IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THRASHING AND SEPARATING CORN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hornsby, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln,
and John Bonnall and Henry Shield; both of Spittlegate, in the County of
Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THRASHING
AND SEPARATING CORN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 10th September 1878, and dated the 17th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hornsby, John
Bonnell, and Henry Shield at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 17th April 1878.
JAMES HORNSBY, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, and JOHN BONNALL
and HENRY SHIELD, both of Spittlegate, in the County of Lincoln. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THRASHING AND SEPARATING CORN AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for thrashing and
separating corn and other substances.
The thrashing machine has wooden side frames, and is mounted upon wheels for
convenience of transport. The side frames are stiffened by means of iron bars or
plates let into the sill or lower rail of the frame. These bars serve in place of the
washers heretofore employed to receive the bolts, by which the cross rails of the
frame are secured.
As heretofore, in some cases, the fore carriage is connected with the body of the
machine by a ball-and-socket joint, consisting of a cup upon the axle of the fore
wheels, receiving the corresponding hemispherical lower end of a cast-iron pillar,
fixed to and supporting the body of the machine; the lower end of this pillar we
connect by diagonal iron bars with the side sills of the frame and the bolt, which
retains the ball in the socket, is so applied as to leave entire freedom of rotation in
any direction.
The grain and straw, as is usual, pass together from the thrashing drum on to the
straw shakers, and the crank which actuates these shakers is made in two parts;.so`

page_text: that it may be case-hardened without material distortion, and these parts are keyed
into a piece which completes the middle throws of the crank.
The shakers are connected with the crank by means of bridge pieces of plate iron
fixed to the shakers on their under sides, and which are connected by bolts passing
through slotted holes with wooden blocks seated upon the crank throws. The slots
allow of the self-adjustment of the blocks in connection with the crank throws. The
wooden blocks are confined to the crank throws by inverted metal caps, in which a
cavity is formed for the reception of oil for lubrication. The straw passes from the
end of the shakers over a straw board, which is made as a box to contain and carry
the riddles for use in the machine.
The grain and other materials separated from the straw by the thrashing drum
fall between the straw shakers on to the caving riddles placed beneath. These
riddles are made of wood; they are corrugated upon the face, and are perforated in
the hollows between the corrugations. We make these caving riddles in compara-
tively narrow sections, so that they may be less liable to warp and crack.
The caving riddles which are nearest to the thrashing drum, we arrange with
corrugations running longitudinally, and so we obtain a free passage of the material
along the upper part of the riddle; but the other caving riddles we arrange with
the corrugations in a transverse direction, so that the material may be detained
sufficiently long on this part of the riddle to ensure the whole of the grain getting
through. The grain mixed with all the smaller materials detached from the straw
by the thrashing drum next passes on to the separating riddles. The riddles are
so arranged that they can be put in and drawn out from the side of the machine..
As the grain comes upon the uppermost riddle, it meets a blast of air, which is
thrown upwards by an inclined plate or wind director fixed on the mouth of
the fan.
In descending from the upper to the lower riddle the grain again meets a blast
directed approximately in an horizontal direction. This blast escapes from the
mouth of the fan, without being diverted, as it passes below the wind director.
The grain now flows to the barley horner, to and from which it is conveyed by
screw blades, which are perforated to increase the friction upon the grain. Portions
of the casings in which these screws operate are formed as gratings of parallel wires
and can be changed to suit the grain. Dust and small impurities and the horns
from barley pass through these gratings, and are at once discharged and not carried
on to the dressing riddles.
The under part of the barrel of the barley horner is connected to the upper part
by a hinge joint, and by. undoing a latch the barrel can be opened and cleared out
when requisite.
In some states of the crop it is not desirable to pass the grain through the barley
horner; and in order that this may be avoided, a valve and two spouts are pro-
vided, one spout leading into the horner, and the other to the elevator, which next
takes the grain and conveys it to the upper dressing riddles.
In order to make a grain-tight joint between these spouts (which are moveable
with the riddles) and the casing of the horner, and the elevator (which are station-
ary), we pass the spouts through small frames which are moveable laterally with
them, but are held up to a face by springs.
The spouts can slide in and out through the frames between lips made of leather,
and backed up by springs. The lower drum of the elevator is formed as a cage of
narrow bars parallel with the axis, but all cast of a picce; thus the grain is not
liable to be crushed between the drum and the elevator belt. The elevator delivers
the grain on to the upper dressing riddles, where it again meets a blast, either from
the fan already mentioned, or from another provided for the purpose. The blast
carries any impurities (and with them perhaps a portion of the grain) over the end
of these riddles, and a trunk leads these matters back on to the separating riddles.
This trunk is so arranged that the matters passing back can be seen, and should
too much or too little be carried over, the strength of the blast may be adjusted
accordingly.

page_text: The grain from the upper set of dressing riddles descends by a spout passing
through a slide, working against a face (similar to a slide valve), and moving with
the spout. In this way dust is excluded from the trunk which leads the clean corn
again into an elevator, which raises it into a rotary screen, by which it is separated
into different samples, according to size. We form this screen with eight or other
number of sides of wirework, in which the screening wires run in a direction
parallel to the axis of the screen, and the wires are set somewhat widely apart.
Within the drum, of which these sides form the periphery, there are other similar
sides of wirework, and these are moveable to and from the first-mentioned sides.
The longitudinal wires composing them fall into the spaces between the wire of the
fixed sides, and the two sets of wires together form a screen of a gauge which is
variable at will by altering slightly the distances between the sides. The moveable
sides may conveniently be carried upon spring arms or links, and by deflecting
these more or less, which can be done by sliding bolts operated from the end of
the screen, the required adjustment of gauge may be attained. This screen is also
made self-cleaning by, at intervals, causing the fixed and moveable sides to separate
as, in the rotation of the screen, they are brought to the top; in this way an
opening of the meshes is brought about, and any matters which may have become
The moveable sides may be
jammed between the wires fall back into the screen.
placed upon the outer in place of on the inner side of the fixed sides, but not so con-
veniently; or both sets of sides may be moveable.
In place of forming the screen with flat sides, it might be made cylindrical, the
moveable wires then forming a second cylinder, which is capable of being slightly
compressed or expanded, so as to bring the longitudinal wires, of which it is com-
posed, nearer to or further from the wires of the first cylinder. Or in place of using
straight wires in forming the sides, wires bent or corrugated thus
may be employed, in which place the adjustment for gauge and the opening of the
mesh for cleaning is obtained by giving movement endwise to the parts carrying
the alternate wires. The wires are so arranged that their corrugations form spirals
passing around the screen, so that the rotation of the screen causes its contents to
be propelled from one end to the other independently of the inclination which may
be given to the screen.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Hornsby, John Bonnall, and Henry Shield in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 17th October 1878.
JAMES HORNSBY, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, and JOHN BONNALL
and HENRY SHIELD, both of Spittlegate, in the County of Lincoln. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THRASHING AND SEPARATING CORN AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES,"
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for thrashing and
separating corn and other substances.
A thrashing machine embodying our improvements is represented in Figures 1, 2,
and 3 of the annexed Drawings; Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the machine;
Figure 2 is an elevation of the fore end, and Figure 3 is an elevation of the binder
end.
The thrashing machine has wooden side frames, and is mounted upon wheels for
convenience of transport. The side frames are stiffened by means of iron bars or
plates let into the sill or lower rail of the frame. These bars serve in place of the
washers heretofore employed to receive the bolts by which the cross rails of the
frame are secured.
A, A, are the sills or lower rails of the side frames, and A', A', are iron bars or
plates which are inserted into grooves in the wooden rails. The bolts by which the
cross rails B, B, are secured to the side rails A, pass through the iron bars A¹; they
are screwed into nuts let into the cross rails at a short distance from their ends.
The bars A¹ are further secured to the rails A by screws or bolts at suitable dis-
tances apart. The ends of the bars A¹ are fashioned at A2 into eyes to receive the
hooks of draft chains by which the machine is sometimes drawn from place to
. place.
As heretofore, in some cases, the fore carriage is connected with the body of the
machine by a ball-and-socket joint, consisting of a cup upon the axle of the fore
wheels, receiving the corresponding hemispherical lower end of a cast-iron pillar
fixed to and supporting the body of the machine; the lower end of this pillar we
connect by diagonal iron bars, with the side sills of the frame and the bolt which
retains the ball in the socket is so applied as to leave entire freedom of rotation and
oscillation in any direction.
C is the fore carriage of the machine, and D is a cup seated upon the timber
forming the upper part of the axle. The cup D receives the hemispherical lower
end of the pillar E, which is fixed beneath the body of the machine. F, F, are
diagonal iron bars tying and rigidly connecting the lower end of the pillar E to the
side sills of the frame. At their upper ends the ties F are bolted to the sill, and at
their lower ends to the pillar E on which flats are formed to receive them. The
two diagonal ties F on the same side of the machine form a pair which are con-
veniently made in one piece, by bending a bar to the V form required. G is a bolt
passing through a socket E', formed in the pillar to receive it, and in this socket it
is able to turn freely. The bolt G is square at its lower end, and here it passes
through a corresponding hole in the bottom of the cup D; this hole however is
elongated on either side, so that the axle may be able to tip as the wheels pass over
inequalities in the road. The axle also is slotted to allow the bolt G to pass through
it as is clearly seen in Figure 2. There is a cotter in the end of the bolt G which
retains the hemispherical end of the pillar E in the cup D. The T head at the
lower end of the bolt lies immediately beneath the iron of the axle which is per-
forated for the bolt, and bent as the Drawing indicates, so that the head at the
lower end of the bolt is always close against the under side of the axle, however the
axle may incline. The ball-and-socket arrangement is not in itself new, but by the
use of the bars F we are enabled to dispense with the draw bar, and consequently
the fore wheels are free to lock round to any extent.
The grain and straw as is usual pass together from the thrashing drum on to the

page_text: '
straw shakers, and the crank which actuates these shakers is made in two parts, so
that it may be case hardened without material distortion, and these parts are keyed
into a piece which completes the middle throws of the crank.
H, H, are the straw shakers, and I is the crank from which they derive their
motion. Figure 4 is a side view, and Figure 5 is an end view of the crank to a
larger scale; it consists of two nearly similar parts 1 and 2, forged, turned; and case-
hardened separately, and then keyed into the connecting piece 3. In case hardening,
when the pieces come out of the furnace, in place of plunging them entirely in the
water which would render them equally hard from end to end, the two extremities
should be dipped in water in such manner as to chill and harden the cranks where
they receive the shakers upon them, but to leave the portion between soft enough
to admit of the small amount of setting which may be necessary to correct any
twisting which may occur in the hardening process. This crank being partly made
up and partly bent is an improvement on that patented by Hornsby, Bonnall, and
Astbury, July 9th, 1861, No. 1761.
The shakers are connected with the crank by means of bridge pieces of plate iron
fixed to the shakers on their under sides, and which are connected by bolts passing
through slotted holes with wooden blocks seated upon the crank throws. The slots
allow of the self adjustment of the blocks in connection with the crank throws.
The wooden blocks are confined to the crank throws by inverted metal caps, in
which a cavity is formed for the reception of oil for lubrication.
Figure 6 is a side view partly in section, showing a portion of one of the shakers
with the bridge piece and block and other parts serving to connect it with the
crank; Figure 7 is a plan showing a portion of the bridge and block.
The portion of the shaker is marked H, and I is the crank seen in section. K is
the plate iron bridge piece fixed by bolts to the shaker. L is the wooden block
adapted to rest upon the crank, and to receive the ring or collar which is seen upon
it in Figure 4, and which is intended to prevent endway movement.
M is the inverted metal cap by which the block is confined to the crank, it has a
cavity in it serving to hold oil, and also to accommodate the collar upon the crank.
N is an oil cup; it has a flange upon its lower end; it is inserted from the under side
through a hole in the bridge piece, and the upper surface of the block L is recessed
to admit the flange of the oil cup. 0, 0, are bolts passing through the block L and
cap M, and attaching them to the bridge piece K, through which also the bolts Ọ
pass by slotted or elongated holes, and receive dished washers and nuts above. The
nuts are only screwed up moderately tight, so that the block can adjust itself upon
the bridge piece, turning to the small extent which may be necessary for adjustment
around the oil cup N as a centre.
The straw passes from the end of the shakers over a straw board, which is made
as a box to contain and carry the riddles for use in the machine.
The box-like straw board is seen in Figure 1 at P with its lid closed as it is when
in use.
Q, Q, are some of the separating and corn-dressing riddles packed away
within the straw board.
The grain and other materials separated from the straw by the thrashing drum
fall between the straw shakers on to the inclined boards, and thence on to the
caving riddles placed beneath. These riddles are made of wood; they are corru-
gated upon the face, and are perforated in the hollows between the corrugations.
We make these caving riddles in comparatively narrow sections, so that they may
be less liable to warp and crack.
The caving riddles which are nearest to the thrashing drum we arrange with
their corrugations running longitudinally, and so we obtain a free passage of the
materials along the upper part of the riddle; but the other caving riddles we
arrange with the corrugations in a transverse direction, so that the material may
be detained sufficiently long on this part of the riddle to ensure the whole of the
grain getting through.
R¹, R, R, and R', in Figure 1, are the caving riddles; portions of them are

page_text: also shown in plan at Figure 8; they are as usual made of wood. The widths of
which the riddle is built up are not framed together, but are left entirely separate,
which much reduces the tendency to split and warp. The boards are all grooved
in the direction of their length, and perforated in the hollows as usual; but in
place of laying them in the machine with the corrugations all running one way, as
heretofore, wo lay the upper sections with the corrugations lengthwise of the
machine, and the lower sections transversely. This arrangement facilitates the
passage of the material along the upper part of the riddle where the greater bulk
has to be dealt with, whilst at the same time it detains the residue on the lower
sections of the riddle for a sufficient time to ensure a thorough separation of the
grain from the cavings.
'
The grain, mixed with all the smaller materials detached from the straw by the
thrashing drum, next passes on to the separating riddles. The riddles are so
arranged that they can be put in and drawn out from the side of the machine. As
the grain comes upon the uppermost riddle it meets a blast of air, which is thrown
upwards by an inclined plate or wind director fixed on the mouth of the fan. In
descending from the upper to the lower riddle the grain again meets a blast directed
approximately in an horizontal direction. This blast escapes from the mouth of the
fan without being diverted as it passes below the wind director.
S in Figure 1 is the fan, and S' is the main air spout of the fan casing. At a
short distance in front of its mouth the inclined wind director Si is fixed in such a
position that it throws up a portion of the blast against and through the upper
separating riddle Q'. The blast strikes at its upper end where the grain which has
passed through the caving riddles is first received, and where if the grain be not
kept in movement or "alive" it is liable to accumulate.
The grain descending from the riddle Q' meets another portion of the blast which
passes beneath the wind director S", and these currents of wind carry before them
the lighter impurities, which pass with the wind out of the machine. T is a valve
turning upon a centre, and capable of being adjusted so as to check more or less, as
may be required, the escape of the blast, so that on the one hand the corn may not
be blown out; and, on the other, that as effectual a separation as possible of the
lighter impurities may be obtained.
The grain is delivered by an inclined board on to the lower separating riddle Q",
which separates and conducts to a spout anything too large to pass its perforations.
The corn falls through the riddle Q on to the seed riddle Q, which is too small
to let out the corn, but permits the escape of smaller seeds. The grain now flows
to the barley horner, to and from which it is conveyed by screw blades which
are perforated to increase the friction upon the grain. Portions of the casings in
which these screws operate are formed as gratings of parallel wires, and can be
changed to suit the grain. Dust and small impurities, and the horns from barley,
pass through these grating, and are at once discharged, and not carried on to the
dressing riddles.
The under part of the barrel of the barley horner is connected to the upper part
by a hinge joint, and by undoing a latch the barrel can be opened and cleared out
when requisite.
The barley horner is marked U in Figure 3; it is of the usual construction, except
that the lower part, as already mentioned, is hinged so that the horner can be
opened, as is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. The grain, in its passage to the
horner, is first delivered from the separating riddles into the casing V, and it passes
thence through the horner into the corresponding casing V1 on the other side of
the machine. These casings are enclosed at the back of the machine by gratings of
parallel wires V*, V*; the wires are set so closely together as to retain the corn,
but they let out dust, and also, when such are present, bristle-like growths which
the riddles do not remove.
Figure 9 shows a section of one of the casings V, V₁, together with the conductor
by which the grain is led into it. In this Figure W is the horner axis, and W', W¹,

page_text: are screw blades upon it by which the corn is driven forward. These blades are
perforated, as is indicated in the Figure, to to increase the friction which they exert
upon the grain; they polish it, and improve its appearance in many cases.
In some states of the crop it is not desirable to pass the grain through the barley
horner; and in order that this may be avoided two spouts are provided, one spout
leading into the horner, and the other to the elevator which next takes the grain,
and conveys it to the upper dressing riddles.
In order to make a grain-tight joint between these spouts (which are moveable
with the riddles) and the casing of the horuer and the elevator (which are sta-
tionary), we pass the spouts through small frames which are moveable laterally with
them, but are held up to a face by springs.
°
The spouts can slide in and out through frames between lips made of leather, and
backed up by springs. The valve and two spouts, by which the power of using or.
disusing the horner at pleasure is obtained, are seen in Figure 10. This Figure is a
plan of the conductor, which is also seen in section in Figure 9. X and X¹ are the
two spouts, of which X opens into the chamber V and X' into the chamber V'; Y is
the valve which directs the grain passing along the conductor after sliding over the
seed riddle Q to one or other of the two spouts. As it is seen in the Drawing
the valve is set to direct the corn through the horner, but when the valve is moved
over by drawing out the spring rod Y₁ the corn passes direct into the casing V' in
place of reaching it by the route through the horner. The spouts X and X', as
before mentioned, participate in the shaking motion of the riddles; indeed they
form part of the suspended and oscillating shoe in which, as is usual, all the riddles
are carried. To connect the spouts with the casings V and V₁, which are stationary
parts of the machine, we pass the spouts through frames Z, Z, which are free to
move for a short distance in all directions. The frames have holes in them, through
which the bolts Z, Z¹, pass; these holes are very free, and springs around the bolts
press the frames up to faces formed for them upon the casings V and V'. In these
faces the bolts are fixed; thus the frame in each case is able to move with but
slight friction whilst remaining in close contact with the face, and so any deviation
froin a true fore-and-aft motion in the shoe carrying the riddles is compensated for.
The fore-and-aft motion of the spouts causes them to work in and out through the
holes in the centre of the frames Z, which the spouts fit easily, and the grain is
excluded by the leather lips Z, Z", fixed to the frames, and pressed lightly against
the spouts by the steel blade springs on their outer sides. These springs also are
fixed to the frames Z, as the Drawing indicates.
a, in Figure 1, is the elevator, by which the grain is raised from the casing V' to
the dressing riddles.
The lower drum of the elevator is formed as a cage of narrow bars parallel with
the axis, but all cast of a piece; thus, the grain is not liable to be crushed between
the drum and the elevator belt.
Figure 11 is a side elevation, and Figure 12 is an end elevation of the elevator
drum. a', a', are the bars which form the periphery of the drum on which the belt
bears; there is free space between the bars for the escape of the grain between
them. The centre of the drum is closed, as the Drawing indicates, by a diaphragm
connecting the centre boss of the drum with the flange around its periphery on the
side facing the propelling screw. The grain thus cannot be forced by the screw
directly through the drum. On the opposite side however the drum is open, so that
any grain finding its way between the periphery of the drum and the belt passes
freely through on the further side, and falling down is picked up by the elevating
cups.
The elevator delivers the grain on to the upper dressing riddles, where it again
meets a blast either from the fan already mentioned, or from another provided for
the purpose. The blast carries any impurities (and with them perhaps a portion of the
grain) over the end of these riddles, and a trunk leads these inatters back on to the
separating riddles. This trunk is so arranged that the matters passing back can bo

page_text: seen, and should too much or too little be carried over the strength of the blast may
be adjusted accordingly.
Q*, Q, are the dressing riddles, and b is the spout by which the grain descends
from the elevator a on to them; c is the air conductor leading the wind from the
fan casing to the dressing riddles; d is the mouth by which the wind and that
which it carries with it issues from the case containing the riddles, and any corn
which is carried over falls into the trunk e, which leads it back on to the separating
riddle Q. The arrangement of the machine is such that the passage into this trunk
is open to view, and if too much or too little be coming over an adjustment may
be at once effected by opening or closing in a suitable degree a valve in the air
conductor c.
The grain from the upper set of dressing riddles descends by a spout, passing
through a slide working against a face (similar to a slide valve) and moving with
the spout. In this way dust is excluded from the trunk, which leads the clean corn
again into an elevator; which raises it into a rotary screen; by which it is separated
into different samples, according to size. f is the spout for conducting the clean
grain to the elevator, which raises it to the rotary screen; g is the elevator. The
spout passes through a hole in the frame h, which hole it fits freely. During the
movement to and fro of the spout the frame bears by its own weight upon the
face, which is formed at the top of the passage leading into the elevator casing.
Dust cannot therefore be drawn in to soil the clean grain. The rotary screen is
represented at k, and also more in detail at Figures 13 and 14. k, k, l, and 1111,
are four spouts, by which the different qualities into which the grain is sorted by
the screen are delivered. The several parts of the machine are thus driven :-A
belt from the engine passes to a pulley upon the axis of the thrashing drum;
another belt couples this axis with that of the fan, whilst the fan axis by a crossed
belt drives the axis of the horner. The shaker crank at the end of the machine is
driven by a crossed belt from the axis of the thrashing drum, and another belt
connects the other crank of the straw shaker with the rotary screen. The shoe
crank which vibrates the riddles also receives a belt from a pulley on the thrashing
drum, and a belt from the shoe crank drives the elevators.
We will now describe in detail the way in which we construct the rotary screen.
We form this screen with eight or other number of sides of wirework, in which the
screening wires run in a direction parallel to the axis of the screen, and the wires
are set somewhat widely apart. Within the drum, of which these sides form the
periphery, there are other similar sides of wirework, and these are movable to and
from the first-mentioned sides. The longitudinal wires composing them fall into
the spaces between the wires of the fixed sides, and the two sets of wires together
form a screen of a gauge which is variable at will by altering slightly the distances
between the sides. The moveable sides may conveniently be carried upon spring
arms or links, and by deflecting these more or less, which can be done by sliding
'bolts operated from the end of the screen, the required adjustment of
gauge may be
attained. This screen is also made self-cleaning by, at intervals, causing the fixed
and moveable sides to separate, as in the rotation of the screen they are brought to
the top. In this way an opening of the meshes is brought about, and any matters
which may have become jammed between the wires fall back into the screen.
Figure 13 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 14 is a transverse section of a
screen of this construction. is a hollow axis on which are fixed the screen
ends m, m; they carry bexagon rings n, n, which serve to fix in their places the
'alternate wires o, o, of the screen. The axis also, by means of the spring arms p, p,
carries the moveable wires q, q, which, like the wires o, o, are parallel to the axis l.
,, are bars attached to the outer ends of the spring arms p, and in these the
'wires q, q, are set. By deflecting the spring arms the wires q are moved longi-
tudinally in slots in the rings n through which they pass, and also radially to or
from the axis l. 8 is a frame which is capable of moving along the axis 7 for a short-
'distance under the control of the hand screw t; it carries screw stops 81, 81, at the
outer ends of its arms. These stops serve to limit the motion of the movable sides

page_text: of the screen. By moving the frames the gauge of the screen is varied. Each set
of moveable wires q is fixed at one end into a bar q¹, and forms one of the moveable,
sides. Each bar q has an incline or projection which, when in the rotation of the
screen it arrives at the top, comes into contact with a roller v carried in a stationary.
holder. When this roller operates, the spring arm at the further end of the screen
leaves its stops, and the gauge of this part of the screen is momentarily enlarged,.
allowing any matters which may have become jammed between the wires to fall
back into the interior of the screen.
Instead of the wires forming the moveable sides being inside, as in the arrange-
ment shewn in the Drawing, they may be placed upon the outside of the fixed sides,
but not so conveniently, or both sets of sides may be moveable.
In place of using straight wires in forming the sides, wires bent or corrugated**
thus may be employed, in which case the adjustment for gauge and the
opening of the mesh for cleaning is obtained by giving movement endwise to the
parts carrying the alternate wires. The wires in the several panels are so arranged
that their corrugations form spirals, or rather successive steps, passing around the
screen, so that the rotation of the screen causes its contents to be propelled from
one end to the other independently of the inclination which may be given to the
screen.
Figure 15 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 16' is a transverse section of a
screen of this construction; Figure 17 is a plan of a portion of one of the panels or
sides. The arrangement is very similar to that already described in respect to the
Figure 13 and 14, with the exception of the altered form of the screening wires ;
the spring arms are dispensed with, as a longitudinal motion parallel to the axis is
all that is required for the adjustment of the screen, and for the self-cleaning thereof.
w, w, are springs which keep the moving sides up to the stops.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. The general arrangement of a thrashing machine, substantially as described,
and represented in the annexed Drawings.
Second. The construction of the frame of the machine, and especially the
combination with the lower rail or sill of the bars A¹, A¹, which serve both to
strengthen the frame and to receive the bolts.
Third. The arrangement of the fore carriage and parts in connection therewith
for supporting the fore end of the machine.
Fourth. The construction of the shaker cranks.
Fifth. The method of connecting the shakers with the crank throws by blocks
which are free to adjust themselves to the throws.
Sixth. The box-like straw board adapted to contain the riddles.
Seventh. The arrangement of the caving riddles, the upper ones longitudinally,
and the lower ones transversely.
Eighth. The wind director in combination with the separating riddles.
Ninth. The casings closed by gratings of parallel wires forming the passages to
and from the horner.
Tenth. The construction of the case of the horner to open as described.
Eleventh. The perforated screw blades propelling the grain to and from the
horner.
Twelfth. The arrangement of passages admitting of the grain being either passed
through or diverted from the horner at pleasure.
Thirteenth. The method of forming grain-tight joints between the moving spouts
conveying the grain from the riddles and the stationary parts of the machine.
Fourteenth. The construction of the lower drum of the clevator.
Fifteenth. The arrangements in connection with the spouts which deliver from
the dressing riddles, by which arrangements dust is excluded and the operation of
the air blast is brought under observation.
Sixteenth. The construction of rotary screens in such manner that the gauge may

page_text: be adjusted by the movement of the alternate wires nearer to or further from the
centre of the screen.
Seventeenth. The automatic cleaning of rotary screens by the movement of the
alternate wires nearer to or further from the centre.
Eighteenth. The construction of rotary screens, substantially as described in
respect to Figures 13 and 14 of the annexed Drawings.
Nineteenth. The construction of rotary screens with the wires bent as described,
and capable of movement relatively the one to the other for the purpose either of
adjusting the gauge, or of automatically cleaning the screen, or both.
Twentieth. The construction of rotary screens, substantially as described in respect
to Figures 15, 16, and 17 of the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Bonnall, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Sixteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN BONNALL. (L.S.)
]