IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THRASHING MACHINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS THEREWITH
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hall Doughty and John
Page Bradley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st July
1879.
WILLIAM HALL DOUGHTY and JOHN PAGE BRADLEY, both of East Dereham, in
the County of Norfolk, Ironmongers, Iron Founders, and Implement Manufacturers.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THRASHING
MACHINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS THEREWITH."
Our Invention consists in the application of a shutter of sufficient size to close
the mouth or feeding aperture of the drum of corn thrashing machines, such shutter
being fitted so as to be capable of sliding in a groove or rebate in or attached to
the under surface of the platform or top cladding of the upper surface of thrashing
machines in such a manner that during the working of the thrashing machine and
until an accident occurs or is liable to occur the shutter may be withdrawn along
such groove or rebate to and under that part of the top platform or cladding which
is between the opening or feeding mouth of the thrashing drum and the platform
on which the person feeding the machine stands or is supported, and that such
sliding shutter or fence may be retained in that position by a spring catch or bolt
taking into a staple eye or other suitable contrivance affixed to the edge or lower
part of the said sliding shutter. The spring catch or bolt is fastened to a movable
platform capable of an up and down motion, and of being raised to or supported in
its upper position by a spring between such movable platform and the platform or
top cladding of the thrashing machine; this movable platform or board is attached
by hinges or other suitable means to the edge of the feeding opening or mouth of
the thrashing drum which is nearest to the person feeding the corn or pulse into
the thrashing drum, a narrow board being attached to each end of the movable
platform by binges or otherwise and extending by each side of the drum opening
to the side of the drum opening furthest from the party feeding the thrashing
machine, so that a pressure on either of the said narrow boards shall also operate to
release the catch and put the sliding shutter into operation as herein after provided.
The sliding shutter or fence comes into operation on the application of a weight or
body fallng in or towards the mouth or feeding opening or on to the said movable
platform or of intentional pressure thereon when the spring catch or bolt is released and
the sliding platform is drawn, moved, or shot forwards by means of springs, levers,

page_text: weights, or other suitable means, so as to completely or nearly completely close the
mouth or feeding opening of the thrashing drum and thus prevent accidents
through the falling of any person in to or towards or in the direction of the said
feeding opening or mouth of the thrashing drum.
This apparatus is intended to be applied to thrashing machines in conjunction 5
with the fences or guards already in use for protecting the feeding openings or
mouths of the drums of thrashing machines or some of them and as accessory
thereto.