by loosening the strap, m, as in the former case, its own gravity bringing it down under the wheel, where it is retained by the drag-chain as before, until the latter is slackened in the manner described, in reference to figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, when the drag immediately passes behind the wheel and is raised into its original position by pulling the cord or strap, m, which makes it describe an oblique circle, as shown in figs. 6, 7, and 8, by dotted lines, the skid-iron in its revolution having passed over the carrier pulley, n, as seen in fig. 7. Immediately that the skidiron attains its greatest altitude, it is drawn over the dead point by the weight of the chain, e, and being also aided by its own gravity, the skid-iron falls into the position shown in fig. 8, where it is held up or retained by the strap or cord, m, as before mentioned, until again required to be brought into operation.

Having now described my invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to confine myself to the precise form, position, or arrangement of the parts herein shown, as the apparatus might, perhaps, be varied in some particulars to suit different circumstances, without departing from the principle of my improvements in carriage-drags, I therefore claim as the invention secured to me by the herein before in part recited letters patent, the construction of apparatus as above described, whereby a drag may be released and brought into its original quiescent position by the driver or any other person without stopping or arresting the progress of the carriage, for the purpose of saving time in travelling and preventing the horses being strained, as frequently occurs from stoppages in using the ordinary drags.In witness whereof, &c. THOMAS FULLER.

Enrolled January 7, 1842.

221

Specification of the Patent granted to JOSEPH COOKE GRANT, of Stamford, in the County of Lincoln, Ironmonger and Agricultural Implement Maker, for Improvements in Horse-rakes and Hoes.-Sealed September 8, 1841.

WITH AN ENGRAVING.

To all to whom these presents shall come, &c., &c.I do hereby declare that the nature of my said invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say) :

Description of the Drawing.

Fig. 1, represents a side view of a horse-rake, constructed according to my invention. The teeth or tines being in a working position.

Fig. 2, shows a section, the teeth or tines being shown raised up out of action, in order to the rake being moved from place to place without the tines or teeth coming to the ground.

And

Fig. 3, shows a plan of the parts in the positions shown in fig. 1; in each of these figures the same letters indicate similar parts. a, a, are two wheels moving on the axis, b, b, and the axis, b, b, are affixed to the bearings, c, c, which are affixed to the quadrangular framing, d, d. To the front of the framing, d, d, the shafts, e, e, for the horse are attached, as is shown. f,f, f, are a series of arms moving on an axis, g, and it will be seen that each of these arms, f, is affixed in a cast-iron socket, h, the nature of which is clearly shown, and in consequence of the portion of the

arm which enters the socket being formed in a lathe, and the casting of the socket being cylindrical, or nearly so, the ends of the arms are readily made to fit tight into the sockets, and by means of screws or pins, passed through the sockets into the arms, the arms are held secure; and such mode of constructing sockets to the arms, f, of horse-rakes, will be found an important improvement in the construction of horse-rakes, as the arms will work more freely on their axis, g, in all states of weather, and be more lasting than when the arms are made of wood, having each a hole through for the passage of their axis. i, i, i, are the teeth or tines of the rake, which are affixed to the arms, f,f; and it will be seen that each tine, from the point, i', to the point, i, is made of a continued curve, which is important, for by such means, when the arms and tines are lifted, they will at once deliver the hay, straw, or other matter which has been collected, in place of requiring to be repeatedly shaken, as heretofore. Hence this shape of teeth or tines, when combined with independent arms, f, f, moving on an axis, will be found an improvement over the present construction of horserakes, where the tines are separate and independent of each other, and where the tines, as heretofore made, are for the greater part of their length formed straight, the lower or pointed end being bent forward, producing a hooked end to a straight stem, which arrangement tends to raise or hook up the collected hay or other matters raked together, in consequence of its resting against the straight stems of the tines when the tines are raised; but by having the working parts of the tines of a continued curve, so that the tines in being raised pass out freely from the accumulation of hay or other matter, without having any tendency to raise the same, will be found a very great improvement in working horse-rakes.

I would here remark, that I am aware that the tines or teeth of hand-rakes which are all fixed on one bar, and do not move on an axis, have before been made of a

curved figure, I wish it therefore to be understood, that I do not claim generally to use curved teeth or tines to rakes, but only when they are combined with independent arms moving on an axis, and suitably arranged with wheels for a horse-rake. Each of the arms, f, f, is connected with a bar, j, by means of a chain or other convenient means, allowing the arms, f,f, to have a freedom of action independent of each other. The bar, j, is affixed to the arms, k, which move on axes at l, l, supported by the frames, m, m, affixed to the framing, d, as is shown, and the arms, k, proceed beyond their axes of motion, and form levers to raise and lower the bar, j; and consequently the teeth or tines, n, n, are connecting-rods or links which connect the levers, k, with the levers, o, the form of which is shown in the drawing, such levers moving on axes at o', o', at the front part of the framing, d; hence it will readily be seen that the lifting of the tines depends on a lever action produced by combining the levers, k, and o. By this arrangement the person attending the machine will readily discharge the collected hay or other matter from the tines of the rake by simply depressing the back end of the lever, o; and this operation may be quickly performed, and without stopping the horse; and very little power or force is required so as to lift the tines. p, p, are props or supports affixed to the frame, d, d, in order to support the bar, j, when the tines or teeth of the rake are in action; and, q, q, are catches moving on axes at q'; by means of these catches the bar, j, and consequently the teeth or tines, can be kept out of action, as shown in fig. 2.

I would remark, that heretofore in constructing horserakes, the bar, j, to which the arms, f, are attached, has been raised by means of handles, which the person attending the machine raises upwards with his hands, carrying up the tines or teeth, which was an inconvenient motion, and requires much power; and it will be seen that by connecting the bar, j, with the lever, o, in such

manner that that lever acts by being depressed, the attendant will have command over the tines or teeth, and work them with more facility. And although I prefer the combined arrangement of lever action shown, and for it to work in the direction above described, the same may be varied, so long as the mode of raising the tines by depressing the back end of the lever be retained, or so long as a combining of two levers be resorted to for such purpose. And it will be evident that in place of having the lever, o, to move on an axis at one end, as is shown and described, it may have its axis at a point intermediate of its length, having a suitable bearing raised up from the framing, d, d, to carry the axis; in such the front end (the end of the lever towards the front of the machine) of the lever, o, might consequently be attached to the bar, j, by a chain passing over an eccentric or eccentrics affixed to the axis worked by the lever.

I will now describe that part of my invention which relates to horse-hoes, such machine being for the most part constructed as above described, in respect to figs. 1, 2, and 3, and the improvements in such horse-hoes consist of the application of the combined action of the parts, o, n, k, to lift a bar, j, connected to arms f, f, as above explained, such arms, f, having in place of the tines or teeth shown as applied thereto, suitable cutters or hoes formed on the ends of such tines or teeth; but it is not necessary that the stems of the hoes should be bent into the form shown, as those proper for the tines or teeth of horse-rakes, as such stems may be straight or bent, and the distance apart of the arms will be varied so as to place the holes further apart than the tines shown in the drawing; and the arms, ƒ, may each have a weight when the land to be hoed requires it.

I would remark, in respect to this part of my invention, that I am aware that horse-hoes have before been made having each of the levers on an independent arm, and capable of being lifted by means of a simple lever.