IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CLEANING OR SCOURING GRAIN."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Gathmann, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of
America, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CLEANING
OR SCOURING GRAIN."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Gathmann at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st April 1881.
LOUIS GATHMANN, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CLEANING OR SCOURING GRAIN."
" IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to brush grain-cleaners or machines, and has for its
object, first, to so construct one or both of the two meeting or opposing brushes of
a double-brush grain-cleaning machine that the same will be permitted to bear
with any desired degree of force on each other, or upon the grain between them,
without forcing the grain into the body of the brushes, and also without creating
an objectionable degree of friction.
Second. To provide for a more forcible draft than is ordinarily obtained,
whereby the dust detached by the brushes may be wholly separated and drawn off
from the grain.
The said Invention consists essentially in setting the bristles or filaments of the
brushes at an incline backward with reference to the direction of relative motion
of the brush, and in locating a screen between the brush-chamber and the fan-
chamber, which arrests the grain while allowing the draft to be made so great as
to perfectly draw off the dust.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I provide a suitable frame sup-
porting a shaft in bearings. There are two brushes of disc form having bristles
or filaments. One of these brushes is stationary, and is fixed to an end piece of
the housing, being provided with a central aperture, through which the shaft
passes; the other brush is secured to and rotates with the said shaft. A fan is
secured to the same shaft and located in a fan chamber. Said chamber is divided
from the brush-chamber by a vertical partition having a central opening about the
shaft, and a vertical screen of wire cloth or perforated metal plate covering said

page_text: opening. There is a hopper, into which the grain is fed, the grain being conducted
between the brushes through the central aperture in the stationary brush. The
shaft is rotated by a belt-pulley, and is longitudinally adjustable for the purpose
of regulating the contact or pressure of the brushes by means of a set-screw; there
is a discharge opening for the cleaned grain; also an opening leading from the
brush-chamber into the fan-chamber, and an escape-passage from the fan-chamber,
through which the dust and dirt detached from the grain by the brushes are
expelled from the machine. A register is applied to the opening to regulate the
force of the fan-draft.
The novelty in the construction of the brushes relates to the inclination of the
filaments of one or both brushes, said filaments being inclined backward with
reference to the direction of relative motion of the brush. By this means the
brushes may be set to bear with any desired degree of force upon the grain without
a tendency to crowd the grain into the body of the brushes or between the bristles,
and also without producing an objectionable amount of friction. This has not
been found practicable with two brushes, both having filaments vertical to the
brush-back. On the other hand such brushes have required to be run at a slight
distance apart, or with slight contact-pressure to avoid the difficulties mentioned.
As a consequence they have failed to be thoroughly effective in the scouring action
upon the grain. It is decidedly preferable that the filaments of both brushes should be
inclined. The degree of inclination for the bristles so far found to be most advan-
tageous is from 20° to 30° from the vertical to the back; and in the case of the disc-
form of brush when arranged on a horizontal axis, one brush being stationary and the
other rotated, it has also been found that the bristles of the rotating or
brush should have a less inclination than may be advantageously given to those
of the stationary brush. The reason of this is that the grain is disposed to settle
or fall downward between the brushes so arranged and operating, and if too much
inclined the filaments of the runner do not so well seize upon the grain to carry
the same about and subject it to a continued action before its escape. I therefore
adopt an inclination of about 30° for the bristles of the stationary brush and about
20° for those of the runner. In other forms or arrangements of the brushes the
stationary brush may have its filaments the less inclined of the two. I do not
however wish to limit myself to the degrees of inclination mentioned, or to any
other precise degree of inclination, since others may be adopted with good effect;
and since several circumstances, such as the character of the grain and the degree
of pressure required, modify the action of the brushes in this respect.
«
runner
و"
The bristles should preferably be set as close as practicable in order to produce a
dense and compact face to the brush. This can be done in the tufted construction,
but if preferred this feature may be produced by setting up bristles in a mass on
a level surface and clamping them within a peripheral band. In this case the
bristles after being clamped may be united by cementing their inner ends with
any suitable cement, and the mass so united may be secured to the back either by
the clamping band or otherwise. In case the bristles are long a peripheral band
may be advantageously employed with either a tufted or compressed brush, said
band being made to embrace the bristles at, say, a half or three fourths inch from
their free ends for the purpose of preventing them from pressing outward at the
edge of the brush when the latter is in operation.
The brush may be constructed in sections, each consisting of a sector shaped
back piece or block, in which the bristles are set in inclined tufts, and which are
thereafter together fastened to a full back-board by means of peripheral plates
and a central plate, said plates setting over the ends of the sectors and being
secured by screws to the full back-board.
As to the inclined arrangement of the brush-filaments I do not limit myself to
the disc-form, since such arrangement may, with equal advantage, be employed in
any other form of double brush-grain-cleaner, as, for example, in the cylinder and
concave and in the double cone. I also do not limit myself to the arrangement of
disc-bushes, one or both having inclined filaments on a horizontal axis, since the

page_text: axis may be vertical. Both brushes may obviously be rotated if preferred without
departure from my Invention.
With respect to the screen interposed between the brush and fan chambers of
the grain-cleaner it is obvious that by its use a force of suction may be employed
great enough to draw the grain-kernels released and let fall in the upper part of
the chamber against the screen, and therefore amply strong enough to perfectly
draw off all the dust that may be present in the grain or detached therefrom by
the brushes. In order to secure an outward draft from all points in the brush-
chamber the screen is made substantially of the width of said chamber, and is
supported away from the partition, giving a space through which the dust may
pass to the opening. A draft being also induced upward through the passage the
dirt can find no escape except through the fan-chamber. The screen may be of
perforated metal sheets or woven wire cloth, as preferred, the apertures or meshes
being of such size as to arrest the grain while giving free passage to the dirt.
While the screen is of special importance in connection with the double brushes,
one or both having inclined bristles herein described, because said brushes detach
more dust than other forms, and consequently require a stronger draft for the
proper removal of the dust detached, said screen is obviously applicable with
advantage to any grain cleaner having the arrangement of brush and fan chambers
herein described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Louis Gathmann in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th September 1881.
LOUIS GATHMANN, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CLEANING OR SCOURING GRAIN."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to brush grain cleaners or machines, and has for its
objects, first, to so construct one or both of the two meeting or opposing brushes of
a double brush grain cleaning machine that the said brushes will be permitted to bear
with any desired degree of force on each other or upon the grain between them
without forcing the grain into the body of the brushes and also without creating any
objectionable degree of friction; second, to provide for a more forcible draught
than is ordinarily obtained, whereby the dust detached by the brushes may be
wholly separated and drawn off from the grain.
The said Invention consists essentially in setting the bristles or filaments of the
brushes at an inclination backward with reference to the direction of relative
motion of the brush, and in locating a screen between the brush-chamber and the
fan-chamber, which screen arrests the grain while allowing the draught to be made
Bо great as to perfectly draw off the dust.
In the accompanying Drawing my Invention is illustrated in connection with a
brush-grain-cleaner, wherein the two opposing brushes are of disc form and are
arranged on a horizontal axis.
Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the frame, housing, and
brushes of such a machine provided with my improvements.
Figure 2 is a side view of a portion of the brushes detached from the machine,
and with a part of the peripheral band that surrounds the brush removed to clearly
shew the inclination of the bristles or filaments.
Figure 3 is a face view of a detached_disc-brush made in a special manner in
accordance with my Invention.
A, Figure 1, is a suitable frame supporting the shaft B in bearings C; D and E
are two brushes of disc form having bristles or filaments S. The brush D is fixed
to the end piece h of the housing H and provided with a central aperture K,
through which the shaft B passes. The brush E is secured to and rotates with the
said shaft B. F is a fan secured to the same shaft B and located in the
fan-chamber G. The said chamber is divided from the brush or scouring
chamber G¹ by the vertical partition h', having a central opening M around the
shaft B and a vertical screen I of wire-cloth or perforated metal plate covering the
said opening J is a hopper into which the grain is fed, the grain being conducted
between the brushes through the central aperture K in the stationary brush D.
The shaft B is rotated by a belt-pulley P and is longitudinally adjustable for the
purpose of regulating the contact or pressure of the brushes by means of a set-
screw N; L is the discharge-opening for the cleaned grain. The opening M leads
from the brush-chamber G into the fan chamber G; and M¹ is an escape-passage
from the fan-chamber, through which the dust and dirt detached from the grain by
the brushes are expelled from the machine; R is a register applied to the opening M¹
to regulate the force of the fan-draught.
The novelty in the construction of the brushes relates to the inclination of the
filaments S of one or both brushes, the said filaments being inclined backward
with reference to the direction of relative motion of the brush. By this means
the brushes may be set to bear with any desired degree of force upon the grain
without any tendency to crowd the grain into the body of the brushes or between
the bristles and also without producing an objectionable amount of friction. This

page_text: has not been found practicable with two brushes, both having filaments vertical to
the brush-back. On the other hand, such brushes have required to be run at a
slight distance apart or with a slight contact pressure to avoid the difficulties
mentioned. As a consequence they have failed to be thoroughly effective in their
scouring action upon the grain. It is preferable that the filaments of both brushes
should be inclined.
The amount of inclination for the bristles which has been found to be most
advantageous is from 20° to 30° from the vertical to the back; and in the case of
the disc form of brush when arranged on a horizontal axis, as shewn, one brush
being stationary and the other rotated, it has also been found that the bristles of
the rotating or
46 runner " brush should have a less inclination than may be
advantageously given to those of the stationary brush. The reason of this is that
the grain is disposed to settle or fall downward between the brushes so arranged
and operating, and if too much inclined the filaments of the runner do not so well
seize upon the grain to carry the same about and subject it to a continued action
before its escape. I therefore adopt an inclination of about 30° for the bristles of
the stationary brush and about 20° for those of the runner brush. In other forms
or arrangements of the brushes the stationary brush may have its filaments the
less inclined of the two. I do not, however, wish to limit myself to the degrees
of inclination mentioned or to any other precise degree of inclination, since others
may be adopted with good effect and since several circumstances, such as the
character of the grain and the degree of pressure required, modify the action of the
brushes in this respect.
The bristles should preferably be set as close as practicable in order to produce a
dense and compact face to the brush. This may be effected by employing the
tufted construction shown in Figure 1; but, if preferred this feature may be
-produced by setting up bristles in a mass on a level surface, and clamping thein
within a peripheral band. In this case the bristles after being clamped may be
united by cementing their inner ends with any suitable cement, and the mass so
united may be secured to the back either by the clamping band or otherwise. If
the bristles are long a peripheral band 0 may be advantageously employed with
either a tufted or compressed brush, the said band being made to embrace the
bristles at, say, a half or three fourths of an inch from their free ends for the
purpose of preventing them from pressing outward at the edge of the brush when
the latter is in operation.
In Figure 3, which shews the face of a disc brush, I have represented the brush
as being constructed in sections a, a, each consisting of a sector-shaped back piece
or block, in which the bristles are set in inclined tufts, and which are thereafter
together fastened to a full back-board by means of the peripheral plates Q and the
central plate Q, the said plates setting over the ends of the sectors and being
secured by the screws q, q, to the full back board.
As to the inclined arrangement of the brush-filaments I do not limit myself to
the disc-form here shewn, since such arrangement may with equal advantage be
employed in any other form of double brush grain cleaner, as, for example, in the
cylinder and concave and in the double cone grain-cleaners. I also do not limit
myself to the arrangement of disc-brushes, one or both having inclined filaments
on a horizontal axis, since the axis may be vertical. Both brushes may obviously
be rotated, if preferred, without departing from the principle of my Invention.
With reference to the screen I interposed between the brush and fan chambers
of the grain-cleaner, it is obvious that by its use a force of suction may be
employed strong enough to draw the grain kernels released and let fall in the
upper part of the chamber G₁ against the screen, and therefore amply strong
enough to perfectly draw off all the dust that may be present in the grain or
detached therefrom by the brushes. In order to secure an outward draught from
all points in the brush-chamber G¹ the said screen I is made substantially of the
width of the said chamber, and is supported away from the partition h¹, giving a
space m through which the dust may pass to the opening M. A draught being

page_text: also induced upward through the passage L the dirt can find no escape except
through the fan-chamber. The screen I may be of perforated metal sheets or of
woven wire-cloth, as preferred, the apertures or meshes being of such size as to
arrest the grain while giving free passage to the dirt.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that although the screen is of special importance
in connection with the double brushes, one or both having inclined bristles as
herein described, because the said brushes detach more dust than other forms and
consequently require a stronger draught for the proper removal of the dust
detached. The said screen is obviously applicable with advantage to any grain-
cleaner having the arrangement of brush and fan chambers, as herein described.
I do not therefore limit myself to the combination of such screen with the
particular construction of grain cleaning brushes, herein illustrated and described,
but I claim,
•
First. In a grain cleaning machine, having two opposing brushes, the filaments
of one or both brushes inclined backward with reference to the direction of
movement of the said brush or brushes, substantially as above set forth and for
'the purposes specified.
Second. In a grain cleaning machine, consisting essentially of two opposing
brushes (one rotating and the other stationary) with inclined filaments or bristles,
and arranged on a horizontal axis, as shewn, the bristles or filaments of the runner
brush set at a less degree of inclination than those of the stationary brush,
substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Third. In a grain cleaning machine having in combination with the scouring
or brush chamber G¹ into which the grain and impurities enter from the brushes,
and the fan-chamber G from which the grain is to be excluded, the screen I
arranged to separate the said chambers G and G', substantially as above set forth
and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Gathmann, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty first day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
LOUIS GATHMANN. (L.S.)