IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM DRAY, of Swan Lane, Upper Thames Street, in the City
of London, Agricultural Implement Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster the
Twenty-seventh day of January One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
two, in the fifteenth year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Dray, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that I, the said William Dray, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Dray, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the town of
Berwick upon Tweed, the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
MACHINES," communicated to me by Obed Hussey, of Baltimore, in
the United States of America; in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso that I, the said William Dray, shall cause a par-
ticular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing

page_text: under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and
by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said William Dray, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Inven-
tion consists in the mechanical construction of the machinery, the
varied applications of the apparatus combined therewith, and the methods
of use according to the particular crops to be cut as herein-after set
forth and described, reference being had to the drawing accompanying
this specification and the letters and figures thereon.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6: a, a, a, framing; b, b, road or bearing
wheel; c, c, blocks for carrying shaft of same; d, shaft of road or bearing
wheel; e, toothed wheel gearing into the pinion f; f, a pinion revolving in
the blocks g. 9; 9, 9, are blocks for carrying the shaft of the pinion f; h, a
bevel gear wheel attached to the same shaft as the pinion f, gearing into
the bevel gear pinion j, which pinion is attached to the crank axle i, i ;
i, i, is a cranked axle revolving in the blocks m, for the purpose of giving
motion to the cutting-blade k, k, k; k, k, k, are the cutting-blades, having
a rapid reciprocating motion given to them by the cranked axle i, i: 1,1, are
plates of iron placed to form a guide for the back of the cutting-
bladesk, k, k; m, a connecting rod for connecting the cutting-blades with
the cranked axle i, i; n, n, n, pointed guards or teeth; o, part of main
platform forming a footboard for assistants; o', part of main platform;
o", moveable platform; o, additional table or tail platform; p, a lever
for throwing the bevel gear wheel h, out of gear; q, a piece of angle iron
for supporting the lever p; r, tongue; s, cutter bar; t, a seat for an
attendant to remove the corn from the machine.
The parts and relative dimensions of the machine consist of two
sills six feet long, four inches thick, and six inches deep, bolted toge-
ther with blocks between, of the same size, and ten and a half inches
long, holding the sills ten and a half inches apart, with through bolts
through the blocks. The main road wheel, thirty-two inches high and
six inches tread, is placed between the sills with its axle hanging in
boxes bolted to the tops of the sills, the main cog-wheel, say eighteen

page_text: inches diameter and two inches face; one and a quarter inches pitch
is bolted to the arms. One end of the cutter-bar, on which is fixed
the cutting apparatus, is bolted on to the under side of these sills a few
inches clear of the rim of the wheel, and about two feet back of the
front ends of the sills, one end of which extends about six feet more
or less either to the right or left hand side of the sills, to cut either
on the right or left hand. A plank of similar length, but smaller, say
five by two inches, is placed parallel with the cutter-bar, and also bolted
to the sills on the under side a few inches from the rim of the wheel
behind it; this will bring the front of the cutter bar four feet or more
from the hind part of the rear plank. In fixing these plates to the sills
the hind plank should be let up into the sill, say three inches, while
blocks of wedge-shape five or six inches high should be put between
the sills and cutter-bar, so that when the planks shall be in a horizontal
position the front ends of the sills shall be elevated; a flooring is then
laid over the cutter-bar and hind plank, forming a table or platform, on
which the grain falls when cut. The main wheel before mentioned sup-
ports that part of the machine immediately behind the horses, and the
ends of the platform opposite the road wheel is supported by a truck
wheel from ten to fifteen inches in diameter; the tongue to which the
horses are geared is bolted to the sill opposite the platform, usually on
the outside.
The cutting apparatus is made as follows: an iron rod six or seven
feet long, according to the breadth of cut required, about one inch wide,
and a quarter inch thick, is made straight; on this rod the blades.
are rivetted; the blades are in form of a lancet point, sharp on both
sides, and about three inches wide at the base, where they are rivetted
to the rod, and about three inches from the rod to the point, the
whole forming in appearance a coarse toothed saw. A corresponding
number of projecting iron points or teeth are fixed to the front edge of
the cutter-bar, and permanently rivetted; they are flat where rivetted to
the cutter-bar, say one inch wide and three eighths of an inch thick,
and proceed in this form about two inches from the bar forward, then
they assume a square shape, say three quarters of an inch square, for
about four inches, and terminate in a point. From this point a strong
spur extends backwards parallel with, and on either the upper or the

page_text: is
When
under side, producing a double projecting iron point or guard, so far as
the square extends between the square part of this iron, and the spur
left a space about from three sixteenths to a quarter of an inch.
these iron points are properly rivetted to the cutter-bar, say three inches
apart, to correspond with the width of the cutter, the spaces between
the main square and spur of the guard are in line, so that the same
shaped cutter, formed as above mentioned, shall pass through all the
guards from end to end of the cutter-bar; two rods of iron are
then rivetted to the flat part of this projecting iron or guard parallel
with the cutter-bar, say one inch and one eighth apart, forming a groove
to receive the rod on which the cutters are fixed, so that when the
power is applied to the end of the cutter-rod, this rod shall slide in this
groove, producing a vibrating motion in the blades, permitting them to
pass through and from one to the other of the spaces in the projecting
irons or guards. On the sill, opposite the platform and back of the
main axle box, is placed a cast-iron foundation to receive a shaft,
about sixteen or seventeen inches long, and about one inch and a half
in diameter, at right angles with the sill. On one end of this shaft is
fixed a spur pinion, about five inches diameter, gearing into the spur
wheel on the main road wheel before mentioned; on the other end of
this shaft, which projects over the sill, is fixed a bevel wheel, about
seventeen inches diameter and one inch and quarter pitch; this bevel
wheel drives a pinion about four and a half inches diameter on the
end of a crank shaft. The crank shaft is so placed and hung to the
outside of this sill, that its pinions shall be in connexion with the bevel
wheel, while its other end, containing the crank, shall be nearly in line
with the before-mentioned cutter-rod; the crank is of suitable sweep,
so that when it is united with the cutter-rod by a suitable connecting
rod and joints, the revolutions of the crank shall cause the blades to
move from one guard or point to the other; thus, if the blades are three
inches at their bases, the sweep of the crank should be about three
inches; a little more will not injure but may benefit the cutting.
Having the machine thus far completed, an attachment (which is
not claimed as part of this Invention) may be added, which is thus
formed a piece of scantling or plank of sufficiently strong wood, about
seven feet long and two and a half inches square, is to be bolted down

page_text: on the top of the platform near the truck wheel; one end of this piece
will extend four feet behind the platform before described; another
piece of scantling or plank, of nearly the same size and eight feet long,
must be bolted on the under side of the same platform, and about four
and a half feet from the piece first described towards the road wheel.
These pieces being placed as described are to be planked over in the
following manner: the planks should be about five feet long; one end of
them should be firmly secured on the under side of the scantling first
described, and the other end should rest on the top of the scantling
last described; when done this additional platform will be about five feet
one way and four feet the other.
On the rear of this floor a plank five feet long and ten inches wide,
more or less, inust sit edgewise, forming a barrier to prevent the cut
corn from passing off in the rear.
The machine thus completed, it will be readily understood that if it
be drawn ahead, the road wheel in turning must set in motion the
cog-wheel before described; the spur wheel turns the bevel wheel, this
wheel turns the crank with an accelerated speed, the crank in its revo-
lution causes the rapid vibration of the blades from one to the other of
the projecting points or guards, and through the spaces in the same in
the progress of the machine in the field of corn or grass the stalks enter
between the projecting points or teeth, and the vibrating blades cut
them off; the stalks while being cut are supported by the square of the
projecting point on one side of the blade, and by the spur before men-
tioned on the other side of the blade; whether this spur be above or
below the blade, the stalks of corn or the blades of grass, being thus
supported both above and below the edge of the blade, enables the
blade to run free and without such friction as would be caused by a
scissors principle; this allows a bevel on both sides of the blade, so that
the edge shall not be injured in passing through the double supporting
point or guard.
The corn when cut falls backwards on the platform first described; it
is then pushed back in heaps on to the additional table last described;
from that table it is raked on to the ground at the side in the rear of
the road wheel. The table last described as added to the main platform
can be removed, and the bundles of corn dropped directly on to the

page_text: ground in the rear of the blades instead of the rear of the road wheel.
To facilitate the raking, a box is put over the road wheel resting on the
sills; the front end of this box forms a seat for the man with the first
rake, who pushes the heaps of corn on to the additional table or tail
platform; the hinder part of the box forms a seat for the second raker,
who with a rake draws the corn off to the ground.
For cutting grass, the rear or tail platform may be removed, and a
part of the main platform is also removed, so that the cut grass can the
more readily reach the ground.
Having described the method of delivering the corn, &c. from my
machine with the rake, I will now describe another method, which is as
follows the main platform is diminished in width to about twelve or six-
teen inches, and a swinging crane is substituted in place of the part of the
platform removed; this crane is formed by an upright post, and a hori-
zontal arm fixed in the post, and extending the length of the platform; a
handle is fixed in the post, which handle is in command of the operator;
the position of the arm of the crane is about two or three feet behind the
cutters, and about one foot, more or less, from the ground. When the
machine is in operation the crane-arm is swung parallel to the cutter-bar,
to receive the falling corn or hemp; when a sufficient quantity has fallen
on the arm of the crane, it is swung out backwards, permitting the corn
or hemp to fall on the ground; the arm of the crane is then immediately
swung to its position to receive another sheaf; the man who operates
commands the crane with one hand, in the other hand he holds a stick
several feet long, with which he separates the sheaf on the crane from
the falling corn or hemp, so that the sheaf may go off clean.
Another method of delivering the corn, &c. from my machine is as
follows the main platform is made narrow, as in the last-mentioned
method; a tilting platform about three feet wide is substituted for the
crane; this is hung by gudgeons in or near the middle of its ends,
holding it parallel with the cutter-bar; the gudgeons are placed in such
a position that the rear edge of this platform shall be elevated nine
inches, more or less, while the front edge shall rest on the cutter-bar;
immediately in the rear of the cutters a handle is fixed to the end of
this tilting platform next the road wheel; this handle projects upwards,
and is in command of the operator. When the machine is in operation,

page_text: the front edge of the tilting platform is down, and the hinder edge
elevated; when the corn or hemp sufficient for a sheaf is fallen, the
platform is tilted, the front edge goes up, and the hinder edge goes
down, and the sheaf slides off; the platform then returns to its position
to receive another sheaf; the stick before mentioned, held in the hand
of the operator, is useful in this method as well as in that of the crane.
These two last-described methods of delivery are particularly valuable in
cutting hemp and all other heavy crops.
Another method of delivering the corn is as follows: a reel is sus-
pended over the cutters; this reel is driven by a band from the main
axle; the design of this reel is to assist the heads or ears of corn in
falling regularly back on to the platform; a vacancy is left on the
platform of from one to two feet in width at the end next the sill;
the raker with his rake draws the corn towards him into the vacancy,
whence it falls on to the ground in a heap ready for binding.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, in the drawing represent the two aforesaid
modes of delivering the crops, when cut, by the machine: Figures 3, and 4,
in elevation show the delivering crane. In these figures, 1, is a post,
the lower end of which, terminating with a gudgeon, sets in a step in
the platform; 2, is a neck of the post 1, which is held by a collar to the
raker's seat already described; 3, is a jib joined horizontally to the
post 1; 4, is a flat surface of wood, or other suitable material, attached
at its lower extremity to the jib aforesaid, and supported at its upper
angular extremity by a stud 5, projecting backwards from the post, the
use of this inclined surface being for the more readily disengaging the
sheaf from the crane; the edges of this surface may be bound with metal,
which will act as braces to support the jib, as shown in the Figures 3,
and 4; 5, is a stad connecting the flat surface 4, with the post 1, as
already described; 6, is the handle by which the operator commands the
crane in delivering the sheaves; 7, 7, are gudgeons.
Figures 5, and 6, in plan and elevation show the tilting platform. In
these figures A, is the platform; B, B, the gudgeons; C, the handle by
which the platform is tilted; D shows the reverse position of the handle
and platform.
Having herein set forth and described my methods, apparatus, and
machinery for reaping, mowing, or cutting the several kinds of

page_text: agricultural crops mentioned, together with the varied modes of field
operations appertaining thereto, which may be slightly varied without
departing from the Invention; but what I claim as the Invention are
the combined methods, apparatus, and machinery, substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Dray, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty-fourth day of July in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

page_text: In the Matter of a Patent granted to WILLIAM DRAY, of Swan
Lane, Upper Thames Street, in the City of London, Agricultural
Implement Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
MACHINES," bearing date at Westminster the 27th day of January
1852, and which said Letters Patent, and all interest therein.
have been duly assigned to and are now vested in Thomas George
Thomason, of No. 80, Upper Thames Street, in the City of London,
Agricultural Implement Maker.
ISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered with the Clerk of the Patents of England by the said Thomas
George Thomason, as such Assignee as aforesaid, according to the
Statutes in that case made and provided.
WHEREAS I, the said Thomas George Thomason, have lately ascertained
at a description of that part of the said Invention which is shewn in
gures 1 and 2 of the Drawing annexed to the Specification to the said
etters Patent was printed and published in this country some months
evious to the sealing of the said Letters Patent, I for this reason wish
disclaim, and I do hereby disclaim, all parts of the said Specification
ich describe or claim the part of the Invention shewn in Figures 1 and 2
the said Drawing.
And whereas that part of the Invention which is described in the said

page_text: C
Specification to consist of a swinging crane and parts working therewith,
and also that part of the Invention which is described to consist in a reel
and a vacancy left on the platform have not nor bath either of them come
into practical use; I for this reason wish to disclaim, and I do hereby
disclaim, all parts of the said Specification which describe and claim such
parts of the said Invention.
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crop,
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And in order to make the parts of the Specification which remain con-
sistent with the said Disclaimer, I strike out the following words at the
commencement of the said Specification: the varied applications of the
apparatus combined therewith, and the methods of use according to the
particular crops to cut as ;" also the figures and word following, vizt.,
"3, 4, 5 and 6," which occur at the commencement of the description of
the Drawings. And at the end of the description of Figures 1 and 2 of
the said Drawings I introduce the following words, vizt., to the machinery
herein-before described I now make no claim. The method of delivering the cut
and I strike out the following words at the end of the said description:
Having described the method of delivering the corn, &c., from my machine
with the rake, I will now describe another method which, also the words
commencing, "and a swinging crane," down to and inclusive of the words
as in the last-mentioned method;" also the words "substituted for the
"crane this is." And I introduce the words with which to separate the
sheaf from the falling corn or hemp, so that the sheaf may go off clean.
And I also strike out the word " the,' and introduce the word a before
the word "stick," also the words "before mentioned," also the words "in
"this method as well as in that of the crane," also the letters "se" from
the word "these," also the word "two," also the letter "s" from the
word "methods," also the word "are" and substitute the word is in
place thereof.
I also strike out the paragraph commencing with the
words, "Another method of delivering the corn," down to and inclusive of
the words, "ready for binding." Also the figures "3, 4," and the words
"two aforesaid," and letter "s," at the end of the words "modes," and
the words commencing with the words "Figures 3 and 4," down to and
inclusive of the words "7, 7, are gudgeons." I also strike out the letter "s"
from the word "methods," and word "varied," and the letter "s," from
the word "modes in the sentence immediately preceding the claiming
clause at the end of the said Specification, and I also strike out the letter "s"
from the word "methods," and I introduce the word is in place of the word
"are" in the said claiming clause.

page_text: And in order that the effect of the Disclaimer and Memorandum of Altera-
tion may be better understood, I annex a copy of the Specification as it will
appear when such Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration have been made
as aforesaid.
"NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
"said William Dray, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention
"consists in the mechanical construction of the machinery herein-after set
forth and described, reference being had to the Drawing accompanying this
Specification, and the letters and figures thereon."
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"In Figures 1, 2, a, a, a, framing; b, b, road or bearing wheel; c, c,
"blocks for carrying shaft of same; d, shaft of road or bearing wheel ;. e,
"toothed wheel gearing into the pinion ;f, f, a pinion revolving in the blocks
"
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9, 9; 9, 9, are blocks for carrying the shaft of the pinion f; ha bevel gear
"wheel attached to the same shaft as the pinion f, gearing into the bevel
gear pinion j, which pinion is attached to the cranked axle i, i; i, i, is a
"cranked axle revolving in the blocks m, for the purpose of giving motion to
"the cutting blade k, k, k; k, k, k, are the cutting blades having a rapid
reciprocating motion given to them by the cranked axle i, i; l, l, are plates
"of iron placed to form a guide for the back of the cutting blades k, k, k; m
"a connecting rod for connecting the cutting blades with the cranked axle
i, i, n, n, n, pointed guards or teeth; o, part of main platform forming a
"footboard for assistants; o¹, part of main platform; o, moveable platform;
", additional table or tail platform; p, a lever for throwing the bevil gear
"wheel h out of gear; q, a piece of angle iron for supporting the lever p; r,
tongue; s, cutter bar; t, a seat for an attendant to remove the corn from
"the machine."
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;
The parts and relative dimensions of the machine consist of two sills
"six feet long, four inches thick, and six inches deep bolted together with
"blocks between of the same size, and ten and a half inches long, holding
"the sills ten and a half inches apart with through bolts through the blocks.
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The main road wheel, thirty-two inches high and six inches tread is placed
"between the sills with its axle hanging in boxes bolted to the tops of
"the sills; the main eog wheel, say eighteen inches diameter, and two
"inches face, one and a quarter inches pitch, is bolted to the arms. One
"end of the cutter bar on which is fixed the cutting apparatus is bolted
"on to the under side of these sills a few inches clear of the rim of the
wheel, and about two feet back of the front ends of the sills, one end
"of which extends about six feet, more or less, either to the right or left
hand side of the sills, to cut either on the right or left hand. A plank
+

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"of similar length but smaller, say five by two inches, is placed parallel
"with the cutter bar, and also bolted to the sills on the under side a few
"inches from the rim of the wheel behind it; this will bring the front
" of the cutter bar four feet or more from the hind part of the rear
plank. In fixing these plates to the sills, the hind plank should be let
up into the sill, say three inches, while blocks of wedge shape, five or
"six inches high, should be put between the sills and cutter bar, so that
when the planks shall be in a horizontal position the front ends of the
sills shall be elevated; a flooring is then laid over the cutter bar
"and hind plank, forming a table or platform on which the grain falls
"when cut. The main wheel before mentioned supports that part of the
"machine immediately behind the horses, and the ends of the platform
opposite the road wheel is supported by a truck wheel from ten to
fifteen inches in diameter. The tongue to which the horses are
geared is bolted to the sill opposite the platform, usually on the out-
side."
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"The cutting apparatus is made as follows:-An iron rod six or seven
" feet long, according to the breadth of cut required, about one inch wide
"and a quarter inch thick, is made straight on this rod, the blades are
"rivetted; the blades are in form of a lancet point, sharp on both sides
"and about three inches wide at the base, where they are rivetted to the
"rod, and about three inches from the rod to the point, the whole forming
in appearance a coarse toothed saw. A corresponding number of pro-
jecting iron points or teeth are fixed to the front edge of the cutter
bar and permanently rivetted; they are flat where rivetted to the cutter
bar, say one inch wide and three-eighths of an inch thick, and pro-
ceed in this form about two inches from the bar forward; then they
assume a square shape, say three-quarters of an inch square for about
four inches, and terminate in a point. From this point a strong spur
"extends backwards parallel with and on either the upper or the under
"side, producing a double projecting iron point or guard, so far as the
square extends; between the square part of this iron and the spur is
left a space about from three-sixteenths to a quarter of an inch. When
these iron points are properly rivetted to the cutter bar, say three inches
apart to correspond with the width of the cutter, the spaces between
the main square and spur of the guard are in line, so that the same shaped
"cutter formed as above mentioned shall pass through all the guards from
"end to end of the cutter bar; two rods of iron are then rivetted to the
"flat part of this projecting iron or guard parallel with the cutter bar, say
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"
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one inch and one-eighth apart, forming a groove to receive the rod on
"which the cutters are fixed, so that when the power is applied to the
"end of the cutter rod this rod shall slide in this groove, producing a
"
"
vibrating motion in the blades, permitting them to pass through and from
"one to the other of the spaces in the projecting irons or guards. On
"the sill opposite the platform and back of the main axle box is placed
a cast-iron foundation to receive a shaft about sixteen or seventeen inches
long and about one inch and a half in diameter at right angles with
" the sill. On one end of this shaft is fixed a spur pinion about five
inches diameter gearing into the spur wheel on the main road wheel
" before mentioned; on the other end of this shaft which projects over the
"sill is fixed a bevil wheel about seventeen inches diameter and one inch
"and a quarter pitch; this bevel wheel drives a pinion about four and a
"half inches diameter on the end of a crank shaft. The crank shaft is so
placed and hung to the outside of this sill, that its pinions shall be in
"connection with the bevel wheel, while its other end containing the crank
shall be nearly in line with the before-mentioned cutter rod; the crank is
" of suitable sweep, so that when it is united with the cutter rod by a suitable
connecting rod and joints, the revolutions of the crank shall cause the
"blades to move from one guard or point to the other%; thus if the
"blades are three inches at their bases, the sweep of the crank should be
"about three inches; a little more will not injure, but may benefit the
" cutting."
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"Having the machine thus far completed, an attachment (which is not
"claimed as part of this Invention) may be added, which is thus formed :-A
piece of scantling or plank of sufficiently strong wood, about seven feet long
" and two and a half inches square is to be bolted down on the top of the
platform near the truck wheel; one end of this piece will extend four feet
"behind the platform before described; another piece of scantling or plank
"of nearly the same size and eight feet long must be bolted on the under side
"of the same platform, and about four and a half feet from the piece first
"described towards the road wheel. These pieces being placed as described
"are to be planked over in the following manner:-The planks should be
"about five feet long, one end of them should be firmly secured on the
"under side of the scantling first described, and the other end should
"rest on the top of the scantling last described; when done this addi-
"tional platform will be about five feet one way and four feet the
" other."
"On the rear of this floor a plank five feet long and ten inches wide, more

page_text: "or less, must sit edgewise, forming a barrier to prevent the cut corn from
passing off in the rear."
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The machine thus completed, it will be readily understood that if it be
"drawn a-head, the road wheel in turning must set in motion the cog wheel
"before described; the spur wheel turns the bevel wheel, this wheel turns the
"crank with an accelerated speed, the crank in its revolution causes the rapid
"vibration of the blades from one to the other of the projecting points or
guards and through the spaces in the same in the progress of the machine
"in the field of corn or grass, the stalks enter between the projecting points or
"teeth, and the vibrating blades cut them off; the stalks while being cut are
supported by the square of the projecting point on one side of the blade and
by the spur before mentioned on the other side of the blade, whether
"this spur be above or below the blade; the stalks of corn or the blades of
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grass being thus supported both above and below the edge of the blade
"enables the blade to run free and without such friction as would be caused.
by a scissors principle; this allows a bevel on both sides of the blade, so
that the edge shall not be injured in passing through the double supporting
point or guard."
"The corn when cut falls backwards on the platform first described, it is
"then pushed back in heaps on to the additional table last described, from that
"table it is raked on to the ground at the side in the rear of the road wheel.
"The table last described as added to the main platform can be removed, and
"the bundles of corn dropped directly on to the ground in the rear of the
"blades instead of the rear of the road wheel. To facilitate the raking a box
"is put over the road wheel resting on the sills. The front end of this box
"forms a seat for the man with the first rake, who pushes the heaps of corn
"on to the additional table or tail platform; the hinder part of the box forms
a seat for the second raker, who with a rake draws the corn off to the
ground."
66
"For cutting grass the rear or tail platform may be removed, and a part of
"the main platform is also removed, so that the cut grass can the more readily
"reach the ground."
The
"To the machinery herein-after described I now make no clain.
"method of delivering the cut crop is as follows:-The main platform is
"diminished in width to about twelve or sixteen inches, a tilting platform
"about three feet wide is hung by gudgeons in or near the middle of its ends
holding it parallel with the cutter bar. The gudgeons are placed in such a
"position that the rear edge of this platform shall be elevated nine inches,
more or less, while the front edge shall rest on the cutter bar immediately
"

page_text: in the rear of the cutters, a handle is fixed to to the end of this tilting plat-
form next the road wheel. This handle projects upwards and is in com-
mand of the operator. When this machine is in operation, the front edge
of the tilting platform is down, and the hinder edge elevated; when the corn
or hemp sufficient for a sheaf is fallen, the platform is tilted, the front edge
goes up and the hinder edge goes down, and the sheaf slides off the platform
then returns to its position to receive another sheaf. A stick held in
the hand of the operator is useful with which to separate the sheaf
from the falling corn or hemp, so that the sheaf may go off clean."
"The last described method of delivery is particularly valuable in cutting
hemp and all other heavy crops."
Figures 5 and 6 in the Drawing represent the mode of delivering the
crops when cut by the machine."
In
Figures 5 and 6 in plan and elevation shew the tilting platform.
these Figures, A is the platform; B, B, the gudgeons; C, the handle by
which the platform is tilted; D, shews the reverse position of the handle
and platform."
Having herein set forth and described my method, apparatus, and machi-
nery for reaping, mowing, or cutting the several kinds of agricultural crops
mentioned, together with the mode of field operations appertaining thereto,
which may be slightly varied without departing from the Invention, but
what I claim as the Invention is the combined method, apparatus, and
machinery, substantially as herein described."
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas George Thomason, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three

page_text: and in the Times and Morning Herald newspapers, and such advertisements
having been duly published in the London Gazette and in the Morning Herald
newspapers on the 12th, and the Times newspaper on the 13th day of May
last, and no sufficient objection having been made to the said application, I
have accordingly granted leave to the said Thomas George Thomason to file
his said Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration pursuant to the Statutes
in such case made and provided.
Temple, June 21, 1863.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED that on the Seventeenth day of June, in the
year of our Lord 1863, the aforesaid Thomas George Thomason came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Disclaimer
aforesaid, and all and everything therein contained and specified in form above
written, and also the Disclaimer aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor
of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-third day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.