such lever m³ being operated
by a spring to return it to its normal or lowered position, as described in my
Provisional Specification, it is, according to the arrangement shown in the Drawings,
returned to such position by the roller ³acting upon the bent part m¹³ of the
lever m³. This action of the roller e³ might however be dispensed with as, generally
speaking, the weight of the arm m³ would be sufficient to return it to its norinal
position; but in order to ensure its correct action I prefer to operato such lever as
described.
p represents the reel on which the wire is wound; p' is a bracket to which is
securely fixed the spring box p² containing a ribbon spring p³ of the required
tension and length; p is the cover of this box which is fixed in position by bolts
or other suitable means; p is the take-up tension drum, inside which and carried
loosely on the spindle p is the wire reel p.
The spindle is capable of revolving in bearings, one of which is in the lid of
the spring box, and the other in the bracket p'. The tension drum 22 has a guide
roller p carried at the bottom of the groove in its periphery; the wire passes from
the reel in the contre of the drum through an eye in the periphery of the same,
close to the roller p³, thence over such roller to the binder apparatus, as herein-
after described. A spring washer 28 puts a slight pressure on the reel p and pre-
vents its turning unnecessarily, thus acting as a brake thereon.
On the spindle 2 is fixed a one-sided catch 29, and the inner lap or coil of the.
spring p is provided with a hole, in which the said catch p" takes if turned in one
direction, but it does not catch if turned the opposite way; this I consider an
important feature in my improved tension and take-up mechanism, for by so
arranging the catch and spring I avoid the risk of breaking the latter near the inner
coil in the event of the spring suddenly and with great velocity uncoiling itself,
either from breakage of the wire or from other cause.
The outer coil or lap of the spring p³ is securely fixed to the spring box p², as
shown, or in other convenient manner.
I will now describe more particularly the construction of the pincers. They are
provided with a cutting edge at g (see Figures 4 and 5), and the faces of the jaws
are not made to fit flat together, but the face of one jaw is grooved out, and the
other is provided with flanges or projections to fit the said grooves, as shown, so
that they shall put a bend in the, wire, and thus securely hold the end of it. 97 is §
a stud or small projection from one jaw, over which the wire bends in passing on its
course round the sheaf. The plate 9 on the under side of the pincers is stationary,
whilst the moving part of the pincers is opened by the lug m. This plate g serves
to remove the wire from the stud g' if it should be inclined to stick, and thereby
allows the wire end to pass freely out of the pincers when they are opened for that 4
purpose.
A small plate go forming part of the pincers acts as a guide and bearing piece; it
acts against the side n' of the lug n, and steadies the pincers while they are being
opened and shut.
The pincers g are mounted in the end of the slide e, which is cored out for that 4
purpose, as represented at Figure 10.
I will now describe the operation of the binding mechanism when binding a
sheaf.
The wire passing from the tension drum 2° passes over the guide roller m³ at the
end of the arm m³, the end of the wire being held in the pincers g, as described.
It should be understood that on commencing to work with the machine the
required tension must be first put on the wire by turning the drum round a suffi-
cient number of times, the one-sided catch being caused thereby to take into tho
hole in the inner lap or coil of the spring ps, and thereby wind it up with it. Firm
hold must be taken of the wire end, which is passed through the aperture in the 5
periphery of the drum p³, and over the guide roller p'; the drum is then released,

page_text: and the wire is drawn through from the reel until the length that the drum is
required to take up has been drawn off; the wire is then passed between the slide
bars 7 in front of the twisting pinion j to the top or opposite side of the racks and
pinions; the slide picce e is then brought up, and the pincers g coming in contact
with the lug n are caused to open, and in slipping off therefrom are closed suddenly
by the spring g, thus cutting and retaining the wire from the roel and drum, which
has been supplied with the requisite tension, as before describer.
When the slide piece e is drawn back the wire being held by the pincers is led
thereby into the groove of the roller m³ and down the tubular guide d; as the wire
is taken back it passes immediafely over the end of the lever m³; the roller e³ on
the projecting compressing arm e² then comes in contact with the lever m", thus
lifting the arm or lever m³, and consequently the lever or arm m' to the positions
shown in dotted lines, and thereby causing both levers or arms m³, m³, to carry
the wire up with them. While the wire is held in this position the cut crop to
form the sheaf is raked in underneath it, and the slide piece e on commencing to
return causes the arms or levors m, m³, to return to their normal or lowered
position, as before described. The straw is now under the wire, and in the
continued motion of the slide e the projecting arm e compresses the sheaf across
the platform to the position over the twisting pinion j. The hook on the twisting
pinion carries the wire into the corresponding groove of the pinion, the sparo wire
is taken up by the tension drum, as has before been described, while the sheaf is
being brought nearer to it and to the twisting pinion j. One wire being already
in one groove or notch of the twisting pinion, the pincers bring the other end of
the wire and place it in the opposite groove or notch in the pinion. This is effected
with certainty by making the said pinion with a proper number of teeth, thus as
the slide e comes up the spring lug or driver i operates the racks k, k*, and thereby
turns the twisting pinion to a correct position to receive the wire end connected
with the pincers. About this time the wire holder or guide h traps the wires close
under the sheaf, and against the hollow part in the plate m¹, and when the said
wire holder or guide h has about half compressed the spring hª at its back. the
pincers will have just closed again by slipping off the lug n, the old wire end will
have passed out of the pincers, and the latter will have cut and retained the con-
tinuous wire, leaving the two wire ends loose in the twisting pinion j to be twisted;
then when the curved or inclined part 2 of the spring lug or driver i comes against
the projection m² the lug or driver is quickly lifted and released from the pro-
jection on one of the racks, and the latter being thereby released are acted upon
and driven sharply back by the spring drum, as described, thus effecting the
rotation of the pinion ; and the twisting together of the two ends of the wire
thereby.
The slide piece e returns and repeats the various motions of the different parts
for each sheaf, and the bound sheaves are delivered by the return motion of the
samo, and the consequent lifting of the wire for the reception of the following
sheaf.
I would here remark that my improved binding mechanism may be applied to
other descriptions of reaping machines, and I would further remark that the method
of raking described in my Provisional Specification does not possess such an amount
of utility as would render it advisable to further describe the same, I therefore
hereby disclaim such arrangement; and I would further remark that I dispense
with the guide mentioned in my Provisional Specification for conducting the wire
from the tension drum, as such guide unnecessary, the tension drum being placed
in such relative position with the lever m that the wire from the drum shall in its
course of necessity pass into the groove of the roller m³.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not claim the
employment of a twisting pinion for twisting the wire ends, when such twisting
pinion is mounted and operated differently from that herein shewn and described,

page_text: but what I do claim is, the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of
parts forming sheaf-binding apparatus for reaping machines, substantially as herein
shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Agars Walker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Ta A
מזח MAN'T