US383927A - Lawn-mower - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

P. M. WATERS.

LAWN MOWER.

,92'7. Patented June 5,1888.

to work without the use of springs of any kind UNiTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK M. VATERS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

LAWN-*MOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,927, dated June 5, 1888.

Application filed November 15, 1887. Serial No. 255,277. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that I, FRANK M. WATERs, a i citizen ofthe United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lawn-Mowers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of lawnmowers in which the cutting is done by a revolving cutting-reel in connection with a nonrevolving or stationary cutter-bar, the motive power to produce the cutting being supplied from the carrying-wheels through the medium of a clutch mechanism which is adapted to drive the cutting-reel in a forward direction only, so that the carrying or driving wheels are permitted to revolve independently of the cuttingmechanismwhenthemowcrispropelled in a backward direction.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and novel construction of the stationary cuttenbar in relation to the supportingframe, whereby the said cutter-bar may be quicklyand readily adjusted in relation to the revolving cutting-reel and held securely in any desired position of adjustment, the adjustment being accomplished without reversing or changing the machine from its normal position.

The further object of my invention is to pro vide a novel arrangement of the revolving entting-reel and its supporting-bearings in relation to the supporting-frame, whereby the said bearings are always maintained in perfect alignment and the cutting-reel shaft prevented from becoming cramped in assembling the machine or by an undue strain thereon.

The further object of my invention is to provide a novel clutch mechanism which shall embody in its construction but few parts adapted and comparatively noiseless in its operation, the engaging parts being so constructed that the force of gravity and the centrifugal force of the revolving parts will each assist in bringing the parts into engagement and maintain ing the engaging parts in contact.

My invention consists in the various constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan View of a machine embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 8 are respectively a sectional view and an end elevation showing the inside and outside of the end portions of the supportingframe and the subjoined mechauism,andillustrating different methods of securing the roller one case being shown removed. Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed views, in perspective, ofthe clutch mechanism. Figs. 6 and 7 are detailed views of the cutting-reel bearings, and Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed views of the stationary cuttingbar and the means for adjusting the same.

In the following description like parts are indicated on the said drawings throughout the several views by similar letters of reference.

In the said drawings, Arepresents the driving or supporting wheels which support the main frame. The main frame consists of the end pieces, B B, connected together at the top by a connecting-rod, a, and at the bottom by the stationary cutter G. The wheels A are journaled in the ordinary manner on project ing studs 1) on the end pieces, B, and are provided with the customary internal gear adapted to engage with the pinions D on the respect ive ends of the shaft E of the cutting-reel E. The reel-shaft E is supported at either end in hearings on the end pieces, B B, in which it is adapted to turn to cause the reel to revolve above the stationary cutter G. The rear port-ion of the machine is supported by the usual rear supportingroller, F. i

The stationary cutter, as before stated, ex-

brackets, the supporting or driving wheel in tends across the bottom of the machine, and is connected at each end to the respective end pieces, B B. Now, in order to provide a simple and efficient means for adjusting the cutting-edge of the stationary cutter in relation to the revolving cutting-reel, I extend the stationary cutter at each end beyond the endc with laterally-projecting lugs f f, through which are projected adj UStIDg-SCIBWS f f, adapted to come into contact with the bearing-faces d d of the ear 0. It will be seen now that when the supporting-bolt e is in place the stationary cutter may be readily adjusted to or from the revolving cutting-wheel by slightly loosening the said bolt and turning the cutterbar thereon in the direction desired by loosening one of the adjusting-screws and tight ening the other, after which the supportingbolt is again tightened. I preferably connect the lugsff by a curved shield, f adapted to stand above and form a hood or covering for the ear 0 and the bolt 6, thus protecting the bearings of the stationary cutter.

It will be seen that an efficient and simple means is thus provided by which the stationary cutter is secured in place or adjusted as desired, the parts being all easily accessible without changing the machine from the normal position.

The reel-shaft E, as before stated, is supported at each end in bearings on the end pieces, 13 B. These bearings are each formed of a projecting support, 9, on the end piece, having a depression or groove, h, therein, preferably V-shaped, as shown. In each of these V-shaped depressions or grooves the bearingblock t is placed, the said bearing-block ibeing formed in cross-section, with itsiuside adapted to conform to the shape of the shaft and its outside to the shape of the depression or groove h. The bearing-block i is placed loosely in the depression h, and is tapered on the outside each way from the middle, so that it is free to adjust itself to the position of the shaft which is placed therein. The bearing is completed by a cap, j, which rests on either side againstthe top of the adj ustablebearing-block z, and is secured by suitable fastening-screws to the projecting support the holes in the said caps through which the screws pass being larger than the said screws, to permit the cap to adjust itself to the loose bearingblock 2'. It will be seen that by this construction the bearings are adapted to maintain a perfect alignment with each other and adjust them selves to the reel-shaft, so as to avoid cramping of the parts in assembling or by any undue shock or strain thereon.

. The clutch mechanism,w'nich serves to trans mit the power from the pinions D D to the reel-shaft, I construct as follows; Each of the pinio-ns D D is provided with a rim, 7c, extending from one end thereof, and having a slot, Z, in its periphery. Each of the pinions is adapted to turn freely on the shaft E,which is adapted to be engaged by an annular collar or ring, it. Located within the rim 7: of each pinion, and surrounding the shaft E, is an annular collar or clutching-ring, n, with a projection, a, on its outer periphery, which fits loosely in the slot or recess Z in the rim 7c of the pinion, and with a ratchet-shaped projection, 0, on its inside face, adapted to engage with the shaft E when the pinion is rotated in that they may be constructed in any other suitable well-known manner which will permit the shaft to turn freely in one direction and become engaged with the clutching-ring when turned in the opposite direction. The clutching-ring is formed with a preponderance of weight onthe side opposite to the projection 0, so that as the ring is revolved rapidly with the pinion the centrifugal force will cause the heavier portion of the ring to leave the shaft and bring the inside projection on the 0pposite and lighter side to engage with the engaging-points of the shaft. \Vhen the pinion is revolved slowly, the ring will fall by gravity, causing the engagement. It will thus be seen that when turned in one direction a positive engagement of the clutch is insured, either by gravity or centrifugal force.

The machine as thus described is simple and efficient in construction and operation, and capable of ready and easy adjustment.

I have shown the rear supporting rollerbrackets adapted to be adj ustably secured by the same bolt, 6, which secures the ends of the stationary cutter. This makes a very simple and desirable construction, by means of which all the parts thereof may be readily adjusted. It is obvious, however, that the roller-brackets and stationary cutter may be secured independently, if desired, by changing slightly the position of the said brackets and providing an additional bolt.

The machine is adapted to be propelled in any well-known manner, preferably by means of a handle attached to the end pieces in the ordinary way.

It is obvious that the various features of the invention herein described may be variously modified in a manner which will readily suggest itself to the .mind of an ordinary me chanic. I do not, therefore, limit myself to the exact construction described and shown.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, with the end pieces, of the stationary cutter having upwardly-extending ears,with bearing-faces on either side thereof, projecting lugs on said end pieces provided with adjusting-screws adapted to bear against said faces, a connecting-bolt passing through said end pieces and ears, and a shield or cap connecting said lugs and forming a hood or covering for cars, substantially as set forth.

2. In a lawnmower, the end pieces, each having an inwardly-projecting bearing support with a V-shaped depression therein, the cutting-reel and its shaft, a loose bearing-block seated in said bearing-support, the inside of which is adapted to conform to said shaft and the outside to the V-shaped depression, said bearing-block being tapered from the middle toward-both ends, as set forth, and provided with a cap secured to said bearing-support, substantiall y as set forth.

3. The combination, with the end pieces, each having an inwardly projecting bearingsupport with the V-shaped depression therein, the tapered bearing-block adapted to rest in said V-shaped depression, and a cap over said bearing-block, of a cuttingreel, the shaft of which is journaled in said bearing-block, the

stationary cutter under said reel secured at clutching-ring constructed with a driving-offset on its inner face and an engaging projection on its outer periphery, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a driving-clutch, a shaftencircling clutchiugring with a driving-offset on its inner face and an engaging projection on its outer periphery, and having a preponderance of weight upon the side opposite to the inside offset, substantially as set forth.

7. In a clutch, the co1nbinatiou,with a shaft, of an inelosing-ri1n provided with a slot or opening therein,andac1utching-ringhavingan outer projection adapted to engage in said slot and an inner projection to engage said shaft, said clutching-ring being formed with a preponderance of weight on the side opposite the inner projection, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand this 9th day of November, A. D. 1887.

FRANK M. WATERS.

\Vituesses:

J OSHUA Scocrr, PAUL A. STALEY.

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