Improvements in Sheaf-carriers for Harvesters.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sheaf-carriers for Harvesters.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, (a communication to me from Cyrus H. McCormick, of Chicago, in the
County of Cook, State of Illinois, one of the United States of America,) and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to so construct a sheaf-carrier for harvesters that it
may be tilted upon an axis arranged transversely to the line of advance of the
machine, and yield and fold in along-side the main framework upon meeting an
obstruction, such as a tree-stump, or for the purpose of passing through a gate-way.
A sheaf-carrier constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a rocking
supporting bar mounted upon the fore part of the harvester-frame and projecting
therefrom at right angles to the line of advance of the machine; a series of fingers or
teeth being pivoted thereto. Each finger is jointed to a controlling bar arranged
parallel with and preferably in front of the rocking bar. The controlling bar is
connected to a guide or rod on the harvester-fraune, which, whilst permitting the bar
to move with the carrier, keeps it in place longitudinally. The controlling bar causes
the fingers to be always parallel with the line of advance of the machine. The
rocking bar is held in its normal position by a spring. A foot-bar, a crank-shaft and
suitable connecting devices serve to enable the load to be discharged from the carrier
at the will of the driver.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan of the carrier; part of the
harvester-frame being also included. Fig. 2 is a corresponding rear elevation,
showing in addition the grain-deck or chute. Fig. 3 is a side elevation representing,
in full lines, the carrier in its raised position, and, in dotted lines, in its depressed
position. Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged detail-views; the former being a plan and the
latter a side elevation of the mechanism for supporting and operating the carrier.
Fig. 6 is a corresponding transverse section; the mechanism being in a position at
right angles to that represented in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan of the main bracket for
supporting the carrier.
A represents the rear platform-sill, A' the rear elevator-sill, B the front platform-
sill and finger-bar, and 13 the front elevator-sill of a harvester. The sills (except
the front platform-sill) and the cross-girts of the elevator-frame are shown as made of
square pipes; this form, is not however essential. C is the main wheel, D the outer
girt, E the grain-deck, E the elevator, and E the delivery-board. The automatic
binding mechanism, which may be of any suitable type, is not shewn. The supporting
bar F for the carrier-fingers rocks in horizontal bearings formed in a pivoted
block G the latter being preferably supported upon a bracket G1 (Fig. 6) secured to
one of the outer girts of the machine. The pivot-pin g appertaining to the block
turns in a vertical sleeve g' in the bracket. The block may thus be partiaily rotated
in a horizontal plane to permit of the rocking supporting bar being folded in towards
the girt. On the outer end of the block is mounted a small anti-friction roller g²,
which travels upon the track. This track forms part of the bracket, and affords a
second point of support for the rocking bar. It may, however, if preferred, be
dispensed with. The rocking bar is held in its normal position against a stop at the
end of the segmental track by a helical spring H coiled round the projecting end of
on the pivot-pin and
the pivot-ping; one end of the spring being secured to a stop
the other end to the bracket, to the outer girt, or to any other suitable part of the
harvester-frame. The bar projects normally at right angles to the direction in which

page_text: the machine advances. The tubular rocking bar carries a series of rearwardly-
projecting carrier-fingers K; each finger being pivoted independently to the bar.
In the drawings, each joint is shewn as being made by bending the finger to a
suitable shape and passing it directly through holes drilled in the bar; though it will
be obvious that other methods of construction may be employed.. In front of and
parallel with the rocking bar is arranged a controlling bar L, which serves to unite
the ends of the heel-extensions on the fingers K. The inner end of the controlling
bar is perforated or slotted at 12. Through the perforations or slots is passed a curved
rod or guide, which is fixed to the supporting bracket. The controlling bar plays
on the guide between the seat and the stop 1; the former governing the receiving
position of the carrier, and the latter the depressing movement. The rod or guide
does not prevent the controlling bar from being swung in with the rocking bar
towards the girt whenever the carrier meets with an obstruction. The controlling
bar causes the carrier-fingers to be always parallel with one another. Instead,
however, of a rigid curved guide being employed, it will be obvious that the
controlling bar may be pivoted to the free end of a swinging link.
When the carrier strikes against a stump or other obstruction of such a height that
it cannot pass over it, the effect of the blow is to swing back the controlling bar and
the rocking bar far enough to enable them to pass the obstruction; the fingers being
moved at the samo time towards one another so as to occupy less space. When the
obstruction is passed, the spring II causes the rocking bar to return to its normal
position; the carrier-fingers at the same time being once again spread out, by the
action of the controlling bar, into the receiving position.
To prevent the carrier tilting and discharging its load before the desired time, a
crank-shaft N, supported in bearings n and n', is arranged in front of the elevator-
frame. The crank n² on one end of the shaft is connected by a link N' to a crank N³
keyed on the rocking bar, immediately above the pivot-pin g, so as not to prevent the
rotatory movement of the carrier. The crank n³ on the other end of the shaft is
coupled to one extremity of a foot-bar N³; the other extremity of the foot-bar being
jointed to a link O mounted to rock in a bearing on the seat-plank. The strap o is
intended to be fastened round the driver's foot. The driver, by actuating the bar N³,
can raise the carrier after the discharge of a load, and can also, if necessary, assist the
carrier to tilt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved sheaf-carrier for harvesters, constructed substantially as described,
and adapted to yield and fold back, whereby the passage of the machine by an
obstruction or through a restricted opening is facilitated.
2. In a sheaf-carrier for harvesters, the combination, with a horizontal rocking bar
mounted in a block pivoted to the machine, of a series of carrying fingers, and a
controlling bar, each finger being independently jointed to the rocking bar and also
to the controlling bar, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a sheaf-carrier for harvesters, the combination, with a horizontal rocking bar
and its bearing-block pivoted to the machine, of a series of rearwardly-extending
fingers, a controlling bar in front of the rocking bar, and a guide for the inner end of
the controlling bar, substantially as and for the purposes set forth..
4. In a sheaf-carrier for harvesters, the combination, with a horizontal rocking bar
and its bearing-block pivoted to the machine, of a series of carrier-fingers, a cou-
trolling bar, a guide for the controlling bar, a crank on the rocking bar, and a
connecting link between the crank and the means employed for enabling the driver to
actuate the carrier, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a sheaf-carrier for harvesters, the combination, with a horizontal rocking bar,
its bearing-block pivoted to the machine, and a spring whereby the rocking bar is
held in its normal position, of a series of carrier-fingers, a controlling bar, and a
guide therefor, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: 6. In a sheaf-carrier for harvesters, the combination, with a supporting bracket
having a segmental track, a bearing-block pivoted in the bracket and furnished with
an anti-friction roller resting on the track, a spring whereby the pivoted block is
retained in its normal position, and a rocking supporting bar mounted in the block, of
a series of carrier-fingers pivoted to the supporting bar, a bar for controlling the
movement of the fingers, a guide for the controlling bar, and means for enabling the
driver to actuate the carrier, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. In a sheaf-carrier for harvesters, the combination, with a supporting bracket
having a segmental track, a bearing-block pivoted in the bracket and furnished with
an anti-friction roller resting on the track, and a rocking supporting bar mounted in
the block, of a series of carrier-fingers pivoted to the supporting bar, a bar for
controlling the movement of the fingers, a guide for the controlling bar, and means
for enabling the driver to actuate the carrier, substantially as and for the purposo set
forth.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM.