IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SCOURING AND POLISHING WHEAT OR OTHER KIND OF GRAIN
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Matthew Audus, of Sowerby Bridge, in the County
of York, Corn Miller, and Nathaniel Bates, of the same Place, Millwright, for
the Invention of "IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SCOURING AND
POLISHING WHEAT OR OTHER KIND OF GRAIN."
Scaled the 28th November 1876, and dated the 1st June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Matthew Audus and
Nathaniel Bates at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June
1876.
JOHN MATTHEW AUDUS, of Sowerby Bridge, in the County of York, Corn Miller,
and NATHANIEL BATES, of the same Place, Millwright. "IMPROVED MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR SCOURING AND POLISHING WHEAT OR OTHER KIND OF
GRAIN."
This Invention consists of a revolving plate, to the under side of which is
attached a brush, which works upon a conical-shaped grate covered with screen
wire, for scouring, or instead of brushes angle iron scouring plates may be attached
to the revolving plate. The revolving plate works similar to a running millstone,
and it is regulated by an adjusting screw and hand wheel, so that the operator or
attendant may causo the machine to brush or scour the wheat or other grain as
much or as little as he pleases. An exhaust fan is also applied to the machine,
which carries away all dust, and also causes a strong current of air to pass through
the grain as it falls from the machine, which separates all chaff and light matters
that has been scoured off.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Matthew Audus and Nathaniel Bates in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 29th November 1876.
JOHN MATTHEW AUDUS, of Sowerby Bridge, in the County of York, Corn Millor,
and NATHANIEL BATES, of the same Place, Millwright. "IMPROVED MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR SCOURING AND POLISHING WHEAT OR OTHER KIND OF
GRAIN."
This Invention consists of a revolving plate, to the under side of which is
attached a brush which works upon a conical-shaped grate covered with screen wire
CD 1

page_text: for scouring, or instead of brushes angle iron scouring plates may be attached to
the revolving plate. The revolving plate works similar to a running millstone, and
it is regulated by an adjusting screw or by hand wheel, so that the operator or
attendant may cause the machine to brush or scour the wheat or other grain as
much or as little as he pleases. An exhaust fan is also applied to the machine,
which carries away all dust, and also causes a strong current of air to pass through
the grain as it falls from the machine, which separates all chaff and light matters
that has been scoured off.
In order that our said Invention may be more clearly understood we have here-
unto annexed one Sheet of Drawings illustrative of the same, and have marked it
with figures and letters of reference, the same letter referring to the saine part in
the various views or Figures.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a machine constructed according to our Invention,
shewing the same fitted with exhaust pipes and brush case and covers completo.
Fig. 2 is also an elevation, with part of exhaust pipes and cases removed.
Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevation, shewing the conical or bevel-shaped grate and
the circular brush for actuating thereon.
Figs. 4 and 5 are details of a portion of the brush; and Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detail
views of the conical or bevel-shaped grato.
A is the revolving plate, to the under side of which the brush B is attached, and
which brush we propose to make in sections (by preference) in a somewhat similar
manner as that shown in Fig. 4. Our object in making the brush in sections is so
that they may be readily inserted and changed if required; they may be made of
fibre or of fine steel wire, as desirable, or angle iron scouring plates may be used in
a similar manner. This plate A is secured to the upright shaft C, which is driven
by strap placed on the pulley D, or by any other convenient or suitable motive
power, and either from the top or bottom. The wheat enters the centre or eye E
from a delivery spout or trough F, and falls on to the conical or bevel-shaped grate
G, which is covered with screen wire, the action of the brush B causing the wheat
to be distributed and brushed over the surface of the wire on the grate, a piece of
sheet iron H is placed where the wheat or other grain falls to prevent the wire from
wearing too quickly away; the reason why we prefer that the aforesaid grate G to
be made bevel shape or conical is so that the wheat or other grain will fall, readily
away from the same after being brushed, but a flat grate may be employed for the
purpose, or it may be convex or other modified form. The dust falls through the
spaces of the wire and is carried away by the pipe or trough J and deposited in a
dust chamber by means of a fan K. (see Fig. 3), which causes a strong current of
air in conjunction with the fan L, to pass through every part of the machine, and
which effectually prevents a deposit of dust, an advantage which will be obvious to
all practical millers as the danger of fire to which many wheat cleaning machines
are exposed is very greatly diminished. The power of the fans or the current of air
can be regulated by means of small valves M placed in convenient positions in the
spouts or conducting troughs N, N¹, which are arranged to suit the place where the
machine is fixed. The wheat or other grain, after being thoroughly brushed, which
it will be after passing through the process to which it is subjected, falls through
the opening o, scrapers P collecting and carrying it towards the said opening, when
it falls into and is delivered out of the spout P¹ free from all dust, chaff, or light
matter; the spout P² communicates with one or other of the troughs or spouts
N, N¹, for conveying the dust away, as before described.
The revolving plate A works similar to a running millstone, and it is regulated
by the adjusting screw Q (or hand wheel and screw may be employed) by which the
operator or attendant inay raise or lower the brush, and so brush the wheat or other
grain as much or as little as he pleases or as is required. R are cases or covers
which enclose the brush and fans. A machine constructed according to our im-
provements will also answer for scouring much better than the ordinary cylindrical
screen as a strong brush may be used and as much pressure or friction brought to
bear upon the wheat or other grain as the operator may chose. The machines are

page_text: durable; all the bearings and brasses are kept free from dust, and can be oiled
whilst they are at work, and each working part may be examined or repaired in a
short time.
Having thus described and shewn by Drawings how our Invention may be
carried into practical operation, we would have it understood that we do not confine
ourselves to the precise details as herein shewn and described, for as we have herein
stated some of the parts are required to be made to suit the position or the
place where the machine is fixed, but what we claim as our Invention, and believe
to be new is,
Firstly. The application and use of a revolving plate, to the under side of which
is secured or attached a brush or brushes or angle iron plates, operated in manner
and for purposes substantially as herein shown and described.
Secondly. The application and use of the conical or bevel-shaped grate, or any
more modification of the same, covered with screen wire, for purposes substantially
as herein described and illustrated.
Lastly. The general construction, combination, and arrangement of mechanism, as
comprised and set forth as our improvements in the above description, and shewn in
the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Matthew Audus and Nathaniel Bates,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-second day of Novem-
ber, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
W
JOHN MATTHEW AUDUS.
NATHANIEL BATES.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)
WUITEHEAD,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Halifax & Sheffield.