US121379A - Improvement in potato-diggers - Google Patents

Description

' Patented Nov. 28,

r3" .orfss/ MGSES 10H NSON lmprovement in Potato Diggers.

PATENT OFFICE.

MOSES JOHNSON, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN POTATO-DIGGERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,37 9, dated November 28, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,.MosEs JOHNSON, of Three Rivers, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Michigan, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Potato-Diggers, and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing making a part of this specification, and to the letters and Vfigures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is an under-side plan view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe improved separator.

This invention has relation to certain improvements on the potato-digger for which I received Letters Patent dated May 17, 1870, No. 103,194; and the novelty consists in the construction and arrangement of the n gered wheel, scrapers, separator, and frame, as and for the purpose hereinafter described.

In the annexed drawing, Arepresents a triangular frame, so formed in order to give plenty of room to the vines 'and other obstructions. B represents the separator. It is in the nature of a plow, having inclined sides and tapering to a point. The sides of the separator extend back without-any lateral curve whatever, so as to merely open and slightly raise the potato-hills,

leaving it tipped upon each side to admit the fingers of the parting-wheel. The separator is `constructed in three parts, the two sides b b bolted togetlier by angle-irons b b and supported to p the frame A by side bars and braces b b, and the cast-iron point B secured in place by bolted plate d, and capable of being replaced when worn and useless. VO designates the parting-wheel, at-

periphery of a square form, adapted to receive the square fingers E, which are held in their places rigidly 'by means of a metal tie, F. The solidity of this wheel prevents the vines from falling through and becoming entangled in spokes, and at the same time forms a strong substantial bed for the fingers E. The shape and arrangement of the iingers are clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawin g, being bent where they pass through the wheel, thence diverging, and are designed to loosen the earth, so as to bring the potatoes to the surface and lay them on either side of the wheel without throwing them oii' too far. G designates guards on either side of the partingwheel, designed to keep the parted earth close up to the wheelsjsoY as to prevent too much scattering. H denotes scrapers, consisting of L- shaped metal plates attached to the rear of the frame A, and embracing the ngers in such a manner as to release from them any vines which they may happen to take up as the wheel rotates.

I claim as my invention- 1. The separator B, composed ofthe side pieces b united by angle-irons b b', and the separable point B secured by means of plates d, said separator having its sides tapering and without lateral curve, and employed in connection with a fingered wheel, substantially as specified.

2. The wheel O, constructed with a circulaiimperforate dividing-wall extending from the periphery to or nearly to the hub or center, and provided with the bent gathering-fingers, substantially as specified.

In testimonythat I claim the above Ihave hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

MOSES JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

E. H. LoTHnoP,

CLARENCE E. WILBUE. (114.)

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