US1493343A - Hemp gather binder - Google Patents

Description

Y. May s, 1924.

1,493,343 HQLLAND-LETZ HEMP GATHER .-BINDER Fiied July 1918 7 sheets-sheet 1 May 6, 1924.-

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May G, 1924.

| HOLLANDLLETZ May 6 1924.

HEMP GATHER lBINDER Filed July 8, 1918 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 InUe/LZT. luci' OMLE, 'by f a,

Patented May 6, 1924.

UNiTEn STATES` insana sereni asics.

LUI). HOLLAND-LETZ, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

HEIMIPv GATHER BINDER.

Application filed. July` 8, 1918.

T 0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Lun. HOLLAND-Lucca, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hemp Gather Binders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to machines for handling hemp, and more particularly to machines for gathering the hemp stalks after they have been cut and are prostrate on the lfield, and vfor binding the stalks.

It is well known that after'the hemp has been cut it must be spread on the field in a uniform layer and be allowed to remain for several weeks 'exposed to the weather in order that it may be properly retted.

After the stalks have become retted it is then necessary to gather them and convey them to a central location where they can be passed through the hemp brakes and scutches in order that the fiber may be separated from the hurds.`

The hemp harvesting and spreading machines now in use cut the hemp and drop the stalks on the field, disposing themV in parallel relationv with respect to each other, in order that they may be uniformly distributed over the surface of the field and may be most easily gathered.

The object of the present invention is to gather and bind the hemp into sheaves whereby it may be easily handled and conveyed to the brakes and fiber treating apparatus.

IVith this object in view the invention consists in a machine having a series of continuously operating elements for successively engaging the hemp stalks and elevating the same. The elevating devices may convey the stalks to a binder deck where they ma7 be bound into sheaves and, if desired,means may be provided for discharging the sheaves from the machine.

I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention` in the accompanying drawings, and in these dra,wings,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of thema chine;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine frame;

Serial No. 243,922.

Figp is a side elevation o f an enlarged scale showing the elements for gathering and elevating the stalks and the driving connections therefor; l

Figs. 4, 5,6 and 7 are enlarged detail views showing the two forms of eccentric used in connection with the picking and elevating elements, Figs. 4 and 5 showing the eccentrics in elevation, and' Figs. 6 andf'T showing them in section;

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view showing the driving connections for the various parts of the mechanism;

v Fig. 9 is a rear view showing in perspective the adjusting means for the outer end of the machine frame;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view showing a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 1l is a top plan view with certain parts eliminated showing the mechanism for actuating the' three sets of disks.

The framey of the machine is substantially rectangular in shape andcom'prises longitudinally extending frame members or bars 20, 21, 22, '23,v 24 and 25. The members 20, 2l and 22 are connected at' their front` and rear ends byY transverse frame' members 26 and 27, and the'V members-22 to 25 vinclusive are connected intermediate their ends to a transverse frame member 28, the member v28 also extending beyond' the longitudinal member 22 and being secured at one end to the member 2l intermediate its front and rear ends. v'Ihefront end oi member 25is laterally offset as shown at 25.

A transverse frame member 29 is secured to one end of the frame member 21 intermediate themember28` and the member 26, and extends across the frame and is'secured to the frame member 22 intermediate the-'front and rear end ofthe same and is also secured to the lrear ends of the members 23, 24 and 25. The transverse frame member 26 in addition to being secured to members 2O and v21,is also secured-to the longitudinal frame member 22. f y v In order to securely brace the frame diagonally and tortionally, an additional diagonally disposed frame member 30 is provided, and this'member issecured to the transverse loo frame member 26 atv its-junction with the f frame member 21, and at its opposite end is secured to the outer longitudinally extending frame member' 25. A. tongue 31 is secured to draft members 32 and 33 which are pivotally connected at 34 and 35 to the frame members and 21.

The main driving wheel and supporting wheel 34 is carried at its outer end by a journal 35 secured to the frame .member 20, and at its .inner end is supported by ournal bracket 36 secured to the frame member A bracket 20 is secured to frame member 2O and supports a seat (not shown) for the driver. The outer end of the machine frame is supported by wheel 37 which is adjustwheels 34 and 37 and this adjustmentis secured in the following manner: A short crank shaft 38 is pivotally mounted at the front ends of the upwardly extending front portions 39 and 40 of the frame members 20 and 21, and this crank shaft carries on its outer end a lever 41 provided with the usual pawl locking means 42 which engages with a notched sector 43 fixedly secured to the portion 39 of frame member 20. Near its opposite end the crank shaft has secured thereto a rigid arm 44 which is connected by means of a link 45 to the front end portion of the draft member 33. The lever 41 is provided with a downwardly extending arm which is adjustably connected by means of links 47 and a counterbalancing spring 48 to a bracket 21 secured to the frame meniber 20. The bracket 21 is extended laterally and forms a foot rest.. Vhen it is desired to tilt the frame on its transverse axis, the operator swings the lever 41 about its pivot, that is the crank shaft 38, and the frame will be tilted relative to the draft members 32 and and tongue 31, the counterbalancing spring 48 assisting in this tilting movement.

The adjusting mechanism for the outer end of the frame will now be described, and attention is directed to Figs. 9 and 10.

The wheel 37 is pivotally mounted on a stub axle 49 supported by a journal 5() carried by a bracket 51 which is formed integral with a toothed quadrant 52. which in turn is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 53 carried by a depending bracket secured to the frame of the machine. The toothed quadrant 52 is actuated by means of worm 54 carried by worm shaft 55 which is turned by means of a crank. (Not shown.) This crank is of any convenient form and is adapted to fit in the eye formed on one end of the shaft 55. This worm shaft 55 is journaled in outwardly projecting portions 56 secured to the outer end of the transverse frame member 29. A bifurcated locking member 57 is pivoted at 57 to one of the lugs 56 and normally engages an eye formed on the worm .shaft to prevent accidental rotation thereof.

In Fig. 10 I have shown two positions of the frame, one position being shown in full lines and the other position in dotted lines. From this showing itl will be seen that as the worm shaft 55 and worm 54 are rotated, the toothed quadrant 52 will be rotated on its pivot 53 and the pivot 53 and the frame of the machine will be rotatedabout the axle 49 of the supporting wheel, the frame being left at the dotted line position.

Having described the means for tilt-ing the frame and for vertically adjusting the outer end of the frame, I will now proceed to describe the mechanism for lifting the hemp stalks from the ground and for elevating them to the binder deck.

Near the front ends of the transversely eX- tending frame members 21 and 22 there is journaled a short jack shaft 58 to which is secured near one. end a sprocket 59. This sprocket is connected by means of a chain 60 to a sprocket 61 rigidly secured to the main drive wheel 34. The sprocket 59 is loosely mounted on the shaft 58 and is operatively connected to the shaft by means of a clutch 62, one portion of the clutch being secured to the sprocket and the other portion being secured to the shaft. This clutch is operated by any suitable mechanism. and in the drawings I have illustrated a clutch shipping fork 63 which is controlled by means of a rod 64 which in turn is operated by means of a cranked actuating rod 65. The rod 65 is provided at its'rear end with an angular-ly disposed portion 66 and is rotatably mounted in a bracket 67 disposed in such a position that the operator may reach the portion y66 with his hand and throw the clutch 62 into and out of operative position. The shaft 58 is provided at the end which is disposed adjacent the frame member 22 with a spur gear 68 which meshes with a gear 69 carried at one end of a shaft 70. The shaft y70 forms the main driving shaft for the gathering and elevating members which are operated in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The hemp stalks which are prostrate on the field are elevated by means of a series of continuously operating lifting members which are provided with outwardly projecting teeth, the teeth of the various members successively engaging the stalks and elevating them from the ground to the binder deck. These members are shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 3 and attention is now directed te these figures5 'Maisie The stalk engaging elevating ,meme bers 71 are provided with a'se'ries of rigid teeth 72 disposed at different levels and adapted to successively engage the stalks. At the lower ends of these elevating members 71 I have provided resilient teeth 73 which engage the stalks as they are prostrate on the ground, and perform the initial lifting operation. The teeth73 are made 1'e`- silient in order'. thatthey may notb'efbroken by contact with the ground ory with the stones or other objects with which they may come in contact. It is very important that these members should in their operation come very close to the surface of the ground" in order that none of the stalks lmay be left-upon the field.

The resilient members 7 3 in the form illustrated are formed at. their upper endswith spiral coils 74 secured by means ox-f strapsr 75 to the lower end portions-,76 of theflifting members 71. The llower kend portions 76 are suitably recessed .to receive the straps which are bolted thereto asshown at 7 8y and v 79. The teeth 7 3 may also be provided vwith additional spirals 80 intermediate theirupper and lower ends in order toy increase the resiliency of these members. y

In'theembodiment illustrated I have also shown a. supplemental series of resilient teeth 81 secured to the lower end portions`76 by the retainingbolts 79 which also secure the upper portions of the straps 75 to the ,lifting members. l

The members71 are pivotally connected to the frame of thermachine at' theirrear ends by means of a series offlinks82secjured at their upper ends to the member 71,7and at their lower ends to a seriesofI brackets 83 mounted on a transverse Aframe ,memberl 84 which is secured to frame members 22 and 25 and extends across the members 23 and The actuating means for. the lifting mem-- bers will now bel described.

As above stated the shaft 70 Y is the main driving shaft for the lifting members and in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings I have shown three setsof lifting members,each made up of three lifting members. Each of the sets is actuated by means of three eccentricdisks', the central disk being secured tothe shaft70 and the disks at the opposite sides of this central disk also being secured'to the shaft7() by being'provided vwith means engaging; the central disk whereby the three disks may be rotated simultaneously; Where three e'ccentrics and three liftinggmembers "are: employed in each set, the axesV ofeccentricityl of the three eccentrics are disposed 'equally about the longitudinal airis o`f"tle.op`erating shaft, in this instance an angle being formed between vthese ageel l. It :be understood that the number of lifting inem.

bersy comprising a set 'may be varied, and when a larger number is'used ythe angle between the' axes of eccentricity will of course bfefsmaller. In Fig. 3, three eccentric disks 85, 86 and 87 are illustrated. These eccentric disks., are rotatably mounted in circular apertures formed in the lifting members 71, and in the embodiment illustrated I have shown anti-friction bearing rings 88 interposed between the disks and the circular apertures in the lifting members. The central disk 86 shown in Fig. 5 is provided with a web portion 89 having apertures 90 yand 91 symmetrically disposed with respectto the axis of rotation; These apertures 90 and 91 receiveoutward'ly projecting studs 92 formed 'on'the adjacent disks, the disk 86 being se-l curedtoY the shafty70 and forming the drivinggmember for the set.

"From abovefd'escription it willbe seenk that the teeth on the lifting members`71 de.

orbital path and vsince the corresponding lifting members in each set are mounted in exactlyv the same way and lat the same angle of eccentricity', it willbe seen that there arethree setsl of teeth always inV engagement with a stalk of hemp. The hemp stalk will first b e engaged bythe resilientteeth 73 and will be lifted to a certain height byy these teeth, after which the resilient teeth will be withdrawn and asecond set of teeth will simultaneously lcome'into engagement with' thephemp. After the hemp has been lifted to a-higher level by this second s et of teeth, 'these teethfwill be withdrawn and a"l thiiid set'of'l teeth will come into engagement. operation is continueduntil an upper set rof 'teeth engages the -stalks andforces them over the upper edge of the'binder deck. This successive engagement of the teeth straightens' the hemp stalks and delivers them infgood condition to the packers of the binding mechanism, the teeth being in engagement with the hemp from the time it is 'picked'up tothe time it `is engaged by the packers.v l v Y In order to prevent the hemp from coming into engagementl with the 'operating mechanism, and to strip the hemp from the teeth, I have provided a slotted shield 93 which extends across the front of the machine and is provided with spaced slots so disposed as toform a passage for the teeth therethrough, as they are operated. Accordingly the disksi85, y 86 and 87 are so spacedapart'on and fixed to the shaft 70 as to permit 'the .teeth mounted on these :disks to operate withinivthe slotsY in the shield The flower end of this shield 93 Vis secured `atits rear as's'hown at 94,to the vense `vframe member 28,1v and" this fshield secured at'its upper end to a frame member 95j disposed above there@ .tinsf'mehahism and sur effing the upp'efendbf thebindeufdecgf In order to protect the hemp from vthe Wind as it is being lifted, and also to hold the hemp on the teeth, I have provided a cover plate 96 having a series of longitudinally extended inwardly projecting ribs 97 which are suitably spaced on the inner surface of this plate, and extend between the sets of teeth on the lifting members 71. The ribs 97 serve a two-fold purpose; first, as braces to maintain the shield plate 96 in a` rigid curve to correspond to the path of the rakes, and second, since the rake teeth project beyond the inner edges of the ribs, the latter close the gap and prevent the hemp from sliding from the teeth and falling to the ground. The plate 96 is supported at its lovver end by means of a U-shaped frame member 98 secured as shown at 99 to the transverse frame member 27. Frame member 98 is also supported and braced by a bar 98v interposed between frame member 28 and member 98.` The plate 96 is secured at its upper end to a transverse frame member 100 which is formed integral with the member 95 above described, these two transverse members forming a part of a U-shaped supporting bar. l

As shown in vFigs. 1 and 2, the slotted shield 98 and the cover plate 96 are readily removable to enable the operator to have access to the interior of the machine, should necessity require such access. l l

After the stalks have been elevatedby means of the lifting'members 71 they are delivered to the binder deck 101 upon which is mounted the usual butt adjusting mechanism 102, binding mechanism 103, and discharging mechanism 104. A binder shaft 105 is driven by means of a sprocket and chain connection 106, 107, and 108 With the shaft 70. This connection is clearly shown in Fig. 1 and a further detaileddescription l is believed to be unnecessary.

Means are also provided on this machine for discharging the bundles or sheaves therefrom, and in the embodiment illustrated, I have shown a continuously operable conveyor 109. The conveyor is driven from one end by means of a shaft 110 which is secured to one of the rollers 111, and this shaft is driven by means of intermeshing gears 112, one of the gears being secured to the shaft 110 and the other gear being secured to a power transmission shaft 118. The latter i i shaft is provided at its opposite end with a bevel gear 114 which meshes withl a gear 115 secured to the shaft 58 above described.I

veyor Will also be actuated. If found de-.

sirable suitable clutch mechanism (not shown) could be interposed between the shaft 58 and the shaft 113l in order` ,to con- ,y

. lifting members.

trol the time of operation of the bundle discharging conveyor.rv

Having described the details of construction of my improved machine, I will now set forth briefly the operation thereof.

The first adjustment that must be made before putting the machine into actual operation is the tilting adjustment of the frame and lthe frame should be so positioned that the resilient teeth 73 will just clear the ground when the machine is in operation. This adjustment as set forth in the above specification, is made by means of the lever 41. the counterbalancing spring 48 assisting in the tilting of the frame. /ifter the frame has been placed in proper adjustment and the outer end ofthe frame has been adjusted to the proper height 'by means of the Worm 54, toothed sector 52,' etc., the machine is ready for operation. When the means of a tractorY or any suitable propulis rotated, and by means of the chain connection the sprocket 59 is also rotated. Direotconnection may, if desired, be made to the engine'of the tractor to drive the hemp gathering and binding mechanism independently of the main driving Wheel. 1V hen it is desired to commence the gathering of the hemp, the clutch 62 Will be thrown intooperative position and the-shaft 58 Will be rotated. This also sets in rotation the main actuating shaft fory the y As the shaft 70 is operated, `the eccentrics 85, 86 and 87 Will be rotated thereby actuating the lifting members 71 and lifting and elevating the hemp .stalks to the binder deck. The binding mechanism Will also be set in operation as soon as the clutch 62 is thrown into operative position, and the sheaves will be bound in the usual manner, being discharged by this conveyor as Afast as they are dropped thereon. n

From the above description it will be seen that I have Vprovided a simple and efficient mechanism for liftingr the prostrate hemp stalks from the field, for elevating them to a desired height.` in this instance to a binder deck), for binding them into sheaves,

and for discharging the machine. n

While I have in the above specification described one'embodiment Which my invention may assume, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification, and that modifications may be made Without departing lfrom thespirit and scope. of the invention as expressed by the following claims:

l. In a harvester, a' plurality of contin- Y sheaves from the lmachine is Ipropelled through the field by 7 uously operable lifting members `for .successively engaging prostrate i' stalks ,tov lift said stalks from the ground and elevate the same, said lifting members v'having ai plurality 0f fingers extending outwardly therefromV and arranged arcuately to the said members at different levels, certain of said lingers being resilient, said members being movable in the direct-ion of travel of the harvester to engage the prostrate stalks.

2. In a harvester, a drive shaft a plurality of sets of continuously operable lifting members arranged in an arc eccentric to and substantially surrounding said shaft for successively engaging with and for elevating prostrate stalks from the ground, certain of the lifting members of each of the sets being disposed inthe same operative positions at a predetermined -time during an operation.

3. In a harvester, a plurality of continuously operable, positively actuated lifting members -extending from the front toward the rear of said harvester for successively engaging with and elevating stalks from the field, the front ends of said members being movable to a position in close proximity to the surface of the ground, a cover plate positioned above said members and portions of said members closing the space between said members and said cover, and means for stripping the stalks from the rear ends of said members.

4. In a harvester, a. plurality of continuously operable stalk lifting and elevating members arcuate in outline throughout their length and carrying teeth, and means including a slotted shield plate through which the teeth of said members extend for stripping the stalks therefrom.

5. In a harvester, a plurality of continuously operable stalk lifting and elevating members, said members being arcuate in form and carrying teeth, and means inc-luding a slotted shield plate secured to the harvester frame and extending around said arcuate members throughout their length for stripping the stalks from said members.

6. In a harvester, a. frame, a plurality of continuously operable lifting members for successively engaging with and elevating stalks from the field, and a cover plate extending over said lifting members and having a series of inwardly projecting ribs extending toward said members.

7. In a harvester, a frame, a plurality of continuously operable lifting members for successively engaging with an elevating the stalks from the field, means for stripping t-he stalks from said members, and a cover plate extending over said stripping means and said members and having a series of inwardly extending ribs positioned above said lifting members.

8. In Aa harvester, a plurality of continuously operable lifting members having meansy for Y successively A engaging and ele vati'ng prostratestalks from 'the ground, and' means including angularly disposed eccentrics for operating said lifting members, in a l'direction forvva ,dly and upwardly as they eng-age and lift said stalks.V f l 9. In a harvester,'a frame, a plurality of continuously operable lifting members havingk means for successively engaging and elevating stalks from the field, said lifting members being pivotally connected with the frame of the machine substantially at their rear ends, and eccentric disks operatively connected With said members for actuating the same.'

10. In a harvester, a frame, a plurality of continuously operable lifting members having means for successively engaging With and elevating stalks from the field, link connection pivotally connecting the upper ends of said members with said frame, and

eccentric means operatively connected with said members intermediate the ends thereof for operating the lifting members.

l1. In a harvester, a frame, a plurality of sets of continuously operable lifting members carried thereby and having means for engaging and elevating stalks from the field, a driving shaft for operating said ylifting members and eccentric disks carried by said shaft and operatively connected to said members, the axes of eccentricity of said disks being uniformly disposed about the longitudinal axis of said shaft, said driving shaft operating to drive said disks and lifting members in a direction forwardly and upwardly as said members engage and lift.y i

the stalks.

12. In a harvester, a frame, a drive wheel supporting said frame, bindingmechanisml disposed substantially over said drive Wheel, and reciprocating means Idisposed directly in front of said drive Wheel and operatively connected -thereto for gathering pros-trate stalks andl conveying said stalks upwardly and rearwardly to said binding mechanism.

13. In a harvester, a frame, a drive Wheel supporting said frame, binding mechanism disposed substantially over said drive wheel, means disposed in front of said drive Wheel and operatively connected thereto for gathering prostrate stalks and conveying said stalks to said binding mechanism, and means disposed in the rear of said Wheel for discharging the bound sheaves out of the path ofmovement of said harvester.

14. In a harvester, a frame, a reciprocating means for gathering prostrate stalks, comprising a plurality of stalk-engaging members, each of said members being pivotally supported on a link at one end and operatively driven from a point intermediate its ends for conveying the stalks over said members.

15. In a harvester, a. frame, a reciprocating means for gathering prostrate stalks, 16. In a harvester, a frame, and reciprocomprising a plurality of stalk-engaging eating stalk-engaging members disposed 'at members, eac-l1 of said members being pivthe front of said harvester for lifting stalks 10 otall7 supported on a link at its rear ends, from the field.

5 and operatively driven from a point inter- Tn testimony whereof I ah'ix my signature.

mediate its end for conveying the stalks over the tops of said members. LUI). HOLLAND-LETZ.

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