US947292A

US947292A - Corn-topping machine.

Info

Publication number: US947292A
Application number: US43395208A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick I Bonham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1908-05-20
Filing date: 1908-05-20
Publication date: 1910-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1927-01-25

Description

F. I. BONHAM.

CORN TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 20, 1908.

Patented Jan.25,1910.

5 SHEETS-SHE T 1.

un a mom Frederick I .B onham 1-". I. BON HAM.-

OORN TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1908.

Patented Jan. 25, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l/vi b1 (Lama Frederick LBonham ahtoznugs Patented Jan.25, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I Snuentoz 2/91 b1 zoom F. i. BONHAM.

CORN TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 20, 190B.

Patented Jan. 25, 1910.

5 SHBETS-SHEET 4.

Eli wanton wit" use:

Frederick I. Burma/Tn P. I. BONHAM.

CORN TOPPING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1908.

947,292. Patented Jan. 25, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Suva/Mic:

wihwooo I I I FREDERICK I. BONI-IAM, or HELENA, OKLAHOMA.

conn-ronrme MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1910.

Application filed May 20, 1908. Serial No. 433,952.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK I. BONHAM,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Helena, in the county of Alfalfa, State of Oklahoma, have invent-ed certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Topping Ma--' chines; 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.

The present invention has reference to improvements in corn-topping machines, and it aims generally, to provide a topping mechanism which is adapted for attachment to a wagon body and is designed primarily for cutting off the heads of-Kafir corn, broom corn, and sorghum, and for delivering the heads to th'e-wa on. e i

More especial y, the invention contemplates the provisionof atoppin mechanism which may be readily attache to and detached from a wagon body and which includes a pair of elevators set at an angle to each other and capable of adjustment bodily toward and from the ground without changing such angle, to which end the frame which supports the front elevator and is'connectedto that of the rear elevator is provided at one side with a pair of parallel brace bars slidable in guides carried by and formin a portion of the main supporting frame which is attached directly to the wagon body.

The invention therefore, resides chiefly in the particular construction of the main supporting frame, and of the frames which support the two elevators, and in the particular devices employed for effecting the bodily movement above referred to of the lastmentioned frames.

The invention further resides in the particular construction of the front elevator, said elevator comprising two endless belts Whose upper portions gradually approach each other so as to exercise sufficient clamping pressure upon the severed heads of the stalks to carry the same beyond the knife and deposit them upon the rear elevator.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts or features are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the several views.

Of the said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete invention. Fig. 2 is a .to plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a bottom p an view of the attachment removed from the wagon. Fig. 4 isa transverse vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a collective elevational view of the members of the clutch. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the reciprocating knife. Fig.

7 is a similar view of one of the front rollers around which the belts of the front elevator pass. Fig. 8 is a fragmental detail view illustrating one of the washer-plates and the ping mechanism as a whole; O and D the front and rear elevators; and Ethe mechanism for driving said elevators.

The wagon A includes the box or body 5, and the front and rear axle bolsters 6 and 7 towhich the wheels 8 and 9 .are rotatably fastened.

The supporting frame B includes upper and-lower bars 10 and 11 which are dis osed against the left hand side board. 0 the wa on body, the first mentioned bar terminating at its forward end'in an enlargement or head 12 to which the upper end of the bar 11 is bolted, as shown in Fi 1, said bar ex-- tending downwardly towar the rear end of the wa on body and being disposed at an angle 0 about 35 to'the bar 10. 10 is provided with a series of integral clips 13 which project laterally therefrom and extend across the u per edge of the above mentioned side boar terminating at their free ends in depending hooks, the rearmost hook having connected thereto the upper end of a chain 14, whose lower end is attached to the adjacent end of a diagonally-disposed. rod 15. The threaded lower end of this rod extends through an opening formed in the Said bar lower left hand edge (with respect to late 16 L-shaped in cross-section, the proecting end of the rod having a tightening nut screwed thereon. The head 12 .of. the beam 10 is provided with a laterally-projecting perforated ear l7through which extends the threaded end of a rod 18 whose hooked lower end is engaged in an eye formed in the upper end of a strap 19 bolted to the bottom of the wagon body, by reason ofwhich construction, it will be apparent that the supporting frame as a whole is held tightly in lace against the side board of the wagon bo y.

The beams and 11 of the frame B have secured thereto toward their rear ends a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending guides 20and 21 disposed in spaced relation to and parallel with each other, said guides being constructed of angle iron and carrying respectively the slidable metal I-

beams

22 and 23, which are connected with each other by a series of three transversely-disposed

cross-beams

24, 25 and 26. The beams- 22 and 23 areheld against lateral displacement in one direction during their sliding movements by the vertical sides of the guides, and in the other direction by means ofcollars 27 secured to the up per ends of the guides and by bolts 28 which pass through pairs of perforated lateral ears formed upon the upper and lower. edges of the guides. The lowermost cross brace 26 has secured thereto a laterally-projecting brace 29 which extends beneath and is bolted to the inner leg of the platform 30 which supports the front ele- 35' vator C, the upper end of which latter is supported by a triangular brace 31 which is in turn connected by a brace 32 withthe above mentioned brace 29 and is bolted to thecentral cross brace 25.

The supporting platform is inclined forwardly and downwardlywith respect to the wa on body, and comprises a pair of legs whlch gradually increase in width from their lower to their ,upper ends and are joined together at the latter oint as shown in Fig.3. Upon each leg of said platform travels a sprocket. chain 33 which passes around

sprocket wheels

34 and 35 carried by

vertical shafts

36 and 37 located respectively at the lower ends of said legs and at the upper or rear end'of the platform. Intermediate their ends, the sprocket chains pass around grooved collars 38 formed upon the lower ends of rollers 39 secured to vertical shafts ings formed in the platform legs, the upper end of each shaft extending through an opening formed in the upper portion of, an angular strap 41 whose lower portion is pro- 60\v-ided with an opening through which the upper end ofthe shaft 36 extends, while its upper end in like manner is provided with a similar opening which receives the upper 7 end of the corresponding shaft 37. The

whose lower ends are journaled in open- I shafts 37 are ri idly secured to vertical rollers 44 each 0 which is connected with the corresponding roller 39 by an endless belt 45 provided with a series of vertical slats 46 arranged in spaced relation to each other, each belt having a width of about ten inches. The sprocket chains 33 are each provided with a series of curved fingers 47 arranged at regular intervals.

The rotation of the belts and sprocket chaifis above referred to is effected by means of a sprocket chain 48 which passes around a large sprocket 49 rotatably mounted upon the left hand end of the rear axle, and secured by clips to the spokes of the adjacent wheel 9, and around a smaller sprocket 50 loosely mounted upon a transversely-disposed horizontal shaft 52 journaled at one end in an opening formed in the down-bent inner end of the triangular brace 31, and atthe other end in a bearing sleeve formed upon the lower end of a vertical brace 53 whose laterally-bent upper end extends across the outer strap 41 and is provided with an opening through which the upper end of the corresponding shaft 37 extends. The lastmentioned sprocket forms one member of a clutch and to this end, its inner face has compounded therewith a ratchet wheel 54 adapted to be received in an annular seat 55 formed in the inner face of a pinion 56 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 52 and serves as the other member of the clutch, the periphery of said seat being notched to' provide ratchet teeth 57 with which the teeth of the ratchet wheel 54 onage. The clutch members are normally eld in engagement with each other by means of an ex ansible coil spring 58 which embraces the s aft 52 and fits'in a circumscribing groove formed therein, said spring bearing at one end against the outer wall of said groove and at the other end against the adjacent face of a collar 59 which is formed integral with the sprocket 50 and is embraced by the yoked lower end of a lever 60 pivoted to the brace 31 as indicated by the numeral 61. Movement of this lever in one direction will therefore unship the sprocket member of the clutch from engagement with the pinion member thereof.

The shaft 52 is further provided with a pair of oppositely facing pinions 62, each of which meshes with a similar pinion 63 secured to the adjacent shaft 37. It will thus be apparent that during the progress of the wagon, the rotation of the sprocket 49 will efiect the rotation of the'shaft 52 when the clutch members are in engagement with each other in consequence, of the sprocket chains 33 and belts 45.

The rear or upper end of the platform 30 has bolted thereto a plate 64 provided with a pair of forwardly-extending guard fingers 65 across which moves a forwardly-project-- ing lateral blade 66, formed centrally upon a reciprocatory knife bar 67, said blade being pointed and beveled at opposite edges as shown in Fig. 6. The inner end of the knife bar is provided with a pair of perforated upstanding cars 68 which are arranged in spaced relation to each'other for the reception therebetween of the outer end of a rod 69 whose inner end is connected to the crank portion of a shaft 70 j'ournaled in dependin brackets formed upon the under face of t e brace 31, the rear end of said shaft having secured thereto a pinion 71 which meshes with the pinion 56 above referred to, this construction beingillustrated in Fig. 3. During the rotation of the shaft 52, the knife bar 67 will thus have an endwise reciprocating movement imparted thereto, carrying the blade 66 backward and forward across the guard fingers 65.

The extreme rear end of the platform 30 opens u on the rear elevator D which is arrange at right angles to the elevator (l, and has its upper or discharge end overhanging the wagon body as shown in Fig. 2. The last-mentioned elevator comprises an endless belt 72 provided with a series of transversely-disposed slats 73 secured thereto at regular intervals and a' supporting frame 74 consisting of parallel vertical side boards provided at their opposite ends with alining openings through which the ends of the upper and

lower conveyer shafts

75 and 76 project, a portion of the front side board being cut away toward its lower end to permit the extension thereacross of a trans-. versely disposed shield 7 7 whose free or front end is curved inwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Said frame is further connected with the platform of the elevator C by means of a strap 78 and a plate 79, said strap being formed integral with the outer strap 41 and being bolted at its rear end to the rear side board of the frame of said elevator D. The rear end of the plate 79 extends beyond the rear edge of the platform 30 and is curved outwardly at such point. The inner strap 41 is further braced by means of a strap 80 which is bolted at its inner end to the cross brace 24 and is pro-. vided at its outer end with an opening through which the upper end of the adjacent shaft 37 extends,-said strap bein connected with the brace 31 by. a 'vertica brace 82.

The straps 41 are likewise further braced by a vertical yoke 83 whose'bight portion extends upwardly between said straps, while its angular legs. are bolted at then lower ends to the outer leg of the platform 30 and to the brace 29, the horizontal portions of said legs being through which pro ect the up er ends of the shafts 40 which,carry the ro lers 39.

The belt 72 passes around rollers 84 and 85 secured to the

shafts

75 and 76, the firstmentioned shaft having secured to its forward end a pinion 86 which meshes with the outer pinion 62 carried by the shaft 52.

As originally stated, the invention contemplates the provision of.devices for raising and lowering the two elevators and their attendant parts bodily without changing the angle of said elevators to each other or to.

the wagon body. To this end, the upper bar 10 carries a pair of spaced cars 87 located adjacent the upper cross beam 24, between which is revolubly mounted a grooved pulley 88 around which passes a; chain 89 whose lower end is connected to the lower cross brace 26, the upper end of said chain being connected to a link 90disposed above the bar 10 of the supporting frame B and connected at its forward end to a lever 91 pivrovided with openings oted' at its lowerend to the head 12 of said bar, said lever carrying a spring-pressed dog 92 which is adapted for engagement with the rack teeth 93 formed upon the upper edge of said head. By reason of this construction, it will be apparent that when the above-mentioned lever is swung forwardly or to the left with reference to Fig. 1, the

bars

22 and 23 will be raised bodily, carrying with them the elevators C and D, said bars sliding in the

guides

20 and 21. In order to prevent the upward movement of said elevators from interfering with the operation of their driving mechanism E, the chain 48 is made sufficiently long to' permit it to pass around the

sprockets

50 and 49 without exercising any binding action thereon. lln connection with said chain there is employed a tightening device consisting as shown in Fig. 1' of a 'the under face 'of the triangular brace 31, the

weight of the wheel being sufficiently great to automatically take up the slack in the chain, as will be apparent.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that during the progress of the machine through a cornfield, the stalks, will pass between the' gathering arms (which latter will also raise the down stalks), until they reach the fingers 47 carried by the sprocket chains of the elevator C, said fingers engaging the stalks and carryin them rearwardly toward the knife 66. s the stalks, approach said knife, they are gradting practically all of the down stalks to be fingers.

' vention be limited to the specific details of with reference to the groun rigidly connected to the cross-beams; a gathbodily raising and lowering the-platform, to

ually forced to ther b the conve of the belts 45, fdtil thdy reach said knife,- whereupon the stalks are topped, the severed heads being'prevented from falling to the ground by the pressure of said belts which latter carry them across the ,upper end of the platform 30 from which they fall onto the belt 72 of the elevator D, whence they are discharged into the wagon. It will also be apparent that owing to the provision of the devices for lowering the elevators, the curved ends of the shoes may be moved to within a slight distance of theground, thus permitraised into engagement with the conveyer Further description of the machine and its operation is deemed unnecessary in View of the foregoing, it being understood that modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims, inasmuch as it is not intended that the inconstruction shown and described.

What is claimed is: 1. The combination, with a supporting frame, and a pair of guides carried thereby, of a pair of beams slidable in said guides; cross-beams connecting the first-mentioned beams together; an upwardly and rearwardly-inclined bifurcated platform rigidly connected to the cross-beams; a gathering arm secured to the lower end of each leg of the latform; an elevator carried by said plat orm; means for driving the elevator; and means connected with one of said crossbeams, for bodilyraising and lowerin the platform, to adjust the position 0 the gathering arms with reference to the ground. 2. The combination, with a supporting frame, and a air of 1guides carried thereby, of a pair of cams s 'dable in said guidescross-beams connecting the first mentioned beams together; an upwardly and rear wardly-inclined bifurcated platform rigidly connected to :the cross-beams;-a gathering arm secured to the lower endof each is of the platform; an elevator carried by sai platform; means for drivin the elevator; and means carried by said ame and connected with one of said cross-beams, for

adjust the position of the gathering arms 3. The combination, with a su porting frame provided at its forward en with a rack, of apairof guides carried by said frame; a pair of beams slidable in said guides; cross-beams connecting the firstmentioned beams together; an upwardly and rearwardly inclined bifurcated platform ermg arm secured to the lower endof each leg of the platform; an elevator carried by said platform; means for driving the elevator; a lever ivoted to 'the supporting frame and provided with a dog arranged for engagement with the rack; and connectin devices between the lever and one of said cross-beams, for bodily raising or lowering the latform when said lever is moved in one. ction orthe other, to adjust the position of the athering arms with reference to the ground.

4. The combination with a supporting frame, of a-frame slidably connected therewith; a platform ri 'dly connected to the sliding frame; an e evator carried by the platform; a supporting frame joined to said platform; an elevator carried by the last named su porting frame and arranged at right ang es to the first named elevator; means for driving the elevators; and means for'bodily raising and lowering the sliding frame.

5. The combination with a supporting frame, and a pair of uides secured thereto, of a sliding frame incfuding a pair of beams fitting in said guides; an upwardly and rearwardly extending platform rigidly connected to the sliding frame; a su porting frame rigidly connected to said p atform; an elevator carried by-said platform; an elevator carried by the last named supporting frame; means for driving the elevators; and means for bodily raising and lowering the sliding frame.

6. The combination with a bifurcated platform and a cutting member located aded upon each leg intermediate the ends thereof; a roller secured to each intermediate and rear shafts; belts connecting the rollers on the intermediate and rear shafts, said belts converging adjacent the cutting member, to supplort the severed portions of the material fe therebetween to said member; and means for driving said chains and belts.

7. The combination with a bifurcated platform and a cutting member located adacent the rear end of the bifurcation, of a shaft mounted upon the front end of each leg of the platform, said legs being formed by said bifurcation; a sprocket secured to each shaft; a air of shafts mounted upon the rear end of the platform; a sprocket secured to each rear shaft; chains connecting the front and rear sprockets; a shaft mounted upon each leg intermediate the ends thereof; a roller secured to each intermediate and rear shaft; belts connecting the rollers on the intermediate and. rear shafts; said In testimony whereof, I afiix my signagelts converging laldjacent (tihe cutting ipemture, in presence of two witnesses.

er, to support t e severe portions 0 the material fed therebetween to said member; FREDERICK BONHAM' 5 means for driving/said chains and belts; and Witnesses:

means for bodily raising and lowering the W. D. BOWLING, platform. C. .E. WALKER.