IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCREENS OR DRESSING MACHINES FOR SCREENING, OR SIFTING CORN, SEEDS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1884

page_text: We, WILLIAM RAINFORTH, Senior, WILLIAM RAINFORTH, Junior, and HENRY
SLACK RAINFORTH, Manufacturers, % Messrs Day, Davies and Hunt, Patent
Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby.
declare the nature of our Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO
THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCREENS OR DRESSING MACHINES FOR SCREENING, OR
SIFTING CORN, SEEDS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES " to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to the
construction of screens or dressing machines for screening or sifting, corn, seeds,
and other substances.
There was formerly required a separate machine for sifting every different size
of corn or grain; machines of this construction were superseded by others in which
the screening surfaces or screens proper were rendered removable from the frames
and driving parts of such machines, and which thus permitted of the same machine
being used for sifting different sizes of corn, seeds or other substances, but required
a separate removable screen for sifting each different size of grain.
The special object of the present Invention is to render the flat screens of
dressing machines adjustable, so that the same screen or screens in any one
machine may (without requiring to be removed and replaced by others) be used
for screening, sifting, or separating, different sizes of corn, seeds, and other
substances.
To this end the Invention consists in the provision and combination with such
dressing machines of adjustable screens, and in the application to such screens of
means for effecting the lateral adjustment from or towards each other of the
parallel rods, bars, or wires forming the screens or screening surfaces, so that the
spaces between such rods, bars, or wires, may be readily adjusted, and with great
nicety of adjustment, to any particular or required distance apart, in accordance
with the size of corn or grain it is required to screen or sift, and whilst still
retaining the parallelism of the said rods, bars, or wires.
These means of adjustment may vary in their arrangement and means of
operation, and we do not limit ourselves to any particular means of attaining the

page_text: desired object, but the means which we have found to be reliable in operation, and
simple in character, and which we consider most advantageous in their application
are hereinafter described.
The screen or screening surface may be made of any desired length and width,
and of the usual materials, and it is or may be reciprocated or operated in the
usual way, and by the usual means, or by any suitable means.
The improved screen is constructed with side angle iron bars, and with a central
longitudinal bar, and with the requisite number of intermediate wires, bars, or rods
forming the screening surface proper. Transversely of the screen, at or adjacent to
each end, and at intermediate parts thereof, are placed series of links which connect
the side and central bars of the frame and the rods of the screen and retain them
in their several positions parallel with each other, the adjacent links being
pivotted or jointed to each other, and to the side and centre bars of the frame of
the screen, and each of them being formed with depending and equidistant studs
which are passed through the rods of the screen, and are formed so as to keep the
rods at a distance below the links for the purpose hereinafter referred to. The
series of links at each end of the screen are formed double so as to retain the rods
or wires of the screen securely between them, but the studs of the intermediate
series of links are simply rivetted on being passed through the bars. The special
object of this formation of the links is to provide every facility for thoroughly
cleaning the whole longitudinal extent of the screen at each reciprocation of the
screening frame, by an arrangement of laterally adjustable washers on stationary
cross rods, and to avoid the retention of any corn or grain between the rods or
wires of the screen at any part thereof between the end series of links, and the
distance pieces herein before referred to on the said studs are provided to allow of
the said washers projecting up between the wires or rods of the screen a sufficient
distance to effect the thorough cleaning of the spaces between the wires.
At the under part of the lower end of the frame there is fixed a guide plate
slotted transversely, and certain of the rods or wires of the screen, viz, those which
are situated at the junction of the second and third, the fourth and fifth, and so on,
of the studded links, are provided with rollers at this end of the machine which
engage in such slots and thus permit of these particular rods of the screen only
receiving a lateral motion in the adjustment of the screen as and by the means
hereinafter described. The other ends of the first and last of each of such series of
links are pivotted to the said side frames, and the connected ends of the first and
second, third and fourth, and so on, of the intermediate links are pivotted to
certain of the intermediate rods or wires of the screen, (except where, centrally of
the width of the screen, they are pivotted to the said central bar) and these
intermediate bars are provided with rollers at the upper end of the screen and
which engage in transverse slots in a movable guide plate situated at this end of
the screen and which cause these particular rods of the screen to receive a
longitudinal thrust and motion in the direction of the length of the screen, and
which by the resistance offered by the said rods of the screen engaging in the slots
in the said fixed guide plate and by the connection of all the rods effected by the
said links is effective in causing the lateral distension of the screen while retaining
the parallelism of all its component rods bars or wires at all distances apart.
The central bar to which the said central links are pivotted is secured to the
said fixed guide plate, but has a projection or pin which engages in a slot in the
said movable guide plate and running in the direction of the length of the screen,
and thus receives no movement from the operation of the said guide plate, but
when each half of the screen is formed with an odd number of links in each
transverse series, the central bar may be secured to and operated by the said
movable guide plate, and may be formed with a projection engaging in and guided
by a slot in the fixed guide plate. The outer or side angle irons of the screen are
also guided by the said fixed guide plate, but in the opening and closing of the
screen they are operated by the said movable guide plate and receive an angular or
combined lateral and longitudinal movement, together with the outer bars or rods

page_text: of the screen, which are similarly operated upon, but in different degrees, by the
intermediate studs of the said links.
The said movable guide plate is situated at the under part of the upper end of
the frame, and is slotted transversely, and the adjacent ends of the said outer or
side angle bars of the screen and of the said intermediate bars engage with these
slots, and are operated by the shifting of this end plate in the direction of the
longitudinal extent of the frame. The to-and-fro shifting of this end plate is
effected, as and at the times required, by means of screws operated by connecting
gearing, and by a handle or lever, the parts being so arranged as to give an even
movement at all parts to the plate which works in side guides. The opening and
closing motion of the screen, when thus constructed and arranged, is effected by
means of the said shifting end plate, and by an arrangement of levers situated at
cach side thereof, and which levers are centred or connected to the end plate, to the
said guides thereof, and to the ends of the side frames engaging in the said slots.
The combined effect and operation of the said parts when the handle or lever is
turned in one direction, is, that the said end plate is moved towards the screen
thrusting the side bars and said intermediate rods of the screen towards the lower
end of the screen, where this thrust is resisted by those bars or rods of the screen
which engage with the transverse slots in the said fixed guide plate, and thus, by
means of the connecting series of links, the screen is laterally distended, and the
bars thereof opened apart as far as may be desired; and when the handle is turned
in the other direction, the said end plate is drawn away from the screen, causing
the closing of the same as far as may be desired, the side and central bars and rods
of the screen retaining their parallelism at all distances apart as hereinbefore
mentioned.
Dated thin 10th dow of Tml., 10OL
DAY, DAVIES, & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We, WILLIAM RAINFORTH, Senior, WILLIAM RAINFORTH, Junior, and HENRY
SLACK RAINFORTH, Manufacturers, 。 Messrs Day, Davies and Hunt, Patent
Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
the nature of our Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SCREENS OR DRESSING MACHINES, FOR SCREENING OR SIFTING
CORN, SEEDS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," 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 certain improvements in or applicable to the
construction of screens or dressing machines for screening, sifting or separating
corn seeds and other substances.
There was formerly required a separate machine for sifting every different size
of corn or grain; machines of this construction were superseded by others in which
the screening surfaces or screens proper were rendered removable from the frames
and driving parts of such machines, and which thus permitted of the same machine
being used for sifting different sizes of corn, seeds or other substances, but required
a separate removable screen for sifting each different size of grain.
The special object of the present Invention is to render the flat screens of dressing
machines adjustable so that the same screen or screens in any one machine may
(without requiring to be removed and replaced by others) be used for screening
sifting or separating different sizes of corn, seeds and other substances.
To this end the Invention consists in the provision and combination with such
dressing machines of adjustable flat screens, and in the application to such screens
of means for effecting the lateral adjustment from or towards each other of the
parallel rods, bars or wires forming the screens or screening surfaces, so that the
spaces between such rods, bars or wires, may be readily adjusted, and with great
nicety of adjustment, to any particular or required distance apart, in accordance
with the size of corn or grain it is required to screen or sift, and whilst still
retaining the parallelism of the said rods, bars or wires at all distances apart.
These means of adjustment may obviously vary in their arrangement and means
of operation, and we not limit ourselves or confine our Invention to any particular
means of attaining the desired object, but the means which we have found to be
reliable in operation, and simple in character, and which we consider most
advantageous in their application, are illustrated on the accompanying drawings
and hereinafter described.
On the accompanying drawings Fig; 1 represents an under plan view of a screen
constructed in accordance with the present improvements, showing the same in
its most distended condition, and with the screening or sifting openings between
the rods, bars or wires constituting its screening surface, as wide as the construction
of the frame of the screen will permit.
Fig 2, represents, in the left hand half, a similar view to, that of Fig; 1, but
showing one half of the same screen in its least distended condition, with the
screening openings between the said rods as narrow as the arrangement of the
other parts of the screen will permit; and in the right hand half this Figure shows
a top plan view of one half of the screen in the same condition as shown in the
left hand half of this Figure.
The remaining Figures are detail views and will be hereinafter more particularly
referred to

page_text: The improved screen is constructed with side angle iron bars, 1, and with a
central longitudinal bar, 2, and with the requisite number of intermediate wires,
bars or rods, 3, forming the screening surface proper. Transversely of the screen
at or adjacent to each end, and at intermediate parts thereof are placed series of
links, 4, which connect the said side and central bars and rods 1, 2, 3, and at all
distances apart aid in retaining them in their several positions parallel with each
other. The adjacent links are pivotted or jointed to each other as at, 5, and the
end and central links of each complete transverse series thereof are pivotted or
jointed respectively to the said side and centre bars, 1, 2, as at, 6, and each link is
formed with depending and equidistant studs, 7, passed through holes, 8, drilled
through the rods, 3.
The links of the series at each end of the screen are formed double as shown in
full size in the detail views Figs; 3. so as to retain the rods, 3, securely between
them, but the links of the intermediate series are formed single as shown in the
detail views Figs; 4; and the studs, 7, of such latter series of links are each
formed with a boss or shoulder or other distance piece, 9, so as to keep the rods, 3,
at a distance below these links for the purpose hereinafter referred to, and the ends
of such studs are simply rivetted on being passed through the rods, 3. The special
object of this formation of the said intermediate series of links is to avoid the
retention of any corn, grain, or other substance under treatment in the spaces
between the rods, 3, at any part of the screen between the said end series of links,
and to afford every facility for thoroughly cleaning the whole longitudinal extent
of the screen between such end series of links, at each reciprocation of the screening
frame, 10, by an arrangement of laterally adjustable washers 11, on stationary rods, 12,
which pass transversely of the screen immediately under the said bars, 1, 2, thereof,
and through guide slots between such bars and other bars, 13, secured below them
and parallel therewith, and are carried in a usual manner by a convenient part of
the frame of the dressing machine, and the distance pieces, 9, herein before referred
to, on the studs, 7, are provided to allow of the washers, 11, projecting up between
the rods, 3, of the screen as shown in the said detail views a sufficient distance to
effect the thorough cleaning of the said spaces at each said reciprocation..
.
At the upper part of the lower end of the frame, 10, there is fixed a guide.
plate, 14, slotted transversely as at, 15, and certain of the rods, 3, of the screen, viz.
those which are situated at the connected ends, 5, of the second and third, the
fourth and fifth, and so on, of the links, 4, of each said transverse series thereof,
counting from the longitudinal centre of the machine, are provided at this end of
the machine with studs, 16, on which are friction rollers, 17, which engage in such
slots, 15, and thus permit of these particular rods, 3, of the screen only receiving
a lateral motion in the adjustment of the screen as and by the means hereinafter
described. The other ends; 6, of the first and last of each of such series of links
(counting as aforesaid) are as aforesaid pivotted to the said centre and side bars, 2, 1,
and the connected ends, 5, of the fist and second, third and fourth, and so on,
(counting as aforesaid,) of each of such series of links, are pivotted to certain others
of the intermediate rods, 3, of the screen, and these rods, 3, are provided at. the
upper end of the screen with studs, 18, on which are friction rollers, 19, which
engage in transverse slots, 20, in a movable guide plate, 21, situated at this end of
the screen, and which in its operation causes these particular rods to receive a
longitudinal thrust or pull and motion in the direction of the length of the screen,
and which, by the resistance offered by the central bar, 2, and by the said rods, 3,
of the screen engaging with the fixed guide plate, 14, and by the connection of all
the rods, 3, effected by the said links, 4, is effective in causing the lateral distension
or closing up of the screen, while retaining the parallelism of all its component
rods, 3, at all distances apart.
The central bar, 2, to which the said central links of each complete transverse
series are pivotted, is secured to the fixed guide plate, 14, or to the bottom end of
the frame 10, but it has a stud or pin, 22, which engages in a slot, 23, in the

page_text: movable guide plate, 21, and running in the direction of the length of the screen,
and thus receives no movement from the operation of the guide plate, 21, but when
each half of the screen is formed with an even number of links in each transverse
Beries, the central bar, 2, may be fixedly secured to and operated by the movable.
guide plate, 21, and may be formed with a stud or pin engaging in and guided by
a slot in the fixed guide plate, 14, The lower ends of the side bars, 1, of the
screen, are fitted with guide pieces, 24, and are guided by the fixed guide plate, 14,
and their upper ends have studs, 25, on which are friction rollers, 26, which engage
in the slots 20, in the movable guide plate, 21, and in the opening and closing of
the screen they are operated thereby and by the levers 33. 34. 35. hereinafter
mentioned and receive an angular or combined lateral and longitudinal movement,
together with the rods, 3, which are similarly operated upon, but in dfferent degrees,
by the studs of the connecting links, 4.
The movable guide plate, 21, is situated at the under part of the upper end of
the screen frame, and it is operated or shifted to and fro in the direction of the
length of the frame as and at the times required, by means of screws, 27, operated
by connecting gearing, 28, and by a handle or lever, 29, the parts being so arranged
as to give an even movement at all parts to the plate, 21, which works in side
guides, 30, and is limited in its movements as desired by studs, 31, engaging in
slots, 32, in the said guides, 30. The opening and closing motion of the screen,
when thus or otherwise equivalently constructed and arranged, is effected by means
of the said shifting guide plate, 21, and by a suitable arrangement of levers 33,
34, 35, situated at each side thereof, and which are respectively centred or connected
to the guide plate, 21, to a fixed part of the screen frame, 10, and to the ends of
the side bars, 1, engaging in the slots, 20, in the guide plate, 21.
The combined effect and operation of the said parts, or of other parts equivalently
arranged, when the handle or lever, 29, is turned in one direction, is, that the end
plate, 21, is moved towards the screen, thrusting the side bars, 1, and certain of the
said rods, 3, of the screen towards the lower end of the screen, where this thrust is
resisted by those other rods, 3, of the screen which engage with the transverse
alots, 15, in the fixed guide plate, 14, and thus, by means of the connecting series
of links, 4, the screen is laterally distended, and the bars thereof opened apart as
far as may be desired; and when the handle is turned in the other direction, the
end plate, 21, is drawn away from the screen, causing the closing together of the
rods thereof as far as may be desired, the side and central bars and rods 1, 2, 3,
of the screen retaining their parallelism at all distances apart as hereinbefore
mentioned.
The screen or screening surface may be made of any desired length and width,
and of the usual materials, and it is or may be reciprocated or operated in the usual
way, and by the usual means or by any suitable means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be or may beperformed We declare
that what We claim is:-
1. The application to and use in combination with dressing machines for screening
or sifting corn seeds and other substances, of flat screens which (without removal
from the machine) may be adjusted to screen sift or separate different sizes of the
material to be operated upon, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
2. The herein before described improved means of rendering such flat screens
adjustable for the aforesaid purpose, and which improved means consist in effecting
the lateral adjustment more or less from or towards each other as desired of the
parallel rods bars or wires forming the screening surface for varying the screening
spaces between such rods as required, whilst retaining the parallelism of the said
rods at all distances apart, by the use in combination of means for imparting a
longitudinal thrust or pull to certain parts of the screen in combination at certain
parts with a laterally distending or collapsing action, with other means for opposing

page_text: or resisting such thrusts or pulls at other parts of the screen, and with other means
for transversely connecting the component rods and parts of the screening surface
to retain the parallelism of all such parts at all distances apart, such means
co-operating so as to cause such resisted longitudinal thrusts or pulls and such
laterally distending or collapsing action to be effective in causing the required
distension or collapsing of the screen equably at all parts, all substantially as
hereinbefore described.
DAY, DAVIES, & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.