IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SEPARATING AND ELEVATING GRAIN
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augustus Bryant Childs, Engineer, of 481, New
Oxford Street, London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR SEPARATING AND ELEVATING GRAIN"
Sealed the 4th November 1864, and dated the 18th May 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Augustus Bryant Childs
at. the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th May 1864.
I; AUGUSTUS BRYANT CHILDS, Engineer, of 481, New Oxford Street, London,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR SEPARATING AND ELEVATING GRAIN," to be as follows:-
These improvements relate to machinery for separating from good wheat
all foreign grain and matters in general, such as oats, barley, garlic,
earths, stones, and such heavy matters, as well as sprouted, bruised, or
otherwise diseased wheat.
My first improvement consists in a machine where this operation is per-
formed by means of a succession of riddles, to which a slight to-and-fromotion
is given, and a current of air acting by exhaustion. For this purpose I
attach to the lower part of a wooden or other framing an exhausting fan,
and immediately above the same I arrange a series of riddles placed one
[Price 8d1

page_text: above the other in an inverse diagonal manner, so that the grain may fall
successively from one riddle to the other. In order to distribute equally the
grain over the surface of the first riddle, I make use of a board hung trans-
versely over such riddle, and so adjusted by means of a moveable weight that
but a small opening may be allowed between the tail of the board and the
riddle for the passage of the grain, and I do not make any perforations in this
plate until after the passage of such distributing board, whilst theperforations
commencing afterwards, are of such a size that they will allow the good wheat
to fall through, whilst stones, earths, larger grains, and elongated grain, such
as barley or oats, following the incline, fall over its extremity, and are dis-
charged from the machine. The good wheat or foreign matter which may have
escaped this first operation falls on a similar riddle placed below and slanting
in an inverse direction, and in order that such wheat and foreign matter may
be caused to pass over the whole length of such riddle, I adapt to the under
side of the first riddle, and at a short distance from same, a sheet of metal
parallel with the riddle, closing about the two first thirds of its length, the
opening or delivery end of which is nearly opposite to the highest part of the
riddle below; the grain is thus conducted over a series of riddles, where it
is separated from all matters of larger volume than itself, and finally falls
on a riddle, the perforations of which are adapted for the passage of all
grain or matter of smaller volume than the good wheat, which small grain
or matter is conducted away from the machine, whilst the good wheat follow-
ing the incline of the riddle is conducted to the exhausting apparatus. I
prefer hanging the box or frame containing these riddles to upright wooden
springs, which are directly connected with such frame by means of a bolt
protruding from the latter, and an eye attached to the upper extremity of the
said spring; and in order to communicate the requisite to-and-fro motion to
the riddles I prefer making use of an eccentric. In order to be acted on
by the exhaust the wheat is thence conducted down a vertical spout, at the
bottom of which it first strikes one inclined tail board, which partially breaks
its fall, and then a second board inclined in an opposite direction, from thence
it glides laterally into a second spout, through which the ascending column
of air is drawn by the motion of the fan, and the speed of which is regulated
so as to carry with it and separate from the good wheat all foreign grain or
matters of lesser specific gravity than the wheat.
My second improvement consists in the construction of a machine wherein
the separating process is effected by means of riddles and a blast of air. For
this purpose I also make use of a succession of riddles placed above a fan,
whereby the wheat is cleaned in the manner above stated, and from whence

page_text: it is discharged into a spout, through which an ascending current of air is
forced, the strength of said current being sufficient to carry with it all bad
wheat or foreign matter of less specific gravity than the good wheat;
which latter, after having passed through the said spout, may also be
submitted to the action of the exhaust or current of air sucked into the
fan in the manner described as regards my first improvement.
My third improvement consists in obtaining the above-mentioned results
wholly by the aid of a current of air sucked into a fan, and for this purpose
I cause the wheat to be cleansed to pass down a spout, through which a strong
column of air is sucked in by a fan, the strength of which current is, in this
case, sufficient to lift both foreign matter and diseased wheat, as well as the
good wheat, thus producing a first separation from stones, earthy matters, or
foreign substance of greater specific gravity than the wheat; and in order
subsequently to separate the diseased wheat and foreign matter from the
good wheat I cause the column of air holding these matters in suspension to
pass first over an air chamber of sufficient volume to cause the said air to
dilate and precipitate the good corn; and secondly, over a larger air
chamber where the diseased wheat and foreign matter are precipitated.
My fourth improvement consists in constructing the exhaust spouts of my
grain separators in such a manner that the grain to be cleaned is submitted
two or more times to the action of the same current of air drawn in by the
fan. For this purpose instead of allowing the wheat falleu through the
original suction spout to leave the machine I cause it to fall on an inclined
board, from whence it glides into a second spout parallel with the former,
and through which the fan also sucks a current of air.
My fifth improvement consists in the construction of a spiral fan for the
purpose of generating currents of air available either for blowing or
exhausting, and for this purpose I fit on a shaft placed concentrically in a
cylinder, open at both ends, a certain number of radiating inclined arms or
blades somewhat similar to those of a windmill, and by a rapid rotation
communicated to said shaft cause a current of air to be sucked in at one
extremity of the cylinder and driven out at the other. I propose making
use of the current of air drawn in by this machine both for the purpose of
separating grain in relation with the improvements above mentioned, as
well as for elevating grain in general.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Augustus Bryant Childs in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 18th November 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTUS
BRYANT CHILDS, Engineer, of 481, New Oxford Street, London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Herreign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Augustus Bryant Childs, Her special licence that I, the said Augustus Bryant
Childs, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Augustus Bryant Childs, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR SEPARATING AND ELEVATING GRAIN," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Augustus Bryant Childs, my executors or administra-
tors, 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 Augustus Bryant Childs, 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 (that is to say) :-
In order that my improvements be clearly understood I will proceed to
explain them with the aid of the two accompanying Sheets of Drawings,
wherein Figs. 1 to 5, Sheet 1, have reference to my first improvement;
Fig. 6 of the same Sheet to my second improvement; Fig. 1, Sheet 2, to
my third improvement; Fig. 2 of the same Sheet to my fourth improve-
ment, and Figs. 3 and 4 to my fifth improvement.
My first improvement consists in a machine where this operation is per-
formed by means of a succession of riddles, to which a slight to-and-fro motion
is given, and a current of air acting by exhaustion, For this purpose I

page_text: attach to the lower part of a wooden or other framing an exhausting fan, and
immediately above the same I arrange a series of riddles placed one above the
other in an inverse diagonal manner, so that the grain may fall successively
from one riddle to the other. In order to distribute equally the grain over
the surface of the first riddle I make use of a board hung transversely over
such riddle, and so adjusted by means of a moveable weight that but a small
opening may be allowed between the tail of the board and the riddle for the
passage of the grain, and I do not make any perforations in this plate until
after the passage of such distributing board; whilst the perforations com-
mencing afterwards are of cuch a size that they will allow the good wheat to
fall through; whilst stones, earths, larger grains, and elongated grain, such as
barley or oats, following the incline fall over its extremity, and are discharged
from the machine. The good wheat or foreign matter which may have
escaped this first operation falls on a similar riddle placed below,and slanting
in an inverse direction, and in order that such wheat and foreign matter may
be caused to pass over the whole length of such riddle I adapt to the under
side of the first riddle, and at a short distance from the same, a sheet of metal
parallel with the riddle, closing about two first thirds of its length, the
opening or delivery end of which is nearly opposite to the highest part of the
riddle below; the grain is thus conducted over a series of riddles, where it
is separated from all matters of larger volume than itself, and finally, falls
on a riddle, the perforations of which are adapted for the passage of all
grain or matter of smaller volume than the good wheat, which small grain
or matter is conducted away from the machine, whilst the good wheat
following the incline of the riddle is conducted to the exhausting apparatus.
I prefer hanging the box or frame containing these riddles to upright
wooden springs, which are directly connected with such frame by means of
a bolt protruding from the latter, and an eye attached to the upper ex-
tremity of the said spring; and in order to communicate the requisite to-
and-fro motion to the riddles I prefer making use of an eccentric. In order
to be acted on by the exhaust the wheat is thence conducted down a vertical
spout, at the bottom of which it first strikes one inclined tail board, which
partially breaks its fall, and then a second board inclined in an opposite
direction; from thence it glides laterally into a second spout, through which the
ascending column of air is drawn by the motion of the fan, and the speed of
which is regulated so as to carry with it and separate from the good wheat all
foreign grain or matters of a lesser specific gravity than the wheat.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a plan of this machine; Fig. 2, a longitudinal elevation,
in section, through line A, A, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a lateral elevation of one end

page_text: of the said machine; Fig. 4, a similar elevation of the other end, and Fig. 5,
a detailed part.
in
a, a, is the stationary framing of the machine, which can be made of wood
as shewn in the Drawing, or of iron, of appropriate shape and thickness;
the bottom part of which I adapt the fan and its tributary parts for the sepa-
ration from the wheat of the lighter impurities which have escaped the action
of the riddles, and in the upper part of which I mount a vibrating frame b, b,
containing the riddles, by means of which latter I separate from the wheat,
stones, earth, larger grains, and elongated grain, such as barley or oats, as
well as on the lower riddle a certain proportion of foreign grain, broken corn,
and other impurities of lesser volume than the wheat. Motion is imparted to
these two parts by means of the driving shaft c, provided with a fly wheel d,
the two eccentrics e, e, keyed on the said shaft, serving to give the
requisite to-and-fro motion to the riddle frame b, and the pulley f to
transmit rotary motion to the fan g by means of a belt running from the said
pulley to the pulley h fitted on the extremity of the said fan shaft; the
riddle framing b, b, is suspended on the four upright wooden springs i, i, i, i,
attached to their bottom extremity to a cross bar of the main framing a, and
connected at their upper extremities to the said riddle framing by means of a
bolt protruding from the same, on which I pass a metallic eye bolted to the
upper part of the said upright spring. I mount in the said riddle framing
any convenient number of riddles j,j, say, seven, the upper six of which have
perforations of such a size as to allow the good wheat to fall through, the
larger impurities sliding off from the extremities of such riddles; whilst the
perforations of the seventh are of such a size that the wheat passes over the said
riddle to the exhaust or suction spout of the fan, and the smaller grain and
impurities through the said riddle, from whence they fall through a spont
adapted to receive them. The wheat to be cleaned is fed on the upper riddle
jat, such part of the riddle not being perforated, and on its descent it meets
a distributing board 1, Fig. 5, hung transversely across the said riddle, and
provided with an adjustable balance weight for the purpose of allowing only
the required opening for the passage of the grain, or instead of this adjustable
balanced distributing board, I make use of a vertical board 1, Figs. 1, 2, 3,
and 4, the height of which is adjusted by hand with the screws 1, 1,; after
passing this board the wheat encounters the perforated part of the riddle,
through which it falls on to a plain sheet of metal k, having the same inclina-
tion as the riddle, from whence it is directed on to the second riddle, the
upper part of which is not perforated in order that the oats and other elon-
gated grain may, at once lay flat on such part of the riddle, and in this

page_text: position pass overthe holes in the remaining perforated part, whilst stonesand
other matter larger than the wheat pass over at the extremity of the said
riddle. It will thus be seen that by its passage through the first six alternately
inclined riddles; the wheat is purged of stones and other large matter, and
finally descends on the fine riddle; the foreign matter thus separated being
directed into two spouts m, m, Figs. 1, 3, and 4, and which can be united into
one single spout m', as shewn in dotted lines Fig. 2; by its passage over this
finer riddle it abandons through its perforations a certain proportion of
foreign grain and other impurities smaller than the wheat, which falling on
the plain metallic plate immediately below the said riddle are conducted to
the spout m², and I will here remark that by imparting a very slight motion,
not exceeding three-eighths of an inch, but a very rapid one, to the riddles, I
am enabled to effect a more perfect separation of the oats and other elongated
grain, and further, that a machine of this construction can be simply bolted to
the floor, dispensing with any other attachment, such as upright posts or
lateral bracings. The grain following throughout the incline of the riddle
falls into the spout n of the exhausting apparatus, where it first strikes a fixed
inclined board n¹ serving to break its fall, and to direct it on to an adjustable
feed board n, which directs it into the suction spout o. The height of the
board n can be regulated by the screws n³, n³, and its extremity is slightly
raised in order that the grain may be caused to enter the said suction spout
divested of downward impetus; a strong current of air is drawn up through
this spout by the action of the fan g, which said air is subsequently drawn
into the fan box by the lateral opening g', from whence it is expelled from
the machine through the conduit p in the shape of a blast, and I avail myself
of this column of air ascending the spout to separate from the good wheat
all matter of lesser specific gravity than the wheat itself, which thus cleansed
of all impurities and foreign matter, both of larger and smaller volume, as
well as of lesser specific gravity, is fit for the purposes required. The foreign
matter carried off by the exhaust is precipitated in the chamber q, from
whence it is discharged by the valve r; s is a wind valve, which can be
regulated by the adjustable weight s¹, so as to augment or diminish the
strength of the exhaust as may be required.
My second improvement consists in the construction of a machine wherein
the separating process is effected by means of riddles and a blast of air. For
this purpose I also make use of a succession of riddles placed above a fan,
whereby the wheat is cleaned in the manner above stated, and from whence
it is discharged into a spout, through which an ascending current of air is
forced, the strength of said current being sufficient to carry with it all bad

page_text: wheat or foreign matter of less specific gravity than the good wheat, which
latter, after having passed through the said spout may also be submitted to
the action of the exhaust or current of air sucked into the fan in the manner
described as regards my first improvement.
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation illustrating this arrangement of the machine.
j, j, and, are the riddles, which are fitted in an appropriate framing, to
which a to-and-fro moticn is imparted as in the machine above described, and
g the fan, with which I generate the blast thrown up the pipe p. The wheat
to be operated on is fed in at, on the upper riddle j, which is provided with a
distributing board as in the machine above described, and through the per-
forations of which the good grain falls on to the blank metallic sheet / below,
which conducts it to the blank incline t, which latter directs it on to the
second riddle, whilst the impurities larger than the wheat pass off at the
end of the riddle. The action of this second riddle is similar to the first, and
on leaving the blank metallic plate situated under this second riddle, the
wheat is conducted over a third riddle provided with perforations smaller
than the wheat, through which the smaller impurities are separated, and con-
ducted away from the machine through the spout m². The wheat thus
separated from matters both of larger and smaller volume than itself, falls
into the blast pipe p, and if requisite the entry of such pipe can be provided
with a regulating feed board as shewn by n², Fig. 2. The blast or ascending
curront of air driven up this pipe by the fan is of such strength as to carry
with it all matter of lesser specific gravity than the wheat, which latter
unaffected by the said blast falls through the spout p¹ to an appropriate
chamber provided as in the former machine with a valve admitting the exit of
wheat, whilst it excludes the entry of the air. The number of riddles fitted
in this machine can be augmented as may be desired. If required the blank
metallic plate k can be dispensed with, and the grain allowed to fall direct on
the blank metallic plate t, and in such case in order to separate chaff from
the wheat during its descent from the riddle j to the plate t, I divert on it.
from the column of air ascending the spout p a certain amount of blast by
turning the wind board x in the direction indicated by the dotted lines;
and in order to separate seed and smaller grain from the chaff I cause the
said blast to turn into the elbow pipe p³, where by coming in contact with
the check board y such seed and smaller grain are caused to fall through
the opening z, whilst the lighter matter or chaff is expelled with the blast
issuing at p³.
My third improvement consists in obtaining the above-mentioned results
wholly by the aid of a current of air.sucked into a fan, and for this;
purpose
1

page_text: cause the wheat to be cleaned to pass down a spout, through which a strong
column of air is sucked in by a fan, the strength of which current is in this
case sufficient to lift both foreign matter and diseased wheat, as well as the
good wheat, thus producing a first separation from stones, earthy matters, or
foreign substance of greater specific gravity than the wheat; and in order sub-
sequently to separate the diseased wheat and foreign matter from the good
wheat I cause the column of air holding these matters in suspension to pass
first over an air chamber of sufficient volume to cause the said air to dilate
and precipitate the good corn, and secondly, over a larger air chamber where
the diseased wheat and foreign matter are precipitated.
Fig. 1, Sheet 2, represents a sectional elevation of this machine. * is a
hopper, in which I feed the corn to be cleaned, and from whence it falls into
the suction pipe o, and the entry into such pipe can, if requisite, be provided
with a regulating feed board, as specified with regard to my first improve-
ment, and by means of the fan g I cause a strong current of air to be drawn
through the said suction pipe, which is eventually expelled at p; the strength
of this current being sufficient to raise not only all the lighter impurities, but
the wheat itself, whilst the stones and heavier impurities, unaffected by this
current, fall to the ground, thus producing a first separation of all matter
heavier than the good grain itself. In order to separate subsequently the
good grain from the smaller or lighter impurities I cause the current of air
to pass over a first chamber q provided with a regulating valve s, where the
wheat is precipitated, and I lastly precipitate the foreign grain and other
smaller impurities still suspended in the air by causing the said current to
pass over a second and larger chamber 2¹ also provided with a regulating
valve s; the air thus divested of all matter but chaff and dust is ultimately
expelled through the conduit p; both these chambers q and q' are provided
with outlet valves r similar to the one above described.
My fourth improvement consists in constructing the exhaust spouts of my
grain separators in such manner that the grain to be cleaned is submitted
two or more times to the action of the same current of air drawn in by the
fan. For this purpose instead of allowing the wheat fallen through the
original suction spout to leave the machine I cause it to fall on an inclined
board, from whence it glides into a second spout parallel with the former,
and through which the fan also sucks a current of air.
"
Fig. 2, Sheet 2, serves to illustrate the construction of this machine.
The wheat to be cleaned is spouted on the extremity of its inclined cover,
and on its passage down the said cover is spread to the entire width of the
board by means of the cleats u, u, from thence it descends the spout u¹ and

page_text: enters the first suction spout o, where the ascending column of air generated
by the fan g carries with it the majority of foreign matter of less specific
gravity than the wheat, which latter after having been submitted to this
first operation passes through the opening ², and enters the second suction
spout o¹, where it is again submitted to the action of the air entering the
machine and cleansed of the remaining impurities which might have escaped
the action of the first suction spout. The impurities carried off in both these
cases are precipitated in the chamber q, and in the manner above mentioned
with regard to the previous machines, the said chamber being provided with
the requisite outlet and wind valves as above specified with regard to the
above-mentioned machines. I do not limit myself to the use of two suction
pipes only, as it is evident that a greater number can be made use of by
merely multiplying the parts above mentioned.
My fifth improvement consists in the construction of a spiral fan for the
purpose of generating currents of air available either for blowing or
exhausting, and for this purpose I fit on a shaft placed concentrically in a
cylinder open at both ends a certain number of radiating inclined arms or
blades somewhat similar to those of a windmill, and by a rapid rotation com-
municated to such shaft cause a current of air to be sucked in at one
extremity of the cylinder and driven out at the other. I propose making use
of the current of air drawn in by this machine both for the purpose of sepa-
rating grain in relation with the improvements above mentioned, as well as
for elevating grain in general.
Fig. 3 is a plan in section, and Fig. 4 an elevation partly in section, of this
part of my Invention.
v is a cylindrical case, through which I cause the grain to be raised by
means of an ascending column of air generated by the rapid rotation of the
spiral fans g turning in the direction of the arrow. This case can be placed
vertically or diagonally as may be required; the vanes or blades g can be set
at any distance apart, and secured by set screws as indicated, whilst as they
are capable of being turned on their axis and set by means of screws
indicated; they can be made to assume any angle appropriate to the distance
they are set apart. w is a cone fixed to the driving shaft, against which the
grain that is raised strikes, and the shape of which serves to direct the said
grain away from the cylinder, and thus prevent its re-falling into the same.
Having thus explained my different improvements and the best means
that I am acquainted with for putting the same into practice, I claim as of
my Invention,-
Firstly, the arrangement and action of the riddles placed above the fan in

page_text: alternately inclined directions, together with the distributing board and blank
conducting surfaces, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1.
Secondly, the manner above described of jointing the upright wooden
springs by means of metallic bolts and eyes, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1.
Thirdly, the arrangement and construction of machine above described
and illustrated by Fig. 6, Sheet 1, for cleaning wheat by means of a series
of alternately inclined riddles and a blast of air.
Fourthly, the arrangement and construction of machine above described
and illustrated by Fig. 1, Sheet 2, for cleaning wheat without the use of
riddles, and solely by means of a current of air.
Fifthly, the arrangement and construction of the machine above described
and illustrated by Fig. 2, Sheet 2, wherein the same current of air engen-
dered by a single fan is made to act twice or a greater number of times on
the corn to be cleaned.
And, sixthly, the construction of the apparatus above described and illus-
trated by Figs. 3 and 4, Sheet 2, for generating currents of air available
either for blowing, exhausting, or elevating grain.
In witness whereof, I, the said Augustus Bryant Childs, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of November, iu the year of
our Lord Oue thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
D. H. BRANDON.
A. B. CHILDS. (L.S.)