IMPROVEMENTS IN THRESHING MACHINES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Heatley, of High Hatton, Shawbury,
Agriculturist, & William Paddock, of Shrewsbury, both in the County
of Salop, Agricultural Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THRESHING MACHINES."
Sealed the 27th September 1860, and dated the 4th May 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Heatley and
William Paddock, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 4th May 1860.
We, THOMAS HEATLEY, of High Hatton, Shawbury, Agriculturist, &
WILLIAM PADDOCK, of Shrewsbury, both in the County of Salop, Agricultural
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
KENTS IN THRESHING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
This apparatus may be termed a "threshing machine fecder," inasmucli
as its use will be to cause a continuel and well-regulated supply of feed to
the threshing machine, whether it consists of wheat, barley, oats, or other
grain, and undoubtedly it will be found of the greatest possible utility, and
far supercede the method now in use of supplying the feed by hand, as the
person doing such work is very frequently unablo to keep the supply to the
machine regular, and at others letting go a considerable quantity not at all
opened or separated, which is in consequence only partially threshed, besides
which our feeder will give one continual and well regulated stream of feed to
the machine, will be found to thresh a considerably greater quantity than
under the old system.
Fig. 1, an clevation section; Fig. 2, front elevation; Fig. 3, frame for

page_text: carrying crank & other parts. A, A, eccentric rings of cast or wrought iron
about two inches wide, of similar form, as shown. A number of these are
bolted upon the frame D, which may be made either of wood or iron; upon
the outer side of these rings F of sheet iron (or other material), about nine inches
in width, are secured by means of screws (or otherwise), leaving a space of
about half an inch between each to allow the spikes or teeth B, B, to pass
freely; G, a shaft or spindle furnished with suitable bearings upon the outsido
frame ; one or both ends of this spindle is carried on to a convenient dis-
tance for the purpose of fixing the pulley or pulleys, whence a rotary motion
can be given from any convenient part of the threshing machino; X, an
adjustable incline board or plane placed in front, and extending to the width of
the outside frame H, H; E, drum or rings firmly secured upon the shaft G,
upon which a number of spikes or teeth are fixed to correspond with the
spaces between the covered rings A, A; C, frame of wood or iron furnished
with suitable bearings for carrying the crank J. This frame moves upon a
centre at O; the opposite or top end is formed to raise or fall at pleasure by
means of a pinion geared into a toothed segment or other mechanical equiva-
lent answering the same purpose; or, instead of having a curvilineal motion,
the whole frame may be made to rise and fall by means of suitable guides
running in vertical or other grooves, in which case a pinion (or pinions) geared
into racks would be required; it may also be done by screws or otherwise;
K, regulating forks, furnished with suitable bosses for connection with the
crank J, and in form as shown at S, to fit and form a joint with a swinging
link L. The opposite end of this regulating fork is formed T-shaped, and at
cach extremity is formed a socket or boss furnished with a set pin. Through
each of these sockets a fork or prong is made to pass at an obtuse angle down-
wards, and which can be set at any convenient length, and secured by the set
pins. These forks or prongs may either be made connected as at M, or sepa-
rately, and in some cases the fork may be fixed without being adjustable;
P, sheet iron or other material, having openings through which the prongs
pass. The object of this is to keep the straw from entangling round the
crank J. The sheet iron may be fixed to the frame C, or may be adjustable,
moving on a centre at or near the point O.
We do not wish to confine ourselves to this arrangement of regulators, for
the same may be done as at 7, Fig. 1, by using two cranks, or licu thereof
eccentrics or canis may be used; neither do we confine ourselves with respect
to that part of the design or arrangement shewn at Figs. 1 & 2, as, instead of
the drum or rings E revolving within the eccentric rings A, a revolving
cylinder, as at Fig. 4, may be used, fitted with radial or other grooves at or

page_text: near the ends. Through each of these grooves, and extending the length of
the cylinder, passes a bar T of wood or iron furnished at the ends with or
without rollers W. Upon one side of this bar or tube a number of teeth or
spikes are fixed, and corresponding holes are made in the cylinder to allow
the spikes to work through. If a heart or other shaped cam, as at 8, Fig. 4,
be bolted stationary, it will be seen, if the cylinder be put in motion, that the
bars R, R, will have a sliding motion to and from the centre, the length and
travel of the spikes must be so adjusted to come level with the cylinder at
some one point of its revolution, thereby giving a free delivery of the straw
to the machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Heatley and William Paddock in the Great Seal
Patent Ollice on the 3rd November 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
HEATLEY, of High Hatton, Shawbury, Agriculturist, and WILLIAM PADDOCK,
of Shrewsbury, both in the County of Salop, Agricultural Machinist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Thomas Heatley and William Paddock, Her special licence that I, the said
Thomas Heatley and William Paddock, our exccutors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said Thomas Heatley and William Paddock,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THRESHING MACHINES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Thomas Heatley and Wil-
liam Paddock, our exccutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Thomas Heatley and William Pad-
dock, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say):-
:-
Our Invention relates to apparatus which may be termed a threshing
machine feeder, inasmuch as its application is for the purposo of producing a
continual and well-regulated supply of the corn to threshing machines, either
in the threshing of wheat, barley, oats, or other kinds of grain. It will be
found of the greatest possible utility, and far surpassing the method now in use
of supplying the feed by hand, as the person doing such work is very
frequently unable to keep the supply of the machine sufficient, and at other
times letting go a considerable quantity not at all opened or separated, which
is in consequence only partially threshed. With the application of feeding
apparatus according to our Invention, a threshing machine will effect a greater
amount of work in a given time, and with less power, than can be done by
hand feeding; morcover the grain will be more regularly & completely
threshed.
Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of a threshing machine feeder
according to our Invention; Fig. 2, an end elevation; Fig. 3, a front elevation,
with one ring removed; and Fig. 4, plan of the same. A, A, part of the
threshing machine framing; B, a light frame of cast or wrought iron,
furnished with suitable feet, and securely bolted upon the timbers A, A. This
frame we make in one piece or in parts, as may be most desirable. C, a thin
lining of wood or other material, placed inside of and secured to frame B; D,
eccentric rings of cast or wrought iron of a suitable shape for the purpose
intended. A number of these rings are bolted upon the beam E, which may
either be made of wood or iron; upon the inside or outside of these rings,
strips F, of sheet iron or other material, are secured by means of screws or
otherwise, leaving a space of about half an inch between each to allow the
spikes or teeth G, G, to pass freely; II, a shaft or spindle furnished with
suitable bearings upon the outside frame B, or any other convenient part of
the threshing machine; I, circular or other suitably formed rings secured
upon the shaft II, and upon the outer side of these rings a number of bars J
are secured in length equal to the width of the threshing machine; upon each
of these bars spikes or teeth G, G, are fixed, to correspond to the spaces between
the covered rings D, D; upon the outside of these bars also is fixed a circular
or other suitably shaped covering of sheet iron or other material K, forming

page_text: together a cylinder or barrel furnished with the spikes G, G. This barrel we
propose to use with or without the covered rings D, D; L is an inclined
plane or board placed in front, and extending the width of the insido
framing; it is fitted to rise and fall by means of the lever and handle,
shown. In conjunction with this incline we propose in some cases to use a
rotary barrel represented at Z; it is similar to the one at K, furnished with
spikes or teeth. These spikes are caused to pass through slots in the casing,
which is placed eccentrically to the barrel, similar to the arrangement shown
at E & K. When this barrel is used, the incline may be fixed & without
being adjustable. M, a frame of wood or iron, furnished with suitable
bearings to carry the crank or eccentric shaft N. This frame moves upon a
centre at O; the opposite or top end is made to be raised & lowered at
pleasure by means of a pinion gearing into a toothed segment at P, or by
other suitable mechanical equivalent. Instead of the curvilineal motion com-
municated to the frame, it may be made to rise and fall bodily by means of
suitable guides running in guide grooves in a vertical or other position; in
which case a pinion or pinions geared into racks would be required, or the
motion may be effected by screws or otherwise. N is a shaft, upon which a
number of eccentrics may be fixed for the purp of the motion required, or
the shaft may be cranked, as shown, and we place these cranks or eccentrics
diametrically opposite to each other, or at ary angle in the circle; Q. pulley
secured on the crank or eccentric shaft N; R, double pulley having a shrowd
or flange in the middle of its breadth; the axis of this pulley is placed in line
with the centre of vibration of the frame M; consequently, when the
frame is raised or lowered, the distance between the centres of the pullies
Q&R remains unaltered; S, pulley fixed upon the shaft H, from which
motion is given to the pulley R; and from thence to the pulley Q, by means of
belts or otherwise; T, T, are regulating forks furnished with buskes or rings
suitable for connection with the cranks or eccentrics; the one end is jointed with
the swinging link U. The opposite end of these regulating forks are T-shaped,
and at each extremity is formed a socket or boss furnished with a set pin;
through each of these sockets a fork or prong x is mado to pass at an obtuse
angle downwards, and which can be adjusted to any convenient length and
secured by the set pins; these forks or prongs may either be mado connected as
shown, or separately, and in some cases the forks may be made or fixed in
one piece without being adjustable; V, surface of sheet iron or other material
secured to the frame M, having openings or slots through which the forks or
spikes pass. The object of this plate is to permit the action of the forks, and at
same time to keep the straw from entangling round the shaft N; W, a back or

page_text: bed made of sheet iron or other material, each end of which is secured to the
outside framing B, and further secured by the cross bar X; this is for the
purpose of guiding the straw and grain in its passage to the threshing machine.
The operation of this apparatus is as follows:-The inclined plane L (if drum
Z is not applied) is inclined sufficiently to cause the corn to be threshed to slide
down by its own gravity, motion is given to the barrel K, by means of the
pulley Y, and from thence to the regulating forks by means of the pullies S, R,
& Q. The band of the sheaf is then cut, and the sheaf put upon the incline
L; it descends until it comes in contact with the spikes or teeth G, G; the
gravity of the sheaf tends to keep it at the lowest point; the spikes G, G, engage
partially with the sheaf, and a portion of it only is carried over by the first
row of teeth; each succeeding row of teeth takes another and another portion
of the remainder until all is carried over; if the spikes G should take more than
is necessary for the feed, the regulating forks T, by engaging with the surplus,
retard it in its progress, and thereby ensuring a well-regulated and at same
time continual stream of feed to pass into the machine. The above is in tho
action of the feed apparatus in threshing. Wheat, barley, oats, and other looso
grain as it comes from the stack, may be thrown carelessly upon the incline L,
which with the side framing forms a hopper for its reception; this is passed
into the machine in a continual stream, as before described, the quantity of the
feed being regulated by raising or lowering the frame M.
Figs. 5, 6, & 7 represent various modifications of the gear or apparatus for
giving motion to the feeding teeth applied according to our Invention. A, Fig.
5, represents end and side views, as also some of the parts detached of a
cylinder or barrel of the feeding apparatus made of any suitable material, part of
the side view being shown in section to exhibit the interior arrangements; at or
near the ends of this barrel are fitted rings B, B, provided with radial or other
grooves; through each of these grooves, and extending nearly or equal to the
length of the barrel, passes a rod or head C, of wood or iron by preference,
furnished at the ends with rollers D; upon one side of this rod or head a number
of teeth or spikes G are fixed. Holes corresponding with the teeth or spikes G
are made in the barrel to allow the spikes to protrude. A heart or other shaped
cam or eccentric F is bolted to the stationary framing, and the rollers D are
caused to travel round the outside, or it may be the inside of the cam, thereby
giving to the heads C, and spikes G, a motion towards and from the central
shaft H. When a heart-shaped cam is used each opposite pair of bars C, C,
inay be coupled together by means of a link, similar to that shown at E; but
in using any other kind of cam or eccentric, we employ a spring for keeping
the rollers D in contact, or instead of springs an eccentric or cam groove may

page_text: be used, within which the rollers D, with which the rollers D travel; the
barrel is mounted upon the shaft H, to which rotary motion is given, as before
described. A, Fig. 6, represents an end and side view of a drum or barrel
made of wood or iron, the side view being partially in section to exhibit
the interior arrangements; at or near the ends of this barrel rings B are
formed, provided with suitable bearings, they are also provided with arms and
bosses for connection with the shaft H; passing into or through these bearings
aro bars or heads D, furnished with spikes G, similar to those in Fig. 5;
but instedd of having a rectilinear motion toward and from the centre, the
bars Dare caused to make about ono quarter of a revolution on their axes
during one revolution of the barrel A, by means of the cranks E, and rollers
running round the stationary eccentric cam R (shown separately); the barrel
A has raised projections on the outside, forming hollows made to contain the
heads or spindles D, and slots I are formed to correspond and to allow free
play for the spikes or teeth. Instead of having projections on A, the bars
D may be entirely within the barrels, as at K, Fig. 12; but in that case the
slots I, I, require to be longer, also instead of the fixed cam R giving motion
to the bars D and spikes G, they may be held in a radial or other required
position by means of springs, and may be made to clear themselves by coming
in contact with a roller L, shown separately at Fig. 12;, upon quitting the
roller, the spikes G being acted upon by the springs, will adjust themselves to
their former position; the roller L need not extend the whole length of the
barrel A, to act upon the whole of each row of the teeth at once, as a disc
roller fixed upon a stationary stud or otherwise, and acting upon a crank or
stop fixed on the ends of rods D, will answer the purpose.
Fig. 7 shows a plan, end elevation, and side elevation, part of which is
shown in section, of another modification of the feed apparatus. A, A, arc
two shafts placed parallel to each other; upon each of these shafts eccentrics B
are fixed, the centres of each pair of eccentrics being in the same relative
position with respect to their axes; the next pair C are placed opposed to
those of B, or at any other angle, and so on throughout the whole series.
Darc rings, or portions of rings, and may be made of any form, but wo
prefer making them semicircular; these are provided with suitablo straps or
brasses for connection with the eccentrics, or they may be cranks B' & C¹;
upon or connected to those semicircular pieces are covers E, E, made of iron
or other material, allowing a space of about half an inch between each pair
for clearance. Upon and secured to these covers, or to the rings D, are
teeth or spikes G, set radially or at any other angle. In the inside of the
covers E, flanges II are fixed parallel with the plane of motion, and in width

page_text: equal to the throw of the cranks or eccentrics. When each alternate pair of
cranks or eccentrics are diametrically opposite to each other, the one shaft
A, A, may be driven from each other by means of toothed gear, or otherwise,
but when the cranks or eccentrics are set at any other angle this gear may be
dispensed with. In this arrangement the spikes G of the one part E will rise
and fall below the adjoining parts E, causing them alternately to penetrate
and withdraw from the corn; they at the time of penetration perform their
feeding movement, that is, in their highest position, and the retrograde motion
in the lowest position, and while withdrawn from the corn.
Figs. 8, 9, 10, & 11 represent modifications of the regulating forks or
apparatus (T, T, Fig. 1, 3, & 4,) for regulating the feed of the corn as effected
by the feeding prongs G on the shaft H. Fig. 8, which represents a plan
and end view, has mounted two or more discs or arms B, provided with suitable
bearings for carrying the parallel spindles C; upon the ends of these spindles
cranks D are fixed; the crank pin of each is guided by suitable guides &
bearings attached to the eccentric strap F; G, a stationary eccentric round
which the strap F revolves. The crank D is equal in length to the distanco
between the centre of the shaft A and the centre of the eccentric G ; x aro
spikes or teeth set at equal or unequal distances upon the spindle C. The
cranks D remain parallel throughout the whole of each revolution of the
shaft A, and consequently cause the teeth a to remain in the same position,
and which, by their action, limit and regulate the supply carried over by the
feed apparatus as before.
Fig. 9 represents side and end views of apparatus in all respects analogous
to Fig. 8, but instead of the stationary eccentric for keeping the spindles and
spikes or forks in position, spur gear is used. A is the shaft; B, B, are
pinions keyed upon the spindle C; these pinions gear into a spur wheel D, as
shewn; the boss of the wheel D is accurately bored & fitted to the shaft A,
and free to revolve upon it; motion is communicated to the wheels by means
of
spur
wheels or pinions fast upon the shaft A at E, and another keyed upon
the wheel D at G; these two are geared together by other wheels fixed upon
an independant axis. If the wheel D be three times the size of the pinion B,
it will require to make one & one-third of a revolution for each revolution of
the shaft A, and if the wheel D should be an external spur wheel, as at *, and
five times the size of the pinions B, it would require to make four-fifths of a
revolution for each revolution of the shaft A. The shaft A of Figs. 8 & 9
may be carried by suitable bearings upon the frame M, Fig. 4, or mounted
upon radial rods. Fig. 10, A, A, are two shafts placed parallel to each other;
upon each of these shafts eccentrics B, D, are made fast; cach pair are placed

page_text: on their axes in the samo relative position, and coupled together by means of
the straps C, C; at the lower end of the straps a fork or prong is fixed;
these forks are made solid or adjustable, as shown in Figs. 1 & 4. In all
cases the regulating forks that engage with the lower or thick end of the sheaf
require to be shorter than those at the opposite end; they are represented so
graduated in Fig. 9, and the reverse in the case with those of the lower
barrel; the shortest spikes or teeth x engage with the ear or top end of tho
sheaf. The other pair of eccentrics are placed diametrically opposite, or at
ary other angle, and are in every respect similar to their neighbour; four or
more pairs are placed upon the shafts A, A.
Fig. 11 is another modification of regulator, shown in section and ele-
vation; B and C are two ellipses placed nearly in contact, and caused to
revolve in the same or in opposite directions, and are so placed that while the
major axis of the one is vertical, the other is horizontal; when this kind of
regulator is used, the sheet iron V (Fig. 3) is not required, and the frame M
may be dispensed with, using radial bars only for carrying the shaft A.
Having described the nature of our Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, we declare that what we claim as ur Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters atent is, the appli-
cation of feeding apparatus to threshing machines, for fecing and regulating
the supply or feed in the operation of threshing wheat and other cereals, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Heatley and William Paddock,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-ninth day of
October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty
THOMAS HEATLEY.
(L.S.)
WILLIAM PADDOCK. (L.S.)