IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR BINDING PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION FOR BINDING CUT CROPS, STRAW, AND SUCH LIKE MATERIALS INTO BUNDLES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Kearsley and Edwin Whitworth, both of Ripon,
in the County of York, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING
MACHINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR BINDING
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Kearsley and Edwin
Whitworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th April
1880.
GEORGE KEARSLEY and EDWIN WHITWORTH, both of Ripon, in the County of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVE
MENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR BINDING CUT CROPS, STRAW, AND SUCH LIKE
MATERIALS INTO BUNDLES."
The object of the Invention is first to improve the construction of harvesting
machines such as are described in the Specification of a former Patent granted to
us, No. 4026, in the year 1878.
In order to reduce to a more simple and durable form the mechanism by which
a quantity of cut crop is gathered together on the binding platform and compressed
and tied up to form it into a sheaf, instead of using one of the compressing arms
not only for compressing the sheaf and carrying a string around it, but also to act
as a gathering arm to collect the crop on this platform and bring it into position
for being compressed and bound, we propose in this Invention to use a simple
rocking arm to carry the string and to serve as a binding arm alone, and in order
to gather the cut crop and to bring it within the action of this binding arm, we
propose to use an endless chain or chains or belts, either plain or carrying
projections or teeth to carry the cut crop along the platform and bring it below
the binding arm.
If belts or
To effect this we propose to use two longitudinal shafts running under the
binding table parallel to each other, and carrying (if chains be used) chain wheels,
which are free to move along the shafts to permit of adjustment.
bands are used we place pulleys or an equivalent in the place of the chain wheels.
We give to these gatherers an intermittent motion so as to collect the cut crop and
place it within the action of the binding arm, which then descends and carries the

page_text: string around the sheaf in the ordinary manner, or as shown in the Specification
before mentioned. When the gatherers have done this they pause until the
binding is completed; they then resume their motion, which causes the gatherers to
come into contact with the bound sheaf, which is by them pushed off the binding
table;
thus the gatherers serve two purposes, those of gathering the cut crop and of
clearing the bound sheaf from the table.
By the time one sheaf is off the table the gatherers are again ready to bring a
fresh portion of the cut crop to be bound. The binding arm is attached to a shaft
extending over part of the binding table in a suitable bearing; to the other end of
this shaft a crank is attached which receives a rocking motion from one of the
longitudinal shafts extending under the binding table.
'
Attached to the bearing which carries the shaft which actuates the binding arm
is a fixed stud on which is pivotted the second or back compressing arm which is
moved by the binding arm through a link.
The first longitudinal shaft drives a mitre wheel which gears into another
mitre carried by a suitable bearing, and to this mitre is attached a spur wheel
having a delay space; this actuates a pinion fixed on knotter shaft and so
drives the knotter.
The construction of the knotter we modify in the following manner :-The
knotter, as described in the before mentioned Specification, is forined of a spindle
with a tapering prong projecting sidewise from its end, and also with a hooked
prong below the tapering prong. We now form a vertical slot in the spindle
commencing nearly at its upper end, and in place of the hooked prong being fixed
to the spindle we now carry it at the upper end of a lever arm which lies in this
slot, and at its lower end can turn on a pin carried by the spindle so that the hook
may, by the action of a can or otherwise, be drawn towards the spindle and be
received into the vertical slo formed in it. The action of the knotter so far as
regards the twisting of the strings into a loop by the action of the prongs when
the spindle is rotated is the same as described in the before mentioned Specification,
but when the spindle has been rotated far enough for the strings to have been
caused to enter and lie across the hook, in pluce of employing a pusher to complete
the knot we now cause the hook to be drawn back into the slot in the spindle.
At the same time that the hook is being drawn back the string is severed between
the knotter and the end of the binding arm, and the hook then draws the strings
that are lying across it through the loop and partly into the slot, so completing
the knot, and at the same time by pressing the strings against the sides of the
slot holds them fast and causes the severed ends of the string to bo drawn through
the knot, and the knot to be tightened up on the upper prong having previously
run up any slack that might exist in the loop or between the knotter or sheaf.
The knotter having completed its rotation we find it better in some cases to give
the knotter about a quarter of a revolution backwards, and thus place the upper
prongs in a favorable position for delivering the knot.
The action of the gatherer or an equivalent device pushes the knot off upper
prong and the sheaf off the table.
We also propose to shorten the upper prong of the knotter and make the hook
prong the longest, and in order that the string may be always in proper position
and retained by upper prong, we use above the knotter a fixed plate having
above the knotter a round hole smaller in diameter than the knotter shafts, and a
slot or opening in the plate guides the strings into this circular hole. When the
knotter rotates the plate with the hole in it allows the string to move around but
not to escape the action of upper prong.
"
In some cases we form in the plate on one side of this hole a smaller slot or
opening which is closed during the formation of the knots by a sliding piece
which we term a discharger." When the knot is formed this discharge piece
is moved and the knob escapes from the short upper prong through the slot which
is then uncovered.

page_text: We purpose to make the binding arm press against a pin attached to the
discharge plate which is pivotted under the plate with the round hole, and thus
cause discharge piece to close slots or opening on side of hole; a spring or equi-
valent device causes discharge piece to move back when the arm rises and thus
leaves slot open.
Instead of this discharge piece we can give the knotter a further movement,
bringing upper prong opposite the slot, which allows the string to enter round hole
in plate, where the knot escapes as before.
In some cases we form the knotter not only with the hook prong carried by a
rocking lever arm, so that it can be withdrawn into the slot in the knotter spindle,
but we also carry the upper tapering prong by this lever arm, so that this prong
also can be drawn back into the slot.
This allows of the tapering prong being made longer than it otherwise could be
conveniently made. The action of this knotter is the same as the one just
described. The tapering prong being longer than the hooked prong the knot gets
tightened up on the tapering prong, whilst the top and sides of the slot prevent the
knot from being drawn into the slot as the prongs are drawn back. Finally, the
tapering prong may be entirely withdrawn, and the knot, which has then been run
up tight, be so set free.
Instead of the upper prong in the above knotter being made long, a short prong
may be used, having a longitudinal groove or recess formed in it on one or both
sides, and the knotter spindle may have attached to its side a small point, which is
so forined as to allow one of its sides to run in a groove or recess in the moving
prong; the extremity of this small fixed point lies in the groove, so that when the
prong with the groove in it withdraws, the small point receives the loop of the
formed knot from the groov prong. The knot is then tighten up on this small
point, and when prong and hook return to original position the knot is pushed off
small point, if it has not already been drawn off from it.
Also, instead of merely making the lower prong in the knotters hooked, as described,
we also make it form part of a clamp to grasp and hold the string when the prong is
drawn back. To accomplish this we attach a small moving piece to the lever arm
carrying the prong, and make this moving piece act in conjunction with lower
prong, so as to allow it to form an open jaw to receive the crossed portion of the
string forming the knot, and when the lever arm is withdrawn into the slot in the
spindle this jaw is closed, and retains hold on the string.
In order to make these knotters as strong and large as is desirable in such
machinery we allow the loop or formation of the knot to be taken from the supply
of string carried on the bobbin, &c., that is to say, instead of compelling all the
string used in the formation of the knot to be taken from around the sheaf, it may
in part (or as desired) come from the bobbin ; this enables us to use a stronger form
of knotter.
The sheaf being compressed and having taken out as much string as will encircle
it, the knotter is operated, and may take a greater portion of what is required to tic
the knot from the bobbin, and only as much as is required from around the sheaf to
make it tight; this is controllable, and would in some cases prevent the string being
broken or the knotter subjected to undue strain.
We propose to accomplish this by having two hooks or grippers which reciprocate
at proper intervals, so that one hook is always ready to receive the string when the
binding arm brings it down to the knotter.
The other hook is at this time drawn back between two fixed sides, one of which
in conjunction with the hook forms a shear and cuts the string on one side of the
hook, and then pauses, retaining the end of the spring; the hook which is out is in
such a position that when the binding arm comes down the string is in such a
position that it is under the opening forming the hook, and when the book with-
draws it must seize the string. When the arm is down the knotter commences to
operate, and the form of the knotter allows the string to run on it, so that if any

page_text: undue strain is experienced by the knotter in forming the knot the string accom-
modates itself by running from the bobbin, one end of the string only being rigidly
held in "gripper" or hook, the other gripper or hook not yet being drawn entirely
back, so string can run round on knotter from the bobbin until the knot is nearly
completed, when the hook or gripper which was out draws in and grips against
another fixed side and knife; the knife cuts string, and at same time the other
gripper advances and releases the end of string retained by it, thus the string around
the sheaf is cut or free at each end; the knotier now finishes the knot, and the
hook or gripper advances ready to again receive the string.
We thus make more certain of securing the string and also of releasing it by
employing two hooks, and we can vary the time of gripping the two ends fast,
and so allow of the drawing of string from the bobbin whilst the knot is being
formed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Kearsley and Edwin Whitworth in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 28th October 1880.
GEORGE KEARSLEY and EDWIN WHITWORTH, both of Ripon, in the County of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR BINDING CUT CROPS, STRAW, AND SUCH LIKE
MATERIALS INTO BUNDLES."
The object of the Invention is first to improve the construction of harvesting
machines such as are described in the Specification of a former Patent granted to
us, No. 4026, in the year 1878.
In order to reduce to a more simple and durable form the mechanism by which a
quantity of cut crop is gathered together on the binding platform, and compressed
and tied up to form it into a sheaf, instead of using one of the compressing arms
not only for compressing the sheaf and carrying a string around it, but also to act
as a gathering arin to collect the crop on this platforin and bring it into position
for being compressed and bound, we propose in this Invention to use a simple
rocking arin to carry the string and to serve as a binding arın alone, and in order
to gather the cut crop, and to bring it within the action of this binding arm, we
propose to use an endless chain or chains or belts, either plain or carrying projections
or teeth, to carry the cut crop along the platform and bring it below the binding
arm.
To effect this we propose to use two longitudinal shafts running under the binding
table parallel to each other, and carrying (if chains be used) chain wheels, which
are free to move along the shafts to permit of adjustment. If belts or bands are
used we place pulleys or an equivalent in the place of the chain wheels. We give
to these gatherers an intermittent motion, so as to collect the cut crop and place it
within the action of the binding arın, which then descends and carries the string
around the sheaf in the ordinary manner, or as shown in the Specification before
mentioned. When the gatherers have done this they pause until the binding is
completed; they then resume their motion, which causes the gatherors to come into
contact with the bound sheaf, which is by them pushed off the binding table. Thus
the gatherers serve two purposes, those of gathering the cut crop and of clearing
the bound sheaf from the table.
By the time one sheaf is off the table the gatherers are again ready to bring a
fresh portion of the cut crop to be bound. The binding arm is attached to a shaft
extending over part of the binding table, in a suitable bearing; to the other end of
this shaft a crank is attached which receives a rocking motion from one of the
longitudinal shafts extending under the binding table.
Attached to the bearing which carries the shaft which actuates the binding arm
is a fixed stud, on which is pivotted the second or back compressing arm which is
moved by the binding arm through a link.
The first longitudinal shaft drives a mitro wheel which gears into another mitre
carried by a suitable bearing, and to this mitre is attached a spur wheel having a
delay space; this actuates a pinion fixed on knotter shaft, and so drives the
knotter.
The construction of the knotter we modify in the following manner:-The
knotter, as described in the before mentioned Specification, is formed of a spindle
with a tapering prong projecting sidewise from its end, and also with a hooked
prong below the tapering prong. We now form a vertical slot in the spindle,
commencing nearly at its upper end, and in place of the hooked prong being fixed
to the spindle we now carry it at the upper end of a lever arm which lies in this
slot, and at its lower end can turn on a pin carried by the spindle, so that the hook
may, by the action of a cam or otherwise, be drawn towards the spindle and be

page_text: received into the vertical slot formed in it. The action of the knotter, so far as
regards the twisting of the strings into a loop by the action of the prongs when the
spindle is rotated, is the same as described in the before mentioned Specification,
but when the spindle has been rotated far enough for the strings to have been
caused to enter and lie across the hook, in place of employing a pusher to complete
the knot we now cause the hook to be drawn back into the slot in the spindle. At
the same time that the hook is being drawn back the string is severed between the
knotter and the end of the binding arm, and the hook then draws the strings that
are lying across it through the loop and partly into the slot, so completing the knot,
and at the same time, by pressing the strings against the sides of the slot, holds
them fast and causes the severed ends of the string to be drawn through the knot,
and the knot to be tightened up on the upper prong, having previously run up any
slack that might exist in the loop or between the knotter and sheaf.
The knotter having completed its rotation wo find it better in some cases to give
the knotter about a quarter of a revolution backwards, and thus place the upper
prongs in a favorable position for delivering the knot.
The action of the gatherer, or an equivalent device, pushes the knot off upper
prong and the sheaf off the table.
We also propose to shorten the upper prong of the knotter and make the hook
prong the longest, and in order that the string may be always in proper position,
and retained by upper prong, we use above the knotter a fixed plate having abovo
the knotter a round hole smaller in diameter than the knotter shaft, and a slot or
opening in the plate guides the strings into this circular hole. When the knotter
rotates the plate with the hole in it allows the string to move around, but not to
escape the action of upper prong.
In some cases we form in the plate on one side of this hole a smaller slot or
opening which is closed during the formation of the knots by a sliding piece which
we term a "discharger." When the knot is formed this discharge piece is moved,
and the knot escapes from the short upper prong through the slot which is then
uncovered.
We purpose to make the binding arm press against a pin attached to the
discharge plate which is pivotted under the plate with the round hole, and thus
cause discharge piece to close slots or opening on side of hole; a spring or
equivalent devico causes discharge pieco to move back when the arm rises and
thus leaves slot open.
Instead of this discharge piece we can give the knotter a further movement,
bringing upper prong opposite the slot, which allows the string to enter round hole
in plate, where the knot escapes as before.
In some cases we form the knotter not only with the hook prong carried by a
rocking lever arm so that it can be withdrawn into the slot in the knotter spindle,
but we also carry the upper tapering prong by this lever arm, so that this prong
also can be drawn back into the slot.
This allows of the tapering prong being made longer than it otherwise could
conveniently be made. The action of this knotter is the same as the one just
described. The tapering prong being longer than the hooked prong, the kuot gets
tightened up on the tapering prong, whilst the top and sides of the slot prevent the
knot from being drawn into the slot as the prongs are drawn back. Finally, the
tapering prong may be entirely withdrawn, and the knot which has then been run
up tight be so set free.
Instead of the upper prong in the above knotter being made long, a short prong
may be used having a longitudinal groove or recess formed in it on one or both
sides, and the knotter spindle may have attached to its side a small point which is
so formed as to allow one of its sides to run in a groove or recess in the moving
prong; the extremity of this small fixed point lies in the groove, so that when the
prong with the groove in it withdraws, the small point receives the loop of the
formed knot from the grooved prong. The knot is then tightened up on this small

page_text: point, and when prong and hook return to original position the knot is pushed off
small point, if it has not already been drawn off from it.
Also, instead of merely making the lower prong in the knotters hooked as
described, we also make it form part of a clamp to grasp and hold the string when
the prong is drawn back. To accomplish this we attach a small moving piece to
the lever arm carrying the prong, and make this moving piece act in conjunction
with lower prong so as to allow it to form an open jaw to receive the crossed
portion of the string forming the knot, and when the lever arm is withdrawn into
the slot in the spindle, this jaw is closed and retains hold on the string.
In order to make these knotters as strong and large as is desirable in such
machinery, we allow the loop or formation of the knot to be taken from the supply
of string carried on the bobbin, &c., that is to say, instead of compelling all the
string used in the formation of the knot to be taken from around the sheaf, it may
in part (or as desired) come from the bobbin, this enables us to use a stronger form
of knotter.
The sheaf being compressed, and having taken out as much string as will encircle
it, the knotter is operated, and may take a greater portion of what is required to
to tie the knot from the bobbin, and only as much as is required from around the
sheaf to make it tight; this is controllable, and would in some cases prevent the
string being broken or the knotter subjected to undue strain.
We propose to accomplish this by having two hooks or grippers which reciprocate
at proper intervals, so that one hook is always ready to receive the string when the
binding arın brings it down to the knotter.
The other hook is at this time drawn back between two fixed sides, one of which
in conjunction with the hook forms a shear and cuts the string on one side of the
hook and then pauses, retaining the end of the string; the hook which is out is in
such a position that when the binding arm comes down the string is in such a
position that it is under the opening forming the hook, and when the hook with-
draws it must seize the string. When the arm is down the knotter commences to
operate, and the form of the knotter allows the string to run on it, so that if any
undue strain is experienced by the knotter in forming the knot, the string
accommodates itself by running froin the bobbin, one end of the string only being
rigidly held in "gripper" or hook, the other gripper or hook not yet being drawn
entirely back, so string can be run round on knotter from the bobbin until the knot
is nearly completed, when the hook or gripper which was out draws in and grips
against another fixed side and knife; the knife cuts string, and at same time the
other gripper advances and releases the end of string retained by it, thus the string
around the sheaf is cut or free at each end; the knotter now finishes the knot, and
the hook or gripper advances ready to again receive the string.
"
We thus make more certain of securing the string, and also of releasing it, by
employing two hooks; and we can vary the time of gripping the two ends fast,
and so allow of the drawing of string from the bobbin whilst the knot is being
formed.
In order that our Invention may be fully understood we have shewn in the
Drawings hereunto, annexed so much only of sheaf binding mechanism and knotting.
mechanism as is necessary to shew the improvements above described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) is an end view, Figure 2 a plan, Figure 3 a side view of the
binder platform and binder mechanism.
The cut crop which is to be bound up into sheaves is delivered on to this
platform by an elevator, which takes it up from the platform which is in rear of
the cutter of the reaping machine and conveys it over the main wheel of the
machine, as is now common.
In Figures 1 and 2 two longitudinal shafts, 1, 1', carry chain wheels 2, 21, 2¹¹, 2111,

page_text: which receive an intermittent motion from the rotation of shaft 1, which
carries a spur wheel 3 having a delay space, and which drives pinion 4, to which
is attached spur wheel 5 gearing into another spur wheel 6, which runs loose on
shaft 1 but is fixed to chain wheel 2. The wheels 4 and 5 revolvo freely on
fixed shaft 7 carried on carriage 8. A key way in shafts 1 and 11 allows chain
wheels and the wheels which give motion to them to be moved along the shafts
and to be adjusted to suit the varying length of crop.
The chain wheels 211, 2111, are connected by the sleeve 9 which turns freely on
shaft 1. From these two wheels motion is communicated to wheels 2, 2', which
turn freely around the shaft 1 through the chains 9'. These chains are provided
at proper intervals with teeth or projections 10, which serve alternately to gather
or collect the cut crop and carry it onwards towards the binding arm 11 which is
pivotted on shaft 12 (Figures 1 and 3). This shaft is carried on carriage 13
(Figure 3), and receives an intermittent rocking motion from cam lever 14, which
is driven by a crank on shaft 1.
The binding arm 11 is not rigidly attached to shaft 12, but is actuated by a
short arm 15 which is fast on shaft 12, and the motion is imparted to the binding
arm through a spring 16. The short arın 15 also drives the compressing arın 17
through a link 18; the arm 17 is pivotted on a stud 19 attached to carriage 13.
The operation of the above is as follows:-The cut crop being delivered on to
the binding table is carried by the projections 10 within the action of the binding
arm 11.
The chains then remain stationary until the binding is completed,
when they resume their motion and push the bound sheaf from the table.
The binding arm 11 carries the string or binding material, against which the cut
crop is borne, and when the binding arm descends the string or binding material
is placed around the sheaf in a suitable position to be tied. The arm 15 actuating
the binding arm 11 through the spring connection 16 in its descent also causes tlio
compressing arm 17 to advance to meet arm 11, and the cut crop is thereby com-
pressed between them. The arm 11 being down the operation of tying follows,
during which the further movement of the arm 15 while maintaining a pressure
on binding arm 11 in the proper direction to prevent it springing from its work
also compresses the spring 16, and by so doing causes compressing arın 17 to
advance and further compress the bundle of crop without moving the binding
arm 11.
This further movement of compressing arm is important and facilitates the binding
operation. The dotted lines show the arms down and the further movement of
compressing arm.
On the shaft 1 is a mitre wheel 20 (Figures 2 and 3) gearing into another
mitre 21 carried by bearing 22; a spur wheel 23 having a delay space is attached
to mitre wheel 21; wheel 23 gears into pinion 24 which drives the knotter 25.
The shaft 26 carrying wheels 21 and 23 also carries a tappet or wipe, which in
rotation depresses lever 27 which actuates slide 28 in knotter 25; a spring 29 returns
lever to its normal position.
A cam 30 attached to mitre 20 actuates a slide in the instrument for cutting and
retaining the end of string 31.
The shafts 1 and 11 receive motion from the machine by means of chain
wheels 32, 33.
In some knotters, particularly those having a short prong or attachment to first
seize the string, it is better to use a string inserting instrument; we shew a form
of inserter at Figures 4 and 5 (Sheet 1), where 34 is a short arm or finger pivotted
at 35 to the under side of guard plate which is on the binder platform. It is kept
in position shewn by a spring, and lies in such a position that when the binding
arm 11 comes down the string passes the point of inserter 34, but the binding
arm cannot pass it without pushing it forward to the position shewn by dotted
lines; it thus presses the strings forward in advance of the binding arm, and can
be made to firmly clamp them by making the forward edge of inserter press the
strings into a recess in a fixed piece 35, as shewn. The inserter is kept in position

page_text: by the binding arm, and when the binding arm rises a spring 36 places it in former
position.
The knotter shown at Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 2) is made in form of a spindle A
having a slot B commencing nearly at its upper end; the spindle A carries at its
upper end a taper prong C projecting sidewise. A hook D is attached to lever
arm E which is pivotted in slot at F; a slide G actuates lever arm E and causes
hook D to be drawn back into slot B; the hook D is pivotted on arın E, and is
allowed to rise and fall slightly by the action of the upper part of slot in spindle A;
this movement of the hook allows free entrance of the string, but when the hook
begins to draw back it also slightly rises at its point and secures a certain hold on
the string.
The operation of the knotter is as follows:-Figures 3 and 4 (Sheet 2) represents
the knotter in its first position, i.e., one end of string being held in retaining
instrument or "gripper," and the other part of string being brought down by
the binding arm, so that the two strings are within the action of the knotter.
Figure 5, Sheet 2, represents knotter after making half a rotation.
Figure 6 represents knotter after making one rotation, and
Figure 7 represents the knotter after the hook is drawn back.
At this time one end of string is held in grippers, and the other string by the
binding arm. As soon as the hook D has secured the string the grippers release one
end of string, and seizing the other string held in arm cuts it, and at same time
secures the string for the next sheaf; thus the two ends of string are free to be
drawn back by hook D, which then draws these cross strings through the loop
formed, and continuing its motion and by pressing the strings against the sides of
slot hold them fast, and the knot is gradually run up tightly on the upper
prong C, having taken up any slack string there might be between knotter and
the bundle.
The knotter having completed its rotation we give the spindle about a quarter
turn backward, and thus place upper prong directly under slot I in plate H,
Figure 4 (Sheet 2), and the gatherer or an equivalent device pushes the formed
knot off the upper prong and the sheaf or bundle off the table.
The knotter then completes its rotation backwards, and resumes position shown at
Figures 3 and 4.
A cam may be used to drive this knotter instead of the spur wheel with delay
space, shewn in Drawing.
We also modify this knotter by shortening the upper prong C, as shown at
Figure 8, and make the lower prong D the longer; and in order that the string
may be always in proper position and retained by the upper prong during the
rotation of the knotter, the fixed plate H, Figure 9, has a round hole over top of
knotter shaft, but smaller in diameter than the knotter spindle the slot in plate H
guides string into this circular opening, and when the knotter rotates the plate
with the hole in it allows the string to move around, but not to escape the action of
the upper prong C. After the knot is formed it is taken off in a similar way to that
above described.
In some cases we close slot or opening in the plate H from which the knot
escapes by using a sliding piece J (Figure 10); while the knot is being formed this
closes the slot, and when the knot is formed this piece J is moved back to position
shown by dotted lines, and the knot can be delivered down the slot which is then
open.
The requisite motion of sliding piece is effected by making the binding arm
when it comes down press against a pin K attached to moving piece J which is
pivotted at L, and causes it to close the slot in plate; when the knot is formed and
the binding arm rises the spring M pulls J and leaves slot open.
We also modify the knotter by curving the upper prong C, as shewn at Figures 11
and 12, and make the slot through which the knot escapes in the form shown in
Figure 11; by so doing the curved form of upper prong in conjunction with

page_text: the form of slot in plate H causes the formed knot to be slipped off the upper
prong without the aid of the gatherer or equivalent device as before referred to.
In some cases we form the knotter not only with the hook prong D carried on
lever arm E, so that it can be withdrawn into slot in knotter spindle, but we
also carry the upper tapering prong C by this lever arm, so that this prong can
also be drawn back into slot; Figures 13 and 14 shew the knotter in this form.
The action of the knotter is similar to those above described except that one
rotation completes the knot, and leaves knotter in proper position for another
operation; in the knotters previously described it is necessary that they should
make oue rotation, and then rotate back again to be ready for the next operation.
The tapering prong in this knotter boing longer than the hooked prong the knot
is tightened up on it whilst the top and sides of the slot in spindle prevents the
knot from being drawn into the slot as prongs are drawn back; finally, the taper
prong is withdrawn into the slot (as shown by dotted lines in Figure 13) and the
knot which has been run up tightly is set free.
Instead of the upper prong in the above knotter being made long a short one
may be used, as shewn at Figures 15 and 16; in this prong we form a groove or
recess, and the knotter spindle may have attached to its upper end a small
projecting point O, which is so formed as to allow its underside to run in the
groove in prong; the extremity of this fixed point Olies within the groove N, se
that when the prong with the groove in it withdraws the fixed point, O receives
the loop of the formed knot from the prong and the knot is then tightened up on
the small point O, and when prong and hook return to original position the knot is
pushed off small point if it has not before been drawn off.
Also, instead of merely making the lower prong D looked, as above described,
we also make it form part of a clamp to grasp and hold the strings when the prong
is drawn back; we effect this by making lower prong or hook D separate from
upper prong, as shewn in Figures 17, 18, 19, and 10. On the lever arm E which
carries the upper prong C we pivot the hooked prong D at E¹, and we extend the
rear end of hook and turn it down, so that the slide G (which in the before
described knotters is attached directly to the lever arm E) is attached to it at E",
the result of which is that when slide brings the prongs up in position, shewn at
Figure 17, the lower prong or hook is caused to open so that the strings may enter
the hook, and that when the slide G is actuated to draw back the prongs within
the slot in the knotter spindle it first closes hook D tightly against upper prong C,
consequently the string is firmly grasped between hook and upper prong and does
not require to be grasped by the sides of the slot in knotter spindle. The knot
is formed as before described.
The instrument for retaining and cutting the string or binding material is shown
in Figures 20, 21, where P, P¹, are two hooks or grippers which reciprocate at
proper intervals in the grooves in Q; the hook P is shown in position for grasping
the string which has been brought down by the binding arin, the other end of
string being held fast by hook P' having withdrawn and clamped string fast
between itself and the sido of recess at the same time that the hooks clamp the
string against one side of the groove or recess in Q, they cut the string on the
other side; during the operation of tying the knot these hooks may be at rest, or
may act at any time desired during the tying operation; when it is desired to cut
the string brought down by the binding arm and to release the end clamped by
the other hook, the hook P is drawn back cutting and grasping string from the
binding arm,
and hook P' advances and releases hold of end it had retained, so that
both ends of string between the retaining instruments and the knotter are at
liberty.
The hooks P, P¹, are actuated by a cam through two links R, R¹³.
In order to make these knotters strong, as is desirable in such machinery, we
find it advisable to allow the loop or formation of the knot to be taken from the
supply of string carried on the bobbin, that is to say, instead of compelling all the

page_text: string used in the formation of the knot to be taken from around the sheaf, which
would be the case if both ends of string encircling the sheaf were rigidly held.
It will be noticed that the gripper or retaining instruments above described
while holding one end of string firmly do not prevent the spring carried through
the binding arm from running, so that during the operation of tying a sheaf any
strain coming on the knotter is released by the ability of the string to run, which
this form of knotter enables it so to do.
Figures 22 and 23 show a modification of gripping and cutting instruments in
which, instead of using two hooks or slides, as above described, we use but one S
which slides in a groove or recess T; the hook or slido S is shaped at its end, as
shown by dotted line in Figure 22, to allow it to alternately grasp and cut string
brought down by the binding arm, as shewn.
Figures 24 and 25 represent another modification of " grippers," in which,
instead of the book or slide clamping string against the side of recess, as before
described, we use moving jaws, against which the string is clamped, and it is
better to roughen or serrate theso faces; the moving jaws U, U', are supported by
springs, which accommodate themselves to the pressure required.
If it is desired to rigidly hold the ends of string around the sheaf during the
whole operation of tying the knot we prefer to give the grippers a positive motion
towards the knotter, and so allow the string to be taken froin them; this we effect
substantially as shewn in Figures 26 and 27, where V represents the grippers,
which are allowed to move on their foundation plate W sliding on the V shaped
guides X, X. The cam Y on shaft Z actuates the grippers; the pull on the string
from the knotter is enough to draw the grippers towards the knotter, or the cam
may cause grippers to reciprocate, or a spring may be used in conjunction with the
cam.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. The combined arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described for the
double purpose of bringing the crop in bundles within reach of the binding
mechanism and for discharging the sheaves when bound.
Second. The combination of mechanism substantially as herein before described
for actuating the binding and compressing arm.
Third. The construction of knotter, substantially as described and illustrated at
Figures 1 to 7, Sheet 2.
Fourth. The construction of knotter, substantially as described and illustrated
at Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 2.
Fifth. The employment of a guard plate slotted, substantially as boreinbefore
described to guide the strings into position above the knotter for the knot to be
tied, and permit of their discharge after the tying of the knot.
Sixth. The employment of a moveable discharger for closing or leaving open
the passage along the discharge slot in the guard plato, so as to control the escapo
of the knot from the knotter, substantially as described and illustrated at Figure 10,
Sheet 2.
Seventh. The combination of the slotted guard plate with the modified form
of knotter, substantially as described and illustrated at Figures 11 and 12,
Sheet 2.
Eighth. The construction of knotter, substantially as described and illustrated
at Figures 13 and 14, Sheet 2.
Ninth. The construction of knotter, substantially as described and illustrated at
Figures 15 and 16, Sheet 2.
Tenth. The construction of knotter, substantially as described and illustrated at
Figures 17, 18, 19, and 19°, Sheet 2.
Eleventh. The combination of mechanism substantially as described and illus-
trated at Figures 20 and 21 for cutting the string between the knot and the

page_text: binding arm, and holding the end of the string carried by the binding arm until
the binding of the next sheaf is completed.
Twelfth. The modification of this arrangement, substantially as described and
illustrated at Figures 22 and 23.
In witness whereof, the said George Kearsley and the said Edwin Whitworth,
have hereunto set their hands and seals, this 25th day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
GEORGE KEARSLEY.
(L.S.)