US815530A - Corn-harvester. - Google Patents

Description

No. 815,530. I V PATENTEDIIMAR, 20, 1906.

. M. n. HATCH.

CORN HARVESTER.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.8, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Q q i/bmaooc a PATBNTED MAR. 20, 1906".-

3M. 1).; HATCH. 001m EARVBSTER. APPLICATION FILE-I? APR. 8, 1995.

BET 2.

gsnnnms- N0. s15,5s0. PATENTED MAR.20, 1906.

M. D. HATCH.

CORN HARVBSTER.

APPLICATION FILED APRJL 1905. l v

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M IML PATENTED MAR. 20, 1906.

M. D. HATCH. 001m HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1905 {SHEETS-SHEET 4.

qwizhwweo ye i resorted to Without departing from the spirit FNITED TES PATENT oFinon. l

1). HATCH, ortirieom, NEBRASKA.

oonwmevssT-ee.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed April 8, 1905. Serial No. 254,554.

Patented lvfarch 20,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MELVIN Da HATCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska,- have invented a'new and useful Corn-Harvester, of which the following is a specification. I v

The invention relates to improvements in corn-harvesters.

The object of the resent invention is to improve the construction of corn-harvesters andto provide a corn-harvesting machine of light draft adapted to be pulled by two or three horses and designed to be driven through the rows of corn and capable of picking or snapping ears from the stalk and of delivering the former to a wagon or other receptacle; and of discharging the stalks from the machine.

A further object of the invention'is to pro- 1 ;vide a machine of this character capable of V removing all the corn from the smallest nubof sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the corn-harvester constructed in ac cordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3*is'a plan view of the rear portion of the machine on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a similarview of the front portion of the machine, Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail plan view illustrating the con-' struction of the oorn butters. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 8 and 9 are detail views" illustrating the con struction of the pickingmechanism,

Like numerals of reference designate corre-- sponding parts in all the figures of the drawsl 1 designates the mam or supporting frame top thereof.

'of the corn-harvesting machine, which is provided at opposite sides with su porting or carrying Wheels 2 and 3, mounted upon suitable shafts or axles 4 and 5, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The suportin frame, which may be constructed in any desired manner, is provided with up right'front and rear arched portions 6 and 7 the rear arched portion being adapted to slip-- port the rear or upper ends of the devices for removing the ears from the stalks, said devices, as hereinafter fully explained, being arranged at an inclination, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, to enable them to operate on the stalks from the bottom to the The carr ing-wheel 3, which may be of any desired construction, is shown with a smooth periphery, while the other car'-- rying wheel 2, which operates in the nature of a drive wheel, is provided with a broad periphery, having transverse ribs or other suitable means for preventing the wheel from slipping. This wheel 2 is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft or axle 4,which also has 'mounted upon it a drive-gear 8, from which ;rnotion is communicatedto the mechanism for removing the ears from the stalks and for conveying the ears to the desired receptacle. in practice, any suitable clutch mechanism may be employed for throwing the machine out of operation, as will beread-ily understood.. The 8 gear receives a sprocket-chain 9 which extends rearward to and is arranged on a sprocket-pinion 10 of a counter-shaft 11', disposed transversely of the machine and extending from one side to the other thereof for transmitting motion to the sev eral devices to be operated. The transverse shaft, which is journaled in suitable bearings,

is provided at opposite sides of the machine with bevel-gears 12, which mesh with corresponding bevel-gears 13' of rear upwardlyextending shafts 14,-arranged at an inclina tion and carrying spljocket-wheels 15; The rear sprocket -wheels 15 receive endless sprocketchains 16, which are arranged at an inclination and which extend from the said sprocket-wheels .15 of the back of the machine to the front sprocketg wheels 17,

, mounted upon upwardly-extending inclined shafts 18, arranged in parallelism with the rear shafts J 14. These endless sprocketchains are provided at intervals with projecting spurs or teeth 19, adapted to engage and carry inward or rearward the stalks of corn;

,These endless sprocketacha'ins, which form feeding mechanism, operate between upper and lower corn-butters 20 and 21, arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the machine and adapted to engage the corn and throw the same inwardly toward the center of the machine upon picking mechanism, hereinafter described. The corn-butters consist of longitudinal bars, which are oppositely reciprocated by means of upper and lower eccentrics 22 and 23, arranged in pairs and mounted on the front and rear shafts. The bars of the corn-butters are provided at intervals with approximately triangular lugs or teeth 24, beveled at their front edges and provided at their rear edges with shoulders arranged at right angles to the bars of the corn-butters and adapted to feed the corn into the machine. The corn-butters, which intermittently and alternately engage the stalks of corn, move inwardly and outwardly in a direction laterally of the machine,and they also reciprocate backwardly and forwardly or longitudinally of the machine, the rearward movement occurring when the corn-butters are at the limit of their inward movement or during such movement and the forward movement occurring as the butters move outwardly away from the corn. The eccentrics are oppositely arranged, so that one of the butters of each pair is in engagement with the stalks practically the entire time the latter are operated on by the machine. The eccentrics operate in suitable bearings or boxes 25, which extend laterally from the outer edges of the bars of the cornbutters; but cranks or any other eccentric devices may be employed for actuating the corn-butters.

The sets of picking mechanism, which are located at opposite sides of a central endless carrier or conveyer, are adapted to pick or snap the ears from the stalks, and each set comprises a pair of picker-blades 26 and 27 and an endless chain 28, provided at intervals with cutter -blades 29, operating between the picker-blades, as clearly indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The picker-blades are reciprocated longitudinally or backwardly and forwardly and are moved upwardly and downwardly, the backward movement occurring during the forward movement and the outward movement occurring during the downward movement. This movement of the picker blades is effected by means of oppositely-disposed inner and outer eccentrics 30 and 31, arranged in pairs and mounted on front and rear shafts 32 and 33. The picker-blades are provided at their ends with bearings or boxes 33 for the reception of the eccentrics, and the said blades are also provided at their upper edges with saw- teeth 34 and 35, arranged at an inclination and conver ing toward the blades of the endless cutter 'ormed by the endless sprocket-chain 28 and its blades 29. The ears of corn falling upon the picking mechanism are snapped or picked from the stalks and are caused to fall upon the centrally-arranged endless carrier or conveyer 36, and the machine is capable of picking all the ears from the stalks, etting the smallest nubbins, as well as the largest ears. Each end of the rear shaft 33 is connected with the counter-shaft 11 by spurgears 38 and 39, whereby motion is communicated from the counter-shaft to the picking mechanism.

The centrally-arranged conveyer consists of an endless apron arranged on upper and lower rolls 40 and 41, the upper roll being connected by sprocket-gearing with the counter-shaft 11. One of the journals of the upper roll 40 is extended and carries a sprocketpinion 42, which receives a sprocket-chain 43, and the latter extends to a sprocket-wheel 44, which is keyed or otherwise secured to the counter-shaft 11.

The machine is adapted to operate on two rows of corn and is provided with central and side guiding devices 45 and 46, which are adapted to guide the stalks into the longitudinal spaces or passages 47, lying between the corn-butters and the picking mechanism,and the said guiding devices are also adapted to pick up fallen stalks, so that the machine will be enabled to remove the ears from all the corn, whether the stalks be standing erect or lying down. The central guiding device 45, which is constructed of any suitable material, is substantially V-shaped and consists of two forwardly-eonverging sides or wings arranged at'an inclination and adapted to separate the stalks in two rows. The frame of the machine is provided with inner longitudinal bars 48, located at opposite sides of the central conveyer and having converging front portions 49, which are arranged at and secured to the inner faces of the sides or wings of the central guiding device. The central guiding device is also supported by a bracket or hanger 50, consisting of a central bar and side braces 5 1 The central bar extends d ownward from the front arch of the main frame to the apex of the front guiding device, as

clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and the braces 51, which are located at op )osite sides of the upper portion of the centra bar, extend from the same to the top of the front arch of the main frame. The side guiding devices 46, which are spaced at their rear ends from the sides of the central guiding device, diverge forwardly and are tapered toward their front or outer ends and are adapted to pick off fallen stalks and guide the same to the spaces or passages 47.

The machine is provided at the side at which the wheel 2 is located with a pole or draft-wheel 52, adapted to receive the draftanimals, which may consist of two or three horses.

As the machine is drawn forward it operates on two rows of corn, the stalks being disto carry the ears to a wagon or other recep- V .tacle. In practice the wagon will be preferably arranged at the off side of the machine in position for the rear conveyor to discharge into it.

Aseat 55, which is mounted on the main or supporting frame in advance of the wheel 2, is provided for theaccommodationof the driver, who will thus be in position to control thehorses of the machine and those of "the wagon.

- The rear conveyer may be of any desired construction, and it consists of a suitable frame or casing and an endless apron mounted on suitable rolls. The lower roll or shaft of the rear-conveyor carries a bevel-gear 56,

which meshes with a similar gear 57 of a.

short transverse shaft 58, and the 'latteris connected by sprocket-gearing 59 with the shaft 11. p s v Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is s a 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with reciprocatable picking devices to engage the ears of corn, and means forcausing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn, of cutting mechanism co- 0 crating-with the picking devices to remove t e cars from the stalks.

2. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a frame having a passage forthe stalks of corn, of cutting mechanism located at the inner side of the passage, cornbutters located at the outer side of the passage, means for carrying the corn-butters alternately in'engagement with the corn, and independently-movable feed mechanism cooperating with the corn-butters.

' 3. In a machine of'the class described, the combination of a frame having. a assage for the stalks of corn, cutting mech cated at the inner side of the passage, cornbutters located at the outer side of the pas sage and extending lon itudinally thereof, and independently-mova le feed mechanism also located atthe outer side of the passage and extending longitudinally of. and cooper ating with the corn-butters.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with cutting mechanism, of spacedreciprocatable corn-butters also spaced laterally from the cutting mechanism toprovide an intervening passage for the stalks of corn and arranged one above the other, and

anism' 10- endless'feeding mechanism operating in the space between the corn-butters and cooperating 'w1th the same.-

5. 'In a machine of the class described, the

combination with cutting mechanism, of spaced reciprocatable corn-butters alsospaced laterally from the cutting mechanism to proranged one above the other, shafts provided with means for carrying the corn-butters alternately inengagement with the corn, and endless feed mechanism also mounted on the said shafts and operating in the space between the corn-butters and cooperating with the same.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for removing the ears of corn from their stalks, of corn-butters,

means for carrying the same alternately in en-:

gagement with the corn, and independentlymovable feed mechanism cooperating with the corn-butters.

7. In a machine of the class described, the

of corn from their stalks, of spaced corn-butters, and feed mechanism operating between the corn-butters.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for separating ears of corn from their stalks, of spaced reciprocatable corn-butters, and endless feed mechanism operating between the corn-butters.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for separating the ears of'corn from their stalks, of reciprocatable corn-butters, means for causing the corn-butters to alternately engage the corn, and feed mechanism movable independently of and operating in conjunction withthe corn butters. I a

1 0. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with means for separating ears of corn from their stalks, of spaced corn-butters, means for operating the corn butters for causing the same to alternately engage the corn, and endless feed mechanism operating in the space between the corn-butters.

' 11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with shafts, of eccentrics arranged in pairs on the shafts and extending in'opposite directions therefrom, corn-butters consisting of bars connected with and operated by the eccentrics, sprocket-wheels also mounted on the shafts between the eccentrics, and a sprocket-chain arranged on the sprocket-wheels and provided with means for feeding the corn. v

12. In a machine of the'class described, the combinationwith picking devices, and cutting mechanism cooperating therewith to revide a passage for the stalks of corn and ar- I combination with means for separating ears move the ears from the stalks, of corn-butt ers spaced laterally from the picking devices and the cutting mechanism to provide a passage'for the stalks of corn, and arranged above the said picking devices and thelcutting mechanism in position to throw the corn toward the same.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame having a passage for the stalks of corn, reciprocatable picking devices located at the inner side of the passage, means for causing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn, and independently-operable cutting mechanism also located at the inner side of the passage.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame having a passage for the stalks of corn, cutting mechanism located at the inner side of the passage, a pair of reciprocatable corn-butters located at the outer side of the passage, shafts provided with means for actuating the cornbutters, and enldess feed mechanism mounted on the said shafts.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of movable picking devices, means for causing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn, and an endless cutter cooperating with the picking devices.

-16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of reciprocatable picking devices arranged in spaced relation, means for causing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn, and a cutter operating between the picking devices.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of movable picking devices arranged in spaced relation, means for causing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn, and an endless cutter operating in the space between the picking devices.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with spaced reciprocatable picking devices, of cutting mechanism operating in the space between the picking devices to remove the ears from the stalks.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of reciprocatable picking devices consisting of toothed blades, means for causing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn, and an endless cutting device provided at intervals with blades.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of reciprocatable picking devices arranged in spaced relation and provided with converging teeth, means for causing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn, and a cutting device operating between the teeth.

2-1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of reciprocatable picking devices arranged in spaced relation and provided with converging teeth, means for causing the picking devices to alternately engage the corn,

and an endless cutter located between the picking devices and provided at intervals with blades operating between the converging teeth.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame having a passage for the stalks of corn, a pair of reciprocatable picking devices located at the inner side of the passage, shafts provided with means for carrying the picking devices alternately in engagement with the corn, and an endless cutting device also mounted on the said shafts.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame having a passage for the stalks of corn, reciprocatable corn-butters located at the outer side of the passage, means for reciprocating the corn-butters and for moving the same laterally of the said passage to alternately carry the corn-butters in and out of engagement with the corn, independently-movable feed mechanism cooperating with the corn-butters, reciprocatable corn-pickers located at the inner side of the passage, means for alternately carrying the corn-pickers in engagement with the corn, and an independently-movable cutter cooperating with the corn-pickers.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame having a passa e for the stalks of corn, reciprocatable cornutters located at the outer side of the passage, shafts provided with means for carrying the corn-butters alternately in engagement with the corn, endless feed mechanism also mounted on the said shafts, reciprocatable cornpickers located at the inner side of the passage, shafts provided with means for carrying the corn-pickers alternately in engagement with the corn, and an endless cutter cooperating with the corn-pickers and mounted on the shafts of the same.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination of picking devices, cutting mechanism to pick and remove the cars from the stalks, and corn-butters spaced laterally from the picking devices and the cutting mechanism to provide a passage for the stalks of corn, said corn-butters being arranged to operate in planes perpendicular to the planes in which the picking devices and the cutting mechanism operate.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MELVIN DVHATCH.

Witnesses:

W. E. KERR, GEO. Gowme.

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