Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 16th Aug., 1887.
We, JAMES HOWARD, and EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, both of Bedford, in the
County of Bedford, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what inanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
The object of our invention is to simplify the construction and increase the
efficiency of self-acting horse-rakes of the kind or class described in the specification
of former Letters Patent granted to one of us and dated 13th December A.D. 1876,
No. 4827.
According to our present improvements, instead of employing the short stud-axles
described in the said former specification, we construct our improved rake with a round
continuous or through-axle, that is to say, an axle connecting both travelling wheels,
and upon which both are mounted. This axle is made to serve as a support for the
tines and other parts of the rake. The cradle to which the tines of the rake are hung
has a rocking motion on the main axle, and the tine-points are free to rise or fall and
thus adapt themselves to the inequalities of the ground.
The shafts for the horse are jointed to the main axle by two clamping irons formed
in a novel manner and made to embrace the said axle, to which they are securely
attached. These clamping irons serve also as supports for the frame upon which the
driver's seat is mounted, and to which it is secured by bolts and nuts, such seat being
made to shift upon the frame in order to adapt it to drivers of different stature. The
front part of the said frame is provided with a segment-regulator which is secured to
the cross-bar of the drawing shafts in such a manner that it is capable of adjustment
to vary or alter the inclination or pitch of the tine-points to suit different crops.
Our present invention, moreover, comprises improved means for operating the
friction-brakes for lifting the tines in order to release or discharge the load.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of our improved horse-rakes.
a is the continuous or through axle; b, b, are the travelling wheels which are secured
thereon in any convenient manner; c, c are the clamping irons, which are fitted upon
the axle a and are secured in the desired position thereon by means of set-screws c'.
The drawing shafts d are connected by a cross-bar d', and are coupled to the clamping
irons c by means of pins or bolts d.

page_text: One side of each of the clamping irons c is extended as at c², and the frame e,
which carries the driver's seat, is firmly attached to the said clamping irons.
The part e¹ of the said frame is provided with a segment in which are formed
holes, and the said segment is fastened or secured to the cross-bar d¹ by means of a
pin or bolt f, which is passed through a lug d³ attached to the said cross-bar, and
through one or other of the holes f¹. 9 is the cradle to which the tines h are hung,
and which is fitted on the axle a so that it is free to rock thereon. By withdrawing
the pin or bolt 2 and turning the frame e upon or about the axle a in one or the other
direction until another of the holes f¹ coincides with the hole in the lug d³,
the
inclination or pitch of the tines can be increased or diminished as may be required,
and the said frame can then be fastened or secured in the desired position by
passing the pin or bolt through the lug d³, and through the hole coinciding
therewith.
Instead of the devices illustrated and described in the said former specification for
operating the friction-brakes, we use a pulley i and chain k, the pulley being carried
by a bracket beneath the cross-bar d of the drawing shafts, and the chain being
connected at one end to the lever m and at the other end to a foot-lever n pivoted to the
said cross-bar. We thus provide for working the foot-lever by a direct forward push
of the driver's foot, so that the friction-brakes can be brought into action more easily
than heretofore, and the labour of the driver is thus diminished.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it understood that we
claim :-
-
First. The combination of the continuous or through axle and the clamping irons
secured thereon, with the improved means for operating the friction-brakes, all
substantially as, and for the purposes, above set forth.
Second. The improved means, substantially as herein before described and as illus-
trated in the accompanying drawing, for operating the friction-brakes, as, and for the
purpose, specified.
Third. The improved horse-rake consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
757
1
ULLIS TOM UPLY UT DIIV LACHI
CATULLI LOU LY UI
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.