US611356A - X x x x x - Google Patents

Description

No. s||,s5s. Patented Sept. 27, I898.

J. c. coummzv.

CORN PLANTER.

(Application filed June 15, 1897.)

(No Model 6 Sheets-Sheet I.

TH: cams wrrzns co, Pmma-umovv WASHINGTON. u. c.

N0. 6|I,356. I Patented Sept. 27, I898.

' J. C. COURTNEY.

0mm PLANTER.

(Application filed June 15, 1897.)

. Patented Sept. 27, I898. J. C. COURTNEY.

N0. 6Il,356.

CORN PLANTER.

(Application filed June 15 1897.

s Sheet-Sheet 3.

ma nonms PETERS co, Pno'ro-uwoj. WASHANGTOM 0.1:.

Patented Sept. 27, I898. J. 0. COURTNEY.

CORN PLANTER.

(Application filed June 15. 1897.)

6 SheetsSheet 4.

(No Model.)

g 5 gih zsses m: NORRIS wanna :0. Pnoruumn. WASHINGTCN, n. c.

Patented Sept. 27, I898.

J. c. COURTNEY,

CORN PLANTER.'

(Application filed June 15, 1897.

6 SheetsSheet 5.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT FMCE.

JOHN C. COURTNEY, OF STREATOR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FAWVCETTPLUMB, SAME PLACE. l

CORN-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 61 1,3 56, dated September 27, 1898.

Application filed June 15,1897. Serial No. 640,892. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN C. COURTNEY, a resident of Streator, in the county of La Salle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Planters and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in corn-planters, and more particularly to checkrow planters, one object of the invention being to so construct the machine that the main frame shall be composed of a single piece of metal and so that said frame shall be balanced on the axle.

A further object is to provide a simple, continuous, and positive check-rower.

A further object is to provide simple and efficient means for supporting and operating the shaft which transmits motion to the perforated dropping-disk.

A further object is to provide a check-row corn-planter with efficient means for causing the machine to operate as a drill.

A further object is to so construct the seedbox as to keep the weightof the grain (corn) from unduly pressing on the dropping-plate when said box is full of corn.

A further obj ect is to produce a corn-planter which shall be comparatively simple in construction, accurate in operation, and effectual in all respects in the performance of its functions.

A further object is to so construct a cornplanter that the leg or boot through which the corn passes can be disposed under the axle, or nearly so, and to provide suitable devices (connected with the leg or boot) for covering the planted corn.

A further object is to so construct a corn planter that the leg or boot can be located under or nearly under the axle and at the same time be permitted to be adjusted ver tic-ally with respect to the ground.

A further object is to construct the frame of a corn-planter so as to avoid the jointed arrangements heretofore employed between the part of the frame which supports the 3 is an elevation with parts removed. Figs.

4, 5,6, and 7 are detail views of portions of the dropping or feeding mechanism. Fig. 8 is a detail view of devices for operating the drill mechanism. Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views showing the arrangement of the coveringdevices. Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are detail views illustrating the check-rower devices. Fig. 16 is a detail view showing the arrangement of valves in the legs of the machine.

A represents the main frame of the machine and is made of a single piece of angle-iron and preferably of a general rectangular form, comprising side bars to CL, an end or crossbar b, and forwardly-projecting converging bars 0, the latter terminating in parallel arms cl, which are secured to the tongue 13 of the machine. The tongue B projects some distance within the main frame A and is secured to the axle O of the machine. Bars f, of angleiron, are disposed parallel with the side bars a of the frame a short distance inwardly therefrom and are securely bolted at their endsto the rear cross-bar b and the front bars 0. To the underside of the bars f and the side bars a at points in rear of the center of frame A the axle O is secured, said axle projecting a suitable distance beyond the frame to accommodate the carrying-wheels O.

A drivers seat E is located over the rear end of the frame and supported by standards g h, the bar g being secured at its lower end to located in close proximity to the axle slightly in advance of the same and between the carrying-wheels O, the lower ends of said legs terminating normally almost directly under the axle. Each leg comprises a body portion 1, which constitutes the seed-tube, and a furrow-opener 2, having an upwardly-projecting portion 3, which telescopes over the body portion 1. The upper end of the body portion 1 of each leg F terminates between the bars cf of the frame at the respective sides thereof and are provided with lateral flanges 4 4, which lie upon and are bolted to said bars. These flanges serve (in part) to support the seed-hopper 5 and the feeding mechanism located under the same. The hoppers and feed mechanism are further supportedby arms 7, projecting forwardly from the legs.

The feed mechanism employed will preferably be that for which Letters Patent were granted to me February 19, 1895, and designated by No. 534,361. In order to prevent the Weight of the corn in the hopper from unduly pressing upon the perforated plate of the feeding mechanism, especially when said hopper is full, and thusaffecting the accurate operation of said mechanism, I provide the hopper a short distance above its lower end with a false bottom '5, which is dishshaped or inclined toward its center, where it is provided with an opening j, through which the corn will gradually flow. In this manner the weight of the main body of grain within the hopper will be kept off of the feeding mechanism and a shallow and uniform depth of corn will be maintained in the chamber under the false bottom and on the feed mechanism, and consequently insuring a uniformity of pressure on the feed mechanism and the free and accurate operation of the latter.

Each leg is provided at a point between its ends with an arm 8, preferably curved downwardly at its free end. Each furrow-opener is made with an extension 8', which projects forwardly and upwardly and at its extremity is pivotally connected to the free end of arm 8. The furrow-opener 2 (lower part of the leg F) can thus be swung in the arc of a circle on its pivotal connection with the arm 8 and made to move more or less over the body portion 1 of the leg, thus permitting the furrow-opener to be adjusted for the desired depth of furrow or to be raised entirely out of the ground. Each arm 8 and the portion 1, from which it projects, is braced by means of a rod or brace 9, attached at one end to said arm 8 and secured at the other end to a transverse bar 10 of the frame, and each fur row-opener is braced by means of a bar 11.

Curved brackets 11 are secured to the telescopic section (furrow-opener) 3 of each leg F and project rearwardly therefrom. Between the free ends of the brackets 11 one end of an arm 12 is attached, and from the free end of said arm inclined pintles 13 project laterally. On these pintles covering-disks 14 are mounted so as to be closest together where they engage the ground. The ends of each pintle or axle 13 are connected with the lower telescopic section of the leg by means of adjustable bars 15, one end of each of which is made with an elongated slot 16 to receive a lug 17, projecting from said telescopic sections 1 to 3. By arranging the covering-disks as above described the soil will be properly thrown over the seed without running over the planted row, thus avoiding undue packing of wet soil, and the corn will be covered with loose earth, which is a decidedly better way of covering it. By attaching the covering-disks in the manner above explained they can be readily adjusted to cover the grain to any desired depth.

A shaft 18, having crank-arms 10 at its respective ends, is mounted in brackets 20, depending from the framework, and said crankarms are connected with the lower telescopic section 3 of the leg by means of links 21. A lever 22 is secured to the crank-shaft 18 and provided with a locking-bar 23, adapted to engage a notched segment 24:, secured to the framework. By means. of the lever 22 the furrow-openers 2 can be raised or lowered to adjust them to any desired depth of furrow or to raise them entirely out of the ground, as shown in Fig. 3. The covering-disks being carried by the furrow-openers 2, they will be raised or lowered therewith when the lever 22 is operated.

The arms 7, which project from the upper sections of the legs F, are made with bearings 25 for the accommodation of a shaft 26, hav- V ing a beveled gear 27 at its ends for transmitting motion to the feeding mechanism. The operating-shaft 26 is further supported by bearing-blocks 28, secured to the side bars of the frame A.

The feed mechanism can be operated intermittingly when the machine is to be used as a check-row planter by imparting an intermitting or step-by-step motion to the operating-shaft 26, or said feed mechanism can be operated continuously when the machine is to be employed as a drill by imparting a continuous motion to said operating-shaft. I will first explain in detail the construction and operation of the check-row devices and then explain the mechanism whereby the feed mechanism can be given a continuous operation for the purpose of drilling.

The transverse bar 10 of the framework is provided with lateral extensions 29,to the end of each of which one end of a bar 30 is secured. The other ends of the bars 30, after having been bent at right angles, are secured to the respective ends of the axle C, said bars 30 and the projecting ends 29 of the transverse bar 10 thus constituting lateral frames or brackets, which are utilized for supporting the check-row mechanism G, and these being identical in construction a detail description of one will suffice for both. The base-plate 31 of the check-rower is secured to the bar 30 of the lateral bracket, and from IIO said plate 31 arms 32 project outwardly. The arms 32 are provided at their outer ends with perforated lugs 33, and similar perforated lugs 34 project from sheave-plates 35, the latter being connected together by an integral web or brace 36. A rod 37 passes through the perforated lugs 33 34, and thus hinges the sheave-plates to the arms 32. Sheaves 38 are mounted on pintles projecting from the plates 35, and the latter are maintained normally in their working position by means of a latch 39, attached to one of the arms 32 and adapted to engage a lug 40, projecting from one of the sheave-plates, said latch being provided with an arm 41, to which a suit able device can be attached, whereby the driver will be enabled to withdraw the latch and thus permit the sheave-plate and parts attached thereto to swing out of engagement with the knotted check-row wire 42.

Projecting upwardly from sheave-plates on 7 each side of the sheaves are vertical guides 43, which hold the wire 42 in contact with the sheaves.

A segm ental'block 44 is secured to the baseplate 31 of the check-rower and to said block. The check-rower lever 45 is pivoted and limited in its movements by means of stops 46, projecting from said block. The lever 45 is provided with fingers 47, between which the check-wire 42 passes, and the ends of said fingers are curved or recessed, as at 48, and adapted to engage the knots of the checkwire. During the forward movement of the machine the knots or buttons on the checkrow wire 42 will engage the curved or recessed ends of the fingers 47 at the extremity of the check-rower lever 45 and move said lever back at an angle until the knots are released from the curved or recessed ends of the fingers 47, the check-wire being held in place between said fingers during the movement of the lever 45 by the intermediate arched web or brace 36. During this backward movement of the lever 45 motion will be imparted to the operating-shaft through the medium of devices which will now be explained.

A series of bearing or journal boxes 48 project inwardly from the transverse bar 10 of the framework and the lateral extensions 29 of said bar for the reception of a trans: verse shaft 49, having crank-arms 50 at its respective ends, and with these crank-arms the check-rower levers 45 are connected by means of pitmen 51. The shaft 49 is also provided between its ends with a crank-arm 52, with which one end of a spring 53,Fig. 3, is attached, the other end of said spring being attached to the tongue B or to the frame of the machine, said spring serving to return the check-rower lever 45 to its normal position after it has been moved backwardly, as above explained.

A bracket 54 is secured to one of the side bars a of the main frame, and to the arms of this bracket guides 55 are secured for the accommodation of a sliding bar 56, to which latter motion is imparted by means of a pitman 57,'attached, respectively, to one end of said sliding bar and a crank-arm 58 on the shaft 49. A ratchet-wheel 59 is secured to operating-shaft 26 at a point between the arms of the bracket 54 and immediately under the sliding bar 56. Aicurved dog 60 is pivoted to the sliding bar 56 and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, so as to turn the operating-shaft when motion is imparted in one direction to said sliding bar and cause the operation of the feeding mechanism to discharge a few grains of corn, this sliding movement of the bar 56 being accomplished by the backward movement of the check-rower lever 45 when the latter engages a button or knot of the check-row wire 42. Retrograde movement of the, ratchet-wheel and the operating-shaft to which it is attached will be prevented by the engagement of a dog When the grain leaves thefeeding mechanism under the hoppers, it falls on valve at the upper ends of the bodyportions l of the legs F, and when these Valves are opened the grain falls onto valves 66 at the lower ends of said body portions 1 of the legs, from which latter valves the grain is discharged into the furrow. These valves are operated simultaneously in reverse directions, so that when the upper ones are opened the lower ones are closed, and vice versa. To accomplish this, a shaft 67 is mounted in lugs 68, projecting from the upper ends of the pertions lot the legs F and provided with bellcrank levers 69, the arm 70 of each bell-crank lever being attached to one of the upper valves 65 and the arm 71 being connected, through the medium of a rod 72, with an arm 73 on the shaft or support of the lowervalve 66.

The shaft 67, which extends transversely across the machine, is provided at a point between its ends with acrank-arm 74, and this crank arm is connected by means of a rod 75 with a crank-arm 76 on the transverse shaft 49.

From this construction and arrangement of parts above described it will be seen that when the check-rower levers 45 are moved backwardly by engagement with the knots of the wire 42 motion will be transmitted simultaneously to the operating-shaft 26 and the valve-shaft 67, resulting in the discharge of discharged from the valve 66 into the furrow IIO Thus it will other grain will be on their way through the leg to take the place on the valve 66 (when the latter again closes) of the grains which had been planted. The valves 66 immediately close after discharging the grain, and as soon as the upper valve 65 has discharged its corn a new supply of a few grains will be discharged onto it from the hopper by the feeding mechanism.

I will now explain the construction and arrangement of the devices whereby the machine can be operated as a drill.

A plate 77 is secured to the bars a f at one side of the frame A in rear of the axle, and this plate is provided with arms 78, having bearings for a shaft 79. The shaft 79 is made in two parts connected together by means of a clutch 80, the parts of which are held together by means of a spring 81. The clutch is adapted to be operated by a pivoted lever 82, and the parts of the clutch will be maintained out of engagement with each other while the machine is operating as a checkrower by the engagement of a locking-bar on said lever with a notched segment 83. One section of the shaft 79 is provided with a gearwheel 84, which receives motion from a gearwheel 85 on the hub of one ofthe carryingwheels 0. The other section of the shaft 7 9 is provided with a cone of gears 86, from which motion can be imparted by a chain 87 to a gear-wheel 88 on the operating-shaft 26. The gear-wheel 88 is adapted'to transmit motion to the dropping-shaft 26 and to have a sliding movement thereon, so that it can be adjusted relatively to the gears of the cone 86 when it is desired to change the speed of the dropping-shaft. From this construction and arrangement of parts it will be seen that a continuous uninterrupted motion can be imparted to the feeding mechanism whereby the machine can be made to operate as a drill.

When the drill mechanism is in operation and the machine is given a backward movement, the parts of the clutch would be thrown out of mesh and no motion would be imparted to the feeding mechanism.

It will be observed that the planting devices of myimproved corn-planting machine are located between the wheels and at or near the axle. To do this and yet permit the furrow-opener or shoe to be adjusted for various depths of furrow and for raising it entirely out of the ground, I have constructed said shoe or furrow-opener to telescope over the seed-tubes, thus producing a telescopic leg. This arrangement enables me to dispose of the jointed arrangement of framework heretofore employed between the part of the planter supporting the dropping mechanism and the Wheels, and in place of such jointed frame I employ a rigid frame and a solid tongue connection and place the seat for the driver in such position that the weight of the driver will balance the tongue. With such arrangement the draft of the machine is light. It will also be observed that my improved check-rower is so arranged that the button or knot on the wire operates at the extreme end of the check-rower lever, but is held in place until the time for its release, when the immediate discharge of the button or knot from the end of the lever will be permitted.

My improvements are in all respects ef fectual in the performance of their functions.

Various slight changes in the details of construction might be made Without departing from the spirit thereof or limiting its scope, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details herein set forth;

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame, an axle secured thereto and wheels on the axle, of a tongue secured to the front end of the frame and to the. axle, a drivers seat over the rear end of the frame and standards secured to said seat, the rear of the frame and the axle, substantially as set forth.

2. A planting-leg consisting of telescoping sections, one section being hinged whereby it swings in the arc of a circle when it moves.

3. A planting-leg consisting of a rigid seedtube and a furrow-opener or shoe telescoping over said seed-tube, and a pivotal connection between said seed-tube and furrow-opener or shoe, substantially as set forth.

4. A planting-leg consisting of a fixed seedtube, an arm projecting forwardly therefrom,

a furrow-opener or shoe adapted to telescope over said seed-tube, and an extension on said furrow-opener or shoe pivotally connected. to said forwardly-projecting arm, substantially as set forth.

5. In a planter, the combination with a frame, of a planting-leg consisting of a rigid seed-tube, a shoe telescoping over the lower end thereof, a forwardly-projecting arm on the seed-tube pivoted to an extension of the shoe, and a brace extending from the free end of said arm and the frame, substantially as set forth.

6. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame, of a planting-leg consisting of a rigid section and a telescoping section, a rock-shaft mounted on the frame and having a crankarm, a connection between said crank-arm and the telescopic section of the leg, an opcrating-lever secured to said rock-shaft and alocking device for said operating-lever, substantially as set forth.

7. In a corn-planter, the combination with a planting-leg comprising a rigid and a telescopic section, of brackets secured to the telescopic section, an arm pivoted between said brackets, pintles at the free end of said arm, covering-disks on said pintles, and slotted bars connecting said pintle with the telescopic section, substantially as set forth.

8. In a corn-planter, the combination with a planting-leg comprising a rigid and a tele* scopic section, of an arm adjustably connected with the telescopic section and having inclined pintles, and inclined coveringdisks mounted on said pintles, substantially as set forth.

9. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame, feed mechanism, and a shaft adapted to transmit motion to said feed mechanism of a check-rower lever, a ratchetwheel on said shaft, a sliding bar, a dog on said sliding bar adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel, and connections between said sliding bar and the check-rower lever, substantially as set forth.

10. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame, feed mechanism, a shaft adapted to transmit motion to the feed mechanism and a tween said sliding bar and said check-rower lever, a dog pivoted to the sliding bar for transmitting motion to the ratchet-wheel,

and another dog pivoted to the frame and adapted to prevent retrograde movement of the ratchet-wheel and shaft, substantially as set forth. I

11. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame, feed mechanism, a shaft to transmit motion to the feed mechanism, and a check-rower lever, of a ratchet-wheel on the shaft, a sliding bar, a dog attached to the sliding bar and adapted to propel the ratchetwheel, and a plate or arm on the sliding bar adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel and prevent it from being turned too far, substantiallyas set forth.

12. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame, feed mechanism, a shaft for transmitting motion to said feed mechanism, and a check-rower lever, of a ratchet-wheel on said shaft and having peripheral teeth on one face, a sliding bar, connections between said sliding bar and the check-rower lever, a dog attached to the sliding bar and adapted to engage the peripheral teeth of the ratchet-wheel, to propel it, a dog pivoted to the frame and adapted to engage the side teeth of the ratchet-wheel to prevent retrograde movement thereof, and a plate or arm secured to the sliding bar and adapted to engage said side teeth of the ratchet-wheel to prevent the same from being turned too far, substantially as set forth.

13. In a corn-planter, the combination with a frame, feed mechanism, a shaft to transmit motion to the feed mechanism, and a pivoted check-rower lever, of a ratchet-wheel on said shaft, a sliding bar, a dog pivoted to the sliding bar and engaging the ratchet-wheel, a crank-shaft mounted on the frame, a pitman between the crank-shaft and the sliding bar, and a pitman between the crank-shaft and the check-rower lever, substantially as set forth. I

14. The combination with a frame, an axle, wheels on the axle, grain-feeding mechanism, and a feed-shaft, of a counter-shaft made in sections, a clutch between said sections, gearing between one section of the shaft and one of the wheels, a cone of gears on the other section of the counter-shaft, an adjustable gear on the feed-shaft and a chain passing over said adjustable gear and one of the gears of the cone, substantially as set forth.

15. In a planter, the combination with a frame, an axle, wheels on the axle, a seedhopper, feed mechanism and a feed-shaft, of a plate secured to the frame and having arms provided with bearings, a two-part countershaft mounted in said bearings, a clutch between the sections of the counter-shaft and adapted to yield when retrograde motion is transmitted to one section of the shaft, a spring bearing against one section of the clutch, a lever attached to said clutch, gearing between one section of the counter-shaft and one of the wheels, and gearing between ,the other section of the counter-shaft and the ing witnesses.

JOHN G. COURTNEY.

' IVitnesses P. S. KEMPTON, FRANK WHITING.

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