Improvements in Machines for Pressing and Trussing Hay, Straw, and Analogous Substances.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Jan., 1890-Accepted, 15th Mar., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Pressing and Trussing Hay, Straw,
and Analogous Substances.
GEORGE WOODVILLE 57 Keppel Road Chorlton-cum-Hardy in the county of
Lancaster Hay Cutter 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 in the application and arrangement of certain mechanism
and parts in combination with a suitable construction forming a machine for pressing
and trussing hay straw and similar substances.
Machines for this purpose usually consist of a strong foundation framework of
wood, having a platform formed thereon upon which the substance to be pressed is
placed. The upper portion of the machine consists of two or more standards
supporting a beam or arrangement of beams, forming the frame top. A pressure
board is suspended by chains which pass over pulleys or rollers carried in the press
top. In the lower portion of the frame is mounted a shaft having drums keyed
thereon to which the chains are attached.
The shaft is rotated and the chains wound in by means of a lever, and ratchet
motion or otherwise. The winding in of the chains draws the pressure board down-
wards. Suitable arrangement is made for tying the trusses under pressure, and also
for holding or releasing the pressure obtained. Machines are also made in box form
with doors for extracting the trusses, and also with rising platforms, and roof pressure
boards stationary under pressure.
The form of construction most suitable to the application of my improvements will
be readily understood from the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings. In the said drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation and
Figure 2 a side elevation of the machine I propose to construct. The construction
consists of a foundation frame (a) (a) Figures 1 and 2, upon the top of which is
formed a platform or table (b) (b). The upper portion of the construction consists of
two standards (a¹) (a¹) and a double horizontal beam (a²) (a2). Two curved vertical
back stays (c) (c) stiffen the frame and act as guide bars for the pressure board or
moveable press-top. (d) (d) is the pressure-board which consists of a rigidly
constructed and prepared plane, and is partly suspended and balanced by a chain (e) (e),
and weight (w), the said chain passing over two rollers (c¹) (c¹) mounted upon the
horizontal beam (a2). Across the faces of the platform (b), and the pressure
board (d) are formed grooves or channels for the passage of the tying up strings.
Upon the foundation frame is mounted in journals a horizontal shaft (9) (9), and
keyed thereon near each end are two spirally grooved drums (9¹) (9¹).
Loose upon the extremity of the shaft (9) is the fulcrum of a forked lever (1) (1)
between the fork of which is keyed upon the shaft a toothed wheel (h). Fitted in
the fork is a spring catch (1) Figure 2 which engages with the toothed wheel (h)
when the lever is pulled forward. The catch (1) has a projection or wing which,
when the lever is pushed backward, is caused to rise and so disengage with the
toothed wheel, by means of an inclined or curved projection (k) formed in a
convenient manner and position upon a portion of the frame. A second toothed
wheel is also fixed upon the shaft, and a pawl to engage therein, and lever (¹) for
throwing it out of gear, conveniently arranged for the purpose of retaining the
pressure while a new hold is being obtained with the lever (1).
The leading features of my invention consist firstly in the arrangement of chains
employed in the application of pressure from the shaft (g), to the pressure-board (d).
For this purpose I employ two chains (A) (A) each of which I pass twice round the
[drum (a') which is spirally grooved or otherwise.
T

page_text: One end of each chain is attached to the under side of the pressure board (d) in a
suitable manner to that shewn (A¹). The other extremity of each chain is carried
upwards and passed over the pulley (A2) mounted in the upper frame. The falling
end is then suitably connected to the under side of the pressure-board or to the
shackle at the junction (A3). Instead of each chain (A) passing twice round the
drum (g) I obtain the same effect by dividing the chain at the drum and attaching
each end thereto on opposite sides.
A second feature in my invention consists in the employment of a cord and pulley
arrangement for more quickly lowering or raising the pressure board previous to and
after applying pressure with the lever. This arrangement consists of a barrel, worm
or spirally grooved drum (B) keyed upon the shaft (7) as shewn. To the upper
part of the frame above the drum (B), is mounted a loose grooved pulley or
roller (B). A cord or rope (B3) is then passed over the drum and pulley and the
ends joined together.
A third feature of my invention consists in the employment of tee or dovetailed
grooves formed in or raised above the faces of the platforin and the pressure board as
shewn (D) (D) Figures 1, 2 and 3. In connection with these grooves I employ
metal rods or light bars (D') Figure 3, of suitable length, at the further extremity
of each of which is formed a hook for the purpose of engaging the tying up
strings (D) Figure 4 and which may thereby he drawn through the grooves while
the substance is under pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st. In a machine for pressing and trussing hay and analogous substances the
arrangement of chains upon drum and over pulley in top beam and connection in
endless fashion substantially as hereinbefore described and indicated and in and by
the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In a machine for pressing and trussing hay and analogous substances the
arrangement of endless cord or rope over spirally grooved drum, or barrel fixed on
shaft and loose pulley on frame above, substantially, as and for the purpose described
and indicated.
3rd. In a machine for pressing and trussing hay and analogous substances, the
combination of tee or dovetailed grooves or channels in the top and bottom faces of
the press, with sliding hooks substantially as and for the purpose described and
indicated.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1890.
GEORGE WOODVILLE.