US429958A

US429958A - rieoiert

Info

Publication number: US429958A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1890-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 1907-06-10

Description

5 sheetssheet 1.

, I-I. A.. J. RIEGKERT.

(No Model.)

SELF BINDER.

atented June 1o, 1890.

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mlzeases TH: noms ravens ce., mow-uma., msnmuwu, nA c.

(No Model.) Y 5 Sheetsf-Sheet 3. H. A. J. RIEGKERT.

SELF BINDER. No. 429,958. Patented June 10, 1890.

LDL@ 'Ef WL'neJJeJ fnv/enfer MSW'QQ I VMM,

(No Model.) 5Sheets--S-heet 4.

- H. A. J. 'RIECKBRT y SELF BINDER. No. 429,958. Patented June 10, 1890.

WZK eaves*- H. A. J.' RIEOKERT.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5;

SELF BINDER.

(No Model.)

Patented June 10, 1890.

Zi/z CSJ ed plan view of part of the same on the line c t UNITED v STATES PATENT GEEICE.

HERMAN A. J. RIECKERT, OF NFV YORK, N. Y.

SELF-BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 429,958, dated June 10, 1890.

Application filed August 31, 1889.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be itknown that I, HERMAN A. J. RIECKERT', of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented` a new and Improved Self- Binder, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relatesv to self-binders using a prepared straw band; and the object of the invention is to provide a new and improved self-binder which is simple and durable in construction and very effective in operation, drawing the straw band tight around the sheaf and then rapidly and securely tying the band.

The invention consists in certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be described hereinafter, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the gures.

Figure l is a side elevation of the improve ment as applied to a harvester, parts being in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side eleva-' tion of the improvement with the casing in section. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 4t is a sectional end elevation of the same on the'line 0c of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the same with the casing in section. Fig. G is a sectional plan View of the same on the line y g/ of Fig. 2, with parts broken out. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional end elevation of part of the improvement on the line ,cz of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same with parts in section. Fig. 9 is an enlarged front view of the mechanism for raising and lowering the prongs. Fig. l0 is a sectional end elevation of the saine onthe line w w of Fig. 9. Fig. ll is a like view of lthe same on the line u it of Fig. 9. Fig. l2 is a sectional of Fig. 9, and Fig. 13 is a plan view of the upper end of one of the sheaf-holders.

The improved machine is mounted on a frame A, which forms part of the harvester on which the binder is applied. In suitable bearings in the main frame A is lmounted to turn a shaft B, carrying a pulley or sprocket- Wheel B', connected by a band or sprocketchain with the drivin g-pulley of the harvester, the proportion of the pulleys or sprocket- Serial No. 322,528. (No model.)

wheels being so arranged thatone turn of the driving-pulley of the harvester imparts two full revolutions to the main shaft B.

On one end of the shaft Bv is secured a bevel gear-wheel B2, which meshes into a bevel gearwheel B5, secured on the lower end of an upright shaft C, mounted to turn in a sleeve A', secured on the main frame A. On the shaft B, next to the gear-wheel B5, is secured anotherrbevel gear-wheel B2 which meshes into a horizontally-arranged bevel gear-wheel B5, turning on a stud B6, secured on the main frame A. On the upper face of the bevel gear-wheel B5 is arranged a gear-wheel B5, provided with two sections of gear-teeth adapted to mesh alternately into a gear-wheel D', mounted to turn loosely on-the sleeve A', previously mentioned. The gear-wheel B5, by means of its two sections of gear-teeth, imparts an intermittent motion to the gearwheel D.

On the face of the gear-wheel D are secured arms D, extending in opposite directions radially from the shaft C. On the outer ends 0f the arms D are held two grain-holders D2 and D5, alike in construction and each provided with two segmental arms D4 and D5, pivoted at DG to the outer end of the respective arm D. Vhen the arms D4 and D5 are closed, they form a circle, as shown to the left in Fig. l, and when open, as shown to the right in Figui,l they are ready to admit the grain as cut by the harvester. The arms D'l and D5 of each holder D2 or D5 are alternately closed and opened by fixed circular cams DT and DS, of which the cam DT supports the outer edges of the arms D5, while the other cani D8 supports the outer edges of the arms D4. The lowest points of the cams DT and D8 are to the right of the shaft C, so that the arms D4 and D5 b their own wei-ht restinr ICO such, for instance, as shown in application, Serial No. 317,082, for Letters Patent for a straw-band-twisting machine, fllcd by me under date of July 1U, 1889, and allowed 0ctober 2, 1889. rlhe straw band is placed into the arms D4 and D" by hand or some equivalent well-known device. rlhe twisted and somewhat stiif straw band rests against the inner edges of the arms D'l and D, their outer ends projecting through the selnieircular forks D2, formed on the upper end of each of the arms D"1 and Di". (See Fig. 13.)

The cam DS is supported on suitable brackets of the main frame A, while the cam 'DT is secured to the upper end ofthe sleeve A', which latter also supports an upwardly-cxtending bracket A2, in the upper end of which is journaled the upper end of the shaft C. The latter carries at its outer end a bevel gear-wheel C', meshing into a bevel gearwheel C2, secured on a short shaft C3, mounted to turn in suitable bearings formed in upwardly-extending arms A, secured to the bracket A2. On the shaft C3 is also secured a pulley Ci, over which passes a belt (1, also passing over a large pulley C, fastened on a shaft CT, mounted to turn in suitable bearings in the upper ends of the said arms A3. Then the main shaft B is rotated, it transmits its motion to the shaft C by the bevel gear-wheels B2 and B, and the shaft C, by the bevel gear-wheels C and C2, turns the shaft C3 and the pulley C, which latter by the belt C5 rota-tes the pulley C, so as to turn the shaft C7 in the direction of the arrow a' and at the same speed as the driving-pulley on the harvester.

The shaft C7 operates the twistingr mechanism E, operating over the closed grainholder D2 or D3, as shown to the left in Fig. 1. This twisting mechanism E is provided with two balls E' and E2,secnred on the outer ends of the arms E and El, respectively, fastened on a ball E5, secured on the lower end of a vertical shaft E, passing through a sleeve F' of knotting mechanism F, and having its bearings in a bracket A5, secured on a casing A4, supported by the shaft C. On the upper end of the shaft E is secured a bevel-pinion G, which meshes into a bevel gear-wheel G', fastened on the end of a shaft G2, carrying a pinion G3, adapted to be engaged alternately by the segmental gears G4 and G, respectively, secured on the rim of a master-wheel Il, fastened on the shaft CT. lVhen the latter is rotated, as above described, in the direction of the arrow 0.', said segmental gearwheels G'1 and G5 alternately impart a rotary motion bythe pinion G3 to the shaft G2,which latter, by lthe gear-wheels G' and G, rotates the shaft E, carrying on its lower end the arms E2 and E", supporting the balls E' and E2, respectively. The balls E and E2, when the shaft E is turned, travel on the semicircular forks D, formed on the upper ends of the arms Dl and l)5 of the holders D2 and D, respectively. 'lhe ends of the band held in the closed holder D2 or D3 project through the forks l)Q and are taken hold of by the arms E and E" and twisted when the shaft E is turned. Any desired number ef revolutions may be given to the shaft Ef. Three or four, however, will be sufficient to make three or four twists in the ends of the band. As the motion given to the shaft FG is intermittent, by means of the segmental gearwheels Gl and G5, the said shaft is locked in place after each movement by a pawl G, pivoted on the upper end of the bracket A5 and engaging with one end a recess formed in the back of the bevel gear-wheel G'. The other end of the said pawl is operated on by the ends of the respective segmental gears G4 or G5 before the latter is in mesh with the pinion Gi". As soon as the segmental gear-wheel moves ont of contact with the pinion G" said pawl G drops its inner end in the recess of the gear-wheel G2 and locks the latter in place, and consequently the shaft EG.

'.lhe knotting mechanism F is located near the twisting mechanism F. and is provided with the sleeveF' ,previously mentioned,which latter is provided atits lower end with a notch F2, adapted to engage, when in its lowermost position, a pin E7, secured on the lower end of the shaft E, so as to additionally lock the latter in place when the sleeve F is in its lowermost position.

Near the lower end of t-he sleeve F' are secured on Opposite sides the trunnions I and I", on which are fulcrumed tongs J and J', respectively, alike in construction, and cach provided with two prongs J2 and J3, of which the former is provided on its lower ends with a semicircular offset J4, and the other prong J2 is provided with a similar but smaller semicircular offset J5, as illustrated in Fig. 7.

On the upper end of each of the prongs J2 and Js are formed pinsJiandJ, respectively, engaging guideways K2 and K3, respectively, formed in each of the brackets K and K', respectively, secured on the under side of the casing A4. It is understood that the bracket K is provided with two grooves K2 and K3 for the pins Ji" and JT of the tongs J, while the bracket K has two grooves for a similar purpose for the tongs J'. The trunnions I and l' project slightly beyond the tongs J and J', respectively, and pass into vertical gnideways K4, arranged between the guideways K2 and KF" on the brackets K and K', respectively.

In the lower end of the semieircular olfset JA1 of each prong J2 is formed a slot J, in which is adapted to pass a tail-piece L or L', respectively, extending through the tongs J and J', respectively,'and secured to the trunuions I and l'.

The sleeve F' is adapted to slide vertically up and down on the shaft Eibya mechanism hereinafter more fully described. \Vl1cn the sleeve F' is in its uppermostA position, as shown in Figs. 2 and l, the arms E and E of the twisting mechanism are below the lower ends of the tongs J and J". The pins J" and TOO IIO

2995s i e J7 of the prongs J3 and J3 of the tongs J andl J are then close together in the upper parts of the guideways K3 and K3, so that the lower seinicircular offsets J4 and J5 are opened. Vhen the sleeve F is now moved downward, the open semieircular offsets J4 and J5 of the tongs J and J pass over the arms E3 and E4, and when the sleeve F arrives in its lowermost position the offsets J4 and J5 close into theposition shown in Fig. 7, by the pins J and J 7 traveling in the outer tip-end parts of the guideways K3 and K3. (See Figs. 7 and 8.) The trunnions I and I, by traveling in the guideways K4 in the brackets K and K', firmly guide the sleeve F in its up and down motion and prevent said sleeve from turning. The ends of the offsets J 5 of the prongs J 3 are adapted to press on one side of the straw band, while the end ofl the larger semicircular offset J pushes the end of the straw band under the part of the band surrounding the sheaf'of grain, as is hereinafter more fully described. The ends of the bands have previously been pressed down by the tail-pieces L and L.

The mechanism for moving the sleeve F and its connections up and down consists, principally, of a dovetailed incline N, engaging the correspondingly-shaped offset F3 on the upper end of the sleeve F. The incline N is provided at its horizontal bottom with a dovetail itting in a dovetailed groove N', formed in the bottom of the casing A4, so that the incline N is guided in itsforward and backward movement. The lower part of the incline Nis connected by rods N3 with a horizontally-extending dovetailed rod N3, mounted to slide in suitable guideways N4, arranged parallel to the guideways N in the bottom of the casing A4. On `one end of the rod N3 is secured a rectangular frame N5, (see Fig. 9,) in the ends of which are fitted thecurved arms O and O', respectively, pivotally connected at diagonal ends by a rod O3, as is plainly shown'in Fig. 9.

On the arms O and O are pivoted the levers O3 and O4, pivotally connected by bolts O5 with the semiciroular ends of an elongated frame P, mounted to slide at the said ends in the arms O and O. In the top arm of the elongated frame P is arranged a rack P, opposite which is located a parallel rack P3, ar-

ranged inthe lower arm of the said frame.'

The racks Pl and P3 are adapted to be engaged alternately by a gear-wheel P3, secured von a shaft P4, mounted to turn in suitable l bearings erected in the bottom of the casing' A4, and on the said shaft P4 is secured a pinion P5, adapted to be engaged alternately by the segmental gear-wheels PG and P3, formed diametrically opposite each other on the` rim of the wheel H. (See Fig. 2.) The gear-wheel P3 is adapted to engage alternately the studs O3 and 07 on the levers O3 and O4, so as to shift the respective lever to throw the frame P up and down, permitting the gear-wheel P3 to alternately engage the racks P and P3, so

that when the segmental gear-wheel P6 or P7 meshes in the pinion P5 and turns the shaft P4 and the gear-wheel P3, then the latter, by engaging the rack P', moves the frame N5, the rod N3, and consequently the incline N, forward, so that the sleeve F is lowered, and when the said gear-wheel P3 engages the pin O7 on the lever O4, then the said lever is thrown upward. Thereby the frame P is raised'parallel with the rod N3 until the said gear-wheel P3 engages the rack P3, so that by the next segmental gear-wheel P6 or P`7 engaging the pinion P5 said gear-wheel P3 meshes in the rack P3 and moves the frame N5, the rod N3, and the incline N rearward, so that the sleeve F is again raised to the position shown in Fig. 2. It is understood that the segmental gear-wheel P6 moves the incline N in one direction, while the oppositely-arranged segmental gear-wheel P7 moves t-he incline N back to the former position. q

A pawl N6, pivoted inthe bottom of the casing A4, is adapted to engage one of the cross-arms N3, so as to lock the latter, and consequently the incline N, the rod N3, and the frame N5, in place when the sleeve F is in a raised position. The pawl N5 is disengaged from the arm N3 by the cams N7 and N3, arranged directly opposite each other on the rim of the wheel H. (See Fig. 2.) A spring N9 presses against the upwardly-projecting end of the pawl N3, so as to hold the pawl in contact with the arm N3 until operated on by the respective cam N7 or N3.

The casing A4, with its contents, is swung into an angular position, as shown in-dotted lines in Fig. 2, as soon as theknot is tied, so as to move the twisting device E, as well as theknotting device F, away from the respective holder D3 or D3. In order to accomplish this an arm Q is secured on the frame A3, and is provided at its upper end with a segmental rack Q, in which mesh the two gearwheels Q3 and Q3, mounted to turn on shafts Q4 and Q5, respectively, held in suitable bearings arranged in the casing A4. The gearwheel Q3 is considerably larger than the ICO IIO

gear-wheel Q3, and in the latter meshes a A smaller gearfwheel Q3, of such size as to make the two gear-wheels Q3 and Q45 equal in diameter to the diameter of the geaihwheel Q3. The teeth of the gear-wheel Q3 thus coincide with the teeth of the gear-wheel Q3, so that both gear-wheels Q6 and Q3 can be in mesh with a gear-wheel R, secured on a shaft R', mounted to turn and to slide transversely in a bearing R3securedin the casing A4. On the shaft R is also secured a pinion R3, adapt-ed to be engaged alternately by segmental gear-wheels R4, R5, R3, and R7, arranged on the periphery of the wheel H. The gear-wheel Roan be thrown either in contact with the gear-wheel Q3 or the gear-wheel Q3, or it may be in mesh with both, as shown in Fig. 5. In the latter case a movement of the gear-Wheels Q3, Q3, and Q3 is impossible, as

the gear-wheels Q2 and Q2 are both in mesh with the rack Q and turn in opposite directions. When the gear-wheel R is in mesh with the gear-wheel Q2, and is turned so aste rotate said gear-wheel Q2, then the latter travels downward on the rack Q', whereby the casing Al swings into an inclined pesition, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2,) the shaft CT being the center. When, however, the gear-wheel R is in mesh with the gearwheel Q6 and is rotated, then the said gearwheel Q6 turns, and also turns the gear-wheel Q2, which now travels up the teeth on the rack Q until the casing A" is moved back to its former horizontal position. At this point the gear-wheel R is shifted so as to be in mesh with both gear-wheels Q2 and Q, whereby the casing A4 is locked in place, as previously described. The device for moving the gearwheel R alternately in contact withthe gearwheels Q2 and Q6 consists of a series of inclined blocks arranged on the periphery of the gear-wheel H. Two sets 'of such blocks are placed diametrically opposite each other on the periphery of the wheel ll. Each set of blocks contains the four blocks S, S, S2, and S2, each provided with an incline adapted to engage, when the wheel Il rotates, one of the faces of the gear-wheel R, so as to shift the latter transversely for the purpose above described. The block S is adapted to engage the front face of the wheel R, (see Fig. 5,) so as to move the wheel R in mesh with the gear-wheel Q2. At this time the segmental gear-wheel R meshes into the pinion R2, rotates the latter, and consequently the wheels R and Q2, whereby the latter travels downward on the rackQ` and the casingA4is shifted into an inclined position. As soon as the said segmental gear-wheel R6 has moved out of mesh with the pinion R2 then the block S engages the outer face of the gear-wheel R and moves the latter in mesh with the two'gear-wheels Q2 and Q, whereby the several wheels Q2, Q2, and QG, as well as the casing A4, are locked in place. The next following block S2 moves the gear-whcel'R out of mesh with the gearwheel Q2 and farther into mesh with the gearwheel Q As soon as this takes place the segmental gear-wheel R7 engages it and turns the pinion R2, whereby the wheels R, Q, and Q3 are turned and the wheel Q3 travels upthe rack Q to move the casing A4 back into its horizontal position, as above described. As soon as this is accomplished the segmental gear-wheel R7 leaves the pinion R2, and the next following block S2 moves the gearwheel R into mesh with both gear-wheels Q6 and Q2, so as to lock the several parts in place, as above described. This entire movement, as above mentioned, is repeated for evely set of blocks S, S', S2, and S3.

The operation is as follows: When the harvester is set in motion, the shaft B is rotated and the several parts of the self-binder are actuated. The shaft C7 rotates at the same speed as the driving-shaft of the havester,

while the shaft C makes two revolutions for every revolution of the shaft C7. The prepared straw band is placed in the open holder D2 or D, after which the grain is passed into the said holder about midway, so that the band encircles the grain in the usual mauncr, the ends of the straw band projecting upward above the forks D", on account of being twisted and consequently sutiiciently stift' for the purpose. The movement of the main shaft B intermittently turns the arms D, so that the holder D2 or D3 is moved to the left side of the machine, and its arms D and D5 are closed by traveling over the cams D7 and D2, as previously described, so as to bring the said holder into the position shown to the left in Fig. l-that is, directly under the twisting mechanism E and the knotting mechanism E. The balls E and E2 new rest on the semicircular forks D9 of the arms D'L and D5, respectively, and as the shaft E now receives a rotary motion by the action of the segmental gear-wheel G4 or G5 the arms E and E4, carrying the said balls, take hold of the upwardly-projecting ends of the straw-band and give the same several twists. As soon as this is accomplished the rotary motion of the shaft E6 ceases and the incline N is set in motion, as previously described, so as to move t-he sleeve F downward until the notch F2 of the said sleeve engages the pin El, and the shaft and sleeve are locked together. The downward motion of the sleeve E operates the tongs J and J as previously described-that is, one of the tongs engages one end of the straw band while the other tongs operates on the other end of: the strawband. The tail-pieces L and L press the ends of the band down so that the ends can be engaged by the prongs J4. Each prong rests against one side of the end of the straw band, while the other J 4 in closing presses the end of the straw band underneath the circular part of the band-that is, it presses the end of the straw band over the bundle of grain and underneath the circular part of the band. As soon as this is accomplished the sleeve F is again moved upward and the casing A, with its contents, is swung into an inclined position, as previously described, and then the position of the holders D2 and D2 is again changed to bring a filled holder under the twisting and knotting devices, while the holder containing the bound sheaf opens its arm to permit of the moving the bound sheaf before it reaches its former position on the right-hand side of the machine, as shown in Fig. l. The new band is then placed in the empty holder and the above-described operation is repeated. During this time the casing A is again swung into a horizontal position, as previously described, so that the balls E and E2 of the twisting device E again rest on the semicircular forks D" of the arms D and D5 of the holder D2 or D3 under the binding mechanism E. The above-described operation is then repeated.

IOO

IIO

It is understood that the ends of the straw band are pressed in opposite directions under the band on each side of the twisted part.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-'- l, In a self-binder, the combination, with an intermittently-rotated arm and two semicircular holding-arms pivoted at the ends of said arm, of two circular cams concentric with the axis of the rotary arm, the two inner pivoted arms resting on the inner cam and the two outer arms resting on the outer cam, substantially as set forth.

2. In a self-binder, the combination, with a holder, of a shaft arranged vertically and mounted to turn, downwardly-inclined arms projecting in opposite directions from the lower end of the said shaft, and aknotter movable vertically past said arms, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a self-binder, the combination, with a holder, of a shaft arranged vertically and mounted to turn, and downwardly-inclined arms projecting in opposite directions from the lower end of the said shaft, balls heldvon the outer ends of the said arms, and a knotter at opposite sides of the shaft and movable vertically past said arms, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a self-binder, the combination, with a holder provided with arms having semicircular ends through which pass the straw-band ends, of a twisting mechanism comprising a shaft mounted to turn, and downwardly-inclined arms rigidly connected with and projecting from the said shaft and traveling at their extremities around the said semicircular ends, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a self-binder, the combination, with a l holder provided with arms having semicircular ends through which pass the straw-band ends, of a twisting mechanism comprising a shaft mounted to turn, downwardly-inclined arms projecting from the said shaft and operating over the said semicircular ends, and balls held on the outer ends of the said arms and adapted to travel on the said semicircular ends, substantially as shown and described.

G. In a self-binder, the combination, with the rotary'twister having inclined arms, of

two sets of tongs, each provided with semicircular ends adapted to open and close around said arms and connected for simultaneous vertical movement, substantially as shown and described.

7. In a self-binder, the combination, with two tail-pieces adapted to press on the ends of the straw bands, oftwo sets of tongs adapted to engage the ends of the straw bands and press the same between the band and the grain, substantially as shown and described. j

S. In a self-binder, the combination, with the vertical shaft having inclined arms, of tongs provided with two prongs, each having a semicircular offset of different diameter curved toward each other to close around said arms and engage the binding material, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a self-binder, a pair of tongs provided with two prongs, each having a semicircular offset of different diameter, in combination with a tail-piece held in the opening formed by the said semicircular offsets and projecting through a slot in the larger offset, substantially as shown and described.

l0. In a self-binder, a pair of tongs provided with two prongs, each having a semicircular offset of different diameter, in combination with a tail-piece held in the opening formed by the said semicircular offsets l and projecting through a slot in the larger offset, and means, substantially as described, for moving the said tongs and tail-piece simultaneously up and down, at the same time closing the prongs of the tongs, substantially as set forth.

ll. In a self-binder, a pair of tongs provided with two prongs, each having a semicircular offsetof different diameter, in combination with a tail-piece held in the opening formed by the said semicircular osets and proj ecting through a slot in the larger offset, and fixed curved guideways engaged by the upper ends of the said prongs, substantially as shown `and described.

l2. In a self-binder, a pair of-tongs provided with two prongs, each having a semicircular offset of different diameter, in combination with a tail-piece held in the opening formed by the said semicircular offsets and projecting through a slot in the larger offset, fixed curved guideways engaged by the upper ends of the said prongs, and a sleeve having a reciprocating motion and carrying the pivots of the said tongs, substantially as shown and described.

13. In a self-binder, the combination, with two parallel stationary brackets, each having on its inner face a pair of vertically-extending guideways curved outwardly and downwardly at their lower ends, of a vertically-reciprocating sleeve between said brackets, two pairs of tongs pivoted'between their ends to opposite sides of said sleeve and provided at vtheir upper ends with projections entering said ways, the lower ends of each pair of tongs provided with prongs, substantially as setforth.

I4. In a self-binder, the combination, with two parallel stationary brackets, each having on its inner face a pair of vertically-extending guideways curved outwardly and downwardly at their lower ends, and a straight guideway between each pair, of a verticallyreciprocating sleeve having trunnions guided in said straight guideways, a pair of tongs pivoted on each of` said trunnions and having projections at their upper ends engaging said curved guideways, and curved prongs at their lower ends, substantially as set forth.

l5. In a self-binder, the combination, with IOO IIO

the two parallel brackets, each having two verticallyextending guideways on its inner face curved downwardly and outwardly at their lower ends, and a vertically-reciprocating sleeve between the brackets, having two pairs of tongs pivoted to opposite sides and having projections at the upper ends of their two members engaging said guideways, and curved prongs at their lower ends, of an intermittently-rotated shaft extending down through the sleeve and provided with twisting-arms at its lower end to operate in conjunction with the said prongs, substantially as set forth.

lf. In a self-binder, the combination, with two sets of fixed curved guideways, of a sleeve having an intermittent reciprocating motion between the said guideways, trunnions formed on the said sleeve, sets of tongs pivoted on the said trunnions and guided by the said gnideways to alternately open and close the said tongs, and semicircular offsets of different diameter formed on the prongs of the said tongs and moving in opposite directions, substantially as shown and described.

17. In a self-binder, the combination, with two sets of fixed curved guideways, of a sleeve having an intermittent reciprocating motion between the said guideways, trunnions formed on the said sleeve, sets of tongs pivoted on the said trunnions and guided bythe said guideways to alternately open and close the said tongs, and semicircular offsets of different diameter formed on the prongs of the said tongs and moving in opposite directions, and a tail-piece secured on each trunnion and projecting through the opening of the tongs and through a slot in the larger offset, substantially as shown and described.

1S. In a self-binder, the combination, with a holder adapted to receive the straw band and grain, of a master-wheel above said holder, a casing mounted to swing vertically on the axis of said wheel, a band-twisting device, and a knotting device held on the said casing and operated from said master wheel, substantially as shown and described.

19. In a self-binder, the combination, with a vertical continuonsly-rotated shaft, an arm having an intermittent rotary movement about said shaft and provided with holders, and a drive-shaft geared to said shaft and arm of a master-wheel mounted above said arm and geared to said vertical shaft, avertically intermittently swinging casing mounted on the axis of said master-wheel, and the twist ing and knot-forming mechanism carried by said casing toward and from the holders and operated from the master-wheel, substantially as set forth.

30. In a self-binder, the combination, with a wheel provided with scgm en tal gears placed diametricallyopposite each other,of a casing or frame mounted to swing vertically on the axisofsaid wheel, atwistingdevdce, comprising a shaft carried by said casing and turned intermittently by the said gear-whecls, and downwardly-inclined arms held on the said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

2l. In a self-binder, the combination, with a wheel provided with segmental gears placed diametrically opposite each other,of a casing or frame mounted to swing vertically on the axis of said wheeha twisting device comprising a shaft carried by said casing and turned intermittently by the said gear-wheels, downwardly-inclined arms held on the said shaft, balls held on the outer ends of the said arms, and the holder having semicireular upper ends on which the balls travel, substantially as shown and described.

2i. In a self-binder, the combination, with a vertical sleeve supporting the knotting device, of a transversely-extending incline engaging the said sleeve to raise and lower it and having an intermittent forward and backward motion, substantially as shown and described.

23. In a self-binder, the combination, with a vertically-reciprocating sleeve supporting the knotting device, of a horizontal incline engaging the said sleeve and having an intermittent forward and backward motion, and a rack and pinion, substantially as described, for imparting an intermittent forward and backward motion to the said incline to raise and lower the sleeve, as set forth.

2i. In a self-binder, the combination, with a sleeve supporting the knotting device, of an incline engaging the said sleeve and having an intermittent'. forward and backward motion, means, substantially as described, for imparting an intermittentforward and backward motion to the said incline, and a locking device for locking the said incline in place, as set forth.

25. In a self-binder, the combination, with a shaft carrying a wheel,of a casing mounted to turn on the said shaft, two gear-wheels mounted in the casing adapted to be turned alternately and in opposite directions from the said Wheel, and a fixed segmental rack secured tothe frame and engaged by the said two gear-wheels to raise and lower said casing, substantially as shown and described.

2G. In a self-binder, the combination, with a shaft and a wheel held on the said shaft and provided with segmental gears and wedgeshaped blocks, of a casing mounted to turn on said shaft, parallel gear-wheels mounted in the casing, the pinion R3, mounted in the casing to slide and to turn, and adapted to engage either or both of said parallel gear-wheels and to be engaged by the said segmental gears and by the said blocks, and a stationary rack on the frame of the machine engaged by said two wheels, whereby the casing maybe raised, lowered, and locked, substantially as shown and described.

il?. In a self-binder, the combination, with a shaft and a master-wheel held on the said shaft and provided with segmental gears and wedge-shaped blocks, of the casing mounted IOO IIO

to turn on said shaft, the pinion R3, mounted in said casing to slide and to turn and adapted to be engaged by the said segmental gearwheels and by the said blocks, t-he gear-wheel R, held on the said gear-wheel R3, two gearwheels Q2 and Q, adapted to be engaged simultaneously or alternately by the said pinion R, the gear-wheel Q3, meshing into the gear-wheel Q6, the iXed rack into which the gears Q2 Q3 mesh, and the band-tying mechanism carried by the casing and operated from the masterwheel, substantially as shown and described.

28. In a self-binder, lthe combination, with a shaft and a wheel held on the said shaft and provided with segmental gears and wedgeshaped blocks, of the pinion R3, mounted to slide and to turn and adapted to be engaged by the said segmental gear-wheels and by the said blocks, the gear-wheel R, held on the said gear-wheel R3, two gear-wheels Q2 and Q6, adapted to be engaged simultaneously or alternately by the said pinion R, an additional gear-wheel Q3 in mesh with the said gearwheel Q, and thc Xed rack Q in mesh with the gear-wheels Q2 and Q3, substantially as shown and described.

29. In a self-binder, the combination, with a gear-wheel havingl an intermittent rotary motion, of an elongated frame provided on opposite sides with rack-teeth adapted to be engaged alternately by the said gear-wheel, levers pivotally connected with the said elongated frame, and pins projecting from the said levers and adapted to be engaged by the said gear-wheel, substantially as shown and described.

30. In a self-binder, the combination, with a gear-wheel having an intermittent rotary motion, of an elongated frame provided on opposite sides with rack-teeth adapted to be engaged alternately by the said gear-wheel, levers pivotally connected with the said elongated frame, pins projecting from the said each other and mounted to slide yand carry the pivots for the said levers, substantially as shown and described. y

3l. In a self-binder, the combination, with a gear-wheel having an intermittent rotary motion, of an elongated frame provided on opposite sides with rack-teeth adapted to be engaged alternately by the said gear-wheel, levers pivotally connected with the said elongated frame, pins projecting from the said levers and adapted to be engaged by the said gear-wheel, curved arms connected with each other and mounted to slide and carry the pivots for the said levers, and a frame mounted to slide forward and backward and supporting the said curved arms, substantially as shown and described.

32. The combination, with the verticallyreciprocating knotter-sleeve, of the incline engaging said sleeve for raising and lowering it, the reciprocating frame connected with said incline, a rack-frame within said first-named frame, having upper and lower racks, oonnected curved arms between the two frames at their ends, levers pivotally connected with the ends of the rack-frame and with said curved arms, pins projecting from said levers, and the gear-wheels within the rack-frame to alternately engage said pins, and upper and lower racks, substantially as set forth.

33. The combination, with the twister-shaft, the reciprocating knotter-sleeve thereon, and the master-wheel having opposite gears for rotating said shaft, of the incline engaging said sleeve, a locking-pawl therefor operated by the master-wheel, and a reciprocating frame connected with said incline, provided with an automatically? operated reversing mechanism 4and operated from said masterwheel, substantially as set forth.

HERMAN A. J. RIECKERT.

Vtnesses:

THEO. G. HosTnR, C. SEDGWICK.