Improvements in Sheaf Binding Harvesters.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st Apr., 1892-Accept:d, 28th May. 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sheaf Binding Harvesters.
I FRANK EALAND TODD of Minster View, Duncombe Place in the City of
York, Agriculturalist do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates chiefly to the knotting apparatus as used in sheaf binding
harvesters for binding grain or other similar crops into sheaves, whereby the
"knotter hook or bill" is greatly simplified, and also in adapting the same or any
other knotter of an ordinary "duck bill " or "Appleby type for use in com-
bination with another invention: by me and for which Provisional Protection has
been, granted bearing date 24th March 1891 and numbered 5,206, wherein the
"knotter" therein described is found to be altogether defective and unsuitable.
"
The invention consists: Firstly as respects the "knotter hook "--In a knotter of
an ordinary "duck bill" or "Appleby" type the "bill or "hook" makes a com-
plete turn to form the loop, and the jaws, actuated by cam or other gear, are timed
so as to open to receive the string, again closing to clamp it.
.
My improvement consists in constructing the knotter jaws and hook" preferably
in one piece perfectly fixed and rigid, with a suitable slot between. The loop being
formed around the "hook" and the string about to enter as usual, the jaws present
their side and inclined surfaces to the string between which it is forced to slide
passing one or more fixed ratchet shaped tooth or teeth-which then retains the
loose end-and enters the slot which is just large enough to receive it, friction
alone being sufficient to prevent it running through before being dragged off the
"hook" as a complete knot.
Secondly: In order to render this type of "knotter" applicable for use in
combination with my other invention previously mentioned, in which the sheaf
passes over or above the "knotter," it is necessary to actuate the same from below,
therefore to a short shaft on the "knotter hook" a small spur pinion is fixed,
gearing with another toothed or parti-toothed wheel upon the end of a parallel
shaft which receives motion from a pinion gearing with a parti-toothed or bevel
wheel as is usual with the actual "knotter nook" shaft, and the direction of the
"hook" is reversed. Fixed to this additional shaft is the "stripper," the knife,
and the "string retainer cam
" which grasps by pressing the loose end of the string
against a fixed rough or spring surface convenient for that purpose. To ensure the
string falling into the retainer and across the "knotter jaws" a suitable cover with
curved slot acts as a guide, or other fixed or spring guides as required may be
added.
Dated this 20th day of July 1891.
FRANK E. TODD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sheaf Binding Harvesters.
I FRANK EALAND TODD of Minster View, Duncombe Place in the City of
York Agriculturalist 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 chiefly to the knotting apparatus as used in sheaf binding
harvesters for binding grain or other similar crops into sheaves; whereby the
"knotter hook" or "bill" is greatly simplified; but more especially in adapting
D17

page_text: a "knotter" of an ordinary "duck bill" or "Appleby" type for use in combination
with another invention by me, and others of a like nature, wherein it is desirable
that the sheaf to be bound passes over or above the "knotter."
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will describe the same
with reference to the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of a "knotter" constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 2. an end view of same, with driving segment and part of frame broken
away
to show construction.
Fig. 3. full size plan of main parts of "knotter" showing relative positions of
same.
Fig. 4. side elevation of the same.
Figs. 5. 6. and 7. side and end elevations of the "knotter hook."
My invention consists: Primarily, in constructing the "knotter hook" preferably
in one piece with the jaws perfectly fixed and rigid, with a suitable slot between,
and having at the entrance thereof an inclined or ratchet shaped tooth "T" the
construction of which will be readily understood upon reference to Figs. 5. 6. and 7.
After the binding string "n "is laid across the "knotter hook" "H" as in Figs. 3.
and 4. the loop is formed by a single revolution thereof as is usual with knotters of
this type and in this respect is well known; but in this invention, as the binding
string "n " is about to enter between the jaws they present their side and inclined
surfaces (Figs. 5 and 6) between which it slides passing the tooth "T" which then
retains the loose ends afterwards drawing them through the loop as the knot is
dragged off the "knotter hook." This part of my invention is especially applicable
for use in combination with most other knotters of this type, and where the sheaf is
hid beneath the "knotter," in substitution for the ordinary "knotter hook" with
working jaw.
Secondly in order to render this type of "knotter" applicable for use where it is
desirable to pass the sheaf over or above the "knotter" I prefer to actuate the
same from below-viz.: The knotter shaft. "S" (Figs. 1 and 2) is supported
between bearings "B. B." upon the knotter frame "F," and is driven by means of
a pinion "P" gearing with a segment or parti-toothed wheel "A" attached to any
convenient shaft here shown at "D," where I prefer it but do not confine the same
to that position. Fast to the said "knotter shaft" is the string retaining cam "C,"
the knife "K," the stripper "s" and the toothed segment "a" which gears with a
H" arranged
small pinion "p" fast to the spindle attached to the "knotter hook" "
by preference at an angle to enable the knotter hook to more readily grasp the
binding string, and is supported between bearings "6" upon the frame "F."
Whilst out of gear with the segment "the "knotter hook' "H" is held in
position by means of a spring acting upon a flat face on the pinion "p."
66
a
"
The pinion "P" is provided with a rubbing face, which, in turning, falls upon
an extension of the segment "A" and prevents it turning more than a revolution;
and when entirely out of gear, the friction engendered by the binding string held
fast by the cam "C" is found sufficient to retain the shaft "S" in position.
The string retainer consists preferably of the cam "C" working upon and against
a spring surface or bed-plate "R" of semi-circular form attached to the frame "F"
as shown. A piece of stout steel wire is attached to the bed plate, bent as shown,
forming guide bars "," and "l" for the string.
The "knotter" is enclosed in a cylindrical cover in which a curved slot guides
the binding string preferably between the pinion "p " and the segment "a" and
T and the
deposits it within reach of the retainer and across both the guide bar ".
knotter hook "H" as shown in Figs. 3. and 4. and with the end of the binding
string held fast.
"
Upon the knotter shaft "S" commencing its revolution the segment "a" first
gears with the pinion "p" causing the knotter hook "H" to begin to revolve.
The retainer cam "C" next_comes into action, advancing so that the string "n
from the supply falls into the notch therein and is held fast, at the same time
gradually releasing the end of the string previously retained as the notch continues

page_text: "
to advance. Both strings will have meanwhile entered between the jaws of the
knotter hook "H," as previously described, being held firm and guided thereto by
the guide bar "." The knotter hook "H" will now have completed its revolution.
The remaining string is then lifted clear of the notch in the still advancing cam "C"
by the guide bar "," and is severed by the knife "K" between the two guide
bars, and the end is retained for the next sheaf. The stripper "s will in the
meantime have pressed forward the knot formed upon the knotter hook, and con-
tinuing to advance with a straightforward pull upon the string by reason of its
centre being in advance of the knotter hook, drags off and tightens the knot; and
in completing its radius the direction of the pull upon the string is altered, thereby
sliding the loop, if not already free, down the inclined face of the tooth "T" in the
knotter hook which is held firm by the shoulder "," upon the stripper, which then
rests in the position as shown in Fig. 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a knotter, a knotter hook with jaws fixed and rigid and having a suitable
slot between in which is placed a ratchet shaped tooth substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described.
2. In a knotter, the revolving stripper, with shoulder, substantially as and for
the purpose hereinbefore described.
3. In a knotter, the combination or placing together, all upon the one shaft so as
to constitute one complete part, of a revolving stripper, knife, and string retainer
cam, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
4. In a knotter, the guide bars """ and "pl" substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described.
5. The general construction combination and arrangement of parts substantially
as hereinbefore described and constituting a “knotter" for sheaf binding harvesters.
Dated this 20th day of April 1892.
FRANK E. TODD.