IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Anthony Duvall and Thomas Hoskison, both of
the Orwell Works, Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Anthony Duvall at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th June 1880.
CHARLES ANTHONY DUVALL and THOMAS HOSKISON, both of the Orwell Works,
Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
The first part of our improvements refers to reaping machines with revolving
rakes, which are guided by rollers on the rake arms passing along a double cam
track, with a moveable part or switch, which causes them to act as delivery rakes
or merely as gatherers, according to which way the switch is set.
And our improvements consist of novel mechanism for controlling the switch, so
that any desired number of the rakes may be made to act as gatherers, or sweep
the platform at the will of the driver, and such mechanism being operated by the
rollors on the rake arms in their passage along the cam tracks; our improvements
are applicable to machines with any number of rakes.
In describing our improvements we find it convenient to assume that the switch
when left to itself shall fall into the position for causing the rakes to sweep the
platform by a spring; also, that it shall have a tail piece by which a passing roller
will throw it into the other position, and that it shall remain locked in that
position by a spring latch until the latch is withdrawn; but this is not essential.
A tappet piece turning on a spindle is mounted so as to project partly across the
path of the rollers on the rake arms, and is pushed back as each roller passes,
regaining its position after the roller has passed by a spring; the partial rotation of
the tappet piece is communicated by a pawl to a cylinder mounted loosely upon
the spindle, and having a set of ratchet teeth on the end face next the tappet pieco;
the throw of the tappet piece is so arranged that the pawl takes one tooth of the
ratchet at each movement, a retaining pawl holds the cylinder in position. On
the circumference of the cylinder are various scts of projections or teeth, which
1...מ

page_text: engage and snap past a cam on a rocking shaft mounted parallel with the spindle
of the tappet picco; an arm on the rooking shaft is hooked to the spring latch
which retains the switch, when it is locked in the position for causing all the rakes
to act as gatherers. The cam slides along the rocking shaft, and may be set by a
spring stop opposite to any set of projections on tho cylinder.
Now by variously combining the number of teeth in the ratchet with the
number of teeth on the different parts of the circumference of the cylinder, we can
cause the delivery of the crop from the platform of the machine to take place at
any desired interval.
By means of the following combination every other rake, every third, fourth,
fifth, or sixth rake, or all or none of them may be made to sweep the platform.
The ratchet on the end face of the cylinder has twelve teeth, and there are five
sets of projections or teeth on the circumference, having respectively 12, 6, 4, 3,
and 2 teeth. Upon this cylinder is loosely mounted a second cylinder with two
projections on the circuinference, and a ratchet of 10 teeth on the end face; it is so
adapted that the ratchets are concentric, the points of the teeth are all in the same
plane, and any two opposite teeth of the one ratchet will form a diametral line
with any two opposite teeth of the other. The throw of the tappet piece is
arranged in this combination so that the pawl takes one tooth of tho 10 tooth
ratchet; the retaining pawl is placed to engage the teeth diametrically opposite to
those the pawl in the tappet piece engages, and both pawls are wide enough to
engage both ratchets at once. The pawl of tho tappet piece moves the cylinder
with the 10 tooth ratchet idly upon the cylinder with the 12 tooth ratchet, until it
engages a tooth of both ratchets, when both cylinders move together. From this it
follows that 12 rollers have to pass the tappet piece to give a complete revolution
to the 12 tooth ratchet, whereas the 10 tooth ratchet will have completed a
revolution on the passing of tho tenth roller; and thero being two projections on
the circumference of this cylinder, every fifth rake will deliver the crop, when the
cam on the rocking shaft is set opposite to these two projections.
The pawl on the tappet pieco is connected with a treadle, so placed that the
driver can lift the pawl out of gear with his foot; the ratchets on the cylinders are
then not moved, and all the rakes act as gatherers only.
In some cases we substitute for the tappet piece above described a wheel with
long teeth mounted to project across the roller path, so that cach tooth is moved in
succession as the rollers pass. The motion of the wheel is communicated (preferably
by ordinary gearing in this case) to the cylinders with projections; the numbers
of teeth in the wheels and of the projections on the cylinders being combined to
give all the variations above described.
The next part of our improvements consists of a means of more readily adjusting
the height of the outer end of the finger bar. For this purpose the axle of the
wheel on the dividing shoe is formed upon a lever, one end of which is centred upon
the dividing shoe; the opposite end carries a pulley over which passes a chain, one
end of which is attached to a point near the bottom of the shoe, the other end
being wound round a pulley or barrel turning preferably on the same centre as the
lever. This pulley or barrel is fitted with a ratchet for retaining it in position;
the boss is formed to receive a lever or spanner. When the chain is wound up
on the barrel the free end of the lever is depressed, and the shoe is raised higher
from the ground. We prefer to fix the lever in the desired position by a spring
stop or other convenient manner, so as to relieve the chain of the weight.
The next part of our improvements relates to reaping machines in which the
finger bar is raised to an upright position for transport, and in which it is usual
to shift the wheel on the dividing shoe to an axle fixed on the main frame near
the joint of the finger bar for its reception.
Now in such cases it is necessary to support the main frame by blocking it
up from the ground or otherwise while the finger bar is being turned up. To
facilitate this operation we hinge a leg or support (preferably fitted with a jointed.

page_text: foot or shoe) to the main frame at a point near the hinge of the finger bar, and in
such a position that when not in use the shoe end may be raised and lie concealed
under that part of the main frame.
When the finger bar is to be turned up, the main frame and the dividing shoe
are raised to the highest position; the shoe ond of the hinged leg or support is then
lowered and will hang down in a vertical position; if the main frame is then
lowered the hinged foot of the support will take an even bearing ground; the
wheel of the dividing shoe will be raised clear of the ground and can be taken off;
also, the axle on the main frame for its reception will be so much raised that the
wheel can be put on clear of the ground. When the wheel is on the main frame is
again raised, and the wheel will then take a bearing on the ground, and set the leg
or support free to be hooked up again into a horizontal position out of the way. To
lower the finger bar tho above operation is simply reversed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Anthony Duvall and Thomas Hoskison in the Great Seal
.Patent Office on the 18th December 1880.
CHARLES ANTHONY DUVALL and THOMAS HOSKISON, both of the Orwell Works,
Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
The first part of our improvements refers to reaping machines with revolving
rakes, which are guided by rollers on the rake arms passing along a double cam
track, with a movable part or switch, which causes them to act as delivery rakes or
merely as gatherers, according to which way the switch is set.
And our improvements consists of novel mechanism for controlling the switch, so
that any desired number of the rakes may be made to act as gatherers or sweep the
platform at the will of the driver, and such mechanism being operated by the rollers
on the rake arms in their passage along the cam tracks. Our improvements are
applicable to machines with any number of rakes.
In describing our improvements we find it convenient to assume that the switch 1
when left to itself shall fall into the position for causing the rakes to sweep the
platform by a spring; also that it shall have a tail piece, by which a passing roller
will throw it into the other position, and that it shall remain locked in that position
by a spring latch until the latch is withdrawn; but this is not essential.
A tappet piece turning on a spindle is mounted so as to project partly across the
path of the rollers on the rake arms, and is pushed back as each roller passes,
regaining its position after the roller has passed by a spring; the partial rotation
of the tappet piece is communicated by a pawl to a cylinder mounted loosely on
the spindle, and having a set of ratchet teeth on the end face next the tappet piece;
the throw of the tappet piece is arranged so that the pawl takes one tooth of the :
ratchet at each movement; a retaining pawl holds the cylinder in position. Ou
the circumference of the cylinder are various sets of projections or teeth, which
engage and snap past a cam on a rocking shaft, mounted parallel with the spindle of
the tappet pieco; an arm on the rocking shaft is hooked to the spring latch, which
retains the switch when it is locked in the position for causing all the rakes to act 3
as gatherers. The cam slides along the rocking shaft, and may be set by a spring
stop opposite to any set of projections on the cylinder.
Now by variously combining the number of teeth in the ratchet with the number
of teeth on the different parts of the circumference of the cylinder, we can cause
the delivery of the crop from the platform of the machine to take place at any
desired interval.
By means of the following combination every other rake, every third, fourth,
fifth, or sixth rake, or all or none of them may be made to sweep the platform.
The ratchet on the end face of the cylinder has twelve teeth, and there are five sets
of projections or teeth on the circumference, having respectively 12, 6, 4, 3, and 24
teeth. Upon this cylinder is loosely mounted a second cylinder, with two pro-
jections on the circumference, and a ratchet of 10 teeth on the end face; it is so
adapted that the ratchets are concentric, the points of the teeth are all in the same
plane, and any two opposite teeth of the one ratchet will form a diametral line
with any two opposite teeth of the other. The throw of the tappet pieco is arranged 4
in this combination, so that the pawl takes one tooth of the 10 tooth ratchet; the
retaining pawl is placed to engage the teeth diametrically opposite to thoso the
pawl in the tappet piece engages, and both pawls are wide enough to engage both
ratchets at once. The pawl of the tappet piece moves the cylinder with the 10 tooth
ratchet idly upon the cylinder with the 12 tooth ratchet until it engages a tooth of 5
both ratchets, when both cylinders move together. From this it follows that 12
rollers have to pass the tappet piece to give a complete revolution to the 12 tooth

page_text: ratchet, whereas the 10 tooth ratchet will have completed a revolution on the
passing of the tenth roller, and there being two projections on the circumference of
this cylinder, every fifth rako will deliver the crop when the cam on: tho rocking
shaft is set opposite to these two projections.
The pawl on the tappet piece is connected with a treadle, so placed that tho
driver can lift the pawl out of gear with his foot; the ratchets, on the cylinders are
then not moved, and all the rakes act as gatherers only..
In some cases we substitute for the tappet piece above described a wheel with
long teeth, mounted to project across the roller path, so that each tooth is moved in
succession as the rollers pass. The motion of the wheel is communicated (preferably
by ordinary gearing in this case) to the cylinders with projections, the numbers of
teeth in the wheels and of the projections on the cylinders being combined to.givo
all the variations above described.
:
•
The next part of our improvements consists of a means of more readily adjusting
the height of the outer.end of the finger..bar. For this purpose the axle of tho
wheel on the dividing shoe.is formed upon a lever, one end of which is centred upon
the dividing shoe; the opposite end carries a pulley, over, which passes a chain, ore
end of which is attached to a point near the bottom of the shoe, the other end being
wound round a pulley or barrel, turning preferably on the same centre as the lever.
This pulley.or barrel is fitted with a ratchet for retaining it in position; the boss is
formed to receivo a lever or spanner. When the chain is wound up, on, the, barrel,
the free end of the lever is depressed, and the shoe is raised higher from the ground.
We prefer to fix the lever in the desired position. by a spring stop or other
convenient manner, so as to relieve the chain of the weight:
The next part of our improvements relates to reaping machines, in which the
finger bar is raised to an upright position for transport, and in which it is usual to
shift the wheel on the dividing shoe to an axle,fixed on the main frame near tho
joint of the finger bar for its reception..
Now in such. cases it is necessary to support the main frame by, blocking it-up
from the ground or otherwise while the finger bar is being turned up. To facilitato
this operation, we hinge a leg or support (preferably fitted with a jointed foot or
shoe) to the main frame at a point near the hinge of the finger bar, and in such a
position that when not in use the shoe end may be raised and lie concealed under
that part of the main frame.
When the finger bar is to be turned up the main frame and the dividing shoe are
raised to the highest position; the shoe end of the hinged leg or support is then
lowered, and will hang down in a. vertical position; if the main frame is then
lowered, the bingod foot of the support will take an even bearing on the ground,
the wheel of the dividing shoe will be raised clear of the ground, and can bo taken
off. Also the axle on the main frame for its reception will be so much raised that
the wheel can be put on clear of the ground. When tho wheel is on the main frame
is again raised, and the wheel will then take a bearing on the ground, and set the leg
or support free, to be hooked up again into a horizontal position out of the way.
To lower the finger, bar tho above operation is simply reversed.
1
And in order that our Invention may be clearly understood we will now describe
the Drawings hereto annexed.
'
Sheet I. shows the first part of our Invention. Figure 1. is a plan, and Figure 2
an elevation of our improvements in the form first described; Figures 3, 4, and 5
being various details relating, thereto; Figure 6 is a. plan, and Figure, 7 an
elevation of the second form of our improvements for the same purpose; Figure 8.
is a detail of Figures 6 and 7.
:
The same parts aro indicated by the same letters in all the Figures. In Figures
1 and 2 A is a part of the cam track; B is a movable part or, switch;-Cis-the
spring for holding the switch in the position-for-causing the rakes to sweep the
-platform-(shewn in dotted lines); D is the tail piece, by which the switch is moved
into the position shewn in full, lines; E, E, are rollers on the rako arms; F is the
spring lutch, which holds the switch in the_last_named. position until unlocked;

page_text: G is the tappet piece fixed to the spindle a, and projecting partly across the path
of the rollers E, one of which is seen in Figure 1 in contact with it; H is a spring
which pulls the tappet picco G forward after a roller has passed; I is the pawl in
the tappet piece G; J is the cylinder having ratchot teeth b on its end face; K is
the retaining pawl; C, C, are the projections on cylinder J, and which engago the 5
cam L, which may be set upon the cam shaft M by the spring stop N opposite to
any set of projections C. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 indicate the number of rakes which
are to sweep the platform, as 1 in 3, 1 in 6, &c. O is the arm on the rocking
shaft M, and P is the hook by which the latch F is withdrawn for releasing the
switch. In Figures 4 and 5 a second cylinder R is shown mounted loosely upon
the cylinder J. It will be seen in Figure 4 that the cylinder J has 12 ratchet
teeth and the cylinder R only 10. The teeth of both ratchets are radial, and two
opposite teeth of the one will form a diametral line with two opposito teeth of the
other, as seen at ɗ, c. The sweep of the pawl in the tappet piece is indicated by
fd; the retaining pawl being placed at c will engage the teeth of both ratchets at 1
once. It is not necessary to adopt the exact number of teeth in the ratchets which
we have hero described, as they may be varied in any convenient proportion to the
delivery desired to be attained.
Figure 3 shews the means of throwing the pawl out of gear. A short lever g is
pivoted on h, a rod i passes through the spindle a, a fork lever j embraces the 2
lower end of i. is a cord leading to a lever placed conveniently for the driver's
foot.
In Figures 6 and 7, S is a wheel with long teeth mounted to project partly
across the roller path. The motion of the wheel S is conveyed by a spur wheel T
through the carrier wheel U to the spur wheel V on the cylinder J. The wheel S 2
is fixed to its spindle l. The spur wheel T is loose upon it, but is coupled by the
clutch W. The boss of the spur wheel T has a projection m upon it, and this has
the same function as the second cylinder R of Figures 4 and 5. The cam L in this
case is shaped to meet the projections of cylinder J on the one side, and the single
projection on the boss of spur wheel T on the other side. It will be understood
that when the cam L is set opposite the projection on boss of spur wheel T it will
be clear above the sets of projections on the cylinder J. The clutch W is pulled
out of gear by the fork lever by a cord and treadle, as in the previous arrange-
ment. Figure 8 shews the arrangement of retaining pawl for holding the wheel S
in position. X is a casting fixed to the spindle l, and has as many notches as the 3
wheel S has teeth. n is tho pawl, which is held up to X by the spring o.
Figuro 9, Sheet 2, shews our improvements in adjusting the height of the outer
end of the finger bar. a is the wheel; b, the axle for the same mounted upon the
bent lever c; & is the centro upon which lever c turns; f is the chain attached to
the bottom of the shoe at g and passing over the pulley e, the end being wound on 4
the barrel h; is the ratchet; j is the spring stop for locking the lever c in
position; is a spanner or lever (shown in dotted lines) for turning the ratchet
for adjusting the shoc. When lowering the shoe the pawl is lifted clear of the
ratchet i by the handle m. The spring n keeps the pawl l up to the ratchet i.
Figures 10, 11, and 12 shew our improvements for facilitating the raising of the
finger bar for transport. A is the driving wheel; B, the main frame of the
machine; C is the finger bar; D, the platform wheel; E is the leg or support
hinged to the main frame at a. We prefer to provide this support with a hinged
foot b. Figure 12 shews the support E when raised. c is a spring catch for
retaining it in that position. In Figures 10 and 11 the finger bar is shewn in 5
dotted lines in the raised position C₁, and the platform wheel shifted to the axle
on the main frame for its reception (D¹).
Having now described and shown the best methods at present known to us for
carrying our improvements into practico, we would have it understood that what
we claim as novel and of our Invention is,--
First. The mechanism described and shewn, or any mere modification thereof,
for controlling the switch, so that any desired number of the rakes may be made
5

page_text: to act as gatherers or sweep the platform at the will of the driver, such mechanism
being operated by the rollers on the rake arms in their passage along the cam
tracks.
Second. The arrangements for communicating the motion to the cylinders by
the passing of the rollers on the rake arms along the cam track, and acting against
the tappet piece or finger wheel, as shewn in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive.
Third. The combination of a second cylinder mounted loosely on the first, and
having a different number of teeth in the ratchet for the purpose of obtaining a
complete set of changes in the intervals of delivery.
Fourth. The combination of two cylinders mounted on separate spindles with
the double cam on the rocking shaft, substantially as shown in Figures 6, 7,
and 8.
Fifth. The improved means for adjusting the height of the outer end of the
finger bar, substantially as described and shewn in Figure 9.
Sixth. The folding leg or support with hinged shoe to support the main frame
of the reaping machine for facilitating tho turning up of the finger bar and
platform for transport, substantially as described and shown in Figures 10, 11,
and 12.
In witness whereof, we, the said Charles Anthony Duvall and Thomas
Hoskison, have hereunto set our hands and scals, this Sixteenth day of
December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
eighty.
CHARLES ANTHONY DUVALL. (L.S.)
THOMAS HOSKISON.
(L.S.)