CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF MACHINES FOR CUTTING GRASS OR OTHER VEGETABLE PRODUCE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 232, Oxford Street, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF MACHINES FOR CUTTING GRASS OR OTHER VEGETABLE
PRODUCE."
Sealed the 10th February 1880, and dated the 23rd August 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd August 1879.
WILLIAM CLARK, of 232, Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex. "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINES FOR CUTTING GRASS OR
OTHER VEGETABLE PRODUCE.”
The primary object of this Invention is the novel construction of a two handle
machine to be employed for cutting grass or other vegetable produce, one peculiarity
of which will allow the said machine to be used with advantage for cutting grass
near a wall or fence, or in other positions where it is impossible or difficult to move
the machine forward.
In carrying my Invention into practice I employ that description of cutter now
well known, in which an upper plate provided with a series of cutting teeth is
caused to slide to and fro over the teeth of an under comb or plate.
The great obstacle hitherto experienced in making any attempt to cut grass
or other vegetable growth with cutters of this description has been the difficulty
of keeping and maintaining the cutters well up to their work; this obstacle I
entirely overcome by the following novel arrangement:-I give a slight hollow
to the bottom plate and a bowed or convex formation to the upper plate, I then fix
or permanently secure in the bottom plate two studs, which, when the cutter plate
is in position, project through slots in the same; these studs are screwed and
provided with friction washers and screw nuts. The peculiar formation of the
two plates when resting one upon the other admits of their being sprung into
contact by screwing down the screw nuts on the fixed studs before mentioned, this
screwing or tightening down of the said screw-nuts enables the cut to be "set up" or
adjusted with the greatest nicety, and when once so adjusted by reason of the
spring in the cutter plate not only gives an easy and supple action to the cutters
[Price 6d1

page_text: but also locks the nuts holding the plates in contact, thus making the cut durable
and effective. In lieu of fixed studs friction washers and nuts acting direct upon
the cutter plate, as described, blade springs or their equivalent may be employed,
which project from the bottom plate and rest or bear upon the cutter plate, the
amount of pressure for regulating the cut being obtained by means of nuts and
fixed studs.
The bottom plate supporting the cutters can be left flush so as to rest and slide
upon the ground when in action, or such bottom plate may be provided with
rollers.
To the novel arrangement of cutters herein described I adapt two handles, one
of which is secured to the bottom plate and supports the fulcrum which forms the
connection therewith of the other or working handle which gives motion to the
cutters, or both handles may be so arranged and connected with the plates that
each will perform its own share in actuating the cutters.
Secondly. Plates and their cutting teeth arranged and constructed as herein
described can with advantage have adapted thereto an arrangement of rollers and
gear driving similar to that now used in lawn-mowing machines, with the addition
thereto of a crank, cam, or other equivalent which will convert the rapid revolving
motion of the cutters into a to and fro motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd February
. 1880.
WILLIAM CLARK, of 232, Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex. "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINES FOR CUTTING GRASS OR
OTHER VEGETABLE PRODUCE."
The primary object of this .Invention is the novel construction of a two handle
machine to be employed for cutting grass or other vegetable produce, one peculiarity
of which will allow the said machine to be used with advantage for cutting grass
near a wall or fence, or in other positions where it is impossible or difficult to move
the machine forward. In carrying my Invention into practice I employ that
description of cutter now well known, in which an upper plate provided with a
series of cutting teeth is caused to slide to and fro over the teeth of an under comb
or plate; a great obstacle hitherto experienced in making any attempt to cut grass
or other vegetable growth with cutters of this description has been the difficulty of
keeping and maintaining the cutters set and well up to their work without the
necessity of constantly adjusting and attending to them. By my present improve-
iments this difficulty is entirely overcome, and a machine is produced which
is simple in construction, not easily got out of order, easy to work, and thoroughly
effective.
Secondly. The Invention consists in adapting and arranging the same form of
cutting teeth and their adjustments to a framing connected to and provided with
rollers and gear driving wheels, which will enable the cutters to work automatically
when the machine is either being pulled or drawn along.

page_text: similar letters of reference being marked on corresponding parts on all the Figurs
alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a plan view, and Fig. 2 a side elevation of my improved two
handle grass cutter; Figs. 3 and 4 represent similar views of the same description
of machine, but slightly altered and modified in the parts giving motion to the
cutters; and I would here remark that although I am describing the machine as a
grass cutter the machine is equally applicable, with slight modification, as a cutter
for corn or other vegetable growth.
Fig. 5 represents a plan view of a portion of the cutter plate drawn full size.
This view shews more particularly the peculiar formation of cutters which I prefer
to use, the object of their design being to take hold of and grasp the grass in
the spaces between the teeth whilst being cut; Fig. 50 is a section of the cutter
plate.
Figs. 4, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, and 9 represent details and modifications of parts of the
machine hereinafter referred to.
"
In the above mentioned Figs. a represents the framing of the machine, which is
secured to the bottom plate or comb b which is slightly hollowed on its upper
surface; c is the cutter plate which is made slightly convex, and provided with
elongated slots c¹ (see Fig. 5); through these slots, when the cutters are in position,
studs b' screwed or otherwise fixed in the bottom plate b protrude; these studs 61
are screwed and are provided with the friction plate or washers d and screw nuts.
The peculiar formation of the plates b and c when in position resting one upon the
other admits of their being sprung into contact by screwing down the said screw
nuts on the fixed studs or stems b' before mentioned; this screwing or tightening
down of the screw nuts enables the cut to be set up and adjusted with the greatest
nicety, and when so adjusted they, by reason of the spring in the cutter plate, not
only give an easy and supple action to the cutters but also lock the nuts holding
the plates in contact, thus effectively maintaining the cut and making the same
durable and lasting; or the set up of the cut can be fixed by lock nuts. In lieu of
studs, nuts, and washers employed in the manner as aforesaid blade or grass-
hopper" spring fingers e may be employed, as shewn at Figs. 6 and 6ª, which may
if desired have their pressure adjusted by means of studs and nuts e' placed behind
the cutter plate c; or as a further modification having the same object in view (viz.),
regulating and maintaining the cutters in a perfectly working condition, I employ
a third or top plate f, as shewn at Figs. 7 and 7. The bottom plate or comb b
is secured to the framing a, and on a projection of this framing the handle g is also
secured, the other or working handle is secured to the fulcrum &, on which it
oscillates and gives motion to the throw lever i actuating the cutter plate c, or both
handles may be so arranged and connected with the plates in a manner that each
will perform its own share in actuating the cutters; this arrangement is shewn at
Figs. 3 and 4, in which it will be seen that the handle g is secured on the opposite
side of the fulcrum i to the bottom plate b, and the lever handle g¹ is also secured
in a like manner to the cutter plate c, the said plate being cut out at c¹ where the
bandle g is fixed to the bottom plate.
k
+
To either of these machines a tray or receptacle may be fixed in a position so
ns to receive the grass as it is cut. The handles g, g₁, are interchangeable, so that
short or long handles can be applied to suit the person using the machine. The
machine rests upon a roller m, which may be placed as seen at Figs. 1 and 2, or
two rollers may be used, either fixed to the framing a like those 'shewn at Figs. S
or those shewn at j, Figs. 3 and 4, or small rollers may be secured to the bottom
plate, as shown in dots at Figs. 3 and 4, or as shewn at Fig. 9; these rollers enable
the machine to ride easily over the ground, and also give the right pitch or angle

page_text: to the cutters, keeping them at a distance from the ground for the purpose of
regulating the length of grass; this arrangement for regulating the cut by means
of rollers is shewn more clearly at Fig. 4. The rollers and tray, or rollers only,
are made so that they can be readily removed at times (as seen at Fig. 3) when
the machine is being employed for cutting vegetable growth which requires trim-
ming at a distance from the ground, or when used in a reversed position for
cutting round borders or edges of garden beds or banks.
Secondly. Fig. 10 represents in elevation and part section friction rollers and
gearing for driving the cutters, and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the same. In these
Figs. the plates b and c, as according to the construction bereinbefore described,
are secured to the framing a; this framing is supported on the rollers o, o, which
also form wheels which gear with pinions giving motion to the wheels p and disc q,
the accelerated motion of which transmits a rapid vibratory motion to the throw
lever actuating the cutters. By this gear arrangement of driving the cutters, as
the machine is being driven or pulled along, receive a rapid automatic action
which cleanly and uniformly severs the grass.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, together with the
manner of performing the same, I would wish it to be distinctly understood in
conclusion that I do not wish to confine myself to the exact details and size of
machine, as such machine may be made in various sizes and with slight modifica-
tions, such as the size, length, and number of teeth according to the purpose for
which such teeth and machine is intended to be used, but what I do claim as new
and as of my Invention is,
First. The novel form of under plate and cutter plate as shewn in the various
Figs. and marked b and c, together with the method I adopt for keeping the cut
supple, effective, and durable, in the manner as substantially described herein and
shewn at Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6a, 7, 7a, 9, 10, and 11.
Second. The novel adaptation to such cutters when employed for the purpose
described of interchangeable handles marked g, g', in the Drawings, and the
rollers m and tray or receptacle, whether used as according to the method shewn
at Fig. 1 and 2 or as shewn in the various Figs., together with their employment
and use for the purposes described and shewn.
Third. The arrangement and adaptation to the plates b and c of lever
handles g, g, similar to those shewn at Figs. 3 and 4 to be employed in the
manner and for the purpose as herein substantially described and shewn.
Fourth. The cutter plates actuated automatically by friction rollers and gearing
in the manner and for the purpose as herein substantially described and shewn at
Figs. 10 and 11 of the Drawings; and,
Lastly. I claim the general arrangement, construction, and combination of the
parts forming the machine herein substantially described and shewn in the
Drawings annexed when used as a machine for cutting grass or other vegetable.
growth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this the Twenty-second day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight lundred and nighty