IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Brigham and Richard Bickerton, of the Town
and County of Berwick-on-Tweed, North Britain, Implement Makers,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 12th April 1864, and dated the 30th October 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Brigham and
Richard Bickerton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 30th October 1863.
We, JOHN BRIGHAM and RICHARD BICKERTON, of the Town and County of
Berwick-on-Tweed, North Britain, Implement Makers, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING
MACHINES," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates more particularly to the arrangement and con-
struction of the apparatus and mechanical details connected with what is
termed the "delivery" of reaping and mowing machines, that is to say, with
that portion of the machine by means of which the crop is divided and brought
within the range of the cutters, and is then gathered into separate quantities
sufficient to form sheaves.
This Invention also includes the application and use in reaping and

page_text: mowing machines of an apparatus for the self-delivery of the cords or bands
for the tying of the sheaves in such a manner that the cords or bands are auto-
matically cut into short lengths and laid down on the ground at the proper
place and time, so that the cut crop, as it is swept or delivered in bundles
from the delivery tables, shall be thrown on to the top of such cords or bands
ready to be tied into sheaves by the persons following the machine for that
purpose.
Under one modification or system of arranging the self-acting or automatic
"delivery," under the first part of this Invention, the main shaft of the
machine, which carries the main bearing and driving wheel, has keyed on it a
bevel wheel or pinion, which gears into and gives motion to a corresponding
wheel keyed on a short vertical or it may be slightly angular shaft, which is
carried by footstep and bush bearings in brackets bolted or cast on to the side
of the main framing. The upper end of this shaft projects out through the
bracket piece referred to as carrying the upper bearing, and has keyed to it a
cross piece formed of four arms diverging at right angles to each other from
the central boss, and having the outward end of each arm turned in an
upward direction. A hole or bearing is formed in each of the upwardly
turned parts to admit of the ends of two horizontal shafts passing through
them, the two shafts being arranged crosswise and in different vertical planes,
so as to clear each other in their rotatory movement. Each of these horizontal
shafts have keyed to them an iron bar forming a duplex or species of double
arm, which is so bent and set in different planes as to clear each other and
the upwardly turned ends of the cross piece on the tilting or partial rotation of
the shafts, whilst the two extremities of each bar or duplex arm are bent in a
downward direction nearly at right angles to the central part, and have
attached to each a long arm or lever that extends in an outward direction
as each arm comes round over the platform of the machine, but in a nearly
vertical position while on the other side of the machine. As these arms
rotate with the vertical shaft they are caused to tilt on their horizontal and
cross shafts, so as to be vertical and out of the way of the body of the machine
and the driver whilst passing the outer side, and to descend to a horizontal
position when moving over the standing crop to be cut and the platform, all
on the inside of the reaping machine. The horizontal movement of each arm,
as it comes round, serves to divide the corn or other crop into portions, and
to direct these portions toward the cutters. One of the arms is furnished with
teeth on its under side, and this arm is usually made longer, so as to sweep or
clear the surface of the platform at intervals, and carry or deliver the cut crop
laid or left thereon by the shorter arms on to the ground at nearly right angles

page_text: to the direction of the machine's motion, and in quantities sufficient to form a
sheaf, which is afterwards tied up by the person who follows the machine for that
purpose. The tilting or partial rotation of the cross shafts and the gathering
or delivering arms keyed on them is effected by various means, one example of
which is, by fixing on one or both ends of the cross shafts a short pawl or
detent, which, as they revolve in the horizontal or angular plane (according as
the vertical or angular shaft, driven by the bevel wheels from the main driving
shaft before described, is set vertical or at an angle), come in contact with a
strong tilting spring or curved iron stop piece, set or fixed so as to tilt or turn
them quickly but smoothly at the proper time, or just when the arm sweeping
the platform has delivered its sheaf, or is nearly in a line with the side of the
machine, and so that it shall clear it, and its front or duplicate arm shall just
be in readiness to sweep the uncut crop into the cutters, the arms being
held in their respective positions during the greater part of their revolutions by
their own weight when tilted, by resting on a part of their cross arms, or by a
catch, into which the arms or the pawl detents on the cross shafts fall, and are
released from, just before being tilted, by the spring or stop for that purpose
before referred to. This tilting or partial rotation of the cross shafts and their
gathering and delivery" armis causes the one which for the time being is on
the outer side to suddenly rise up in the air and so clear the machine, whilst
the other one descends and gathers the crop towards the cutters.
The long
sweeping or gathering arms are usually formed of hard wood, and made
adjustable at their attachments to the knee bars or tilting arms, where they
are bolted by light straps or knee pieces of iron, so as to suit the height of the
platform and cutters, according to the nature of the ground and crop on
which they are working for the time being.
Another mode of arranging and constructing the self-delivery portion of
reaping and mowing machines is to place the shaft for driving the gathering
and delivery arms at a very great angle, say, from thirty to forty-five degrees of
the plum in the longitudinal plane, or inclining over in the head towards the
platform, but nearly vertical in the transverse plane across the machine. This
shaft is carried in a footstep and bush bearing, and may be driven by a pair of
bevel wheels from the main shaft when their axial lines cross each other, as
described in reference to the corresponding vertical or slightly angled shaft of
the first modification; when this angular shaft of the delivery arms is set
either in advance or behind the main shaft, it is driven by an intermediate
shaft and an extra pair of wheels, or by pulleys with endless chains, belts, or
bands. In this arrangement the four kneed or bent arms are attached at
right angles to each other by a common boss or eye direct to the upper part of

page_text: the before-named angular shaft, so that they revolve in a fixed path round it
without tilting, as in the first arrangement. The long lateral wooden arms
are either attached to the strong knee arms, as in the first modification, or by
a compensating joint in the case of the one which sweeps the platform, so
as to allow it to rest longer or go further out on the platform as it comes
round to deliver the sheaf at right angles to the course of the machine, this
being accomplished by jointing the latter arm at some distance from its inner
end to the end of the iron kneed arm, whilst the inner end works in a slotted
guide projecting out and downwards from the same kneed arm behind the joint
or fulcrum; or otherwise the delivery platform may be made to take the
very slight rise towards the outward delivery end to suit that of the "flat
curve or circular path of the lateral arms, which, when rigidly attached
without the compensating joint, is that of a very obtuse cone, the outer
extremities of the lateral sweeping and gathering arms forming the larger
circle of the base. The arms in this arrangement as the shaft rotates carry
the standing crop towards the cutters, the fourth or delivery arm, which is
provided with rake teeth, serving to sweep the platform clear of the crop and
deposit it on the ground in readiness to be tied up into sheaves.
13
The arrangement and construction of that part of this Invention which
relates to the application and use of self-acting mechanism for laying down the
sheaf-binding bands or cords in reaping and mowing machines, as applied to
the self-delivering class of such machines, consists under one modification in
placing, by preference, near the ground of the rear or back part of the
machine a grooved pulley carried by a short horizontal spindle or stud
revolving in or attached to the main frame, and driven by a spur wheel and
pinion or by a chain and chain pulleys from the main shaft, the band or
cord passing over this pulley from a large reel or ball of it carried on some
convenient part of the machine, so that it can easily be wound off by that
roller and another one placed exactly over it, and resting with its whole weight
upon the top of the cord or band, thus enabling the cord to be "paid out
behind the machine by the frictional action of the top roller and that of the
driving roller beneath. Adjacent or close behind these rollers is arranged
and secured transversely to a pendant part of the main framing a pair of
scissors or cutting knives, through between the cutting blades or edges of
which the continuous cord is pushed by the action of the feeding or "paying
out" rollers above described. The upper or lower blade of this cutting
instrument is attached to and actuated by a lever, the free end of which is
raised or depressed (according to the order of the lever employed and the
particular blade to which it is attached) by the action of a cam or crank pin

page_text: in the rim of one of the wheels on the main shaft or other shaft driven from
it, or by a projection attached to one of the revolving, gathering, or delivery
kneed arms, so as to instantaneously cut the cord in measured lengths sufficient
to tie or bind the sheaves and deposit them on the ground at the proper place
and time behind the machine for the fourth gathering and delivery arm as
it comes round, to deposit the cut bundle or loose sheave from the delivery
platform right across and above it, in readiness for the persons following the
machine to tie or bind it up into a proper sheaf.
Another modification of this self-delivery of the bands or binders below the
sheaves, as applied to reaping and mowing machines of the hand-delivery
class, in which the cut crop is gathered on to the platform by the man on the
machine with a hand rake and tilted at intervals with his foot, so as to deliver
it in loose bundles just behind or in the line or track of the cutters. This
arrangement and construction of reaping machine involves the placing of the
rollers and knives or scissors for delivering and cutting the sheaf-bands at
right angles to that described in the previous modification, and the consequent
introduction of an extra intermediate short shaft and pair of bevel wheels to
actuate the pulleys, the actuating lever of the cutters or scissors in this case
being worked by a crank tappet attached to either the main or intermediate
shafts, so as to measure and cut the cords or bands into proper lengths, in
relation to the distance over which the machine has travelled along the
ground, these lengths of cord being fed on to a fixed or hinged shelf below
the back end or edge of the delivery tilt-board, from which each length is
allowed to fall, or to be thrown off by springs or levers at the side, by the first
motion imparted to the tilt board with the man's foot in a proper position for
the loose bundle of cut corn or other crop to be laid across in readiness to be
made up into a proper sheaf by the persons following the machine for that
purpose.
Under another arrangement the cords or bands are first cut into the proper
length and put into a hopper, having a slot or aperture at its rear and lower
part, where they are dropped or fed on to the ground, one at a time, and in
the place to receive the loose bundle of cut crop, as before described in either
of the two last modifications of "self or hand delivery" reaping machines. This
is effected automatically, either by frictional feeding rollers or endless belts,
which draw the lowest length of cord along from the slot in the hopper, and
deposit it on the ground in the self-delivery machine, or on to the shelf of
the delivery board in that of the "hand delivery" machine, or otherwise thrown
or dropped from a shelf at the mouth of the slot by actuating mechanism
similar to that referred to in the two previous arrangements for depositing the

page_text: cords on the ground. These cords or bands may be formed of hemp, straw,
or other material, either twisted into the form of cord or rope or not, as
desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Brigham and Richard Bickerton in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 29th April 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
BRIGHAM and RICHARD BICKERTON, of the Town and County of Berwick-on-
Tweed, North Britain, Implement Makers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said John Brigham and Richard Bickerton, Her special license that
we, the said John Brigham and Richard Bickerton, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said John Brigham and
Richard Bickerton, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said John Brigham and Richard Bickerton, our
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our hands
and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of them, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said John Brigham and Richard Bickerton,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say :-
Our said Invention relates more particularly to the arrangement and

page_text: construction of the apparatus and mechanical details connected with what is
termed the "delivery" of reaping and mowing machines, that is to say, with
that portion of the machine by means of which the crop is divided and brought
within the range of the cutters, and is then gathered into separate quantities
sufficient to form sheaves.
This Invention also includes the application and use in reaping and mowing
machines of an apparatus for the self-delivery of the cords or bands for the tying
of the sheaves in such a manner that the cords or bands are automatically cut
into short lengths, and laid down on the ground at the proper place and time,
so that the cut crop as it is swept or delivered in bundles from the delivery
tables shall be thrown on to the top of such cords or bands ready to be tied
into sheaves by the persons following the machine for that purpose.
Under one modification or system of arranging the self-acting or automatic
"delivery" under the first part of this Invention, the main shaft of the machine,
which carries the main bearing and driving wheel, has keyed on it a bevel
wheel or pinion, which gears into and gives motion to a corresponding wheel
keyed on a short vertical or it may be slightly angular shaft, which is carried
by footstep and bush bearings in brackets bolted or cast on to the side of the
main framing. The upper end of this shaft projects out through the bracket
piece referred to as carrying the upper bearing, and has keyed to it a cross
piece formed of four arms diverging at right angles to each other from the
central boss, and having the outward end of each arm turned in an upward
direction. A hole or bearing is formed in each of the upwardly turned parts
to admit of the ends of two horizontal shafts passing through them, the two
shafts being arranged crosswise and in different vertical planes, so as to clear
each other in their rotatory movement. Each of these horizontal shafts have
keyed to them an iron bar forming a duplex or species of double arm, which
is so bent and set in different planes as to clear each other and the upwardly
turned ends of the cross piece on the tilting or partial rotation of the shafts,
whilst the two extremities of each bar or duplex arm are bent in a downward
direction nearly at right angles to the central part, and have attached to each
a long arm or lever that extends in an outward direction as each arm comes
round over the platform of the machine, but in a nearly vertical position while
on the other side of the inachine. As these arms rotate with the vertical shaft
they are caused to tilt on their borizontal and cross shafts, so as to be vertical
and out of the way of the body of the machine and the driver whilst passing
the outer side, and to descend to a horizontal position when moving over the
standing crop to be cut and the platform, all on the inside of the reaping
machine. The horizontal movement of each arm as it comes round serves to

page_text: divide the corn or other crop into portions, and to direct these portions toward
the cutters. One of the arms is furnished with teeth on its under side, and
this arm is usually made longer, so as to sweep or clear the surface of the
platform at intervals, and carry or deliver the cut crop laid or left thereon by
the shorter arms on to the ground at nearly right angles to the direction of
the machine's motion, and in quantities sufficient to form a sheaf, which is
afterwards tied up by the persons who follow the machine for that purpose.
The tilting or partial rotation of the cross shafts and the gathering or delivering
arms keyed on them is effected by various means, one example of which is by
fixing on one or both ends of the cross shafts a short pawl or detent, which as
they revolve in the horizontal or angular plane (according as the vertical
or angular shaft driven by the bevel wheels from the main driving shaft
before described is set vertical or at an angle) come in contact with a
strong tilting spring or curved iron stop piece, set or fixed so as to tilt or turn
them quickly but smoothly at the proper time, or just when the arm sweeping
the platform has delivered its sheaf, or is nearly in a line with the side of the
machine, and so that it shall clear it, and its front or duplicate arm shall just
be in readiness to sweep the uncut crop into the cutters, the arms being held
in their respective positions during the greater part of their revolutions by
their own weight when tilted, by resting on a part of their cross arms, or by a
catch, into which the arms or the pawl detents on the cross shafts fall, and are
released from, just before being tilted, by the spring or stop for that purpose
before referred to. This tilting or partial rotation of the cross shafts and their
gathering and "delivery" arms causes the one which for the time being is on
the outer side to suddenly rise up in the air, and so clear the machine, whilst
the other one descends and gathers the crop towards the cutters. The long
sweeping or gathering arms are usually formed of hard wood, and made
adjustable at their attachments to the knee bars or tilting arms, where they
are bolted by light straps or knee pieces of iron, so as to suit the height of the
platform and cutters according to the nature of the ground and crop on which
they are working for the time being.
Another mode of arranging and constructing the self-delivery portion of
reaping and mowing machines is to place the shaft for driving the gathering
and delivery arms at a very great angle, say, from thirty to forty-five degrees of
the plumb in the longitudinal plane, or inclining over in the head towards the
platform, but nearly vertical in the transverse plane across the machine. This
shaft is carried in a footstep and bush bearing, and may be driven by a pair of
bevel wheels from the main shaft when their axial lines cross each other, as
described in reference to the corresponding vertical or slightly angled shaft of

page_text: the first modification; when this angular shaft of the delivery arms is set,
either in advance or behind the main shaft, it is driven by an intermediate shaft
and an extra pair of wheels, or by pulleys with endless cliains, belts, or bands.
In this arrangement the four knee or bent arms are attached at right angles
to each other by a common boss or eye direct to the upper part of the before-
named angular shaft, so that they revolve in a fixed path round it without
tilting, as in the first arrangement. The long lateral wooden arms are either
attached to the strong knee arms, as in the first modification, or by a com-
pensating joint in the case of the one which sweeps the platform, so as to
allow. it to rest longer or go further out on the platform as it comes round to
deliver the sheaf at right angles. to the course of the machine, this being
accomplished by jointing' the latter arm at some distance from its inner end
to the end of the iron knee arm, whilst the inner end works in a slotted
guide projecting out and downwards from the same knee arm behind the joint
or fulcrum; or otherwise, the delivery platform may be made to take the
very slight rise towards the outward delivery end to suit that of the "flat
curve" or circular path of the lateral arms, which when rigidly attached with-
out the compensating joint is that of a very obtuse cone, the outer extremities
of the lateral sweeping and gathering arms forming the larger circle of the
base. The arms in this arrangement as the shaft rotates carry the standing
crop towards the cutters, the fourth or delivery arm, which is provided with
rake teeth, serving to sweep the platform clear of the crop, and deposit it on
the ground in readiness to be tied up into sheaves.
The arrangement and construction of that part of this Invention which
relates to the application and use of self-acting mechanism for laying down
the sheaf-binding bands or cords in reaping and mowing machines, as
applied to the self-delivering class of such machines, consists under one
modification in placing, by preference, near the ground of the rear or
back part of the machine a grooved pulley, carried by a short horizontal
spindle or stud revolving in or attached to the main frame, and driven by a
spur wheel and pinion, or by a chain and chain pulleys from the main shaft,
the band or cord passing over this pulley from a large reel or ball of it carried
ou some convenient part of the machine, so that it can easily be wound off by
that roller and another one placed exactly over it, and resting with its whole
weight upon the top of the cord or band, thus enabling the cord to be " 'payed
out behind the machine by the frictional action of the top roller and that of
the driving roller beneath. Adjacent to or close behind these rollers is
arranged and secured transversely to a pendent part of the main framing a
pair of scissors or cutting knives, through or between the cutting blades or edges
"

page_text: of which the continuous cord is pushed by the action of the feeding or
"paying-out" rollers above described. The upper or lower blade of this
cutting instrument is attached to and actuated by a lever, the free end of which
is raised or depressed (according to the order of the lever employed and the
particular blade to which it is attached) by the action of a cam or crank pin
in the rim of one of the wheels on the main shaft, or other shaft driven from
it, or by a projection attached to one of the revolving, gathering, or delivery
knee arms, so as to instantaneously cut the cord in measured lengths,
sufficient to tie or bind the sheaves, and deposit them on the ground at the
proper place and time behind the machine for the gathering and delivery arm
as it comes round to deposit the cut bundle or loose sheaf from the delivery
platform right across and above it, in readiness to be bound up into a proper
sheaf.
Another modification of self-delivery of the bands or binders below the
sheaves as applied to reaping and mowing machines of the hand delivery class,
in which the cut crop is gathered on to the platform by the man on the
machine with a hand rake and tilted at intervals with his foot, so as to deliver
it in loose bundles just behind in the line or track of the cutters. This
arrangement and construction of reaping machines involves the placing of the
rollers and knives or scissors for delivering and cutting the sheaf bands at
right angles to that described in the previous modification, and the consequent
introduction of an extra intermediate short shaft and pair of bevel wheels to
actuate the pulleys, the actuating the lever of the cutters or scissors in this
case being worked by a crank tappet attached to either the main or inter-
mediate shaft, so as to measure and cut the cords or bands into proper lengths,
in relation to the distance over which the machine has travelled along the
ground, these lengths of cord being fed on to a fixed or hinged shelf below
the back end or edge of the delivery tilt board, from which each length is
allowed to fall, or be thrown off by springs or levers at the side, by the first
motion imparted to the tilt board with the man's foot in a proper position for
the loose bundles of cut corn or other crop to be laid across in readiness to be
made into a proper sheaf by the persons following the machine for that purpose.
Under another arrangement the cords or bands are first cut into the proper
length, and put into a hopper having a slot or aperture at its rear and lower
part, where they are dropped or fed on to the ground one at a time, and in
the place to receive the loose bundle of cut crop, as before described in either
of the two last modifications of self or hand delivery reaping machines. This
is effected automatically either by frictional feeding rollers or endless belts,
which draw the lowest length of cord along from the slot in the hopper, and

page_text: deposit it on the ground in the self-delivery machine, or on to the shelf of the
delivery board in that of the hand delivery machine, or otherwise thrown or
dropped from a shelf at the mouth of the slot by actuating mechanism similar
to that referred to in the two previous arrangements for depositing the cords
on the ground. These cords or bands may be formed of hemp, straw,
or other material, either twisted into the form of cord or rope or not, as
desired.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we shall
now proceed to describe the best systems or modes that we are acquainted
with for practically carrying the same into effect, reference being had to the
two explanatory Sheets of Drawings which we have hereunto appended for
the purpose of more fully explaining the nature and construction of machinery
or combination of parts we prefer to employ, and in the several Figures of
which similar parts are indicated by corresponding letters of reference.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of reaping machine,
in which the cut crop is delivered at right angles, or nearly so, to the path of
the machine, and fitted with several of our improvements; Figures 2 and 3
are a side and back elevation of a portion of the back of the same machine,
more particularly showing the arrangement of mechanism for cutting and
delivering the binding cords; Figure 4 being an entire plan of the whole
machine corresponding to Figure 1.
On Sheet 2, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a similar machine, fitted with
another modification of the gathering mechanism; Figure 2 being a plan
corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevation of the back of another
modification of reaping machine, in which the cut crop is delivered in the
path of the machine, and embodying several of these improvements; Figure 4
is a transverse section taken on the line 1, 1, Figure 5; Figure 5 being a
plan of the same machine corresponding to Figure 3.
In Figure 1 the framing A is of that description for which Letters Patent
were granted unto us on or about the 20th day of March 1863, and numbered
751, and in it is carried in suitable bearings the main driving shaft B, which
is caused to rotate by the rolling action of the driving wheel C, keyed or
otherwise fixed on to its outer end, and on its inner end is keyed the main
driving bevil pinion D, gearing into the large bevil wheel D¹ on the inclined
shaft E, carried in the footstep and bracket bearings F and F¹, bolted to the
main framing A, having keyed on it at its upper extremity the disc G, which
also carries the plummer blocks and bearings for tbe oscillating cross shafts H
and H¹, having keyed on them the bent arms I and I¹, carrying the gathering
and delivery arms J and J'. As the inclined shaft E revolves, and along

page_text: with it the disc G, carrying the cross shafts H and H', to the ends of which
are fixed the short levers K and K'; these levers K and K', in the course of
the revolution of the disc G, are brought into contact with the friction roller
L, carried on a stud fixed into the framing of the machine. The revolving
motion of the disc G causes these levers when in contact with the friction
roller L to be tilted in a proportion corresponding to the length of the levers
K and K', which are arranged to tilt the cross shafts and bent arms so that
when one of the arms J and J¹ arrives at that position of its revolution in
which it would lie parallel to the path of the machine, one of the levers K
comes in contact with the friction roller L, which in being tilted causes the
arm J to be depressed in front of the machine; this lowering and revolution
of the arm J causes the crop to be gathered in and held towards the cutters
so as to be cut down as the machine proceeds. The alternate arms I are
made of a greater length downwards than those marked I, whilst the
sweeping arms J attached to them are furnished with rake teeth on their
lower side for the purpose of sweeping the cut crop from the platform M,
and delivering it in a quantity sufficient to form a sheaf at or nearly at right
angles to the path of the machine on the top of a binding cord or band pre-
viously laid down by the machine. The latter arrangement will be heroin-
after more fully described and referred to. The arms J¹ on the shaft H', at
right angles to the former, are tilted in a similar manner, but the bent portion
I¹ of these arms being made shorter than those marked I, gather in the grain
on a higher plane, and having no rake teeth leave it on the platform M, in
readiness to be swept off by the delivery arms J as they come round next in
succession. The gathering and delivery arms J and J¹, when they are
tilted, are kept in position corresponding to the platform M, partly by their
own weight and partly by means of the bracket piece J, bolted on to the
arms I and I', which catches under the circular frame F, and is kept under
it during the passage of the arms J and J¹ round or over the table, when it
passes beyond the circular frame F2 in readiness for being tilted in the
opposite direction.
That part of our Invention which relates to the laying down of the band or
cord in machines in which the cut crop is delivered at right angles or nearly
so with the path of the machine, and with which the sheaf is bound, consists
of a hollow spherical case N, in which the binding cord is placed, being rolled
up in the form of a ball, the end of which is passed through the tube N',
passing thence over the grooved driving roller O, actuated by the pinion P
from the wheel P¹ on the main shaft B. Above the driving roller is placed a
friction roller O', carried on a stud fixed into a bracket from the framing A;

page_text: this friction roller is caused to press upon the binding cord which passes
between it and the grooved roller O, so that the cord is drawn and measured
off in a proportion corresponding to that distance over which the driving
wheel C passes in quantity of sufficient length to bind a sheaf. In front or
below the grooved and friction rollers O and O₁ there is placed a tubular
guide Q, through which the cord R is guided to the scissors or cutters S and
S¹, carried on a bracket attached to a portion of the framing A, the upper
blade S of which is hinged on a centre and is actuated by a pin T¹ in the
periphery of the bevil wheel T on the main shaft B, which comes in contact
with the pin T in the back end of the lever S', thus cutting off and laying
down lengths of the binding cord as the machine proceeds in its path, so that
the sheaf is swept and laid over it by the delivery arms J. The spring S
always raises the blade S' of the scissors to the open position after it has been
depressed to cut the cord by the pin T¹.
Another modification of our Invention applied to reaping machines in
which the cut crop is laid at right angles to the path of the machine, as
shown at Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 2), consists in placing the shaft E at a
greater angle than that described in reference to the first modification, and.
this shaft is situated at such an angle that the arms J and J¹ shall sweep the
platform M during the course of their revolution in a manner similar to that
herein-before described in reference to the first modification. In this case the
arms J and J¹ are rigidly fixed to the cruciform iron frame G, which is also
keyed to the upper end of the shaft E, the tilting gear being in this arrange-
ment unnecessary and therefore dispensed with, the path which the long
arms J and J describe in passing over the platform being that of a portion
of an obtuse cone, in which the arms themselves describe the sides, and
their extremities that of the larger circle of the base, the upper surface of
the platform being made to correspond therewith. The general arrangement
of the other parts of this machine being similar to that herein-before de-
scribed in reference to the first modification, it is not considered necessary
again to specify them; and although we have shown the long arms J and J',
which sweep the platform M, as rigidly fixed to the arms of the cruciform
frame G at the parts I, they may also be made with hinge joints either with
or without a tail piece working in a guide projecting downwards from the
cruciform frame G, the extreme end of this tail piece being further guided in
a slot formed in an additional piece being fixed to the framing or bracket F'.
of the machine, the path of which is made of such form or at such an angle
that the long arm J shall pass over the platform M, of whatever superficial.
form it may be or angle that it may be set at.

page_text: Another modification or mode of guiding the delivery arms J when so
hinged consists in making the cruciform frame G and wheel D' in one and the
same hollow boss, running loosely upon the shaft E, which in this case would
be a long fixed bar, to the upper end of which an eccentric, cam, or crank is
fixed of such a throw, to which connecting rods are attached, extending one
to each arm J and J', these both revolving along with the cruciform frame G,
so that by adjusting the throw or path of the eccentric, cam, or crank, the
arms may be made to move through any required path to sweep the particular
form of platform in use.
A further improvement consists in the application of that part of this
Invention which relates to the cutting and delivery of the binding cords or
bands to machines in which the cut crop is delivered by a tilting platform
immediately behind or in the path of the machine, instead of at right angles
to it, as in the two previous modifications, whether the crop is gathered and
tilted by the attendant or automatically.
In the modification shown at Figures 3, 4, and 5, the ball of binding cord R
is placed in the hollow spherical box N, the end of which passes through the
tube N¹, which conducts it to the driving and friction roller O and O¹,
whence it passes on to the upper surface of the endless band a, which is
carried round the two pulleys or rollers O and O2, at the backward end
of the tilting platform M, the pulley O being actuated by the shaft b, to
which it is fixed by the pair of bevil wheels c and c¹, the wheel c being
keyed on the shaft d in a line with the journal of the tilting platform M,
and driven from the main shaft B by the frictional wheel e, attached to or
formed in one piece with the bevil wheel T, which frictional wheel bears against
the intermediate pinion f, carried on a stud in the moveable hand lever g,
and when in gear in frictional contact with the pinion f¹ on the end of the
shaft d, the lever g being for the purpose of engaging or disengaging of the
paying-out mechanism of the binding cord at the will of the attendant. The
cord R is guided from the two rollers O and O¹ by a spout Q between the
fixed and moveable blades S and S¹ of the scissors or cutters, the moveable
blade S¹ of which is actuated by a connecting rod T, attached to a fixed stud
in the bracket h carrying the platform M, the other end of it being attached to a
stud in the backward end of the moveable blade S', so that when the platform
is tilted to deliver the cut crop on the ground the scissors close and cut off a
length of the cord sufficient to bind the sheaf, which by the tilting action of
the platform is thrown off in a position on the ground for the cut crop to fall
upon. Instead of eniploying the connecting rod T₁ for actuating the scissors,
a fixed stud working in a slot in the backward end of the blade may also be

page_text: employed to produce the same effect; or instead of cutting off the lengths
of binding cord automatically, as shown in the several modifications herein-
before described, they may be previously cut into the required lengths and
placed in a V or other conveniently shaped trough, from which at the narrow
part the binding cords are drawn out as required, either automatically or
otherwise. If drawn out automatically, an opening is made in the narrow
part at one end of the box or trough, through which the binding cords would
successively pass, and along the bottom of this trough slits or openings are
made, through which are caused to revolve grooved pulleys, which by their
action continually draw out the lowest length of binding cord and deliver it in
time and position on the ground for the purpose of binding the sheaves as
they are laid on it; or instead of having grooved rollers in the lower part of
the trough, a moveable tray may be substituted, which will throw off the
lowest length of binding cord on to the ground, or a door may even be made
in the bottom of the trough, through which the lowest length of binding cord
is allowed to fall on the ground at the time and in the position necessary for
the cut crop to fall upon, or it may be delivered on to a shelf on the tilting
table and thence to the ground, as herein-before described in relation to this
class of reaping machines.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, we would observe in conclusion that we do not confine
ourselves to the precise details and arrangements which we have had occasion
to describe, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating
from the true principles and main features of our said Invention; but what
we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general arrangement and construction of reaping machines, as
regards their gathering and delivering mechanism, as well as the automatic
arrangements for cutting and delivering in the proper time and position on
the ground the binding cords, as herein-before described, or any mere modifi-
cation thereof.
Second, the arrangement of oscillating or tilting cross shafts for actuating
the gathering and delivering rakes or arms in reaping machines, substantially
as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Third, the application, construction, and use of fixed gathering and de-
livery arms arranged on a shaft inclined at a considerable angle, these arms
not tilting, but passing through a fixed or nearly fixed path of the form of an

page_text: obtuse cone over the platform of reaping machines, substantially as herein-
before described.
Fourth, the arrangement and construction of self-acting machinery or
mechanism for the purpose of cutting and delivering the cord for binding the
sheafs on the ground at the proper time and in position for the cut crop to be
laid upon in quantities by the delivering mechanism in reaping machines, sub-
stantially as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Brigham and Richard Bickerton,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-sixth day of April,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
JOHN BRIGHAM.
(L.S.)
RICHARD BICKERTON. (L.B.)
JOHN BRIGHAM.
(L.S.)
RICHARD BICKERTON. (L.B.)