USRE2632E - Improvement in harvesters - Google Patents

Description

'UNITED STATES PATENT (I EiatrcE.

QYRENUS WHEELER, JR., O F` AUBURN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN HARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 12.367, dated February 6, 1855; reissue No. 971, dated June 5, 1860; reissue No. 2,632, dated May -8,15'367.

T0 all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, OYRENUs WHEELER, Jr., of Auburn, iu the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain and Grass Harvesters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents, in perspective, so much of the machine as will show its general arrangement when adjusted for mowing. Fig. 2 represents a vertigal longitudinal section through the main frame, and showing by red lines the positions which the elevating devices assume when the rear of the frame and the cutters are raised up for passing obstructions for cutting at a Ahigher elevation above the ground. Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent details of the machine which will be hereafter specially referred to.

Similar letters of reference, where theyoccur in the several drawings, denote like parts of' the machine in all the figures.

My invention relates to that class of machines known as combined machines7-that is to say, harvesting-machines capable of cutting grass or grain either, and that can be changed from one to the other purpose conof the ground over which it is passing while cutting grass, in which case the several parts of the machine must have motions independent of each other; and secondly, the property of being elevated above the ground, and Iheld comparatively rigid in such elevated position when cutting grain, but in both conditions to be under the control of the driver or conductor, who from his seat can elevate or depress such 'portions of the machine as may require it, for passing obstructions or for cutting at a greater or less height above the surface ofthe ground.

In changing'such a machine to convert it' important in their' particularl relations and conditions.

Such are the general purposes and objectsv of my invention. Their specialties will be more fully set forth hereafter, as well as the several mechanical devices which I have contrived for turning the machine short around at the end of the swath, forv strengthening the finger-bar when cutting grain, and mak *ing it lighter when cutting grass and for a track-clearer.

My invention consists in so combining a finger-bar with the main frame of a harvestingmachine, and with levers or their equivalent raising or lowering devices, extending' to within reaching distance of the driver or conductor in his seat, as that said driver or conductor from his seat may raise up either end of the finger or cutter bar independently of the other end, or both ends at once, at pleasure; and my invention further consists in the use of a platform which, when the table'or platform is used, is attached to the finger-bar, and re moving the platform when the machine is converted into a mover; and my invention'further consists in combining, with the platform or table, a castenwheel so hung that when the machine is being turned around said casterwheelwill elevate the platform, and also the outer end of the linger-bar, and thus prevent them from striking against any projection', or being' wrenched, strained, or broken; and, in"

substantially as they do to the finger-beam' and main wheels, as represented; and my invention further consists in a track-clearer that is caused to revolve by gearing, and so located that in backing the machine or inturning it around there will be no danger of breaking or otherwise injuring said trackclearer. i

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe the saine with reference to the drawlngs.

A represents the main' frame of a harvesting-machine, supported upon two wheels, B B, one of which may be the driving-wheel, and the other simply a supporting wheel. The tongue C of the machine is fastened to a roller, D, which is so connected to the main frame as to freely rock or roll in its supports when the front end of the main frame rises or falls, as it will do when the wheels that carry and support it are passingover gullies or dead furrows or other inequalities in the ground. The main frame is suspended to, or supported by, the axle E ofthe two wheels B, so that it shall droop at its rear, and yet be free to rock or vibrate on said axle, or rise and fall at its rear and'front. y

Toward the rear of the main frame there is an arch or brace piece, F, extending across from side piece to side piece of said main frame and rigidly attached thereto, so as to be a permanent part of theframe, and in rear of this permanent arch-piece F there is another arch or brace piece, Gr, which is hinged or pivoted to the sides ofthe main frame, so that it can move freely on its pivoted connections, when it is desirable to have it do so. A screwbolt, a, with double nuts b b, passes through the two arch or brace pieces F and G, by means of which a certain extent of motion may be given or allowed to the hinge brace-piece Gr, or by which it maybe made rigid, as exi gencies may require. The finger-bar H is connected to the arch or brace piece G through a hingejoint, c, upon which it may rise and fall freely, or be raised or lowered by the driver or conductor. But as this hinged connection of the finger-bar and frame form. the subject-matter of other patentsgranted to me, I do not pro pose to fully describe them here, nor any further than is necessary to illustrate the operation of this machine.

To the heel ofthe finger-bar H is aiiixed an upright, I, to the top of which acord or chain, d, is attached, said cord or chain passing around a pulley, e, set on top of the arch or brace piece G, and thence extending either to the lever J or connected with a rod which is attached to said lever, and effects the. same Y general purpose. The lever J is pivoted at f to 'a post or upright, K, for convenience, and

extends up in close proximity to the driversj or conductors seat or stand L, so that the occupant of that seat may readily grasp it, (the 1ever,) and by bearing upon it raise up the outer end of the finger-bar H. Anotherlever, M, extends from the seat Lrearward, andhas for its `fulcrum the shank g ofthe caster-wheel N,

which is placed underneath the arch or brace piece F, and the rear of this lever MA is .con

nectcd by straps or links It to the hinged arch or brace piece Gr. By pressing down the point of the lever M the rear end of the main frame is raised up-the caster-wheel N resting upon the ground being. the fulcrum, its shank g freely moving in a hole made in the piece F, but prevented from cramping or twisting by an additional guide-piece, t'. Thus by means of the levers J and M the outer end alone ofthe finger-bar may be raised up. or its heel may. be raised up, and its outer end remain on the ground, or the entire finger-bar and rear ofthe frame may be raised up or let down at pleasure. Either end, therefore, of the 'ringer-bar may be raised. without raising its other end, or both ends may be raised up together by the driver or conductor from his seat. rEhe up right K is, furnished with suitable holes, so that, by means of pins placed therein, the levers J M may be held to any fixed position desired. When the levers J M are left free, then the parts to which they are connected viz, the finger-beam and the arch-piece G-are unrestrained by them, and move independent of their action; but, when necessary, the levers can be used and released fora temporary lifting, or may be held fast, when a pe rma.

nent elevation is had though the outside endofthe inger-beani can always rise and fall at any time independently of the frame. The dotted lines in Fig. 2 show the positions of the several parts of the machine when the levers are put into the positions they are shown in in said figure. i

Motion is communicated from the main drive-wheel to the cutter-bar J through the` gearing' O, pinion K, shaft Z, bevel-gear m, andv bevel-pinion n, which is ou one end of the crank-shaft 0, the other end of said cranio, shaft being furnished with a crank-wheel, p, in which, as seen in Fig. 4, there is a series of holes, l 2 3, at different distances from the center of said wheel, and into eitherof which the crank-pin may be put, as a longer Y or shorter stroke of the cutter-bar may be desired. To this crank-wheel one end of the pit. man g is attached, the other end of said .pitman being connected to the cutter-bar J.

When themachine is to be used for cutting; grain a platform or table, P, is used for the cut grain to fall upon, and as greater strength is required in the finger-bar when the machine is arranged for cutting grain, on account of the additional weight put upon it, I arrange. as follows: I connect the platform or table, by; means of under-supports fr, to a platform-bar, Q, which, by means of the screw-bolts s s, is rmly united to the finger-beam H, said bolts passing through holes t. t in the finger-beam..

Thus, for the additional weight that the tin.

form-.bar are removed together, leaving they finger-bar light and more easily handled, and better adapted to accommodate. itself to the. surface of the ground over which it passes,

yet stron g .enou gllto resist any ordinary strain that may come upon it in performing this special duty.

It'will be perceived that the finger-bar is at the rear end of the main frame, .and when the platform ortable Pis connected to said linger-bar Aby the platform-bar Q the platform itself will project itsl entire length in rear of the main frame, or nearly so, so that the gaveling-space-is in rear of the main frame; and the rakers seat R is located as shown, so that the rakermay sweep the platform of the cut material, and deliver it onto the ground in a compact gavel in rear of the main frame.

A machine so put together might be supposed to be t'oo long to admit of a short turn at the end of the swaths, but such is not the case. This machine can be turned short around, and without any backing, the main drive-wheel serving' as a pivot, around which the whole machine may turn. The supporting-wheel, turning backward, prevents any cramping or undue strain upon the frame.

To allow the platform which is at the extreme end of the main frame to come around easily without straining it requires some additional aid. l effect it as follows: The caster-wheel S, which supports the platform or table, is inclined, as shown at Figs. 3, 6, 7, so

- that when the machine is drawn forward said A around, and the platform must move in the arc of a circle, the center' of which would be at the point where the main drive-.wheel rests upon the ground, it is then important that some facilities should be afforded for so doing with` entire safety to the machine and ease to the team. The moment the team is geed7 around and the platform starts in the opposite direction the caster-wheel turns out into the position shown in Fig. 8, and this elevates the platform, as shown by its base-lines u a, respectively, inFigs. 7 and 8, as well as places said caster-wheel in the line in which the platform is to move.'A The caster-wheel N also, by the lirst swinging movement of the frame, arranges itself in the line in which the frame is to move around its center. When the -rnachine is turned around and the team starts ahead the caster-wheels again assume their former positions, the one, S, allowing the platform to come down close to the ground. I thus make the shortest possible turn at the end of the swath, and with ease to the machine and the team.

The shank o of the caster-wheel S may have upon it a series of washers, w, for allowing the platform to be raised or lowered, or adjusted upon said shank, as may be found necessary.

The track-clearer I make as follows: Of course it is used only when moving, and when the platform P is not used. Tis a stock or frame hinged at .r to the rear outside end of the finger-beam H. It is furnished with a lever or handle, 11, vby which it can be raised up when necessary so to do. In' this stock T is set a wheel, y, that runs upon the ground, and is turned upon its bearings in so doing. Upon the shaft or journal of this wheel y there lis arranged (as shown in Fig. 5) a bevel-pinion,

z, that takes into and turns a bevel-pinion, 4, on a vertical shaft, 5. 0n this vertical shaft 5 is placed a hub, V, having' set into it a series'of curved teeth or arms, (i. Now, as this hub revolves through the ground-wheel y and gearing z 4, its arms 6 catch and 'throw thel out grass away from the standing grass, and thus forms a clear track for the machine on its next round. I know that a revolving track-clearer has heretofore lbeen used, but it was revolved by its own friction upon the ground, and when the machine was backed or turned around the track-clearer had first to be lifted up and held up until the machine was turned around. This operation being quite troublesome, my track-clearer 4is so arranged that it is revolved freely, but is not endangered in backing or turning, neither need it be raised or held up when so turning around or backing the machine; besides it relieves the driver or conductor of any careor attention while he is hacking or turning around. It is obvious that the extent of the raising of either end or of both ends of the nger-bar may be discretionary with the operator, or such as will effect the special purpose for which the raising need to be done. So, too, with regard to how much or how little of the weight of the frame or of the finger-barl shall be on the ground, for this can be regulated in a measure by the caster-wheel N. It is also obvious that modifications of the machine may be made without departing from the principles which characterize the invention.

Having thus described my invention, whatl I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of a vibrating frame, a fin ger-bar attached to one corner or end thereof by a hinge, and a platform in the rear of said finger-har, so as to leave an unobstructed space for the delivering of the grain onto the ground.

2. The combination of a vibrating frame with the cutting apparatus hinged thereto, a drivers seat, and an arrangement of one or more levers,whereby the driver, in his seat,

can raise and sustain the cutting apparatus when desired.

3. The combination of a nger-bar hinged to a vibrating frame, and a removable platform connected with the said-frame by means' of the finger-bar only. g

4. The combination of a hinged linger-beam and a side-delivery platform, so arranged that the grain may be delivered from the platform onto the ground out of the way of the horses on their next round.

5. The combination of a hinged finger-beam, a lever, and a yielding or linked connection extending from the lever to the vibrating part of the machine to which the finger-beam is attached, whereby the inner end ofthe fingerbeam is raised to pass" obstacles in mowing,

' and raised and sustained in reaping.

6. The combination of a hinged finger-beam,

av lever, a yielding or linked connection exl tending from the lever to the vibrating part ofthe machine to which the tingenbeam is att-ached, and the seat for the driver, whereby the driver-can raise the inner end ot' the vfinger-beam to pass obstacles in mowing, and

raise and sustain the same in reaping.

7 The combination of a hinged linger-beam, with an auxiliary draft rod or bar attached to the inner end of the hinged Jringer-bar.

8. The platform-bar Q as a means of securing the platform to the iingerbeam, and for strengthening said finger-beam when it has the platform to carry, substantially as de-v scribed. y

9.V The inclined caster-Wheel S, arranged as represented, and in combination with the platform, whereby the latter is elevated Vwhen the machine is being turned short around to the right, substantially as described.

10. In combination with a tinger-beam and platform placed in .rear of the main supporting-Wheel, the two casters N S. arranged as described, for allowing the machine to turn short around to the right, for the purposes specified.

11. A revolving track-clearer, when operated from a ground-Wheel through gearing, substantially as described.

C. WHEELER, J R.

Witnesses: i

WM. ALLEN, GEO. E. BUCKLEY.

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