Improvements in Apparatus for Preparing Fodder.
Year: 1894

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Preparing Fodder.
I, ALBERT FRANCIS DAVIS, of Rutland, in the County of Rutland, and State
of Vermont, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention pertains to an apparatus or mechanism for preparing fodder and
it has for its object among others to provide a simple, cheap and efficient machine
for cutting, mixing together, grinding and weighing hay, straw, corn-stalks, or
other material and grain in such proportions as may be desired, and this preferably
automatically. I provide means for operating upon the hay either baled or loose
and disintegrate it and conveying it to a mill to which is supplied the grain in
a desired quantity and where the hay and grain are ground and conveyed to a
weighing box or receptacle which is automatically emptied when it has received
a predetermined amount or weight and as the same is discharged therefrom it
causes the weighing apparatus to, be actuated to supply another quantity of the
grain to the mill. The cut hay and the grain are discharged into a conveyor by
which they are taken to the mill and which serves to mix them partially before
they are ground. The weighing machine or apparatus controls the quantity of
grain to be mixed with the hay and the admission of the feed to the weighing
machine is automatically controlled by the discharge from the weigh-box or
receptacle.
The parts being automatic in their action little or no attention on the part of
the attendant is required. The weigh-box or receptacle is suspended from a
counter-balance lever and has provisions for supporting the weights of the devices
which control the discharge from the grain-spout to the weigh-box.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following
description and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which with
the letters of reference marked thereon form a part of this Specification and in
which-
.
Fig. 1 is a side view of my improved apparatus.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the feed rollers and racks.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation ou a larger scale of the weigh-box and grain-spout with
the valve-operating mechanism.
Fig. 5 is a like view with the parts in their other position, that is, with the
bottom of the weigh-box open and of the grain-spout closed.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.
Referring now to the details of the drawing by letter, A designates a portion of
the supporting frame, and B is a table or other support thereon having a slotted
wall b, through which the teeth or hooks c, of the rolls C project. The table or
support B is mounted in any suitable manner so as to be adjusted to any desired
angle. I have shown one means of accomplishing this purpose; it consists of a
shaft A¹ provided with a hand-wheel a' by which it may be turned and a cam a³ on
said shaft and arranged beneath the bottom of the table. Any other means
however, may be provided for this purpose.
B' designates the hay which may be either loose or baled, and which is placed
upon the table B where it is acted upon by the hooks or teeth c, of the rollers C
which latter are preferably mounted for rotation in opposite directions. The teeth
:

page_text: or hooks of one roll work through the slots of the vertical portion of the table
while those of the other work through the slots of the partition or rack 6¹. Any
suitable means may be employed for giving motion to the rolls C.
In Fig. 3 I have shown the shafts thereof as provided with gears C and C³, the
latter of which meshes with the gear C on the shaft of one of the feed rolls Co
and the gear C meshing with a gear C on the shaft of the cutter C7 which latter
derives its motion from any suitable source as by belt, not shown, passing over the
drive pulley C thereon. The feed rollers C as well as the cutter C7 and its
co-operating roller C may be of any well known or appropriate construction.
A is a dust-hood or cover over the feed rolls and cutters as seen in Figs. 1..1
and 2 and which communicates by suitable duct or spout a³ with a fan A³by means.
of which the dust and dirt are withdrawn from the machine and conducted to any
suitable place of deposit.
Dis a hopper into which the grain is discharged and from which it passes to the
trough or box D' in which is arranged a spiral conveyor D' which is designed to. 1
receive its motion in any suitable manner, as for instance, by means of a belt not.
shown passed around the pulley d, on the shaft of the conveyor and around, a
like pulley d' on the shaft of the cutter C'.
E is a mill of any suitable construction to which the mixed grain and chopped
bay are delivered and by which the same is ground in any required degree of 2
fineness. The mill is driven in any suitable manner from any source, as for
instance by means of belts, not shown, passed around the pulley e, on the shaft.
thereof see Fig. 1.
as.seen;
"
Fis the weigh-box or receptacle; it is suspended from the arms of the lever Fl
which is supported upon fulcrums f, on the frame F. It is provided with?
weights which can be adjusted or changed to adapt the box or receptacle for
different quantities or weights of fodder. F³ is a rolling weight on the lever 5 and,
adapted to travel between stops and f³, on the said lever as seen. best in Figs. 4.
aud 5. A stopfis provided on the frame. F to limit the downward movement of
the lever F. To opposite sides of the box F are secured the brackets F
in Fig. 5, which serve to support the weights of the valve-operating mechanism of
the spout when the box F is in its uppermost position as seen in Fig. 4. This..
weight box or receptacle is provided with a valve or bottom F hinged at f, and
counterbalanced by the weight F' on the arm f. This valve.or bottom is locked
when in its closed position as seen in Fig. 4 by engagement with the notch F** of
the latch F which is pivoted at 18, to one side of the box, and its other end
normally held outward by means of a spring F secured to the side of the box
and bearing against said latch as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. This latch serves to
hold the valve or bottom of the box in its closed position during the filling of
said box; when the box is filled and descends the upper end of the latch F
strikes the pawl F which is pivoted at to the frame or support F and thus
forces the upper end of the latch inward against the tension of its spring and con-
sequently throwing its lower end outward so as to disengage its notch from the free..
end of the valve or bottom of the box and allowing the latter to open into the
position in which it is shown in Fig. 5. The pawl F is limited in its downward.
movement by a lug or stop on the frame F and the upper end of the latch is
rounded.as.seen in Fig. 5, to permit of its readily passing the pawl in the upward
movement of the weight-box or receptacle.
."
The mixed grain and cut hay are discharged from the mill into the spout G
which is suitably supported from the frame and is provided with the hinge valves, 5
or bottom G¹ which are hinged at 9, and are counterbalanced by arms G and
weights, G as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. These arms are each provided with twof
pins g', and 9, which are adapted to engage notches.or projections, h h in or on the
latches H which are pivoted at 2 to the sides of the spout and which are acted
upon, by the springs H₁ secured to the sides of the spout, as seen in Figs. 4 and 6. 5
The lower ends of these latches, are provided,with pins or projections which
work in the elongated slots ' in the upper ends of the links or rods H³, the lower
"

page_text: ends of which carry weights which, when the weight-box F is in its uppermost
position are supported upon the brackets F on the sides of said box as seen in
Fig. 4, and when in this position the valves of the spout are open.
::
The amount of grain fed to the mill is governed by the measuring drum I, which
is mounted for rotation on a suitable shaft 1' and which is provided with a plurality
of compartments-i, see Fig. 1. The grain is fed to the said drum through a
spout 12 and from the drum to the hopper D, through a chute or equivalent
device, see Fig. 2. Jis a support to which is pivoted at j, the arm J to which
is pivotally connected the rod J which is connected to the beam. E' in the following
manner: On said beam or lever is a pin which works in a horizontally-elongated
slot at the lower end of said rod as seen in Figs. 4 and 5 the said rod passing
through a guide, Jon the frame F. L is a lever pivoted at 1, to the support J
and at one end carrying a depending rod L', the lower end of which carries the
horizontally-projecting pawl L' with which the arm J' is designed to engage as
the latter is moved in a manner hereinafter set forth. To the other end of the
lever L is attached the depending arm L³ which is connected with the locking
pawl L, the hooked end of which is designed to engage the horizontally-projecting
pin on the end of the measuring drum I, as seen in Fig. 2. The arm L³ is
also connected with pawl 2 pivoted at and designed to engage a ratchet *on
the end of the measuring drum, the whole being held by the tension of a spring-L®
as seen in Fig. 1.
With the parts constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore set forth,
the operation is as follows:
The hay is placed' upon the table B and fed to the rollers C, the teeth or hooks
of which catch into the same and feed it to the feed rolls C³, by which it is fed to
the cutter C' from which it drops into the trough D' and by the conveyor Dis
conveyed to the inner end of said trough where it is mixed with the grain from
the hopper D and the ent hay and grain pass into the mill E where the same
is ground. From the mill the ground material passes to the spout G, the dust
being automatically taken away from the machine by the fan through the hood'A
and conduit a. During this operation the box or receptacle F is in its uppermost
position as seen in Fig. 4, the weights H³ being supported upon the bracket F
on said. box and the valves at the bottom of the chute G open and the valve
operating devices being in a position in which they are shown in said Fig. 4.
...
The chopped hay and grain continue to fall into the box Fuutil the weight
thereof counterbalances that of the other end of the beam when the weight F³
rolls down the lever and the box descends into the position in which it is
shown in Fig. 5; as the box descends the upper end of the latch F'engages the
pawl F and forces the upper end of said latch inward so as to disengage its lower
end from the valve or bottom of the box which automatically opens. This
movement of the box withdraws the brackets F from beneath the weights H when
the latter fall by reason of the loose connection of their upper ends with the
latches Hand said latches are drawn downward so that the pins gl are dis-
'engaged from the shoulders or notches h, of the levers H which at once fall
from the position in which they are shown in Fig. 4 to that in which they are
shown in Fig. 5, closing the valve G and the latches are .locked in this position
by the engagement of the pins g' with the notches or projections on the opposite
sides of the latches as seen in Fig. 5:
Now when the box returns to its normal position the arm J' engages the
pawl Lwhich actuates. the lever L to lift the pawl L' out of engagement with
its pin on the measuring drum and at the same time actuates the pawl to
move the ratchet one tooth and thus bring a new compartment of the measuring
drum into position to be filled with grain and to bring the compartment which
has already been filled into a position to be afterwards emptied into the hopper.
It will thus be seen that the hay is fed to the knives; is there cut; is. taken by
the conveyor to a position where it is mixed with the grain as it falls from the
measuring drum and the two passed to the mill where it is ground and thence to

page_text: the chute and then to the weigh-box or receptacle. When the amount of material
in the box is sufficient to overcome the counterbalance, the box is automatically
relieved of its contents, the valves of the cliute are closed, the measuring drum is
actuated and then as the weight box returns to its normal position the valves of
the chute are automatically opened and the same operation is repeated.
T
Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of
the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a fodder-preparing apparatus, a disintegrating apparatus, a grain-supplying
mechanism, a grinder, and a weighing receptacle all co-operating in the manner and
for the purpose specified.
2. In fodder-preparing apparatus, the combination of a disintegrating apparatus,
a grain-supplying mechanism, a grinder arranged to receive material from the
disintegrator and from the grain-supplying mechanism simultaneously, and a
weighing receptacle in vertical line with the grinder, substantially as specified. "
3. In a fodder-preparing apparatus, the combination of a disintegrating
mechanism, grain-feeding devices located upon a higher plane, a grinder arranged
to receive simultaneously the material from the disintegrator and from the grain-
feeding devices and a weighing receptacle in vertical line with the grinder,
substantially as specified.
4. In a fodder-preparing apparatus, the combination of disintegrating mechanism,
grain-supplying devices upon a higher plane, a grinder located and arranged to
receive simultaneously the material from the disintegrator and from the grain-
feeding devices, a weighing receptacle in vertical line with the grinder and
operative connections, substantially as specified.
5. In a fodder-preparing apparatus, the combination of a disintegrating
mechanism, grain-feeding devices, a grinder arranged to receive simultaneously
material from the disintegrator and grain feeding devices, a conveyor interposed
between the grinder and the disintegrator and feeding devices, and a suspended
weighing receptacle operatively connected for automatic action and located and
arranged to receive the material from the grinder, substantially as specified.
6. In a fodder-preparing apparatus, the combination of grain-supplying devices,
an interposed grinder a suspended weight receptacle in substantially vertical line
with said grinder, and an interposed chute with valves, all connected for con-joint
automatic actuation as set forth.
7. The combination with a disintegrating mechanism, of a grain-supplying
device, n suspended weight box or receptacle and an interposed conveyor, grinding
device and chute with hinged valve, substantially as specified.
8., The combination with a disintegrating mechanism, of a grain-supplying
device, a suspended weight box or receptacle, and an interposed convoyor, a
grinding device, and chute with hinged valve and operative connections between
the same for rendering them automatic in their action, substantially as specified.
9. The combination with the grain-supplying drum, of a hopper beneath the
same, disintegrating mechanism, a grinding mill and a conveyor for conveying the
disintegrated material to be mixed with, the grain before entering the mill,
substantially as specified.
10. The combination with the grain measuring device, of a hopper beneath the
same, a mill beneath the hopper, a chute beneath the mill, a suspended receptacle
below the chute and operative connections between the support of the receptacle and
the measuring device, substantially as specified.
11. The combination with a grinding mill, the counterbalance lever and the
receptacle supported therefrom, of the measuring drum, its actuating devices and
an interposed rod having limited loose connection with the counterbalance lever,
substantially as specified,

page_text: 12. The combination with a grinding mill, the counterbalance lever and the
receptacle supported therefrom, of the measuring drum, its actuating devices an
interposed rod having limited loose connection with the counterbalance lever and a
shifting weight adapted to travel upon said lever, substantially as specified.
13. The combination with the counterbalance lever and the receptacle supported
therefrom, of the chute above the receptacle, pivoted valves for said' chute, and
valve-operating devices normally supported upon said receptacle, substantially as
specified.
14. The combination with a grinding mill, the counterbalanco lover and the
receptacle supported therefrom, of the chute above the receptacle pivoted valves
for said chute, counterbalance levers. for said valves and valve-operating devices
co-operating, with said levers and normally supported by the receptacle,
substantially as specified.
15. The combination with, a grinding mill, the counterbalance: lever and the
receptacle supported therefrom, of the hinged bottom to said receptacle, the
pivoted latch for holding said bottom in its closed position, and the pivoted pawl
arranged in the path of said latch, as set forth.
16. The combination with a grinding mill, the counterbalance lever and the
receptacle supported therefrom and having brackets on its sides, of the chute, its
hinged valves and weighted levers, the pivoted latches co-operating with said levers,
and the weights connected with the latches and normally supported by the brackets
on the receptacle,, as set forth.
17. The combination with a grinding mill, the counterbalance lever and the
receptacle, of the chute, its hinged valves and weighted levers, the pivoted latches
co-operating with said levers and the rods carrying weights and having limited
loose pivotal engagement with the latches, substantially as specified.
18. The combination with a grinding mill, the chute and its pivoted valve with
weighted levers having pins, of the pivoted latches having notches or projections
to engage said pin and the rods carrying weights and having a limited loose con-
nection with the latches, substantially as specified.
19. The combination with a grinding mill, the chute and its pivoted valve with
weighted levers having pins, of the pivoted latches having notches or projections
to engage said pins and the rods carrying weights and having limited loose con-
nection with the latches, and a suspended receptacle having brackets to normally
support said weights, substantially as specified.
20. The combination with a grinding mill, a counterbalance lever and a receptacle
supported thereon of a measuring drum mounted for rotation, a rod connected with
the lever and with a pivoted arm, a pawl mounted for engagement with said arm
and intermediate pivotal connections between said pawl and drum, substantially as
specified.
21. The combination with a grinding mill, a counterbalance lever and a receptacle
supported thereon, of a measuring drum having radial compartments and mounted
for rotation, a rod connected with the lever and a pivoted arm, a pawl mounted for
engagement with said arm and intermediate pivotal connections between said pawl
and drum, substantially as specified.
22. The combination with a grinding mill, the measuring drum mounted for
rotation and provided with a ratchet and laterally-projecting pin, of a pawl
mounted for engagement with said ratchet, an independent pawl for engagement
with said pin, a movable receptacle, a rod mounted for actuation by the movement
of the receptacle and intermediate operative connections whereby the movement
of said rod actuates the pawls, substantially as specified.
23. The combination with a grinding mill, the measuring drum having radial
compartments and mounted for rotation and provided with a ratchet and pins at
one end, of independent pawls for engaging said pins and ratchet, a pivoted lever
connected with said pawl, a pawl pendent from one end of said lever and a rod
actuated by the movement of the receptacle and connected with a pivoted
arm mounted for engagement with the pendent pawl, substantially as specified.

page_text: 24. The combination with a grinding mill, the measuring drum having ratchet
and pins, of the counterbalance lever, the receptacle supported therefrom, the rod
connected with said lever, the pivoted arm to which the other end of said rod is
attached, the lever pivoted above the measuring drum, the pawl pendent from one
end thereof in the path of the pivoted arm, the independent pawls for engagement
with said ratchet and pins and the arm pendent from the other end of the
lever and connected with and adapted to operate said pawls, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1894.