Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Apr., 1895-Accepted, 27th July, 1895
But plan of same
Figure 3 a front longitudinal elevation of portion of the same.
Figure 4 a detail of cam attachment for actuating the stops.
Figure 5 underneath view of platform, showing the automatic device for
adjusting the stops.
A is the main framework of the machine, to which is bolted an inclined
platform B provided with suitable ends B' and with slots B' for the purpose herein-
after described.
The hay from the stack is intended to be thrown loosely upon the platform B,
and sliding forward upon its inclined plane it is caught by a series of first
packers C. In the accompanying drawings the packers are arranged in a series of
four, but may be of any suitable number. The packers C consist of a short bar
of spring steel connected by means of a hooked bolt C¹ to a block C' which in turn
is secured loosely upon a crank shaft D. The crank shaft D revolves in suitable
bearings fixed to two cross-pieces A' A' bolted at right angles to either end of the
main framework A, and is driven by a sprocket wheel E secured at its rear end.
In order to render the action of the several packers C uniform and their angle
with the platform B adjustable, each packer is secured by means of a screw bolt
to a bar which runs the full length, the two end packers C being secured to its
two outer ends.
i
For the purpose of adjustment of the angle of the packers C with the platform B;
an upright bar G is. bolted to about the centre of the bar F, and for greater
rigidity a bent bar G is provided, the two ends of which are flattened out in order
that the screw-bolt C' of the two inner packers C may pass through them, and
securely bolt the whole together. The bar G' bends upwards in the centre and is
securely bolted' by a bolt G' which passes through the bar G', the upright G, and
the connecting bar F., The head of the upright bar G is connected with a series:
of second packers H by means of a connecting rod G³. The second packers H
also rare, say, four in number, and consist severally of bars of spring steel!

page_text: projecting downwards, the whole being securely bolted to a flat longitudinal bar H'
which in its turn is securely bolted to blocks H revolving loosely on a crank
shaft I. The crank shaft I revolves in suitable bearings in the two cross-
pieces A previously referred to, and has at its rearmost end a sprocket wheel I'
from which power is imparted by means of a connecting chain to the sprocket
wheel E of the first series of packers C. To the bar His bolted an upright H³
at about its centre, the upper end of which is bent backwards and is provided with
a series of holes H*, to one or other of which the rod G is secured by means of a
screw bolt. To the upper part of the upright bar H and below the bend is
loosely secured by means of a screw-bolt, a bar H,.the outer end of which is
provided with a weight or counterpoise. The bar H itself is provided with a
series of holes, through one of which a screw-bolt is passed securing it loosely to
an upright post or beam A bolted to a longitudinal beam A³ of the main frame-
work A. The crank shaft I is driven by means of a bevelled gear wheel 1³
keyed to its front end and actuated by a bevelled wheel K keyed to a shaft
revolving in suitable standards K' secured to the front of the cross beam A' of
the main framework A. The bevelled wheel K is actuated by a sprocket wheel K'
provided with a clutch attachment for throwing it in and out of gear. The
sprocket wheel K is actuated by means of a chain driven by a sprocket wheel L'
fixed to the spindle of the lower feed roller: L' of the cutting machine as shown
more particularly in Figure 3. The same chain actuates also a sprocket, wheel L
fixed to the spindle of a supplementary corrugated roller L'intended for pressing
the hay before it reaches the feed rollers.
It will be readily seen that by the revolution of the crank D the first packers C
have a rotary gathering motion which, as they descend and move forward, causes.
them to carry in front of them a portion of the hay.
In order that this may be packed in suitable trusses or quantities, a series of
stops M are provided. These consist of a series of hooks, say, four, as shown
more particularly in Figure 1, the ends of which project upwards through the
slots B in the platform B when the series of the first packers C down, but fall
below the surface of the platform as the series of packers C rise. Each of the
series of stops, M is, rigidly attached to the bar M' extending the full length
necessary underneath the platform B as shown more particularly in Figure 5 and.
by dotted lines in Figure 2. The bar M is cranked at its foremost end and the
point of the crank loosely secured to an upright N, the upper end of which is provided
with a series of holes for the purpose of adjustment. Through one of these holes
a screwbolt is passed loosely securing the upright N to.the bar N'.. The bar N' is
pivotted or otherwise loosely secured, by means of a screwbolt N to the front.
cross beam A' of the main framework A, and at its front end is turned outwards
at a right angle in order to form a pin or stud Nwhich engages a slot in a .cam
attachment N fixed to the bevelled driving wheel I'. By this cam attachment N
as the bevelled wheel I revolves (actuating the first. and second series of packers C
aud H) by, means of connecting. levers N. and 'N', the series of stops M is caused
to, simultaneously rise and fall. In order to adjust the distance. between the
stops M and the first, packers C, and by this means. control the size of the truss
or quantity of hay. to. be delivered. to the machine, a device is..provided so that
such distance may be, automatically controlled by the action of the. feed rollers or
may be adjusted by the operator in charge. This is effected by the .central boss O
which carries the bar M being fixed to the rod turned up at its outer end in
order to form a handle and provided with slide pieces O fixed underneath the
platform B. By drawing backwards or forwards the rod O in the slide pieces O⁹
the bar M carrying the stops M is carried backwards or forwards and the distance
between the stops M.and the first packers C.correspondingly affected. In order
to secure an automatic adjustment a rod P is carried from a lever P from which is
suspended the weight controlling the feed trollers of the cutting machine in the
ordinary manner. The har P is loosely secured by means of a screwbolt to a
bracket P projecting downwards, underneath about the centre of the platform B

page_text: and is constructed with a projecting piece P³ turned up at an angle and so arranged
as to engage a bar P projecting downwards from and fixed to the central boss O.
By this device any alteration in the distance in the feed rollers causing the lever P¹
to rise or fall is immediately communicated to the stops M so that if the quantity
of hay being supplied to the feed rollers is too great the projecting piece P³
immediately engages the bar P' pressing it backwards and reducing the size of the
truss delivered by causing the stops M to approach the first packers C. This will
continue until the feed rollers becoming less burdened and the pressure upon P
relieved, the stops M will assume their normal position under pressure from the
hay fed against them by the first packers C. In order to retain the truss or
quantity of bay pressed by the first packers C against the stops M and hold it in
position for the action of the second packers H, a series of holding rods, say,
four in number, is provided. These are constructed with a downward point and
with a bar projecting from such point at an angle towards the stops M in order to
compress the truss as shown more particularly by dotted lines in Figure 1. The
rods Q are of the shape as shown, being bent downwards at their forward end
where they are fixed to a bar Q' loosely secured in suitable bearings to the front
of the longitudinal frame bar A³ of the main framework A. A bar Q' is bolted
through and extends the full length between the two crosspieces A¹ of the main
framework A. The holding rods Q are actuated by means of the crank shaft I,
the whole being lifted together as the crank rises and dropping again by their own
weight upon the bar Qas the crank shaft I falls. In this way the hay carried
forward by the first packers C against the stops M is still further compressed and
held in position by the holding rods Q. It is then engaged by the second
packers H, by the forward motion of which as the stops M fall below the surface
of the platform the trusses or other regulated quantities are carried forward into
a trough A arranged in front of and below the edge of the platform B from
which trough they are fed to the rollers of the cutting machine. It will be
readily perceived that the holding rods Q are not raised into position to allow a
further quantity of hay to pass against the stops M until the second packers H
bave carried forward into the trough A that already gathered and compressed.
The outer edge of the trough A* (Fig. 3) is provided with a spring board A'
which prevents any of the hay from being carried over the side. Within the
trough A is placed a longitudinal revolving canvas band R actuated by rollers R' R'.
The roller R¹ is driven by a sprocket wheel connected by the driving chain from
the bottom feed roller L' of the cutting portion of the machine, as previously
referred to and as shown more particularly in Figure 3. By means of this canvas
band R the hay is carried forward to the feed rollers for cutting in the ordinary
manner. In order that the hay may be evenly distributed in a convenient form
upon the revolving canvas band R, a series of revolving spiral springs are provided.
These consist of spiral springs of steel S bolted or otherwise secured to a revolving
wooden beam S¹. The beam S' is provided with suitable pivots or bars at either
end, the rear end revolving in suitable bearings in the main framework A, and
the front end in a bracket S bolted to a cross beam A¹ of the main framework A.
To the front pivot or bar of the wooden beam S' is fixed a sprocket wheel S³ by
means of which motion is imparted by means of a linked chain from the sprocket
wheel I fixed to the end of the crank 1. By the action of these spiral springs S,
the hay is evenly distributed and compressed over the face of the revolving
canvas R. From the revolving canvas R it passes under a corrugated supple-
mentary roller L' driven by the sprocket wheel L and thence to the feed rollers of
the cutting machine.
Though preferring the method as shown for actuating the first and second
packers and placing them above the platform, the position of the devices may be
reversed and the packers placed underneath the platform, suitable slots being
provided through which they may effect their purpose. In place of the spiral
springs S and the revolving beam S¹ there may be provided an upper revolving
canvas extending the full length of the trough A* and provided with projecting

page_text: .
bars on the inner side which are engaged by the revolving crank I, the rollers
carrying the canvas being so arranged as to tilt on one side under the action of
the crank, returning to their former position by their own weight as soon as the
crank I has passed. Or, there may be provided a short revolving canvas
extending say, half the distance down the trough, which canvas may be so
arranged as to tilt upwards for which purpose a projecting arm is fixed to the
frame carrying the rollers and actuated by the crank I, so that the rear end of the
canvas is lifted with each revolution of the crank and falls again into position as
it passes. Or, in place of either, a rising and falling framework may be provided
for effecting the same purpose.
When, from any cause, it is desired to adjust the angle of the first packers C in
order to cause them to be more or less upright and consequently to gather with
each motion a greater or lesser quantity of the hay thrown loosely upon the
platform, such adjustment is accomplished by shifting the end of the rod G' to
another hole in the rod H³. Similarly, if from any cause it is desired to adjust
the angle of the second packers H to accomplish a similar purpose, this is effected
by adjusting the bar H in its relation to the upright post or beam A'.
In action, the bay is thrown loosely upon the platform B, and is first caught by
the revolving packers C. It is drawn forwards by these against the stops M
which have risen simultaneously with the action of the packers C, the holding
rods Qbeing meanwhile raised by the action of the revolving crank I. As the
crank I descends, the holding rods Q fall, compressing the hay into a more compact
truss. The truss of hay is then engaged by the second packers H and carried
forward on to the revolving canvas R into the trough A. On falling upon the
revolving canvas it is evenly spread by constant pressure from the revolving
spiral springs S and is carried forward end wise under the extra corrugated roller
driven by the sprocket wheel L to the feed rollers of the chaff-cutting machine.
If, from any cause, too large a quantity of hay is being supplied to the feed
rollers and consequently the latter are becoming choked, the action of the feed
rollers in opening will impart movement to the stops M from the connecting
lever P. The stops M will move closer to the first packers C and the size of the
truss will be diminished. As soon as the pressure is relieved and the feed rollers
close, the stops M will automatically resume their former position and permit of
the former quantity or size of truss.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. In power chaff-cutting machines, a series of devices substantially as herein
described, by means of which the loose hay is collected into quantities capable of
regulation, and caused to travel along the surface of an inclined platform into a
suitable receptacle where it is carried forward end wise and delivered to the feed
rollers of a chaff-cutting machine.
Second. In power chaff-cutting machines, a device for collecting bay in quantities
capable of being regulated, consisting, essentially, of a series of first packers (such
as C), stops (such as M), holding rods (such as Q), substantially as herein
described.
Third. In Fower chaff-cutting machines, the combination with a device for
collecting the hay in quantites capable of being regulated, consisting, essentially,
of a series of first packers (such as C), stops (such as. M), holding, rods (such
as Q), of a series of second packers (such as H), substantially, as herein
described.
Fourth. In power chaff-cutting machines, the combination with a device for
collecting the hay in quantities capable of being regulated, of a forwarding device
by means of which the hay-received from the, supply. platform is delivered to the
teed rollers of the chaff-cutting machine, consisting, essentially, of an endless
canvas band (such as R) travelling in a trough in a direction at right angles to

page_text: the delivery platform, substantially as herein described and for the purpose.
indicated.
Fifth. In power chaff-cutting machines, a device for evenly distributing the
hay upon the travelling canvas band consisting, essentially, of a series of spiral
springs (such as S) fixed to a revolving beam (such as S¹) and so arranged as to.
exercise a constant pressure upon the surface of the bay, substantially as herein
described.
Sixth. In power chaff-cutting machines, the construction and device for
simultaneously actuating the first packers (such as C), consisting, essentially, of a
bar (such as F), loose blocks (such as C2), and a crank shaft (such as D), and a
bar (such as G) which is supported in an upright position substantially as herein
described and for the purpose indicated.
Seventh. In power chaff-cutting machines, a device for adjusting the angle of
the first packers C, consisting of an upright bar (such as G), and a connecting rod
(such as G), and a series of holes (such as H'), preferably in a bar (such as H³).
extending upwards from the second series of packers, substantially as described
and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings herewith.
Eighth. In power chaff-cutting machines, a device for adjusting the angle of
the second packers H, consisting, essentially, of a bar (such as H'), a connecting
bar (such as H) and an upright post or beam (such as A') bolted to the main
framework of the machine, substantially as herein described and shown in
Figure 1.
Ninth. In power chaff-cutting machines, the combination with a series of first
packers (such as C) of a series of rising and falling stops (such as M), substantially
as herein described.
Tenth. In power chaff-cutting machines, a device for imparting a rising and
falling action to the stops M, consisting, essentially, of a crank bar (such as M¹).
connecting levers (such as N, N¹) a pin or stud (such as N') and a cam attachment
(such as N), substantially as herein described.
Eleventh. In power chaff-cutting machines, a device for adjusting the distance
between the first packers C and the stops M consisting, essentially, of a central
boss (such as O), a rod (such as O'), sliding pieces (such as O³), a bar (such as P₁)
fixed to the central boss (), a rod (such as P) having a projecting piece (such
as P'), being actuated by a lever P₁ attached to the feed rollers of the chaff-
cutting machine, substantially as herein described.
Twelfth. In power chaff-cutting machines, a series of holding rods (such as Q),
preferably actuated by the crank of the second packers H, and provided with a
bar (such as Q'), substantially as herein described.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1895.
A. M. & W M. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.