IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GATHERING AND BINDING CORN AND OTHER CUT CROPS INTO SHEAVES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Woolnough and Christopher Kingsford, both of
Kingston, in the County of Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR GATHERING AND BINDING CORN AND OTHER CUT CROPS
INTO SHEAVES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Woolnough and
Christopher Kingsford at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
7th April 1880.
WILLIAM WOOLNOUGH and CHRISTOPHER KINGSFORD, both of Kingston, in the
County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GATHERING AND BINDING
CORN AND OTHER CUT CROPS INTO SUEAVES."
Our Invention relates to improvements on an Invention described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to us and dated October 18th, 1878, No.
4155. It refers,―
First. To an improved form of arm described in the Specification of the Patent
before referred to for carrying the string or other binding material round tho
bundle to be bound, and of a multiple arm or set of arms mounted on a spindle,
which has imparted to it an intermittent revolving motion.
Secondly. To improvements in the construction of several of the parts apper-
taining to the tying apparatus, as described in the Specification of our former
Patent.
Thirdly. To an improved arrangement of the several parts of the machine
formerly described for gathering the corn or other cut crop as it is raked off from
the table or platform of a self delivering reaper and for binding the same into
sheaves.
Fourthly. To a new arrangement of machine for the same purpose constructed
with the multiple string carrying arms or sets of arms, and receiving its motion
from the reaper, with which it may be combined or otherwise.
Fifthly. To an independent machine for collecting, picking up, and binding corn
or other cut crops into sheaves.
Sixthly. To a combination of two machines described in parts 4 and 5 capable
of being converted one into the other when required.

page_text: The first. part of our Invention relates to an improved form of lifting arm, also
in the removal of the oscillating nippers, which, as described in the Specification
of our former Patent, formed part of said arm, and in placing them in the frame
containing the several parts which comprise the knotting apparatus. The arm is
made to fall back and rise as heretofore, enclosing at each stroke a bundle of corn,
at the same time encircling the same with the string or tying material. The load
or jaw of the arm is made to swing on a centre having rollers or their equivalent
fixed at or near the centre of motion and at the extreme end of the jaw, over
which the string is led or guided up to the oscillating nippers. Said jaw is thus
free to follow up the sheaf, which is at the same time compressed by a spring arm
or bar, and brings it close to the knotting gear, thereby aiding in producing a
_tightly tied sheaf.
In place of the lifting arm aforesaid-having-to-fall-back in order to receive a
bundle, we in some cases combine several, say, three arms, and mount the same
equidistant on a spindle, which has imparted to it intermittent revolving motion,
thus the arms lift each in succession a bundle of corn encircled by the binding
material. Each arm is furnished with a head or jaw, which is depressed by means
of an inclined plane while passing under the fork and nippers of the tying gear.
Secondly. For improvements in the several parts constituting the tying apparatus,
which may be described as follows:-
The oscillating nippers are transferred from the head of the lifting arm, as
specified and shewn in the Specification of our former Patent, and are fixed on a
pivot or stud in a suitable position in the frame or plate, which carries the other
parts of the knotting gear.
The fork for twisting the string is constructed with a look on one prong and a.
notch with inclined guide for leading the string into the said notch on the other
prong, otherwise it resembles and its motions are similar to that described with
reference to our former Patent.
The nippers or pincers for drawing the string through the loop are made in two
pieces jointed and crossed, and by means of a reciprocating motion they are made
to open and close their jaws at each end of the stroke; this is accomplished by the
aid of a movable shuttle or clip, which moves with the nippers until arrested by
certain stops, when curves or inclined parts of the nippers pass through the shuttle
and are thereby opened and closed.
The fork spring for tightening the knot down upon the sheaf we construct
substantially as described in our former Patent with the addition of a cross spring
for pressing down the knot, which accommodates itself to and follows the knot as
it is forced close to the sheaf.
We cut the string by means of a fixed knife, and employ a hook having an
independent motion, which hook draws the strings up to the open jaws of the
reciprocating nippers, which seize them, and immediately afterwards against the
cutting edge of the knife..
We impart motion to the several parts hereinbefore described through the
medium of a rocking plate or quadrant furnished with grooves or slots of the
required form for giving the required movement to the respective parts of
the apparatus.
Thirdly. The improved arrangements of the several parts of the machine for
gathering and binding corn described in our former Patent consist chiefly in the
manner by which the corn or cut crop is conveyed from a self delivering reaper
and gathered together and brought into a suitable position to be bound.
We retain the securing platform described in our former Patent, but in place of
said platform being made to tilt the bundle of corn into the arms of the tying
apparatus, we construct a secondary platform or arrangement of tilting bars, which
receive the corn from the platform proper and tilt it into the arms of the tying
apparatus. We also place one or more curved arms on each side of the string
carrying a lifting arm, which we cause to rise in advance of said arm and to work
in conjunction with arms centred to the upper frame, which meet the corn as it is

page_text: tilted on to the string arm and press it down upon the string. Thus by the
combined action of said arms the sheaf is forced into the position required; the
string carrying arm then completes its stroke, and the string is brought round
the sheaf and held while the knot is tied.
The platform, arms, and rocking shafts have their several movements imparted
to them by means of cams and levers, which receive their motion from the driving
shaft and ground wheel or wheels, as the case may be, and the whole is thrown into
gear each time that a bundle is delivered by the reaper, either by the driver or
automatically.
The fourth part of our Invention relates to a machine for gathering and binding
corn or other cut crops when delivered to it in sheaf quantities by the rakes of a
self delivering reaper. The machine may be fixed to any suitable part of the
framing of a reaper, or it may travel on its own wheels or on one wheel, the other
end of inain spindle or axle being supported by the reaper.
The machine is constructed as follows:-At the rear of the "reaper" platform we
fix a series of rollers or drums carrying endless bands, upon which the corn is
delivered by the rakes of the reaper to which it is attached; these endless bands
convey the corn towards the binding apparatus, which is situated near the side of
the driving wheel, and pass it under a corresponding series of revolving spoked
wheels, which collect it into a bundle; at the same time two or more curved arins
advance and sweep the bundle into the space lying between two of the radial and
equidistant arms, herein before described; the bundle is thus pressed against the
string, which is extended between the jaw of the arm and the oscillating nippers,
when the spindle together with the string carrying arms makes a partial revolution,
bringing the bundle of corn into the required position to be tied, and at the samo
time the arm in advance of said arm, or arin No. 2, delivers a bound sheaf either on
to the ground or on to a travelling band, as the case may be, and the succeeding
arm, or arm No. 3, presents itself ready to receive another bundle of corn, as already
described.
The whole of the aforesaid apparatus is mounted on suitable framing, and the
several parts put into motion respectively by means of cams, levers, gearing, and
chain wheels, and provided with an automatic clutch, which allow the binding
machine to make ono revolution when released either by the driver, or by the rakes,
or other suitable moving parts of the reaper.
The tying may be performed as herein before described.
Fifthly. Our improvements relate to an independent binder or machine for col-
lecting cut crops when in swaths, and for picking up and binding same into sheaves.
We collect or gather the crops by means of a series of curved rake teeth, which are
centred loosely on a revolving shaft overhanging the main frame of the machine;
on said shaft we fix two or more curved lifters or bars, which in revolving pass
between the teeth of the rake and lift up and turn over any crop that may be there
collected. When these revolving bars have brought the corn over the centre of the
shaft, two or more curved arms advance and sweep the bundle into the space lying
between the radial string carrying arms, which on making a partial revolution bring
the bundle or sheaf into the desired position to be tied, as herein before described.
The ruke shaft together with the shaft which carries the string carrying arms are
mounted on a suitable frame supported by two or more wheels, which transmit
motion to the said shafts by means of cams, levers, gearing, and chain wheels, said
frame also supporting the frame containing the tying apparatus, and the machine
is provided with an automatic clutch, as herein before described.
Sixthly. For a combination of the two last described machines made convertible
in the following manner :-
We make the framing of the convertible machine in such a manner that it can
either be fixed to a suitable part of the frame of a reaper, as described in part 4, or
on to the wheels of an independent binder, as described in part 5. A frame is
mounted on a pair of driving wheels having a spur pinion fixed on the axle; this
said frame carries the shafts for the horse and the seat for the driver; upon said

page_text: frame we fix by means of hinges the frame proper of the binder, which carries a
shaft and spur wheel gearing into spur pinion aforesaid; said shaft carries also the
cam and chain wheel or other gearing for imparting motion to the several parts of
the machine.
The frames being hinged together makes it possible to incline the upper frame
or binder in order to reduce the width of the apparatus while travelling or passing
through gates.
When employed in combination with a reaper we construct the machine with
the endless bands described in part 4 and the revolving bars described in part 5,
said bars being made to pass between two or more of the endless bands, the rest of
the several appliances being common to both machines, and the reaper gives motion
to the cain shaft direct from the driving wheel.
When employed-as-an-independent machine-wo-suppress the endless bands,
mount the machine on the frame and wheels prepared for it, and fix the rake teeth
as described in part 5. The power in this case is taken from the driving wheels
through the spur gearing, which would reverse the direction of the several parts
were it not that the machine travels in an opposite direction, thus the several
motions remain as before.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Woolnough and Christopher Kingsford in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 7th October 1880.
"E
WILLIAM WOOLNOUGH and CHRISTOPHER KINGSFORD, both of Kingston, in the
County of Surrey. IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GATHERING AND BINDING
CORN AND OTHER CUT CROPS INTO SHEAVES."
Our present Invention relates to improvements on an Invention described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to us, and dated Oct. 18th, 1878, No. 4155,
and it will be best understood by reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a side clevation of a machine constructed according to our Invention,
shewing the improved form of lifting or string carrying arms and combined parts
for tilting or conveying the corn or cut crop into the arms of the tying 3
apparatus.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the improved tying apparatus, showing the position
of the oscillating nippers, which in place of being fixed to the head of the string
carrying arm, as specified and shown in the Specification of our former Patent
before referred to, we now place on the frame or plate which carries the other parts 3
of the knotting gear.
Figure 3 shows a side view of said oscillating nippers.
Figure 4 shows a view in plan of the reciprocating nippers.
Figure 5 shows the underside of the forked springs for pressing down the knot.
Figure 6 is a side elevation, and Figure 7 is a plan of our improved form of machine

page_text: for gathering and binding cut crops when delivered to it in sheaf quantities by the
rakes of a self-delivering reaper, and shews the arrangement for carrying the string
round the sheaf by means of a multiple arm, and also as constructed when the knot
is tied beneath the sheaf instead of above it.
Figure 8 shows the tying apparatus in detail as applied to Figures 6 and 7.
Figures 9 and 10 show an improved form of twisting fork for forming the loop.
Figure 11 is an elevation, and Figure 12 a plan of an independent machine for
collecting, picking up, and binding corn or other cut crops.
Figures 13 and 14 shew the construction of a machine capable of being employed
as a picking up machine as seen in Figure 13, or a machine that can be attached to a
reaper, as seen in Figure 14, each convertible the one into the other when required.
Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all the Figures.
The three first parts of our Invention refer more particularly to improvements on
our Invention described in the Specification of Patont dated October 18th, 1878,
and are shown in the accompanying Drawings, Figures 1 to 5. a is a curved lifting
and string-carrying arm fixed on a rocking shaft b, said shaft also carrying two
curved arms a², which rise in advance of arm a, and work in conjunction with
arm a centred to the upper frame ; the nippers c, which were formerly carried
by the lifting arm α, we now place in the tying frame l. Said nippers oscillate on
a centre stud c³, and are formed in two parts, scen in detail, Figure 3, said parts being
kept together by a spring c³; c is a light spring, having a hook formed at the free
end, which allows the string to be easily pressed into the jaws of the nippers, and
then springs under it and holds it; c' is a stop for the string; & is the string-
carrying head, which is made to swing on a centre d', having rollers or other
equivalent fixed to the said head at d² and d³; c is the compressing arm.
The arm a is made to fall back and rise, as heretofore.
The arrangement of parts which constitute the tying apparatus are shown drawn
on a larger scale in Figure 2. f is the twisting fork, which receives its motion, as
before, by means of the lever f', the pinion f³, and the curved rack f³; g shows
the reciprocating nippers, which are made in two pieces jointed at g', Figure 4, and
having curved parts which are confined in a clip or shuttle g². The said nippers
receive a reciprocating motion, the action of which is to carry with them the
movable shuttle which, on being stopped short of the stroke of the nippers, the
curved portion of said nippers passes through the shuttle, and the jaws are
opened and closed again at each end of the stroke. g³ is a pair of forked springs
for tightening the knot down upon the sheaf to which we have added the spring
bridge g³, seen in detail, Figure 5; h is the knife, and 8 the hook which draws the
strings against the cutting edge of the knife, as described in the Specification of our
former Patent. We impart motion to the several parts hereinbefore described
through the medium of a rocking plate or quadrant. The whole of the abovo
mentioned parts may be actuated by the shaft i, which takes its motion from a cam j
on the shaft k.
The improved arrangement of the several parts of the machine shown in Figure 1
consist in the manner by which the cut crop is received from a self delivering
reaper, and gathered together and brought into a suitable position to be bound.
q is the rocking bar, to which is fixed the receiving platform ql, which we described
in the Specification of our former Patent, but instead of rising to an almost perpen-
dicular position, as before, in order to tilt the corn into the arms of the binding
apparatus, it only rises to a limited angle, when a second platform or set of bars q*
rise and continue the lifting or tilting operation, said platforms being made to rise
in unison by means of proper cams fixed on the shaft . The corn thus tilted
forward is received by the curved arins a² and a', when the string carrying arm a
follows and encircles the sheaf with the tying material without any danger of being
obstructed by loose straws or rubbish. Whilst the sheaf is being held in position
to be tied the curved arms and platforms return to their respective positions in
readiness to receive another bundle of corn.
The platforms, arms, and
rocking shafts, as well as the before mentioned parts

page_text: appertaining to the tying apparatus, have their several movements imparted to
them through the medium of cams on the shaft k, which said shaft receives motion
by means of gearing, or direct from the axle of the driving wheel m. t is a friction
clutch held out of gear by the hook t¹ until released by the foot of the driver or
automatically by the rakes or other suitable moving parts of the reaper to which
the machine may at the time be attached. When the shaft makes one revolution
the clutch is again held out of gear until another bundle of corn is raked on to the
platform of the machine, as before.
The fourth part of our Invention relates to a new form of machine for binding
corn or other cut crops when delivered to it by a self-delivering reaper, and shews
the arrangement for carrying the string round the sheaf by means of a multiple
string-carrying arm which receives an intermittent rotary motion in place of the
string carrying arm hereinbefore described, and lettered a in Figures 1 and 2.
--Similar-letters-of-reforence will be employed where the parts coincide with former
descriptions. Figures 6 and 7 shew a machine fitted with a multiple arm, having,
Bay, three equidistant radial arms a, a, a; each arm carries a swinging head d
controlled by a spring, and shewn in detail in Figure 8; the head swings on a centre
d', and is provided with a roller at d², similar to the head herein before described
and shewn in Figure 2, but in place of a roller at the hinder part of the head for
presenting the string to the oscillating nippers, we attach a noveable forked lever.
centred to the head at d', and having a tail end d³ which slides on the curved
arm a, so that when the head is pressed up to the tying apparatus by the roller do
coming in contact with the inclined plane d', the forked lever d³ carries the string
up to the oscillating nippers c, and strains it across and between the prongs of the
twisting fork ready to be knotted. The apparatus for tying the knot in this case
is inverted with regard to that shewn in Figure 2, in order to keep the machinery out
of the way of the rakes of the reaper to which it may be attached, but may be
employed in any position; f is the twisting fork shewn also in Figures 9 and 10,
which has imparted to it a vertical motion by means of the worm f³, and a rotatory
motion by means of the pinion f worked by a rack f³. g shews the reciprocating
nippers g³, the pair of forked springs, which in this case can be placed so near the
sheaf that they may not require to be forced down upon the knot. h, the knife;
f8, the hook which takes its motion from the rack f³, the rack to which is also
attached the nippers g, moves in slides or guides f10, and takes its motion from any
convenient part of the machine by means of a connecting rod worked by a crank or
eccentric.
The machine is constructed as follows:-To any suitable framing m¹ we fix a
series of rollers or drums n, n, carrying endless bands, upon which the corn is
delivered by the rakes of the reaper; is the outline of the tying apparatus; r, r,
arc curved arms which have an intermittent revolving motion, and sweep the
bundle collected by the endless bands between two of the radial arms a, a, berein-
before described.
The several shafts and gearing for giving motion to the aforesaid parts may be
varied, but as shewn, they take their respective motions from the driving wheel mɩ,
through the medium of the clutch t on the shaft or axle u; this gives motion to the
shaft, which carries an intermittent gear wheel v which works in wheels v' and
and v², the former vi giving moption to the arms a, a, a, and the latter to the
arms ?, ?, as well as the tying gear by means of a crank w, and chain or belt to
the shaft y of the arms r, r. The endless bands may be worked by chain gear
from the shaft u¹. is an endless band which receives the sheaf when bound, and
delivers it at the side of the machine clear of the track of the same when it makes
its next course.
A part plan of a reaper is shown at Figure 7, with the extended platform s as
described in our former Specification of Letters Patent.
The binder may be attached at any convenient distance from the reaper,
according to length of crop, by means of the transverse rails of the framing m'.
Fifthly. Our Invention relates to an independent binder or machine for collecting

page_text: cut crops when in swathe or otherwise, and for picking up and binding same into
sheaves, the general construction and arrangement of which we show at Figures 11
and 12, substantially as follows:-We collect or gather the crops by means of a
series of curved rake-teeth o', o', o', which are centred loosely on a revolving shaft
o; on said shaft we fix two or more curved corn lifters o³, o, which revolve with
the shaft o, and are caused to make an eccentric curvo, as shewn by the dotted lines,
by means of the cams o³, o³, in order to get under the crop beforo lifting it. p is a
rake fixed to the shaft p', which receives an oscillating motion by means of a cam
p on the shaft o, or it may be propelled by a crank. The other letters of
reference coincide with similar parts hereinbefore described. In the machine hero
shewn, the tying apparatus is placed above the sheaf whilst being tied. The tying
may be performed as herein before described.
The action of this machine is as follows:-The cut crop lying in swathes or
bundles on the ground is collected by the rake teeth o', o, o, when the corn
lifters o², o², in making a revolution pass under the crop, at the same time the
rakep swings towards the machine and compresses the corn into a compact bundle
and holds it against the revolving lifters until they have fairly lifted the bundle
from the ground, when the rake p returns to the position shewn, and the corn
lifters turn the bundle over the shaft o; at the samo time the arms a² advance and
sweep it into the space lying between the radial string carrying arms a, a, which
in making a partial revolution bring the bundle or sheaf into tho desired position
to be tied. During the time that the tying is being performed the corn liftors are
making another revolution and bringing another bundle over as before. When the
sheaf is tiod the compresser c which held it close to the knot recedes, and the
arms a, a, a, make another partial revolution which brings up another bundle and
delivers the tied sheaf to the rear of the machine. The curved sheaf bearers e', e', c¹,
which are fixed to the head & rise with said head and support the sheaf until the
compresser encircles it. The several parts derive their respective motions from the
wheel m through the medium of a clutch tin conjunction with a cam and levers,
as shown in Figure 12.
The sixth part of our Invention consists of a machine or machines capable of being
converted either into an independent picking up and binding machine, substantially
as shown in Figures 11 and 12, or into a machine to work alongside a reaper,
substantially as shewn in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 13 gives a side elevation of the
former, and Figure 14 a side elevation of the latter machine when so constructed.
The reference letters refer to similar parts in each figure.
It will be seen that all the working parts are identical with the machines herein-
before described. A frame m', Figure 13, is mounted on a pair of wheels having a
spur pinion fixed on the axle; the said frame carries the shaft z for the horse, the
revolving shaft o with its rako teeth o', o', o¹, and corn lifters o², o³, also the rake p,
the frame m². Figure 14 carries the rollers or drums n, n, and may either be
mounted on wheels or attached to the framework or table of a reaper in any
suitable manner, in which latter case the main shaft k may be made to revolve with
the reaper wheel by means of a crank on the shaft u¹ which carries the intermittent
gear may be worked by the reaper by a pitched chain m³. Figures 13 and 14 is
the framing which carries the binding apparatus and other moving parts of the
machine, and which being identical may be transferred from the frame m' to the
frame m³ as circumstances may require. The endless band for delivering the
bound sheaf may be retained in both cases if required.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, we do not claim as now any of the methods herein set forth
of giving motion to the several parts comprising the aforesaid machines.
But we claim as new,—
First. The improved combination of parts of a machine for binding corn and
other cut crops into sheaves composed of a string carrying arm a fitted with a
rocking head & having other arms a' working in conjunction for the purpose of
encircling a bundle of corn with string or other binding material, substantially as

page_text: herein before described and illustrated with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of tho
accompanying Drawings; also of a multiple arm or set of arms a, a, a, which
receive a revolving and intermittent motion for the same purpose, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated with reference to Figures 6, 7, 11, 12, 13,
and 14 of the accompanying Drawinge.
Second. The improved arrangement and construction of the several parts
appertaining to the tying apparatus & composed of a new position and manner of
working the oscillating nippers c for holding the string, the twisting fork f, the
nippers g for drawing the ends of the strings through the loop, the spring levers g
for tightening the knot, and the manner of cutting the strings, and general
arrangement of parts, all substantially as herein before described and illustrated
with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The improved construction and arrangement of parts of machines for
receiving corn or other cut crops-from-n-reaper--for-the purpose of binding_samo
into sheaves, substantially as herein before described and illustrated with reference
to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The improved construction and employment of machines to perform the
aforesaid operations composed of travelling bands for receiving and collecting cut
crops as delivered from a reaper in combination with multiple string carrying
arms a, a, a, for the purpose of binding the same into sheaves, substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated with referenco to Figures 5, 7, and 14 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The improved construction and employment of machines for picking up corn
or other cut crops and delivering the same to the aforesaid or other tying apparatus,
composed of a series of curved rake teeth o¹ for collecting the crops, in combination
with corn lifters of which in revolving pass between-the-teeth of-the-rake ol and
lift or gather out of said teeth any crop that may be there collected, substantially
as herein before described and illustrated with reference to Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14
of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. An improved convertible machine so constructed as to perform either of
the aforesaid operations, namely, into an independent picking up and binding
machine, or into a binding machine to work alongside a reaper and to receive the
cut crop as delivered from same, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated with reference to Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Woolnough and Christopher
Kingsford, have hereunto set our hands and scals, this Sixth day of
October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
.