Improvements in Chaff Cutting Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Chaff Cutting Machines.
We, STEPHEN PACKWOOD, Traveller, DANIEL BELCHER, Director and Secretary,
and RICHMOND AND CHANDLER LIMITED, Agricultural Machine Manufacturers,
all of Southall Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The objects of our improvements in chaff cutting machines are to prevent the
attendant from getting his hand caught between the feed rollers and at the same
time to improve the feeding qualities of the machine.
In applying our improvements to a chaff cutting machine having an endless
feeding web working along the bottom of the hopper or feeding trough we
employ a presser roller across the feeding trough. This roller is placed behind
the upper feed roller of the machine and is fitted in bearings attached to the
rising cover or elsewhere so as to rise and fall with the ordinary upper feed
roller of the machine. In combination with this presser roller we employ a
series of presser rollers of suitable diameter, preferably three or four. These
presser rollers are placed behind the one previously described and across the
hopper and over the feeding web which they do not touch. The spindles or
axles of these presser rollers pass through slots in the two side cheeks of the
machine or in plates attached to the ordinary side cheeks or to the sides of the
hopper. The slotted side plates form guides for the presser rollers as they rise
and fall and prevent the hay or other material from bulging over the sides of
the feeding trough when it (the hay) is pressed downwards by the rollers in its
passage to the ordinary feed rollers. On each end of the axle of the first presser
roller (i.e. the one nearest to the feed rollers of the machine) or on separate pivots
fixed to the side checks of the machine we hinge levers, one at each side of the
feeding trough. These levers reach across and are placed over the axles of all
the presser rollers and may be pressed down by springs or weights if it be found
desirable.
When the machine is running empty the presser rollers remain stationary,
but when it is fed in the ordinary way the hay or other material is carried for-
ward by the travelling feed web under the presser rollers which are then caused
to rotate by the moving material which, as it increases in thickness, lifts the
presser rollers, the axles of which pressing upwards against the levers cause
them to rise against the resistance of the weights which thus impart the required
pressure. Each presser roller, except the first one, is free to fall by its own
gravity, and does fall when the feed under it becomes thin, so that all the
presser rollers act on a feed of irregular thickness which is not the case when
they are retained in the same plane by a rigid frame. Or we might obtain the
required pressure by the gravity of the presser rollers only, when each would
rise and fall independently, the first one however remaining substantially as
described. Or we might partially control the independent action of the presser
rollers by linking the axles of some or all of them together in such a manner
as would allow any one of them to rise or fall independently within certain limits
or all to rise and fall together.

page_text: In case of the links being adopted the fixed side plates might give place to
movable ones attached to the connecting links, or both might be used.
Instead of attaching the first presser roller as already described we might
mount it in slots in the side plates in the same way as the others so as to give
it a rising and falling motion independently of the upper feed roller of the
machine.
It is desirable to place the presser rollers about equi-distant from each other
and at a slight incline upwards from the feed rollers of the machine.
The action of the presser rollers is to gradually compress the hay or other
material in the hopper as it is carried forward under them until, by the time it
reaches the feed rollers it is sufficiently compressed for them to grip it thus doing
away to a great extent with the labour of the attendant pressing the material
on to the travelling web.
Whenever the attendant's hands, resting on the material in the hopper, are
moved forward towards the feed rollers, they will come in contact with the
back presser roller which will prevent them approaching dangerously near to
the feed rollers.
"
By the term "required pressure we mean so much pressure on the material
in the hopper as will enable the web on to which the material is pressed to carry
it forward to the feed rollers.
Although described as idle rollers and only driven by contact with the mov-
ing feed we might drive the first or any other roller by mechanical means.
Dated this 2nd day of Fobru 1900
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
Agents for Applicants.
T
We, STEPHEN PACKWOOD, Traveller, DANIEL BELCHER, Director and Secretary,
and RICHMOND AND CHANDLER, LIMITED, Agricultural Machine Manufacturers,
all of Southall Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, 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:-
The objects of our improvements in chaff cutting machines are to prevent the
attendant from getting his hand caught between the feed rollers and at the same
time to improve the feeding qualities of the machine.
In applying our improvements to a chaff cutting machine having an endless
feeding web working along the bottom of the hopper or feeding trough we
employ a presser roller across the feeding trough. This roller is placed behind
the upper feed roller of the machine and is fitted in bearings attached to the
rising cover or elsewhere so as to rise and fall with the ordinary upper feed
roller of the machine. In combination with this presser roller we employ a
series of presser rollers of suitable diameter, preferably three or four. These
presser rollers are placed behind the one previously described and across the
hopper and over the feeding web which they do not touch. The spindles or
axles of these presser rollers pass through slots in the two side cheeks of the
machine or in plates attached to the ordinary side cheeks or to the sides of the
hopper. The slotted side plates form guides for the presser rollers as they rise
and fall and prevent the hay or other material from bulging over the sides of
the feeding trough when it (the hay) is pressed downwards by the rollers in its
passage to the ordinary feed rollers. On each end of the axle of the first presser

page_text: roller (i.e. the one nearest to the feed rollers of the machine) or on separate pivots
fixed to the side cheeks of the machine we hinge levers, one at each side of the
feeding trough. These levers reach across and are placed over the axles of all
the presser rollers and may be pressed down by springs or weights if it be found
desirable.
When the machine is running empty the presser rollers remain stationary,
but when it is fed in the ordinary way the hay or other material is carried for-
ward by the travelling feed web under the presser rollers which are then caused
to rotate by the moving material which, as it increases in thickness, lifts the
presser rollers, the axles of which pressing upwards against the levers cause
them to rise against the resistance of the weights which thus impart the required
pressure. Each presser roller, except the first one, is free to fall by its own
gravity, and does fall when the feed under it becomes thin, so that all the
presser rollers act on a feed of irregular thickness which is not the case when
they are retained in the same plane by a rigid frame. Or we might obtain the
required pressure by the gravity of the presser rollers only, when each would
rise and fall independently, the first one however remaining substantially as
described. Or we might partially control the independent action of the presser
rollers by linking the axles of some or all of them together in such a manner
as would allow any one of them to rise or fall independently within certain limits
or all to rise and fall together.
In case of the links being adopted the fixed side plates might give place to
movable ones attached to the connecting links, or both might be used.
Instead of attaching the first presser roller as already described we might
mount it in slots in the side plates in the same way as the thers so as to give
it a rising and falling motion independently of the up ed roller of the
machine.
each other
It is desirable to place the presser rollers about equi-distan
and at a slight incline upwards from the feed rollers of the machine.
The action of the presser rollers is to gradually compress the hay or other
material in the hopper as it is carried forward under them until, by the time it
reaches the feed rollers it is sufficiently compressed for them to grip it thus doing
away to a great extent with the labour of the attendant pressing the material
on to the travelling web.
Whenever the attendant's hands, resting on the material in the hopper, are
moved forward towards the feed rollers, they will come in contact with the
back presser roller which will prevent them approaching dangerously near to
the feed rollers.
"
By the term required pressure
we mean so much pressure on the material
in the hopper as will enable the web on to which the material is pressed to carry
it forward to the feed rollers.
Although described as idle rollers and only driven by contact with the mov-
ing feed we might drive the first or any other roller by mechanical means.
In the accompanying five sheets of drawings-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan of part of a chaff cutting machine
to which our improvements are applied.
Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 are side elevations. Fig. 8 is a plan of Fig. 7, and
Fig. 10 is a plan of Fig. 9 showing different modifications of our invention.
In the drawings,-2 denotes the side plates of a chaff cutting machine, 3 the
hopper, and 3 the endless feeding web which travels along the bottom of the
hopper 4 and 5 the axles of the upper and lower feed rollers respectively the
rising cover, which rises and falls with with the upper feed roller of the machine
and coiled springs for weighting the upper feed roller by means of rods in
the ordinary way. To the rising cover 6 we secure a metal strap or bracket G
in which we journal the spindle 9 of a presser roller 8 across the hopper 3 so
that the roller rises and falls with the upper feed roller of the machine.
combination with this presser roller 8 and behind it, we employ a series of safety
In

page_text: presser rollers 8ª also across the hopper and between the fixed guide plates 12,
of which there is one at each side of the hopper 3. The spindles of these rollers
pass through slots 11 in the fixed guide plates 12, the said spindles resting in
the bottoms of the slots when the machine is not in operation.
On the ends of the spindle 9 of the presser roller 8 we hinge levers 10, one at
each side of the guide plates 12.
These levers are placed above the spindles of all the safety presser rollers S
and are connected to springs 13, one at each side of the hopper, the rear ends
of the levers 10 being thus free to rise and fall within certain limits according
to the varying thickness of the feed. When the machine is running empty the
pressers rollers 8 and 8" remain stationary, but when it is fed in the ordinary
way the hay or other material is carried forward by the endless feeding web
under the presser rollers 8", which are then caused to rotate by the moving
material, and, as it increases in thickness it lifts one or more of them, the
spindles of which pressing upwards against the levers 10 cause them to rise
against the resistance of the springs 13 whereby the required pressure is im-
parted to the feed. Each of the presser rollers 8 is free to fall by its own
gravity, and does so fall when the feed under it becomes thin, so that all the
presser rollers 8" act on a feed of irregular thickness, which is not the case
when they are retained in the same plane by a rigid frame.
Instead of the levers 10 being controlled by a spring, or springs, a weight or
weights may be substituted for that purpose; or the levers themselves may be
made sufficiently heavy to impart the required pressure to the safety presser
rollers.
In Fig. 3 the presser roller 8 instead of being attached to the rising cover as
already described, is mounted in slots like the safety presser rollers 8", and the
levers 10 instead of being hinged on the spindle 9 of the presser roller 8 are
hinged on the axle 4 of the upper feed roller, and are placed above the spindles
of all the safety presser rollers 8 and 8". This arrangement allows the safety
presser roller 8 as well as the rollers 8" to rise and fall within certain limits
independently of the upper feed roller of the machine according to the varying
thickness of the feed. Or, if preferred, the levers 10, instead of being hinged
on the axle 4 of the upper feed roller, may be pivoted to the side plates 2.
In Fig. 4 the arrangement differs from that described under Fig. 1 in that the
presser roller 8 (is not attached to the rising cover and in that it is mechanically
driven.
On the spindle 9 of the safety presser roller S we hinge the levers 10 and on the
same spindle and on the axle 4 of the upper feed roller we place loosely radial
links 14 one at each side of the side plates 2 and on one end each of the same
spindle and axle we fix chain wheels 15 and 16 connected by an endless chain 17.
In this manner the safety presser roller S is driven by the axle 4 of the upper
feed roller, or it may be driven by toothed wheels or in any other convenient
manner.
We prefer to make the driven presser roller fluted or star shaped with sharp
edges in order that it may the more efficiently force the hay or other material
into the grip of the feed rollers.
In Fig. 5 the arrangement is similar to that described under Fig. 4 except
that the presser roller 8 is attached to the rising cover 6 by means of the metal
strap or bracket G as described under Fig. 1.
In this arrangement the radial links 14, Fig. 4, are not required.
In Fig. 6 the spindle 9 of the front presser roller 8 is journalled in slide
blocks 19 (one at each end) which are free to rise and fall in standards 20 secured
to the machine and the levers 10 are hinged on the same spindle. Or, instead
of all the safety presser rollers 8 and 8 being idle, one of them may be driven, as
in Fig. 4, by chain wheels 15 and 16 and an endless chain 17 or in any other con-
venient manner, the radial links 14. not being required in this arrangement.

page_text: In Figs. 7 and 8 the presser rollers 8 and 8ª are weighted by attaching one
end of the springs 13 to their spindles the other end of the springs being fixed
in any convenient position. This permits of the independent rise and fall of
each safety presser roller according to the varving thickness of the feed, or the
presser roller 8 may be attached to the rising cover so as to rise and fall with
the upper feed roller as shown in Fig. 1; or the required pressure may be ob-
tained by gravity only of all the safety presser rollers 8 and 8"; or the presser
roller 8 may be attached to the rising cover as shown in Fig. 1, the safety
presser rollers 8 acting by gravity only. Or, instead of being an idle roller,
one of the presser rollers 8 or 8" may be driven, being either attached as shown
and described under Fig. 5, or retained in position by radial links as shown and
described under Fig. 4.
In l'igs. 9 and 10 the spindles of the safety presser rollers & and 8 are journalled
in links 18 which are placed loosely on the ends of the spindles. These links
act as jointed connections for holding the rollers the proper distance apart from
each other. The openings 11" in the fixed guide plates 12 through which the
spindles of the safety presser rollers 8 and 8 pass, instead of being straight
slots, as shown in Fig. 1, are so shaped as to allow the safety presser rollers and
the links 18 to rise and fall according to the varying thickness of the feed with-
out jamming. The upper circles and dotted lines indicate one of the very
numerous positions which may be taken by the safety presser rollers 8 and 8
and the links 18 when a feed is passing through the machine. This modifica-
tion has the advantage already described in the other arrangements as it enables
the whole of the safety presser rollers 8 and 8" to act on a feed of irregular
thickness, which is not the case when the roller spindles are retained in the
same plane by a rigid frame as in some other machines.
In all cases the back safety presser roller 8 is placed so far from the feed
rollers as to effectually prevent the attendant's hands being caught by them, as,
however far he allows them to pass under the safety presser rollers he can with-
draw them readily and without injury.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a chaff cutting machine, a series of safety presser rollers independent
of one another-preferably four in number-placed behind the upper feed roller
of the machine at right angles to the hopper, the spindles of two or more of
these safety presser rollers rising and falling in slots in fixed guide plates, the
rise of such of the safety presser roller spindles as work in the slots, and conse-
quently the rise of their respective rollers, according to the varying thickness
of the feed, being controlled by mechanical means such as weighted levers
placed above and resting on the spindles, and each of the safety presser rollers
the spindle of which works in slots in fixed guide plates, being free to fall inde-
pendently by its own gravity and all the presser rollers being driven only by
contact with the moving feed, substantially in the manner herein described and
shown.
2. In a chaff cutting machine, a series of safety presser rollers independent of
one another preferably four in number-placed behind the upper feed roller
of the machine at right angles to the hopper, the spindles of some or all of the
said rollers rising independently as well as falling independently in slots in fixed
guide plates, and the presser rollers being driven only by contact with the mov-
ing feed, substantially in the manner herein described and shown.
3. In a chaff cutting machine, a series of safety presser rollers-preferably
four in number-placed behind the upper feed roller of the machine at right
angles to the hopper, the spindles of some or all of the safety presser rollers pass-
ing through openings in fixed guide plates and being journalled in links which
keep the safety presser rollers the proper distance apart, but which, when they

page_text: number more than two, do not retain them in the same plane as they rise or
fall, the presser rollers being driven only by contact with the moving feed sub-
stantially in the manner herein described and shown.
4. In a chaff cutting machine, a series of three or more, preferably four
safety presser rollers-placed behind the upper feed roller of the machine at
right angles to the hopper, and mounted or guided in one or other of the ways
already described, one of the said rollers being preferably fluted or star shaped
and mechanically driven, whilst the remaining rollers are only driven by contact
with the moving feed, substantially in the manner herein described and as
illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5.
5. The several combinations and arrangements of parts substantially as herein
described and as shown in the drawings.
11
in 1900
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
Agents for Applicants, 17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.