IMPROVEMENTS IN THRASHING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard. Norfolk, of Beverley, in the County of York,
Engineer, and William Watson, of Leven, in the same County, Farmer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THRASHING MACHINES."
Sealed the 18th April 1878, and dated the 12th February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Norfolk and William
Watson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th February
1878.
RICHARD NORFOLK, of Beverley, in the County of York, Engineer, and WILLIAM
WATSON, of Leven, in the same County, Farmer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THRASHING
MACHINES."
Our Invention consists of a self-feeding apparatus and band cutter for thrashing
machines.
The self-feeding and band cutting apparatus are driven from a pulley upon the
shaker or any other convenient shaft of the machine. Upon the top rails of the side
frames of the thrashing machine are fixed the two side frames of the self-feeder.
These frames carry two shafts, upon which are keyed chain pulleys which carry an
endless chain at each side of the machine. To these endless chains are attached
transverse laths which are provided with spikes to take hold of the sheaf. Under-
neath this endless chain of laths on the top side is a fixed table or platform over
which the laths travel.
At the end of the feeder nearest the drum are two rocking shafts which are
provided with tines or forks. The rocking shafts are worked through the levers by
a crank pin in the driving pulley, one of the levers being provided with a slot
for adjusting the connecting rod to cause a longer or shorter movement of the
tines.
Upon the rocking shafts carrying the tines are also keyed serrated quadrants
which are connected to the said levers which are serrated in a similar manner. By
this means the tines can be adjusted to any angle to hold back the sheaf, or to let
it nase more freely

page_text: The band cutter consists of two knives, each carried by connecting rods which
are worked by cranks at each side. The knives cut across the direction in
which the endless chain of laths travels.
The cranks impart to the knives a combined horizontal and downward motion,
the essential motions in cutting, namely, the draw and pressure. The cranks
are driven from the driving shaft through a pulley, and the two crank shafts are
kept working together by a strap passing around pulleys on each shaft, or a
coupling rod may be used.
The various working parts of the machine are provided with suitable guards to
prevent injury to the attendants.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Norfolk and William Watson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 2nd August 1878.
°
RICHARD NORFOLK, of Beverley, in the County of York, Engineer, and WILLIAM
WATSON, of Leven, in the same County, Farmer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THRASHING
MACHINES."
Our Invention consists of an improved self-feeding and self-stopping apparatus
and band cutter for thrashing machines."
And in order that our Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
operation, we will proceed to describe the accompanying 3 Sheets of Drawings,
reference being had to the figures and letters marked thereon.
On Sheet 1, Fig. 1 shews a side elevation; Fig. 2, a sectional plan; Fig. 3, a cross
section through the line A, B; and Fig. 4, a cross section through C, D.
On Sheet 2, Figs. 5 and 6 shew longitudinal sections illustrating, in conjunction
with Figures 7, 8, and 9, on Sheet 3, an arrangement of automatic stopping gear,
whereby the entire feeding apparatus and band cutting knives of thrashing
machines are promptly stopped in the event of a man or anything heavier than a
full sized sheaf falling upon the travelling platform, thus preventing accidents to
the attendants working the machine.
The feeder consists of two side frames a which are bolted down to the top rails
of the machine and carry the mechanism; b, b', are shafts revolving in pedestals
c, c¹, at each end of the frame, upon the ends of which are the endless chain or
band wheels d, d, and the plain grooved pulleys d¹. These chain wheels and pulleys
carry endless chains or bands e.
At intervals upon the chains or bands are fastened laths f extending from one
side of the machine to the other, and which are furnished with tines or spikes g.
"There is thus formed an endless platform, upon which the sheaves are carried to the
drum and concave h and h¹, see Figs. 5 and 6. It is driven in that direction by the
chain or band wheels d, d, which receive motion in the first place through the
pulleys i,, from one of the shaker shafts, or any other convenient shaft upon the
machine.

page_text: The pedestals c¹ are provided with sliding blocks and adjusting screws to tighten
the bands or chains.
At the end of the machine nearest the drum are one or more rocking shafts,
two of which j, j', are shewn in the Drawings. They carry a number of tines or
forks which can be adjusted at various heights from the platform of laths f, and
which with the spikes g loosen and separate the sheaves before entering the
drum.
The bands are cut by the knives 1, 2, which are bolted to connecting rods m, m,
and are adjustable vertically and horizontally to suit various sized sheaves, and to
make up for wear by the slots n, see Fig. 9.
A combined rotary and rectilinear motion is imparted to them by the double
throw cranks o, see Figs. 1 and 2, which are driven from the pulley p on the inter-
mediate shaft q.
Small fly wheels are fixed on each crank shaft to maintain regularity of speed,
and they are kept in line by the coupling rod r, connecting the small crank arms 8,
which are placed at right angles to the double throw cranks.
The mode of working is as follows:-The attendant feeding the machine stands
at one corner of the feeder at the end furthest from the drum h, and throws the
sheaves as he receives them from the stack upon the endless travelling platform f,
which carries them under the knives l, l, where the bands are cut. As the knives
make several strokes while a sheaf is passing under, and there being two in number,
the bands are certain to be cut. The sheaves continuing to travel towards the
drum next pass under the rocking tines k, where they are thoroughly loosened
and separated before entering the drum. As the man's position is at the corner of
the feeder instead of at the end, he runs little or no risk of falling on the platform;
but as a complete protection against accident we provide an automatic stopping
gear, whereby the entire feeder is instantly stopped should a man or anything
heavier than a sheaf fall on the travelling platform. It consists of a system of
levers and catches which are brought into operation upon the depression of that end
of the platform nearest the man, so that the driving clutch or belt is thrown out of
gear.
One mode of applying it is shewn by Figs. 7, 8, and 9, on Sheet 3, and in
Fig. 6, on Sheet 2.
The shaft b¹ carrying the grooved chain or band pulleys d' instead of revolving
in the blocks of fixed pedestals is supported by the bearings t which are jointed to
the adjusting screws t₁, allowing of vertical movement of that end. of the endless
platform while the other end remains stationary.
The jointed bearings are supported upon the steel springs u which are strong
enough to sustain the weight of the platform and a full sized sheaf, but which will
yield to the weight of anything much in excess, such as the weight of a man or
youth. are levers keyed upon the ends of the shaft v¹, upon one end of which
rest the bearings t. The other ends of the levers v engage catches upon a sliding
bar w, one end of which is formed into a clutch lever for moving the sliding
clutch x. This clutch is held in gear by the levers vengaging. the catches upon
the sliding bar.
A steel spring y presses against the bar to throw the clutch out as soon as it is
released by the levers v. It acts in the following manner: As soon as anything
heavier than a sheaf bears on the endless travelling platform f, it is depressed
through the springs u yielding, thus causing the jointed bearings to throw the
levers out of the catches upon the sliding clutch bar w, and releasing the spring y
which throws the clutch x (by which the apparatus is driven) out of gear, and
instantly stops the feeder.
The various working parts of the machine are provided with suitable guards to
prevent injury to the attendants.
Having thus stated the nature of our Invention and described the manner of
performing the same, we wish it to be understood that we do not intend to limit

page_text: ourselves to the details given;. as the same may be varied or modified, and that
what we claim is,―
First. The general combination and arrangement of the parts forming an improved
self-feeder and band cutter for a thrashing machine, as shewn and described.
Secondly. The apparatus for cutting the bands of the sheaves, as shewn and
described.
And, Lastly. The self-acting apparatus shewn and described, or any modification
thereof for stopping the feed when any undue weight falls on the travelling
platform:
In witness whereof, we, the said Richard Norfolk and William Watson, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirty-first day of July, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
RICHP. NORFOLK.
(L.S.)
WILLIAM WATSON. (L.S.)