GB2103913A - Counterbalanced, twin knife, mower - Google Patents

Abstract

A cutterbar moving machine employs two inter-acting knives 13, 14 reciprocating in antiphase through means which provide for their consistent operation at all required angles of the cutterbar both above and below the horizontal and which are retained in their operating positions by means which, like the knives, is removable upward from the cutterbar and replaceable thereon without the use of any tool. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Counterbalanced, twin knife, mower.

Reference is made to Patent 1447441, January 2nd, 1974, the basic principles and functions of which are reproduced indentically in the following described invention but are implemented through detailed structural modifications.

All cutterbar mowing machines hitherto disclosed possess one or more of the following limiting characteristics: 1. Inability to operate at all required angles of the cutterbar both above and below the horizontal, 2. The removai and replacement of the knife necessitating its being forced the full length of the cutterbar thereby posing difficulty and hazard to the operator, 3. The necessity of using one or more tools to effect the said removal and replacement of the knife.

The object of this invention is to provide a machine which is not so limited.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the Transfer case and a portion of the cutterbar; the top of the case being removed.

Fig. 2 shows, in plan, the outer end of the cutterbar.

Fig. 3 shows a cutaway view of the Transfer case and the pivot points and, in section, view of knifeboard, knives, Brackets, Retainer and Shield with Locating pin; viewed from outer end of cutterbar.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of cutterbar showing Track, Retainer, a Retainer Clip, Retainer Catch, and Knives.

Fig. 5 shows Transfer case with side removed, Shield, Locating stud, Knives, Track, Clip, Slot stud, one knife Bracket engaging a Thrust rod upstanding Stud.

Upon a substantially conventional assembly of Knifeboard 1 and Shoe 2 is mounted the Transfer case 3 which carries the driven shaft 4 co-axially with the points PP about which the knifeboard pivots during operation of the machine and which are fixed -upon said shoe.

Upon said shaft are affixed, in diametric opposition, the Cams 5, 6, which engage, respectively, the Sliders 7, 8, the ends of whose horizontal components are free to reciprocate in suitably formed apertures in the ends of the transfer case.

The lower slider components 9, 10, hereinafter termed Thrust rods, project toward the Knives 13, 14, and are provided with upstanding studs 11, 12, with which the Brackets 15, 16, of knives 13, 14, respectively, are free to engage in a vertically sliding fit, Figs. 3, 5; said brackets may be integral with, or affixed to, the ribs of the knives.

The substantially conventional knife sections are assembled to the ribs of the knives with their flat surfaces facing away from the ribs thereby providing shearing effect, as shown at SE, Fig. 1,2.

Knife 13 is free to reciprocate in Track 17, which may consist of one piece or several segments, one of the latter being shown, the same being affixed to the knifeboard by substantially conventional means, Fig. 4.

Knife 14 lies upon Knife 13 and is correctly positioned thereon by Retainer 18, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, which lies upon the knifeboard and maintains the knives in shearing contact by its suitably formed Clips 19, Figs. 2, 4, 5, and is held in that position by a Slot, or Slots, 20, Fig. 1, engaging suitably formed Studs 21, Fig. 5, affixed in the knifeboard, and by its outer end being restrained from lateral movement by Stop 22, Fig. 2, and restrained from upward movement by a suitably formed Catch 23, a type of which is shown in disengaged position, Fig. 2, and in engaged position, Fig. 4.The inner end of said Retainer carries Shield 24, Figs. 1, 3, 5, which protects the reciprocating components 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, from extraneous interferences and which, when Retainer is assembled to the knifeboard, engages Locating stud 25, Figs. 1,3,5.

Operation Rotation of shaft 4 causes cams 5, 6, to reciprocate sliders 7, 8, in antiphase and, consequentially, the knives 13, 14, through the engagement of their brackets 1 5, 1 6, with the upstanding studs 11, 12, of thrust rods 9, 10, respectively. The co-axiality of said shaft with the pivot points PP permits consistent operation of the machine at all angles of the cutterbar both above and below the horizontal.

Disassembly Disengagement of catch 23 from the end of the retainer 1 8 and lifting of said end from stop 22 allows lateral movement of retainer outward freeing it from locating stud 25 and stud, or studs, 21 thus permitting its being lifted upward and away followed by the knives 14, 13, in order.

Reassembly is by reverse procedure.

1. A mowing machine comprising two knives, supported upon a knifeboard, which provide shearing effect by their interaction in antiphase being motivated, through suitable means, by two cams affixed in diametric opposition upon a driven shaft that is co-axial with the points about which said knifeboard pivots thereby permitting consistent operation of the machine throughout all required positions of said knifeboard both above and below the horizontal.

2. A mowing machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein both knives are removable upward from their operating positions on the knife board.

3. A mowing machine, as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein a means of retaining the knives in their operating positions is also removable upward from the knifeboard.

4. A mowing machine, as claimed in the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Counterbalanced, twin knife, mower. Reference is made to Patent 1447441, January 2nd, 1974, the basic principles and functions of which are reproduced indentically in the following described invention but are implemented through detailed structural modifications. All cutterbar mowing machines hitherto disclosed possess one or more of the following limiting characteristics: 1. Inability to operate at all required angles of the cutterbar both above and below the horizontal, 2. The removai and replacement of the knife necessitating its being forced the full length of the cutterbar thereby posing difficulty and hazard to the operator, 3. The necessity of using one or more tools to effect the said removal and replacement of the knife. The object of this invention is to provide a machine which is not so limited. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the Transfer case and a portion of the cutterbar; the top of the case being removed. Fig. 2 shows, in plan, the outer end of the cutterbar. Fig. 3 shows a cutaway view of the Transfer case and the pivot points and, in section, view of knifeboard, knives, Brackets, Retainer and Shield with Locating pin; viewed from outer end of cutterbar. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of cutterbar showing Track, Retainer, a Retainer Clip, Retainer Catch, and Knives. Fig. 5 shows Transfer case with side removed, Shield, Locating stud, Knives, Track, Clip, Slot stud, one knife Bracket engaging a Thrust rod upstanding Stud. Upon a substantially conventional assembly of Knifeboard 1 and Shoe 2 is mounted the Transfer case 3 which carries the driven shaft 4 co-axially with the points PP about which the knifeboard pivots during operation of the machine and which are fixed -upon said shoe. Upon said shaft are affixed, in diametric opposition, the Cams 5, 6, which engage, respectively, the Sliders 7, 8, the ends of whose horizontal components are free to reciprocate in suitably formed apertures in the ends of the transfer case. The lower slider components 9, 10, hereinafter termed Thrust rods, project toward the Knives 13, 14, and are provided with upstanding studs 11, 12, with which the Brackets 15, 16, of knives 13, 14, respectively, are free to engage in a vertically sliding fit, Figs. 3, 5; said brackets may be integral with, or affixed to, the ribs of the knives. The substantially conventional knife sections are assembled to the ribs of the knives with their flat surfaces facing away from the ribs thereby providing shearing effect, as shown at SE, Fig. 1,2. Knife 13 is free to reciprocate in Track 17, which may consist of one piece or several segments, one of the latter being shown, the same being affixed to the knifeboard by substantially conventional means, Fig. 4. Knife 14 lies upon Knife 13 and is correctly positioned thereon by Retainer 18, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, which lies upon the knifeboard and maintains the knives in shearing contact by its suitably formed Clips 19, Figs. 2, 4, 5, and is held in that position by a Slot, or Slots, 20, Fig. 1, engaging suitably formed Studs 21, Fig. 5, affixed in the knifeboard, and by its outer end being restrained from lateral movement by Stop 22, Fig. 2, and restrained from upward movement by a suitably formed Catch 23, a type of which is shown in disengaged position, Fig. 2, and in engaged position, Fig. 4.The inner end of said Retainer carries Shield 24, Figs. 1, 3, 5, which protects the reciprocating components 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, from extraneous interferences and which, when Retainer is assembled to the knifeboard, engages Locating stud 25, Figs. 1,3,5. Operation Rotation of shaft 4 causes cams 5, 6, to reciprocate sliders 7, 8, in antiphase and, consequentially, the knives 13, 14, through the engagement of their brackets 1 5, 1 6, with the upstanding studs 11, 12, of thrust rods 9, 10, respectively. The co-axiality of said shaft with the pivot points PP permits consistent operation of the machine at all angles of the cutterbar both above and below the horizontal. Disassembly Disengagement of catch 23 from the end of the retainer 1 8 and lifting of said end from stop 22 allows lateral movement of retainer outward freeing it from locating stud 25 and stud, or studs, 21 thus permitting its being lifted upward and away followed by the knives 14, 13, in order. Reassembly is by reverse procedure. CLAIMS

1. A mowing machine comprising two knives, supported upon a knifeboard, which provide shearing effect by their interaction in antiphase being motivated, through suitable means, by two cams affixed in diametric opposition upon a driven shaft that is co-axial with the points about which said knifeboard pivots thereby permitting consistent operation of the machine throughout all required positions of said knifeboard both above and below the horizontal.

2. A mowing machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein both knives are removable upward from their operating positions on the knife board.

3. A mowing machine, as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein a means of retaining the knives in their operating positions is also removable upward from the knifeboard.

4. A mowing machine, as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the knives and their retaining means are removable and replaceable without the use of any tool.

5. A mowing machine substantially as claimed, described, and shown in the accompanying drawings.