IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, and
John Innocent, all of the Spittlegate Iron Works, Grantham, in
the County of Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Hornsby,
James Edwin Phillips, and John Innocent at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 8th August
1872.
We, RICHARD HORNSBY, JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, and JOHN INNO->
CENT, all of the Spittlegate Iron Works, Grantham, in the County of
Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
Heretofore in self-acting delivery reaping machines in which the
beaters or rakes have been carried by or swivelled around a vertical or
inclined shaft, and have acted not only to lay the crop as it is cut but

page_text: also to sweep the cut crop off the platform to the side of the machine,
the rakes have usually been driven from what is called the first motion*
shaft, which also transmits motion to the cutting knife. This first
motion shaft has a pinion upon it gearing with an internal row of teeth
on the main or driving wheel of the machine, and is driven at a quick
speed which is necessary for giving motion to the knife. The rakes
having to be driven at a slower speed the gearing by which they are
driven has been arranged to diminish this speed. In place of this we
drive the rakes directly from the axle of the main or driving wheel by a
chain and chain wheels, and where the axle of the main wheel is carried
by a quadrant or bracket capable of swivelling around the first motion
shaft, we by preference carry a stud or axis concentric with such shaft
on the opposite side of the wheel to that on which the first motion shaft
is situated, and we pass the chain over pulleys upon this stud so that the
main wheel may be raised or lowered without interfering with the action
of the gearing for giving motion to the rakes.
In place of a chain and chain wheels, toothed gearing may be used.
In this case we mount a toothed wheel on the stud before mentioned,
and from it give motion to the rakes. When a chain is used this stud
may be dispensed with by employing a pulley acted on by a balance
weight or by mechanism to keep the chain taut, whether the main
wheel be raised or lowered. The several links of the chain we cast in
malleable cast iron of a U shape, the two ends of the U link being bent
up to link over the base of the succeeding link. The base wc form
circular, and the two ends flattened, so as when linked over the circular
base to afford a hard bearing surface. To connect the links together the
two ends of cach link are bent round to cause them to embrace the
circular base of the next link. This chain may be used in other reaping
and mowing machines in which driving chains are used.
In order to lighten the platform it may be made of wickerwork or
other woven material.
When the axle of the main wheel has been carried by a quadrant
capable of swivelling around the first motion shaft, the quadrant has been
formed with teeth at its periphery into which geared a pinion by turning
which the main wheel could be raised or lowered. We now place on the
axis of this pinion a worm wheel, into which gears a worm, by turning
which the main wheel can be raised or lowered, and it will be locked in

page_text: whatever position it may be brought into by means of the worm, or the
quadrant may have a rod connected to it passed through a projection on
the pole or fore part of the framing of the machine, the end of the rod
having a screw thread cut upon it, upon which is a nut bearing against
a spring interposed between it and the standard. The main wheel can
then be raised or lowered by turning the nut, and the spring against
which the nut rests will relieve the several parts of the machine from
jars and jolts when it is being moved over hard and uneven ground.
In order also to enable self-acting delivery machines to cut clovers or
grasses as well as corn, we provide means for driving the cutter bar at
different speeds. This may be effected either by varying the throw of
the crank by which the cutter bar is driven, or by arranging the
gearing so that the crank shaft may be driven at two or more different
speeds.
In such self-acting delivery machines also, in place of the pole being
rigidly connected to the frame which carries the first motion axis, and
the finger bar, and platform as heretofore, we support the fore part of the
frame on a castor wheel, and joint the pole to the fore part of this frame
so that it can rise or fall freely, or in place of a pole two pairs of shafts
may be used; a seat for the driver may be mounted above the castor
wheel, and the lever or mechanism for throwing the knife in and out of
gear may be carried by the standards which support the scat; a spring
also may be interposed between the frame, and a collar on the vertical
spindle carrying the castor wheel. There may also be a horizontal joint
in the fore part of the framing, the hinder part carrying the main
gearing of the machine, whilst the fore part carries the castor wheel and
seat; in this case a lever handle extending forward from the hinder part
of the frame may be sprung into a notched bar above the castor wheel,
and by raising or lowering this lever the angle of the platform and
of the finger bar may be varied to suit the nature of the crop being
cut.
In those cases where the main driving wheel is provided with spikes
projecting from its periphery, and known as movable biting irons, wo
countersink the outer end of cach hole through which the stems of the
spikes or biting irons are passed, so that when the spikes or biting irons
are removed, bolts with heads to fit into the countersinks may be inserted
into the holes and retained by nuts screwed on to them, and thus close

page_text: In some cases we form the nigers of glass or give to Hem
coating.
To diminish the friction of the cut crop upon the platform, we provide
prongs extending back a short distance from the finger bar a slight
distance above the surface of the platform.
To diminish the liability of the cutter bar to clog when working, we
form a recess in each of the fingers below the cutter bar, the several
knives being affixed to the under side of the bar. We also arrange the
machine so that the cutter bar when withdrawn for the purpose of
sharpening from between the fingers is drawn out through the main or
driving wheel.
In this case we mount a link on the fore part of the
frame, which by a pin can be locked into one or other of numerous holes
formed through this wheel so as to lock the wheel when the knife is to
be withdrawn, and thereby prevent accidents from the horses starting
forward during the time the knife is being withdrawn or put back into
its place.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, and
John Innocent in the Great Seal Patent Office on the Sth February
1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RICHARD
HORNSBY, JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, and JOHN INNOCENT, all of the
Spittlegate Iron Works, Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in
the thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto us, the said Richard Hornsby,
James Edwin Phillips, and John Innocent, Her special license that
wc, the said Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, and John
Innocent, our exccutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said Richard Hornsby, James Edwin Phillips, and John
Innocent, our executors, administrators, and 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Richard Hornsby,
James Edwin Phillips, and John Innocent, our exccutors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under our or their hands and scals,
or under the hand and scal of one of us or 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 Oflice within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Hornsby, on behalf of
myself and the said James Edwin Phillips and John Innocent, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-

page_text: Heretofore in self-acting delivery reaping machines, in which the
beaters or rakes have been carried by or swivelled around a vertical or
inclined shaft, and have acted not only to lay the crop as it is cut, but
also to sweep the cut crop off the platform to the side of the machine,
the rakes have usually been driven from what is called the first motion
shaft, which also transmits motion to the cutting knife. This first motion
shaft has a pinion upon it gearing with an internal row of teeth on the
main or driving wheel of the machine, and is driven at a quick speed,
which is necessary for giving motion to the knife. The rakes having to be
driven at a slower speed the gearing by which they are driven has been
arranged to diminish this speed. In place of this we drive the rakes
directly from the axle of the main or driving wheel by a chain and
chain wheels in the following manner :-The axle of the main wheel
being carried by a quadrant or bracket, capable of swivelling around
the first motion shaft, we provide a stud or axis concentric with such
shaft on the opposite side of the main wheel to that on which the
first motion shaft is situated, and we pass the chain over chain
wheels or pulleys upon this stud, so that the main wheel may be
raised or lowered without interfering with the action of the gearing
for giving motion to the rakes.
In the annexed Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, a
plan; and Figure 3, a transverse section of a reaping machine. These
Figures illustrate our improved method of actuating the beaters or rakes,
together with other of our improvements in reaping machines.
Some of the ordinary and well-known parts of the machine arc
omitted from the Drawings in order that the novel parts to which our
Invention applies may be more clearly scen.
a is the main wheel; it is mounted upon a stud axis b' fixed in the
quadrant b, which is able to turn around the first motion shaft c, in
order to adjust the height, as heroin-after is fully described. The
shaft c is carried in a bearing upon the frame d, to which the finger
bar e and other parts of the machine are fixed; g is a chain wheel upon
the wheel a, or connected therewith by ratchet, so that it only turns
when the wheel a moves forward; is a bracket fixed upon the frame d,
and carrying a stud, upon which the two chain wheels h¹, h', are able to
turn. A pitch chain passes around the wheel g, and beneath the guide
wheels ', ', to another chain wheel i upon the axis of the pinion ",

page_text: which drives the rakes; d' is a standard on the top of the frame d, by
which the rakes are carried. It will be seen that the main wheel may
be adjusted higher or lower in respect to the frame d by turning the
quadrant without any variation in the length of the driving chain.
The arrangement may be varied by causing the pitch chain to pass only
around the wheel i and a single wheel h', such wheel 'having a spur
wheel fixed to it gearing with another similar wheel, which takes the
place of the wheel g.
The chain which we employ is constructed by preference in the
following manner :-The several links of the chain we cast in malleablo
cast iron of a shape, the two ends of the link being bent up to link
over the base of the succeeding link. The base of the link we form
circular in section, and the two ends flattened, so as when linked over
the circular base to afford a wide bearing surface. To connect the links
together the two ends of cach link are bent round to cause them to
embrace the circular base of the next link. This chain may be used
in other reaping and mowing machines in which driving chains are
used.
In Figures 4 a chain constructed in this manner is shown; the metal
is round in section until the ends of the link are approached, and the
ends are flattened, so that when bent around the base of the next link
they afford a broad bearing surface.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention the means for driving
the beaters or rakes of self-acting delivery reaping machines, substan-
tially as described.
When the axle of the main wheel has been carried by a quadrant,
capable of swivelling around the first motion shaft, the quadrant has
been formed with teeth at its periphery, into which is geared a pinion,
by turning which the main wheel could be raised or lowered. We now
place on the axis of this pinion a worm wheel, into which gears a worm.
By turning the worm spindle the main wheel can be raised or lowered,
and it will be locked in whatever position it may be brought.
Figure 5 is an elevation of a portion of a machine in which the main
wheel is adjusted and secured in this manner.
62 are the teeth upon
the circumference of the quadrant; j is a pinion gearing therewith, and
it has upon its axis, which is carried by the frame d, a worm wheel j^ ;

page_text: k is a worm carried by lugs on the frame d; it gears with the worm
wheelj, so that by turning the worm the quadrant receives motion,
and it remains locked wherever it may be left, or the quadrant may have
a rod connected to it, and passed through a standard on the pole or forc
part of the framing of the machine. The end of the rod has a screw
thread cut upon it, upon which is a nut bearing against a spring inter-
posed between it and the standard. The main wheel can then be raised
or lowered by turning the nut, and the spring against which the nut
rests will relieve the several parts of the machine from jars and jolts
when it is being moved over hard and uneven ground. This arrange-
ment is seen in Figures 1 and 2. is a rod jointed to the quadrant &;
it passes loosely through a hole in the standard m upon the frame d; a
helical spring is placed around the rod, and abuts upon the standard,
and the hand nut is screwed into such a position upon the rod as to
raise the frame d to the required height. We claim as respects this
part of our Invention the means of moving and securing the quadrant 6,
substantially as described.
In order to enable self-acting delivery machines to cut clover or grasses
as well as corn, we provide means for driving the cutter bar at different
speeds. We effect this by making the crank pin movable, and providing
two holes for it in the crank disc at different distances from the centre,
so that a longer throw may be given to the knife when the machine is
required to work in clover or grass.
Figure 6 shews full size the crank shaft m and disc m'. The disc has
two taper sockets in it, and the crank pin m² is made to fit into either of
the sockets, and it is tightened into its place by a screw thread and nut,
as is shown.
We claim in respect to this part of our Invention the means of altering
the throw of the knife, so that the machine may be adapted to cut either
corn, or clover, or grass, substantially as described.
'In self-acting delivery machines also in place of the pole being rigidly
'connected to the frame which carries the first motion axis and the finger
bar and platform, as heretofore, we support the fore part of the frame on
a castor wheel, and joint the pole to the fore part of this frame, so that
it can rise or fall freely; or in place of a pole two pairs of shafts may be
used. A scat for the driver is mounted above the castor wheel in a
position to be out of the way of the rake arms, and to aid in balancing
the machine.

page_text: A spring may be interposed between the frame and a collar on the
vertical spindle carrying the castor wheel.
In Figures 1 and 2, n is a piece projecting from the frame d to which
it is fixed; n¹ is a castor wheel by which the piece n is supported in
front. This wheel carries the weight of the driver, who rides upon the
scat o which is bracketed out from the piece n, so that the driver may
both be clear of the rake arms, and that he may be in a position to
balance, by his weight, the finger bar and platform of the machine; p is
the pole jointed to the front of the piece n. In place of a pole two pairs
of shafts may be used in the manner shewn by Figure 7.
We would remark that in some of the machines manufactured by
Messieurs Hornsby and Sons before the date of this Patent, the driver's
scat has been bracketed out to one side; but in such cases the scat has
been carried from the axis of the main wheel, and has been immediately
opposite to the wheel.
By moving the seat to the position shewn above some distance in
front of the main wheel space is obtained for a larger sweep of the rake
arms, and a more favorable balance of the machine in a fore direction
is obtained. Indeed it is not essential that the castor wheel should be
used if the pole be rigidly fixed to the frame d. There may also be a
horizontal joint in the fore part of the framing, the hinder part carrying
the main gearing of the machine, whilst the fore part carries the castor
wheel and seat. In this case a lever handle extending forward from the
hinder part of the frame may be locked in any position required to an
arc or a notched bar fixed above the castor wheel, and by raising or
lowering this lever the angle of the platform and of the finger bar may
be varied to suit the nature of the crop being cut.
This arrangement is shewn in elevation at Figure 8, and in plan at
Figure 9. Here the joint between the frame d and picce n is free to
play for a distance regulated by a slot and stop; p is a handle fixed upon
the frame d, and extending forward by the side of the scat o; this handle
is capable of being fixed to the arc q. By altering the position of this
handle the driver can adjust the inclination and height of the fingers
from the ground, and by a bolt upon the handle shooting into holes in
the arc q he can secure the handle in the position in which he desires to
retain it.

page_text: We claim as respects this part of our Invention, the means of sup-
porting the fore part of the frame by a castor wheel, together with the
arrangement of the driver's seat over such wheel, and in a position to
counterbalance the finger bar and platform, substantially as described.
We also claim in combination with the means described of supporting
the fore part of the frame and seat, the arrangement for adjusting the
inclination of the fingers and platform, substantially as described.
We also claim the arrangement of the driver's seat in the position
shewn, that is to say, at a distance in advance of the main wheel, and at
a distance also to the side thereof, so as both to balance the cutter bar
and platform, and also to obtain a large sweep for the rake arms, sub-
stantially as described.
In those cases where the main driving wheel is provided with spikes
projecting from its periphery as movable biting irons, we countersink
the outer end of each hole through which the stems of the spikes or
biting irons are passed, so that when the spikes or biting irons are
removed, bolts with heads to fit into the countersinks may be inserted
into the holes, and retained by nuts screwed on to them, and thus close
the holes and prevent dirt passing through and getting into the driving
gear.
Figure 10 shews the method in which we apply the biting irons to
the main wheel and close the holes when the biting irons are not
required. is a portion of the periphery of the wheel; it has about
14 countersunk holes formed around its periphery. is a screw bolt
with a conical head, and a nut and washer to stop this hole when the
biting irons are not required; 7 is one of the biting irons, it is similar
to the plug, except that it has a tooth ** formed upon it of a width to
extend across the face of the wheel.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention the means of applying
biting irons, and closing the holes for such irons when they are not in
use, substantially as described.
In some cases we apply vulcanized india-rubber to the periphery of
the main wheel to give it a greater hold upon the ground. We use for
this purpose a ring of india-rubber slightly smaller in diameter internally
than the main wheel, and about one inch thick. We form the main
wheel with a low flange, say, one-eighth of an inch deep on either side,

page_text: and we spring the india-rubber tyre on to the wheel. The india-rubber
tyre causes the wheel to drive the machinery with more certainty when
the land is in a bad state; and when this is not the case it prevents the
working parts being jarred in passing over uneven ground.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention, the application of
india-rubber tyres to the main wheel of reaping machines, substantially
as described.
For reducing the friction on the cutter bar which carries the knives,
we arrange the clip pieces by which the bar is held down on to the
finger bar to carry friction rollers, against which the back of the bar
rests; and also where the connecting rod from the crank is jointed to
the bar we provide a friction roller to bear against and roll along fixed
surfaces above and below it, in place of allowing the cutter bar to rub
against fixed surfaces, as heretofore.
8
Figure 11 is a plan shewing a portion of the cutter bar & of a reaping
or mowing machine, together with part of the finger bar upon which
it works.
Figure 12 is an clevation, and Figure 13, a transverse section of the
same. is a clip piece bolted to the finger bar. It has the usual pro-
jection upon it extending over the cutter bar to prevent it rising; but
in place of there being a flat bearing surface upon the clip piece for the
back of the cutter bar the roller u' is provided. It is able to turn freely
upon a hard pin fixed into the clip piece. The cutter bar a is also
formed with a forked head 8', and it embraces the friction roller v,
which on the under side runs upon the finger bar, and on the upper side
upon the top guide w, seen in Figure 13, which prevents the head of
the cutter bar rising during the return of the crank; x is the forked end
of the connecting rod; and y is the pin which serves to connect together
the parts 8, v, and x.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention, the means of sup-
porting the back of the cutter bar by means of rollers ', substantially as
described.
We also claim the application of a friction roller to the head of the
cutter bar, substantially as described.
In order also to diminish the rattling to and fro of the pin connecting
the rod with the cutter bar, and to lessen the shock at cach end of the

page_text: stroke of the cutter bar, we employ an clastic pin. Such a pin (which
corresponds to the pin y, in Figure 13) is shown at Figure 14. The
pin is hollow internally, and is divided longitudinally into threo parts,
which are not in contact, but are held together by rings y' which bind
them tightly upon a centre core of vulcanised india-rubber (or it might
be of compressed cork). In this way a certain small clasticity is given
at this joint, and the strains which come upon the parts are reduced; or
the pin may be constructed in the manner shown in Figure 15.. The
body of the pin is of sheet steel bent to a cylindrical form, but remaining
slightly open at the joint. A head is attached to it, and it is or may be
filled internally with india-rubber or compressed cork.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention, the means of con-
necting the cutter bar and connecting rod, substantially as described.
To diminish the friction of the cut crop upon the platform we provide
prongs extending back a short distance from the finger bar, and slightly
above the surface of the platform, in the manner shown at Figure 16,
where is one of these prongs. We use such prongs only near the
further end of the finger bar, when we apply. two or three at distances
apart twice or three times the interval between the fingers. By the use
of such prongs the removal of the cut crop from the platform by the
rakes is facilitated; in small machines the platform may, for lightness,
be constructed of wickerwork.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention, the prongs, applied
substantially as described.
To diminish the liability of the outter bar to clog when working, we
form a recess in each of the fingers below the cutter bar, the several
knives being affixed to the under side of the bar.
In Figure 17, A is the finger bar in section; B, one of the fingers;
and C, the cutter bar; D is the groove formed beneath the cutter bar to
reduce the liability to clog. In the arrangement shown this groove is
formed partly in the finger bar and partly in the finger itself.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention, the means of pre-
venting clogging by providing a groove D, substantially as described.
We also arrange the machine so that the cutter bar when withdrawn,
for the purpose of sharpening, from between the fingers is drawn out
through the main or driving wheel. In this case we mount a link on

page_text: the fore part of the frame, which by a pin can be locked into one or
other of numerous holes formed through this wheel, so as to lock the
wheel when the knife is to be withdrawn, and thereby prevent accidents
from the horses starting forward during the time the knife is being
withdrawn, or put back into its place. This arrangement is shewn at
Figure 1S, where E is the locking link and pin.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention, the means of locking
the main wheel of the machine, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Hornsby, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Thirtieth day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
RICHARD HORNSBY. (L.S.)