improvements in Threshing and Clover Shelling and Dressing Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1894
'Complete Specification Left, 21st Jan., 1895-Accepted, 26th June, 1895
improvements in Threshing and Clover Shelling and Dressing
Machines.
I, JOHN GREENSLADE, of Prebbleton, in the Provincial District of Canterbury,
in the Colony of New Zealand, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :—
My invention consists in constructing a machine for threshing, shelling and
dressing clover and other seeds which by an easy arrangement can be adapted to
thresh all kinds of corn.
I carry out my invention as follows,―
:
I construct the improved machine in a similar manner to an ordinary threshing
machine having drum shakers, riddles and blowers in which the seed after being
threshed by the drum passes through the shakers and caving riddle, the blower
removing as much light material as possible, such as dust and seedless material.
The cob or unshelled seed is then delivered into the elevators which convey it to
the top of the machine and into the sheller. Instead of the usual cups I rivet to
the elevator belt plates of iron having the sides turned up.
I also
The sheller I fix above the framing behind the drum and directly over the first
dressing apparatus, and constructed of sheet iron of a suitable thickness, and
conical or cylindrical in shape and bolt or rivet suitably shaped ribs to the casing.
I prefer to use diagonal grooved beater plates bolted to the drum rings and
parallel to the axle. I cut out sufficient of the under half of the casing so as to
bolt or rivet a framing of iron, and line the side against the sheller with woven
wire or perforated metal of a suitable mesh to allow the shelled seed dust and
such substances to pass through, thus relieving the sheller of pressure.
hinge one side of the framing, either whole, or in sections to the sheller. To the
other side I attach a spring or weighted lever, which allows the framing to open
outwards according to the inside pressure from the rubbing action of the beaters,
and on the drum spindle between the outlet at the end and the bearing, I fix a disc
about the diameter of the sheller for the purpose of preventing dust entering the
bearing. The ribs and beaters can be changed and suitable lining and beaters
substituted when threshing corn.
The seed passes through the wire and out at the end opening and falls on to a
riddle, the shelled seed passes through, and any unshelled seed is returned to the
caving riddle and again into the sheller, the dust being blown by a fan into a dust
box, which I fix at the side of the machine.
The seed then drops on to another riddle and is blown by another fan, or, if
preferred, into a circular screen which I construct conically with perforated sheet
steel or zinc, and fix a strip of iron outside acted upon by a spring or weighted
lever for the purpose of cleaning it.
I arrange the blower, riddles and screen so that they may be readily removed,
and riddles and screen suitable for corn substituted. The clover screen being conical
no screw worm is required, and the bearings remain for the both screens.
riddles are attached to the ordinary or blind riddles under the shakers.
The

page_text: In order to thoroughly clean the seed for market, I construct another dresser,
which I term a finishing dresser, which is attached to the rear or hind part of the
machine, and is removable and conveys the seed from the first dresser to a set of
elevators by a spout or conductor, having a shutter at the bottom against the
elevators.
a
On opening the shutter the seed will run into the elevators, and be conveyed to
the top of the finishing dresser, into a hopper, over a riddle, and is then blown by
fan, the good seed passing through the riddle, the larger substances being carried
over, and the dust blown away. The seed drops on a fine riddle which takes out
small seeds, and I keep this riddle clean by plates of iron in the form of a gridiron,
which presses lightly under the riddle by a spring or weighted lever. The seed
then drops in front of another fan fixed under the first fan, but without riddles.
This fan removes all light seed and light substances which cannot be taken out by
the riddles, the light seed from riddles and fan, drop together into the same division
and into the sack.
The good seed falls into an adjustable hopper, which is regulated by a screw
handle to admit more or less light seed being blown over. The good seed then
passes through the adjustable hopper, and against a slanting board, or into a box
having a screw worm for the purpose of turning the seed against the side of the
dresser, and I here fix a double acting shutter so that one opening may pass through
the side of the dresser and into a hopper attached to the elevators. The other
opening leads down the dresser and into the sack. I fix a piece of sheet iron under
the shutter which slides therewith under a fixed strip of sheet iron, thus preventing
the possibility of any seed passing under the shutter and into the sack.
When the
opening to the sack is closed the seed will continually return to the hopper and
elevators and be redressed. I fix a slide at the bottom of the hopper against the
elevators to stop the seed when required. By this arrangement a given quantity,
say two bushels can be continuously put through the dresser until perfectly cleaned,
while another such quantity is being shelled. When properly cleaned the double
acting shutter is turned and the seed conveyed into the sack. The shutter from
first dresser can be drawn, and another quantity of seed admitted into the finishing
dresser.
When threshing clover or other like seeds I blind up the concave wholly or partly
between the bars in front or behind the wires with strips of iron or wood, which
causes the seed to be beaten round the concave instead of passing through it, which
will have the effect of partially shelling the seed which I separate by the coccle
riddle under the caving riddle, and raise it by an elevator into the first dresser,
thus preventing it from passing into the sheller.
In order to conduct the dust to a suitable distance from the machine, I fix an
exhaust fan to the dust box, or (by preference) on the drum spindle, and by this
arrangement no bearing or belting is required. I attach a suitable spout to the fan
to convey the dust away.
I drive the sheller from the engine, the sheller drives the threshing drum, and
the finishing dresser is driven by the first dresser blower or any other convenient
motion.
My invention can be conveniently applied to old threshing machines; and in
such machines having the elevators inside the framework 1 fix the sheller under
the machine framing about midway between the front and hind wheel, the cob or
unshelled seed falling direct into the sheller.
Dated this 26th day of April 1894.
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: UOMI LEID DI DUIFICATION.
Improvements in Threshing and Clover Shelling and Dressing
Machines.
I, JOHN GREENSLADE, of Prebbleton, in the Provincial District of Canterbury,
in the Colony of New Zealand, 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:—
This invention has for its object the provision of a combined machine which can
be used as an ordinary grain threshing machine at one time, and as a threshing
shelling, and dressing machine for clover and other seeds at another and also
provides improvements in the apparatus used in connection with shelling and
dressing clover and other seeds.
I construct the combined machine in a similar manner to an ordinary thrashing
machine, having drum, shakers, riddles, blowers, and an awner, the whole of which
in thrashing grain are used in the ordinary way, but for the purpose of treating
seed I alter the functions of some of the parts of the thrashing machine and
provide additional dressing apparatus which I call a finishing dresser for the
purpose of freeing the seed from its impurities and rendering it fit for market,
and which I attach to the rear end of the machine that it may be readily
removed.
I may remove the awner and substitute it by a sheller or I provide a sheller
which may be readily converted into an awner and I also provide a sheller which
may if desired be used as an awner without alteration.
I place the sheller above the framing of the machine behind the drum, directly
over the first dressing apparatus or beneath the framing, at the delivery shute from
the caving riddle, the sheller casing may be conical or cylindrical in shape and
made of sheet metal of suitable thickness, ribs are attached by bolts or rivets to
the inner surface of this casing, arranged either in a volute form or parallel to the
axis. These ribs may be substituted for others when awning grain or strips of iron
or other suitable material which may be covered with woven wire are fixed to the
casing between each of the ribs so as to present a more even surface when grain is
treated; it may also be used in this form as a sheller.
I use beater bars on the shelling drum the grooves in which are at such an
angle that straight ribs may be used in the sheller casing but in using ordinary
threshing machine beaters it is necessary to set the ribs in a volute form in the
sheller.
When awning corn I may set back the beaters by removing the liners between
the beaters and drum rings.
I may cut away a part of the sheller casing and replace it by woven wire or
perforated metal of suitable mesh to allow the shelled seed dust and such substances
to pass through.
f
may also make the sheller casing with openings to receive one or more section
or framings containing woven wire or other reticular material.
These framings are hinged at one side to the sheller and kept in position at the
other by a spring, weighted lever, set screws, or analogous means, or hinges may be
dispensed with and set screws, springs, or analogous means used on both sides of
the framings. These framings may thus be adjusted so as to allow seed and such
substances to pass through to prevent the sheller from choking, and also to regulate
the space between the beaters and the shelling surface.
In order to prevent dust from entering the beater spindle bearing from the
sheller I provide a disc which may be adjusted upon the beater spindle, and I may
either form upon or attach to the face thereof a number of vanes, which in the
revolution of the disc tend to throw the dust away from the bearing. The disc.

page_text: also serves to regulate the outlet from the sheller, I also attach a ring of angle iron
to the inside of the sheller casing, which further tends to prevent dust from passing
into the bearing.
In order to carry dust away from the machine I attach a suitable dust box to the
side of the machine into which it is blown, during the dressing operation; an
exhaust fan is arranged to deliver the dust through a tube to any desired place, this
fan may be placed inside or outside the dust box but I prefer to attach it to the
drum spindle as by this arrangement no bearing, or belting is required.
When desirable I may treat the seed in a conical screen (which I term a
clover screen) of perforated sheet metal or other reticular material having a strip of
iron or other material arranged by a spring or suitable means, to bear against its
outer surface for the purpose of cleaning it.
I will now further describe the construction and operation of my machine with
the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein :
Fig. 1 is an
my invention.
66
"
off" side elevation of a combined machine constructed according to
Fig. 2 a near" side elevation of the rear portion thereof.
Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the shutters in the fiuishing dresser.
Fig. 3.an end view of the finishing dressing apparatus.
Fig. 4 is an end view with the finishing dressing apparatus removed.
Fig. 5 is an "off" side elevation of the rear portion of a machine illustrating
my improvements.
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a side and end elevation of a portion of the machine
illustrating the dust box and exhaust fan.
Fig. 8 illustrates the fan placed at right angles with the dressing riddles.
Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the "gridirou" cleaner.
Fig. 10 a vertical cross section of a sheller casing illustrating, the employment
of strips between the "ribs."
Fig. 11 a sectional elevation, of a sheller having removable diagonal ribs, and
Fig. 11 a similar view illustrating the employment of straight ribs and diagonal
grooved beater bars.
Fig. 11 shows one of the diagonal grooved beater bars drawn to a larger scale..
Fig. 12 is a section on line 12 12 Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 a section of a sheller casing illustrating modes of attaching the sections
or framings.
Fig. 134 shows one of the framings or sections detached.
Fig. 14 illustrates a conical screen of reticular material..
Fig. 15 shows the manner of closing the concave for partially shelling the seed.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 4. the seed after being threshed by the drum (A) passes
through the shakers (a) and caving riddle (a). The blower (a) removing, as.
much dust and seedless material as possible..
The whole of the material consisting of seed together with the cob or husk is
then delivered into the elevator (B) which conveys it to the top of the machine
into the sheller (C).
The material passes through the wire and out at the end outlet of the sheller (C)
and falls on to a riddle (D) which conveys the cavings into the dust box.
Any unshelled seed falls over the end of the riddle and is returned by the
shute (E) to the caving riddle (a') thence to the elevator (B) and sheller (C).
The dust is blown by a fan (d) into a dust box (d) at the side of the machine
having an exhaust fan d within it, or communicating by a tube d' with a fan on
the drum spindle. The seed falls through the riddles (D) upon another riddle (D¹)
and is blown by another fan (d') shown clearly in Fig. 5 or if preferred it is
passed through the conical clover screen (F) through which it passes into the
shute (F) having a shutter (F2) on opening which the seed will run into the
elevator (G) conducting it to a hopper (h) at the top of the finishing dresser (H)
the material falls upon the riddle (¹) and is blown by the fan (1³) dust being

page_text: blown away and any straws or unshelled seed which may have escaped' the first
dresser falls over the end of the riddle (¹) and down the shute (*) into a sack.
The seed falls through the riddle (¹) upon the riddle (h) through which the
small seeds pass.
The riddle (h) is operated by the bell crank (45) and connecting rod (h) which
is eccentrically pivoted on the pulley (7). The gridiron cleaner (i) clearly shown
in Fig. 9 bears against the underside of the riddle (*).
The seed then falls in front of the fan (k) when all light seed and other
substances which have not fallen through the riddle (½³) are blown, together with
the light seed which has fallen through it over the hopper (l).
This hopper is for the purpose of separating the "good" seed from the light and
is capable of adjustment by the screw (1) having a handle (1) adjusting the
distance between the fan (4) and the hopper (1) thereby regulating the separation,
the "light" seed being blown further by the blast than the "good." The light
seed termed the "seconds" is now passed into a sack or it may be passed over
another riddle (M) and blown by another fan (n) before being withdrawn through
the delivery shute (N').
The good seed falls from the riddle (4) into a channel containing the screw
conveyor (0) which conveys it to one end of a revolving screen (P) to a discharge
shute or if desirable this shute may be closed by a shutter (01) and the seed
turned into the screen (P) through which it passes into the hopper (9) to the
elevator (G) by which it is returned to the top of the machine to be redressed
continuously as long as the shutter (0¹) is closed.
By reversing the revolution of the screw conveyor (O) the seed is passed into a
shute having two openings closed by a single shutter (R) so that when one is
closed the other is open, one of these openings discharges the seed through a shute
into a sack, and the other when open allows the seed to pass into the hopper (9)
without going through the screen (P). One of these double acting shutters (O' & R)
is provided at either end of the screw conveyor (0) clearly shown in Fig. 24 the
lever handle (P) serving through the medium of the connecting rod (P¹) to open
and close either the opening (P³) or (P) alternately. A piece of sheet iron (P4)
attached to the shutter slides therewith under a fixed strip of sheet iron (P5) thus
preventing any seed from passing through when the opening (P³) is closed.
Thus by closing the opening leading to the sack and revolving the conveyor (0)
in either direction the seed will continually return to the hopper (g) and be
redressed.
The slide (F) in the shute (F1) can be closed to prevent the seed from entering
the elevator (G) when required. By this arrangement a given quantity can be
repeatedly put through the dresser until perfectly cleaned, while another such
quantity is being shelled.
When desirable the shutter (R) can be operated so as to discharge the dressed
seed when the shutter (F³) can be raised and a further quantity admitted to the
hopper (g) to be operated upon, a shutter (V) Fig. 3 is also provided to close the
opening from the hopper (g) into the elevator (G) when desirable.
The shute (F) may be discharged through the shutter (F³) and the contents of
the hopper (g) withdrawn through the shutter (9') when required.
The employment of ribs (c) arranged in a volute form on the inside of the sheller
casing (C) is shown in Fig. 11.
The disc (Y) upon the beater spindle (Y¹) to prevent dust getting into the
bearing (Y) is clearly illustrated in Fig. 114 which view also illustrates the
employment of straight ribs (c) on the inside of the sheller casing (C) beater bars
with diagonal ribs (C) Fig. 11 being used.
When thrashing clover or other like seeds I blind up the concave (W) wholly or
partially between the bars in front or behind the wires with strips of iron or
wood (W) which causes the seed to be beaten round the concave instead of passing
through it, which will have the effect of partially shelling the seed.
I support the second dressing apparatus (H) upon an ordinary threshing machine

page_text: by means of the beams or battens (1) Fig. 1 to 4 which are secured by bolts (2) to
the top of and project over the rear of the machine the bolts (2) securing the
dressing apparatus in position and allowing it to be readily removable at will.
The distance pieces (3) through which pass the bolts (4) are for the purpose of
making the attachment thoroughly secure.
'
Instead of mounting the sheller (C) upon the top of the machine as previously
described I may place it beneath the machine as illustrated in Fig. 5 in a
convenient position to receive the material to be shelled when discharged from the
shoe of the return board beneath the caving riddle.
A convenient means of supporting the sheller by means of the wrought iron
brackets (c) being shown in the figure.
The elevator (B) being employed to carry the shelled material to the top of the
dressing apparatus.
Fig. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate two modes of arranging the exhaust fan (d) for
carrying dust away from the machine during the dressing operation; the object of
the employment of a fan being the delivery of the dust through the tube (d') to any
-convenient place.
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively side and end elevations showing the fan mounted
in a dust box (d') at right angles to the machine.
Fig. 8 shows the fan arranged parallel with the machine; in both these
arrangements the fan is driven by a pulley upon its spindle from any convenient
part of the machine.
In Figures 4 and 5 the fan (d) is shown attached to, and rotating with, the
threshing drum spindle drawing the dust through the tube (d') and delivering it
through the tube (d³).
The gridiron cleaner hereinbefore referred to and illustrated in Fig. 9 consists
of a number of hocp iron strips (i) secured in a framework which is mounted
upon springs (2) carried upon battens (3) secured to the sides of the dressing
apparatus.
The riddle () bears lightly upon these strips which serve to keep clear the
-openings in the riddle.
Fig. 10 shows a means I employ for adapting a sheller (C) for use as an awner
all or any of the spaces between the ribs (c) of the sheller being filled up by strips
of iron (3) or similar material having woven wire (e) or similar material upon
their inner surface the bolts (c) being used to connect the strips (c) to the sheller
casing so as to permit of their removal when required.
Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a mode of constructing a sheller (C) with volute or
diagonal ribs which may be attached to the inner surface of the sheller by bolts
-or rivets.
I find by experiment that it is best to arrange the ribs running in the contrary
direction to the ribs on the beater bars (¹) as the shelling action is thereby greatly
⚫enhanced.
If desired I may make my sheller (C) in sections as shown in Fig. 13.
These sections or framings may have hinges (c) securing them to the sheller
casing at one end while they are kept in position at the other, either by a spring as
shown at (c) or by bolts as shown at (c) or analogous means or I may dispense
with the hinges (c) and employ springs at both ends.
These framings are capable of adjustment by the nuts (c³) so as to allow them to
open when the sheller becomes too full and liable to choke.
I may also arrange to secure one or more of the sections or framings to the
.sheller casing by bolts as shown at (c) by which means I am able to readily
regulate the space between the beaters and the shelling surface.
Fig. 11 13 illustrate my method of employing a sheller having sections or
framings composed partly of woven wire.
The sections (10) are preferably made of cast iron with openings as shown, the
openings are covered by woven wire or similar reticular material (c) through
which shelled seed may pass and thus relieve the sheller of pressure.

page_text: OCCHIOLID
meaus.
Fig. 11 also illustrates the employment of straight ribs (c) upon the inside of
the sheller casing (C) these ribs are preferably made of wrought iron and secured
to the sheller casing by bolts so as to be removable when required.
:
When using these straight ribs (c) it is advisable to employ beater bars on the
sheller spindle with the grooves set at a very wide angle as shown at (c¹) Fig. 11"
ns this secures a more perfect shelling of the seed.
'
My conical clover screen illustrated in Fig. 14 is made of woven wire or any
similar reticular material (F) it is caused to revolve by a suitable pulley upon the
spindle (F) which passes through it.
1 drive the sheller from the engine, the sheller drives the threshing drum and
the finishing dresser is driven by the first dresser, blower or any other convenient.
motion.
"
In old threshing machines the awner, blower, and riddles may remain and be used
when shelling as the seed will fall from the sheller directly on the corn dressing
riddles.
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. A combined threshing and clover shelling, and dressing machine consisting of
the combination and arrangement of parts as and for the purposes herein described
and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In a threshing and clover shelling and dressing machine the combination and
arrangement of parts consisting of a sheller placed above the framing of the
machine behind the threshing drum so that the shelled material may fall directly
into the first dressing apparatus placed beneath it as and for the purposes herein
described and illustrated in Figs. 1 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In a threshing and clover shelling, and dressing machine the combination and
arrangement of parts consisting of a shelier placed beneath the framing and near
the centre of the machine, so that its intake is in position to directly receive the
material discharged from the caving riddles and the outlet in position to discharge
into the hopper of the elevator as and for the purposes herein described and
illustrated in Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The employment of a sheller or awner baving detachable segments, composed
wholly or partially of woven wire or similar reticular material as and for the
purposes berein described and illustrated in Fig. 13 and 13 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The combination of a sheller having volute or diagonal ribs on its inner
surface with a threshing beater as ordinarily constructed, the ribs on the sheller
running in an opposite direction to the ribs on the bars of the beater as and for
the purposes berein described and illustrated in Fig. 11 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. The combination of a sheller casing having removable ribs on its inner surface
in a line with the axis of the beater spindle, with beater bars having diagonal ribs
as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in Fig. 11* of the
accompanying drawings.
7. The employment of a sheller casing with ribs so attached to its inner surface
as to be readily removed when desired to convert the sheller into an awner, as and
for the purposes berein described and illustrated in Figs. 10 11 11 of the
accompanying drawings.
8. The employment in a sheller of removable strips of metal or other material,
which may be covered with woven wire, and arranged to fill the space between the
ribs of the sheller casing, so as to adapt it for use as an awner as and for the
purposes herein described and illustrated in Fig. 10 of the accompanying
drawings.
.

page_text: 9. The combination with a sheller casing composed wholly or partly of woven
wire of beater bars having diagonal ribs as and for the purposes herein described
and illustrated in Fig. 11 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
10. The employment of a disc adjustable upon and revolving with the beater
spindle of a sheller, as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in
Fig. 11 of the accompanying drawings.
11. The combination with a threshing and clover shelling and dressing machine
of a second or finishing dressing apparatus attached to the rear of the machine so
as to be removable if desired as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated
in Figs. 1 2 3 of the accompanying drawings.
12. In a threshing and clover shelling and dressing machine the employment in
the dressing apparatus of a conical screen of reticular material as and for the
purposes herein described and illustrated in Fig. 14 of the accompanying
drawings.
13. The combination with the riddle of a seed dressing apparatus of an exhaust
fan placed approximately at right angles or parallel therewith, within a dust box
attached to the side of the apparatus as and for the purposes herein described and
illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 6 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
14. The combination with the threshing drum spindle of a threshing and
clover shelling and dressing machine of an exhaust fan fixed thereon connected
by a pipe or tube with a dust box receiving debris from a dressing apparatus as
and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the
accompanying drawings.
15. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the finishing seed
dressing apparatus as and for the purposes herein described. and illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
16. The combination and arrangement of parts herein described whereby the
seed after leaving the last riddle of the dressing apparatus falls into a screw con-
veyor by which it may either be discharged from the machine or passed into a
revolving screen as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in Figs. 2,
2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
17. The combination with the seed dressing apparatus of shutters arranged to
serve the purpose of closing a discharge opening from the machine and an opening
in the shute leading to an elevator conducting the seed to be redressed, alternately
as desired as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in Figs. 2 and 24
of the accompanying drawings.
"
18. The combination with a seed dressing riddle of a "gridiron cleaner
arranged by springs or their equivalent to press lightly against the under side of
such riddle as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in Fig. 9 of the
accompanying drawings.
19. The combination with the finishing dressing apparatus of a threshing and
clover shelling and dressing machine of a shute such as (F) Figs. 1, 2, 4
connecting the discharge opening from the first dresser with the hopper of an
elevator attached to the finishing dressing apparatus as and for the purposes herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
20. In a threshing and clover shelling and dressing machine the employment of a
closed concave for the purpose of partially shelling the seed as and for the
purposes herein described and illustrated in Fig. 15 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of January 1895.
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.