AN IMPROVED MILL OR MACHINE FOR GRINDING CORN OR GRAIN OR OTHER SUBSTANCES OF A LIKE NATURE
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Fletcher, of Winterton, in the County of
Lincoln, Machine Maker, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED MILL
OR MACHINE FOR GRINDING CORN OR GRAIN OR OTHER SUBSTANCES OF A LIKE
NATURE."
Sealed the 30th May 1871, and dated the 9th December 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Fletcher at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th December 1870.
I, JOHN FLETCHER, of Winterton, in the County of Lincoln, Machine
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Ar
IMPROVED MILL OR MACHINE FOR GRINDING CORN OR GRAIN OR OTHER SUBSTANCES
OF A LIKE NATURE," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved mill or machine for grinding
corn or grain or other substances of a like nature for agricultural
purposes, combining the advantages of simplicity of construction
together with strength and durability, and consequently less costly than
grinding mills has heretofore constructed.

page_text: The mill or machine consists essentially of two circular plates of iron¨
or other suitable metal (working vertically and face to face), one of
which plates is fixed to the framing of the machine and remains
stationary, while the other is attached to an axlo or shaft with which it
rotates. In the faces of these plates are let suitable ribbed strips or
bits of steel, in such a position as to give the best effect in reducing the
corn or other grain or substance to the state of meal, the faces of the
plates themselves being studded with small holes to add to this effect.
The centre portion of each plate is cut away and inclined towards the
centre, and this inclined part is ribbed or cut tangentially to the circum-
ference of the axle passing through or in any other convenient manner.
The corn or other grain or substance is fed in between the plates just
above the axle through a hole in the plate which is made fast to the
framing of the mill. It is first placed in a suitable hopper (having a
movable door to regulate the feed) whence it passes through a feed spout
and through the fast plate between the plates. The axle being rotated
at a moderate rate carries the plate keyed thereto round with it, and
the corn or other grain or substance is speedily reduced to meal by the
rubbing action of the two plates, in which state it falls through into a
case (encircling the plates) and is carried up by means of short pro-
jecting plates or other convenient means attached to the edge of the
running plate, and discharged into a meal spout and into any bag or
other receptacle placed their ready for the same. A screw is provided
to regulate the grinding surfaces, which can be done at pleasure without
stopping the mill.
The above described apparatus may be affixed to or in any convenient
framing, and having the spout situated at the upper part of the mill
prevents much labor as the bag or receptacle can be hung on and left
till it is full.
:

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Fletcher, Her special licence
that I, the said John Fletcher, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Fletcher, 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 "Ax IMPROVED
MILL OR MACHINE FOR GRIJDING CORN OR GRAIN OR OTHER SUBSTANCES OF A
LIKE NATURE," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Fletcher, my executors or administrators, 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
bo 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, tho said John Fletcher, 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 in writing, reference being had to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, that is to say :—
This Invention relates to an improved mill or machine for grinding
corn or grain or other substances of a like nature for agricultural pur-
poses, combining the advantages of simplicity of construction together
with strength and durability, and consequently less costly than grinding
mills as heretofore constructed.
In order that my said Invention may be distinctly understood, I have
annexed hereunto one Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have
marked the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding
with those in the following explanation thereof, that is to say :—
The accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrates only those parts of
a grinding mill wherein my improvements consist.

page_text: Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view of the case (13), enclosing
the two plates (1, 2,) showing how the meal is elevated into the spout (16)
and bag (17), and showing also a back view of the plate (2); Figure 2
represents sections through about the lines A-B, Figure 3, and C—D,
Figure 4, of the plates (1, 2,) respectively, showing the meal elevators
(14, 15,) and also showing the plates (1, 2,) in position for grinding;
Figure 3 represents a face view of the fast plate (1); Figure 4 a similar
view of the running plato (2); and Figure 5 represents a full size end
view of one of the strips of steel or other hard metal (4), which are placed
and bolted in the holes (5*) cast in the faces of the plates (1 and 2).
The mill or machino consists essentially of two circular plates (1, 2,)
of cast iron or other suitable metal, which work vertically and face to
face (see Figure 2), and one of which plates 1 is firmly bolted or other-
wise suitably fixed to the framing of the machine (but which framing
is not shown on the accompanying Drawings), and is therefore caused to
remain stationary, while the other plate 2 is keyed or otherwise made
fast. to an axle or shaft 3 with which it rotates. In the faces of these
plates are placed suitable ribbed strips or bits of steel or other hard
metal 4 (Figures 3, 4, and 5), in such positions (partly shown in Figures
3 and 4) as to give the best effect in reducing the corn or other grain
or substance to the state of meal; and these steel or other hard metal
strips are bolted to the plates 1, 2, by bolts 5, which pass through the
bolt holes 6*, 6*, in the plates 1, 2. The faces of the plates 1, 2, are
studded with small holes 6, or they may be cast with suitable ribs (as
illustrated at 7×, 7×, Figures 3 and 4), to add to this effect. These ribs :
are connected by short cross pieces y, y, to prevent any whole corn or
other grain passing through to the casing 13. The centre portions 7, 8,
of the plates 1, 2, respectively are inclined towards the centre (as shown
at Figure 2), and the inclined parts are ribbed or cut tangentially to
the circumference of the axle passing through (as shown in Figures 3
3 and 4) to lead the feed in. The corn or other grain or substance is fed
in between the plates 1, 2, just above the axle 3, through a hole 9 in the
fast plate 1. It is first placed however in a suitable hopper 10 (having
a movable door 11 to regulate the feed), whence it passes through a
feed spout 12 and through the hole 9 in the fast plate 1 and between 3
both the plates 1 and 2. The axle 3 being then rotated by the usual
means at a moderate rate carries the plate 2 keyed thereto round with

page_text: it, and the corn or other grain or substance is speedily reduced to meal
(by the rubbing action of the two plates 1, 2, and the steel or other
metal strips 4 bolted therein) in which state it falls through into a sheet-
iron case 13 (Figure 1) (encircling the plates), and is carried up by means
; of short projecting metal strips or plates 14, 15, bolted or otherwise
attached to the edge of the running plate 2, and is discharged into a.
meal spout 16 and into any bag or other receptacle 17 placed there ready
for the same.
A screw a¹ is provided to regulate the grinding surfaces, which can be
done at pleasure without stopping the mill; 6' is a carriage (bolted or
otherwise made fast to the framing), inside which is situated one end of
the shaft 3, which end is provided with brasses c³ fixed thereto at x in
the usual way, and the one which fits against the end of the shaft is
itself fitted into a cast-iron carriage &³, which slides endways in the
¡ carriage b', and is worked by the screw a¹ so as to draw the shaft and
plate 2 backwards or forwards, as required for either grinding or
"kibbleing." This is shown partly in section.
The above described apparatus may be constructed any required size,
and may be affixed to or in any convenient framing, and by having the
spout 16 situated at the upper part of the mill much labor is saved,
as the bag or receptacle can be hung on hooks provided for it and
left till it is full.
Having now described the naturo and object of my said Invention
for "An Improved Mill or Machine for Grinding Corn or Grain or
other Substances of a like Nature," together with the manner in which
the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect,
I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention the general
construction and arrangement of the improved mill or machine for
grinding corn, grain, or other like substances, substantially as herein-
before described and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings; but more especially I claim,---
Firstly. The construction of the metal grinding face plates 1 and 2
(provided with the holes 6 or ribs 7*) of cast-iron or other suitable metal,
and in which are placed and bolted the ribbed steel or other hard metal
strips 4 to produce a hard grinding surface for the effectual reduction of
the substance under operation.

page_text: it, and the corn or other grain or substance is speedily reduced to meal
(by the rubbing action of the two plates 1, 2, and the steel or other
metal strips 4 bolted therein) in which state it falls through into a sheet-
iron case 13 (Figure 1) (encircling the plates), and is carried up by means
of short projecting metal strips or plates 14, 15, bolted or otherwise
attached to the edge of the running plate 2, and is discharged into a.
meal spout 16 and into any bag or other receptacle 17 placed there ready
for the same.
A screw a¹ is provided to regulate the grinding surfaces, which can be
done at pleasure without stopping the mill; b' is a carriage (bolted or
otherwise made fast to the framing), inside which is situated one end of
the shaft 3, which end is provided with brasses c³ fixed thereto at 2 in
the usual way, and the one which fits against the end of the shaft is
itself fitted into a cast-iron carriage c², which slides endways in the
carriage b', and is worked by the screw a¹ so as to draw the shaft and
plate 2 backwards or forwards, as required for either grinding or
kibbleing." This is shown partly in section.
66
The above described apparatus may be constructed any required size,
and may be affixed to or in any convenient framing, and by having the
spout 16 situated at the upper part of the mill much labor is saved,
as the bag or receptacle can be hung on hooks provided for it and
left till it is full.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention
for "An Improved Mill or Machine for Grinding Corn or Grain or
other Substances of a like Nature," together with the manner in which
the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect,
I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention the general
construction and arrangement of the improved mill or machine for
grinding corn, grain, or other like substances, substantially as hercin-
before described and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings; but more especially I claim,---
Firstly. The construction of the metal grinding face plates 1 and 2
(provided with the holes 6 or ribs 7*) of cast-iron or other suitable metal,
and in which are placed and bolted the ribbed steel or other hard metal
strips 4 to produce a hard grinding surface for the effectual reduction of
the substance under operation.

page_text: And, secondly. The means of clevating the meal or reduced substance
into the spout 16, and bag or other receptacle 17, or any mero variation
or modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I; the said John Fletcher, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one: