IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND SORTING GRAIN, SEED AND THE LIKE "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Herbert Gatward of the firm of John Gatward
and Son of Hitchin in the county of Herts, Agricultural Implement
Manufacturers for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
SEPARATING AND SORTING GRAIN, SEED AND THE LIKE "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Herbert Gatward at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th June 1883.
JOHN HERBERT GATWARD of the firm of John Gatward and Son of Hitchin in
the county of Herts, Agricultural Implement Manufacturers "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND SORTING GRAIN, SEED AND THE LIKE
"
This invention relates to improvements in rotary apparatus for separating corn
or grain from seed and refuse, also for sorting corn and seed according to size or
shape.
In carrying out my improvements I employ a separator consisting of a cylinder
constructed of metal having on its inner surface cells or indentations as has
hitherto been employed or it may be made with cells or indentations and perfora-
tions combined. I mount the cylinder so that it can be rotated upon a series of
friction rollers bearing against the inner surface of the cylinder, the said rollers
revolving freely upon suitable spindles.
For driving the cylinder one end thereof is provided with an outside cogged rim
or its equivalent into which gears a pinion driven by hand or other power.
Within the cylinder is mounted a suitable trough or shelf for receiving the grain,
smaller seeds and refuse; the said trough or shelf is so arranged that it may be
adjusted to suit the different requirements of the operation.
For the purpose of conveying the grain, smaller seeds and refuse along the trough
or shelf I provide a screw preferably in the form of a spiral wire which revolves
within the trough.
By this arrangement if the corn or grain be introduced into one end of the
cylinder, the smaller grains, seeds and the like will be deposited in the cells or

page_text: indentations on the inner surface of the cylinder, and will be carried forward by
the rotating motion until they are let fall into the trough along which they will be
conveyed by the action of the herein before described screw; the larger grains and
other substances fall back to the bottom of the cylinder and are carried to the
other end of the cylinder by the cylinder being placed at an incline combined with
the rotary motion.
When the cylinder is perforated as well as being formed with cells or indenta-
tions, the smaller grains and seeds will be separated from the larger as hereinbefore
described, and, in addition, the dust and other refuse will be discharged through the
perforations.
When separating oats or the like from grain another cylinder with larger cells or
indentations is used, either on the same frame or as a separate machine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Herbert Gatward in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th December 1883.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
"
JOHN HERBERT GATWARD of the firm of John Gatward and Son of Hitchin in
the county of Herts, Agricultural Implement Manufacturers
APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND SORTING GRAIN, SEED AND THE LIKE
This invention relates to improvements in rotary apparatus for separating corn
or grain from seed and refuse, also for sorting corn and seed according to size or
shape.
In carrying out my improvements I employ a separator consisting of a cylinder
constructed of metal having on its inner surface cells or indentations as has hitherto
been employed or it may be made with cells or indentations and perforations
combined. I mount the cylinder so that it can be rotated upon a series of friction
rollers bearing against the inner surface of the cylinder, the said rollers revolving
freely upon suitable spindles.
For driving the cylinder, one end thereof is provided with an outside cogged rim
or its equivalent into which gears a pinion driven by hand or other power.
Within the cylinder is mounted a suitable trough or shelf for receiving the
grain, smaller seeds and refuse; the said trough or shelf is so arranged that it may
be adjusted to suit the different requirements of the operation.
For the purpose of conveying the grain, smaller seeds and refuse along the
trough or shelf I provide a creeper consisting of a screw preferably in the form of a
spiral wire which revolves within the trough.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will proceed to describe
the same by reference to the accompanying drawing in which figure 1, is a side
elevation (with part of the cylinder in section) of my improved apparatus for
separating and sorting grain, seed and the like; figure 2, is an end elevation of the
same; figure 3, is a part plan of the trough shewing same as provided with a spiral
wire or rod forming a screw; figure 4, is a part plan of the same trough provided
with a worm in place of a spiral rod; figure 5, is a transverse section of the
cylinder trough and worm and figure 6, is a plan and section of the cellular
material from which I find it advantageous to make the cylinder. Similar letters
in all the figures represent similar parts.
a, is the separator consisting of a cylinder placed at an incline and mounted
upon rollers b, b, which are free to revolve upon suitable spindles or axes, supported
in brackets (not shewn in the drawing) so as to insure the cylinder a, revolving
about its axis. Or instead of rollers b, I sometimes mount the cylinder upon a
spindle or spindles either running through the whole length of, or fixed to, the
ends of the cylinder and revolving in suitable bearings.
The cylinder a, is made (as has hitherto been the case) of cellular material,
similar to that shewn in figure 6; or I sometimes use cells or indentations as
shewn combined with perforations, in which case the cells and perforations may be
interspersed, or one portion of the cylinder may be made cellular with another
portion perforated.
The separator may vary in form, but is preferably cylindrical as shewn. The
cylinder is driven by means of an outside cog wheel, or rim of cogs c, fixed at one
end of the cylinder as shewn in figures 1, 2 and 5; or it may be fixed at any point
along its length.
The teeth of the wheel or rim are preferaby external to it as shewn in the

page_text: accompanying drawing, but may also be otherwise, either internal or parallel to its
axis as in crown wheels."
Gearing with the rim of cogs, is a pinion d, mounted upon a suitable axis and
revolved by means of a handle e, or by means of a pulley according to the motive
power employed.
The position of the pinion d, may be varied to gear with the rim of cogs c, when
such is made in the "crown or internal form.
"
f, is the trough which is adjustable within the cylinder a, and g, is the screw in
the form of a spiral wire or rod rotating within the trough f. The spiral wire or
rod is shewn in figure 3, or instead of a spiral wire or rod I sometimes employ a
worm g', (figure 4) either of continuous form or in seginents.
The spiral wire g, or the worm gl, is preferably revolved by suitable cog wheels h,
which may be operated by the rim of cogs c; or in the place of oog wheels h, a belt
or cord can be employed.
The whole apparatus is carried in a framework or stand A, which is provided
with suitable brackets for carrying the rollers and other parts, such brackets being
omitted from the drawing to avoid confusion.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
The corn, grain or seed is introduced or fed into the cylinder a, through the
hopper and spout B, and as the cylinder a, revolves, the smaller grains, seeds and
the like will be deposited in the cells or indentations on the inner surface of the
cylinder a, and will be carried forward by the rotating motion until they are let
fall into the trough f, along which they will be conveyed wholly or partly by the
action of the screw or creeper g, into suitable receptacles, the larger grains and
other substances fall back to the bottom of the cylinder and are carried to the
other end thereof through the cylinder being placed at an incline combined with
the rotary motion, and pass out at the end into proper receivers.
When the cylinder a, is perforated as well as being formed with cells or
indentations, the smaller grains and seeds will be separated from the larger as
herein before described, and in addition, the dust and other refuse will be discharged
through the perforations.
When separating oats or the like from grain another cylinder with larger cells or
indentations is used either on the same frame or as a separate machine.
Having thus described my invention and the manner of performing the same
what I claim is ;-
Firstly. The improved apparatus for separating and sorting grain, seed and the
like constructed and operating substantially as herein before described and
represented in the accompanying drawing.
Secondly. In an apparatus for separating and sorting grain, seed and the like,
the combination with a revolving cylinder of an adjustable trough provided with a
spiral creeper for the purpose and substantially in the manner hereinbefore described
and represented in the accompanying drawing.
In witness whereof I the said John Herbert Gatward have hereto set my hand
and seal this 5th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty three
JOHN HERBERT GATWARD
(L.S.)