IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH REAPING MACHINES, AND RELATING TO SHEAF-BINDING MECHANISM
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry James Hogg King, of Newmarket, in the County
"
of Gloucester, Engineer, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
CONNECTED WITH REAPING MACHINES, AND RELATING TO SHEAF-BINDING
MECHANISM."
Sealed the 7th January 1879, and dated the 9th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry James Hogg King at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th July 1878.
HENRY JAMES HOGG KING, of Newmarket, in the County of Gloucester, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH REAPING MACHINES, AND RELATING TO
SHEAF-BINDING MECHANISM."
This Invention has principally for its object to improve the construction, action,
and efficiency of automatic sheaf-binding mechanism, but also comprises improve-
ments to be applied to the laying reel and the gathering apparatus of the reaping
machine, with the view of supplying the crop to the binding mechanism in a better
manner.
The improved binding mechanism is designed for using string, and for securing it
by knotting, the sheaf being held during the knotting operation between a curved
binding arm, which is on the inner side of it, and one or more retaining or com-
pressing arms, which are on the outside. The string may be comparatively light,
as the compressing action is not effected by it. The binding and retaining arms
are upon horizontal spindles above the sheaf, being overhung from the framing at
one end of the space for the sheaf, so as to extend over to the middle of the sheaf.
The retaining arms are turned outwards and upwards when the sheaf is bound and
ready to be released.
As each bundle of crop to form a sheaf is being guided over a curved metal sheet
or board into the position for binding, the binding arm is in its raised position
(having been turned inwards and upwards on its spindle), and the string, which is

page_text: drawn off a ball or bobbin and led in any convenient way to the point of the
binding arm, is then extending therefrom down to a point below the binding
position, where its end is held. The bundle of crop is consequently moved outwards
against the string, which becomes thereby applied to its outer side, and the string is
next carried down, so as to completely encircle it, by the binding arm turning
downwards, this movement carrying the point of the arm a short distance outwards,
beyond the middle point under the sheaf. The string issues from the end of the
binding arm through a hole in a double-pointed wedge, which is, by the movement
of the arm, passed between a horizontal tube and one or other of two rollers
beneath, so as to leave the string caught between the tube and a roller. The two
rollers are carried by separate short levers, to which springs are applied, to make
the rollers bear firmly up against the tube, to hold the string ends securely. The
string just passed round the sheaf, and between the tube and one of the rollers, is
cut between them and the end of the binding arm, and then the two free ends of
the string for binding the sheaf are held between the tube and the rollers, the other
free end having been caught between the tube and a roller at the previous back-
ward movement of the binding arm. The tube, which is fluted or otherwise
roughened at the part where the string ends are, is then made to rotate, so as to
tighten the string round the sheaf; after which the free ends are, by means of one
or two curved fingers, laid partly round the parts of the string, between the tube
and the sheaf, and into a recess between the end of the tube and a cap formed or
fixed on the end of a rod inside the tube. The rod next moves inwards, and its cap
grips the string ends against the end of the tube, and continuing to move pushes
the tube itself into a socket or bearing, from which it projected (or the socket is
moved forwards over the tube), and thereby causes the coils round the tube to slip
off over the string ends that are drawn in, and thus form the knot, which is
tightened to any required degree by the rod and tube being moved sufficiently
inwards.
The movements for forming and tightening the knot are derived from a cam
drum, which may be turned continuously or intermittently, or in opposite directions
alternately, and which after each action returns the parts to their several starting
positions.
If found necessary or desirable for the greater security of the string end and
certainty of the knotting action the string after being placed between the tube and
rollers may by the further forward movement of the binding arm be laid between
the teeth of a nipper wheel. This wheel is like a deeply-grooved pulley with the
two rims formed into teeth, and there is combined with it a wedge piece, or a
wedge-like wheel, which is pressed into the groove of the nipper wheel by a
spring.
The string is laid between the teeth and across the groove, and then by the
turning of the nipper wheel becomes nipped between it and the wedge piece or
wheel.
For cutting or severing the string a small rotating saw or knife is employed; or
the parts are made strong enough to break the string, and thereby avoid the
uncertainty of action of cutters.
The crop may be carried from the platform of the reaper to the binding apparatus
by rakes of the kind described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
Ernest George Cook Bomford and the present applicant, and dated 15 March, 1876,
(No. 1112), or by means of a combination of endless aprons, comprising a horizontal
one on the platform and a single hooked apron at the side, or with two inclined
ones at the side with the crop passing up between them, these aprons being
driven intermittently, or otherwise arranged to deliver the crop to the binding
apparatus in separate quantities suitable for sheaves; or the aprons may be driven
continuously, whilst transverse movements are imparted to the binding arm and
parts connected therewith, so as to keep the portion of crop that is being bound
separate from the succeeding portions.
When rakes are used, as described in the earlier Specification herein-before

page_text: referred to, they are by the present Invention made to move so much further to the
side than formerly as to carry them quite under the plate or board supporting the
sheaf whilst being bound, in order that when the rake prongs are being turned
down there may be no straws under them to obstruct their proper action.
A further improvement consists in making the rake prongs telescopic, so that
their effective lengths may be varied.
In one arrangement comprised in the present Invention the inclined aprons at the
side are not used and the crop passes off from the borizontal platform apron upon
curved arms or plates fixed on a longitudinal shaft, having three or other suitable
number of sets of such arms or plates, and which shaft makes a third or other
corresponding part of a turn at intervals, lifting up into the binding position at
each part turn the quantity for a sheaf, and by the same movement bringing round
another set of arms or plates to receive the next quantity.
In combination with this lifter, as it may be termed, there may be above the end
of the platform apron another longitudinal shaft, making half turns intermittently,
and having arms or rods which keep back the crop, except at the intervals when
the half turns are made, and then push the crop into the lifter. This intermittent
pusher may be combined with the arrangement of binding and knotting apparatus
herein-before described, or with a modification thereof, in which the parts are
inverted.
There may also be combined with the intermittent pusher, or be used instead of
it, a rake or paddle worked by a revolving crank or cranks, so as to keep back the
crop at one part of its course, then move with the quantity for a sheaf into the
binding position, and afterwards rise and return backwards over that quantity.
Another part of the present Invention consists in an improved arrangement of
the reel or paddle which lays the crop down upon the reaper platform. As hitherto
constructed by the present applicant the reel has made only one turn for each
sheaf, and has in consequence required to be of comparatively large diameter, so
as to obtain the necessary velocity of the paddle when striking the wheat or
other crop.
By the present Invention the paddle is made to feather suddenly by the action of
a strong spring, which draws in the feathering rod on its inner end, passing the
point of a spiral cam, which is stationary, and can be adjusted to impart the
feathering stroke at whatever is in practice found to be the best part of the
revolution of the reel.
By a further improvement the spiral cam is made to rotate at one-half the speed
of the reel, so that the feathering action takes place at every alternate turn of the
reel, which can consequently be made smaller and be driven at a greater speed.
Some of the improvements herein-before described may, instead of the knotting
mechanism, have combined with them twisting mechanism described in the Speci-
fication of Letters Patent obtained by the present applicant, and dated 9 July
1877 (No. 2638).

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry James Hogg King in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
January 1879.
HENRY JAMES HOGG KING, of Newmarket, in the County of Gloucester, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH REAPING MACHINES, AND RELATING TO
SHEAF-BINDING MECHANISM."
My said Invention has principally for its object to improve the construction,
action, and efficiency of automatic sheaf binding mechanism, but also comprises
improvements to be applied to the laying reel and the gathering apparatus of the
reaping machine with the view of supplying the crop to the binding mechanism in
a better manner.
My improved binding mechanism is designed for using string and for securing it
by knotting, the sheaf being held during the knotting operation between a curved
binding arm which is on the inner side of it, and one or more retaining or com-
pressing arms which are on the outside. The string may be comparatively light, as
the compressing action is not effected by it. The binding and retaining arms are
upon horizontal spindles above the sheaf, being overhung from the framing at one
end of the space for the sheaf, so as to extend over to the middle of the sheaf. The
retaining arms are turned outwards and upwards when the sheaf is bound and
ready to be released.
As each bundle of crop to form a sheaf is being guided over a curved metal sheet
or board into the position for binding the binding arm is in its raised position
(having been turned inwards and upwards on its spindle), and the string, which is
drawn off a ball or bobbin, and led in any convenient way to the point of the
binding arm, is then extending therefrom down to a point below the binding
position where its end is held. The bundle of crop is consequently moved outwards
against the string, which becomes thereby applied to its outer side, and the string
is next carried down so as to completely encircle it by the binding arm turning
downwards, this movement carrying the point of the arm a short distance outwards
beyond the middle point under the sheaf. The string issues from the end of the
binding arm through a hole in a double pointed wedge, which is by the move-
ment of the arm passed between a horizontal tube and one or other of two rollers
beneath so as to leave the string caught between the tube and a roller. The string
just passed round the sheaf and between the tube and one of the rollers is cut
between them and the end of the binding arm, and then the two free ends of the
string for binding the sheaf are held between the tube and the rollers, the other
free end having been caught between the tube and a roller at the previous
backward movement of the binding arm. The tube, which is fluted or otherwise
roughened at the part where the string ends are, is then made to rotate so as to
tighten the string round the sheaf, after which the free ends are knotted in a
manner and by mechanism herein-after described.
The movements for forming and tightening the knot are derived from a cam
drum which may be turned continuously or intermittently or in opposite directions
alternately, and which, after each action, returns the parts to their several starting
positions.
If found necessary or desirable for the greater security of the string end and
certainty of the knotting action the string, after being placed between the tube and
rollers, may, by the further forward movement of the binding arm, be laid between
the teeth of a nipper wheel. This wheel is like a deeply grooved pulley with the
two rims formed into teeth, and there is combined with it a wedge piece or a
wedge-like wheel, which is pressed into the groove of the nipper wheel by a
spring.

page_text: The string is laid between the teeth and across the groove, and then by tho
turning of the nipper wheel becomes nipped between it and the wedge piece or
wheel.
For cutting or severing the string a small rotating saw or knife is employed; or
the parts are made strong enough to break the string, and thereby avoid the
uncertainty of action of cutters.
The crop may be carried from the platform of the reaper to the binding apparatus
by rakes of the kind described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
Ernest George Cook Bomford and myself, and dated 15 March 1876 (No. 1112), or
by means of a combination of endless aprons comprising a horizontal one on the
platform and a single hooked apron at the side or with two inclined ones at the
side with the crop passing up between them, these aprons being driven intermit-
tently or otherwise arranged to deliver the crop to the binding apparatus in separato
quantities suitable for sheaves. Or the the aprons may be driven continuously
whilst transverse movements are imparted to the binding arm and parts connected
therewith so as to keep the portion of crop that is being bound separate from the
succeeding portions.
And in order that my present Invention, which comprises other improvements
or modifications besides those herein-before referred to, may be properly understood
and carried into effect I hereunto append three Sheets of explanatory Drawings, to
be herein-after referred to, in particularly describing my improvements.
In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or
like parts wherever they are repeated.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, is a sectional plan, and
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation, showing one modification of my improved sheaf
binding and knotting mechanism; whilst Figure 3, on Sheet 2, is a sectional eleva-
tion, as at right angles to Figure 2. In Figure 3, the binder arm 1 and the
compressing arm are shown in the positions they have when they have collected
and are embracing a bundle of crop during the time that the string 3 (which term
is herein-after used to denote any suitable binding material) is being tightened and
tied into a knot; and in the other Figures such parts as are delineated are shown
in corresponding positions. The string 3, which is drawn off a bobbin or ball and
is guided in any convenient way to the centre of the binding arm 1, is guided along
a groove formed in the arm and through an eye in a double-ended wedge 4, formed
or fixed as a projection on one side of the binding arm near its point. When the
binding arm 1 opens to receive a fresh bundle of crop, the wedge 4 passes through
or between a roller 5 and a tube 6, the roller 5 being one of a pair 5, 7, situated
side by side and carried by levers 8, 9, which are acted on by springs so as to bear
the rollers forcibly up against the tube 6. The passage of the wedge 4 momentarily
depresses the roller 5, but it flies back and nips the string between it and the tube 6.
When the binding arm 1 returns down again, a slight lateral movement causes the
wedge 4 to pass between the second 7 of the two rollers, so that when the knot. is
about to be tied the two ends of the string are held between the tube 6 and the two
nipping rollers 5, 7. When the binding arm 1 rises, the string 3, its end being held
below, is distended vertically, and the bundle of crop carries it outwards (towards
the left hand in Figure 3), so that when the binding arm 1 descends again behind
the bundle, the string 3 has become applied completely round the bundle. As soon
as the string has been caught on the descent of the binding arm 1, the tube 6 begins
to revolve, being driven round by the teeth 10 on the drum 11 acting on the pinion
teeth 12 formed on the tube, and the tube being fluted or roughened it draws the
string tight round the sheaf. The string 3 is next cut by means of a rotating disc
knife 13, carried by a lever 14, by which it is moved into the position for cutting
at the proper time, after which the two free ends of the piece of string that is round
the sheaf are wound or laid round the tube 6 by a hook 15 attached to a wheel 16.
Just before rotating the wheel 16 and hook 15 are moved backwards about an inch,
so that the string ends are laid behind the parts of the string passing from the sheaf
to the nipping rollers. The hook 15 makes rather more than one-third of a turn,

page_text: and lays the string ends below a hook 17, which then moves round and carries the
string ends across the end of the tube 6.
The hook 17 is on the upper end of a vertical spindle, which has on its lower part
a pinion 19 gearing with a rack or toothed bar 20, and this bar 20 is worked by
means of a pin 21 on it engaging in a cam groove 22 on the drum 11. Within the
tube 6 there is a sliding bar 23, having an arrow head, and the hook 17 lays the
string ends in the notch or space 18, between the arrow head and the end of the
tube 6. The sliding bar 23 is then drawn in and nips the string ends against the
end of the tube 6, and continuing its motion moves the tube 6 with it, and with the
parts of the string to form the centre of the knot into the hole or socket, in which
the tube 6, leaving the loop against the face 24 of the socket. This movement of
the sliding bar 23 is produced by the action of a cam groove 25 in the drum 11 on
a roller 26, which is fitted to a sleeve 27 on the bar 23, the sleeve 27 moving the
bar 23 itself through a spiral spring 28. The knot is now completed and the bound
sheaf is immediately afterwards thrown out, the various parts of the knotting
mechanism being returned to their starting positions by the reversal of the motion
of the cam drum 11. The rotating disc knife 13 may be driven by means of a belt
or cord acting on a pulley on its spindle, or by toothed gearing. Instead of the
piece 6 being tubular; it and the bar 23 may together form a mandril in any conve-
nient way, it being however essential that they should together fill the socket 24
sufficiently to prevent the entrance of the loop therein.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, on Sheet 3 of the accompanying Drawings, show the essential
parts of the modification of my improved sheaf binding apparatus, in which the
crop is supplied in a continuous stream to the binding cradle or platform, each
bundle or sheaf being moved outwards whilst being bound. Figures 4 and 5 are
vertical sections as at right angles to each other; Figure 6 is an elevation at right
angles to Figure 5 of parts not seen in Figure 4; and Figure 7 represents certain
details in plan. In this modification the binding arm 1 and compressing arm 2 are
fitted upon a movable framing 33 fitted to slide on two bars 34, 35, fixed to the
main framing of the machine. This framing 33 is moved by means of a rotating
crank 36, the connecting rod of which carries a pinion 37 backwards and forwards
over rack teeth on the bar 35, the pinion 37 gearing on its upper side with a
toothed rack 38 fixed to the framing 33, so that this framing has double the move-
ment of the pinion. When the framing 33 gets nearly to the outer end of its
movement, it is necessary for the arms 1, 2, to open and release the sheaf. Crank
arms 39, 40, are fixed to shafts (one of which is tubular with the other passing
through it) having the arms 1, 2, on their outer ends, and these crank arms 39, 40,
are connected by links 42, 43, (one of which is a strong spring) to a crank pin 41
on a toothed disc 44, which gears with a toothed rack 46. This rack 46 towards
the end of the outward movement of the framing 33 encounters a stop 47, and then
turns the disc 44 so as to move the pin 41 to its upper dead centre, which causes
the opening of the arms 1, 2, and then holds them open in consequence of the
position of the pin 41. Then on the framing 33 moving inwards, the rack 46
encounters a stop 48 which makes it turn the toothed disc 44 back again, causing
the arms 1, 2, to close and embrace a fresh quantity of crop to form a sheaf.
The arrangement causes the movements of the arms 1, 2, to be gradual and
easy. The cam drum 11 of the knotting mechanism is shown in Figure 5, and
other parts are indicated in Figure 4, the shaft of the drum 11 being turned by
means of a pinion 50 which gears with a rack 51 fixed to the main framing of the
machine, so that the to-and-fro movement of the framing 33 brings about the
required backward and forward rotations of the drum in a very simple manner.
This to-and-fro binder, the modification last herein-before described, whilst
admitting of a continuous transference of the crop from the reaper platform to the
binder, and consequently of simplified transferring apparatus, has also the advantage
of making good separations between the successive sheaves; and as each sheaf may
be pushed off the machine by its successor, no mechanism for that purpose is
required.

page_text: When rakes are used for transferring the crop to the binder as described in the
earlier Specification herein-before referred to, they are by my present Invention
made to move so much further to the side than formerly, as to carry the prongs 52,
Figure 8, Sheet 3, quite under the plate or board 53, so that there may be no straws
under the prongs to obstruct their proper action.
A further improvement consists in making the rake prongs telescopic, so that
their effective lengths may be varied.
In one arrangement comprised in my present Invention the inclined aprons at
the side are not used, and the crop passes off as shown in Figure 9, Sheet 3, from
the horizontal apron 54 on curved arms or plates 55 fixed on a longitudinal
shaft 56, having three or other suitable number of sets of such arms or plates 55,
and which shaft 56 makes a third or other corresponding part of a turn at intervals,
lifting up into the binding position at each part turn the quantity for a sheaf, and
by the same movement bringing round another set of arms or plates to receive the
next quantity.
In combination with this lifter, as it may be termed, there may be above the
end of the platform apron 54 another longitudinal shaft 57 making half turns
intermittently, and having arms 58 which keep back the crop except at the
intervals when the half turns are made, and then push the crop into the lifter.
Each bundle of crop may be received from the lifting arms 55 by curved arms or
plates 59 in the position shown in full lines, or in the lower position indicated
by dotted lines. The intermittent pusher 57, 58, may be combined with the
arrangement of binding and knotting apparatus herein-before described, or with a
modification thereof in which the parts are inverted.
There may also be combined with the intermittent pusher, or be used instead of
it, and as shown in Figure 10, Sheet 3, a rake or paddle 60, worked by a rotating
crank 61, so as to keep back the crop at one part of its course, then move with the
quantity for a sheaf into the binding position, and afterwards rise and return back-
wards over that quantity. The action of the rake or paddle 60 may be regulated
by a radius bar 62, to which its upper end is jointed, or by a second rotating crank
connected to its upper end.
Another part of iny present Invention consists in an improved arrangement of
the reel or paddle which lays the crop down upon the reaper platform. As hitherto
constructed by me the reel has made only one turn for each sheaf, and has in con-
sequence required to be of comparatively large diameter, so as to obtain the necessary
velocity of the paddle when striking the wheat or other crop.
By my present Invention the paddle is made to feather suddenly by the action
of a strong spring, which, as formerly arranged by me, draws in the feathering rod
on its inner end, passing the point of a spiral cam which was stationary, but which
I now cause to rotate at one-half the speed of the reel, so that the feathering action
place at every alternate turn of the reel. The reel can consequently be made
smaller, and be driven at a greater speed.
Some of my improvements herein-before described may, instead of the knotting
mechanism, have combined with them twisting mechanism such as is described in
the Specification of Letters Patent obtained by me, and dated 9 July 1877
(No. 2638).
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and original and
claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The arranging or combining together of parts to form sheaf binding and
knotting mechanism for reaping machines, substantially in the improved manner
herein-before described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 of the accompanying
Drawings.
2. The application of a revolving disc knife for cutting the string or binding
material, as herein-before described.

page_text: 3. The combination of the nipping rollers (5, 7,) with the tube (6), and the
imparting of rotation to the tube for tightening the binding material round the
sheaf, as herein-before described.
4. The combination of the tube (6), its socket or recess, and the sliding bar (23)
with the hooks (15, 17,) for forming the knot, the parts operating substantially in
the manner herein-before described.
5. The use or application of parts, substantially such as are herein-before
described, for knotting the sheaf-binding material by forming and holding the loop
against the face or end of a socket or hole, into which the ends are drawn by a pair
of bars (6, 23,) which fill the hole sufficiently to prevent the entrance of the loop
therein.
6. The arranging or combining together of the parts of binding mechanism, as
herein-before described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 of the accompanying
Drawings.
7. The combination of the rotating crank (36), pinion (37), fixed rack (35), and
rack (38) on the movable framing (33) for imparting a to-and-fro motion to sheaf-
binding apparatus, as herein-before described.
8. The improvement in the platform rake herein-before described, with reference
to Figure 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
9. The combinations of parts herein-before described with reference to Figures 9
and 10 of the accompanying Drawings, for transferring the crop from the platform
to sheaf-binding apparatus.
10. The operating of the feathering paddle of a crop-laying reel by means of a
spiral cam rotating at half the speed of the reel, as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry James Hogg King, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
TURS TOO
TINA
HENRY JAMES HOGG KING. (L.S.)