US1750049A - Mower - Google Patents

Description

'Mmh 11, 1930.

C. PEARSON MOWER Filed Sept. 17, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l C. PEARSON March l1, 1930.

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Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES PEARSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL HAR- VESTER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY MOWER Application filed September 17, 1928.

This invention relates to improvements in a mowing machine.

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved ground wheel operated driving mechanism for the sickle, which driving mechanism will be simple and enclosed in a dirt proof, lubricant containing, casing.

Another object is to provide an improved two piece axle structure including a simple pawl and ratchet connection therebetween for operating the main driving gear.

Other objects are to provide an improved clutch in the gear train and a wear take up adjustment for one of the gears. Also to provide in the gear train stationary countershafts for the purpose to appear.

Briefly, these desirable objects are achieved in the combination herein shown and de- 20 scribed, wherein a two piece axle carries therebetween a novel ratchet and pawl drive operating a main gear in mesh with a constantly turning clutch part n a stationary countershaft, this clutch part driving an intermittent elutch part geared to drive the final drive bevel gear also on va stationary` endwise adjustable countershaft, said bevel gear driving the pitman for the sickle. The intermediate countershatt is adjustable endwise to operate the clutch.

In the drawings showing the invention Figure 1 is a general plan View of the iinproved enclosed gear, mower;

Figure 2 is a rear end, elevational detail view of the clutch operating lever;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view partly in section through the gear train as seen along the line 3 3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a plan view showing a section through the gear train as seen along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a face View, partly in section, of the assembled pawl and ratchet drive mechanism;

Figure 6 is a face view of the intermittent clutch part on the intermediate countershaft;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through the same part; and

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view Serial No. 306,409.

through the constantly turning clutch part on the intermediate countershaft.

The main frame of the mower preferably comprises an integral casting 10 including a centrally offset gear case part 10a and hub 55 parts 10b extending laterally therefrom. The casting also includes a front frame extension 10c and a cross brace part 10d. It also emlppdies a socket 1()e to receive a draft tongue Connected in any approved manner to this main frame is a coupling arm 12 rockably carrying in the usual way, a coupling yoke 13 having pivotally connected thereto a laterally extending cutter bar 14 carrying a shoe 15 65 and guard fingers 16 all as in standard mower practice. The sickle is shown at 17. The main object of this invention is to provide an improved driving mechanism for reciprocating this sickle.

Digressing for a moment before describing this drive, attention is called to the fact that the usual lever controls for adjusting the cutter bar are also shown and provided. At 18 is a lever for tilting the cutter bar by rock- 75 ing the yoke 13 on the grassward end of the arm 12- through a link connection 19. A hand lever 20 and foot lever 21 are also shown for pivoting a lift arm 22 carried on the frame, said arm 22 having the usual connections 23 80 for raising the cutter bar up in a vertical direction as will be understood by those versed in this art. A counter-balance spring 24 assists this lift operation in the usual manner. The improved drive mechanism for reciprog5 eating the sickle 17 will now be described.

The axle 0f the mover comprises two pieces 25, 26 arranged coaxially and end to end, the piece being short and the piece 26 being relatively longer. The inner ends are ar- 90 ranged in the case 10a as best shown in Figure 4. Each outer end of each piece 25, 26, carries fast thereon, a ground drive and support wheel 27. Vhen the mower moves, the wheels and axle pieces, of course, rotate as 95 will be understood. The piece 25 has keyed thereto by a tapper key 28 and take-up nut 29 the hub 30 of a plate 31 constituting a ratchet pawl carrier, the hub 30 of which spans the adjacent end of the axle piece 26 to provide 100 a durable and substantial support for the inner end thereof, while the hub 30 similarly forms a durable and substantial support for` the inner end of the short axle piece 25 as can be seen. Similarly the axle piece 26 has securd thereto a ratchet pawl carrier plate 32 abutting the end of the hub 30 of the adjacent plate 31. Each plate 31, 32 is provided with inwardly projecting pockets 33, constituting means for pivotally mounting pawls 34 normally pressed out by springs 35 seated adjacent pockets 36 as best shown in Figure 5. Loosely journaled on the hub 30 between the pawl carrier plates 31, 32 is a large wheel 37 having an external spur gear surface 38 and an internal ratchet surface 39 into which the ends of the pawls 34 are pressed by the springs 35 so that obviously when the axle sections 25, 26 turn ahead, the said wheel 37 is likewise turned ahead through the plates 31, 32 and pawls 34. The compactness of this arrangement wherein the gear and ratchet flange of the large wheel 37 serves to enclose the ratchet pawl plates 31, 32 is to be particularly noted.

The case 10a just ahead of the two piece axle is formed with journal boxes 40 in which is arranged a transverse countershaft 41, said shaft having endwise but not rotative movement. In other words this countershaft does not turn. The shaft 41 carries loosely the long hub 42 of a relatively large spur gear 43, see Figures 4, 6 and 7. The hub 42 is held against coaxial movement on or relative to the shaft by means of collars 44. As shown in Figures 6, and 7, the gear has a clutch face 45 formed thereon which face engages and locks lwith a complementary clutch face 46 formed on the flange 47 of a gear 48 formed on a hub 49 as shown, said hub being loosely journaled for rotation on the hub 42. heretofore mentioned. See also Figure 8.

The spur gear 43 meshes with and drives a pinion 50 loosely mounted to rotate on a normally stationary countershaft 51 journaled in boxes 52 formed on the case 10a. Integrally formed with the pinion 50 is a large bevel gear 53 meshing with a bevel pinion 54 on a longitudinal shaft 55 extending through a sleeve 56 cast with the main frame part 10. The integral gear struc-ture 50, 53 is held againts axial movement relative to the countershaft 51 by means of collars 57.

It is to be noted that the end of the countershaft 51 is threaded at 58 and carried in a nut 59, said shaft having a squared end 60, whereby a wrench may be used to adjust or shift the shaft 51 by screwing the same axially of its length in its bearings 52 to take up wear between the gears 50, 53 so that the same may at all times be kept in proper meshing engagement.

The longitudinal shaft 55 carries at its front, free end, a conventional fly wheel 61, see Figure 1, provided with an eccentric wrist pin 62 to which is connected a pitman 63, connected in turn in any usual way to the knife head 64 made fast to the sickle 17.

The drive to the sickle may be disconnected to stop the same, by means of a lever 65 mounted on the main frame 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, said lever being rockable to engage cam notches 66 in a cam bracket 67. Thus, when the lever is rocked from the low notch to the high notch, the lever is shifted in a stubbleward direction and as the lever is in effect a crank extension of the shaft 41, said shaft is shifted axially of its length against the pressure of a coil spring 68 encircling the same. See also Figure 4. As the shaft 41 shifts, necessarily the hub 42 and gear 43 must also shift to cause a disconnection of the clutch faces, 45, 46 as will be obvious. The gear 48 is so mounted and constructed that it cannot shift.

An important advantage of this mower resides in the fact that all operating parts of the driving mechanism are located in the gear case 10a closed by a removable cover plate 69. The enclosed case thus provided makes for easy lubrication of the parts as the case will always carry a level of oil for this purpose, which oil will be picked up by the gears to splash the same thoroughly to lubricate all parts. and 43 will always play in oil, two upright walls 70 are provided on the sloped bottom of the case to retain pools of oil. See Figure 3. An oil plug 71 may be provided in the cover 69.

The hub 42, as shown in Figure 7, receives lubricant through ducts 72 feeding to oil grooves 73 to lubricate the clutch and rotation of the hub 49 on said hub 42. Of course, this also lubricates the rotation of hub 42 on the shaft 41. Similarly the integral gear structure 50, 53, has a duct 74 for feeding lubricant to the shaft 51, as shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 3 oil may pass from the case 10a through sleeve 56 to lubricate the shaft 55 and flywheel 61. It must now be appreciated that this compact driving mechanism lends itself to easy and effective lubrication in the manner described.

Additionally, the use of gears loosely mounted to rotate on stationary countershafts is advantageous in that it eliminates the use of elaborate shaft bearings and permits the use of simple mountings for these countershafts 41 and 51. The operation of the improved and simplified mower will now be described.

Any suitable form of draft power is connected to the tongue 11 to pull the mower. As the mower moves and the wheels 27 turn, the axle pieces 25, 26 also turn and rotate the plates 31. As long as these plates turn forwardly the pawls 34 lock with and drive the gear 38, which drives the ear 48. Gear 48 through the clutch 45, 46, rives gear 43,

To insure that the gears 38 llO MESTERS- which in turn drives gears 50, 53, the latter driving gear 54 to rotate the shaft 55. Thus, the flywheel 61 rotates and through the eccentric pin 62, pitman 63, and knife head 64, the sickle 17 is reciprocated. As long as one of the wheels 27 is turning ahead the sickle will be driven, provided, of course, the clutch 45, 46 is engaged. The spring 68 acts always to hold the clutch so engaged as will be understood. 0n turns, that wheel 27 which rotates the fastest will drive the sickle as the pawl and ratchet mechanism described permits of a differential turning movement of the wheels 27 without slowing up the speed of reciprocation of the sickle. In other words, either plate 31 and its associated pawls 34 is sufficient to operate the sickle.

Adjusting the shaft 51 endwise by means of the threaded part 58 and portion 60 allows for any necessary take-up to compensate for wear between the gears 53 and 54?.

Actuation of the clutch 45, 46 to disconnected position is made easy by the cam controlled lever 65 which rocks and shifts the countershaft 41 endwise.

The long hub part 30 spanning the adjacent ends of the two axle pieces makes a very durable mounting, for these pieces, and particularly, for the shorter piece 25. The wedge pins 28 passed through this axle piece and hub is also a simple durable structure.

Mounting the ratchet drive in the case 10a at the middle makes for compactness and easy lubrication, as well as a remarkably quiet running mechanism, which furthermore is dust and dirt proof, due to its enclosure.

From this detailed disclosure, it can now be seen that an improved mover has been provided which accomplishes all of the desirable objects heretofore recited.

It is the intention to include within the scope of this invention all immaterial changes and modifications of the illustrative embodiment thereof herein shown, as is indicated by the appended claims.

l/Vhat is claimed is:

1. A mower having a frame, a two piece axle in the frame carrying wheels, a pawl carrying plate having a hub spanning adjacent inner ends of the axle pieces, means securing the hub to one of the pieces to turn therewith, a ratchet gear, said pawls being enclosed by the gear and plate, a sickle, and means driven from the ratchet gear for driving the sickle.

9.. A mower having a frame, an axle in the frame supported on ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end, a pawl carrying plate secured to one of the pieces and comprising a hub spanning the adjacent ends of both pieces to provide a support therefor, a combined gear and ratchet wheel loose on said hub and cooperating with the plate to enclose the pawls, a sickle, and

means driven from the gear to drive the sickle.

3. A mower having a frame, a two piece axle in the frame carrying wheels, a pawl carrying' plate having a hub spanning adjacent inner ends of the axle pieces, a taper key passed through the hub and one of the pieces, a nut for tightening said key to secure the hub fast on the piece, a combined gear and ratchet wheel loose on said hub and cooperating with the plate to enclose the pawls, a sickle, and means driven from the gear to operate the sickle.

s1. A mower having a frame, an axle in the frame supported on ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end, a pawl and ratchet gear mechanism carried on the pieces and including a hub forming an inner support therefor, a countershaft provided with a combined gear and clutch element having a relatively long hub on said countershaft, a combined gear and complementary clutch element on said hub, the latter member being driven from the ratchet gear mechanism, a sickle, means driven from the first gear and clutch element to drive said sickle, and means for actuating the clutch to stop and start the sickle.

5. A mower having a frame, an axle in the frame supported on ground wheels and comprising two pieces ar `anged end to end, a pawl and ratchet gear mechanism carried on the pieces and including a hub forming an inner support therefor, a non-rotatable countershaft provided with a combined gear and clutch el-ement having a relatively long hub on the countershaft, a combined gear and complementary clutch element loose on said hub,

the latter member being driven from the ratchet gear mechanism, a sickle, means driven from the first gear and clutch element to drive said sickle, and means to slide the countershaft bodily and with it the first gear and clutch element to disconnect said element from the second gear and complementary clutch element.

6. A mower having a frame, an axle in the frame supported on ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end, a pawl and ratchet gear mechanism carried on the pieces and including a hub forming' an inner support therefor, a transverse countershaft provided with a gear driven from the pawl and ratchet gear mechanism, a second gear on said countershaft, a clutch between said gears on said shaft, means to shift the shaft bodily to disconnect the clutch, a second transverse countershaft carrying a gear driven from the second gear on the first countershaft, a bevel gear on the second countershaft, a longitudinal shaft provided w-ith a bevel pinion driven from said bevel gear, a sickle, and means to drive the sickle from the longitudinal shaft.

7. A mower having a frame, an axle in the frame supported on ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end, a pawl and ratchet gear mechanism carried on the pieces and including a hub forming an inner support therefor, a transverse countershaft provided with a gear driven from the pawl and ratchet gear mechanism, a second gear on said counter-shaft, a. clutch between said gears on said shaft, means to shift the shaft bodily to disconnect the clutch, a second transverse and non-rotatable countershaft carrying a gear driven from the second gear on the first countershaft, a bevel gear on the second countershat't, a longitudinal shaft provided with a bevel pinion driven from said bevel gear, a sickle, means to drive the sickle from the longitudinal shaft, and means to adjust thc second countershaft bodily axially of its length to compensate for wear between the bevel gear and pinion on the longitudinal shaft.

S. A mower having a frame including a transmission casing, an axle in the trame connected at its outer ends to ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end in the casing, a pawl and ratchet gear mechanism carried on the inner ends ot' the pieces and including a hub forming an inner support therefor within the casing, a sickle, and means operated by said gear mechanism for driving the sickle.

9. A mower having a frame including a transmission casing, an axle in the frame connected at its outer ends to ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end in the casing, a pawl plate having a longhub keyed to one of the pieces and spanning the end ofthe adjacent piece, a second pawl plate keyed to the other piece, a ratchet gear loose on the hub of the first plate and arranged between the two plates, pawls on the plates to drive the ratchet gear, all of said parts being located in the casing, a sickle, and means operated by the ratchet gear for driving the sickle.

10. A mower having a frame including a transmission casing, an axle in the frame connected at its outer end to ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end in the casing, pawl and ratchet driving mechanism carried on the inner ends of the pieces within the casing, a transverse counter-shaft journaled in said casing, gearing on the countershaft driven from the pawl and ratchet driving mechanism, a clutch included in the gearing on the countershaft, means for sliding said countershait bodily endwise to disconnect the clutch, a sickle, and means driven from the countershaft gearing to operate the sickle.

l1. A mower having a frame including a transmission casing, an axle in the frame connected at its outer end to ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end in the casing, pawl and ratchet driving mechanism carried on the inner ends of the pieces within the casing, a transverse countershaft j ournaled in said casing, gearing on the countershaft driven from the pawl and ratchet driving mechanism, a clutch included in the gearing on the countershat't, means for sliding said counter-shaft bodily endwise to disconnect the clutch, a sickle, and means driven from the countershaft gearing to operate the sickle.

12. A mower having a frame including a transmission casing, an axle in the frame connccted at its outer end to ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end in the casing, pawl and ratchet driving mechanism carried on the inner ends of the pieces within the casing, a transverse countershaft journaled in said casing, gearing on the countershat't driven from the pawl and ratchet driving mechanism, said gearing including a clutch, means to shift the countershaft bodily endwise to disconnect the clutch, a second countershaft carrying gearing driven from the gearing on the first countershaft, a longitudinal shaft extending forwardly through the casing and geared to be driven from the second countershaft, a sickle, means to drive the sickle from the longitudinal shaft, and means to adjust the second countershaft endwise to compensate for wear of the gearing between said countershaft and the longitudinal shaft.

13. A mower having a frame including a transmission casing, an axle in the frame connected at its outer end to ground wheels and comprising two pieces arranged end to end in the casing, pawl and ratchet driving mechanism carried on the inner ends of the pieces within the casing, a transverse countershaft journaled in said casing, gearing on the countershaft driven from the pawl and ratchet driving mechanism, a clutch on the countershaft, a sickle, means driven from the countei-shaft to drive the sickle, the casing having a sloped bottom provided with means to retain pools of oil in which the gearing plays to splash oil to lubricate the parts.

InA testimony whereof I ax my signature.

CHARLES PEARSON.

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