IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Philip Charles Evans, of Brimscombe, in the County of
Gloucester, and Henry James Hogg King, of Newmarket, in the same County,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Philip Charles Evans and
Henry James Hogg King at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 13th August 1881.
PHILIP CHARLES EVANS, of Brimscombe, in the County of Gloucester, and HENRY
JAMES HOGG KING, of Newmarket, in the same County. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPING MACHINES."
This Invention has for one of its objects to improve the general construction or
arrangement of reaping machines, and it also comprises improvements in various
parts, some of which are connected with sheaf-binding apparatus.
In order to render the machine narrower and of a more convenient form than
reaping machines as now generally constructed, and more particularly when
provided with sheaf-binding apparatus; the sheaf-binding or delivering parts are,
by this Invention, arranged at the back of the machine, and the cut grain or crop
is dealt with in such manner as to become laid with the stalks parallel to the
cutter bar (that is, at right angles to the direction in which the machine travels),
in which condition it is carried backwards by an endless apron or equivalent
apparatus. The endless apron is by preference inclined, so as to be higher at the
back for conveniently delivering the crop to the binding apparatus. A pair of
wheels, one or both of which may be arranged for driving the gearing, may be
placed with their axis nearer the back than the front of the machine; and the
machine is either balanced so as to keep the cutter bar at the proper level, or one
or two small wheels or runners are provided to support the forward part of the
machine, or by raising or lowering the pole or shafts by which the machine is
drawn the position of the cutter bar can be regulated. Behind the cutter bar and
parallel therewith there is an endless band, chain, strap, or cord armed with short
spikes or projections which act on the bottom ends or butts of the stalks and

page_text: move them towards one side of the machine. At the same time the ears or upper
parts of the stalks when laid back by the reel (which is arranged and acts much as
usual), fall upon one or two rotating transverse horizontal or inclined rollers
having on it or them helical feathers or blades which move the upper parts of the
atalks towards the side of the machine opposite to that towards which the butts
are being moved by the spiked endless chain. The result is that the stalks get
laid transversely upon the endless apron which conveys them to the back of the
machine. Suitable guides are fixed to the framing of the machine to assist
the action of the spiked chain and the helical roller or rollers. A helical or
screw roller may be substituted for the endless spiked chain, or one or more spiked
chains may be substituted for one or both of the helical rollers.
In lieu of the butting apron, which in some machines is in present use for
causing the butt enda of the cut crop to lie in the same plane before being gathered
up and bound, a series of rollers, or one or more wormed rollers, is employed, these
rollers gradually shifting the butt ends of the cut crop, and acting more effectively
and with less liability of derangement than the above referred to butting apron.
The sheaf binding-mechanism is by preference of the kind described or referred
to in the Specifications of various Letters Patent granted to Henry James Hogg
King (one of present applicants), alone or with another or others, and of the more
recent of which the following are the official numbers, namely:-198, of 1881;
2292, of 1879; 5297 and 2740, of 1878; and 2638, of 1877.
Some of the present improvements are designed to secure a better packing of
the portions of crop forming sheaves combined with a better separation of such
portions from each other. For this purpose rotating discs are employed, being
armed with fingers which in some modifications are rigidly fixed to the discs,
whilst they are movable and arranged to feather in other modifications. When
acting the fingers forcibly rake or move along the crop so as to gather it in a
compact condition into the box or cradle or compressing arm or hand in which it is
bound into a sheaf. When the fingers are arranged to feather they do so by the
action of stationary cam guides, and thereby get clear of the crop. When the
fingers are rigidly fixed they are cleared of the crop either by the action of
stationary inclined or curved guides within which they are withdrawn at one part
of their course, or they are cleared by the action of bars or levers made to
reciprocate by means of small cranks or eccentrics, so as when moving down (or
otherwise in a suitable direction) to push the stalks off the fingers. There may
be two or more shafts with discs carrying packing fingers; or there may be two
rollers with an endless band or bands, such endless band or bands being armed
with either rigid or feathering fingers, the provision for clearing the fingers being
the same as in the case of the discs. Or again, there may be two or more rollers
with an endless band or bands passing round them, one of the rollers being armed
with spikes or fingers, which project through holes in the band or bands except at
the part where the band or bands pass from one roller towards the other, and at
this part the band or bands gradually leaving the spikes push the stalks off them.
Or these bands may be arranged at the sides of the rollers so that the spikes do
not pass through them. Or in lieu of the hereinbefore described arrangements for
bringing forward and packing the portions of crop to form the sheaves into the
box, cradle, compressing arm, or band, this can be effected by the aid of shafts or
rollers made or provided with projecting helically disposed screw blades.
For the purpose of separating the several portions of crop a kind of guard is
employed which may consist of curved rods. In one position the rods of this
guard lie sufficiently near the shaft of the discs or rollers armed with the packing
fingers for these fingers to project beyond the rods and act on the crop which
will then be descending between the guard and the side of the hopper, and will be
conveyed by the packing fingers beneath the points of the guard rods. When
enough crop to form a sheaf has passed, the guard is moved outwards beyond the
points of the packing fingers and nearer to the side of the hopper, and the guard
then holds back the crop whilst the packing fingers continue to rotate and gather

page_text: up any stalks lying on the part of the box or hopper beneath or above them.
Instead of the guard moving as described, it may be fixed and the packer shaft
may be moved so as to alternately project its fingers through or past the guard
rods and withdraw them.
In another modification of packing apparatus two or more levers centered at
their bottom ends and being nearly vertical in their middle position, are by
rotating cranks or eccentrics made to vibrate through slots in the inclined side
of the hopper. At their upper ends the levers are formed with nearly horizontal
arms with inclined spikes or ratchet-like teeth on their upper sides. The crop
first falls on the tops of these lever pieces, and then when they are withdrawn
descends in front of the levers, and is, by the return movement of these levers,
packed into the space wherein the sheaf is "bound. When there is enough for
a sheaf the vibration of the levers ceases and the crop accumulates on their tops, a
fixed guard or partition preventing it from getting over the ends of the levers.
The improved packing apparatus hereinbefore described is advantageously
applicable to various existing kinds of reaping machine as well as to the novel kind
herein before described. In one arrangement a very convenient and simple com-
bination is formed with the sheaf-binding apparatus at a low level, and with two
of the packing shafts arranged to transfer the crop off a transversely moving endless
apron up a short and low inclined board. In this arrangement the main travelling
wheel of the machine is placed in a position a little more forward than the cutter
bar, and the transversely moving apron is immediately behind the cutter bar.
Two packer shafts are employed with either rigid or feathering fingers, and the
guard is applied in connection with the second or outer shaft, which last packs
the crop directly into the space in which it is bound into a sheaf.
When a
sufficient quantity for a sheaf has been passed by the second or outer packer
shaft, the guard in connection with it is moved into a position to prevent the
action of that shaft, and then the crop brought forward by the first or inner packer
shaft remains between it and the outer packer shaft until the formation of the
next sheaf commences.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Philip Charles Evans and Henry James Hogg King in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 11th February 1882.
PHILIP CHARLES EVANS, of Brimscombe, in the County of Gloucester, and HENRY
JAMES HOUG KING, of Newmarket, in the same County.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPING MACHINES."
Our said Invention has for one of its objects to improve the general construction
or arrangement of reaping machines, and it also comprises improvements in various
parts, some of which are connected with sheaf binding apparatus. And in order
that our said Invention and the manner of performing the same may be most
readily understood, we will proceed to particularly describe the same with the aid
of seven Sheets of explanatory Drawings which are hereunto appended, and on
which the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
In order to render the machine narrower and of a more convenient form than
reaping machines as now generally constructed, and more particularly when
provided with sheaf-binding apparatus, the sheaf-binding or delivering parts are
by the present Invention arranged at the back of the machine, and the cut grain
or crop is dealt with in such manner as to become laid with the stalks approxi-
mately parallel to the cutter bar (that is, at right angles to the direction in which
the machine travels), in which condition it is carried backwards by an endless
apron or equivalent apparatus. The endless apron is by preference inclined so as
to be higher at the back for conveniently delivering the crop to the binding
apparatus. A pair of wheels, one or both of which may be arranged for driving
the gearing, are (in some modifications) placed with their axis nearer the back
than the front of the machine, and the machine is either balanced so as to keep
the cutter bar at the proper level, or one or two small wheels or runners are
provided to support the forward part of the machine. Behind the cutter bar there
is an endless band, chain, strap, or cord, armed with short spikes or projections
which act on the bottom ends or butts of the stalks and move them towards one
side of the machine. At the same time the ear ends when laid back by the reel
(which is arranged and acts much as usual) fall upon one or two rotating trans-
verse horizontal or inclined rollers, having on it or them helical feathers or blades
which move the upper parts of the stalks towards the side of the machine opposite
to that towards which the butts are being moved by the spiked endless chain; the
result is that the stalks get laid transversely upon the endless apron which conveys
them to the back of the machine. Suitable guides are fixed to the framing of the
machine to assist the action of the spiked chain and the helical roller or rollers. A
belical or screw roller may be substituted for the endless spiked chain, or a spiked
chain may be substituted for the helical roller; or one or more helical rollers or
endless bands, chains, straps, or cords having spikes or projections may be used
in addition to the apparatus for moving the butts, or to that for moving the ear
ends.
Figures 1 and 2, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings are a plan and a
front elevation of a reaping machine as made with a modification of the improve-
ments hereinbefore described; and Figure 3, on Sheet 2, is a corresponding side
elevation, but showing the reel (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) in addition to the
other parts.
In the improved machine the cutter bar 1 and mechanism for driving it as well
as various minor parts, to which it will not be necessary to especially refer, remain

page_text: substantially the same in construction and arrangement as in ordinary reaping
machines. Immediately behind the cutter bar 1 and running parallel or nearly
parallel to it there is an endless chain 2 fitted with spikes or projecting fingers,
and driven by means of a sprocket wheel 3 on the cutter-driving shaft 4. At a
short distance further back and higher up there is a shaft or roller 5, also parallel or
nearly so to the cutter bar 1, this roller having formed or fixed on it a helical
feather or feathers, and being driven by means of a sprocket wheel 6 on one end
of it, and by a pitch chain 7 from a sprocket wheel 8 at the back of the machine,
or otherwise. This wheel 8 is on a shaft 9, receiving motion by means of a pitch
chain 10 from the shaft 11, driven directly from the travelling wheel 12. The
spiked chain 2 and the helical roller 5 are driven so as to act in opposite directions,
and (as the parts are shown in Figures 1 and 2) the spiked chain 2 carries the
butts or bottom ends of the cut stalks or crop towards the left hand, whilst the
helical roller 5 carries the ear ends or upper parts towards the right hand in such
manner that the stalks get turned or slued so as to fall on the endless apron 13
behind in positions parallel or nearly so to the cutter bar. The proper action of
the parts is aided by a guide or fence 14, having a curved surface and contour
which covers a portion of the spiked chain 2 at the left-hand side, and prevents the
butts cut at that side of the machine from being unnecessarily moved further
towards that side. There is a slot in this fence 14 through which the spikes of
the chain 2 pass, thereby getting clear of the butts they have been moving from
the right-hand side of the machine. The endless apron 13 is on rollers which are
parallel to the cutter bar, and its upper surface moves backwards, its back end
being, by preference, higher than its front end. The crop carried backwards by
the apron 13 may either be deposited in a swathe on the ground or it may be
transferred to sheaf-binding mechanism, which can be very conveniently arranged
at the back of the machine instead of being in the ordinary position at the side.
Figure 4 is a sectional diagram corresponding to Figure 3, but showing one mode
of combining sheaf-binding mechanism with the other parts. The apron 13 is
shortened and the crop falls from the back end of it down upon a platform 15,
which is slotted or formed of rods and is hinged at its front end. Two or more
endless spiked chains 16 are arranged beneath the platform 15, and their spikes
work up through the slots or between the rods when the platform is in its lowest
position, and carry the crop backwards to the binding cradle and under a guard or
cover 17.
When a sufficient quantity for a sheaf 18 has been carried into the
cradle in this way, the platform 15 is raised into the position indicated by dotted
lines, and as the spikes of the chains 16 do not then project through the platform
the crop which falls from the apron 13 is not carried forward until the platform 15
is again lowered.
The sheaf-binding mechanism which we prefer to employ is of the kind described
or referred to in the Specifications of various Letters Patent, granted to one of us,
Henry James Hogg King, alone or with another or others, and of the more recent
of which the following are the official numbers, namely, 198 of 1881; 2292 of
1879; 5297 and 2740 of 1878; and 2638 of 1877.
Some of our present improvements are designed to secure a better packing of the
portions of crop for forming sheaves, combined with a better separation of such
portions from each other. For this purpose rotating discs are employed being
armed with fingers which in some modifications are rigidly fixed to the discs,
whilst they are movable and arranged to feather in other modifications. When
acting the fingers forcibly rake or move the crop along so as to gather it in a
compact condition into the box or cradle or compressing arm or band, in which it
is bound into a sheaf. When the fingers are arranged to feather they do so by the
action of stationary cam guides and thereby get clear of the crop. When the
fingers are rigidly fixed they are cleared of the crop either by the action of
stationary, inclined, or curved guides within which they are withdrawn at one
part of their course, or they are cleared by the action of bars or levers made to
reciprocate by means of small rotating cranks or eccentrics, so as when moving

page_text: down (or otherwise in a suitable direction) to push the stalks off the fingers.
There may be two or more shafts with discs carrying packing fingers, or there may
be two rollers with an endless band or bands, such endless band or bands being
armed with either rigid or feathering fingers, the provision for clearing the fingers
being the same as in the case of the discs. Or again, there may be two or more
rollers with an endless band or bands passing round them, one of the rollers being
armed with spikes or fingers which project through holes in the band or bands
except at the part where the band or bands pass from one roller towards the other,
and at this part the band or bands gradually leaving the spikes push the stalks off
them. Or the bands may be arranged to pass at the sides of the spikes so as not 1
to require holes in them for the spikes. In other modifications, shafts or rollers
armed with belical or screw blades are used for moving forward and packing the
crop.
When
For the purpose of separating the several portions of crop we employ a kind of
guard which may consist of curved rods. In one position the rods of this guard
lie sufficiently near the shaft of the discs or rollers armed with the packing fingers
for these fingers to project beyond the rods and act on the crop, which will then be
descending or moving between the guard and the side of the hopper, and will be
conveyed by the packing fingers beneath the points of the guard rods.
enough crop to form a sheaf has passed, the guard is moved outwards beyond the
points of the packing fingers and nearer to the side of the hopper, and the guard
then holds back the crop whilst the packing fingers continue to rotate and gather
up any stalks lying on the part of the box or hopper beneath or above them.
Instead of the guard moving as described it may be fixed and the packer shaft may
be moved so as to alternately project its fingers through or past the guard rods
and withdraw them.
Figure 5 on Sheet 3 is a sectional plan, and Figure 6 on Sheet 4 is a sectional
side elevation, showing one modification of our sheaf-binding mechanism and parts
connected therewith; and Figures 9 and 10 on Sheet 5 are sectional views, showing
The crop
the compressing and discharging arrangements which we prefer to use.
raised by the now commonly used pair of elevating aprons, the upper ends of which
are indicated by dotted lines at 21, Figure 6, descends along the inclined platform 22,
the butts being helped forward by the endless butting apron 23. When a sufficient
quantity for a sheaf has passed, the pronged guard 24 is turned down into the
position in which it is shown in Figure 6, and keeps back the crop which is being
brought over continuously by the elevating aprons 21. When the sheaf 18 has
been discharged from the machine, the cam 25 on the main driving wheel 26 of the
binder mechanism acts on a roller on the end of a rod 27 connected to a crank 28
on the shaft of the guard 24 and lifts its prongs. This allows the crop to descend
upon the pair of endless chains 16 fitted with feathering packing fingers 29, which
chains are always working, and the fingers forcibly carry down the crop and pack
it well into the space in which it gets bound into a sheaf. As soon as the pronged
guard 24 is lifted the binder goes automatically out of gear by the action of a
wedge cam 30 on the main wheel 26, this cam forcing inwards the lever piece 31
und causing a projecting part of it to press on the flange 32 of the clutch pinion 33
and move the latter back out of gear from the clutch chain wheel 34, which is
always running. In Figures 9 and 10 (in which the parts are reversed or viewed
from the further side as compared with Figure 6) the holding and discharging
arms 35 are shown in the position they are in whilst a sheaf 18 is being formed,
the crop being then packed against them by the action of the endless packing
chains 16. These arms 35 are connected through their shaft 36 with short
arms 37, one of which presses on the lever 31 until it overcomes the resistance of a
spring 38. This spring is adjustable to suit the density of sheaf considered
desirable, and when that density is attained by the packing of the crop against the
arins 35, the lever 31 becomes lifted clear of the flange 32 of the clutch pinion 33,
which thereupon is pressed forward by its spring 39 so as to engage with the clutch
chain wheel 35, and thereby start the binding mechanism, the main wheel 20 of

page_text: which makes one revolution for each sheaf bound. The first thing done when the
binder starts is to lower the prong guard 24 and cut off the supply of crop from the
packing chains 16, which then act as a brush and sweep every loose straw
into the sheaf box, consequently making the separation between each sheaf
and the next practically perfect. After this the needle arm 40 with the string
turns up and completes the encircling of the sheaf by the string, the arm
being on a shaft 41, which by means of toothed sectors 42, 43, and the
slotted needle cam 44 is moved by a pin and roller on the wheel 26.
Prior to the needle passing through the gripper 45 to insure its proper
passage, and to apply the compressing strain in the most favorable way, a
cam 46 is provided on the shaft 47 of the main wheel 26, and comes in
contact with a roller 48 on the needle arm 40, and holds it firmly in position whilst
the tying is being done. In connection with the cam 46 there is also a cam 49
which comes into contact with one 50 of a pair of arms on the shaft 36, and causes
the arin 35 to act oppositely to the needle arm 40 in compressing the sheaf whilst
being tied. A bevil wheel 51, which may be in the same piece with the cams 46, 49,
gears with a pinion on the spindle of the rotating knife 52, and thereby gives the
necessary motion thereto. The mechanism which we prefer to use for knotting or
tying the string by which the sheaf is bound, is substantially the same as that
described in the earlier Specification herein before referred to, No. 5297, of 1878,
but with minor details slightly varied and improved, as will be hereinafter more
fully described. It will also appear on comparison with the earlier Specifications
herein before referred to, that some others of the parts herein before described are
substantially the same as corresponding parts described in such earlier Specifications,
being of course adapted to act in conjunction or combination with the improve-
ments constituting our present Invention.
After the knotting is completed the needle arm 40, which turned up slowly, moves
rapidly back, and at the same time the cams 46 and 49 having passed their
positions of action, the pair of arms 35 make a half revolution, dropping or throwing
out the completed sheaf. This action of the arms 35 is produced by means of
toothed elliptical or eccentric sectors 53, 54, of a pawl 55, and a two-teethed
ratchet wheel 56, the sector 53 being in the same piece as the needle cam 44, the
pawl 55 carried by the other sector 54, and the ratchet wheel 56 fast on the
shaft 36. Just before the binder stops itself, but after the sheaf has been dis-
charged, the pronged guard 24 is lifted again, and the binder then stops until
sufficient crop has been collected and packed against the arms 35 to form the next
sheaf. The binder is then automatically started again in the manner already
described.
The packing chains 16 are driven by a shaft 57 which also drives the reel, and
is itself, by preference, driven by means of a pulley and belt 58. A chain wheel 59
on one end of the shaft 57 transmits motion by an endless pitch chain to the
wheel 34 by which the binder mechanism is driven. Figure 12 on Sheet 5 is an
enlarged edge or side view of a part of one of the packing chains 16 with one of
the feathering fingers 29. These feathering fingers are kept in their acting
positions at the proper time by a fixed cam guide 60; and as they pass off the
lower end of this guide they become withdrawn within the slots in the platform 22
and quite freed from the crop. The butting apron 23 with the parts carrying it
are made adjustable in position, and it can be arranged to suit different lengths of
crop in a manner to avoid any necessity for shifting the binder mechanism.
In Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, compressing and discharging apparatus is shown, which
is different from that hereinbefore described (and shown in Figures 9 and 10). The
compressing arms 61 and the shaft carrying them rock or vibrate only, and do not
make half revolutions, whilst an arm 62 on the shaft 47 is used to insure the
discharge of the sheaf.
Figure 11 on Sheet 5 represents an arrangement in which an arm 63, separate
from the needle arm 40, is used for compressing the sheaf from the inner side, the
needle arm being used simply for the binding operation. A crank pin 64 on the

page_text: main wheel 26 by means of a rod 65 and a lever 66 on the rocking shaft 41 works
the needle arm 40 in this modification. A cam 67 on the wheel 26 acts on a roller
on a lever 68 fixed on a tubular shaft on the shaft 41, and having the compressing
arm 63 in a suitable position on it. The cain 67 is shaped so as to turn up the
compresser arm rapidly after the needle arm 40, moving more slowly, has got partly
turned up, and so as to complete its compressing stroke before the needle arm
completes laying the string round.
Figure 13 on Sheet 6 shows an arrangement of packing. mechanism in which
the parts are modified with the view of saving space. In this modification the
endless packing chains 16 are fitted, so that their upper ends are close up under
the upper ends of the elevating aprons (21), a movable platform 15 being used
instead of the fixed one (22). This platform 15 is hinged at one side, or it
is otherwise carried so that it can be raised into the position indicated by
the dotted lines, in which position it remains during the greater part of the
time the binder is at work, the crop then filling the space 69 above the platform,
and being prevented from passing on to the sheaf box by the form of the cover 70.
As soon as a sheaf is discharged the platform 15 falls, and the crop is then carried
into the sheaf box by the packing chains 16. When the binding mechanism
starts a cam 71 on a shaft driven from and at the same speed as the binder shaft 47,
acts on the arm 72 of a pronged guard 73, working upwards through the
platform 15, and by lifting it causes it to arrest the crop temporarily whilst
another cam 74 lifts up the platform 15 by acting on a piece 75 fixed to its under
side. As soon as the platform 15 has been raised the prongs 73 fall, and the
crop then accumulates in the space 69. Instead of the platform (15 or 22) being
movable, the packing fingers 29 may be rendered inoperative by withdrawing the
cam guide 60 during the time that the binding mechanism is at work.
Figure 14 on Sheet 6. shows a modification of packing mechanism in which a
drum 76 is guided to move round eccentrically with a set of arms or fingers 77 on
a rotating shaft, the fingers projecting through slots in the drum at the part of
their course where they have to act on the crop, and withdrawing within it as they
and it move round. This packer works above the platform or hopper side 22, and
whilst the binding mechanism is at work the pronged guard 24 is moved into the
position in which it is shown to keep back the crop, being at another time lifted
or moved so as to allow the crop to he acted on by the fingers 77.
Figure 15 shows a modification in which one or more endless chains or bands 16
with fixed spikes or packing fingers act through slots in the platform 22, the crop
being kept back by a pronged guard 17 during the time that the binding mechanism
is at work. This Figure also shows the application of a helical or screw roller 78
to be used instead of the butting apron (23) for insuring the proper forwarding of
the butt ends of the stalks. Two or more small rollers may be used for this
purpose instead of a single larger one 78.
Figure 16 shows a modification in which a drum 79 or a number of discs or
pulleys with a number of spikes or packing fingers fixed on them are used in
combination with endless belts or cords 80 which run at the sides of the spikes
and pass also round another roller 81. The belts or cords 80 prevent the spikes from
carrying stalks round the drum 79, and also guide the crop into the binding box.
Figure 17 shows a modification in which endless chains 16 having packing
fingers which do not feather are arranged to act on the upper side of the crop
moving along the platform or hopper side 22. The chains 16 pass each round
three rollers, and two 82 have cranks which give parallel and reciprocating motions
to bars or frames 83 arranged to move close to the packing fingers at the lowest
part of their course. These bars push stalks downwards off the packing fingers,
and at the same time assist the packing action.
Figure 18 shows a modification in which one or more helical or screw rollers 84
are arranged, so that their blades work up through slots in the platform 22, and
move the crop with a packing action downwards towards the sheaf box. These
helical packers 84 are used in combination with the pronged guard 24 operating as

page_text: in other modifications, and they may if preferred be arranged to operate on the
upper side of the crop.
Figure 19 shows a modification of packing mechanism in which two or more
levers 85 centered at their bottom ends, and being nearly vertical in their middle
position, are by rotating eccentrics 86 or cranks made to vibrate through slots in
the inclined side 22 of the hopper. At their upper ends the levers 85 are formed
with nearly horizontal arms 87 with inclined spikes or ratchet like teeth on their
upper sides. The crop first falls on the tops of these lever pieces 85, 87, and then
when they are withdrawn descends in front of them, and is by their return
movement packed into the space 18 wherein the sheaf is bound. When there is
enough for a sheaf the vibration of the levers 85 ceases and the crop accumulates
on their tops 87, a fixed guard, partition, or cover 70 preventing it from getting
over the ends of the levers.
Our improved packing apparatus hereinbefore described is advantageously
applicable to various existing kinds of reaping machine, as well as to the novel
kind herein before described. In one arrangement a very convenient and simple
combination is formed with the sheaf-binding apparatus at a low level, as shown
in Figure 20 on Sheet 7 of the Drawings, and with two shafts with packing discs
88, 89, arranged to transfer the crop off a transversely moving endless apron 90
up a short and low inclined board 91. In this arrangement the main travelling
wheel 12 of the machine is placed in a position a little more forward than the
cutter bar, and the transversely moving apron 90 is immediately behind the cutter
bar. Two packer shafts or discs 88, 89, with feathering fingers, as shown, or with
rigid fingers, and the pronged guard 24 is applied in connection with the second
or outer packer 89, which packs the crop directly into the space 18 in which it is
bound into a sheaf. When a sufficient quantity for a sheaf has been passed to the
second or outer packer 89 the guard 24 in connection with it is moved into a
position to temporarily prevent the action of that packer on any more of
the crop, and then the crop brought forward by the first or inner packer 88, or
transferrer, as it may more properly be called, which works continuously, remains
between it and the outer packer 89 until the formation of the next sheaf com-
mences. The outer packer 89 also works continuously, and after the guard 24 is
moved to intercept further supplies gathers and sweeps forward every straw, and
thereby makes a very complete separation between each sheaf and the next.
Various modifications of the packing apparatus may be arranged in a similar way
with a space between two packers or sets of packers, or between transferring and
-packing apparatus, the former of which is continuously operative whilst the second
or outer packer is only intermittently effective, although it may be running con-
tinuously. The combination of the continuously acting transferring apparatus and
the intermittently effective packing apparatus may be adapted to various arrange-
ments of the travelling wheel and other parts of the reaping machine.
Figure 21 shows an arrangement which gives the advantage of a very wide
separation between the sheaves when endless chains 16 with rigid or feathering
fingers are used for transferring the crop directly from a horizontal apron 90 to
biuding apparatus arranged at a low level. In this modification the pronged guard
is placed at the inner and lower end of the fingered chains 16, and when moved
in wards into the position indicated by the dotted lines keeps back the crop from
the chains 16. Between the outer and higher end of the chains 16 and the
space 18, in which the sheaf is bound, there are diametrical pairs of arms 92, 93,
on a horizontal shaft, and at suitable periods these arms make half a revolution,
throwing out the sheaf just completed and passing forward into the space 18 the
quantity of crop on the inner side of the arms last down, and which quantity is
sufficient for a sheaf. The arms 93, each of which is to the inner side of its
companion arm 92 when down, are capable of moving within or beside the arms 92,
and being attached to a tubular shaft on the shaft carrying the arms 92 are each
in turn acted on by the pressure of the crop being packed against them by the
action of the chains 16. The tubular shaft carrying the arms 93 is connected to

page_text: the engaging and disengaging gear of the binding mechanism, and causes this
mechanisin to be started whenever the quantity of crop gathered is sufficient to
cause the movement of the arm 93 in position at the time.
Figures 22 and 23 on Sheet 7 of the Drawings are a plan and transverse
section of the knotter mechanism, and Figures 24 to 27 are enlarged views of
details. The gripper bar 94 and the knotting bar 95. consist each of round steel
with a groove cut about 6 inches wide and a little deeper than to the centre. In
the groove of the gripper bar 94 a tongue 96 is fitted, which is pressed up by &
spring 97 and grips the string. At 98 is the rotating hook for winding the string
on the bar 95. Figures 22 and 25 show the shape of the end of the bar 95 as
used when the ends are pulled through the loop of the string, as now considered
to be the best, as with this mode of forming the knot there is less slack string to
be drawn up by the sheaf when released from the compressors. It however renders
it necessary to draw the bar 95 further back than when making a loop knot.
When it is desired to form a loop knot the end of the bar 95 is made as shown in
Figures 26 and 27, and the sheaf being discharged towards the right hand as
regards Figure 27, the loop of the knot slips off the rounded end and so easily gets
clear. The knot is formed in the tube 99, the book 98 being fitted so that it can
spring radially to suit different sizes of string and yet hold the ends of the string
with a certain amount of tension. The mode of fitting the hook 98 to its tube is
shown in Figure 24. The various movements of the knotting details are produced
by a cylindrical compound grooved cam 100, Figures 5, 7, and 8, which is more
suitable for the machine now described than the disc-shaped cam shown and
described in the earlier Specification, No. 5297, of 1878, hereinbefore referred to.
It is one important advantage of our improved sheaf-binding apparatus that
being automatic and not liable to easy derangement in working, it requires very
little attention from the driver of the machine, who can consequently give almost
all his attention to his horses. In cases in which the driver's seat is placed over in
front of the travelling wheel with the view of balancing the machine, a mirror may
be fixed in a position to enable him to easily see whether the mechanism is working
properly or not. One or more of such mirrors may be used in any arrangement of
the reaping machine where their presence will facilitate supervision of the operation
of the mechanism.
Having thus particularly described our said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, we have to state that we do not restrict ourselves to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what we believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to us by and in terms of the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1. The combination in a reaping machine of the ordinary transversely working
cutter bar with an apron or equivalent moving backwards from the cutter bar, and
with apparatus for turning or sluing the crop, so that the stalks become parallel
or nearly so to the cutter bar, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The combination of a spiked chain moving in one transverse direction behind
the cutter bar, with a helical or screw roller operating in the opposite transverse
direction, so as to slue the crop or turn it with the stalks parallel or nearly so to
the cutter bar, or any combination for the same purpose of substitutes or equiva-
lents for the spiked chain and helical roller, such as are herein before indicated, the
parts being arranged and operating substantially as herein before described.
3. The combination with sheaf-binding mechanism of intermediate packing
apparatus, and of a guard for periodically keeping back the supply of crop from
the packers without stopping the supplying apparatus, the packers operating
continuously or long enough after each interposition of the guard to secure com-
plete separation between each sheaf and the next, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. The use of endless chains with feathering or rigid fingers for packing or
forcibly conveying the crop towards the binding place, such chains being combined
with a guard or equivalent for periodically keeping back the supply, the several

page_text: parts being arranged and operating substantially in any of the modes herein before
described.
5. The use of discs or rollers with feathering fingers or with fixed fingers and
appliances for freeing or withdrawing such fixed fingers from the crop, the snid
discs or rollers packing or forcibly conveying the crop towards the binding place,
and being combined with a guard or equivalent for periodically keeping back the
supply, the several parts being arranged and operating substantially in any of the
modes hereinbefore described.
6. The combination of any of the arrangements of packers with compressing or
resisting arms, against which the crop is packed, and which are connected with
the automatic starting gear of the binding mechanism, the parts being arranged
and operating substantially in any of the modes herein before described.
7. The combination of the guard or equivalent which periodically keeps back
the supply from the packers, with the automatic starting gear of the binding
mechanism, so that such guard or equivalent is brought into action automatically
on the attainment of the predetermined density of sheaf, substantially as herein-
before described.
8. The combination of a guard or equivalent for periodically keeping back the
supply without stopping the supplying apparatus, and operating substantially as
hereinbefore described with any suitable arrangement of packing or forcible
conveying apparatus.
9. The use of helical or screw rollers for packing or forcibly conveying the crop
to the binding place, as herein before described.
10. The use of one or more helical or screw rollers instead of a butting apron
to insure the proper movement of the butt ends of the stalks, as hereinbefore
described.
11. The arrangement of packing apparatus hereinbefore described with reference
to Figure 19 of the accompanying Drawings.
12. The combination or arrangement in which the crop is transferred from the
horizontal apron or platform of the reaping machine to binding mechanism placed
in a low position by two successive forcible conveyers or packers with a space
between them, the one nearer the horizontal apron or platform being continuously
operative, whilst the action of the second is rendered periodically ineffective by
the operation of a movable guard or otherwise, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry James Hogg King, on behalf of the
said Philip Charles Evans and myself, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-two.
HENRY JAMES HOGG KING. (L.S.)