Untitled record

Application filed July 19, 1883. (No model )

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, S. P. Snyder, Samuel Stough, and T. D. Ulrick, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Walton, 5 in the county of Cass and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Cultivators ; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such io as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference’marked thereon, which form a part of this specifica15 tion.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in corn-cultivators, its object being to provide a cultivator which will automatically adjust itself; and it consists in 20 the construction and combination of the parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate our invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal 25 section. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the portion of the frame to which the spring is attached, and Fig. 4 is a detailed view’ of one of the plows or cultivators.

A represents a suitable rectangular frame, to the forward part of which is attached the tongue A' by means of a suitable bail, a, under which the tongue passes, and a cross-bar, /, which passes through a suitable slot or 35 opening in the rear of the tongue. This cross?) bar is provided with a bent portion or offset, and is secured to the frame at its end in suitable journals, and the same maybe provided with a lever for turning the crank-bar, by 40 means of which the end of the tongue is adjusted either upwardly or downwardly.

At about the central portion of the frame A the same is attached to an arched yoke, B, which is provided with vertical standards 0. 45 These vertical standards are rigidly attached to the cross-bar B, and the frame A is firmly secured to the outer edges of the same.

To the lower portion of the vertical standards, which are slightly enlarged, are secured 50 outwardly-proj ecting axlesD, which are braced at their inner ends to the frame A by a suit able bar. The outer ends of these axles, inside of the supporting-wheels, are provided with suitable blocks, d, which are rigidly keyed to the same. These blocks have a forwardly- 55 projecting portion, through which passes a suitable brace: or rod, which is also attached to the forward: portion of the frame A. To the extreme outer end of these axles are attached supporting-wheels, in the usual man- 60 ner.

Upon the axles D, and at a suitable point at one side of the standards C, are secured the blocks E E, which may be securely attached to the axle. To these blocks are attached the 65 cultivators or plows, which are secured thereto by means of a coupling, e, which is of such construction as to allow a sidewise as well as vertical movement of the plow-beam. To these plow-beams are attached suitable stand- 70 ards, shovels, and handles, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

To the frame A, at an intermediate point between the rear cross-bar and the cross-bar of the supporting-frame, are journaled suit- 75 able rotary shafts, F, which extend on each side of the longitudinal bars of the frame A. Upon the inner side of the frame A these shafts are provided with suitable coiled springs, one end of said coiled springs being attached to the 80 shafts, while the other is secured to the frame. Around the ends of these shafts which project beyond the frame A are wrapped or coiled suitable chains or supporting means, the other end of these chains being- attached to about the 85 central portion ofthe plow-beam. These chains are attached to the end of the shaft, so that they may be tightened, which is accomplished by passi ng the same through a suitable perforation in the end of these spring-shafts and in- 9c serting a key within said perforation. By this means, when it is desired to adjust the relative power of the spring as it acts upon the plowbeam, the connecting-chain may be lengthened or shortened. By providing these springs with 95 rotary shaft and connecting, means, which are attached to the plow-beam, the plows are rendered self-adjusting and will operate substantially automatically, and the depth will beregulatedin accordance with the pressure brought 100

I to bear upon the springs.

I To further render the plows automatic in ο

290,365 operation, we provide them with means whereby they will have a spring action, which is accomplished by the plow-standards S at their lower portion, between which bifurcated stand5 ards are secured the spring-bars s, which are pivoted between the lower portion of the standard S by the lower end of the upwardly and forwardly extending brace-rod. The lower portion of the standard S is provided with io a bail, s', which encircles the rear portion of the same. The spring-bar s extends below the standard S, and is provided on its lower end with suitable cultivators or shovels, and at its upper part it is provided with a rearwardly 15 extending bail, r, through which passes a suitable flat metallic spring, t, which is curved outwardly at its lower end, as shown. This spring is attached to the upper part of the standard S, said standard being provided at 20 this portion with the wedge-shaped block w.

The standards S are attached to the plowbeam at a point above their bifurcated portion, and the plow-beam is provided with suitable handles, which are attached to the same 25 in the usual manner. By thus attaching the shovels or cultivators to the plow-beam, as hereinbefore described, the same, when in operation, will pass over any obstructions, and will, immediately after passing the same, be 30 thrown in proper operating position without requiring the attention of the driver or stopping the horses or causing any jar to the cultivator. The wedge - shaped block w at the upper portion of the inner standard serves a twofold purpose: first, it serves to secure 35 the springs in position so that they will have an upward pressure, and it also serves as a means whereby the plow-beams and cultivators can be supported above the ground; and to accomplish this we provide the rear 40 transverse bar of the frame A with hooks G, the forward ends of which clamp the frame A, the other end of the hook being bent rearwardly and outwardly, as shown.

It xvill readily be seen that the plows may 45 be lifted and supported upon these hooks when it is desired to transport the cultivator from place to place.