An Improved Apparatus for Automatically Feeding Thrashing Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Automatically Feeding Thrashing
Machines.
I, FRANK NEEDLEY, Manager of the Thrashing Machine Department of
Messrs. Ruston, Proctor & Co. Limited Engineers of the Sheaf Iron Works in
the City of Lincoln and the same county, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My apparatus is designed to elevate the sheaves up to the platform of the
thrashing machine, to distribute them evenly, and to feed them into the thrashing
drum, and at the same time to cut the bands or strings by which they are tied.
For this purpose I employ an elevator with endless chains and cross bars similar
in design to that used for receiving the straw from a thrashing machine, with a
hopper at its lower end, into which the sheaves are thrown, this elevator is placed
by preference crossways to the machine at the straw delivery end, but I may vary
its position.
The upper end of the elevator is arranged so that it can be adjusted to deliver
the sheaves more or less on to the centre of an inclined feeding platform or hopper
on the top of the machine, and on certain of the cross-bars fixed to the elevator
chains scoops are placed, for taking up any grain which may fall out in transit, and
for delivering it with the sheaves into the feeding hopper.
This elevator is driven by preference by a separate countershaft at its upper end
which in turn is actuated by a cross belt from any of the shafts of the machine, but
most conveniently from that on which the shakers are situated. The elevator is
detachable and can be arranged to run on wheels or to be packed up on the top of
the thrashing machine or a wagon when travelling.
The inclined feeding platform on to which the sheaves are thrown forms the
bottom of a hopper slightly narrower than the drum of the machine. Down this
incline the sheaves slide by their own weight, but I may use a less incline, and
employ chains with cross pieces or spiked rollers or other similar mechanical
contrivances. About the centre of this hopper and arranged longitudinally is a
rocking board hinged along its lower edge which distributes the sheaves first to
one side and then to the other, as they fall from the elevator above; sometimes a
series of forks or tines may take the place of the board. This distributor is
arranged so as to be adjustable in its position according to the weight and size of
the sheaves, and the spindle or axis on which the rocking board is fixed is driven
by a quadrant and connecting rod from a small crank which in turn is driven by a
band or chain from the countershaft of the elevator. By adjusting this quadrant
or connecting rod the angular movement of the rocking board can be varied as may
be required, but I may also use any other suitable driving device in lieu of the
foregoing.
The sheaves on sliding down are drawn forward by a light drum furnished with
curved or sickle shaped teeth, fixed across the machine and preferably above the
platform. Beyond on its farther side, in the centre is a small roller, standing up
more or less vertically, and called the dividing roller, and the action of the
distributor, the feed drum, and the dividing roller is such that the sheaves are
compelled to pass along endways towards the thrashing drum, and therefore their

page_text: bands are more or less crossways with the machine, and in a favourable position for
being cut.
The lower part of the inclined feed table is nearly horizontal and is hinged and
arranged to rest on a spring so as to give way with any excess of pressure; on its
upper side are fixed knives similar to those used in a reaping machine. Just after
a sheaf passes the feed drum it is seized by the band cutters which consist of one
or more pairs of parallel bars moving like the siderods of a locomotive, and armed
on their undersides with knives such as are used in reaping machines, these are
actuated by two craukshafts passing across the machine, one of which is driven by
means of a belt from any convenient shaft. I use preferably four cranks on each
shaft and eight bars, but there may be any other suitable number. These knives
therefore drag the sheaves along towards the drum, and cut the bands, the fixed
knives below prevent the sheaves being pushed through without the bands being
cut, whilst the spring board gives way with any abnormal pressure, and so obviates
breakage. One of these crankshafts carries a pulley from which a belt is taken to
drive the feed drum, but this may of course be driven in any other convenient
manner.
The knives on the parallel bars are preferably arranged in double lines and
in groups, but they may be placed in "hit and miss" fashion. Any number
may be placed in line on each bar, I find, however, from eight to twelve to
be sufficient. In order to lighten out and evenly spread the sheaves after
the bands are cut, I place a crossbar fitted with teeth or pickers just above the
thrashing drum mouth, and these teeth are vibrated by a rod connected to a
crankpin on a disc at the end of one of the band cutter crankshafts.
A clutch or fast and loose pulley with a throwing out lever is arranged for
putting the band cutters, picker bar, and feed drum in or out of gear, and I cover
these parts by a hood or hoods to protect them from anyone falling in, and so
fixed as to be easily thrown back for inspection.
As stated above I may place the feed drum below the platform but I then use
preferably several small rollers having teeth thereon; and I may also use as a
distributor au arm or fork fixed to a more or less vertical shaft and vibrating
approximately parallel to the feeding platform and driven by a crank or other
suitable device.
Dated this 13th day of March 1896.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Automatically Feeding Thrashing
Machines.
I, FRANK NEEDLEY, Manager of the Thrashing Machine Department of
Messrs. Ruston, Proctor & Co., Limited, Engineers, of the Sheaf Iron Works, of
the City of Lincoln, and the same county, 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 apparatus is designed to elevate the sheaves up to the platform of the
thrashing machine to distribute them evenly, and to feed them into the thrashing
drum, and at the same time to cut the bands or strings by which they are tied.
For this purpose 1 employ one or more elevators with endless chains and
cross bars similar in design to that used for receiving the straw from a thrashing
machine, with hoppers at the lower ends, into which the sheaves are thrown, these
elevators are placed by preference cross ways to the machine at the straw delivery
end, one at each side but I may vary their positions.

page_text: The upper end of the elevators are arranged so that they can be adjusted to
deliver the sheaves more or less on to the centre of an inclined feeding platform or
hopper on the top of the machine and on certain of the cross bars fixed to the
elevator chains scoops are placed for taking up any grain which may fall out in
transit, and for delivering it with the sheaves into the feeding hopper.
These elevators are driven by preference by a separate countershaft at the
upper ends which in turn is actuated by a cross belt from any of the shafts of the
machine, but mcst conveniently from that on which the shakers are situated.
These elevators are detachable and can be arranged to run on wheels or to be
packed up on the top of the thrashing machine or a wagon when travelling.
The inclined feeding platform on to which the sheaves are thrown forms the
bottom of a hopper slightly narrower than the drum of the machine. Down this
incline the sheaves slide by their own weight, but I may use a less incline, and
employ chains with cross pieces or spiked rollers or other similar mechanical
contrivances. About the centre of this hopper and arranged longitudinally is a
rocking board hinged along its lower edge which distributes the sheaves to one side
and then to the other, as they fall from the elevators above; sometimes a series of
forks or tines may take the place of the board. This distributor is arranged so as
to be adjustable in its position according to the weight and size of the sheaves and
the spindle or axis on which the rocking board is fixed is driven by a quadrant and
connecting rod from a small crank which in turn is driven by a band or chain from
the countershaft of the elevators. By adjusting the quadrant or connecting rod
the angular movement of the rocking board can be varied as may be required, but
I may also use any other suitable driving device in lieu of the foregoing. The
sheaves on sliding down are drawn forward by a light drum furnished with curved
or sickle shaped teeth, fixed across the machine and preferably above the platform.
Beyond on its further side in the centre is a small roller, standing up more or less
vertically and called the dividing roller, and the action of the distributor, the feed
drum and the dividing roller is such that the sheaves are compelled to pass along
endways towards the thrashing drum, and therefore their bands are more or less
crossways with the machine, and in a favourable position for being cut.
The lower part of the inclined feed table is nearly horizontal and is hinged and
arranged to rest on a spring so as to give way with any excess of pressure, on its
upper side are fixed knives similar to those used in a reaping machine. Just after
a sheaf passes the feed drum it is seized by the band cutters, which consist of one
or more pairs of parallel bars moving like the side rods of a locomotive, and armed
on their undersides with knives such as are used in reaping machines, these are
actuated by two crank shafts passing across the machine, one of which is driven by
means of a belt from any convenient shaft. I use preferably four cranks on each
shaft and eight bars, but there may be any other suitable number. These knives.
therefore drag the sheaves along towards the drum, and cut the bands, the fixed
knives below prevent the sheaves being pushed through without the band being
cut, whilst the spring board gives way with any abnormal pressure and so obviates
breakage. One of these crank shafts earries a pulley from which a belt is taken
to drive the feed drum, but this may of course be driven in any other convenient
manner.
The knives on the parallel bars are preferably arranged in double lines and in
groups, but they may be placed in "hit and miss" fashion. Any number may be
placed in line on each bar, I find however 8 to 12 to be sufficient. In order to
lighten out and evenly spread the sheaves after the hands are cut, I place a cross
bar fitted with teeth or pickers just above the thrashing drum mouth, and these
teeth are vibrated by a rod connected to a crank pin on a disc at the end of the
band cutter crank shafts.
A clutch or fast and lonse pulley with a throwing out lever is arranged for
putting the band cutters, picker bar, and feed drum in or out of gear, and I cover
these parts by a hood or hoods to protect them from any one falling in, and so
fixed as to be easily thrown back for inspection.

page_text: As stated above I may place the feed drum below the platform but I then use
preferably several small rollers having teeth thereon; and I may also use as a
distributor an arm or fork fixed to a more or less vertical shaft and vibrating
approximately parallel to the feeding platform and driven by a crank or other
suitable device.
In order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereto annexed.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a thrashing machine which
has applied to it automatic feeding apparatus in accordance with iny invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view in which the feeding apparatus and some other parts
are shown in section.
Figure 3 is an end elevation and Figure 4 is a plan of the same.
Figure 5 is a plan of the band cutter and some other parts drawn to a larger
scale.
Figre 6 is a section on the line A B of Figure 5.
a is an elevator of ordinary construction having two endless chains passing
around rollers at the upper and lower ends and with cross laths with teeth upon them.
The elevator has a hopper at the lower end into which the sheaves are laid
horizontally and on some of the cross laths are scoops not shown in the drawings,
for taking up any corn which may drop into the hopper. The elevator is attached
to the thrashing machine by lugs a' at its upper ends, which receive a cross piu or
bolt and several eyes are provided in the lugs so that the elevator may be set to
project more or less over the top of the thrashing machine as may be found
expedient. The lower end of the elevator is supported upon an adjustable trestle b.
The ruller at the upper end of the elevator has a belt pulley upon it by which it
is driven from a countershaft c and the countershaft receives its motion from the
axis d on which also are the shakerse of the thrashing machine. The elevator
delivers the sheaves onto the inclined feeding board f and the distributing board g
places them first on one side and then on the other of the feeding board. The
distributor g is pivotted by its lower edge and by a crank and connecting rod it
receives an oscillating movement from the wheel which is driven by a chain and
chain pulley from the counter-shaft c. The sheaves descend the feeding board f
by gravity until they are within reach of the sickle like teeth of the feeding drum i.
kis the dividing roller on one side or other of which the sheaves have to pass as
they descend. After passing the dividing roller the sheaves, are taken by the
band cutters 11, on which are the knives. The band cutters are suspended
from cranks on the two axes m m, which are driven by belts and pulleys in the
manner indicated in Figures 1 and 5. A chain and chain wheels transmits
movement from one of the axes m to the axis of the feeding drum i. n is a belt
fork by which the axes m m can be thrown out of gear with the thrashing machine
when desired are prongs which the band cutters carry at their lower ends and
which aid in carrying the material forward.
The lower part of the feed table has upon it stationary knives oo and this
portion of the feed table is hinged or jointed at g g and is supported upon springs
to admit of its yielding if the sheaves should come down more thickly than usual
under the band cutters. At the lower end of the feed table is an axis s on which
are the shaking prongs s¹s and this axis receives a vibrating movement by means
of an adjustalle crank and connecting rod from one of the crank axes m.
material falls from the shaking prongs on to the beatert of the thrashing machine.
u is a removeable hood or cover which encloses the chamber in which band cutters
work.
The
Two elevators might be used disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the
nachine to enable carts to come up alternately to prevent the loss of time which
may occur when only one elevator is used, as until one cart has been drawn away
another cannot come up and therefore the feed to the machine may be interrupted.
Each elevator is alike and the second elevator can be driven by a cross belt cr
other well-known mechanical device from the first. .

page_text: The whole apparatus in itself is just as efficient whether one or two elevators are
used, for the second elevator would not be put on when thrashing from a stack.
When using two elevators, the distributing board may have its mechanisın
thrown out of gear so as to make it stationary, and under some circumstances it
may be dispensed with altogether.
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. The combination, substantially as described consisting of the elevator, feed
roller, feed table, and band cutting mechanism consisting of fixed and reciprocating
knives.
2. The combination substantially as described of the feed roller, feed table, and
band cutting mechanism consisting of fixed and reciprocating knives.
3. The band cutting mechanism consisting of fixed and reciprocating knives
with or without the reciprocating pickers for lightening out and spreading the
sheaves.
4. The combination substantially as described consisting of the elevator, the
feed board on to which the elevator delivers the sheaves, mechanism for distributing
the sheaves on the feed board, mechanism for propelling the sheaves along the feed
board and band cutters armed with knives and having a reciprocating movement.
5. Apparatus substantially as described for automatically feeding thrashing
machines.