US576647A - Corn-harvester - Google Patents

Description

(No'Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

J. I. ASHBAUGH. CORN HARVESTER.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. J. I. ASHBAUGH. G oRN HARVESTER.

l Patented Feb. 9,' 1897.

1H: Norms PETERS co. mmoumo., wAsnlNnmN, n c.

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheen 4.

J. I. ASHBAUGH. I

CORN HARVESTER.

Patentd Peb. 9, 1897.

(No Moden) 5 sheetssheet 5.

-J. I. ASHBAUCTH.y

ooRN HARVESTER.

No. 576,647. Patented Peb. 9, 1897.

'mi Nonms Finns co., Fnovouno., WASHINGTON, nA c.

JOI-IN I. ASHBAUGI-I, OF

RICHMOND, KENTUCKY.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 576,647', dated February 9, 1897'. Application filed September 6, 1895. Serial No. 561,634. V(No model.)

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Be it known that I, JOHN I. ASHBAUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Madison and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn -Ilarvestersg 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.

My present invention relates to an improvement in harvesting machinery for cutting, bundling, and binding corn and other agricultural products, the object of the invention being to provide a locomotive machinery which can traverse the corn-field and in its course operate and cut, bundle, and bind the stalks by means of acontinuous series of automatic movements; and the invention therefore consists, essentially, in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, suhstantially as will be hereinafter described, and then more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is a top plan view of my improved corn-harvester. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side elevation of the machine, the view being similar in some respects to that in Fig. 2, but on a diminished scale. Fig. is a front end elevation. Fig. 5 is an opposite side elevation from that shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is 'an enlarged detail view of the gearing which operates the cutting mechanism from the main drive-shaft. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the gearing at one side of the machine Which operates the elevating mechanism from the main drive-shaft. Fig. 8 is a rear end elevation showing the compressing mechanism and releasing-lugs 7152.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout all the different figures of the drawings.

A designates the main horizontal frame of my improved harvesting machine, which frame may be of any suitable and desirable form and structu 'e, it being preferably made as light as possible, having at the front end the horizontal foot-board,on which is mounted the drivers scat l' and to which is attached the tongue or pole b, and having at the rear end the platform A', on which the binding mechanism and certain other mechanical 5 5 parts of the invention are situated.

d d designate the main d rive-wl1eels,which are attached to the horizontal shaft B,which runs transversely across the under side of the main frame A at or near the front end 6o thereof and is supported in suitable bearings.

At the rear end of the platform A are the two smaller wheels d a', which are mounted lin such a manner as will'best enable an easy guidance and shifting of the machine in its 65 course.

On the main drive-shaft B, near one of the wheels d, is a sprocket-wheel O, around which passes a chain c, which also engages another sprocket-wheel C on the end of a horizontal 7o shaft C2, which is supported in bearings at the front end of the main frame A at a point near the attachment of the pole b. (See Figs.

l and 5.) On the other end of the shaft C2is a bevel gear-wheel Ll, which is securely fixed 7 5 upon the vertical rotary shaft L, which carries the arm l of the reel that engages the standing cornstalks and feeds them to the action of the cutting' mechanism. I preferably place upon the vertical shaft L an upper 8o set of arms l, which are preferably of curved form and are attached at their inner end to a h ub which is adjustable upon the rod L by means of a set-screw, and also another lower set of similar curved arms Z, which are like- 8 5 wise adjustable vertically upon the rod L, so as to be placed nearer to or fartheraway from ,the cutters. The upper and lower arms Z arev preferably connected together by means of sheets of netting Z', of wire or other suitable 9o substance, whereby the ears of corn may be prevented from catching and dragging. The curvature of the arms Z enables them to better bring the cornstalks under the action of the cutting-disks. 9 5

The rate of revolution of the feeding-reels just described will be considerably less than that of the cutting-disks, because itis only necessary that this feeding device should rotate with sufiicient rapidity to catch the loo On the main shaft B there is also a gearwheel F, which is located not very far from the sprocket-wheel C above mentioned. (See Figs. l and 7.) an other gear-wheel Fl on a short shaft f, which is supported in suitable hearings in the main frame and which carries at its opposite and outer end a sprocket-wheel F2. (See Figs. l and Around the sprocket-wheel F2 passes the chain Fil, which runs upward in an inclined position along the side of the main frame and passes around another sprocketwheel F, which is fixed on a shaft G, journaled at the top of the main frame and operating to drive the elevating chains or carriers, whereby the cut fodder is elevated to a position whence it is transferred to the rear binding mechanism. That portion of the main frame which supports the shaft G and the other parts just referred to may be constructed and arranged in any desired manner. As an example, I have shown in the drawings the inclined side bars F5, rising in an inclined position from the horizontal frame A, and from the upper ends of these side bars F5 extend the forwardly-inelined side bars G3, whose lower ends reach the forward end of the main frame A. The left sidebar G3 is raised above the elevating-chains. In the lower portions, or in the forward ends of these inclined side bars G3, or in any other suitable part of the main frame, is journaled the horizontal shaft G', corresponding to the shaft G, above mentionethand parallel thereto. These shafts Gand G' extend horizontally across the entire machine from one side to the other. On each shaft is a series of sprocket-wheels, and a series of chains G2 G2 G2 pass around the sprocket-wheels on the shaft G and also around the sprocket-wheels on the shaft G'. Said chains are provided'at intervals with right-angled projections g g. In the illustration of myinvention shown in the drawings I have shown five of these chains G2. The shaft G is, as l have already stated, a driving-shaft and the shaft G' is a driven shaft. Power which is applied to the shaft G by means of the chain F3, the sprocket-wheels Fc and F4, and the gear-wheels F and F' from the shaft B suffices to drive all of these elevating` chains or carriers and enables them to perform their proper function of raising the fodder or corn after it has been cut by the cutting mechanism and carrying' the same away from the cutter and upward to the upper part of the machine, where it can be delivered to the binding devices, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. I do not wish to be restricted to any particular number of or pattern for these elevating-chains or lifting devices for the harvested material, but reserve the liberty of so varying, reconstructing, and adapting them as may enable them to best serve the purposes of my present improvements.

On the front end of the main frame A (see Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, and 5) is a series of rearwardlycurved arms which rise vertically from the This gear-wheel F engages f corn that might be blown or otherwise thrown front end of the frame and are then curved un til they proj ect rearwardly and downwardly for the purpose of catching the cut stalks of forward and carry them by force of gravity back in proper position to be caught by the elevators. These guide-arms are designated N. They are verticallyadjustable by means of set-screws n n, which operate to clamp them in their sockets, the adjustment being for the purpose of enabling them to be properly positioned with respect to the arms of the feeding-reel, which revolve in close proximity to these guide-arms N. On the side of the part of the frame G3 nearest to the cutting mechanism is the stationary and adj ustable side arm M, to the forward end of which is attached the laterally-curved horizontal guide-rod 1n, which projects into proximity to the elevating devices and assist-s in enabling the cornstalks to be delivered from the cutting devices to the latter.

By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the side arm M can be adjusted by causing the attaching-bolt therefor to enter one or the other of the holes in the series shown in the part G3.

M' denotes a shield which is located in advance of the cutting mechanism, said shield serving to inclose and protect the gearing and as a guide, and also operating to catch and raise cornstalks until they are brought in contact with the arms of the reel, it being form ed with the receiving-mouth,into which the cornstalks are fed, so that they will be in accurate position to be caught and cut by the cutting-disks. The location of these shields and guides M' is clearly shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, it being observed that the arms of the rotative feed-rcel operate a short distance above the mouth of the guide-shields M', and consequently as the machine pursues its course through the corn-field the cornstalks will be, by means of the feed-reel, surely directed, as shown bythe arrows in Fig. l, into the mouth of the guide M', where the cutting devices will act upon them. At the left-hand side of the guide is a curved bar M2, which connects bar M with bar M and acts as a brace and guide.

I will now describe the construction and mode of operation of the cutting devices.

On the main drive-shaft B is a gear-wheel D, the same being a beveled gear. This gear is movable to a greater or less extent upon the drive-shaft B, so that it may be thrown into and out of gear with the corresponding bevel gear-wheel E on the end of a horizontal shaft c, on the other end of which horizontal shaft e is another bevel gear-wheel E', which engages a bevel-gear o on an upright shaft O, which is suitably journaled in the main frame and which carries the cutting-disks E2 and E3. (See Figs. l, 3, and G.) The adjustment of the gear D is effected by means of a link d, which is loosely attached to the collar on gear D and which is pivoted at its other end IOC to a bell-crank d'. To this bell-crank is pivoted another link d2, which isY pivotally attached to the lower end of a lever d3. This lever is placed conveniently near the drivers seat B', so that it can be operated by the person seated thereon. ALever cl3 is provided with a catch device d4, which engages the toothed segment d5. It will be clear, therefore, that the operator of the machine can whenever he desires throw the gear D into or out of mesh with the gear E and therebj7 actuate or stop the cutting devices. The two cutting-disks E2 and E3 are situated one at the upper end and the other at the lower end of their shaft O and are adjustable thereon, so as to cut the stalk in two sections, the upper section of which contains the ear of corn and is to be bundled and tied, as hereinafter described, the lower section to be severed by the lower disk in close proximity to the ground and allowed to drop out of the way of the machine and subsequent cultivation, thereby saving labor and expense in handling valueless parts of the cornstalk. The lower disk E3 may be removed in cutting extremely short corn or where its services are not desired. One or the other or both of these cutting wheels or disks E2 and E3 are shaped with an undulating or wave-like periphery, as it is believed that this gives a better cutting edge. In addition to these power-driven cutting-disks there is another circular disk E4, the cutting edge of which operates by lapping under and in contact with wheel E2, and which wheel E4 simply rotates in consequence of the contact of the cornstalks or other materialtherewith and is not power driven.

Disk E2 is beveled from above downward, and disk E4` is beveled from below upward, giving cutting edges similar to those of a pair of scissors, which I believe to be more advantageous than other forms of cutting edge. I do. not wish to be confined to the precise arrangement described. I prefer horizontal disks, but others may be employed if thought best. It will be observed that near the guideshield M' is another curved guard-piece E5, which serves as a support for the lower end of the feeding-reel shaft L.

On the shaft G is a sprocket-wheel z., around which passes a chain h', which also passes around another sprocket-Wheel h2, that is fixed on a drive-shaft H, said shaft being j ournaled in bearings in the upper ends of the two vertical parallel standards P' P', which are supported on the main frame A at the opposite edges of the rear platform A'. In this way the shaft H is driven from the shaft G. On the shaft H are two gear-wheels K K. These gear-wheels K engage the vertical rack-bars 7s, which carry at their lower ends the forks 7e'. The rack-bars 7c are vertically movable within the sockets 7a3. Hence as the gearwheels K :rotate the rack-bars k and the forks k' will .be lifted. The gear-wheels K K are clutched to the shaft H by means of an ordinary clutching device, as K2. Vith this form of clutch it is evident that by shifting the gear-wheels K slightly upon the shaft H the will likewise be thrown out of engagement with the teeth of the rack-bars 7c.

On the forks k' k' are the curved clutchdisplacing lugs or cams 7a2 k2, which are laterally curved, so that when they rise their convex sides will strike against the inside of the gears and force them out of engagement with the clutches, when the rack-bars are lifted to the proper height.

7a4 designates double pawls, which are pivoted at their center, and the upper and lower ends of which are adapted to engage the teeth of the rack-bars 7c 7s. These pawls h4 are operated by a hand-lever 705. When the rackbars la have been lifted to the proper height, said pawls may be caused to engage the rackbars, as shown in Fig. 2, or when the rackbars are in their lower position the lower ends of the pawls may then be caused to engage the racks for the purpose of keeping the forks k' closely pressed down upon the harvested material which may be beneath them and prevent any rebound.

On the left side of the machine, near the opposite edge of the platform A', is a rectangular upright bar J', which is fastened at one end upon the platform A' and at its other end is attached rigidly to the upper junction of the side bars G3 and F5, so erected as to be out of the way of the movement of platform P, the purpose of this right-angled bar being to act as a brace to strengthen the parts of the framework and to serve for the attachment thereto of certain operating parts. 'Further, it willl be observed that depending from the upper junction of the side bars G3 and F5 are the plates or arms F6, in the lower ends of which is journaled a horizontal shaft I, that carries the curved arms it', projecting from the shaft I, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, so that they lie below the shaft G, and

' adapted, therefore, to receive upon them the gathered corn, which is carried upward by means of the elevating-carriers and delivered thereby, at the top of the machine near the shaft G, said material falling upon the arms it'. The shaft I is furthermore provided with an arm I', projecting in one direction, and the arm I2, projecting in the opposite direction, the end of the arm I' being furnished with the Weight I3, and the end of the arm I2 being bent at an angle to engage a bent-wire spring J, which is attached to the frame J'. It will be obvious that the weighted arm I' will be sufficient to maintain the shaft I and its arms fi in equilibrium or in a stationary position until the weight of the material overcomes the power of the weighted arm, and the operator then liberates the weighted arm I'. Then the arms 't' will drop and automatically discharge their contents, as from a basket, upon the platform P, which I style the ICO IIO

binding-platform, and which has the function of receiving the gathered material for the purpose of permitting it to be bound in bundles for removal from the machine. Vhen the basket or receiver, consisting of the arms i, is in its normal position and is receiving the material that is being delivered thereto from the elevating` mechanism, the bent end of the arm l2 will be resting upon the upper bent end of the spring J, said arm l2 thereby assisting the weight I3 in keeping the parts in equilibrium. NVhen the material has been discharged, the weight I3 serves to restore the basket immediately to its former position, and consequently the bent end of the arm l2 immediately returns to the position where it rests upon the upper end of the spring` J, as shown in Fig. 2.

The platform P is mounted upon a pivot at p2, as shown in Fig. l, so that it may be shifted about in a rotary way. lt is provided with the rearwardly-projecting lever or handle p, by means of which this shifting may be accomplished. lt is also provided with the rear Vertical ridid arms or osts P2 secured to thev rails S' S', which are made stationary on the platform P and to which are also attached by rivets the two arms P2. The lever p is fulcrumed on the short standard p8 and passes under bar V, which connects the two arms P3, so that by depressing the rearmost end of the lever p the bars P3 can be brought up to brace and compress the bundle. On the platform P, near its edge, are wired spools P5. The wire on these spools is lead off therefrom and then around the bundle and tied. In this way the bundle of corn, after it falls upon the platform P and is compressed thereon, can be tightly bound and tied together into a small compass for easy removal and handling.

Suppose now that the bundle of gathered corn or other similar vegetable material has just been dumped from the basket upon the platform P. The forks 7s we maynow consider to be in an elevated position, being held there by means of the pawls 7a4, the gear-wheels KV K having just been automatically unclutched, as before described. Now of course the next thing to do is to bind the loose fodder in a iirm bundle. The pawls will irst be disengaged from the racks 7c and the forks 7s' drop down firmly over the corn. At the same time the arms P3 will be drawn up toward the arms P2 by operating lever p, and the wiring of the bundle will then take place. In order to bring the forks k 7a' firmly down upon the fodder, I employ the mechanism shown in Fig. 8, where it will be seen that to the cross-piece R, in whose sockets 7a3 the rack-bars 7s vertically move, are attached pivotally the toggles S S, to which the ropes s s are connected. These ropes s S pass around the pulley device T, suspended by a connection if from the beam R, and said ropes are attached to the stirrup U, which depends adjacent to the platform P. The operator by placing his foot in the stirrup U and pressing downward upon t-he same will cause the toggles S S to extend themselves, and this will result in forcing the forks 7c rmly down upon the fodder or oth er material and tightly compressing the bundle. Then the forks 71; have thus been depressed, thc pawls 71:4 will keep them in this position and thus catch any rebound thereof, after which the bundle is tied. The lever or handle 1J is pivoted on the upper side of the platform P, so that by pressing down on the end of the lever or handle p the arms P2, connected by a rod V, will be raised for the purpose of securing and retaining the material to be bound. The lever is also to be used, after rotating the platform P, to dump the bundle from the carriage.

EG is a brace-rod made fast to platform A, passing horizontally over the cutting-disks and secured to the reel-shaft as a brace for the reel-shaft, also serving to stop butts of stalks and guiding them outward, thus acting to keep cut stalks off of the cutting-disks.

The adjustment of gearwheels K K on shaft H may be effected with similar link and collar as gear D by levers S2, fulcrumed on standards P'.

The rack-bars t t are joined between the junctions of 7c' 7c' and the lower arms of toggle S on forks 7c by substantial cross-bar S5.

The chain 71, is so attached to the sprocketwheel K that the same maybe thrown out of gear and the elevating-bar 7c raised and lowered by means of a loose and detachable crank placed on the drive-shaft l-I, thereby allowing the binding-platform P and the forks k' to be used to bind and rebind material when the machine remains stationary.

The lower half or arm of toggle S operates loosely within a groove in the rack-bar k, beginning at or near the juncture of 7c with 7s, and extends upward a sufficient distance to allow full play to the action of the compressing mechanism.

The elevator platform may bc made of sheet-iron or tin.

The rear wheels are swiveled or so arranged as will best enable an easy guidance of the machine.

Having t-hus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secu re. by Letters Patent, is

1. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with the cutting and delivering mechanism, of the compressing devices, consisting essentially of a rotating platform, verticallymovable forks, gears engaging rack-bars on said forks, and means carried by said forks to automatically disengage the gears, substantially as described.

2. In a corn-harvesting machine, the combination with the cutting mechanism, of elevating mechanism, means for guiding the material onto the elevating mechanism, a basket for receiving the cut material, locking means for said basket, means for automatically righting said basket after dumping, a rotating platform to receive the material, compressing IOO IIO

yIO

.mechanism on said platform, comprising a series of forks, means for elevating and depressing the forks, and means for lockingthe forks when depressed.

3. In a corn-harvestin g machine, the combination with the cutting and elevating mechanism, of basket mechanism for delivering the cut material, a rotating platform to receive the material, and binding mechanism on said platform, consisting of vertically-movable forks, means for operating the forks from the main drive-shaft, a series of rigid arms to the rear of the rotating platform, a series of pivoted arms to the front of the platform, and a lever to operate the pivoted arms to compress the material.

4. In a corn-harvestin g machine, the combination with the cutting, elevating and delivally, a horizontal beam supported on the platform and carrying the forks,toggles connected with the beam and forks, a stirrup and connections between the stirrup and toggles, by means of which the toggles may be extended and the forks depressed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN I. ASHBAUGH.

IVitn esses:

J. H. POWELL, WELBY W. BURGIN.

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