Machinery for Thrashing and Grinding Corn, Cutting Straw, &c., and Applying Steam Power thereto
Year: 1850

page_text: Machinery for Thrashing and Grinding Corn, Cutting
Straw, &c., and Applying Steam Power thereto; also
Machinery for Depositing Seed.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, CHARLES
MAY, of Ipswich, Engineer, and ROBERT LEGGETT, of the same Place, Fore-
man of Mechanics to Mess" Ransomes and May, of the same Place, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Thirtieth day of April,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in the thirteenth year of Her reign,
did; for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Charles May and Robert Leggett, our exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her
especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said
Charles May and Robert Leggett, our exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said Charles May and Robert Leggett, our exors, adiñors,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and:
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINEBY
FOR THRASHING AND GRINDING CORN, FOR CUTTING STRAW, AND OTHER SIMILAR
SUBSTANCES; ALSO IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLYING STEAM POWER TO GIVE MOTION TO
SUCH CLASSES OF MACHINERY; AND ALSO IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR DEPOSITING

page_text: SEED; "in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that we, the said
Charles May and Robert Leggett, or one of us, shall cause a particular descrip-
tion of the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or
under the hand and seal of one of us, to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Charles May and Robert Leggett, do hereby declare that the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our Invention consists, first, of improvements for thrashing, one part of
which relates to the means of applying power to portable thrashing machines;
another part relates to a mode of employing elasticity to the bars or parts
forming the "concave; ". and another part relates to the fixing of the pinions
of thrashing machines, and in giving motion to the drum of thrashing machines
at both ends.
Secondly, our Invention consists of improvements in grinding machinery.
Thirdly, our Invention consists of improvements in cutting straw and other
similar substances.
Fourthly, our Invention consists of improvements in applying steam power
to machines used in farm buildings.
And, fifthly, our Invention consists of improvements in machines for de-
positing seed.
And in order that our Invention may be most fully understood, and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed to describe the means pursued by us.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a side elevation, Figure 2 a back view, and Figure 3. a
plan, partly in section, of a portable engine and thrashing machine, combined
according to the first part of our Invention.
It is well known that there is considerable hazard of fire when using portable
steam engines for giving motion to thrashing machines, by reason of the fire of
the steam boiler being necessarily brought very near to the barn or place where
the straw is, in order to give motion to the thrashing machinery. Now, the
object of the first part of our Invention is to combine the engine which gives

page_text: motion to the thrashing machinery in the same framing as the thrashing
machine, so that a portable engine and a thrashing machine are combined
together in the same frame, thus allowing the thrashing machine and engine to
be most conveniently placed for work without hazard of firing the straw, by
reason of the boiler and fire employed being placed at any desired distance
from the engine. The object therefore to be obtained by this part of our
Invention is so to arrange portable thrashing machines and the engines that
work them, that they may be combined together, and be placed in the most con-
venient position for work, whilst the boilers and fires shall be at such a distance
as to avoid as far as may be the hazard of fire. The arrangement of the
thrashing machines may be varied, and such is the case in respect to the
engines employed to drive the same; but we prefer the combination and con-
struction shewn in the Drawing, where the engine is in direct communication
with the thrashing machine, the diameter of the beating drum of the thrashing
machine being enlarged in order conveniently to get up the requisite speed of
the periphery, but if desired the speed may be got up by wheel-work or other-
wise, as is well understood by engineers. a is the cylinder of an ordinary
engine fixed slightly inclined on the framing of the machine, the nature of
which is clearly shewn in the Drawing; c are connecting rods, which com-
municate the motion of the engine to the cranked axis of the beating drum of
the thrashing machinery; and d is a connecting rod attached at one end to the
crank, its other end giving motion to the axis e, which works the slide. We
have not thought it necessary to shew the steam boiler, but would state that a
considerable length of steam pipe, suitably clothed with felt or otherwise to
prevent radiation, will be employed, by means of which the boiler with its fire
may be placed at a hundred or more feet from the engine, the parts of such
pipes being made readily separable so as to be carried with convenience froni
place to place with the portable engine and portable boiler. Figure 4 shows
two views of so much of a thrashing machine, partly in section, as will enable
us to describe that part of our Invention which relates to giving elasticity to
the bars of the "concave," within which the cylinder or drum revolves; and
Figure 5 shows part of a plan and section of some of the bars of the concave.
on a larger scale. a, a, a; are the bars of the concave; 6 is the beating drum
or cylinder of the thrashing machine. The bars a, a, are fixed on flexible or
elastic bands or bars c, the object being to admit of the bars being set up to or
rom the drum, so as to obtain a varying diameter to the concave by means of
he set screws e, the elasticity of the bands or bars c by their flexibility enabling
he concave to be varied in diameter with greater advantage than at present
possessed.-

page_text: Other of our improvements in thrashing machinery consists of a mode of
giving elasticity, to the fixing of, the pinions of thrashing machinery to their
shafts. Figure 6 shews the two ends of a shaft of the beating drum or cylinder
of a thrashing machine, having two pinions fixed according to these improve-
ments; Figure 7 shews a similar view, some of the parts being in section; and
Figure 8 shews an end view in section. a is the shaft; b, b, are the two
pinions, which are not fixed directly to the shaft a, but are connected thereto
and so as to turn therewith in the following manner:-c, c, are hollow collars
having tubular naves fixed from turning by feathers or keys to the shaft a, in
such manner that they may be set up towards each other by means of the screw
nuts, as shewn. In each of the hollow collars is placed a ring of a suitable
elastic substance; we prefer vulcanized india-rubber d, d, as shewn.. By these
means the pinions b, b, will be fixed to the shaft a by an elastic holding, which
will admit of the pinion being subjected to shocks without injury to the teeth.
The object of having two pinions is that the beating drum of a thrashing
machine may be driven at both ends.
We will now describe the second part of our Invention, which consists of
improvements in machinery for grinding, the object being to obtain more con-
venient means of grinding with different degrees of fineness. Figure 9 shews
a side elevation, Figure 10 shews a plan, Figure 11 shews an end view, and
Figure 12 a vertical section, of machinery arranged according to this part of
our Invention. In this machine there are three rollers a, b, and c, two of which
are cut to grind of like degrees of fineness, and are suitable for grinding oats
or small grain when working together, whilst the roller c is coarser cut, as
shewn, and when used is suitable for grinding beans or large grain. The spout
of the hopper is made to expand or contract, and the gearing is arranged as
shewn, so that the pair of rollers a, b, may be worked, or so that the pair of
rollers b, c, may be worked, the spout of the hopper delivering the matter
between the one or other pair of rollers, according as it is desired to grind
small or large grain. d is the main or driving axle, put in motion by the
handle e. The roller c is on the axle d, and motion is communicated to the
roller a from the axle d by the wheels f, g, and motion is communicated to
the roller 6 by means of the wheels h, i. In order to move the roller b, the
wheels j, k, l, are employed, the wheel k giving motion to the wheels ; and
on either side, there being screw nuts in the naves of the wheels j and I, whic
give motion to screw rods m, m, which at their other ends are in connection
with the bearings of the axis of the roller b. The wheel k is held in position
by means of the catch n, and the wheel k is put in motion when required b
aid of the handle . The spout of the hopper is jogged by the instrument o.

page_text: We will now describe the. third part of our Invention, which has for its
object improvements in cutting straw and other like substances for littering
animals. This machinery consists of a combination of a set of rotatory knives
with sets of rotatory claws. Figure 13 shews an end elevation, Figure 14 is
a side elevation, Figure 15 is a plan, and Figure 16 is a diagram, shewing the
manner in which the rotatory cutters and the rotatory claws work together.
a, a, are the claws on the axis b; these claws are on either side of each rotatory
cutter c on the axis d, and the edges of the cutters enter grooves formed
between the claws; motion is communicated from the axis 6 to the axis d by
means of the wheels e, f, g, the wheelf being an intermediate wheel, the use of
which admits of the knives or cutters being set up closer as they wear away,
and the contact motion of the cutter and claws is in the reverse direction the
one to the other. The straw or other similar substance is fed on to the
table h, and is taken by the claws towards the knives or cutters, by which
the same will be cut into lengths according to the distances to which the
cutters are set apart on their axis.
We will now proceed to describe the fourth part of our Invention, which
consists of improvements in applying steam power to give motion to agricul-
tural machines. We have already described, in respect to thrashing machinery,
part of these improvements, by which the portable boilers employed are so
arranged in regard to the engine that they may be placed at any desired
distance apart.
Another part consists in having a boiler set at a distance from several
machines, to be driven by power derived therefrom, using small engines in the
same localities as the machines to be driven, the object, being to avoid the use
of shafting in farm buildings, by employing several small engines with a steam
pipe communicating with each engine. By this means numerous small
engines may be used in the particular locality where the particular machines
are to be worked. This arrangement admits of the advantage of having the
boiler at a great distance, as well as dispensing with the use of shafting; or
in place of using steam pipes to each of the engines, a steam engine may be
used in the locality of the boiler to obtain vacuum, and the several engines
placed in localities of the machinery may be worked thereby.
We will now proceed to describe the fifth part of our Invention,, which
consists of improvements in machines for depositing seed. Figure 17 shews
a back clevation, Figure 18 is a side elevation, and Figure 19 a. plan, of
machinery arranged or combined according to our Invention; and Figures 20
and 21 show two views, each partly in section, of the depositing part of the
machinery, full size. The machine shewn is arranged for depositing seed by

page_text: seven apparatus, but machines may be made suitable for other numbers of
apparatus.
a are the shafts for a horse; b, the wheels on the axes c; one
of the wheels, by means of the cog wheel d, gives motion to the cog wheel e,
which gives motion to the cog wheel f, which gives motion to the cog wheel g
on the axis g'; there are as many cams i as there are depositing apparatus
in the machine. h, h, are connecting rods, put in motion by the cams i, each
such rod having a bend or coil in it, as shewn (see Figure 22), to obtain
clasticity in the length. Each of these connecting rods gives motion to one
of the depositing apparatus by being connected to a crank on the axis m,
which carries the instrument n, which is hollow, as indicated by the dotted
lines, and it receives within it the upper part of the lever tongue o, as is also
shewn by dotted lines. By this arrangement, as the instrument n is inclined
in one or other direction, so will the tongue be shut against and close one
or other of the hollow jaws p, q, of the depositing apparatus.
The Drawing, Figure 20, shews the tongue midway between the two jaws,
and therefore any movement of the instrument n will cause the tongue o to
approach and close the 'hollow jaw on that side. On the upper surface of the
instrument n are two holes r, s, to measure the quantity of seed to be deposited;
the holer measuring out the quantity for the hollow jaw p, and the hole s
'measuring out seed for the hollow jaw q. The seed to be deposited is placed
in the hopper or vessel t, which is fixed into the upper part of the depositing
apparatus, and such seed can ouly get to the hollow jaws by being carried by
the holes r, s, in the instrument n, there being partitions v which prevent
the flow of the seed downwards; such partitions being of elastic matter, we
use india-rubber for this purpose. The depositing of seed will be first from
one side of the tongue o, and then from the other side thereof. Thus, sup-
posing the tongue is close against the hollow jaw p, the delivery will have been
from the hollow jaw q, and there will be seed in the hollow jaw p ready to be
'deposited when the tongue moves away therefrom; and it will be seen, that at
the time the tongue is moving from the jaw p to the jaw q, the seed will be
'measured into the jaw q, the tongue o, however; coming up to that. jaw before
the seed has time to fall to the earth. w are hollow coulters, which make
furrows or channels in the land to receive the seed, and the successive
quantities of seed dropped from the jaw p and the jaw q will be at a distance
apart, one quantity from the other.
The coulters w arc each carried by a frame x, which also carries a depositing
instrument t. This frame x is connected to the machine by means of rods y, e,
by which the coulters will be free to penetrate the ground, and yet be controlled
to maintain a like vertical line. Each of the frames a has a projection a' to

page_text: receive a weight if required, and there is also a hook for a chain (1), which
chains are each connected to the spindle (2), in order to the coulters being
withdrawn from the ground when required, and as is well understood.
1
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the best means.
we are acquainted with for performing the same, we would have it under-
stood that we do not claim the separate mechanical parts shown and described
in respect to each part of our. Invention, nor do we. confine ourselves to the
details herein described, as the same may be varied, so long as the peculiar
character of any part of our Invention be retained; but what we claim is,
First, the combining engines with portable thrashing machines, so as to
allow of the boiler and its fire being separate and at a distance; we also claim
the causing of the bars of the "concave" of a thrashing machine to be fixed
to flexible bars or bands, and adjusting the diameter of the "concave" by
screws and nuts or otherwise; we also claim the means herein described of
fixing pinions of thrashing drum shafts, and also the giving motion to the
drum of a thrashing machine at both ends, as described.
Secondly, we claim the combining of three cylinders in grinding machinery
so that the intermediate one may work with either of the other two, as
explained.
Thirdly, we claim the mode of arranging machinery herein described for
cutting straw and other similar substances.
Fourthly, we claim the applying steam power to machines, used in farm
building, as herein described.
And, fifthly, we claim the means of depositing seed herein described, whereby
the seed is alternately measured and delivered, first on one side of the axis
and then on the other, by the reciprocation of the instrument u, and whereby
the seed is alternately retained and set free by the tongue, as described; we
also claim the giving motion by means of cams to parts of seed-depositing
apparatus; we also claim the means herein described of retaining the several
seed depositors at their proper positions, and yet allowing freedom of action
to each.
And we claim the mode of measuring and discharging successive quantities
of seed by a reciprocating motion given to an instrument n.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles May, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty
CHARLES (L.S.) MAY..

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirtieth day of October,
in the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid Charles May came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty.