IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING THE TRANS- VERSE RECIPROCATING MOTIONS OF THE CUTTER BAR IN REAPING, MOWING, AND OTHER SIMILAR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES. WHICH LAST-NAMED IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO TRACTION ENGINE WHEELS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Joseph Foster, of Maldon, in the County
of Essex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING THE TRANS-
VERSE RECIPROCATING MOTIONS OF THE CUTTER BAR IN REAPING, MOWING,
AND OTHER SIMILAR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS
FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES. WHICH LAST-NAMED IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE TO TRACTION ENGINE WHEELS."
Scaled the 19th November 1869, and dated the 21st May 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Joseph Foster
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st May 1869.
I, CHARLES JOSEPH FOSTER, of Maldon, in the County of Essex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
OBTAINING THE TRANSVERSE RECIPROCATING MOTIONS OF THE CUTTER BAR IN
REAPING, MOWING, AND OTHER SIMILAR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, AND IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WHEELS FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, WHICH LAST-NAMED IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO TRACTION ENGINE WHEELS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machines for
reaping, mowing, and other agricultural purposes, whereby the recipro-
[Price Sel 1

page_text: cating action of the knife bar is effected, and the action of the motor
wheel perfected, so as to ensure it from slipping, such last improvements
being applicable to the wheels of traction engines.
In order to produce the reciprocating motion of the cutter bar the
internal periphery of the motor wheel is provided with a flange con-
sisting of a continuous zig-zag with curvilinear bearing surfaces; this
flange is to be cast in one with the rim and spokes, and consequently
the wheel is immensely strengthened, and rendered capable of sustaining
sudden strains without risk of fracture. This wheel is contained within
a cast-iron frame, to which the shafts are attached, and to the interior
portion of the frame supporting the guide bars and delivery boards the
action for the to-and-fro knife bar is applied; this consists of a rocking
lever set in a steel bearing or fulcrum contained in a horizontal stem
working within the casting of the frame, such stem having between the
casting and the motor wheel a screw thread on which a small adjusting
wheel is turned, with the twofold object of drawing the horizontal stem
in and out of gear with the motor wheel, as berein-after described
Therefore the horizontal stem provides a fulcrum for the vertical rocking
lever, which is attached to two horizontal connecting rods, one above
and one below the fulcrum, cach passing through the casting and
making contact with the zig-zag flange by means of rollers set in
bearings in each rod; these rollers are so placed as to come in contact
with the apex of the flanges, and with the lowermost portion of the
curved recesses at the same moment, so that the revolution of the motor
wheel produces a reciprocating action of the vertical rod, and the knife
bar being attached to the end of this rod, it follows that the cutting
operation will be effected during the progress of the machine across
the land. The zig-zag flange is, by preference, made to effect thirteen
to-and-fro cuts at each revolution of the wheel.
When the machino is to be conveyed along the road the screw wheel
is turned so as to drive out the fulerum bar, thus removing the rocking
shaft and roller bars from contact with the driving wheel, so that its
motion does not affect the cutter bar. The near side or opposite bearing
wheel is so arranged as to be capable of running either within or outside
the shoe as required, either for reaping or mowing. The shoe is made
in two divisions, the rear part being set on a centre in the front part,
and held by one or two pins and sockets on each part respectively; a

page_text: screw nut permits the loosening of the rear part, when it may be turned
half round so as to bring the bearing wheel within or outside the shoe,
which is then replaced on the pins and the screw tightened up. The
motor wheel is cut on its periphery or tyre with a series of apertures
through which the protruding teeth of a star wheel, which is applied
within a curvilinear slot formed by an outside extension of the cast
frame beneath the outer bearing of the motor wheel, a crank or arm is
set on a pivot within the side plate or extension, and the bearing of the
star wheel is at the extremity of this arm, which is provided with a stud
entering the slot, in which it is capable of adjustment, so as to bring
the star wheel down in order that its teeth shall protrude through the
spaces in the motor wheel, or to raise it upwards out of gear when the
machine is on the common road or when the star wheel is not required;
its object is of course to prevent slip of the motor wheel. A. set screw
serves to fix the position of the star wheel in the slot. The vertical
rocking lever is made of wrought iron, and the bearings of the horizontal
bars are slotted to permit their sliding action; the pin joints are of steel,
no brasses being required in the construction of the machine. At the
rear of the frame, behind the motor wheel, I apply a scraper, which is
self-acting, no spring being required; it consists of a curved plate placed
on the rear cross bar of the frame by means of a socket or eye, the plate
then descends over the bar and downwards between it and the wheel,
against which it bears by the power of a balance or counterweight cast
on its opposite end; when it is not required its contact with the wheel
is removed by means of a screw let into the socket, and bearing in a slot
cut in the cross bar, this slot also serving to maintain the lateral
position of the scraper.
The driver's seat is capable of adjustinent to suit reaping or mowing,
by means of a stem underneath it, which is passed into any one of a
number of corresponding recesses, when the seat is secured by a screw
on the centre pin of the seat passing through the spring and by a nut,
and an india-rubber ring between the seat and its bearing, serves to
lessen the effect of travelling on uneven ground.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Joseph Foster in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th November 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
JOSEPH FOSTER, of Maldon, in the County of Essex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by ther
Letters l'atent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Charles Joseph Foster, Her
special licence that I, the said Charles Joseph Foster, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Joseph
Foster, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an luvention for "Im.
PROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING THE TRANSVERSE RECIPROCATING MOTIONS OF THE
CUTTER BAR IN REAPING, MOWING. AND OTHER SIMILAR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES.
AND IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, WHICH LAST-
NAMED IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO TRACTION ENGINE WHEELS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles Joseph
Foster, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
mauner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Joseph Foster, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My Invention relates to certain improvements in machines for reaping,
mowing, and other agricultural purposes, whereby the reciprocating
uction of the knife bar is effected, and the action of the motor wheel

page_text: perfected so as to ensure it from slipping, such last improvements being
applicable to the wheels of traction engines.
In order to produce the reciprocating motion of the cutter bar, the
internal periphery of the motor wheel is provided with a flange, con-
sisting of a continuous zig-zag with curvilinear bearing surfaces; this
flange is to be cast in one with the rim and spokes, and consequently
the wheel is immensely strengthened, and rendered capable of sustaining
sudden strains without risk of fracture. This wheel is contained within a
cast-iron frame, to which the shafts are attached, and to the interior
portion of the frame supporting the guide bars and delivery boards the
action for the to-and-fro knifo bar is applied; this consists of a rocking
lever set in a steel bearing or fulcrum contained in a horizontal stem
working within the casting of tho frame, such stem having between the
casting and the motor wheel a screw thread on which a small adjusting
wheel is turned, with the twofold object of drawing the horizontal stemn
in and out of gear with the motor wheel, as herein-after described.
Therefore this horizontal stem provides a fulcrum for the vertical
rocking lever, which is attached to two horizontal connecting rods, one
above and one below the fulcrum, each passing through the casting and
making contact with the zig-zag flange by means of rollers set in
bearings in each rod; these rollers are so placed as to come in contact
with the apex of the flanges, and with the lowermost portion of the
curved recesses at the same moment, so that the revolution of the
motor wheel produces a reciprocating action of the vertical rod, and
the knife bar being attached to the end of this rod, it follows that the
cutting operation will be effected during the progress of the machine
across the land. The zig-zag flange is, by preference, made 10 effect
thirteen two-and-fro cuts at each revolution of the wheel.
When the machine is to be convoyed along the road the screw wheel
is turned so as to drive out the fulcrum bar, thus removing the rocking
shaft and roller bars from contact with the driving wheel, so that its
motion does not affect the cutter bar. The near side or opposite bearing
wheel is so arranged as to be capable of running either within or outside
the shoc as required, either for reaping or mowing. The shoe is inade
in two divisions, the rear part being set on a centre in the front part,
and held by one or two pins, and sockets on each part respectively; a
screw nut permits the loosening of the rear part, when it may be turned
half round so as to bring the bearing wheel within or outside the shoe,

page_text: which is then replaced on the pius and the screw tightened up. The
motor wheel is cut on its periphery or tyre with a series of apertures
through which the protruding teeth of a star wheel pass, and which is
applied within a curvilinear slot formed by an extension of the cast
frame beneath the outer bearing of the motor wheel; a crank or arm
is set on a pivot within the side plate or extension, and the bearing of
the star wheel is at the extremity of this arm, which is provided with
a stud entering the slot, in which it is capable of adjustment, so as to
bring the star wheel down in order that its teeth shall protrude through
the spaces in the motor wheel, or to raise it upwards out of gear when
the machine is on the common road, or when the star wheel is not
required; its object is of course to prevent slip of the motor wheel. A
set screw serves to fix the position of the star wheel in the slot. The
vertical rocking lever is made of wrought iron, and the bearings of the
horizontal bars are slotted to permit their sliding action; the pin joints
are of sicel, no brasses being required in the construction of the machine.
At the rear of the frame, behind the motor wheel, I apply a scraper,
which is self-acting, no spring being required; it consists of a curved
plate placed on the rear cross bar of the frame by means of a socket or
eye, the plate then descends over the bar and downwards between it and
the wheel, against which it bears by the power of a balance or counter-
weight cast on its opposite end. When it is not required, its contact,
with the wheel is removed by means of a screw let into the socket, and
bearing in a slot cut in the cross bar, this slot also serving to maintain
the lateral position of the scraper.
The driver's sent is capable of adjustment to suit reaping or mowing
by means of a stem underneath it, which is passed into any one of a
number of corresponding recesses, the seat being secured by a screw on
the centre pin of the seat passing through the spring and by a uut, and
an india-rubber ring between the seat and its bearing serves to lessen
the effects of travelling on uneven ground.
From the foregoing description, my Invention will be fully understood
by those conversant with agricultural machinery. I annex the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings, which represent those portions of the
machinery nocessary to illustrate my improvements.
Fig. 1 shews an internal view of a portion of the periphery of the
motor wheel with the angular or curvilinear flange cast thereon, and
the position of the double action lever. is the wheel, and b, b, th

page_text: Hange; c the vertical rocking lever secured to the frame by the adjustable
screw d, on which its fulcrum is set, and whereby it is brought in and
out of gear with the flange and motor wheel; e, e, are the two rods
working through bearings in the bar e, each carrying a roller f, one
shewn on the apex of a curvilinear flange, the other in the lowest
portion of the hollow; the rocking lever is in connection with the knife
bar h.
In Fig. 2, an end view of the driving wheel is shewn with the appli-
cation of the driver's seat i, secured by a belt and screw at j, the seat
may be set to any angle required as before lescribed; & is an iudia-rubber
disc which affords sufficient spring to the seat, and obviates jar or shock
during the travel of the machine.
เ
Fig. 3 shows a side view of the rim of the driving wheel, with the
scraper applied; m is the weight bar of the frame; n, the balance
ball; an adjusting screw is applied to the socket of the scraper to
regulate its position or to remove it from action, a slot being cut in
the cross bar to receive the end of the screw. The apertures 0, 0, in the
periphery of the driving wheel, Fig. 1, allow the teeth of the star wheel
to protrude, the wheel may be adjusted by means of a slotted are cut in
the frame and by a screw nut.
In Fig 4,7 shews the position of the bearing wheel within the cutter
frame for use when mowing, and its ordinary outer position for
reaping. Fig. 5 being a side view, the change of position being
effected by making the shoe in two divisions and by the junction of the
shoe at s, which contains a central turning pivot, the two bolts and nuts
clamping the parts together.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be carried into effect, I would remark
that I do not limit myself to the precise details and configuration of
parts I have expressed and shewn, as many modifications may obviously
be made without departing from the principles of the same, but what I
claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein in part recited Letters
Paient is,
1st. The application to the motor wheels of reaping, mowing, and
other agricultural machines, of a continuous internal series of zig-zag
or curvilinear projections, or angular ridges, in conjunction or combi-
nation with a double action lever or other equivalent, acting directly on
the cutter bar, and thereby producing the necessary reciprocating motion

page_text: of the cutters, or other parts of agricultural machinery requiring a
similar motion, as in straw shakers or otherwise.
2ndly. The construction and arrangement of the star wheel and its
appliances in connection with the motor wheel, through which the
points are protruded and withdrawn together with the application of the
india-rubber spring to the stem of the driver's seat, and the means of
adjusting the seat to any desired angle, together with the other improve-
ments, all substantially as herein specified, and partly shewn by the
Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Joseph Fester. have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this 13th day of November,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
nine.
Witness,
JAMES BELCHER,
Guithavon Street,
Witham.
CHARLES JOSEPH FOSTER. (L.S.)