Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1888
Specification Accepted, 7th Dec., 1888
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester both in
the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to ploughs, which can be made to work either with one share,
or with two or more shares, and is distinguished from other implements of a like
nature, by the facility with which the furrow and the supporting wheels can be shifted
by means of a lever, and also by a device for applying the pull at any required point
so that the plough can always be drawn in a straight line.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawing, in which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the plough in position for working.
Figure 2 a side elevation of the plough in a position ready for transport.
Figure 3 a plan.
Figures 4 to 7 details of the plough.
The main frame R (Figures 1 to 3) rests on the bearings of the bent axles a, a', on
which the furrow wheel L and the supporting wheel F are respectively mounted.
These two axles are so moved by the lever W that the axle a of the supporting wheel
moved a greater distance than the axle a¹, and the depth of the furrows determined
the difference of the positions of the front wheels.
Figure 3 a plan.
Figures 4 to 7 details of the plough.
The main frame R (Figures 1 to 3) rests on the bearings of the bent axles a, a', on
hich the furrow wheel L and the supporting wheel F are respectively mounted.
'hese two axles are so moved by the lever W that the axle a of the supporting wheel
moved a greater distance than the axle a¹, and the depth of the furrows determined
y the difference of the positions of the front wheels.

page_text: Both arms s,
and of the lever W, which move the two axles by means of the cop-
necting rods S and S1, are so situated that the arms is at the dead point when the
furrow wheel has attained its proper position, that is to say, the horizontal plane of the
sole of the plough share. Now as in this position (Figure 1) the motion of the furrow
wheel is very small owing to the arms being in the neighbourhood of the dead point,
and as at the same time the motion of the arms connected to axle of the supporting
wheel, is at its maximum, an alteration in the height of the wheels in respect to each
other is the result, and the depth of the furrows is determined by simply moving the
lever W.
The axle a of the furrow wheel is capable of sliding in the guiding blocks f, and in
the regulating ring h. This contrivance allows the distance between the furrow wheel
and the supporting wheel to be increased, so that a plough with one share can be pro-
vided with two shares if desired, (see dotted lines Figures 1 and 3). In this case the
right hand wheel is shifted (see dotted lines) so as to travel in the furrow, without
coming out of engagement with the lever mechanism. The wheel F could, if desired,
be shifted on the axle (instead of the axle being moved) in order to alter the distance
apart of the wheels, in which case, the straight part on which the wheel is mounted,
is made longer.
Both connecting rods S and S', which transmit the motion of the hand lever W to
the axles, are divided in the middle (see Figures 4 and 5), and the length of these
two parts can be adjusted by means of bolts and in the following manner: In one
half there is an elongated hole or slot, in which the bolts can be made to slide. By
tightening the bolt, the projection n on the one half of the connecting rod engages one
of the notches made on the other half; in this manner both ends of the connecting
rod can be joined together, so as to be capable of being adjusted.
The draught bar 2, Figure 6, made preferably of T iron is arranged so as to be
capable of adjustment on the cross piece of the framing, by means of the claw k, and
adjusting bolt e. At the rear end, the draught bar can be fixed by means of bolts or
pins inserted through one of the holes of the arm Z and the rack. In consequence of
this arrangement it is possible to fix the draw gear in any required position, no matter
what is the space between the wheels. It can be shifted to the right or to the left, up
or down, forwards or backwards, parallel or diagonally to the main framing.
If, for instance, three horses are employed for cutting more than one furrow, the
traction line is one on the left towards the outside of the main framing, the draught bar =
must be placed diagonally (the dotted lines in Figure 3 shows this position) as otherwise
the horses would draw the share towards the side of the land, and thereby make the
furrows broader and broader; on the contrary, when the draught bar is placed in a
diagonal position the plough share will be drawn exactly in the direction of the furrows.
By means of this draw gear the plough is drawn along in a straight line; with a
loose chain, whose point of application is within the limits of the frame this is
impossible.
The plough is by this arrangement drawn along safely, not only in ploughing and
turning up flat land with one or more plough shares, but also hilly surfaces. The
turning of the plough is also rendered more easy by the use of this draw gear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by. my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The improvement in ploughs, which consists in mounting the front wheels L, F,
on bent axles (a, a',) which are moved by a lever W, so that when the plough is not
in use, both wheels are on the same horizontal plane, but when it is at work, they can
be set at various heights, according to the depth of the furrows, substantially as set
forth.
2. In a plough such as described, the combination with the furrow wheel F of an
axle a', which is capable of being adjusted in the direction of its length for the purpose
of using the plough as single or double share plough, in such a manner that in both
modes of working the furrow wheel can always be placed in the furrow last made so
as to be guided by it, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 3. In a plough such as described, the use of connecting rods S, S₁, which can be
adjusted as regards their length, and made to transmit the motion of the lever W to
the axles a, a' for the purpose of adjusting the position of the wheels with respect to
each other, substantially as set forth.
4. In a plough such as described, the improved draw gear consisting of the draw
bar (the hook H of which is outside or in front of the frame), which can be fixed in
any required position with respect to the plough, by means of the claw and the
bolt e at the fore end, and by a bolt or pin introduced into one of the holes in a rack
and arm Z at the rear end, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1888.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.