US947483A - Cotton-picking machine. - Google Patents

Description

W. W. FARNSWORTH. COTTON PIGKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION rnnn sprr. 14, 1908.

mm- Jan 25, 1910.

2 sums-sum i W. W. FARNSWORTH.

I COTTON PIGKING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION rILnn any-19.14, 190s.

Patented Jami 25, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wILLIAn w. ruaswon'rrr, or scmm'ron, mssrssr'rrrif},

Application filed September To all whom it may co'ric'eraf 1 r I Be it known that 1, WILLIAM W. FARN-S- woa'rn, a citizen of the Unitedstates, re-

sidin at- Scranton, in the county of. Jackson and tate of Mississip i, haveinvented certain new and useful mprov'ements in Gotton-licking Machines. 0 which theIollowmg a specification.

This invention relates cotton picking machines in whichthere 1s employed mechanical means adapted to be directed by an-attendant -f0rpick-i1i or drawing the cotton from the bolls, ant improved means'tor 'c onve ing away the cotton after the latter has been removed from the plants.

A further object i's'to provideimproved means for loosening (in-separating the cot ton in the boll. a

A further objectis to provide an improved picker, and improved means for removingor stripping the cotton from the picker.

' A further object is'toprovide an im'.-' proved mechanical and pneumatic pxckrn g nozzle and improved means for controlling a blast of air through the nozzle.

A further ob ect isto provide improved means for varying the suction-ofthe nozzles.

A further object is to provide animproved machine-of this character which will 0e. simple and durable in construction and effective and efiicient in o eration.

To the attainment of t ese ends and the accomplishment of other new an'duseful objects. as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novplty in the construction, combination anatrange iient oflthe several parts hereinafter more fully described'and claimed and shown. in the 'ac-- com anymg drawings. lllustrating an embod ment of the invention', and inwhich- F igure 1 .1s a side elevation of animproved machine of this character constructed in accordance with the principles ofthis invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged'detail sectional view of one of thenicking nozzles. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the mouth of the nozzle. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the valve and mechanism for controlling-the degree of SltCilOn .or-vacuum 1 in the nozzles.

Referring more particularly to thedrawiugs and in the present exemplification of the invention the numeral-10 designates a suitable vehicle which ispreferably'mounted upon wheels and upon this vehicle is to improvements in 'co'r'roa-rxcxrite mamas. a

- mounted'the operating mechanism for the pickers. This vehicle may be of any suitable construction and .is adapted to receive the cotton from the nozzles after -it is picked from the 5 lants; v

Mounte u on the vehicle and infany desired or suita le position is a suitable suction fan or-vacuum creating device 11, extending from thecasing of which is a suitable tubular member 1.2 which may be of any desired .size and length and to .whicht-he: flexible tubes 13 are-connected these tubes 13'having communication with the tubular member 12. Any number of these flexible tubes 13. may be provided accordin to the number of o .ier'ators and the num er of plants it is ,desired to pick at the same time. In the present exemplification of the invention. only two of such-tubes are-"shown and secured to the-free extremity o'feach of the tubes is a picking nozzle designated generally by the reference 'numeral 14. 'This nozzle is provided with-a conical extremity 15' and the "other-extremity of the nozzle is preferably reduced as shown and is-secured respectively to the extremity of the flexible" tubular members 13'by telescoping one extremity with the other. The conical extremity. 15 of the nozzle is preferably ofiset laterally with respect to the body )ortion thereof and is provided with a suita le aperture. in the top of the offset portion-projecting in to-whic 1 is a circumferential extension 16 preferably 111 the forin'of a-ring and a collar 17, of a diameter somewhat lar 'er than the diameter of the openingwhich is surrounded the ring 16, is located within said opening to form a closure therefor and this collar 17 is provided with a peripheral groove 18 which -1s adapted to receit e the ringlti so that the latter will form a support andbearing for the collar 17 whereby the lattermay freely rotated.

Surrounding the extremity .0f the nozzle 151s a tubular member 19wh1'ch 1s )r'ovided too with a plu'rality of nozzles 20 exten ing into and iua direction transverse to theopening of the picker nozzle. The nozzles .20 are preferably inclined as shown so as to direct a' plurality of blasts of air across theex tremit'y of the nozzle inward at an oblique angle to the periphery "and in a"plane per- 'pendi'ciilar tothe longitudinal axis of the nozzle to cause a whirlin motion of-.the

air within the picker'nozz e. 'Any suitable means may be provided for supply'ingthe -any desiredsize'and length according to the.

' lar members 29 .bei

" throug thetubuldr membefto shut oil t e 36 and being screw threadedfor the recepbetween the guides 35 and 36. This spring from the nozzles 20. A suitable and efii c'ient-means for accomplishing this, urpose which-may be supplied with air from a suit- -able air pump 22, which latter may be operate'd from a suitable gear 23 through the' medium of a pitmanirod 24 and this gear 23 may be rotated from asuitable motor 25 through the medium-of a'conn'ectin "-26; A supply pipe 27 may be rovide leadm he. "air chamber 21. Extending from the chamber 21 is a suit with the tubular members 13 to the picker a suitable guide The other extremity of tubular member 19- with air to be directed comprises a compressed air cham r [21,

belt

pump 22 to te compressed able tubi'ilar member 28,- which may be of number of picker nozzles 15. Extending from this tubular member 28 are suitable tubular flexible members 29, which extend nozzles 15, the free extremities ofithe tuburespectively connected to one extremity o a tubular member 30 which is supported by the picker nozzle 15 and which hascommunication with the tubuthe compressed air chamberv 21 will be de.- liveredf into the-tubular member 19 through the tubular t nemb ers a9, 30'. 'Ifdsired, a suitable valfveBlj may be'provided in either the tubular} member 29'or 30, 'which valve isada ted ;to hotmally close the passa e supply of air from the am s 20 to enable the operator to'plaee the picl r nozzle adj acent the cotton boll before'ajblast of air is delivered through the nozzles 20. \Vhen the picker nozzle is in proper position withrespect to the plant, the operator may open the valve 31 to permit the air to flow to the nozzles 20 hnd through the 'mediumof this valve 31 he is enabled to regulath'the blasts of "air thus delivered. 7

The chamber 12 which has communication with the casing 11 of the suction or vacuum creating device is provided with an opening 32 to the outside air and a suitable valve 33 may be provided for closing this opening. Any suitable" means may be provided for controlling this valve 33 and in the present cxcmplification of. the invention there is provided a rod 34, one extremity of which is secured to the valve 33 and passes through the rod passes through a guide 36 which is supported in any desired or suitable manner and is spaced from the guide 35, the free extremity of the rod passing beyond the guide tion of acontrolling nilt 37. A suitable elastic member 38, such as a coil springor the like, surrounds the rod 34 and is disposed 36 tcnds normally to hold the valve 33 seated the picker pass and as to close the opening 32 and by adjusting the nut 37, the position of the valve may be regulated with respect to its seat to open or close the openin 32 to ermit or exclude the entrance of t e outsi e air and by this means the vacuum or suction may be regulated.

A picker or'brush 39, preferably in the I form of a cross is provided for en aging and removing the cotton from the 011. arms of the brush or icker are preferably arranged at right ang es to eaeh other, as

shown more clearly in Fig.3 and the edges of these arms are preferably serrated, as-

shown more clearly at 4O inFig/2. This brush or picker 39 preferably tapersfrom one end toward the other and passes through slots or openings throu the brush or picker is rotated, in a manner to be hereinafter set forth, the collar 17v will be also axially rotated. The brush or picker 39 is adapted to be shifted longitudinally through the collar. 17 so as to strip the cotton from the picker. The collar 17 being fixed, it will be apparent that when thecotton adheres to the picker and the latteris shifted longitudinally through thebrush. The brush or picker ,is arranged so that the smaller'e d thereof will stand adjacent the edge of he picker nozzle and when in position will be located 'eccentrically with res ct to the extremity of the picker nozzle. ny suitable means maybe provided for.

axially rotating the pickeror brush 39, and a suitable and efficient means for accomplishiug this purpose comprises a shaft {11, which terminates short of the picker 3S} and is provided on its extremity adjacent the picker 39 with a tubular'section fl, and asu'itable bearing .13 may be provided: on the picker nozzle for. supporting the, Shaft, 'The tubular section '42 of the shaft 41 is adapted to receive an cxtension '44 of tl1e' picker 39, which latter is adapted to be tclescoped into the tubular section 42' when the picker 39 is shifted longitudinally in one direction and theextension 44 of the picker may be secured for rotation with the shaft 41- in any i desired or suitable manner, preferably by means of a key 45 which key will also per mit longitudinal adjustment ofthe exten sion 44 into or outof the tubular sectionz-42l The Y the collar 17 ,t-he latter being provided with h which the arms of p ,the collar, the cotton will be stripped from The picker 39 is preferably provided'with ashoulder 46 beyondwhich asuitable yoke 47 loosely engages the picker so as to permit the picker to be axially'rotated-"with respect thereto, and secured to the yoke is a suitable shifting member 48 preferably in the form of a wire: or any other suitable mate---" r ial'which may be pullcd'so as to move the picker 39 longitudinally.

v Disposed between the collar-46 and the ex;

t.remity of thevtubl'ilarsetion 4'2 andgsurrounding the extension 440i the. picker is a.

suitable elasticmember 49, such as a coil 7 1 spring or the-like, which tends normally to hold the picker 39 away from the tubular section 42 and into an'op'crative position so that the free ektremity-of the picker will stand adjacent the end of. the picker nozzle and m a position to engagethe cotton in the 'boll wh'enthc nozzle is held in an operative c shown in full lines inFig.

position.

through the medium of jthe wire ,or member *8 and against the tension of the elastic member 49 to null the )icker througlrthe" collar l7,'as shown in totted lines in Fig. 2,;to disengage the cotton from the picker, and when the tension on the member '48 is released, the elastic member 49 will return the-picker 39 to its operative positiom as Motion may be imparted to thesha fts all in any desired or suitable.manner,.preferahly by means of gears 50 meshing, with gears 51 which latter are'secured' for rotation with a shaft which latter may be rotiitcdtln'ough he medium of'intermeshing gears 54,, 55, th 7 ing'll. The shafts shit desired,:may be provided with universal joints 57 and the ;.operation of the shafts 41.

" and the; other arm may be connectedto anwill shafts themselves may be coust ructedof any material suitable for the purpose and which per1mt the tubular members" 13 to be readi y exed withoutinterfering with the Any suitable means may be gitudinally. Suitable and eflicient means ed upon any suitable support. .The free extrem ty of the shifting member 4-8 'is con nected to one arm of the bell crank' lever,"

operatin rod, orQmember; 59. If desired,

and-"as s lown in the present 'exemplitication of the invention, the .free ends of one or more of the bell-cranks may be connected to '3 the same member 59, or one of .thenbell cranks may be connected to the member 59 and a link GO'may be provided for connectii the remaining bell cranks in series. ilidably mounted in suitable-bearings 61 ured to the vehicle 10 is a' member 62 to which the extremityofthe member 59 is conhected and this member 62 is provid d witli -a projection 93 preferably in the-form of linear or finger. Rotatably mounted upon thevehicle -i'n suitable bearlngsis a crank ()4 preferably in the form of a gear having a lateral projection 65 which vis'adapted toengage' -the projection 63 on the member 62 when'the gear 64 isfrotatedso as to shift the ear 54 being rotated in any esired or suitable mannergsuchas bvmeans' of a belt 56, which is driven from the shaft of the suction or exhaust am within the eas- I i I rovided for" -automaticall vshifting the pic ers 39 lon- 7 :for accomplishing this purpose ct'unprises a, bell crank lever 58 which is pivotally mount- 'hen the cotton has adhered to j the picker 39, the latter may be shifted.

i i i 1 member-62 in one direction in. its bearings I 61. 'When the projection; 65passes out of engagement with the projection 63, during 3' a continuedrotation of the ear 64 the mem- 1 her 62 will be released an the tension exertcd upon the elastic members t9 whei i .the

member- 62 is'moved in .one, directionavill cause the member 62 to movein the opposite directionto )osition the projection (33 to he engagedby the projection (v5 0a the ue t ro'- tation of the gear 64. therebyforming a tappet mechanism Y for automatically sh ftingi the brush or picker 3,9 ltlll ltlldll lttlly.

he gear 64 preferably meshes w th and receives its rotary motion from the gear and obviously the gears 23, (it, maybe of any desired size witlrrespect. to each other i and may be so changed as to regulate or impart the desired number of. longitudinal charge'd through mos lei-em 7..

hile in the present exemplificationof the invention thevehicle is illustrated with a ton tue 79 by means of which it may -be-proh the c'ottonfields, it is togbeunders'tood't nit the vehicle may ,be-motor prtlilpelled, in which event the usu'al gearing' wi be provided for connecting-the motor with one of the axles of the vehlclc.

lVith this improved construction and with the improyed form of i'cking nozzleit-lwill be apparent that'lthe lasts-of air will be directed across'the opening of the picker nozzle into the boll whenthe latter projects into the nozzle and the whirling a-ctionof the blasts of air from the nozzles 20 will gradually separate or disintegrate the cotton in the boll. During this disinte ration or so aration of the cotton while int e boll,

it wi 1 be engaged by the brush or )ick'er '39 x and the ra id axial rotation of t to latter willgradua 1y draw or pulllthe cotton from the boll. -As the cottonaccumulates-on the picker or brush some of it will bedrawn from the brush by the suction created in the tubular member 13' and through the nozzle 14 into the separator 67 and the cotton which still adheres to the pickerarid which is notremoved by the suction will be stripped from the picker when the latter islongitudinally shifted. As the cotton fallsflfro'm the picker it will beconveyed by suction through the nozzle Hand into the separator 67 in a similar manner. It will also be apparent am by trolled by the operator, the picking nozzle the provision of the valve 31 which is; conthe vehicle ."10' in any desire may be the. boll efore the blasts of air are directed against the cotton to separate the latter.

A suitubleseat 80 may be su ported from or suitable manner and .any number of these seats may be' provided according to the number of picker-nozzles employed,preferably one seat for each two nozzles. These seats are located in close proximity tothe ground and are provided for the operators who handle the may be regulated by the valve 33 tocrcate a vacuumonly sutliciently strongto take or draw away.t he cotton and leave the heavy substance'such as leaves, trash or the like,

which would lower the grade ofthe cotton if mixed therewith.

In; order that the invention mightbe fully understood, the details of the foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described but what I claim as new is 1. A cotton icker' including a picking nozzle, means or directlng a blast of air,

across the nozzle to separate the cotton in the: boll, additional means for removing the cotton from the boll and means for shifting the. last said means for removing'the cotton therefrom.

2. A cotton wicker including a picking nozzle, means or directing a blast of air across the nozzle to separate the cotton in the boll, mechanical means for pulling the cotton from theplant and means for shifting the said mechanical means for removing the cotton therefrom.

- 3. A cotton picker including a. picking nozzle, means foiyseparating the cotton in theboll, means daptcd to engage and pull the cotton from the plant,mcans for removing the cotton from the last saidineans and means for shift-ing one of the last. two said means with respect to the other.

.4. cotton picker including a'. picking nozzle,"inca.ns for separating the cotton in the bell, means adapted to engage and pull the cotton from the plant, means for rcmoving the cotton from the last said means and means for shifting one of-the last two said means with rcspcct to the other, and means for conveying the picked cotton away from 'thenozzle. h

A cotton picker including a picking nozzle, means for directing a blast of air from the periphery of the nozzle inward at an oblique angleto the periphery and in, a

roperly positioned with respect to' nozzle, means plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle for separatin the cotton in the boll, mechanical means withinthe nozzle for engaging and pullin the cotton fromv the plant, and means or operating said mechanical means.

6. A cotton i'cker includin a picking nozzle, means or directing" a lJlflSi' of air from the periphery of the nozzle inward at an'oblique angle to the periphery and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of. the nozzle for; separating the cottonin the boll, mechanical means within the nozzle for engaging and pulling the cottongiom the plant. and means other than the air. b list for operating said mechanical means.

nozzle, means a( jacent the end of the nozzle for separating the cotton in 'the' boll,- me- "chanically operated means within the nozzle icker including it picking and located cccentricall' with relation there-l to for engaging and pu ling the cotton from;

the plant, means for sna in the cotton from the lastv said means an means for cons vcying thepicked cotton awaylroin:

nozzle. 4

8. A cotton picker including a nozzle, means whereby suction may ated within the nozzle, a supplementary picker within the nozzle, means forSi'Qta tably supporting said supplementarypiliter and means for shifting said supplement picker to remove the cotton therefrom.

nozzle, means whereby suction may cm}.-

ated within the nozzle, a l s upplem'entary l picker within the nozzle, means for "rota tably supporting said supplementary picker 9. A. cotton picker including a ice and means for-longitudinally shifting sai supplementary picker to removethe cotton therefrom.

10. Acotton ,piekenincluding a i'cking nozzle, means wherebyfsuetion maysie created within the nozzle, a. supplementary picker within the nozzle, means' iqr rotatably supporting said su plement-arfy picker, and means for longitu' inally shi ting the supplementary pickerthrough itsbearmg to strip the cotton therefrom.;

11. A cotton icker including a icking nozzle, means w ereby suction may e ere ated within the no zzle, a supplementary picker within the nozzle, means for rotatably supporting said supplementary picker, and means for automatically shifting said supplementary picker to remove the cottontherefroin'.

12. A cotton picker including a. picking 7 through the -nozz1e, asup ementary picker operating within the non e,-a'rotatahlc supor conve ing the cottonport-through which thesaid supplementary picker is longitudinally movable, means for automatically shifting. the supplementary picker through the support to strip the act;

picker.

icker including- -a'- picking 13A cotton t or conveying the-' cotton nozzle, means through the' nozzle,-'a supplementary picker operating within the nozzle and eccentric thereto. a rotatable support-through which the said'suplementary picker is longitudinally -mova 1e, means for automatically shifting the supplementary picker through the support to strip the cotton therefrom, and means for rotating said supplementary H. A cotton picker including a picking nozzle, means for'creating a-s u'ction in the nozzle, a rotatable and shifta-ble su aplementary picker within the noz'zleand a apted toengage-and detachthe cottonfrom the boll, meanstending normally. to hold the supplementary 'pickerJin' 'a position with respect to the hozzle to en ge and detach the cotton from th'e boll, an means for shifting the supplementary icker against the tensionof the said hol mg m us 0 strip the cott on therefrom; L

15. A cottod'pxcker inane g nozzle -aneans for. creating a Is" .P tron in the nozzle,- a -rotatable and sh'ftable plementary picker within the nozzleand a apted to engage" and detach the cotton from the boll,-means tending normallytto hold the supplementary picker in a position with respect to the nozzle to engage and detach the .cotton from the boll, and means for automatically shifting the supplementary picker against .the tension of the said holding means to strip the cotton therefrom.

' l6. cotton picker including a picking nozzle, means for creating a suction in the nozzle, a rotatable and longitudinallyshift- Iahle supplementary picker within the noz-' 'zle and adapted to engage and detach the cotton from the .boll, means tending normally to hold the supplementary: picker in a position with respect tothe nozzle to en gage and detach the cotton from the boll, and means for longitudinally shifting the supplementary picker against the tension of the said holding means to strip the cottonthcrct'mm. v IT. A cottol'i picker including a picking nozzle. means for creating a suction in the nozzle, a rotatableand longitudinally shiftablc supplementary picker within the nozzle, means lending normally to hold the supplementary picker ina position with respect to the nozzle to engage and detach the cotton t'romthe boll, and means for automatically -shifting the supplementary picker against the tension of the said holding means to strip the cotton therefrom. v

18. A cotton picker including 'a picking nozzle, means for creating a suction in the iozzle, a rotatable and longitudinally shiftrale supplementary picker within the nozzle, means tending normally tohold the sup- .plem'entary; picker in Ta posit-ion with respect,

to the nozzle ato. engage and detach the.

'cottomfromthe bollyanduneans for auto- ."matically shifting the supplementary picker againstthe tension of the said holdi means to'strip the cotton therefrom, the lastsaid meansinclud'ing tappet mechanism.

-.19: A cotton picker including anpicking nozzle, means for creating a suction therein,

jmeans other than the suction means for directing a blast of air across thenozzle to scparate the cotton in the boll, positive means for en ging the cotton and detaching it from t e boll, means other than the first twosaid means for operating thesaid sitivemeans, and means for bodily shiftmg the said ositive means for removing the cotton there .rom. v

20; A cotton picker including a picking nozzle, means for creating a suction therein,

meafis other than the suction means for directing a blast of air across the nozzle to separate the cotton in the boll, positive means for en aging the cotton and detaching it from t e' boll, 'meansother than the first twosaid means for operating the said ally shifting the said positive moans bodily to strip the cotton therefrom,

21. A cotton picker including a picking nozzle,'an axially rotatable picker adjacent the end of the nozzle for engaging andpulling thecotton from the boll, means for rotating said picker andmeans for shifting the rotatable-picker with respect to the noz zle for disengaging the cotton from the said pulling means,

22. A device of the character described including an axially rotatable picker. adapted to engage and pull the cotton from the plant, means for removing the cotton from the positive means,'and means for-automatic- I picker, means for shifting said axially ro-- tatable picker and the cotton removing I means one with respect to the other, means for rotating the picker, and a nozzle inclosmg the picker.

"23. A cotton picker including a picking I nozzle. an axially rotatable picker adjacent the end of the nozzle for engaging and pulling the cotton from the boll, means for rototing the picker,- means for shifting the-rotatable picker with respect to the nozzle for disengaging the cotton therefrom, and means for conveying away the cotton thus disengaged. I

24. A picker including a suction picking nozzle, an axially rotatable mechanical picker ad acent the end of the nozzle for plant, means for rotating the picker, and means for shifting the rotatable picker with respect to'the nozzle for disengaging the cotton from the said .rotatable picker.

25.'. cotton picker including a suction engaging and pnllingthe cotton from the 'pi chiing' noz z1e,-dn"nxial ly rotatable mechanflame to thie specifieefiion, in. the presence lcal poker-adjacent the end of the nozzle of twoesubscribn i%wi thes'ses, on'fhisfl2'dayi for-en agi'ng andpulhn'g-the cotton from of September 1908;,

5 means for automatically shifting the said the bofi. means for rotatmgthepicker and WILLIAMNW mechanical picker with respect'to the 'nozl Witnesses:. 4.

, zle for disengaginothe cotton therefrom. g F. L. Bu'rrimmilgpn; V 1.! In tes timonfy whereof l have, signed pay EDWARD O. Bx x mgg,

Images