US151967A - Improvement in grain-binders - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. GORDON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

lMPROVEMENT IN GRAIN-BINDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 151,967, dated June 16, 1574; application led February 2l, 1574 To all whom it muy concern:

Be' it known that I, JAMES F. GORDON, of Rochester. in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Bindiu Harvest` ers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making part of this speciljcation, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved self-bindin g harvester, having the reel and most of the cutting-platform broken away. Fig. 2 is a sectional rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an obverse view of the cam J2, the yoke l, which rotates the chain-wheel J, that drives the gaveler, a-nd the yoke m, which operates the binding-arm R. Fig. 4 is a detached front elevation of the cam-wheel g, that operates the bell-cranks I and 1l; also, the cam Y', which actuates the binding mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detached view of the internal or segA mental gear b, with the planetary piuions a and d, that communicate reci proca-tin g movements to the twistershaft. Fig. 6 is a detached top or plan view of the reel-brake. Fig. 7 is a rea-r elevation of the binding apparatus. Fig. S is a top sectional view of the same. Fig. 9 is an obverse view of a portion of Fig. 7 Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the wire clamping and twisting mechanism, showing the end of the binding-arm R in its relative position thereto during the act of clamping, cutting olf, and twisting the ends of the bands together. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of devices behind that portion of Fig. 7 within the dotted lines a in said figure. Fig. 12 is a detached sectional front view of the clamping jaw sl. Fig. 13 is a top view, showing a modiiied form of the jaw fi. Fig. 14 is an inverted sectional view of the sliding jaw t', finger c, and stock or fixed jaw al. Fig. 15 is a transverse view of the planetary gearingshown in Fig. 5. Fig. 16 is a transverse section of the binding-arm at the shoulder, and looking in the direction ofthe arrow in Fig. 10. Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the wire-reel tension device'.

The objects of my invention are, harvesting grain and binding it into bundles by means of suitable bands, and its general operations are, cutting the grain; conveying it by al1 endless revolving apron on a platform to an elevating-carrier, by which it is lifted over the driving wheel or wheels and delivered to the gaveling or binding apparatus; dividing the accumulating grain-stalks on their passa-ge from the elevator from those delivered to the gaveler or binder; and, lastly, encircling the gavel with a wire band, and cutting oft and twisting together the ends of the same preparatory to dropping the bundle upon the stubble.

Reference in the following description to the grain side of the machine is understood to mean that portion which moves in and cuts the grain; and reference to the stubble side, that portion which moves over the stubble, and upon which the operation of binding is performed.

A in the drawings represents the fram e-work of the machine, which is hung to the ground or driving wheel D by means of a suitable pillow-block or box, B, on each side. Motion is communicated to the reciprocating cutter-bar (not shown) bymeans of the crankshaft t2, which is driven through shaft t4 by a spurgear on the ground-wheel, and indicated by the dotted circle D', Fig. 2, and a clutch may be arranged upon this shaft to be thrown in or out at pleasure. At the rear of the iinger-bar, and in such a position as to receive the falling grain, is arranged an endless revolving apron, a portion of which is shown at F3, Fig. l, which may or may not be provided with transverse strips, and which passes over suitable rollers at the lateral extremities of the platform. This apron acts to convey the cut grain into a position at the inner end of the finger-bar to be caught by the teeth t3 upon the endless elevator-belt F2. These ele vators are sustained and driven by suitable rollers at top and bottom, and act to convey the grain over the driving or ground wheel to the stubble side of the machine, delivering it to a gaveling or binding apparatus. The teeth t upon the belts F2 project between slats b b1, Figs. l and 2, which are secured at the inner end of the platform, and are bent in such a shape at their upper ends as to extend over the upper elevator-roller, and be fastened to the upper edge of the apron G. The slats are also so curved as to cause the teeth to withdraw gradually from between them toward the descending side of the belt F2. The ascending grain-stalks lie upon these slats, and are moved along by the elevator-teeth t3. After being' lifted the grain is forced alon the inclined or extended portion b1 of the slats and discharged therefrom by the picker-teeth Pl. Independent ribs or grain-guides Z are piovide d, corresponding in number and lateral position with the slats I), their lower extremities being secured to the vertically-zuljustable bar d1, and their upper ends resting upon the slats b, or nearly so. The grain, in ascending, passes under these guides, and, by their being hung to the yielding bar d, which is sustainedl by the springs d2 and adjusting-straps d4, it is retained upon the slats b against the action of the wind or other disturbing iniiuences. A rock-bar, q2, has suitable bearings upon the upper end of the posts which sustain the upper roller of the elevator-belt, and long guardijngers p2, of metal or other suitable material, are secured to it, and rest upon the gra-in. as it passes along the incline or extended portion b1,- and it will be seen that, since the guards Z project above these fingers, the grain-stalks are guided and kept in position (hiring their entire passage to the gaveler or binding apparatus, and also prevented from passing over the divider or cut-ott' n gers f4 when they are thrown up to check the discharge of the grain while a gavel is being removed. A similar rock-bar, q, and guard-iingcrsp3 are placed, as shown in Figs. l and 2, to prevent the pos sibility of the grain-stalks being thrown out of reach of the revolving gaveler H by wind or other iniiuence; or, if desired, the guards p2 might be extended so as to answer for both. At a suitable point under the incline or extension b1, l hang the rock-bar of the divider or cut-off fingers f4 to the frame of the machine. The lingers swing up between the slats bl, or through slots in them, being actuated by the cam g upon the shaft 7b4, bell-crank I, and a connecting link or rod, p5. The picker-fin gers P3 are arranged, as shown in Fig. 2, to operate upon the grain moving upon the incline bl and effect its uniform delivery to the binding mechanism, except when prevented by the divider. As the picker constitutes the subjectmatter of a separate application, a detailed description of it is not deemed necessary here. H, Figs. l and 2, a-re the arms of a gaveler, secured at or near their center to the shaft j. The ends of these arms swing close to the apron G, and the grain that falls from the incline or extension b1 rests upon these arms, and is retained in the angle between them and the apron G. A number of ribs, K, are provided on this apron, between which the ends of the gaveler arms H pass. By this means the grain-stalks are kept away from the face of the apron, and prevented from dropping be tween the apron and the ends of the gavelerarms. The dividers fl are vthrown up by the cam g when sufficient grain has been deliv ered to the binding mechanism to form a bundle, and the descending mass of grain-stalks is thus checked from moving forward until the gavel already formed is removed by the gavelcr or the bi1ulingarm, as hereinafter described. The gaveler-shaftj has an intermittent rotaiy motion imparted to it by the following` means: L1, Figs. l and 2, is a chainwheel, which revolves loosely upon the outer extremity of the shaft j, before mentioned. Thisv shaft receives motion from the drivingaxle by means ot' bevel-gears E2, Fig. 2, and near the wheel J (shown in dotted lines in Fig. l) is provided with a cam, J2, Figs. l and 2, and in obverse view in Fig. n3, upon the sides of which the reciprocating yokes l and mv are located. These yokes move nearly at right angles to each other, as shown, and are actuated by means of friction-rollersjournaled uponthe yokes, a-nd resting upon the periphery of the cam J 2. This chain-wheel L1 is loose upon the shaftj, and moves the latter in one direction only by mea-ns of the ratchet and pawl o, Fig. 2. This ratchet has only two teeth, equidista-nt on its periphery, whereby any im pulse given to the wheel L1 greater th an one-half and less than one whole revolution will cause but one-half revolution of the shaftj and the gaveler I-I. The cam J2 is so formed that the yokes l and my are station ary during one-quarter, more or less, of arevolutiou of the former at both'extrcmities of their throw, and consequently the parts actuated by them have a similarintermittent motion. The yoke Z is guided in its rcciprocations by the rod p, extending from its upper end, and the pitman p1 is pivoted to said rod, and to a crank-pin, fr, in one arm of the wheel J, Figs. 2 aud 3, also shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the wheel being omitted from the latter ligure to uncover other parts. Thus it will be seen that the chain-wheel J is given an intermittent Ymotion by the yoke I; and the crank i' being attached near the center of the wheel, its periphery is moved nearly one-third of a revolution by the amount of throw give-n to the yoke. The wheel Ll, however, being much smaller than the other, the chain L2 gives it more than a half revolution either way alternately. The movement of the gaveler, which is always forward, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. l, is justonehalf a revolution, its thro w being governed by the two-toothed ratchet and its pawl, before mentioned. It will be seen that by thesemovements of the chain -wheels an intermittent movement is imparted to the gaveler, and that such movement is effected during onequarter of a revoluion of the cam J2 and its shaft. The pawl o of the two-toothed ratchet is pivoted to a sliding plate, o1, Figs. l and 2, which is made adjustable on-the chain-wheel L1 by meansof a set screw through the segmental slot shown in Fig. l. This adjustment is provided for the purpose of taking up any slack, or compensating for any wear of the parts, or stretch of the chain L2, Sac., and thus force the gaveler-arms to their proper'position at each movement. An' automatic stop, t, Figs. 1 and 2, is employed to act upon the disk t', iixed upon the gaveler-shaft j. This disk has a ratchet tooth or a serrated notch, n', Fig. 1, on two opposite sides, and the stop t is forced into either of them by means of a spring, s3. As the gaveler swings over, the stop holds it from turning too far, and in position to receive the next gavel, and sustain the weight-of the same while the gavel below is being bound. The. stop is withdrawn by means of the crank A'r2 upon the shaft h4, which is linked to the pivoted arni b4, Figs. 1 and 2. To the back of this arm is pivoted a cam-dog, a', the oscillation of which is checked in one direction by the pin y' upon the arm, against which it is returned by a suitable spring, s". By the revolutions of the crank r2, which is keyed or otherwise fixed to the shaft, the arm b4 is given a reciprocating motion, and this motion in one direction (toward that position shownfin dotted lines) causes the descent of the stop t, by means ot' the cam-shaped edge of the dog .fr pressing down upon the pin y. WVhen the arm returns to the position shown in full lines, the dog swings freely over the pin or lug y on the stop t. The crank r2 is so arranged upon the shaft with relation to the cam` J2 that the withdrawal of the stop shall occur just previously to the action ot' the chain-wheels upon the gaveler. To prevent any reactionary vibration of the gaveler-arm shaft j,-I provide the disk t' with two reverse serrated notches intermediately between the other two, into which the spring pawl q catches, and eifectually retains it in its proper position. The binding-arm R is secured to the rockshaft A', Figs. 1 and 2, to which motion is imparted by the cam J 2 and yoke m, before mentioned, through the rock-arm d3 and adjusting-link b3. rlhe binding-wire c is wound uponl a reel, M, and passes from thence over or through guide-rollers m3 and m1 on the standard M', and the roller m2 on the upper end of the compressing-arm V, then over the pulley at the top of the standard M', and thence to the pulley in the eyeof the bindingarm, Figs. 1, 2, and 10, in which latter figure the parts are represented in t-he position as when the wire is being caught in the twister and by the jaw fi. The gaveler-arnis are so arranged that the binding-arm and wire may pass between them, and said arm being adjustable along the shaft A', its position may, and always must be, iixed between some two of the gaveler-arms. 1t is plain that, as soon as the gavel is formed, the gaveler-arms H may swing around in the direction of the arrow` in Fig. 1, and allow the gavel to drop upon the binding-wire and the balancing-tingers Z', the opposite end of the arms H assuming the position necessary to receive the grain from the picker P3 for the next gavel, and at the same time conning the gavel lying upon the binding-Wire,and assisting' to retain it in position while being bound. It will also be seen that the binding-arm may swing in toward the twister and encircle the formed gavel with the wire. The wire-reel brake consists of a bent lever, Q., Fig. 6, pivoted in such a position that the bent end shall rest against one head ot' the wire-reel M, when the other end. u", Figs. 1,2, and 6, is forced by the binding-arm R j ust at the extremity of its forward movement after encircling the gavel with wire, thus checking the momentum of the reel, and preventing it from continuing to pay off wire, which would be kinked and entangled in the parts. The tension device for the wirereel M consists of a friction-pad, o, Fig. 17, placed upon the hub of one head of the reel, against which it is held by a washer or collar, p, and the double or jam nuts n and n', both ot' which are indispensable, to prevent the traction between the reel-head and the pad from screwing the parts up with such force, when the reel revolves, a-s to actually lock it from turning at all, and consequently-to cause it to break the wire, Src. It will be seen that when the binding-arm R swings to the position indicated by the dotted lines R1 in Fig. l, lever Q, is released, and thereby liberates the reel. The object of this is to allow the wire to be paid oft' by the next forward movemen-t of the binding-arm. There is a small pulley or friction-roller, Fig. 10, placed in a mortise in the end of the arm It, around which the wire passes, as indicated. l pivot a curved reciproca-tin g arm, V, to the standard M, Figs. 1 and 2, and connect this with the bindingarm 1t by means of the pivoted link 7a4, whereby the movements of the reciprocating arm V, carrying the compressingcord S, is governed entirely by those-ot the binding-arm 1t. To the side of the latter I pivot a groovefaced pulley, P2, Figs. 1 and'2. Vithin this pulley is placed a spring, (not showin) one end of which istixed to the pulley and the other to the arm, or to the axial pin of said pulley. One end of a cord, S, is passed` two or three times around the pulley within theA groove, and secured thereto, and the other end is put through a suitable loop, t2, on the binder-arm, and over a roller indicated by a dotted circle., S4, Fig. 10, (also shown in full lines in Fig. 16,) thence to the lower end of the reciprocating arm V. The action of this is as follows: Then the binder-arm R swings forward, to carry the wire around the gavel, the end of this arm V is thrown up under the gavel in the opposite direction, the cord S, as well as the wire, assuming somewhat the position shown in Fig. 1 around the bundle. rlhe wire band is thus relieved from the strain necessary to compress the gavel preparatory to binding; and it is more thoroughly compressed, because greater force may be applied through the arni'V, the cord S, and springpulley P2; and when the arm V is moved back in the opposite directionit also carries that end ot' the cord with it, thus permitting the free discharge of the bundle. It will be -seen that this 'spring in the pulley P1 also enables the cord to ada-ptitselt' to the varioussized bundles and compress them with. equal force, and that the tension may be increased at any time by shortening the cord or by taking up the spring. A rubber or other elastic compressing-cord might be substituted for the spring and pulley, if desired- As the end of the binding-arm R swings toward the twister, the upper end of the arm Vis thereby thrown outward, and the wire passing over the pulley m2 therein, a certain extra quantity of wire is thus drawn ott' the reel, which affords a slack in the wire from the twister to the end of the arm R, when it is thrown back, or in its outward position, the object of which is to allow the wire to readily settle down to the level of the balancing-fingers by the weight of the gavel when deposited thereon. The spring in the pulley P2 causes it to recoil, and thus produces a strain upon the cord during the act of compressing" and binding. The balancing-lingers Z', above mentioned, are arranged below the binding-wire, and are secured to the rockbar extending` along the lower edge of the board O. This rock-bar is operated by the cam g, the bell-crank Il, link 12, and rock-arm on the shaft, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, and the fingers, when thrown up, as shown in Fig. 4, act to steady the butts and heads of the bundles or gavels while being bound. Upon the completion of the binding process, the cam allows the fingers to drop and discharge the bundle, such position being shown in Fig. 1, which occurs just the instant before the gaveler, Ste., change their position. That portion ofthe cam g which governs the position or action of the balancing lingers describes about three-fourths of a circle, the fingers being held up during that part of its revolution. There is a projection, g4, on one side of the cam, reaching about one-fourthof a circle, and this portion operates the bell-crank or lever I, connected with the divider or cut-olf lingers f4, whereby they are held up in the position indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 1 during one-fourth of the revolution of the cam-shaft, and while the gavel is being removed. A shield or board, O, is placed immediately below the gavel-aproii Gr, and the wiretwisting apparatus is arranged upon horizontal timbers just behind it. The openings B2 through this board are in the same horizontal line with the slot Bl, Fig. 7, in the twister, and as the arm R is adjustable along its shaft A', any one of the openings B1 may be used for the entrance of the said arm to the twister, the latter also being adjustable along its supporting -tiinbcrs. By means of this lateral adjustability of the binding devices upon the frame of the machine, the position of the band around the bundle may be accommodated to thegrain ot' different lengths.

The binding apparatus consists, in general terms, of two sets of clamping-jaws, one of which retains the end of the wire while the gavel is being pressed by the binding-arin, while carrying' the wire around the gavel, the other holding both ends of the encircling` band, while the twister-hook cl (shown in my patent of July 15, 1873) cuts off and twists them together. The saddle P, Figs. 7 and 8, is secured to the frame R2, which supports the twister, and is provided upon its upper face with a plate, Pl, having a slot, B1, before mentioned. The lower end of this slot is contracted on one side, as shown, forming a somewhat wedge-shaped opening, for the purpose of forcing the wire or wires in a position to be more readilycauglit by the transversely-sliding jaw sl, Figs. 7, 8, 10, and 12, which is so placed and arranged as to move its vertical clamping-edge into the groove o2, just back of the plate P1, which latter constitutes one wall of the opening. The jaw s1 clamps the ends of the band against and between the edges of the plate Pl and the other wall of said opening or mortise 02, Fig. 8. By having this mortise 02 open entirely through tothe outer edge of the plate P1, any foul matter which is liable to work in between the walls of the mortise by the action of the jaw is pushed ont or through by it, thereby keeping it always open and clear, and insuring the clamping of the wires by the latter being firmly pressed around the front end of said jaw s1, by which they are pressed between the metal walls of the inortise, as before stated. The kinks thus formed in the ends of the wire band also greatly assist to retain the grasp upon them, and hold them after they have been released by the inner `jaw, 1'., and cut off by the action of the hook or twister, and d nring the twisting operation. rlhere is a sort of guard or ccntering jaw, s, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1l. This jaw is attached to the shank ot' jaw s, and so as to move with it; but it is located on the opposite side of the twister-hook, as shown in Fig. 8, and its functions are mainly to retain the wire, as it lies across from the front to rear or inner jaw, about to be described, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 10, down within the track of the revolving twister-hook, and to prevent the end of the wire from springing out of the grasp ofthe innerjaw,1`, after being cut off by said twister-hook. The clamping-jaw fi, Figs. 7, 8, 10, 1l, 13, and 1l, moves parallel to s and s1, but is arranged tlatwise, and its clamping notch or shoulder is made to move' into the metal loop c, formed on the end of the nger-stock or fixed liaw al, Figs S, 11, and 14. I provide a clampingfinger, c, Figs. 7, 8, 10, 1l, and 14, fitted to slide within loops a and a2 on the stock al, and motion is communicated to it by means of the pivoted lever gl, the lower end of which is linked to the spindle of iaw 'i by the rod X, as shown in Fig. 7. \Vhen, therefore, the jaw is withdrawn, the finger c is also withdrawn, but in the opposite direction, thus leaving a free passage for the introduction of the wire, as will be more fully described hereafter. But when the jaw i moves up to and clamps the wire, the linger c also advances, and prevents the latter from Slipping out or springing away from the jaw,

its action being to hold the wire down upon or against the beveled shoulder of the `jaw, that portion of the wire next to the twister being below the finger, and that toward the pulley in the head of the binder-arm being above the shank k of the jaw i, as shown in Fig. 8.

1t is evident that by means of the beveled shoulder z, Fig. 14, on the jaw i, when it and the finger c approach each other, the interveni ing wire is thereby forced into the V-shaped angle formed between them, and its more thorough clamping is thus insured. The finger c also forms a ledge, over which the wire is drawn when the binding-arm retreats, and by its use the latter action cannot detach and withdraw the wire from the grasp of the jaw. If desired, this finger might be formed upon the jaw c', as shown in Fig. 13. The shank 7c of this jaw is never withdrawn from its bearing in the stock a1, and therefore the wire can never be forced below the range of the clamping-shoulder of the jaw. The two spindles of the clamping-jaws are each provided witha strong spring, S2 S3, which hold said jaws in their seats or clamping position, except when withdrawn by the cam U, and also takes up any slack which might occur by the actionor wear of the parts. W is a lever, which is pivoted to each of the jaw spindles, and is connected by a link Vto the reciprocating slide WV. From the back of this slide projects, obliquely, a lug, to which is pivoted a conical riction-roller,o,Fig. 8. Through these parts the jaws receive an intermittent reciprocating movement from the compound cam This cam has a sleeve projecting on each side, which are made to constitute its journals, and they have bearings in the hangers V2. The link is shown broken away, so as to lpermit the roller of the slide to occupy a central position, while at the same time the front jaw and guide are held open. The spindle of the rear jaw z' is also shown broken away', so as to allow that jaw to be shown open. The natural draft or force of the springs tends to keep the roller and slide in their present position; but the former is held upon the right-hand side of the cam during about two-thirds ofv each revolution, which position holds the front jaw s1 open. As the cam isrevolved, an instantaneous or sudden impulse is given to it in the opposite direction by the lug u of the cam, which changes the position of the lever W to that indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 8, which closes the jaw s1 and opens the jaw i, and it is, immediately returned to the right side by the lug u', and, of course,reverses the positiomof the jaws. is splined upon the cam k1, the opposite end of which has a suitable bearing upon the frame of the machine, and receives its motion therefrom through the spur-gears T and T', the latter of which is keyed to the shaft h4. The extent of the reciprocations of the slide W is such that when the inner clamping-jaw c' is closed the center Q12 becomes a fulcrum for the lever W', and the jaw s1 is thereby opened;

This compound camA and conversely when s1 is closed, the center el becomes the fulcrum, and@l is opened. The importance of this action will appear more clearly hereafter. The stock R, upon which the twisting devices are' arranged, is hung to two timbers just under the gaveler-apron G, and

vbehind the board O, by means of the hangerlugs G2; and by means ot' the shaft 7c,l being splined to the cani U, and the shaft k2 to the spur-gear 7c3, this stock may be hung in such a position as to receive the binding-arm through the central openingB2 inv theboard O,or through either of the others, as may be required. The outer end of shaft k2 near pinion l has a bearing in the sleeve n, Fig. 15.

The twister c2`is the subject-matter of a separate application; therefore only its operation in connection with the other parts will be explained here. It is given several revolutions in either direction alternately by the bevel-pinions y2, which receive motion from the swinging segment Y, Figs. 1 and 2, and the planetary gearing, Figs. 5and 15. In these figures the planetary pinion a is hung loosely to the arm 4and acts as an intermediate between the internal segmental gear b and the central pinion d. This latter is rig- `idly xed upon the shaft kf The armi and pinion f 'are ixed upon the sleeve n, as will be seen, while the latter only receives a partial turn or revolution either way from the cam or segment Y. The motion of the pinion d is multiplied by the planetary pinion a traversing the internal segment b. The segment Y is `journaled upon the shaft 71., and is made to oscillate by a wrist-pin, 1, in the gear-wheel T, which pin carries a friction-roller, and moves in a cam-groove shaped about'as shown by dotted lilies in Fig. 4. Itis thusvshaped in order to give both the forward and reverse movement of the twister-hook during about one-fourth to one-third of a revolution of the shaft k1, which latter operates the Vclampingjaws. The forward movement of the hook is produced while the pin is passingl from 1, which indicatesits position at the end of the extreme backward throw of the cam, Fig. 4, to the point 2, and the backward lor reverse movement or throw while passing from 2 to 3, from which latter point 'around 'to 4 and to 1. The groove being a true circle, andy brought into a concentric position with the axial center of wheel T, aroundvrwhieh the wrist-pin swings, the twister is held at rest during that portion ot' the revolution of p said wheel T. Since," the movements ot' all the parts of the binding apparatus are derived either directly or indirectly from the shaft h4, it follows that a bundle is bound'at each revolution of the same, and all the parts are, therefore, timed together. The lips e', Figs. l10 and 16, prevent the wire from working ott' from the shoulder or inclined rest `2 on r'the binderarm. An ordinary clutch, 8, Fig. 1, is employed to couple the driving-wheel D to its shaft. There-mayr be guard-wires 9, Figs. l and 2, .on the reel M, to prevent the wire from getting discharged therefrom, except as required by the movements of the arm R. 1t will be seen that without a spring on at least one of the spindles neither of the wire-clampingjaws could be kept closed, and both are indispensable in orderto secure the closing of either jaw when necessary.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The grain, having been cut in the usual manner, falls upon the revolving apron F3, from whence it is elevated by the belt F2, and earried over the driving-wheel upon the slats b1, and delivered by the pickers F3 to the binding mechanism. The end of the binding-arm It has, by the revolution of the shaft 7L, been previously forced ino the twisting apparatus, and the end of the wire caught in thejaw y., in the manner before described. At the proper moment, and while the arm 1t is returning to its open position, the cam r/ throws up the dividing or cut-oft' fingers fr, arresting for the time the forward movement ot' the grain, and immediately thereafter the chain-wheel J acts, by means ot' the cam J2, to give the gaveler a half revolution in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. The gavel is thereby deposited upon the binding-wire and balancing-fingers Z', the weight of the gavel, together with the pressure of the gaveler-arms H, bearing the band down, as before' shown. The end of the binding-arm is thrown forward into the twister,

drawing' aquantity of wire from the reel M,

and carrying it around the gavel, and through that one of the openings B2 in range with which the binder-arm and the twisting apparatus are arranged, and into the slot B1 in the twister. 'hile these movements have been going on, the jaw i has been kept closed and the jaw s* open by the roller 1J being held on the right-hand side of the cam U, Fig. S, through their intermediate connections. W l1 en the end of the arln has reached the extremity of its inner movement, as in Fig. 10, the said cam4 reaches that portion of its revolution which drives the slide 1V to the opposite extreme of its movement by the reversin gportion a, Fig. 8, and this causes a sudden reversal in the position of thejaws, closing si and opening i by the means before explained. Jaw z' is opened but an instant, simply to release the end ot' the wire previously held, and to receive and grasp the first end of the wire to form the next band after being' severed by the twister-hook. rlhis jaw 'i is opened and closed after the entrance of the end of the binder-arn'i, and while the jaw s1 is closed, during which time, also, the twister is operated. The opening of the jaw retracts the linger c, as before shown, and vice versa. rlhe jaw c1 is opened to discharge the bound gavel or bundle, and is held open until the binding-arm carries the wire around the next gavel, and returns to the position shown in Fie'. 10, when it is again closed to grasp the ends of the wire encircling the bundle, and holding them until cut off'a-nd twisted together, as before shown, and just as the bundle is to be dropped, the fingers Z are e raies? permitted to fold down, as shown-in Fig. 1, and thus allow the discharge of the bound grain.

I lay no claim in this ease to either the picker, the divider, or cut-off, or to the guardlingers p2, as they constitute the subject-matter of a separate application.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. rlhe combination of the apron Gr, gaveler Il, and guard-lingers p3, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. rlhe cam J2 and yoke l, in combination with the chain-wheels J and L1, arranged to operate eonjointly, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

3. rlhe stop t and spring s3, in combination with the swinging arm b4 and pivoted springdog x, operating conjointly, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set'forth.

4. The adjustable ratcheted chain-wheel L1, in combination with the intermittently-rotatin g gaveler H, for the purposes set forth.

5. ln combina-tion with the pivoted or swinging arm V, support M and binding-arm R, substantially in the manner and for the purposes shown and described.

6. The compressing mechanism, consist-ing of the binder-arm R, compressing-arm V, cord S, and spring-pulley 1, arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

7. In combination with the wire-pulleys on the standard M, the swinging pulley m2 and arms 1t and V, for the purposes set forth.

8. The brake-lever Q, in combination with the binding-arm 1t and wire-reel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In combination with the binding-arm R and the wire 10, the balancing-fingers Z', pivoted to the lower edge of the apron G, so as to swing down to drop the bundle, as set forth.

10. The fixed jaw 1? P1, provided with the opening o2, through which any refuse matter may be discharged bythe action of the jaw s1.

11. The clamping-linger c, in combination with the clamping-jaw and fixed jaw al, operating eonjointly to clamp the outer end of the wire after the band has been applied, and while the end of the 'binding-arm is returning to its open position, substantially as set forth.

12. 1n combination with the clamping-jaws i and .s1 and the twister c2, the centering-jaw s, as and for the purposes set forth.

13. 1n combination, with the wire-elampin g jaws 'L' and .s1 and springs s2 and s3, the lever W, with its movable centers or axial points r1 and c2, arranged to operate conjointly, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l-l. The compound cani U, constructed to operate substantially as shown and described, in combination with the wireclamping jaws, for the purposes set forth.

15. The cam Y and wheel T, arranged to operate substantially as shown and described, in combination with the twister-hook c2, for the purpose of imparting to the latter an intermittent forward and reverse rotation, as and for the purposes set forth.

16. In ACombination lwith the cam Y and the metal loop a, to form the open slot into pinion f, the planetary gearing a., b, d, and I, which the jaw t' forces the Wire in the act of Figs. 5 and 15, and twistenhook t2, for the grasping the same, and permit said jaw to purposes set forth. force any wire cuttings or other Waste mat- 17 The reciprocating clamping-jaws si, optor through, so as not to interrupt the effective erating conjoiutly with the fixed jaw or plate action of said clamping-jaw, as set forth.

P1, to grasp and hold the free ends of the Wire J. F. GORDON. l band during the action of the cutting and Vitnesses: twisting hook, as set forth. WM. S. LOUGHBOROUGH,

18. The stock or fixed jaw al, provided with DANIEL VOOD.

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