Improvements in Harvesting Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1891-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harvesting Machines.
We, JAMES HORNSBY, and JOHN INNOCENT, both of the Spittlegate Iron
Works, Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in harvesting machines.
For dividing the cut and the standing crop it has been before proposed to employ
a conical rotating divider driven by an endless chain or otherwise. Most of these
dividers have been somewhat circular in section, and have not been able efficiently
to separate the cut crop from the uncut crop.
We make the rotating divider in the form of a flat board or plank or plate so
that it is thin one way while it is wide the opposite way. The divider so formed
has a decidedly intermittent action on the crop and when the breadth of the board
is vertical it produces but little separation but as the board turns to a horizontal
position it opens out suddenly a wide interval. This in practice makes a much
cleaner and better separation of the cut from the standing corn than is produced by
a conical divider. Sometimes we make the divider triangular in section or nearly
so, or it may be composed of three radial bars meeting in a common centre.
We mount the divider in suitable supports and drive it from one of the canvas
rollers by a pitch chain passing across the back of the machine. The chain
descends from a chain pinion on the axis of the divider and then is directed
horizontally by guide pulleys to a chain pinion on the axis of the canvas roller.
We also employ rotating dividers, preferably such as act intermittently as above
described, in combination with a prong divider which when the standing crop is not
tangled serves to keep it away from the rotating divider and to prevent needless
agitation and when the crop is tangled then it aids the rotating divider in effecting
a separation.
Dated this 17th day of September 1890.
JAMES HORNSBY.
JOHN INNOCENT.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harvesting Machines.
We, JAMES HORNSBY, and JOHN INNOCENT, both of the Spittlegate Iron
Works, Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, Engineers, 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 :-
This invention has for its object improvements in reaping or harvesting machines
and relates to more efficient means than has heretofore been devised for separating
from the standing crop, the portion which is cut and which falls on the platform of
the machine. When the crop is tangled it is difficult to make this separation in a
complete and efficient manner.
It has before been proposed to employ a rotating divider driven by an endless
chain or otherwise. Most of these dividers have been somewhat circular in section,
and have not been able efficiently to separate the cut crop from the uncut crop.
We make the rotating divider in the form of a flat board or plank or plate so that
it is thin one way while it is wide the opposite way. The divider so formed has a
decidedly intermittent action on the crop and when the breadth of the board is
vertical it produces but little separation but as the board turns to a horizontal
Die 27

page_text: position it opens out suddenly a wide interval. This in practice makes a much
cleaner and better separation of the cut from the standing corn than is produced by
a conical divider.
Figure 1 of the annexed drawings is a perspective view of the platform of a
reaping or harvesting machine and in connection with it a rotating divider such as
above described is shewn.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same.
a is the platform and a¹ a¹ are the cutters at the fore part thereof. b is the flat
board divider; it is tapered from front to rear and is mounted so as to be able to
rotate. Sometimes we make the divider triangular in section.
Figure 3 is a side elevation shewing a divider mounted on the platform of a
machine.
Figures 4 and 5 shew a side and an end view of a triangular divider removed
from the machine. Or the divider may be made as shewn by Figure 5* with the
flat board projecting from the axis on one side only. A suitable divider may also
be composed of three radial bars or three metallic prongs meeting in a common
centre. We mount the divider in suitable supports and drive it from one of the
canvas rollers by a pitch chain passing across the back of the machine. The chain
descends from a chain pinion on the axis of the divider and then is directed
horizontally by guide pulleys to a chain pinion on the axis of the canvas roller.
In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5× 61 is the chain wheel on the axis of the divider. c is the
endless driving chain passing around the wheel b¹ beneath the guide pulleys d d at
the back of the platform and around the chain pinion el which is fast with the
roller e. The roller e carries one end of the canvas belt which conveys the cut
crop along the platform. The roller e being driven as heretofore imparts motion to
the divider.
We also employ rotating dividers, preferably such as act intermittently as above
described in combination with a prong divider which when the standing crop is not
tangled serves to keep it away from the rotating divider, and to prevent needless
agitation and when the crop is tangled then it aids the rotating divider in effecting
a separation.
This also is shewn by the Figures 1, 2, and 3, the stationary prong divider is
marked f.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A rotary divider of board like form with two broad flat sides substantially as
described.
2. A rotary divider having flattened sides such that its action on the crop is
intermittent substantially as described.
3. The combination in a divider of a rotating part and a stationary prong
substantially as described.
4. The means set forth for driving a rotary divider; by an endless driving chain
passing around a pinion on the axis of one of the canvas rollers, then along the back
of the platform of the machine then up and around a gear wheel on the axis of the
divider and returning substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of June 1891.
CARIMAEL & CO.,
Agents for the Applicants.