An Improvement in the Distribution of Corn and Seeds in Agricultural Drills.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 23rd Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Distribution of Corn and Seeds in
Agricultural Drills.
I THOMAS CHARLES SARGEANT Cattle Market Road Northampton Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the seed distributors of corn and seed drills. The
principal feature in this distributor consists in the fact that it will deposit grain
and seed of every kind in varying quantities. The seed distributor is fixed under
the bottom of the seed box and the grain falls by gravity through the orifice G
upon the grooved roller C, the said grooved roller revolving in the direction
indicated by the arrows, thereby carrying the grain over the centre of
gravity-indicated by a dotted line-of the roller C and allowing this grain to
fall by an open front space to the ground. E is a rotating spindle to which is
fixed the sleeve D and grooved roller C. The cylindrical casting F. having a
parallel projection at F. does not revolve but slides horizontally with the spindle,
roller and sleeve. The ring marked H. fits on the grooved roller C. and revolves
with the said roller, but does not move horizontally, the object of the ring being
to prevent the grain or seed finding its way out of the roller ends.
The whole works in a case made in two pieces A and B, having a groove.
formed on its interior, into which groove the ring H fits and revolves.
Dated this 17th day of June 1891.
THOMAS CHARLES SARGEANT.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Distribution of Corn and Seeds in
Agricultural Drills.
I, THOMAS CHARLES SARGEANT, Cattle Market Road, 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 the feeding mechanism of agricultural drills, the feeder
resembling in some details that known as the forced feeder. This forced feeder
however revolves in an opposite direction to the one herein described, forcing the
seed through a confined space and finally ejecting it beneath the axis of the feeder
in a somewhat damaged condition the seed having become jammed or crushed
between points a, & b, Fig. 1. and corresponding points, on its passage from the
seed-box to the delivery tube. In my improved feeder the seed is not forced
through a confined space, for as it falls on the serrated or grooved drum C
revolving in the direction of the arrows c, c¹ the seed is lifted over the axis of the
drum and falls by gravity through a practically unconfined space into the seed
conductors to the ground. By this improvement all seeds including beans, peas,
maize, to the smallest seeds can be drilled or sown broadcast without danger of
being crushed or damaged.
Figure 1 is a sectional view of the side elevation.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the front elevation.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the drum or cylinder F.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the ring H.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the grooved drum C.

page_text: F igure 6 is a side clevation of the sleeve D, d.
Figure 7 is a section of the square spindle E.
To the spindle E which is preferably made of square section, is attached a
sleeve D. d, the said sleeve having a flange D formed on one end. Figs. 2 & 6.
On this sleeve is a drum or cylinder F having a hole in the centre, through which
the sleeve is inserted. Figs. 1. 2. 3. The drum or cylinder F. has a paralled
projection f which slides in a corresponding groove formed in the outer casing.
This projection f prevents the drum F from revolving with the spindle and
sleeve, and yet permits the said drum to move laterally when the spindle is moved
laterally. This lateral movement of F adjusts the feed to sow the varying quantities
of seed, exposing as it does more or less of the surface of the grooved roller C. to
the flow of seed from G. This grooved roller or drum C. is attached to the
sleeve D. d; and fitting on the periphery of the grooved roller C is a serrated
ring H. the serrations or grooves on H corresponding exactly to those on C. and
thus fitting into each other. The ring H. revolves with the grooved roller C. and
is located in an annular groove in the outer casing. This groove prevents the
ring from moving laterally when the feeder is shifted as before described. The
object of the ring is to allow no seed to escape out of the ends of the revolving
drum C. A pin I, connects the spindle with the sleeve D, d. and the grooved
roller C. When the spindle is moved laterally by means of a lever handle not
shown in the drawing, the grooved roller moves also, this movement causing the
varying feed. The whole of this mechanism is enclosed in an annular case
preferably made in halves A and B, and attached to the bottom of the seed box by
means of screws or other suitable fastening. This casing is so arranged as to
permit the passage of the larger seeds such as beans, maize peas &c. over the
axis of the roller before they fall by gravity. This is done by leaving a space
between the grooved roller and the casing as shown at e e¹. Figs. 1. 2.
spindle E is revolved by means of suitable gearing connected with the travelling
The
wheel of the drill, and in such a direction that the seed is conveyed upward and
over the axis of the feeder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The combination of the parts above described so arranged as to convey the
seed from the seed-box over the axis of the grooved roller and thence by gravity
to the ground.
2. The combination of the parts before described, so arranged that a sufficient
space exists between the grooved roller and the outer casing to allow the free
passage of large seeds over the roller and thence by gravity to the ground.
Dated this 17th day of March 1892.
THOMAS CHARLES SARGEANT.