IMPROVEMENTS IN SEED SOWING MACHINES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Henry Sams, Mechanical Engineer, of
the Firm of Ben. Reid and Co., Agricultural Implement Makers,
&c., Aberdeen, in the County of Aberdeen, for the Invention of
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Henry Sams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 27th April 1869.
I, JOSEPH HENRY SAMS, Mechanical Engineer, of the Firm of Ben:.
Reid and Co., Agricultural Implement Makers, &c., Aberdeen, in the
County of Aberdeen, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEED SOWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
These improvements relate to improved seed discharger or apparatus
for delivering seeds of all kinds from the hoppers of grain sowing.
machines.
Firstly. I use a circular disc thick at the centre and tapering to the
edge. This disc is pierced obliquely through its centre and then keyed.
on or otherwise fastened to a rod or shaft which is driven by suitablo

page_text: gearing from the land wheel of the sowing machine, so that the
plane of the dise is inclined at any required angle to the shaft. The
dise is arranged to work on a flat or round bottomed hopper, and in its
alternating right and left motions in each revolution sweeps the grain
over the discharge hole, through which it falls into the pipes. The rod
carrying the discs is adjusted so that the discs shall be working at
sufficient distance from the bottom of the hopper fair over the holes to
get an equal sweep from left to right, and vice versa from centre of hole.
The advantage of these "discs," is that owing to their peculiar motion
and smooth surface without any projecting or irregular surfaces they
reduce the amount of power required to drive them to a minimum, they
cannot get broken or crushed and brake the seed, and they discharge the
seed most accurately and in equal quantities.
Secondly. I have a circular "discharger" of any suitable material,
size, or diameter of a peculiar form which I can best describe by calling
it "waved" or "crimped," and illustrate by the following directions:―
Take a circular piece of lead thick in the centre and tapering away on
each side towards the edge; bend the edge into "waves" or "crimps,"
so that in drawing a sectional line through the centre of the "disc" of
lead the edge winds round it in a continuous line, thus $, the waves
"
د"
diminishing towards the centre; fix a "boss" on the centre of the
"disc;" cut the "disc" again into a correct circle, taking the centre
of the "boss as the centre of the "disc," and you have a mould or
pattern of my second "seed discharger." These "waves
may be of
any required depth on each side of the centre. Another illustration of
this is a broad brimmed hat with the sides turned down and the front
and back turned up. A straight hole (i.c. parallel with the table, sup-
posing the "discharger" to be placed in a vertical position on its edge
on a level surface or table,) is bored or otherwise made through the
"boss," and these "dischargers are placed upon the rod or shaft, and
the shaft being driven round by suitable machinery from the land wheel
of the sowing machine, and the "dischargers" being adjusted to their
proper position in the box, in each revolution they discharge (through
the seed openings) the seed with four or more alternate sweeping motions
from left to right and from right to left alternately. These "dis-
chargers" also require but little power to drive, owing to the continuous
surface, and drive out the seed most accurately and regularly without
breaking or crushing it, and without being liable to breakage themselves.
"

page_text: Thirdly. I have screws of various threads, diameters, and lengths
made of any suitable material. These screws fit accurately into cor-
responding holes in moveable "hopper bottoms" or "hole plates." The
screws have spindles of convenient length and diameter attached to
them. These spindles fit into sockets at the end of other spindles
working in the frame of the hopper, and arranged in such a manner as
to be adjustable along the length of the hopper. To the end of these
spindles are fitted bevil pinions, which work into corresponding bevil
pinons fitted to (so as to be moveable along) a shaft. The shaft is
driven round by suitable machinery from the land wheel of the sowing
machine, and in turn drives round the screws which convey the seed
from the hopper to the pipes. According to the seed required to be
sown the screws and "hopper bottoms" or "screw" or "hole plates" are
removed and those required put in. These screws may be made in a
conical form, with either the base or apex towards the ground.
"
Fourthly. I have "discs" flat on one face and on the other tapering
from the centre to the edge. These "discs" may be made of any
material, size, or diameter, and either flat on both faces or tapering on
both, or in any way, but I prefer them as above. These "discs are
fitted to a rod or shaft suitably connected with gearing to the land wheel.
of the sowing machine. To these "discs " I attach by means of screws
or other fastenings (to the flat side) what I shall call "flanged plates."
These are circular plates having a flange of any required breadth round
their peripheries. The diameter inside the flange is such that these
"flanged plates" will fit nicely over the "discs," and when so fitted
they have the appearance of a flat plate with a rectangular rim, and the
bottom of the plate in the inside rising up in the form of a flattened
cone. In order to be able to put on and take off these "flanged plates'
easily I cut or otherwise make a slot or slit through the flange or rim
and through the plate as far as the centre. The size of this slit cor-
responds with the diameter of the rod carrying the "discs." To fill up
the gap which would otherwise be made in the flange when fitted on
the "disc" I attach a corresponding piece to the "disc." In the flanges
or rims of these "flanged plates" I make any required number of holes
of any required form or size. "The flanged plates" having been
attached to the discs the rod is driven round, and each time that one of
the holes in the flange comes over the sced opening the seed falls
through the two holes and into the seed pipes or cups. These "dis-
chargers" may work either in grooves in the bottom of the hopper or

page_text: attach to the rod or shaft circular pieces of any suitable
material, size, form, and diameter which I should call "naves;" holes
are bored or otherwise made through these "naves" so that sced may
pass thro' the "nave" into the axle. Into these "naves" are screwed
or otherwise fixed what I shall call "spokes" made of any suitable
form, length, and material, but which must be hollow, and I take by
preference a piece of pipe or tube. The ends furthest from the "naves"
of the "spokes" are closed up and a hole of any suitable form & size made
in the side of the "spoke." Over the end of the "spoke" I pass a piece of
tube the internal diameter of which allows it to fit nicely over the
spoke." This piece of tube (or other suitable material) forms a
moveable shutter, and being worked up or down the "spoke" opens or
shuts the hole in the end of it. Attached to this moveable shutter are
projecting pins or rollers one of which works above and the other below
an eccentric ring. This ring is fixed in a suitable manner and position in
the hopper. The rod or shaft works above the seed in suitable bearings
and is driven by suitable machinery from the land wheel of the machine.
The action is as follows:-The shaft being made to revolve carries round
the "spokes." As the "spokes" dip into the seed the excentric ring
acts on the shutter and opens the hole in the "spoke." The hole being
open seed enters and the excentric ring again acting on the shutter
pushes it over the hole and closes it. The "spoke" is carried on and
when in nearly a vertical position the seed falls down it and through
the nave into suitable conductors. It will be easily understood that the
ec centric ring may be adjusted or altered as required, so as to open
and shut the holes in the "spokes" at any required time to allow much
or little seed to enter. The number of "spokes" may also be altered by

page_text: an arrangement similar to the "flanged plate" mentioned in my fourth
discharger."
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Henry Sams in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 27th October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
HENRY SAMS, Mechanical Engineer, of the Firm of Ben. Reid and Co.,
Agricultural Implement Makers, &c., Aberdeen, in the County of Aber-
deen, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Henry Sams, Her
special licence that I, the said Joseph Henry Sams, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Henry
Sams, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SEED SOWING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Joseph Henry Sams, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Henry Sams, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
These improvements relate to improved seed dischargers or apparatus

page_text: for delivering seeds of all kinds from the hoppers of seed sowing
machines.
Firstly. I use a circular disc thick at the centre and tapering to the
edges. This disc is pierced obliquely through its centre and then keyed
on or otherwise fastened to a rod or shaft, which is driven by suitable
gearing from the land wheel of the seed sowing machine, so that the
plane of the disc is inclined at any required angle to the shaft. The
disc is arranged to work on a flat or round bottomed hopper, and in
its alternating right and left motion in each revolution sweeps the grain
or seed over the discharge hole, through which it falls into the pipes.
The rod carrying the discs is adjusted so that the discs shall be working
at sufficient distance from the bottom of the hopper fair over the holes
to get an equal sweep from left to right, and vice versa from centre of
hole. The advantage of these "discs" is that owing to their peculiar
motion and smooth surface without any projecting or irregular surfaces
they reduce the amount of power required to drive them to a minimum,
they cannot get broken nor crush and break the seed, and they discharge
the seed most accurately and in equal quantities.
Secondly. I have a circular "discharger" of any suitable material,
size, or diameter of a peculiar form, which I can best describe by calling
it "waved" or "crimped," and illustrated by the following directions:-
Take a circular piece of lead thick in the centre and tapering away at
each side towards the edge; bend the edge into "waves" or "crimps,"
so that in drawing a sectional line through the centre of the "disc" of
lead the edge winds round it in a continuous line, the waves diminishing
towards the centre; fix a "boss" on the centre of the "disc;" cut the
"disc" again into a correct circle, taking the centre of the "boss" as
the centre of the "disc," and you have a mould or pattern of my second
"seed discharger." These "waves" may be of any required depth on each
side of the centre. Another illustration of this is a broad-brimmed hat
with the sides turned down and the front and back turned up. A straight
hole (i. e. parallel with table, supposing the "discharger" to be placed
in a vertical position on its edge on a level surface or table,) is bored or
otherwise made through the "boss," and these "dischargers" are keyed
or otherwise fixed upon the rod or shaft, and the shaft being driven
round by suitable machinery from the land wheel of the sowing machine,
and the "dischargers" being adjusted to their proper position in the box,
in each revolution they discharge (through the seed openings) the seed

page_text: with four or more alternate sweeping motions from left to right and
from right to left alternately. These "dischargers" also require but
little power to drive, owing to the continuous surface, and drive out
the seed most accurately and regularly without breaking or crushing
it, and without being liable to breakage themselves.
"
Thirdly. I have screws of various threads, diameters, and lengths,
made of any suitable material. These screws fit accurately into corre-
sponding holes in moveable "hopper bottoms or "hole plates. The
screws have spindles of convenient length and diameter attached to
them. These spindles fit into sockets at the end of other spindles
working in the frame of the hopper, and arranged in such a manner as to
be adjustable along the length of the hopper. To the end of these spindles
are fitted bevil wheels, which work into corresponding bevil pinions
fitted to (so as to be moveable along) a shaft. The shaft is driven
round by suitable machinery from the land wheel of the sowing machine,
and in turn drives round the screws which convey the seed from the
hopper to the pipes. According to the seed required to be sown the
screws and "hopper bottoms or "screw or hole plates" are removed
and those required put in. These screws may be made in a conical
form, with either the base or apex towards the ground.
Fourthly. I have "discs" flat on one face and on the other tapering
from the centre to the edge. These "discs" may be made of any
material, size, or diameter, and either flat on both faces or tapering on
both, or in any way, but I prefer them as above. These "discs" are
fitted to a rod or shaft suitably connected with gearing to the land wheel
of the sowing machine. To these "discs" I attach by means of screws or
other fastenings (to the flat side) what I shall call "flanged plates."
These are circular plates having a flange of any required breadth round
their peripheries. The diameter inside the flange is such that these
"flanged plates" will fit nicely over the "discs," and when so fitted they
have the appearance of a flat plate with a rectangular rim, and the
bottom of the plate on the inside rising up in the form of a flattened
conc. In order to be able to put on and take off these "flanged plates"
casily I cut or otherwise make a slot or slit through the flange or rim,
and through the plate as far as the centre. The size of this slit corre-
sponds with the diameter of the rod carrying the "discs." To fill up the
gap which would otherwise be made in the flange when fitted on the
"disc"I attach a corresponding piece to the "disc." In the flanges or

page_text: rims of these "flanged plates " I make any required number of holes of
any required form or size. The "flanged plates" having been attached
to the discs the rod is driven round, and each time that one of the holes
in the flanges comes over the seed opening in the bottom of the seed
hopper the seed falls through the two holes and into the seed pipes or
cups. These "dischargers" may work either in grooves in the bottom
of the hopper or in the hopper itself, in which latter case I prefer to
attach "disturbers" in the shape of pins or projections of some kind,
either to the tapered side of the "discs" or to the flange or rim. If they
work in the bottom of the hopper or underneath a "disturber" may be
placed in the hopper, and be driven by suitable gearing. It will be
easily seen that I can readily change my "flanged plates" to suit the
The "plates" varying as regards the size and
number of the holes in their "flanges." Should it however be un-
necessary in some cases to have more than one "flanged plate" it can
be permanently attached to the disc in any convenient manner, either
cast on or attached by screws or by other means.
seed I wish to sow.
66
"
Fifthly. I attach to the rod or shaft circular pieces of any suitable
material, size, form, and diameter, which I shall call "naves." Holes
are bored or otherwise made through these naves so that seed may pass
through the nave into the axle. Into these "naves" are screwed or
otherwise fixed what I shall call spokes made of any suitable form,
length, and material, but which must be hollow, and I take by preference
a piece of pipe or tube. The ends furthest from the "naves" of the
'spokes" are closed up, and a hole of any suitable form and size made
in the side of the spoke. Over the end of the "spoke " I pass a piece
of tube, the internal diameter of which allows it to fit nicely over the
"spoke." This piece of tube (or other suitable material) forms a moveable
shutter, and being worked up or down the "spoke" opens or shuts the
hole in the side of it. Attached to this moveable shutter are projecting
pins or rollers, one of which works above and the other below an
eccentric ring. This ring is fixed in a suitable manner and position in
the hopper. The rod or shaft works above the seed in suitable bearings,
and is driven by suitable machinery from the land wheel of the machine.
The action is as follows:-The shaft being made to revolve carries round
the "spokes." As the "spokes" dip into the seed the eccentric ring
acts on the shutter and opens the hole in the spoke. The hole being
open seed enters and the eccentric ring again acting on the shutter

page_text: pushes it over the hole and closes it. The spoke is carried on and when
in nearly a vertical position the seed falls down it and through the nave
into suitable conductors. It will be easily understood that the eccentric
ring may be adjusted or altered as required, so as to open and shut the
holes in the "spokes" at any required time to allow much or little seed
to enter. The number of "spokes" may also be altered by an arrange-
ment similar to the "flanged plate" mentioned in regard to my fourth
'discharger."
65
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature and
character of my said Invention, I will now proceed with more exactitude
of detail to particularly describe and ascertain the said Invention, and in
what manner the same may be performed and carried out in practice by
the aid of the Drawings accompanying these Presents.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATING MY SAID INVENTION.
The same letters are used for the same parts in each Figure.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 represent my first seed discharger. D is the disc ;
a is the axle or rod; b is a boss; k is the fastening key. Fig. 2
shows the disc in a vertical position, and the axle running through at
an angle. Fig. 3 shows the axle parallel with the hopper plate p and
shutting bars (with the discharge hole half closed), and the disc at an
angle to the axle about to sweep over the hole in an oblique direction
from right to left, as shown by the dotted lines. It will be readily
understood that the disc, with its alternate right and left sweep over the
discharge hole, will send out the seed into the cups or receivers.
or
Figs. 4 and 5 represent my second seed discharger, the "waved"
"crimped "dise D. a is the axle; b, the boss; k, the key. Fig. 4 shows
the "disc" sweeping over the hole (full open) of the hopper plate from
left to right; and Fig. 5 shows it coming from right to left, the sweeping
motion driving the seed out of the hopper. It will be readily understood
that these dischargers owing to their smooth unbroken surface and
peculiar motion require but little power to drive them.
Fig. 6 represents my third "discharger." F is the hopper frame; H is
the moveable hopper bottom, with C, a hollow metal conical cylinder
with a flanged end, fitted into it; I is an iron plate attached to H, and
H is held in its position by means of the tenon x and the screw n; T¹ is
a spindle, with a socket at one end, and the screw S at the other; T is a

page_text: spindle, keyed into the mitre pinion P' at one end, and let into the socket
of T at the other, the two being fastened by the pin 7, which acts as a
disturber to the seed; P is a mitre pinion, which being driven round by
suitable gearing from the land wheel of the machine drives the
pinion P¹, and with it the spindle T", the screw S of which carries the
sced out of the hopper A. into the pipes or cups.
Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 represent my fourth discharger. Fig. 7
shows the conical disc D³ on axle or rod a, with projection u and holding
screws n. Fig. 8 shows plan of same. Fig. 9 shows the "flanged
plate D', with countersunk holes y and holes m. Fig. 10 is plan of
same, showing slot z to admit of the plate being passed on to the rod or
axle a.
u is the projection in Figs. 7 and 8, which fills up the slot z,
and also supports the flange f. Fig. 11 shows the "flanged plate" D'
fitted on to the conical disc D³, which is keyed on to the axle a. It will
be readily understood that by driving round these "flanged plates" by
means of suitable gearing from the land wheel of the machine that each
time any of the holes y come over the holes in the hopper plate the seed
will fall through. The "discs" and "plates" may be made of any
suitable diameter, and the "plates" may have any number of various
sized holes to suit different sced.
Figs. 12 and 13 represent my fifth discharger. a is the axle or rod;
k, the fastening key; F is the hopper frame; H is the hopper; E is the
eccentric ring, attached by means of the screws n to the frame F. The
axle a is let down into the slot z (Fig. 12) using the frame F as a bush.
N is the nave, with holes y made in it to receive the spokes S. These
spokes are made proferably of iron tube closed at the ends furthest from
the nave, and have holes O cut in them. Through these holes Othe
seed passes into the spoke S, as shown in Fig. 13, and while coming to
the vertical position at the seed falls down the spoke through y into
the receiver or cups C. T, T, are the moveable shutters, with pro-
jections B, B, between which projections the eccentric ring E works, so
that on driving round the axle a (by means of suitable gearing from
the land wheel of the machine), and with it the nave N and spokes S;
the shutters T move up and down the spokes S, leaving the hole O full
open when in the seed, and gradually shutting it until at
quite shut. The eccentric E may be formed so as to shut
directly after leaving the seed, or at any stage, and the size of the nave,
number and size of spokes may be altered to suit any kind of seed.
the hole is
the hole O

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and
character of my Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed and carried out in practice, I hereby declare that I claim the
Invention of "Improvements in Seed Sowing Machines" as herein
described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings, it being under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise form and arrangement of
the details of construction; nor do I claim the mere constituent details
of construction per se and apart from the purposes of my said Inven-
tion; and in such my Invention the following are peculiar and important
features:-
First. The plain "discs" when arranged as described in regard to
my first "seed discharger" for the sowing of various kinds of seed.
Second. The "waved" or "crimped " discs arranged as described as
regards my second "seed discharger" for the sowing of various kinds
of seeds.
Third. The third "seed discharger with moveable hopper bottom
arranged as described.
Fourth. The conical discs" and " flanged plates" arranged as
described in regard to my fourth "seed discharger."
Fifth. The fifth "seed discharger" arranged as described.
In witness whercof, I, the said Joseph Henry Sams, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Witness,
ALEX. STEWART.
JOSEPH HENRY SAMS. (L.S.)