IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Bains Curtis, of Tymawr, Rhuddlan, in the County
of Flint, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING
MACHINES."
Sealed the 4th November 1879, and dated the 8th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Bains Curtis at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th May 1879.
" IM-
JOHN BAINS CURTIS, of Tymawr, Rhuddlan, in the County of Flint.
PROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
The object of this Invention is to improve self delivery reaping machines and
combined mowing and reaping machines, so that the driver, without stopping the
machine, may bring all the rakes into play, or one, two, or more of them, according
to the exigencies of the crop being operated upon, or may cause them all to act
simply as dummies for swathing purposes; the machines can be fitted with four,
five, or six rakes, according to the size of the machine. The rake arms are mounted
in a crosshead situated at the top extremity of a vertical shaft in the usual manner,
beneath which crosshead is arranged a movable cam hinged on two turned studs,
so that when the rakes are required to act as dummies the cam is raised at the
front nearest to the platform and lowered at the back which lifts the rakes from
the platform. This cam is kept in its place by a spiral spring placed round a rod
connected to a lever, and this lever is connected to another lever, and against the
last mentioned lever works a series of cams suitable to make the rakes act either as
rakes or dummies, according to the exigencies of the crop operated upon; these last
mentioned cams that work the levers and give motion to the cam previously
mentioned are made of suitable metal and in separate pieces, all bolted or rivetted
firmly together, so that if one or more of them are worn or broken they can
be easily replaced.
The lower cams that give motion to the upper cam have a key-way slotted
through them, and the spindle in which it works has a key fixed into it; this cam
has also a groove turned in one end of it, so that a forked lever works into it; this
forked lever is connected to other lovers and finally placed under the control of the
.

page_text: driver; there is also a second lever under the control of the driver, so that he can
control the rake at any time without interfering in any way with the lever that is
worked by the cam, so that these levers work independently of one another.
The first motion to the rakes is taken from the main axle. The travelling wheel
is keyed on the main axle, and upon this axle there is a bevil pinion of suitable
size to work into the bevil wheel that causes the rakes to revolve; this bevil
pinion is loose and kept in its position by a collar on one side and the key on the
other side that the clutch slides upon; there is a clutch on one side of the pinion
to correspond with the sliding clutch on the main axle; this clutch is connected
with a forked lever and other suitable connections so that it is placed within the
driver's reach; the clutch lever is so arranged and acted upon by a spiral spring
that the rakes can be thrown in and out of gear by the driver, and when in gear,
when the machine is put backwards by the horses, the rakes remain stationary, but
immediately the machine is drawn forwards the rakes revolve without any assis-
tance from the driver.
The upright pedestal or bearing that carries the spindle and bevil wheel on which
the rakes are fixed works on a base secured by bolts through which the main axle
works, so that with it turning on the same centres the rakes can be brought either
forward or backwards to suit the crop and the platform.
The spindle on which the lower cams that slide backwards and forwards to give
motion to the rakes works in a bracket bolted or cast onto the main frame, and
receives its motion direct from the main axle by one spur pinion on the main axle
to one spur wheel on the cam shaft.
The main axle is a strong tube bored and turned; through this tube pass the
levers for working the top and bottom cams so that they are taken in direct com-
munication with the driver, instead of taking them round the travelling wheel, as
is the case with inany of the machines made.
The first motion to the knife is taken from an internal wheel cast in the main
wheel; in this wheel works a spur pinion; on one side of this pinion is a clutch,
and inside this clutch, works a forked lever to throw the motion of the knife in and
out of gear; below the stud or pin on which this lever works is a small box cast,
in which the lever is hinged on the side of the cover that covers the bevil wheel
and pinion for the motion of the knife; in the lower part of this box is a spiral
spring, put in loose; the end of this spring acts against a part of the lever so that
the spring presses on the lever and the lever forces the pinion into gear; but the
spindle on which this pinion works has a T-end, and this end is recessed into the
pinion; two sides of this T are square, the other or opposite two sides are bevil,
and the recess in the pinion is cut to correspond, so that when the machine goes
forward the two square sides come in contact and turn the knife gearing, and when
the machine is backed it throws itself out of gear; to prevent the wear of this 4
pinion inside, the face is recessed a little and then in the recess is fixed an iron
plate, so that the clutch is out of sight and kept from all dirt and dust.
The finger used for this machine is suitable for this and all other kinds of mowing
and reaping machines; it is made of malleable iron with a steel cutting edge
secured by two rivets, but at the root of the finger or the part that fits against the 4
finger bar this one is made open in the strongest part, that is, the part where the
strength is required is divided into two, so that the metal has a better chance to
get thoroughly annealed and thereby to have more strength and toughness over this
part; in the finger is fixed the steel plate to form the cutting edge; out of this
steel plate there is a piece cut out to correspond with the piece left open in the 5
finger; this opening is also bevilled to form a cutting edge, so it cuts or cleans all
dirt from under the knife when working, the dirt falling through the opening in
the finger, which allows the knife to work more freely and with less friction.
It is proposed to adapt and use with the above machine a new or improved knife
case, which is also used as a stand to sharpen the knives of the machines, the 5
construction of which is as follows:-
One piece of wood or other material of suitable length, one edge of which is

page_text: grooved through its entire length and of sufficient depth for the sections; on each
side of this piece of wood or other material are screwed two castings, and upon
these are bolted or hinged four legs; when opened out the bolts are tightened and
form a stand; when closed, the legs fold up on the wood, to which is fixed a handlo
for carrying the same; on one side of the wood are screwed two clips with thumb
screws in the same, so that by tightening the thumb screws the knife is fixed to the
stand for sharpening; this stand is applicable to this and all other kind of reaping
and mowing machines, the peculiar novelty consisting of the combination of a knife
case and sharpening stand in one.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Bains Curtis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
November 1879.
JOHN BAINS CURTIS, of Tymawr, Rhuddlan, in the County of Flint.
PROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
"IM-
The principal object of this Invention, which relates to certain improvements in
or applicable to self-delivery reaping and mowing-machines, and to combined reaping⚫
and mowing-machines, is to provide improved means for enabling the rakes of such
machines, when separately jointed to the cross-head (that is, when they are not
rigidly connected in pairs, and what is termed "balanced" by each other), to be
separately acted upon so that they may each, any, in any desired rotation, or all, be
caused to traverse over the platform and remove the cut crop therefrom, so as to
deliver it in a swathe, or so that sheaves of uniform size may be delivered from a
crop of varying bulk or yield, or so that they may each, any, or all be raised clear
therefrom, and be caused to act simply as dummies; the Invention has other
subsidiary objects, the nature of which is explained hereinafter.
The above referred to improved means consist of the peculiar combinations of
mechanism hereinafter described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
In carrying my Invention into practice I dispense altogether with the ordinary
fixed circular cam, and substitute in lieu thereof a continuous movable cam, which is
actuated and controlled in its movements so as to affect the independent rakes in
the manner desired by an independent series of cams, and intermediate gearing and
other means forming part of the present combinations, and within easy reach and
under the control of the driver.
One modification or combination of mechanism by which I effect the desired
result is illustrated on the accompanying Drawings, in Figures 1 and 2, which
respectively represent a sectional side elevation and a sectional plan through the
line a-b, Figure 1, of so much of a reaping machine, as is necessary to illustrate
the application of my improvements thereto.
1 represents the continuous movable cam, which I substitute in lieu of the ordi-
nary fixed cam. I mount or pivot it upon two turned studs 2 (as shown also in
1

page_text: Figure 3, which will be hereinafter referred to) as its centre of motion, the studs 2
being carried by a bracket 3 bolted to the upper part of a frame 4, up through which
runs the shaft 5 of the cross head 6, to which the rake arms 7 (of which there may
be any desired number) are separately jointed as hitherto, the frame 4 being mounted
upon the main axle 8 (which is tubular, and is carried by the main framing 9 of
the machine so as not to rotateė), and having a certain swivelling motion or freedom
of backward or forward movement thereabout, so that the rakes 10 may be caused
to sweep over the platform at optional distances therefrom, as may be desired or
suitable for the crop being cut, these distances and the swivelling motion of the
frame and all it carries being regulated by pins or bolts 11, which are inserted into
properly placed recesses or slots in the framing 9. The bracket 3 has also a capa-
bility of a slight shifting or twisting movement about the vertical centre or axis of
the frame +, it being provided with slot holes 12 in the manner illustrated in the
detail plan view, Figure 4, so that the cam 1 it carries can be turned round on the
frame 4 to cause the rake arms to suit the length of crop being cut.
The rake arms 7 have their usual circular or traversing motions imparted to them
from the travelling wheel 13 by means of a clutch 14 and bevil wheels 15, 16. The
boss 17 of the wheel 13 is mounted loosely upon the main axle 8 and the clutch 14,
which has projecting arms 18 (the ends of which are bevilled) passing through the
roots of the armı 19 of the wheel 13, and is therefore caused at all times to revolve
therewith, has a limited endway movement upon the boss 17. The wheel 15 is
mounted loosely upon the boss 17, but its position is ensured-by a collar or key
thereon, so as to be kept at all times in gear with the wheel 16, which is fast upon
the shaft 5, the upper end of which carries the crosshead 6, carrying the rake arms
7 as above mentioned. The clutch 14 is thrust into, and when required kept in
gear with the wheel or pinion 15 by means of a spring 20, which has its bearing
against a bracket 21 carried by the main axle 8, and it is thrown and kept out of
gear with the said pinion when required by means of the hand lever arrangement 22,
which is shown detached in the detail view, Figure 5 (this arrangement being carried
by the bracket 21, which also carries the driver's seat 23, the position of which is
arranged so that the various levers 22, 24, 25, and 26, which he has to manipulate,
or which require his attention, are all within easy reach), but owing to the ends of
the arms 18 being bevilled on their rear faces and the pinion 15 being correspond-
ingly formed, the former actuates the latter only when the machine is being drawn
forward, but immediately it is backed the clutch is automatically thrown out of gear
with the pinion against the resistance of the spring 20, and the rakes remain
stationary, and when the machine is again drawn forward the clutch is brought
again into gear with the pinion by means of the spring.
The tilting movements of the cam 1, by which the rakes are affected in the
_manner desired, are determined and controlled by an independent series of cams 27,
which are under the control of the driver, and by other means which will be here-
.inafter described, and which are arranged to be within easy reach of him.
'
The cams 27 are mounted upon a feathered shaft 28 (running parallel with the
main axle and carried by brackets 29 cast on or bolted to the main framing), so
as to rotate therewith, and as to have a certain shifting or endway movement
'along it..
The rotation of the cams 27 is also determined by the clutch 14 engaging with
the pinion 15, the spur wheel 30, which is keyed on their shaft 28, receiving its
motion from the spur pinion 31, which is cast with or made fast to the pinion 15,
and consequently partakes of corresponding motion therewith.
Through the main axle 8 rups a tube 32, the one end of which carries a foot
lever 24, and the other a crank 33 and guide 34. The crank 33 is suitably jointed
to a connecting rod 35 which rises therefrom, and at its top is connected to the cam
1 by means of a pivot 36 passing through it, and through depending lugs 37 of the
cam. By this connection from the foot lever 24, it will thus be seen that the cam 1 can
be instantly tilted to any desired degree, causing the rakes, the rollers 38 of which

page_text: travel thereover, to take any desired elevation or depression' as may for the moment
or for a time be advisable or necessary, the rake arms being kept to the track of
the cam by means of springs 39, the provision of which also allows of the rake arms
readily giving way without breaking, should they come in contact with 'twigs,
branches of trees, or other substances foreign to the 'crop, which may have been
unnoticed on the ground, and have got onto the platform, after harmlessly passing
which the rake-arms are immediately returned to the track of the cam by the
springs.
Between the crank 33 and guide 34 another connecting rod 40 depends from
the pivot 36; this rod is suitably jointed to a curved or other lever 41, which is
centred or bolted at 42 to a projecting box or part 43 of the main framing. The
lever 41 passes over in contact with, and is actuated by the cams 27, so as to cause
the cam 1 to tilt (downwards) at any set or desired periods, so as to cause only
those rakes in alternation or other desired rotation, which are for the time being
required to sweep the crop from the platform; tilting (upwards) at other parts of
the revolution of the cross-head, so as to cause the other rakes to act as dummies,
or otherwise as may be required.
To effect this purpose, there are a number of separate cams 27, which are bolted
or rivetted together (but which can be easily taken apart if worn or broken, and
replaced by others), each such cam being constructed to give particular motions to
the cam 1, and consequently a particular series of dipping or other motions to the
series of rakes in their traversing movements over the platform, the object of the
arrangement being as above stated to suit the sweeping motion of the rakes to the
varying bulk or yield of the crop being cut, so as to ensure sheaves of uniform
size.
The series of cams 27 are shifted along their feathered shaft 28, so as to bring
the one under the lever 41; which will cause it to give the particular motions
required to the cam 1, by means of a clutch-lever 44 engaging with a clutch-groove
45, with which the outermost one of the series of cams is formed, the clutch-lever
44 being fixed on one end of a shaft 46 passing through the tube 32, the other end
of which shaft is connected to the hand lever arrangement 25, shown in Figure 5,
and which is carried by the bracket 21, and can be set in any desired position, 47
being its centre of motion by means of a catch-lever 48 centred at 49, and having a
projection 50 which can be set into any one of a series of holes 51 in the
bracket 21.
By thus arranging the actuating levers of the cam 1 within the main-axle 8, I
am enabled to obtain a more direct communication between the driver and the
rakes than can be obtained by leading them round the travelling wheel, or other-
wise arranging them as has been previously done.
The return motion of the cam 1 is promptly effected after each succeeding
upward tilt, so as to be in the various desired positions for the succeeding rake-arms
by means of a spring 52 (see Figure 1), which may be encased, and which has its
bearing against a plate 53 bolted or rivetted to depending lugs 54 (which act as
guides for the lugs 37 of the cam 1) projecting from the bracket 3, and also bears
against the lower projecting ends of a 1-shaped plate 55, which is also swung
from the pivot 36 between the connecting rods 35 and 40, which are encircled by
the spring.
In Figure 3 is illustrated a more simple means of tilting the cam 1, as desired,
otherwise than by the foot-lever 24 as above described. According to this modifi-
cation, I dispense altogether with the connecting-rod 40, the lever 41, the cams 27,
and their adjunctive connections or apparatus, and substitute in lieu thereof a roller
56, turning on a stud 57, carried by the connecting-rod 35, and a series of sliding
cam-segments 58 carried upon the upper face of the wheel 16, the function of which
has been hereinbefore referred to. These cam-segments are slotted, and have a
limited freedom of radial movement, being guided and set by set-screws 59, and
can be individually set so as to come under the roller 56 in any desired rotation,
and act thereupon, and so affect the cam 1 and rake-arms 7 as required. When

page_text: required for swathing purposes, every cam segment 58 is drawn back, and thus
every rake delivers the cut crop from the platform.
It will thus be seen how that the main object of my Invention is obtained by
the above described peculiar combinations of parts.
My Invention also comprises the fitting of the outermost tooth 60 of each rake
with a spiral or other spring 61, in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, with the
object of causing it to work well into the outer edge or end of the platform, so as
to keep the same free from any accumulation of the cut crop.
My Invention also comprises improved means of regulating the height of the cut.
To attain this object, I cast the front end of the main framing with teeth 62, which
gear with a spur wheel or quadrant 63, keyed on a spindle 64, on the other end of
which is fixed a ratchet-lever (not shown on the annexed Drawings), by means of
which the driver is enabled to regulate the height of the cut from the seat 23. 65
represents the draught-pole bolted to the bar 66, which is centred around the inner
bracket or boss 29, and is bolted through the curved slot 67, which permits of the
raising and lowering motions of the main framing in regulating the height of the
cut as above described.
My Invention also comprises a novel means of throwing the knife out of gear
during or upon any backward movement of the machine or of the travelling wheel 13
taking place To effect this automatically I adapt the usual shaft 68 communicating
from the internal driving spur wheel 69 (cast with the travelling wheel 13) to the
bevil gearing 70, which actuates the crank 71 of the knife, with a T-end 72, as
shown in Figure 2, one projection of which is cut square, the other being bevilled,
and I also adapt the pinion 73, which gears with the wheel 69, with a recess 74,
shown also in the detached view, Figure 6, opposite sides of which are cut square,
other parts thereof being bevilled, as will be readily seen. The action of this
arrangement is such that upon the machine being drawn forwards, the square parts
of the recess 74 of the pinion 73 engage with the square projection of the T end 72
of the shaft 68, and thus cause the knife to be actuated by the other means men-
tioned, whereas upon the direction of movement of the machine being reversed the
bevilled parts of the recess or pinion slide over the bevilled projection of the Tend
of the shaft without engaging with or actuating the same, so that it throws itself
out of gear. The recess 74 is closed in by a diaphragm 75, which keeps dirt from
obtaining any access to the interior. The pinion 73 can be thrown out of gear
with the wheel 69 at any time by means of the hand-lever arrangement 26 shown
in the detached view, Figure 7, the boxed spring 76 at other times tending to keep
the said pinion and wheel in gear.
My Invention also comprises an improved method of forming the fingers of such
machines, with the objects of getting the wearing surface more thoroughly annealed
than has been possible hitherto, and so as to obtain greater toughness and strength,
and of allowing of any dirt getting quickly removed during the working of the
knife, so as to allow the latter working more freely and with less friction. than
hitherto. To attain these objects I make the fingers 77 of malleable iron, with a
steel cutting edge 78, secured by two rivets 79, see Figure 8, and the root 80 of the
finger, or that part which fits against the finger-bar 81 (Figure 2), I make open, so
that the metal has a better chance of getting thoroughly annealed. Over this part of
the finger is rivetted the steel liner or plate 78 which forms the cutting edge; this
plate is formed (as shown in Figure 9) to correspond with the opening (80) in the
finger, and the opening 82 in it is also bevilled to form a cutting edge, so as to
clean all dirt from under the knife while working, the dirt falling through the
opening 82, 80, and easing the motion of the knife."
My Invention also comprises an improved knife case, which is also applicable as
a stand for holding the knife while being sharpened.
The combined case and stand is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, and is con-
structed of hard wood or other suitable material of a sufficient length and depth
for the knives it is intended to contain. The under edge 83 is grooved as a case
for receiving and holding the knife or spare knives, which are kept in position by

page_text: means of an anvil 84 of the shape shown in Figure 12, and which fits the case and
is tightened in position by means of a thumbscrew 85. This anvil is also used for
rivetting the cutting sections onto the knife bars, and for punching the rivets out of
the same, 86 being the rivetting face, and 87 the aperture through which the rivets
are punched out. The other edge 88 of the case is left plain, so that when it is
required to sharpen the knife it can be tightened against the same by two thumb-
screws 89 in two clips 90 which are screwed to one side of the case. To each side
and at each end of the case are bolted two legs 91 which can be opened out and
screwed up tightly to form a stand, and can be folded up close to the sides of the
case at other times, the case being provided with a handle 92 for convenience of
being carried with one hand from field to field.
On the accompanying Drawings Figures 1, 2, and 4 to 7 are drawn to a scale
of about two inches to a foot; Figure 3 of about three inches to a foot; Figures 8
and 9 of about six inches to a foot; and Figures 10 and 11 of about one inch to a
foot.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention secured to me by the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,--
Firstly. The substitution in lieu of the ordinary fixed circular cam of a con-
tinuous movable cam in combination with a series of actuating levers led through
the main axle of the machine, and with an independent series of cams actuated
only at such times as the rake arms are having their usual traversing motions
around the path of the cam given to them by suitable gearing deriving motion
from a common source, namely, a clutch which partakes of all rotative motion with
the travelling wheel, having however an independent movement longitudinally
about its boss imparted by suitable means, and by means of which levers and cams,
and of a spring and other connecting means hereinbefore described, the said moveable
cam has certain tilting movements given to it for the purpose of causing each, any,
in any desired rotation, or all of the rakes to travel over the platform and remove
the cut crops therefrom, so as to deliver it in a swathe, or so that sheaves of uniform
size may be delivered from a crop of varying bulk or yield, or so that they may
each, any, or all be raised clear therefrom, and be caused to act simply as dummies,
such continuous movable cam being mounted in a bracket carried by a frame each
of which is capable of a limited turning movement about its centre, with the object
of accommodating the rakes to sweep at optional distances from the platform, and
to suit the length of crop being cut, all substantially as hereinbefore described, and
as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and in the detail views, Figures 4 and 5 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The modified arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying
Drawings, for actuating the above referred to continuous movable cam, otherwise
than by the foot lever arrangement and its connections herein before described,
and consisting in the substitution of the sliding cam segments 58, carried by the
wheel 16, and the roller 56 carried by the connecting rod 35 in lieu of the cams 27,
the lever 41, and the connecting rod 40, and their adjunctive connections or appa-
ratus, as combined in the preceding modification and claim, substantially as herein-
before described, and as illustrated in the Figure referred to.
Thirdly. The fitting of the outermost tooth of each rake with a spiral or other
spring, in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, and for the purpose herein before
described.
Fourthly. The above described improved means of regulating the height of the cut
of the knife, consisting in slotting and casting the front end of the main frame, with
teeth gearing with a spur wheel or quadrant keyed on a spindle actuated by a ratchet
lever within reach of the driver, substantially as described, and as illustrated in
Figure 2.

page_text: Fifthly. The above described improved means of automatically throwing the
knife out of gear during or upon any backward movement of the machine or of the
travelling wheel taking place, and consisting in forming the pinion 73 with a recess
enclosed from the access of dirt or dust partly square and partly bevil, and in
forming the end of the shaft 68 with a T end, also partly square and partly bevil,
the action of the arrangement being such that the pinion throws itself out of gear
upon any backward movement of the travelling-wheel taking place (and from an
internal spur wheel cast therewith it derives its motion), substantially as described,
and as illustrated in Figures 2, 6, and 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixthly. The above described improved method of forming the fingers of such
machines, and consisting in making the rear part of the malleable iron finger and
the steel liner or cutting edge open, so as to allow of the metal getting better
annealed than hitherto, and of all dirt getting cleaned away, and of the knife
working easier, substantially as described, and as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of
the accompanying Drawings.
And Seventhly. The combining in one appliance of a knife case and of a stand
for holding the same while being sharpened, substantially as herein before described,
and as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, and in the detail view, Figure 12 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Bains Curtis, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.