Improvements in Machines for Cutting or Clipping Hedges.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Lelt, 8th Oct., 1890-Accepted. 8th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cutting or Clipping Hedges.
I, ETIENNE MARIE VALADIN, of 71, Boulevard Voltaire, Paris, France, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in machines for clipping or trimming
hedges.
The clipping of hedges by means of machines is attended with much difficulty on
account of the unequal resistance to the cutters caused by the varying thickness of the
branches and also owing to the irregularities which often occur in the surface of
the same hedge at different points due to a difference in growth or age which renders
it difficult to impart an even surface to the hedge except with the aid of hand-shears.
Moreover, only the lightest and most portable apparatus can be used. A machine for
this purpose should, therefore, be capable of overcoming variable resistances, of being
adjustable to different heights and thicknesses of hedge, and be very light and
portable.
All these requirements are fulfilled by the machines of my invention by means
of which the work of clipping hedges can be performed with great rapidity.
Two arrangements of the machine are employed, the one for clipping the tops, and
the other the sides, of bedges. The cutters employed are similar to those of reaping
machines.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation, Figure 2 a plan, and
Figure 3 an end elevation, of the machine for clipping the tops of hedges.
Figure 4 is a detail, drawn to a larger scale.
The machine consists of a light iron framing carried upon a pair of wheels A A¹
and provided with handles B B₁ by which the machine is drawn by one man, another
man being placed at the other end of the machine for guiding it and operating the
cutters. The machine can also be lifted and carried by the handles in crossing ditches
and other obstacles. The framing is made in two parts connected by a sliding joint
so as to enable the height of the machine to be varied. The lower framing consists
of two upright iron frames CC whose lower ends support the wheel axle F and are
held apart thereby and secured by nuts F1, the upper ends of the frame being
connected together by a cross-bar D carrying a nut E in which works a vertical
adjusting-screw J, (provided with a hand wheel) pivoted in the lower one of two
cross-bars II connecting the two imembers H H₁ of a frame H which slides upon
the frame C C before mentioned. The said upper cross-bar I carries a bearing .K
in which turns a vertical shaft L from which the cutters are operated by means of
a bevil pinion on said shaft in gear with a bevil wheel P on a horizontal shaft M
turning in bearings on the sliding frame H and operated by a winch handle M¹. The
finger bar N¹ projects horizontally, from one side of the sliding frame H, across the
top of the hedge. By turning the screw J, which serves to connect the two parts of
the sliding frame, by means of its hand wheel, the cutters can be readily raised or
lowered, together with their operating gear, to suit the height of the hedge to be
clipped, the frame being fixed at the desired height by means of clamping nuts o o¹
screwing on studs fixed to frames C C and projecting through longitudinal slots in
the framing H H to allow of their motion in a vertical direction. The cutters are
driven from the winch handle M' through the gearing above described and through
a crank Q on the shaft L and connecting rod R and oscillating lever T mounted on a
bracket at the back of the finger bar N₁; the lever T being connected with the cutter
bar S¹ by a stud and slot connection t¹.

page_text: An important feature is the joint between the connecting rod and lever T which is
made by a longitudinal slot in the end of the former in which plays a stud t on the
latter, the effect being to cause the cutters to move suddenly and with a long pause
between each stroke. During this pause, the flywheel V keyed on shaft L stores up
sufficient power to give the cutters S such a sudden impulse as will enable them to
overcome the resistance of exceptionally-thick branches so as to avoid the frequent
interruption of the action. The action is thus rendered smooth and continuous and
the machine can thus perform a greater amount of work in a given time than would
otherwise be possible. The slotted end of the connecting rod R might be directly
connected to the stud t' of the cutter bar S¹. The cutters may also be operated by any
suitable motor other than hand power.
The cutters are formed of a row of knives S of triangular form rivetted to a bar S¹
sliding to and fro upon a fixed bar N₁ carrying knives or fingers N pointed at their
front ends so as to guide the branches into the angular spaces between the cutters S.
The cutting edges of the fingers N and knives S may be varied in form, for example
they may have a concave or convex curvature instead of being straight as shewn. The
knives may also slightly incline upwards towards the points instead of being disposed
horizontally.
The machine for clipping the sides of hedges is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8,
of the drawings; Figure 5 being a side elevation, Figure 6 an end elevation, and
Figure 7 a plan, of the machine. Figure 8 shews a modification of the cutter-driving
mechanism.
The action of this machine is the same as the preceding, but the cutting mechanism
is suitably disposed for clipping the sides of hedges and it may also, if desired, be
slightly inclined so as to make the base of the hedge broader than the top. This
machine does not require to be made extensible as the cutters are of sufficient length
for clipping hedges of the maximum height.
The machine is constructed of a metallic frame C mounted upon a pair of
wheels A A¹ and provided with handles B B¹ as before. The finger bar N¹ is rigidly
attached to the framing C at two or more points by means of stays C¹ said bar being
inclined in a forward direction at bottom, as shewn in Figure 5, so as to prevent the
clippings from the top of the hedge falling upon the lower cutters, while it is also
inclined sidewise, so as to leave the hedge wider at bottom than at top. The cutters
are arranged and operated similarly to those of the machine previously described by
means of a winch handle M' on shaft M and toothed gearing P P the latter pinion
being keyed on a shaft L upon one end of which is keyed a flywheel V and at the
other end a small crank jointed to the connecting rod R whose slotted end is
connected to a rock lever T by which reciprocating motion is imparted to the cutters,
the cutting action being effected as before by utilizing the power stored up by the
flywheel during the intervals of rest to assist in overcoming the resistance of thick
branches.
In Figure 8 is shewn a modified arrangement of driving mechanism, which consists
in placing shaft L above shaft M. and operating the latter by means of a ratchet and
pawl lever motion M² instead of the winch handle M', the action of this lever M²
being, as is known, to rotate the shaft M when moved in one direction and to turn
loosely thereon when moved in the opposite direction. By this means the steersman
at the rear of the machine, who also drives the cutters, is enabled to apply his power
to the lever M2 in the most effective manner, whether the lever M² be vertical and
operated by a pull and push motion, or horizontal and operated by an up and down
motion, or alternately in each position, so as to avoid fatiguing the muscles by
continually repeating the same movement. By the employment of the lever, the
muscles of the arm experience an interval of rest between each stroke during which
the flywheel maintains the motion.
The ratchet lever M² may also be adapted to the machine first described. Z is an
inclined apron or guard, which prevents the clippings falling amongst the gear, down
which the cuttings fall on to the ground. The handles B B have an outward set so

page_text: as to avoid obstructing the cuttings, as shewn. Change gear may be used so as to
adapt the speed to the size of the twigs to be cut.
Dated January 16th 1890.
E. M. VALADIN.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cutting or Clipping Hedges.
I, ETIENNE MARIE VALADIN, of 71, Boulevard Voltaire, Paris, France, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in machines for clipping or trimming
hedges.
The clipping of hedges by means of machines is attended with much difficulty on
account of the unequal resistance to the cutters caused by the varying thickness of the
branches and also owing to the irregularities which often occur in the surface of
the same hedge at different points due to a difference in growth or age which renders
it difficult to impart an even surface to the hedge except with the aid of hand-shears.
Moreover, only the lightest and most portable apparatus can be used. A machine for
this purpose should, therefore, be capable of overcoming variable resistances, of being
adjustable to different heights and thicknesses of hedge, and be very light and
portable.
All these requirements are fulfilled by the machines of my invention by means
of which the work of clipping hedges can be performed with great rapidity. Two
arrangements of the machine are employed, the one for clipping the tops, and
the other the sides, of hedges. The cutters employed are similar to those of reaping
machines.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation, Figure
a plan, and
Figure 3 an end elevation, of the machine for clipping the tops of hedges. Figure 4
is a detail, drawn to a larger scale.
The machine consists of a light iron framing carried upon a pair of wheels A A¹
and provided with handles B B¹ by which the machine is drawn by one man, another
man being placed at the other end of the machine for guiding it and operating the
cutters. The machine can also be lifted and carried by the handles in crossing ditches
and other obstacles. The framing is made in two parts connected by a sliding joint
so as to enable the height of the machine to be varied. The lower framing consists
of two upright iron frames C C¹ whose lower ends support the wheel axle F and are
held apart thereby and secured by nuts F1, the upper ends of the frame being
connected together by a cross-bar D carrying a nut E in which works a vertical
adjusting-screw J, (provided with a hand wheel) pivoted in the lower one of two
cross-bars II connecting the two members H H of a frame H which slides upon
the frame C C¹ before mentioned. The said upper cross-bar I carries a bearing K
in which turns a vertical shaft L from which the cutters are operated by means of a
bevil pinion on said shaft in gear with a bevil wheel P on a horizontal shaft M turning
in bearings on the sliding frame H and operated by a winch handle M'. The finger
bar N projects horizontally, from one side of the sliding frame H, across the top of
the hedge. By turning the screw J, which serves to connect the two parts of the
sliding frame, by means of its hand wheel, the cutters can be readily raised or lowered,
together with their operating gear, to suit the height of the hedge to be clipped, the
frame being fixed at the desired height by means of clamping nuts O, O' screwing on
studs fixed to frames and projecting through longitudinal slots in the framing H H¹
to allow of their motion in a vertical direction. The cutters are driven from the winch

page_text: handle M' through the gearing above described and through a crank Q on the shaft L
and connecting rod R and oscillating lever T mounted on a bracket at the back of the
finger bar N; the lever T being connected with the cutter bar S¹ by a stud and slot
connection t¹.
An important feature is the joint between the connecting rod and lever T which
is made by a longitudinal slot in the end of the former in which plays a stud t on the
latter, the effect being to cause the cutters to move suddenly and with a long pause
between each stroke. During this pause, the flywheel V keyed on shaft L stores up
sufficient power to give the cutters S such a sudden impulse as will enable them to
overcome the resistance of exceptionally-thick branches so as to avoid the frequent
interruption of the action. The action is thus rendered smooth and continuous and
the machine can thus perform a greater amount of work in a given time than would
otherwise be possible. The slo ted end of the connecting rod R might be directly
connected to the stud t¹ of the cutter bar S'. The cutters may also be operated by
any suitable motor other than hand power.
The cutters are formed of a row of knives S of triangular form rivetted to a bar S¹
sliding to and fro upon a fixed bar N¹ carrying knives or fingers N pointed at their
front ends so as to guide the branches into the angular spaces between the cutters S.
The cutting edges of the fingers N and knives S may be varied in form, for example
they may have a concave or convex curvature instead of being straight as shewn. The
knives may also slightly incline upwards towards the points instead of being disposed
horizontally.
The machine for clipping the sides of hedges is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8,
of the drawings; Figure 5 being a side elevation, Figure 6 an end elevation, and
Figure 7 a plan, of the machine. Figure 8 shews a modification of the cutter-driving
mechanism.
The action of this machine is the same as the preceding, but the cutting mechanism
is suitably disposed for clipping the sides of hedges and it may also, if desired, be
slightly inclined so as to make the base of the hedge broader than the top. This
machine does not require to be made extensible as the cutters are of sufficient length
for clipping hedges of the maximum height.
The machine is constructed of a metallic frame C mounted upon a pair of wheels A A¹
and provided with handles B B' as before. The finger bar N₁ is rigidly attached to
the framing C at two or more points by means of stays C said bar being inclined in
a forward direction at bottom, as shewn in Figure 5, so as to prevent the clippings
from the top of the hedge falling upon the lower cutters, while it is also inclined
sidewise, so as to leave the hedge wider at bottom than at top. The cutters are
arranged and operated similarly to those of the machine previously described by means
of a winch handle M' on shaft M and toothed gearing P P¹ the latter pinion being
keyed on a shaft L upon one end of which is keyed a flywheel V and at the other end
a small crank Q jointed to the connecting rod R whose slotted end is connected to
a rock lever T by which reciprocating motion is imparted to the cutters, the cutting
action being effected as before by utilizing the power stored up by the flywheel
during the intervals of rest to assist in overcoming the resistance of thick branches.
In Figure 8 is shewn a modified arrangement of cutter-driving mechanism, which
consists in placing shaft I, above shaft M and operating the latter by means of a
ratchet and pawl lever motion M2 instead of the winch handle M', the action of this
lever M² being, as is known, to rotate the shaft M when moved in one direction and
to turn loosely thereon when moved in the opposite direction. By this means the
steersman at the rear of the machine, who also drives the cutters, is enabled to apply
bis power to the lever M2 in the most effective manner, whether the lever M2 be
vertical and operated by a pull and push motion, or horizontal and operated by an up
and down motion, or alternately in each position, so as to avoid fatiguing the muscles
by continually repeating the same movement. By the employment of the lever, the
muscles of the arm experience an interval of rest between each stroke during wbich
the flywheel maintains the motion.
The ratchet lever M² may also be adapted to the machine first described. Z is an

page_text: inclined apron or guard, to prevent the clippings falling amongst the gear, down
which the cuttings fall on to the ground. The handles B B₁ have an outward set so
as to avoid obstructing the cuttings in their fall as shewn at B². Change gear may be
used so as to adapt the speed to the size of the twigs to be cut.
It will be observed that the whole of the cutter driving mechanism being mounted
directly above the carrying wheel axle, the weight of the machine is balanced on
said axle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1st. The herein-described wheeled and portable hedge-clipping machines, sub-
stantially as specified.
2nd. The combination, with the operative mechanism of the herein-described
machines, of mowing machine cutters and fingers whether the cutters be arranged in
a vertical or inclined or horizontal plane, as described.
3rd. In the herein-described machines, the combination, with the operating
mechanism and flywheel and with the reciprocating cutters, of the slotted con-
necting rod or equivalent loose connection whereby the flywheel is enabled to
store power during the pauses in the motion of the cutters for the purpose
specified.
4th. Operating the cutting mechanism by a winch handle or ratchet lever within
reach of the steersman at the rear of the machine, as described.
5th. In the upright hedge-cutting machine, the arrangement of the inclined apron
or shoot in front of the mechanism and the outward set of the handles, as and for the
purpose described.
6th. Mounting the whole of the cutter-driving mechanism directly above the
carrying wheel axle in order to balance the weight of the machine upon said wheels,
as described.
7th. The framing of the machine for clipping the tops of hedges, constructed in
two parts sliding the one upon the other, in combination with adjusting mechanism
as described, whereby the cutters and their operating mechanism mounted in the
upper part of the frame may be arranged to work at different heights to suit the height
of the hedge, as described.'
Dated this 8th day of October 1890.
Dated this 8th day of October 1890.
E. M. VALADIN.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.