for Agricultural Purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Distributor for Agricultural Purposes.
I, THOMAS CHARLES SARGEANT, of 1, Victoria Promenade, Northampton, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machines used for the distribution of manures, &c., upon
the soil, one of the chief features of novelty being the shape and arrangement of the
hopper or receptacle and the manner in which the manure is brought into contact
with the revolving spreader.
A B C D Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 are four diagrams shewing the relative position of the
hopper, the main axle, the shield, and the spreader in various positions. The following
figures indicate similar parts in each of the diagrams, I main axle, 2 spreader wheel,
3 shield, 4 hopper, 5 radial arm, 6 hopper pivot, 7 lever, 8 main road wheel.
The shafts and gear for feeding the hopper up to the spreader and the gear for
driving the spreader are omitted for convenience as they may be of any convenient
form or type. prefer to employ a chain or rope indicated at 9 which may be wound
on a drum operated by a ratchet wheel and pawl controlled from a moving part of the
machine.
Fig. 1 shows the machine with the hopper elevated in position to be charged with
manure through the open end 4ª.
Fig. 2 the hopper lowered into its working position the chain having been let off
the drum and the surface of the manure in contact with spreader wheel through the
open side 4 of the hopper which corresponds with an opening at this point in the
side of the shield 3.
Fig. 3 shews the hopper emptied of its contents and closed in to the shield which
is the position when the machine is travelling empty.
-
Fig. 4 the hopper returned to its elevated position for recharging.
I will now proceed to describe my invention.
Upon the main axle 1 I mount the revolving spreader wheel 2 which may be
driven by any suitable gear receiving its motion from one or both of the main road
wheels 8. To the main axle 1 I pivot on either side of the machine a radial arm 5 to
the lower extremity of which at 6 I pivot the hopper 4 which consists of the two ends
and one side, the side being curved to correspond with the diameter of the rotary
spreader. When the hopper 4 is raised for charging as shown in Fig. 1 the second
or inner side of the hopper is formed by the shield 3 which is also curved to cor-
respond with the outside diameter of the revolving spreader. When the hopper has
been charged the lever 7 which is pivoted to the main axle is pushed forward
causing the radial arms 5 to partially radiate around the main axle until the
hopper occupies a position shown in Fig. 2 (the chain 9 having been let off) bringing
that portion of the contents of the hopper which in Fig. 1 was in contact with the
shield 3 in such a position that any movement of the hopper 4, on the pivot 6
towards the spreader 2, will cause the said contents to come in contact with the
ends of the spreader arms, as they revolve with the result that the contents of
the hopper are thrown out under the edge 3 of the shield 3 any variation in the
speed of the hopper on the pivot 6 as it is wound up by the chain 9 causing a

page_text: corresponding variation in the deposit until the hopper is completely emptied of
its contents, when it assumes the position shewn in Fig. 3. The chain is then
let off and the lever 7 is pulled back causing the hopper 4 to rise and occupy
a position as shewn in Fig. 4 when the action before described is repeated. The
shield is pivoted on the main axle, and is capable of partial rotation thereon. This
radiation of the shield on the main axle is controlled by suitable stops attached to
the shield arranged in such a manner that the hopper cannot close or clash with
the shield.
I, THOMAS CHARLES SARGEANT, of 1, Victoria Promenade, Northampton, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My invention relates to machines used for the distribution of manures and the
like and particularly for the distribution of sticky manures such as superphosphates.
It is well known in connection with the distribution of these manures that by
- reason of their stickiness they are very difficult to distribute properly and evenly.
They must generally be fed from a moveable hopper which is kept in constant con-
tact with the spreader wheel or device.
My invention consists in an arrangement of the moveable hopper and a drum
covering the spreader wheel whereby the contents of the hopper may be moulded or
shaped by the exterior of the drum before they are brought by the hopper into
contact with the spreader wheel in order that the wheel shall find a surface of
manure presented to it which corresponds with its own curve with the ressult that it
will start feeding the same amount of manure that it finishes with (as the hopper
is continuously raised into contact with it) and whereby it is not required to first
excavate a curved surface from a mass of manure before a uniform feed is obtained.
The mechanism by which the hopper is raised and the wheel rotated does not form
part of my invention but I have shown in the drawings two arrangements by which
same may be effected. In these drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of a portion of the machine partly in section
on line x-x, of Fig. 2 shewing the parts and their means of operation.
Fig. 2 is for one half an end elevation looking to the left of Fig. 1 and for the
other half, a section on line y y of same figure and looking in the same direction.
Fig. 3 is a plan.
Fig. 4 is a cross section on a reduced scale to shew the closed (or empty) position
of the parts.
Fig. 5 is a similar view to shew the open (or feeding) position.
Fig. 6 is a similar view to shew the filling position; and
Fig. 7 is an elevation shewing another means of moving the hopper and
wheel.
In my provisional specification I have described and illustrated an arrangement
in which the spreader wheel axis and the axle of the vehicle are on the same centre
line but it is not necessary that this should be the case as so long as the hopper
radiates upon the axis of the spreader wheel the position of the axle of the vehicle is
immaterial.

page_text: As the best form of apparatus for carrying out my invention known to me at the
present time I shall first describe that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6.
It will be seen that the machine consists of a drum or shield d in which is a bladed
spreader wheel c mounted on a square spindle a¹, a sleeve a² forming part of said
wheel passing through the end of the drum and terminating in a pinion a3 situated
inside an internally toothed gear at, the outside of which is formed with three
cams such internal gear at being carried by or secured to the road wheel A.
Shafts bb are carried on the axle u of the road wheel A outside the latter. This
axle a does not pass entirely through the drum on account of the spreader wheel c
but is in two parts one of which is shewn in Fig. 2 each part being held in a
socket or bearing forming part of the end of the drum. The drum is capable of
being rocked or turned partly round on the axles a.
Pivotally hung on a collar a around the bearing of the square spindle a¹ of the
spreader wheel is a radial arm hterminating in a handle n and provided with a
curved slot 2 through which the axle a can pass and which will allow the arm ha
partial rotary movement about the spindle a¹ forming the axis of the spreader wheel.
There is a similar arm on the other side of the machine and the two are connected by
a bar h³ adapted to ride over springs h attached to the top of the drum d near the
edges of same and to seat in a groove h5 in a plate which each of such springs carries
and which plates terminate in knobs ho by which the springs can be pressed down to
release the bar h³ after the arms h have been pushed up by the handles and forced
over the springs. This arrangement forms a means for holding the arms h in the
position shewn in Figs. 1 to 5.
The arms are also connected at their lower ends by a rod i and each carry
forward of said rod i a stop k.
To the ends of the arms h and on the rod i is pivoted a hopper j consisting of two
end plates 2 and one side j³ (Fig. 2) the edges j' of the ends j2 being formed.
on a curve corresponding to a cut away part of the drum d. The hopper jit
will be seen, is therefore open at the top and on one side and the drum d is also
open at the side for about a quarter of its circumference or a distance corresponding
with the side of the hopper j so that the spreader wheel c may be brought into
contact with the contents of the hopper. The drum d is also provided with an
opening e through which the wheel may distribute the contents of the hopper.
The hopper is shown as closed and empty in Figs. 1 and 4 the curved edge j¹
abutting against a rib j2 moulded on the side of the drum. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 shew
clearly the three positions of the hopper. Fig. 6 being the position when being
filled. Fig, 5 the position when the hopper is full and the machine is working, the
hopper then being supported by the stops of the arm against which stops abut
stops carried on the ends of the hopper, and Fig. 4 the closed or empty
position.
At the extreme outer points jt of the hopper and at either end of same as shewn in
Fig. 4 are attached chains q such chains preferably terminating in a spring as shewn
in Fig. 1 such spring being carried in a suitable box or case so that the chain may
yield to avoid jarring the parts in the travel of the machine.
A second
The chains 9 pass over the curved side of the drum and are wound upon pulleys
carried by a shaft supported in brackets secured to the top of the drum. The
shaft carries a pinion 2 engaging with a pinion 3 on a short shaft 74 also carried
in one of the brackets said pinion being secured to a friction wheel 8 (or it may be
a ratchet wheel) with which engages a pawl u the edges of the friction wheel 8 and
pawl u being V shaped so as to give the pawl a sufficient hold on the wheel.
loose pawl is carried by a bracket u² on the top of the drum said pawl acting to
hold the friction wheel against any back movement. The pawl u is carried by a
cranked arm hung on the stud or shaft the other end of said arm u³ terminating
in a handle u by which means the pawl can be reciprocated to rotate the friction
wheel and pulleys by hand when required.
Upon the arm u³ is pivoted a second arın 5 which is locked thereto by a nut and
bolt u the arm us having a curved slot by means of which it may be set in a forward

page_text: or backward position on the arm u³ and a nose or projection u adapted to come into
contact with the cams a5 in their rotation so that the arm us will have a reciprocating
movement given to it during the travel of the vehicle and the pawl consequently will
operate the friction wheel 8, the length of its stroke being regulated by the setting
of the nose u of the arm u5 on the arm u³. A stop h8 is provided on the arm h to
limit the backward movement of the arm u³.
The drum is capable of being turned partly round on the short axles a so that a
part of the side of same may be brought down to form one of the sides of the hopper
when the latter is in its highest position and is being filled as shewn in Fig. 6. The
drum may be provided with handles for pushing same round if required, or if it is a
very large drum with a rack and pinion working from a crank and with stops or
holding devices for keeping it in the position in which it is set if necessary but it
may be simply pushed round by hand if it is of a convenient size.
When the hopper is in its closed position as in Fig. 4 and it is required to fill it,
the chains q are first let off the pulleys r by lifting the pawl and allowing the
hopper to pull it off by its weight so as to bring the hopper into the position
shown. The handles are then pulled down into the position shewn in Fig. 6
thus raising the hopper into the position shewn in said figure. The drum is
then partly turned or rotated on its axles a so that the surface or part which has
not been cut away is brought down to meet the hopper and form the fourth side of
same. The manure is then thrown into the open top of the hopper and by resting
against the curved side of the drum dit assumes by its sticky nature the curvature
of the drum as soon as the hopper is lowered by pushing back the handles n again
into the position shown in Fig. 5 but this time full of manure having a surface or
curvature the same as that of the drum and consequently corresponding with that of
the spreader wheel c which will be in contact with it as soon as the vehicle begins to
move as the chains will then be hauled up and the hopper drawn in onto the sides of
the drum until all its contents are swept out by the spreader wheel when it again
assumes its closed and empty position. Prior to this operation of the spreader wheel
the drum is turned back into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
In the arrangement shewn in Fig. 7 the main axle a carries a sleeve on which is
mounted the spreader wheel c which is rotated at a high speed by suitable gears
from a pinion driven by the wheels of the vehicle. The drum is capable of a partial
movement around the axle the extent being limited by the curved slot f through
which passes a spindle g carried by a part g₁ to which the shaft b is attached.
Swinging on the axle a is a radial arm h on both sides of the machine, one end of
each of said arms carrying a shaft or studs i to which is pivoted the hopper j.
The arm has a connecting rod / pivoted to it such rod being attached at the
other end to a sliding piece m on the shaft b which acts to guide and steady the
drum and permit it to be partly turned round for the purpose of filling the hopper
as when in the position shewn in the drawings the piece m abuts or engages with
stops p on the sides of the drum. As soon as the arm is operated to raise the
hopper the piece m is removed from stop p and the drum may be turned. The arm h
is provided with a handle n for operating it.
At the extreme outer point 4 of the hopper are attached chains or ropes indicated
by the dotted line q such chains or ropes passing over the top of the drum d to
pulleys r carried on a suitable shaft which also carries a ratchet wheel 8. On the
shaft is an arm t capable of rocking thereon and carrying a pawl u.
Said arm is
operated by a crank v bolted in a slot w (so that its throw is adjustable) in the side
of a disc y carried on the stud or spindle g.
The disc y is driven from a pinion w¹ operated by one of the wheels such pinion
driving a pinion w² on the stud or spindle g so that the latter is revolved and with it
the disc y. Such stud or spindle g also carries a pinion z¹ which drives a pinion z on
the sleeve on which is secured the spreader wheel e.
The operation of the machine is otherwise the same as that previously
described.

page_text: 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 :-
1. In a distributor for agricultural purposes the employment of a drum or shield
having a curved surface in combination with a hopper hung on the same axis as the
drum or shield such drum or shield being adapted to give its shape to the contents
of the hopper before the latter is brought into contact with the spreader wheel sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a distributor for agricultural purposes the combination of a curved drum or
shield a spreader wheel and a moveable hopper capable of a radial movement on the
axis of said wheel and of a movement toward said wheel to keep its contents in con-
tact therewith all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a distributor for agricultural purposes the combination of a curved drum or
shield, a spreader wheel, a moveable hopper pivoted upon arms hung upon axis of the
spreader wheel and means controlled by the movement of the vehicle for moving the
hopper toward the spreader wheel to keep the contents in contact therewith sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In a distributor for agricultural purposes the employment of a curved drum or
shield for the spreader wheel for the purpose of giving its shape to the contents of a
hopper pivoted on the axis of the spreader wheel when the hopper is being filled
such drum being then in a position to form the fourth side of the hopper sub-
stantially as described.
5. The combination with a drum shaped shield of a hopper and spreader wheel all
arranged to radiate on a common centre substantially as described.
6. The arrangement of drum shaped shield, hopper, and means for carrying the
latter substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
•
Dated this for day of July
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent for Applicant.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent for Applicant.