Improved Shaking Mechanism for Thrashing Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1889-Accepted, 13th July, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Shaking Mechanism for Thrashing Machines.
I, JABEZ JAMES CORNISH, of North Norfolk Iron Works, Walsingham, in the
County of Norfolk, Agricultural Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of my
said 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 relates to an improved arrangement of shaking apparatus for use
in thrashing machines.
Such apparatus as hitherto most generally applied to such machines is constructed
with a series of reciprocating rising and falling shaker boxes each formed with an
openwork bottom and by the operation of which the straw is caused to receive an
upward and forward feeding motion intended to be effective in shaking the corn
therefrom, the corn falling through the openwork bottom onto an under recipro-
cating bottom; but a material defect inherent to this system of shaking mechanism
when applied and used as hitherto is that a portion of the corn is liable to be carried
away on the straw and at times, such as when the straw passes into the machine
in locks, a large percentage of the corn is liable to be thus wasted as the operation
of such mechanism does not sufficiently effect the loosening or opening apart of the
locks of straw to permit of the escape of the corn.
According to another arrangement the shaking mechanism is constructed with a
series of reciprocating rising and falling shaker bars each provided with depending
forks and by the operation of which the straw is traversed over a reciprocating
bottom with a motion intended to be effective in shaking the corn from the straw, but
though in such arrangement the separation of the locks of straw is better effected
a portion of the corn is liable to be swept away with the straw.
The special object of the present improvements is to remedy these defects and to
cause an effectual shaking of the straw and a thorough thrashing of the corn; and
to this end the Invention consists, essentially, in the application and use substantially
in the manner hereinafter described of an under series of reciprocating rising and
falling shaker boxes formed in a usual manner with perforated bottoms and operated
with a rising and forward feeding movement by front and rear series of short throw
cranks or by other equivalent means, conjunctively with an upper series of recipro-
cating rising and falling forked shaker bars operated with a descending and forward
feeding movement by front and rear series of long throw cranks or by other equivalent
means, such series of shaker bars being so arranged and operated as to cause the
traverse and thrashing of the straw between them.
On the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1. and 2. represent such an improved
arrangement of shaking mechanism in sectional elevation, in different positions, and
Fig. 3. represents the same in plan view.
4, represents any conveniently arranged framing adapted to the thrashing machine,
and to carry bearings, 5, for supporting fore and rear crank shafts, 6, or the before
referred to equivalent means, operating the series of shaker boxes, 7, and fore and
rear crank shafts, 8, or the before referred to equivalent means operating the series
of shaker bars, 9. The shaker boxes, 7, may be of any usual formation and as
represented on the accompanying drawings are connected to the cranks, 10, of the
shafts, 6, by bearings, 11. The shaker bars, 9, are fitted with under projecting
forks, 12, and as represented on the accompanying drawings are likewise connected to
the cranks, 13, of the shafts, 8, by bearings, 15.
The shafts, 6, are also formed or fitted with end cranks, 16, which are connected by
a rod, 17, and the shafts, 8, are likewise fitted with end cranks, 18, which are connected
by a rod, 19, excepting where the cranks are arranged at such angles as not to require
uch connecting rods to carry the shaker boxes and bars over the dead centres, and

page_text: such pairs of connected crank shafts are connected by toothed gearing, 20, or by other
suitable means of transmitting the motion. The cranks, 10, of the adjacent shaker
boxes are oppositely arranged or may be arranged at any suitable angles relatively to
each other and are of short throw, and the cranks, 13, of the adjacent shaker bars are
likewise oppositely arranged or may be arranged at any suitable angles relatively to
each other but are of longer throw than the cranks, 10; the cranks of each vertical
pair of shaker box and bar being in a like direction when at their highest and lowest
positions; the arrangement being such that on motion being imparted to the
crank shafts from any convenient shaft, the shaker bars and boxes are caused to work
in vertical pairs, the shaker bar of each said vertical pair having a relatively greater rise
and fall than the like movements of the shaker boxes and a forward feeding motion
endwise thereof;-all which will be effective in causing the opening of the locks of
straw, and the vertical tossing and horizontal feeding thereof and the effectual
thrashing out of the corn which falls onto an under reciprocating bottom in a usual
manner.
In lieu of operating the shaker boxes and bars by front and rear cranks as aforesaid,
each box or bar may be operated by a crank arranged either at the centre or at one
or other end thereof the other end being supported and worked by a vibrating
lever.
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 :-
The hereinbefore described improved arrangement of shaking mechanism for
thrashing machines, the same consisting of an under series of reciprocating rising and
falling shaker boxes operated by a series of short throw cranks or by other equivalent
means, and of an upper series of reciprocating rising and falling forked shaker bars
operated by a series of long throw cranks or by other equivalent means, working
conjunctively substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 17th day of May 1889.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.