AN IMPROVED POTATO DIGGER AND RAISER OR ELEVATOR
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Conradi, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED POTATO
DIGGER AND RAISER OR ELEVATOR" A communication from abroad by
William Schwarz, of Königsberg, and August Binder, of Langenhagen,
Germany
Sealed the 13th June 1878, and dated the 17th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Conradi at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1877.
A
HENRI CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED POTATO DIGGER AND RAISER OR ELEVATOR."
communication from abroad by William Schwarz, of Konigsberg, and August Binder,
of Langenhagen, Germany.
The present machine differs from all other apparatus of similar structure in the
construction and in the motion of the sieve-like elevator.
The plough a, as represented in the Drawing, takes the earth with the potatoes
from the ground, while the endless band 6 conveys is further on to the above-
mentioned sieve-like apparatus, which is constructed in the form of an elevator.
Two endless chains c, c, are set in motion by means of the toothed excentrica d, d,
placed on the top, but gearing at the bottom with concentrical toothed discs.
The excentrics are set in motion by means of the requisite set of gearings moved
by the plough wheel. The largest diameters of the two excentrics & and d' are set
diametrically opposite to an angle of 180 degrees. Both chains c, c', are connected
together by cross bars formed of angle irons or of any other convenient form at
every other link, and are joined together like hinges, allowing a certain displace-
ment in each direction.
If now the axle with the two excentrics d, d¹, turns, the chains are alternately
drawn tight, so that the one hangs loose, while the other is tightened. This pro-
duces in like manner an alternative displacement of both ends, which are brought

page_text: nearer to each other at each cross bar, so that each end moves from the front to
the back, and from the top to the bottom, producing therefore a worm-like motion.
These motions take place in both chains in opposite directions; producing a
continuous transformation of the surface formed by the cross bars c, e, into an
inclined curved evolution surface of opposite directions, and producing also the
displacement of each of the bais.
In consequence of this particular motion of the elevator, the earth becomes
separated from the potatoes, and falls beyond the machine, by means of the
planking g, g', which is put together in form of a roof, and which forms a protecting
cover; while the potatoes and the tops or leaves are thrown out at the top.
To prevent the potatoes from falling sideways from the elevator, protecting
picces m, m, are fixed to the chains, composed of angle-shaped plates of sheet iron,
overlaping each other like a shield. The leaves or tops are then separated from the
potatoes by means of a drum h which is provided with pins or points, behind which
a comb k is placed.
The pins or points of this drum are placed excentrically, corresponding to
the excentricity of the excentrics d, ', in such a manner that the greatest diameter
of the excentric is placed against the shortest pin or point, and vice versa.
The
potatoes are then received by the box or basket L, or are taken directly by a cart
following the apparatus. The tops or leaves fall behind the box.
The improvements on which the claims are based, consist,―
In the arrangement of two excentric wheel chains, disposed to produce the worm-
like motion of the elevator, as before described.
In the displacement of the cross bars.
In the arrangement of a drum or disc for the purpose of cutting the tops or leaves,
this drum or disc being provided with pins or points placed excentrically, so that
their ends follow always the motion of the elevator in such a manner that they are
bound to take off the tops or leaves.
In the means of conveying the potatoes to the end of the apparatus, and throwing
the same into a box or basket or other convenient receptacle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lettors Patent filed by
the said Henri Conradi in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th June
1878.
A
HENRI CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED POTATOE DIGGER AND RAISER OR ELEVATOR."
communication from abroad by William Schwarz, of Königsberg, and August Binder,
of Langenhagen, Germany
The present machine differs from all other apparatus of similar structure in the
construction and in the motion of the sieve-like elevator.
The plough a, as represented in the Drawing, takes the earth with the potatoes
from the ground, while the endless band 6 conveys it further on to the above-
mentioned sieve-like apparatus which is constructed in the form of an elevator.
Two endless chains c, c', are set in motion by means of the toothed excentrics d, d¹,
placed on the top, but gearing at the bottom with concentrical toothed discs.
The excentrics and are set in motion by means of the requisite set of gearings
moved by the plough wheel. The largest diameters of the two excentrics & and d¹
are set diametrically opposed to an angle of 180 degrees. Both chains c, c¹, are con-
nected together by cross bars e, e, formed of angle irons or of any other convenient
form at every other link and are joined together like hinges, allowing a certain
displacement in each direction.
Experience has shown that a more convenient form of the cross bars e, e, would
be the prismatical shape or section; the bars being at the same time hollowed out
or grooved on the side where the do not work, as shown in Fig. 1 & 3 This
prismatical shape offers the advantage over the form of the angle iron used for the
bars e, e, as before described, that the earth can fall through, with greater facility
than it is the case by making these bars from angle iron. These bars e are connected
to the chain links m, n, in such a manner that they can be displaced or shift them-
selves on the skew slope or in their inclined position.
Some clearance left in the bolt holes allows also some upward and downward
motion of those bars. On the outside the chain becomes closed through the flat
bars or links o.
If now the axle ƒ with the two excentrics d, d³, turns, the chains are alternately
drawn tight, so that the one hangs loose, while the other is tightened. This pro-
duces in like manner an alternative displacement of both ends, which are brought
nearer to each other at each cross bar, so that each end moves from the front to the
back, and from the top to the bottom, producing therefore a worm-like motion.
These motions takes place in both chains in opposite directions, producing a con-
tinuous transfer motion of the surface formed by the cross bars e, e, into an inclined
curved evolution surface of opposite directions, and producing also the displacement
of each of the bars.
In consequence of this particular motion of the elevator, the earth becomes
separated from the potatoes, and falls beyond the machine by means of the
planking g, g, which is put together in form of a roof, and which forms a pro-
tecting cover; while the potatoes and the tops or leaves are thrown out at the top.
To prevent the potatoes from falling sideways from the elevator, protecting
pieces m, m, are fixed to the chains composed of angle-shaped plates of sheet iron
overlaping each other like a shield.
But another arrangement, which as experience has shown, seems preferable, is to
provide the chain links m and n, Fig 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, with projecting pieces, like
small arms, rods, pins, or points, or teeth p, as repesented in Fig. 6; instead of the
above-described shield-like projecting arrangement, as also formerly represented
in the longitudinal elevation of the apparatus; as the tin plates forming the
shield may become shifted one above the other, while this cannot take place
with the arms which are placed in such a position as to allow the earth to fall through,

page_text: but prevent even the smallest sized potato doing so. The leaves or tops are then
separated from the potatoes by means of a drum h, which is provided with pins
or points, and behind which a comb / is placed.
The pins or points of this drum are placed excentrically, corresponding to the ex-
centricity of the excentrics d, d', in such a manner that the greatest diameter of 5
the excentric is placed against the shortest pin or point, and vice versa. The
potatoes are then received by the box or basket 1, or are taken directly by a cart
following the apparatus. The leaves or tops fall behind the box.
The improvements upon which the claims are based consists,-
In the arrangement of two excentric wheel chains so disposed to produce the 1
worm-like motion of the elevator, as before described.
In the displacement of the cross bars.
In the arrangement of a drum or disc for the purpose of cutting the tops or leaves,
this drum or disc being provided with pins or points placed excentrically, so that
their ends follow always the motion of the elevator, in such a manner that they are 1
bound to take off the tops or leaves.
In the means of conveying the potatoe to the end of the apparatus, and
throwing the same into a box or basket, or other convenient receptacle.
In the construction of an elevator chain, as above described and represented in
the adjoined Drawing.
In the connection of the cross bars with the chain links m & n by means of
angle irons fixed to the latter.
In the arrangement of the protecting pieces, arms, pins, or points p acting as a
sieve on the sides of the apparatus
20
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Conradi, have hereunto set my hand 2.
and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy eight.
H. CONRADI. (L.B.)