Improvements in and relating to Wagons.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Wagons.
I, JAMES WILSON, of Glen Cross, in the Province of Manitoba, Dominion of
Canada, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to wagons and more especially to hay wagons; the
object of the invention being to provide means connected therewith whereby they
can be conveniently loaded with hay, wheat or the like whilst being drawn over a
field.
By this invention, the rear part of the wagon has a transverse beam which
extends to one side of the wagon and forms a guide for a sleeve or carriage
reciprocable thereon. A lever is pivoted near one end to the carriage and extends
forwardly to the front of the wagon where it carries a suitably formed pitch-
fork; its extreme rear end being pivoted to a rod reciprocably mounted in the
wagon body parallel to the beam aforementioned. This rod has flexible connec-
tions attached to it and said connections pass over pulley-blocks to a windlass
at the forward part of the wagon body. By means of these connections and
windlass the reciprocable rod can be moved lengthwise to impart horizontal move-
ment to the pitch-fork. Vertical movement can be imparted thereto to raise it
by means of a crank arm projecting from one end of a shaft rotatably mounted
beneath the wagon body and deriving rotary motion from one of the wagon axles,
which rotates with the wheels, or from the hubs of the wagon wheels, by means
of endless bands and grooved wheels, or by gearing. The crank arm is connected
and disconnected, as required to raise or lower the fork by means of a clutch
or clutches operated by levers or other suitable means. By means of a catch or
the like on the side of the wagon body the fork may be tilted during its ascent
to deposit the hay or the like into the wagon.
Dated this 28th day of November 1899.
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to Wagons.
I, JAMES WILSON, of Glen Cross, in the Province of Manitoba, Dominion of
Canada, Inventor, 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: —

page_text: The object of my invention is to provide a device of this character by means
of which hay, straw etc., can be readily taken from the ground and deposited
upon the hay wagon, the operation being entirely under the control of the driver
of the wagon and at the same time allowing the driver to regulate the width of
the path over which the loader can pass and also allowing of the regulation of
the point where the hay is to be deposited.
A further object is to provide a device which is simple and efficient in opera-
tion, durable in construction, which can be readily attached to the ordinary
hay wagon, and which can be made at a moderate cost,
With these and other objects in view, the nature of which will be hereinafter
set forth, my invention consists in the improved construction and combination
of parts hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended
claims.
In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in
which similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in all the views.
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a hay wagon provided with my improved hay
loading attachment, the racks being removed in order that a clearer showing
may be made of the operative construction. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal
sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail of the track, the carriage regu-
lating the movement laterally of the loader being shewn in position thereon.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the carriage. Fig. 5 is a detail of the arm which
serves to impart the vertical movement to the loader. Fig. 6 is a detail of the
construction for bringing the apparatus into and out of an operative position.
Fig. 7 is a detail of the front of the wagon, showing the levers used to operate
the various parts.
In loading hay from the ground to the hay wagon by mechanical means several
points are essential in order that the mechanism may have a proper operation.
These points are, the necessity of the machine being entirely under the control
of the operator in order that the machine may be operated satisfactorily whether
the hay is mixed or whether it is in isolated heaps. Another feature which is
essential is the ability to regulate the width of the path being cleared by the
loader and at the same time allow of the regulating of the loader to throw the
hay to either side or to the middle of the wagon, this being necessary in order
that the hay may be loaded in the least possible time and also in order that it
may be loaded onto the wagon at a point where it can be easily moved to its
proper position on the wagon. A machine of this character constructed to
perform these functions will necessarily operate in a manner similar to the
loading of hay by hand, and in the construction now to be described this func-
tion is clearly apparent by reason of the fact that the loader moves with a move-
ment similar to that of the fork as given by the operator when loading by hand.
The loading mechanism herein described can be readily attached to any
suitable hay wagon, and in the drawings I have shewn a wagon in which the
racks are removed but it is to be understood that in practice wagons are intende
to be provided with the usual racks and bottom in order that a maximum
amount of hay can be readily and securely placed on the hay-wagon.
In the drawings. 1 designates the front axle, and 2 the rear axle, to which are
secured in the usual manner the supporting wheels 3. The wagon body 4 is
secured to the axles in any approved manner, and the racks will be secured to
the body, as will be readily understood.
designates the shaft, pivotally mounted within the wagon body at a point in
juxta-position to the rear axle, this shaft having one of its ends 6 bent laterally
and having at its end a suitable casing 7, within which is mounted a roller 8 as
is best shewn in Fig. 5. On the shaft 5 at a point without the path of movement
of the wheel on the rear axle, are mounted suitable wheels 9, which are opera-
tively connected, by means of suitable belts 10, with similar wheels 11, mounted
on the hubs of the rear wheels 3. The wheels 9 are loosely mounted on the
shaft 5, and each of said wheels is operatively connected to the shaft 5 by means

page_text: of a suitable clutch, such as shewn in the drawings, said wheels being held in
position in operative contact with the clutch by means of suitable spring arms 12,
having their rear ends mounted in suitable sheaf pulleys 13, secured to the hubs
of the wheels 9, the spring arms 12 being provided with a suitable bifurcated
or forked end 14, which is adapted to be operatively connected to the pulley 13,
the arm 12 being constructed substantially as shewn in Fig. 6. To withdraw
the wheels from operative contact with the clutches located on the shaft 5, I
provide suitable ropes 15, preferably formed of wire, having their rear ends
connected to the spring arms 12, the forward ends of said ropes being connected
to a suitable operating handle 16, mounted at the front of the wagon body;
From this construction it will be readily seen that as the wagon moves forward
the wheels 9 will be rotated in a forward direction and that as long as the
wheels 9 are in operative connection with the shaft 5, said shaft will receive a
corresponding movement, and by reason of the laterally extending end 6 the
casing 7 and roller 8 will have a circular movement on the wagon body, the
plane of such movement being a vertical one. As it is necessary, for reasons
hereinafter set forth, that the operative connection with the shaft 5 should be
the normal position of the wheels 9, it will be seen that when it is desired to stop
the movement of the arm 6 and shaft 5, by moving the lever 16 forwardly
the spring arms 12 will be moved inwardly towards the wagon body, thereby
withdrawing the wheels 9 from operative connection with the clutches located on
the shaft 5 thus destroying the operative connection between the shaft and the
wheels 9, yet allowing the wheels 9 to continue their rotary movement on the
shaft. Upon release of the lever 16 the spring arms 12 will immediately force
the wheels 9 outwardly and into operative contact with the clutches located on
the shaft 5, when the mechanism will again be put into operation.
As hereinbefore stated, the casing 7 and roller S are given a circular move-
ment, and this movement is utilized in loading the hay, this movement giving
a vertical movement to the loader 17. (Best shown in Fig. 1.) As shewn in
this figure the loader 17 consists in the framework 18, having a suitable number
of forwardly extending prongs 19, the rear ends of which are bent upwardly,
as shewn in Fig. 2, in order that a great amount of hay or other material may
be held thereon during the operation of the mechanism. The loader 17 is
provided with a rearwardly extending arm 20, which passes within the casing 7
and above the roller 8, the arm 20 normally resting upon said roller and being
supported thereby. At the rear of the hay wagon is secured a suitable track 21.
preferably T-shaped in cross-section, as shewn in Fig. 2, said track being
extended laterally outward from the hay wagon a suitable distance and being
adapted to receive the carriage 22, said carriage being adapted to support the
rear end of the arm 20.
As shewn in Figs. 3 and 4, the carriage 22 consists, essentially of the casing 23,
within which is mounted a series of rollers 24, adapted to ride on the upper face
of the track 21, and a series of rollers 25 adapted to ride on the under face of
said track, thus holding the carriage at all times in proper position on the track.
As the track 21 retains at all times it position within the wagon body, it will
he readily seen that the connection between the rear end of the arm 20 and the
carriage 22 forms the fulcrum for the movement of the loader 17, the roller 8
forming the point of application of the power, and it is by reason of this arrange-
ment that as the arm 6 takes its circular movement the front end of the loader
will be raised and lowered in a vertical direction in an obvious manner. As this
movement is of considerable length, it will readily be seen that the pivotal
connection of the arm 20 with the carriage 22 must be such as will allow of this
vertical movement of the front end of the lever 20. This is accomplished by
mounting the track in suitable bearings 26, secured to the wagon body, the
mounting being such as will allow the said track to have a pivotal movement
within the bearings, suitable washers 27 secured on the track 21, serving to
hold the track in its proper position to prevent a lateral movement of the track

page_text: in the wagon body. As by this construction the track itself is allowed to turn
in its bearings, it will be readily seen that the carriage 22, which is secured
to the track and necessarily receives a movement when the track itself is moved
on its axis, will allow the forward end of the arm to have its vertical movement.
such movement serving to impart a slight pivotal movement to the track 21.
It will be seen that a purely vertical movement of the loader 17 would have
no advantage, as it would necessarily have to have this vertical movement at a
point outside of the path of movement of the forward wheel 3, and this position
being one which is entirely outside of the wagon body would deter instead of
facilitating the loading of the hay.
As heretofore explained, the rotary movement of the arm 6 will cause the
loader 17 to be moved vertically, and in order that this movement, which serves
to carry the hay above the top plane of the wagon, may become beneficial it
is necessary that the loader be caused to move inwardly to a point over the wagon
body, and after reaching such position to be tilted in order that the hay contained
on the loader may be dropped onto the wagon body. This movement is accom-
plished by means of the track 21 and the carriage 22.
As will be seen by referring to the drawings, the end of the arm 20 extends
rearwardly to a point beyond the pivotal connecting point of the arm with the
carriage 22, and to the rear end of this arm 20 is secured fixedly an arm 28,
which extends laterally from the arm 20, the arm 28 terminating in an eye 29,
to which is secured one end of a rod 30, which extends through one of the
bearings 26 and has its outer end bent at an angle, as shewn at 31. The rod 30
is connected at its opposite ends with two ropes 32, which extend forwardly as
shewn in Fig. 1 and have their front ends mounted on a suitable windlass 33,
located at the front end of the wagon body. The ropes 32 are arranged in such
'manner that when the windlass is turned one of said ropes will be wound upon
the drum of the windlass while the opposite rope will be unwound. This cause
the ropes 32 to be held taut at all times. The outer end of the track 21 is
formed with a curve, as best shewn in Fig. 3, said curve extending in an upward
direction and having at its end a stop 34 which prevents any movement of the
carriage 22 beyond a fixed point. By this construction, it will be readily seen,
that if the handle of the windlass 33 is turned in one direction one of the ropes
will be drawn inwardly and will cause the carriage to be drawn inward towards
the wagon body. This inward movement of the carriage 22 serves to throw the
forward end of the arm 20 and the loader 17 away from the wagon body, and in
this manner it is possible to increase the space which can be operated upon by
the loader when on the ground. With the carriage 22 in its inward position
the wheels 9 are allowed to be in operative connection with the shaft 5 until the
loader 17 is carried downwards onto the ground, whereupon the handle 16 is
drawn forwardly, which releases the wheels from contact with the shaft 5 and
allows the loader to rest freely upon the surface of the ground.
As the wagon
is drawn forward the hay will be gathered onto the loader until a sufficient
amount has been placed thereon. The lever 16 is now released, which serves to
throw the wheels 9 into operative connection with the shaft 5, whereupon the
arm will continue its upward movement, carrying with it the loader 17, which
movement of the loader is continued until it has reached its proper height above
the plane of the wagon body, at which time, if desired, the lever 16 can again
be operated, although such operation is not essential. Upon the arrival of the
loader at a proper height, the handle of the windlass is operated to draw on
the end 31 of the rod 30, which causes the carriage to be moved outwardly on
the track 21 and carried upwardly around the curved portion of the track.
This outward movement of the carriage 22 serves to bring the loader inwardly
to a point above the wagon body, and when the carriage 22 moves to and around
the curved portion of the track the loader will be caused to be turned, which
turning serves to dump its contents onto the wagon body. As the arm. 6 con-
tinues its movement the windlass is again operated to bring the loader outwardly

page_text: by moving the carriage 22, these movements being continued until the loader
has again reached its position on the ground, when the lever 16 is again operated
and the former operation is repeated.
In order that the shaft 5 may be held in its position upon release of the
wheels 9, I provide a suitable brake mechanism consisting of a wheel 35, located
on 'the axle 5, with which wheel a suitable brake shoe 36 is adapted to contact,
the free end of said shoe being connected by means of a suitable rope 37 with a
lever 38, located at the front end of the wagon body, contiguous to the lever 16.
If desired the operation heretofore described may be varied, especially where
the apparatus is used in connection with the loading of hay which has been
placed in heaps or piles. When the hay is found in this connection, it is loaded
onto the loader, as herein before set forth, and the wagon drawn forward until
the loader has reached a proper height. When this point is reached, the lever 16
is drawn forward and at the same time the lever 38 is also drawn forward, which
serves to make a brake connection on the shaft 5 and holds said shaft in its
proper position. The windlass 33 is then operated, which causes the loader to
be carried inwardly to a point above the wagon body, where, if desired, the brake
lever 38 may be released, which serves to allow the loader to move downward
and deposit the hay onto the wagon body. When the wagon is again started
and the lever 16 released, the loader will be raised and the carriage 22 drawn
inwardly, allowing it to move to a proper point without the wagon bed. The
lever 16 is again drawn forwardly, which allows the loader 17 to drop downwardly
by its own weight onto the ground in proper position.
It will be readily seen that the loader may be operated in other different
wavs but it is not thought necessary to set it forth in detail herein, as it is
believed that the operation of the device will be clearly apparent.
The advantages of this construction are many, including the absolute control
of the operation, the ability to attach it to a hay wagon, the ability to adjust the
movement of the loader, its durable construction, and the low cost of
manufacture.
While I have here shewn a preferred form of carrying my invention into
effect, yet I do not desire to limit myself to such preferred details of construction,
but claim the right to use any and all modifications thereof which will serve
to carry into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as such
medifications and changes may fall within the spirit and scope of my said
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
--
(1) The combination with a hay wagon; of a hay loader mounted thereon;
means for imparting a vertical movement to said loader; means for adjustably
varying the lateral position of said loader; and means for automatically tilting
said loader at a predetermined point in its lateral movement.
(2) The combination with a hay wagon; of a hay loader mounted thereon;
means for imparting a vertical movement to said loader; means for varying the
lateral position of said loader; and means for automatically tilting said loader
at a predetermined point in its lateral position.
(3) The combination with a hay wagon; of a hay loader mounted thereon;
means for imparting a vertical movement to said hay loader; means for varying
the lateral position of said loader; and means for tilting said loader at a pre-
determined point in its lateral movement substantially as described.
(4) The combination with a hay wagon of a loader connected thereto; means
for imparting a vertical movement to said loader; means for varying the lateral
position of said loader, said loader being normally held in a horizontal plane:
and means for moving said loader from its horizontal plane at a predetermined
period of its lateral movement, substantially as described.

page_text: (5) The combination with a hay wagon; of a track secured thereto; a carriage
mounted on said track: means for imparting a lateral movement to said carriage:
a hay loader operatively connected to said carriage; and means operated by the
movement of said wagon, for imparting a vertical movement to said loader
substantially as described.
(6) The combination with a hay wagon of a track pivotally connected thereto;
a carriage mounted on said track, said carriage having a lateral movement
relative to said wagon body; means for adjustably varving the position of said
carriage on said track; a hay loader connected to said carriage and extendin
forwardly therefrom; and a support operatively connected to the wheels of said
wagon, and receiving a circular movement therefrom, said support being adapted
to impart a vertical movement to said loader substantially as described.
(7) The combination with a hay wagon; of a track connected thereto; a
carriage movable longitudinally of said track; means for imparting a longi-
tudinal movement to said carriage; a hay loader connected to said carriage and
extending forwardly therefrom; a shaft mounted in said wagon, said shaft having
a support for said loader; means operated by the forward movement of the wagon
for imparting a rotary movement to said shaft, whereby said loader will he
given a vertical movement; and means for controlling the movement of said
shaft, substantially as described.
(8) The combination with a hay wagon; of a track secured thereto: said
track having a curved portion at one end thereof; a carriage movable longi-
tudinally of said track: means for imparting a regulated longitudinal movement
to said carriage: a hay loader operatively connected to said carriage and extend-
ing forwardly therefrom: a shaft mounted within said wagon: a support con-
nected to said shaft. said support serving to regulate the vertical movement of
said loader means operated by the forward movement of the wagon for impart-
ing a rotary movement to said shaft, said movement serving to move said loader
vertically and means for controlling the movement of said shaft, substantially
as described.
:
Dated th 20th dow of Avovat 1000
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.