US237740A - Assig-noes to p - Google Patents

Description

(N0M0de1.). C. 0.,GARDIN-ER & W. '0; DOWNEY.

Cultivator.

No. 237,740. v Paten te'd'Feb.15,1881.

UNITED CHARLES O. GARDINER AND WILLIAM C. DOWVNEY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO 12. P. MAST 8t 00., OF SAME PLACE.

CULTI'VATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,740, dated. February 15, 1881.

Application filed June 28, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES O. GARDI- NER and WILLIAM G. DOWNEY, of Springfield, in the county of Clarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Cultivators,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of machines in which shovel-beams or drag-bars arranged to swing vertically-and laterally are coupled to and drawn by awheeled frame, and more-particularlyto those machines in which springs are applied to lift or assist the attendant in lifting the beams when required.

The first feature of the invention consists in improved details relating to the lifting-sprin gs, designed more particularly as an improvement upon the machine for which Letters Patent were granted to James M. Elder, bearing date December 9, 1879, No. 222,391, to give a better action and more perfect adjustment to the Elder springs.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine having our improvements embodied therein, one of the main wheels being removed in order to 2 expose the other parts to view. Fig. 2 is a perspective View, showing a portion of the frame and axle on one side of the machine with our devices applied thereto. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one of the couplings. Fig.

0 4 is a vertical central cross-section of the same.

In its general construction the machine is similar to those now in common use. It consists,mainly, of an arched frame or axle, A, having the draft-frame or tongue D applied 5 to its top, and having its lower ends turned outward to receive the main carrying-wheels B and the couplings (J, by which the beams or drag-bars E are attached. The draft-frame is secured to the top of the arched frame or axle by means of flanged plates F, which fit over and around the bend or angle in the axle and against the tongue or draftframe, to which they are bolted. Each plate F is formed with a lip or flange, a, in one corner, as shown,

4 5 for the purpose of guiding and holding other parts hereinafter described. Each of the'couplings or beam-connections 0 consists of three parts-via, a sleeve or tube, a, mounted on the axle or journal, a head or block, I), mounted on and around the sleeve, and a forked plate,

a, secured rigidly to the beam and connected with head I) by means of a vertical pivot pin or bolt, (1. The sleeve is provided with two external longitudinal ribs, as shown, and is mounted upon the axle orjournal in such manner that it can rotate freely, but not move endwise thereon. At its inner end each sleeve has a rigid arm, 0, which will be described in detail hereinafter. The head or block b is cast in one solid piece, with an opening through which the sleeve and its ribs fit closely, as shown. This arrangement permits the head to be moved laterally upon the sleeve, but compels the two to rotate together. A screw.

9, inserted through and threaded into the head b, serves the double purpose of fixing the same in place at any desired point on the sleeve, and also of drawing the head and sleeve tightly together, so as to give the head a solid hearing and prevent play'or lost motion between the parts.

When the screw is employed the other parts may be used with good results in the shape in which they come from the mold, without being accurately finished or fitted together, and thus 7 5 the cost of construction may be reduced to a very low point.

On its forward side the head I) has a lug or projection to enter the forked end of the plate 0. Through thislug and the plate 0 the pivotpin d is inserted. A screw, 1', tapped into the rear side of the head I), bears upon the pin (1 and holds the same firmly in the head, so that the entire wear is thrown upon the two ends of the pin. By thus arranging the parts they 8 are caused to wear much longer and retain a closer fit than otherwise, for the reason that the wear is received on a largenor more extended surface than would be the case were the pin left free to turn at its middle in the 0 head.

It will be seen that the connection of the parts is such that the entire coupling turns about the axle as the beam rises and falls, and that any forward strain applied to the arm 6 5 tends to elevate the beam. The upper end of the arm 6 is provided with a series of holes,

g, arranged at different distances from the center, and also in different vertical planes, as

indicated in the drawings. 10o

An upright rod, G, is passed down loosely through the lip of plate F, and connected at its lower end to the arm 0 by means of a pivot-pin passing through one of the holes in the arm, as shown in the drawings. The rod G is provided near the lower end with a series of holes, h, a collar, l, and a pin, in, passed through one of the holes to sustain the collar. A. spiral spring, H, surrounding the rod Gr, bears at one end against the plate F and at the other against the collar, thereby exerting a downward pressure on the rod and the arm a, and counterbalancin g the weight of the beam to a greater or less extent, according to the strength of the spring and the adjustment of the parts. As the beam rises and the arm a swings forward the increased advantage which the spring gains by the approach of the arm toward a horizontal position compensates for the loss from decrease in the tension, and thus a substantially uniform liftingaction is exerted upon the beam. As the beam descends to an operative position the rod is brought in line with the shaft or axle, and thus the beam is relieved from the lifting action when the shov els are in the ground.

By changing the connection forward and backward from one to another ot the holes in the arm the beam may be subjected to a slight lifting strain when in operation, or subjected to a downward pressure after descending below a given point. By changing the elevation of the washer the force of the spring may be varied, and the lifting strain thereby increased or diminished, as may be required. The two adjustments described, being entirely independent of each other, permit the machine to be adapted for work under all circumstances and conditions.

The upper plate, F, is provided, as shown, with the special lip a, which forms an inexpensive and solid bearing for the spring.

We do not claim, broadly, a lifting-spring acting upon a beam; nor the combination of a beam with an arm, rod, and spring; nor a spring which serves both to raise and lower the beams; nor a liftin g-sprin g which acts with increasing force as the beam rises. The construction of the coupling, aside from the arm on which the spring acts, constitutes a separate independent invention, and is not claimed herein but hat we do claim is- 1. The cultivator-coupling having the rigid arm, with its upper end provided with the se ries of holes disposed in diii'erent vertical and horizontal planes, as described and shown.

2. The combination of the frame, the beamcoupling having the upright arm formed rigid- 1y thereon, the spiral compression'spring,and the sliding and swinging rod, having one end seated loosely in the frame, and the other end pivoted to the upper end of the coupling-arm by an adjustable pivot, which permits the rod to be moved forward and backward in relation to the arm.

3. The combination of the frame, the coupling having the rigid upright arm thereon, the rod, and the spring, the spring being adjustable in tension, and the rod adjustable forward and backward at its point of connection with the arm, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the axle, the draftframe, and the beam-operatin g rod, the flanged plate F, constructed as described and shown, with the lip or flange, whereby itis adapted to serve the double purpose of uniting the frame and axle and of holding the rod and its spring. i

5. The combination of the parts b c, the eonnecting-pivot, and the screw 15, applied to hold the pivot, as shown.

CHARLES OTIS GARDINER. WILLIAM COURSEY DO\VNEY.

\Vitnesses:

J. B. CHRISTIE, CHAS. A. HARRIS.

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