IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO DRUMS OF THRASHING MACHINES FOR PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS AND FOR ENSURING MORE CON- VENIENCE IN FEEDING MOUTHS OF SAME
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Wells, of Whitchurch, in the County of Hants, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO DRUMS OF THRASHING
MACHINES FOR PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS AND FOR ENSURING MORE CON-
VENIENCE IN FEEDING MOUTHS OF SAME."
Sealed the 5th December 1879, and dated the 19th September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Wells at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th September 1879.
WILLIAM WELLS, of Whitchurch, in the County of Hants. "IMPROVEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO DRUMS OF THRASHING MACHINES FOR PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS
AND FOR ENSURING MORE CONVENIENCE IN FEEDING MOUTHS OF SAME."
This Invention comprises mainly the following particulars :-
-
I fix a pipe or solid shaft over edge of board forming shallow side of feeding box,
same resting on bearings fixed to frame of machine. To this shaft curved pipe or
pipes or solid iron is or are to be screwed or fixed, with laths rivetted on and
extended across the opening to druin, forming a guard with a top of 15 inch radius.
to stand about 24 inches above frame, and set in most convenient angle by means of
a small ratchet wheel and movable pin at back, the small radius of top of guard
catching corn dashed upwards, and protecting the feeder's eyes. The board of
feeding box nearest the person feeding is bevilled downwards and extended a short
distance towards the feeder to secure greater leverage over the pivots below and
prevent possibility of injury by the drum. To, the bottom edge of this board,
secured to each end, is a piece of thin iron on edge having holes to receive pivots to
support board about 9 inches from bottom edge of board, this iron being extended
in incline about 9 inches, or sufficient to catch the edge of the shallow board of the
box hanging loosely on shaft of guard above the pivots, being screwed through drum
shutters or casing of machine. On a weight of from 7 to 10 pounds falling on the
edge of board nearest the person feeding, the thin iron grasps the board of the
mouth opposite, bringing them together in an instant; and effectually barring access
to the drum. On the weight being taken off, the mouth returns to its original
position by its own gravity, and ready for work as quickly as shut.
A small pin.
inserted in the casing of the machine and suspended in the feeder's box when not
required for use over top of tilted board effectually keeps the mouth closed during.
all operations otherwise than feeding. To facilitate the packing of machine the top
guard is turned backward and dropped through an opening by raising a shutter.
placed over shakers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Wells in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th March
1880.
WILLIAM WELLS, of Whitchurch, in the County of Hants. "IMPROVEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO DRUMS OF THRASHING MACHINES FOR PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS
AND FOR ENSURING MORE CONVENIENCE IN FEEDING MOUTHS OF SAME."
"
This Invention comprises substantially the following particulars:-I fix a pipe or
solid shaft over edge of board forming shallow side of feeding box, same resting on
bearings fixed to frame of machine. To this pipe or shaft a curved pipe or pipes or
solid iron is or are to be screwed or fixed, with laths or other suitable covering
rivetted or fixed on and extended across the opening to the drum, forming a guard
with a top of about fifteen inch radius to stand about twenty-four inches above
the frame of the machine, and set in the most convenient angle by means of a
ratchet wheel and movable pin at back, or by means of two bolts tapped into the
end of shaft or pipe passing through and pressing on side of the bearing, recessed to
form a shoulder inside of bearing to obtain additional friction, the small radius of
top of guard catching corn or any part of drum that may be broken and dashed
upwards, and protecting the feeder's face. To the bottom edge of the board forming
feeding mouth I fix plates forming a recess about six inches in depth to ensure more
ease in feeding. The board of the feeding box nearest the person feeding is bevilled
downwards and extended a short distance towards the feeder to secure greater
leverage over the pivots below and prevent possibility of injury by the drum. To
the bottom edge of this board, secured to each end, is a piece of thin iron on edge
having holes to receive pivots to support the board about nine inches from the
bottom edge of board, this iron being extended in incline about nine inches, or
sufficient to catch the edge of the shallow board of the box hanging loosely on shaft
of guard above the pivots, and being screwed through drum shutters or casing of
machine. On a weight of from seven or more pounds falling on the outer edge of
the board (nearest the person feeding), the thin iron on edge grasps the board of the
mouth opposite, bringing same together in an instant, and effectually barring access
to the drum, and securing the board of mouth in that position by a self-acting catch
placed in feeder's box. On the weight being taken off and catch released, the
mouth returns to its original position by its own gravity, and is ready for work as
quickly as shut. A small pin inserted in the casing of the machine (and suspended
in the feeder's box when not required for use over top of tilted board) effectually
keeps the mouth closed during all operations otherwise than feeding. To facilitate
the packing of machine the top guard is turned backward and dropped through an
opening by raising a shutter placed over the shakers.
Having thus far described the nature of the said Invention, and incidentally inti-
mated in what manner the same is to be performed, I will now proceed (aided by
the accompanying Drawings) to further and particularly describe and ascertain in
what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in practice, that is to
say:-

page_text: H, shallow board; I, top guard; K, pipe or bar carrying the top guard I, said pipe
passing through the opening in the part L (Fig. 3) secured to side frame, and bearing
against the part formed therein; M, screw bolt which passes through and is
screwed into pipe K, thus securing the same and with it the top guard I in position.
The top guard I is strengthened or stiffened by rods or pipe which go round same,
the ends being tapped into pipe or bar K. N, feeding box. The action is as
follows: The material is brought onto D, and passes through and is thrashed in the
ordinary way. Should any accident occur to the feeder (or any extra weight be
brought onto the edge e) in falling or pressing against the feed board D, same causes
the end e to fall, thus actuating the feed board D and with it the bars E, which
turning on the centres F come against the shallow board H, thus effectually closing
the mouth of the machine. The dotted lines shown in Fig. 1 represent the mouth
when closed. In process of thrashing, any material rising will strike against the
top guard I and be thrown down again into the machine. The top guard I can, it
is evident, be turned over if required; this is useful in packing the machine. The
shallow board H is also formed to turn on the centre K. The board D when the
machine is at work will rest on the concave C; the counterbalance G will effect
this, and thus fluff will not get between same to cause obstruction in feeding. I may
here remark that to further secure the ends of the feeding mouth I could fit into
shutters, such as are known and in use, forming a platform on each side of machine,
a double or treble jointed drop, so that on pressure being applied to the middle
of the drop by a person in the act of striking his foot towards the drum, the drop
shall turn upwards the edge of the board nearest the drum, and arrest his further
progress.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare
that I claim the Invention of "Improvements Applicable to Drums of Thrashing
Machines for Prevention of Accidents and for Ensuring more Convenience in
Feeding Mouths of same," substantially as same is hereinbefore set forth and
described, and in which Invention the important point or feature is the arrange-
ments for closing the mouth to the drum, substantially hereinbefore set forth and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Wells, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
SPENCER CLARKE,
Solr.,
Whitchurch,
Hants.
WILLIAM WELLS. (L.S.)