US245924A - Grain-binder - Google Patents

Description

(Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 1.

C. W. LBVALLEY.

(Model.)

G. W. 'LMALLESLV GRAIN BINDER.

No. 245,924. Patented Aug. 16,1881..

N. PETERS, Pholvumngrapher. washington. D. t:4

(MOdel.)

l 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. W. LEVALLBY. GRAIN BINDER. 111,245,924.

Patented Aug. 16,1881.

Wifmemef f 765W naiv-45 N PE'IERS, mmmmhogmphw. wnmmnwn. D. C,

(Model.) 5 sheetssheet 4.

C. W. LBVALLBY. GRAIN BINDER.

\ No. 245,924. Patented Aug. 16,1881l Fly, c..2 6

(Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 5.

C. W. LE'VALLEY.

GRAIN BINDER.

Patented Aug. `16, 103.81.

UNiTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTOPHER W. LEVALLEY, OF SI. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

GRAIN-BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,924, dated August 16, 1881.

Application filed September 13, 1880.

To aZZ whom tt may concern Be itknow n th at I, GHnstloPnEa W. LEVAL- LEY, a citizen of the United States,residin gat St. Paul, in the county of ltainsey and State of Minnesota ,haveinven ted certai u new and useful Improvements in Grain-Binders; 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 whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or gures of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

Figure 1 is an elevation ot' my improved binder, taken from the stubble side. Fig. 2 shows the support for one end ot' the upper sliding bar. Fig. 3 is aview, partlyin section and partly in elevation, taken from the rear. Fig.4 is a iront elevation of the devices for actuating the needle andtheneedle-frame when the latter are mounted at the front end of the inaehine, as shown in Figs. l and Fig. 5 is a view ofthe rack and cogged plate which actuate the needle. Fig. 6 is a top view ot' the cogged plate and its adjusting devices. Fig. 7 is a view ofthe last said devices taken from the outer end of the sector-plate. Fig. S is a View ofthe needle and the gavel-compressors detached. Fig.9 is a side viewot` the last said devices in the positions occupied during the operation otl tying. Fig. 10 is a front view of the spring and friction-roller .for forcing the compressor against the gavel. Fig. 11 is a side view of the same parts. Fig. 12 is a view of a crank-arm detached,shown in Figs. S and 9. Fig. 13 is a perspective view ot' the tripping rock-shaft detached. Figs. 14,15,and 16 illustrate'one form of mechanism for throwing the binder into and out of operation, Fig. 14 being a top-plan view thereof, Fig. 15 an end elevation, taken from the rear end of the binder, and Fig. 16 a side elevation, taken from the grain side of the machine. Figs. 17,18, 19, and 20 illust-rate a modified form of mechanism for the last said purpose, Fig. 17 being a top plan thereof, Fig. 18 an end elevation, Fig. 19 a side elevation from the stubble side of themachine, and Fig. 20 a top view ot' the toggle-levers shown in Fig.19 detached. Figs.21, 22, and 23 illustrate a modified form ot' mechanism for actuating the needle and needle-frame,

(Model.)

Fig. 22 being an elevation from the stubble side of' the machine, Fig. 21 an end view from the rear end of the binder, and Fig. .'3 a view of the needle-operating devices detached, in the position occupied when thtl needleis at the end of its upward throw. Fig. 24 is a top view of the tension devices. Fig. 25 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 26 is a perspective view ot the intermittent tension detached and on a larger scale.4 Fig. 27 illustrates the various positions of the cord. Fig. 2S is a view of the gavel-receiver detached.

In the drawings, A8 A represent standards; A B', girts, and Aw the elevatorframe.

JX is an upright secured to the elevatorframe, and having a bracket,J3, attached to it.

The binder-frame hasa top bar,J6, and lower bar, R1, brackets Rz R5 R6, and an upright, J, the latter attached to bar J6 and to bracket R6 by a supplemental bracket, r6. The binderframe slides on the elevator-frame, substantially as described in my Patent No. 226,865.

F represents the table which receives the grain from the elevator.

pp are needle-guides, there being between them a transverse slot in the table P.

The needle-frame may be mounted on the binder-frame, either at the front end, as shown in Figs. l, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, S, and 9, or at the rear end, as shown in Figs. 21, 22, and 23.

In Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 the needle M M is attached to ashaft,m, which is mounted in the needle-frame L L L'3. The frame vibrates on shaft Z, supportedin brackets R5 R6, and extending to the front of the latter.

L5, Fig. 4, is a crank-arm on shaft Z, engaging with a bell-crank, L4, which has a curvilinear slot, Z2.

Lg'is alink pivoted to bell-crank L", and to an arm, Ll", ot' the needletrame.

L7 is a bar pivoted to crank-arm L5, having a rack, Z3, Fig. 5, at its upper end, which engages with a spur-segment, L8. A

L11 is a guide for rack Z3, the guide being supported by an arm, L.

Z4 is au eye or sleeve on arni L12, and through it bar L"I passes.

By means ot' these devices the needle-frame is swung toward and from the elevator, and at the proper time the needle is oscillated with its shaft m.

The spur-segment L8 is secured to shaft m by a clutch-plate, m' m2, which permits it to be adjusted thereon. The clutch has a hub, m3, and the needle-shaft passes through said hub and through the segment L". The segment has a rearwardly-extendingarm, l5, which is notched, as indicated at m5, to engage with the adjacent face of the part m'of the clutc'nplate.

m4 m4 are bolts, which fasten the clutch-plate to the segment, passing through slots. The segment L8 is loose on the needleshal't, and the clutch-plate keyed to said shaft. After loosening bolts m4 the needle and its shaft can be oscillated in Yeither direction relatively to the segment L8 and secured in a new position. Thus the needle can be properly timed; butI do not in this case claim the segment, the slotted clutch-plates, the bolts, or any of the devices shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 for thus adjusting or timing the needle upon the needleshaft, as I prefer to make these parts the suhject-matterof another application which I have tiled as a division of this case.

The devices for operating the needle and needle-frame are constructed as follows, referring still to Figs. 1, 3, and 4, and also to Fig. 14: The shaft l (which, through crank-arm L5, arm L7, and bell-crank L, conveys the neces- -sary motions to the needle and its frame) carries a spur-wheel at l', which is rotated by a wheel,R7. The latter is keyed to the main shaft R4, which is mounted in the brackets R2` and R5. This shaft R4 is rotated by a wheel, R3, which, in turn, is actuated by a pinion, S', the latter shown in Fig. 14. Said pinion is mounted loosely upon a shaft, S, but can be engaged therewith by a feathered clutch, S2. The shaft S is rotated by a chain receiving power from the harvester, or by other preferred means. The clutch S2 may be engaged with and disengaged from they pinion S', either by an ordinary shipping-lever extending within reach of the driver, or by au automatic mechanism.

The mechanism which actuates the needle and its frame also operates the compressor, which latter' I will now describe. It is represented by AN N', and is pivoted at a to an'arm, L2, projecting inwardly from the needle-frame. The lower part, N, is somewhat S-shaped. The inner ed ge of the upper part, N', describes substantially the arc of a circle. O is a plate on the side of the needle MM', having a dovetailed groove in one face. 0 is a block which slides in said groove and carries a frictionroller, o'. o4 is an angle-iron secured to plate O, and ()2is a stem passing through said angleiron and attached to block o. O' is a spiral spring which presses against the block o and `the angle-iron 04, the downward movement of the block o being limited by a nut, o5. These parts are shown detached in Figs. l0 and 11. As the needle rises and falls the roller 0' is held in contact with the inner edge of the compressor N N', and when the parts are in the compressor R.

position shown in Fig. 9 the compressor N'is forced downwardly upon the gavel Z by the spiral spring O'.

R represents a supplemental compressor, pivoted at rf'.

R' is a bell-lever, pivoted to a stud, r, projectin g from bracket R5.

r is a link connecting said bell-crank and r' is a crank-arm or cam-arm carried by main shaft R4. Preferably it is forked and provided with an anti-friction roller. It bears against the bell-crank R' and actuates compressor R. The parts are timed so that the compressor R shall begin to act at the instant the knotting mechanism begins to operate, in order to relieve the band from tension and permit it to cumulated to form a gavel it actuates said devices which cause the engagement.

K K' representendless feeding-belts mounted on rollers at the upper and at the lower ends. The upper rollers are rotated by a shaft, K2, which is mounted in uprights J and J".

7a2 is a sprocket-wheel on shaft K2, driven, preferably, by the upper roller ofthe elevatorbelt, as shown by dotted lines at 7a2, Fig. 3.

-The sprocket-Wheel k2 is feathered on shaft K2,

so that the latter can slide through it. Y 704 is a forked arm secured to the elevator-frame, and it holds the wheel 7c3 in permanent position .relative to its driving-wheel.

J'isaleverpivoted upon barJU. j isaforked rod hinged to the inner end ofl lever J', and having the lower roller of belt Kjournaled in its forked ends. If the lower roller of belt K `be elevated it will elevate the inner end of lever J'.

J2 J4 represent a rock-shaft, the part J2 lying substantially horizontally beneath the inner side .of the binder, and extending from the vertical plane of the outer end of lever J to Athat of the wheels S' and R3, and the clutching -mechanismj' is a link connecting theouter end of lever J'with a crank, j, on the forward end ,of rock-shaft J2. When the roller of belt K raises the inner end of lever J' the outer end falls and shaft J2 rocks, so as to lift the short upwardly-projecting arm J4.

Immediately above the arm J4 are togglelevers J3 J3, pivoted, one to the frame-bracket R2 and the other to a shifting-lever, S4, which at the front end is supported loosely on shaft R4. The wheels S' R3 are mounted on their .shafts between the parts R2 S4. When the toggle-levers J3 lie both in the same plane they hold lever S4 and and clutch S2 away from wheel S'. Lever S4 engages loosely with clutch S2 IOO IIO

ISO

and shifts the clutch out and in, and it (said lever) is moved outward by a cam, r2, on wheel R3, arranged to bear against the lever, or preferably against a roller, s4, thereon. This cani r2 is ot' sufficient depth to push the clutch S2 out of engagement with wheel S', and this occurs once in every revolution of the main wheel R3. The forcing outward of lever S4 by cam r2 brings toggle-levers J 3 J3 into the same plane, and while there they'lock the clutch out of engagement. If the arm'J4 of rock-shaft J2 J4 be raised by the devices described above, it will unlock the toggle-levers J3J3, and then clutch S2 cati be moved inward again. This inward moving is effected by a spring, s', connected to lever S4 by a stem, s, the spring bearing against a nut, s2.

If the parts be in the position shown in Figs. 1, 3, 14, 15, and 16, and if the straw between the table 13 and beltK forces the lower roller of said belt upward, the following results will occur successively, namely: The outer end of lever J' will descend, the shaft J2 will be rocked, the arm J4 of said shaft will be raised,'the toggle-levers J3 J3 will be unlocked, spring s' will draw clutch S2 into engagement with pinion S', and wheel R3 and main shaft R4 will be rotated. Shalt R4 imparts motion to the needle M M', to the needle-frame L L', to the compressors N and R, and to the tying mechanism. (Not shown.) During one revolution ot' wheel R3 the needle descends, the gavel is compressed, the knot is tied, and the needle is raised; and at the end of these operations cam r2 pushes clutch S2 to its outer position, and the toggle -levers J3 J3 lock it there till suthcient straw has accumulated to again raise belt K.

'lo carry cam r2 below the roller s* a spur, r3, is formed, projecting from cam r2. Itis arranged to lie in the path ofthe teeth of clutch S2, immediately afterthe clutch has been forced out by cam r2, and hence the clutch engages for a moment with said spur and turns wheel R3 a short distance to carry cam r2 below the roller s4.

s3 is a sleeve around stein s, arranged to act as a stop to prevent spring s' from drawing clutch S2 too forcibly or too tightly against wheel S.

1 have shown a modification of the clutchmoving mechanism, and also a modicationof the needle-operating devices.

The modiiied iorm of clutch mechanism `is shown in Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 20, wherein R2 represents the frame bracket; T, the main shaft; T', the wheelthereon; t,acam on wheel T'; U', the power-shaft; U, a loose pinion on said shaft; U2, a sliding clutch; U3, a shipping-lever; u', the stem attached to said lever; u2, a. spring around the stem, each corresponding, respectively, to 'the parts R2 R4 R3 r2 S S' S2 S4 s s', already described. 1n this construction crankarm J4 is nearly beneath the stubble side of the clutch. When it rises it unlocks the toggle-levers t2 t3 pivoted Ato bar T2,

secured to frame-bracket R2. gie-levers is pivoted in aI slot, t'. 'I3 is a link pivoted at its lower end to the'toggle-levers, and at its upper end to a link, t4. Link t* is pivoted to an arm, t5, projecting from lever U3. t2 is a roller mounted on the pivot which coitnects links T3 and t4. These links are raised with toggle-levers t2 t3, by crank-arm J4, into the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 19. When these parts are in thiselevated position the clutch is free to bc moved inward by spring u2. At the instant wheel T' is completing its revolution cam t engages with roller t2 and the parts are returned into the position shown in full lines, Figs. 17 and 19.

ln Figs. 21,22, and 23 I have shown devices for actuating the needle-frame and needle, which possess some advantages over those shown in the other figures; but l do not in this case claim either the mechanism shown in said Figs. 21, 22, and 23, not' those in the other figures which are adapted for operating the needle and needle-frame.

rlhe needle-frame consists ofan upper sleeve, V2, for shaft w, a lower sleeve, V, and the conncctingstandard V', the whole mounted and oscillating on shaft V3 at the rear end of the binder.

V4 is the main driving-shaft, and Va wheel thereon ,correspondi n g respectively to the parts R4 and R3 in the construction above described. The needle W and shaft w are oscillated in the frame by means of a crank-arm, W', attached to shaft tr, a crank-piti, fu, connected to wheel V5, and a pitnmn-connection between them. The pitntan-connection consists of an upper part, w3, pivoted to crank W', and a lower part, 'w' to2, pivoted to the crank-pin n. The upper and lower parts of the pitman are pivoted together at w5.

V7 is an arm rigidly attached to the part w' 102 of the pitnian, and provided with a curvilinear slot. 104 is a wrist-pin projecting from crank W' and arranged to traverse the slotin arm V7. These parts control properly the movements of the pitman-sections relatively to the needle-shaft and needle-frame.

The needle-frame is oscillated by a slotted lever, V6, and a link, V". The crank-pin 'u engages with the slotted lever V6 and operates to swing it forward and backward, and withit the needleframe. The slotted lever V6 is pivoted at c' to thc frame of the binder, or to a suitable bracket or hanger.

With the needlet'rame last described, and shown in Figs. 2l, 22,and 23, maybe combined the compressors and driving mechanism hereinbcfore described, and also an automatic clutch-shifting mechanism, such as the one shown in Figs. 14, ]5,and 16,0r shown in Figs. 17, l, and 19.

The cord is supplied to the needle from a holder, M3, the tension being regulated by devices supported upon bar J6. It (the cord) passes between pins g5 g3, then undt-r an adjustabletension-arm, Q, thence in a zigzag path One of the tog- IPO ITO

4 A gasses around pins q2, thence through the eye of a spring take-up, Q4, thence through a stationary eye, g4, and then to the eye of the needle. The pins g5 q project upwardly from a plate, Q', on the top of bar JU. At q a spring and thumb-nut are arranged to adjust the tension of arm Q, said arm having a part arranged across the plate Q'. The pins q2 project upwardly from aplate, Q', also on the top of bar J6. The desired tension is produced by the pressure ot' arm Q and the pins g2, which may be varied in number. Thespring-arm Q4 takes up the slack cord, in whatever position the needle may be. While the needleis carrying the Vcord around the gavel the cord immediately below eye g4 runs between rows of peculiarlyconstructed tension-studs g3. These studs project laterally from a plate, Q3, which is bolted to bar JG in a pendent position. Each stud is substantially oval at its base in cross-section, and pointed at its upper end. They are arranged in a zigzag line, with their bases overlappingeachothersomewhat. Theouteredges, g8 QB, (see Fig. 26,) are substantially straight, but the inner edges are rounded both in cross and longitudinal section. The slope of the inner edges of the studs is such as to gradually decrease the degree to which they overlap each other, (coming from the base outward toward the point,) and they graduallyincrease in length from the top to the bottoin of the series. As the needle is beginning to enter the grain it forces the cord down between these I studs until it lies close to the plate Q3 in azigzag path from the eye g4 to the eye of the needle. The cord follows this zigzag pat-h while the needle is performing the first part of its operation, and it is therefore subjected to a tension supplemental to that caused by the above-described tension devices. This supplemental tension continues till the needle nearly reaches the limit of its downward movement. Just before it reaches this limit, and just before the tying devices begin to operate, the cord escapes from the studs Q3, as shown by line y, Fig. 27, and therefore cord is supplied free from this tension during the tying. When the needle is in its uppermost position the cord takes the path y', Fig. 27.

F' P2 are lingers projecting from the stubble side of the binder to receive the bound gavel. The forward finger, P2, is shorter than the rear one, and as the butt-end of the gavel before falling rests upon the forward finger, said end will fall first when the gavel is pushed laterally outward. This insures that the bundle shall strike the ground in a substantially upright position, and avoids the scattering of grain incident to the ordinary mode of dropping the gavel. The plane of these fingers F' P2 is some distance below that of table P. The gavel is thrust from the latter tothe former by the toe or point of compressor N, which, as the compressor comes downward to compress a new gavel, descends behind the last gavel and moves it outward as the compressor and needle swing outward.

A stripping device is combined with the needle of such character that when the needle is rising it shall remove from the needle any loose straw which may be clinging to it. This stripper consists of a bar pivoted at one end to the needle-frame, and at the other arranged to rest upon the top bar of the binder or the elevator frame, there being au eye upon the supporting-bar arranged to guide the stripper as it slides to and fro upon said bar. The needle rises in close proximity to the strippingbar. It is represented in Figs. l and 3 by M2, and in Figs. 2l, 22, and 23 by X2 XX', the part X X' being forked and pivoted to the needle-frame. This device may, if preferred, be so arranged as to support some or all of the tension devices. The plate Q', with pins Q5 q and tension-arm Q, and the pins g2, (already hereinbefore described,) may be supported upon the stripper at the point indicated by x2, Fig. 21. The take-up Q4 may be supported thereon as indicated at x3, and the eye g4 may be also attached thereto at the point indicated by 004.

k6 k6 are guide-wires depending from sliding' bar JG, and serving to properly direct the grain after it leaves the elevator.

ln Fig. 3 is shown that part of the harvester which elevates the grain to the binder. There are two elevator-belts, the journals ofthe lower roller of the upper belt being mounted iu slots a, which permits the lower end of said belt to rise and fall relative to the lower belt. This arrangement insures that the grain shall be uniformly delivered to the bindingltable, and prevents the large tangled masses of straw IOO from lifting the belt Ktoo suddenly, and thus starring the binding mechanism before suincient grain has accumulated fora gavel. When the mountings of the lower elevator-belt rollers are ofthe ordinary character-that is, unyielding-the tangled masses of grain often clog the elevator to such an extent that large masses of straw are suddenly delivered to the bindertable, which force up belt K and start the binding mechanism too soon. This is avoided by combining with the automatic clutch-shifting mechanism above described the elevator-belt mounted at the lower end in the manner set forth.

The belts K and Kl are preferably arranged on rollers ofditterent diameters, and are moved with different speeds, so that the Vstraw shall be delivered uniformly,notwithstanding the difference in size between the butt-ends of the straw and the head ends. The belt K operates not only to trip the mechanism which op" erates the binder, but also to pacl; the grain com pactly and advantageously after it has been delivered by the elevator-belts, the weight of the belts K K' pressing upon the grain as it passes over the table P, and insuring that the grain shall be packed against the binding-cord with sufficient density to insure the making of a bundle ot' satisfactory size.

What I claim isl. The combination, with the needle M M',

IIO

IZO

of the compressor N N', and the friction-roller o', forced downward by a spring, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the needle M M', the elevator-frame, and the frame which swings the needle toward and from the elevator-frame, of the needle-stripper pivoted at one end to the needle-frame in a vertical plane adjacentto that of the needle, and arranged to reciprocate longitudinally on the elevator-frame, as set forth.

3. The combination, with the needle-frame arranged to swing toward and from the elevator, the needle pivoted on said frame to swing vertically thereon, and the compressor N N', pivoted to the needle-frame independently of the needle, of the supplemental compressor R, and mechanism arranged to force said compressor against the gavel after the needle and the compressor N N' have come to rest, substantially as set forth.

4. ln a grain-binder, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the followingelements,namely: the vertically-swinging cord-carrying needle, the compressor N N', arranged to force the straw against said needle, the supplemental compressor R, the bellcrank'R', link r, the main shaft It, mechanism for imparting motion from said shaft to said needle and said compressorN N', and the crank-arm r', situated relatively to said mechanism to move compressor Rwhile the needle and compressor N N' are at rest and the knot is being tied.

5. The grain-receiver P' P2, having the nger I?2 shorter than the finger P', substantially as set forth.

6. In a grain-binder, the combination, with the grain-elevator, of a lower surface adapted to support the grain during its descent from the elevator to the table over which grain is moved to the binding mechanism, and a feeding-belt having its lower end mounted on a movable roller, substantially as set forth.

7. In a grain-binder, the combination, with a grain-table over which the grain is moved to the binding mechanism, of a feeding-belt mounted at its upper end upon and driven by a roller which is capable of being moved longitudinally1 relative to the upper end of the grainelevator, substantially as set forth.

8. In a grain-binder, the combination, with a surface adapted to support the grain during its descent from the elevator to the grain-table over which grain is moved to the binding mechanism, of a feeding-belt having its lower end mounted upon a movable roller, and arranged substantially as set forth, whereby the weight of said belt and roller is caused to press the grain upon the grain-support and bindingtable, as set forth.

9. In a grain-binder, the combination, with a grain-table over which grain is moved to the binding mechanisln, of a feeding-belt having its lower end movable, and mechanism connecting said belt with the devices which throw the binding mechanism into action, substantially as set forth.

l0. Thecombination, with the binding mechanism, the devices which throw said mechanism into and out of operation, and the endless belt K, suspended above the binding-table and arranged to carry the grain downward, ofthe lever J', pivoted above the binder-frame, the link j', pivoted to said lever, the rock-shaft J 2 J4, beneath the binding-table, and the togglelevers J3 J 3, as and for the purposes set forth.

11. The combination of the gear-wheel R3, pinion S', having clutch-teeth, the shippinglever S4, clutch S2, cam r2, spur r3, toggle-levers J3 J3, spring s', and rod s, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, with the elevator-frame, the sliding binder-fraine, the tension devices, and the lever J', of the upright J", secured to the elevator-frame, the upright J, attached to the binder-frame, and the bar J 6, secured to the upright J at one end and arranged to slide at the other end on upright J and to support the tension devices and tripping-lever J', as set forth.

13. In a grain-binder, the combination, with the binder-arm and the cord-supplying devices, of the herein-described intermittent tension device constructed with the series or" studs g3 of different lengths, substantially as shown and set forth.

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

CHRISTOPHER LEVALLEY.

Witnesses:

J. S. BARKER,

M. P. CALLAN.

Images