An Improved Apparatus for Sifting or Screening and Sorting Coal, Coke, Cinders, and other Materials.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 14:h Apr., 1894-Accepted, 12th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Sifting or Screening and Sorting Coal,
Coke, Cinders, and other Materials.
I, FRANCIS GWILYM CRAWSHAY, of Highfield Cottage, Highfield, Southampton,
in the County of Hants, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
My invention relates to sifting, or screening, and sorting apparatus.
The main object of my said invention is to provide an improved apparatus of
simple construction for use in sifting, or screening coal, coke, and cinders, and
separating, or sorting same into various sizes.
In making an apparatus according to one form or modification of my invention
I provide a box or case of wood, or other suitable material, and fit a shoot-
approximately funnel shaped-on the top of same, at about the centre of the top.
I further provide a series of trays, open at the top, but with two sides, and one
closed end, the other end being pointed, more or less, and open; the bottom is
made preferably of woven wire, or rods, forming a mesh, or of a series of rods
lying parallel to each other.
Upon each corner of the said trays, on the ends, I fit a buffer of india-rubber,
or other suitable material, for the purpose hereinafter described.
The bottom and top of each tray, except the bottom, of the bottom one, is made
sloping, and the meshes of each tray vary in size.
Taking it for example that I use four such trays in my apparatus they are
suspended between four chains or the equivalent for same-to which they (the
trays) are secured at the four corners; the said chains hanging somewhat loosely
between the top and bottom of the case, to which the ends of the chains are secured,
and the trays are separated from each other, that is, there is a limited space
between each of them, at the top and bottom.
The bottom of each tray-except perhaps the bottom one-projects at one of
the two ends of the case alternately, through openings provided in the latter, the
trays are suspended upon the aforesaid chains in the case in the following
order.
The top tray will be the one in which the bottom has the largest mesh, and the
mesh of each tray will be smaller until the one next to the bottom tray will have
a mesh in size that will only pass dust, which is discharged into the bottom tray,
which has a flat close bottom and closed ends forming a complete tray or box with
open top only; or sometimes I may not fit a bottom tray but it may be arranged
that the dust shall fall to the bottom of case, from which it can be removed
at will.
To the bottom, or side of one of the upper trays-preferably the top one-I
secure one end of a lever bar, the other end projects outside of the case and the
bar pivots horizontally on a pin secured on the side of case; when the handle-or
outside end of bar-is moved backwards and forwards horizontally, all the trays
are given a like motion simultaneously and the buffers on the trays coming in
contact with corresponding buffers provided on the inside of case, the trays
move with a rebounding motion, backwards and forwards in the case.
The action of my apparatus when sifting material is as follows.
The material is delivered into the case at the aforesaid shoot and falling into the
top tray is screened into the next, and following trays, until nothing but dust is
delivered into the bottom tray, or at bottom of case; meanwhile the oscillating or

page_text: reciprocating motion given to the trays, by means of the lever mechanism above
described, added to the sloping form of the bottom of the three upper trays, causes
the material that will not pass through the bottom of a given tray to be discharged
from same at the openings provided in the sides of case-before referred to—into
bags, or receptacles provided at the openings.
For the purpose of supporting the said bags I may provide stands or brackets
on the outside of case opposite each opening.
In making my apparatus I do not confine myself to the use of any particular
number of screening trays, they may be fitted in number from one upwards, as
found most convenient, for the size of material it is desired to screen.
Dated this 4th day of January 1894.
FRANCIS GWILYM CRAWSHAY.
Herbert P. Blake,
70, High Street, Southampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Sifting or Screening and Sorting Coal,
Coke, Cinders, and other Materials.
I, FRANCIS GWILYM CRAWSHAY, of Highfield Cottage, Highfield, Southampton,
in the County of Hants, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described aud
ascertained in and by the following statement :--
My invention relates to sifting, or screening and sorting apparatus.
The main object of my said invention is to provide an improved apparatus of
simple construction for use in sifting, or screening coal, coke, and cinders, and
separating or sorting same into various sizes.
My improved apparatus is suitable for both commercial and domestic purposes
being arranged, and made in convenient sizes for the various purposes required.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1. is an outside side elevation of an apparatus constructed according to one
form or modification of my invention, adapted for commercial, or domestic use.
Fig. 2. a plan on top of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. a plan on top of Fig. 1. with the cover B, removed.
Fig. 4, a sectional side elevation taken on the line a. a.
Fig. 5, is an end view in elevation.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A, is a portable box or case which may be placed in any convenient position.
B, is a movable cover upon which I fit a hopper C.
D, D, are trays open at the top, but provided with sides, and one closed end, the
other end being pointed and open, forming a mouth J, J¹.
Although I have shewn in the drawings my apparatus fitted with two trays, it is
obvious I may make the case A of any required size, and fit any desired number
of trays in same from one upwards.
The bottom of each tray is made of woven wire forming a mesh, or of a series of
rods b, fitted parallel to each other.
Upon each end corner of the said trays I fit a buffer c, of india-rubber, or other
suitable material, and the trays are attached to, and suspended between four
chains d, d, d, d, or the equivalent for same-so as to slope more or less as desired
in one direction, the chains are secured to, and hang loosely from, rods e, e, which
extend across the top of case.
The trays may be sloped to any desired extent by simply lowering the rear end
of same upon the chains, and the distance between each tray may be similarly
regulated at will.

page_text: The mouth of each tray projects from the ends of case, alternately, as shewn
through openings provided in the latter.
The top tray will have a bottom of a large mesh, and the mesh of each tray,
according to the number used, will be smaller until the bottom one will have a mesh
that will only pass dust which is discharged into the bottom of case, or into a
portable tray E, with open top but with sides, and closed bottom, this tray can be
removed bodily with its contents from the case at the door F, when desired.
To the bottom or side of one of the trays I secure one end of a lever bar G, the
other end of which projects, through an opening, outside of the case, the lever
pivots horizontally on a pin f, secured on the side of the case, and the handle G¹,
may be arranged to fold down (see Fig. 5.) or to be disconnected at will from the
lever when not in use.
When the lever is moved backwards and forwards horizontally all the trays are
simultaneously given the like motion, and the buffers c, c, coming in contact with
corresponding buffers provided on the inside of case, or with the side of case-if the
latter buffers are not fitted-the trays move with a rebounding motion backwards
and forwards in the case.
I may sometimes fit a slide H, over the opening in top of case so as to regulate
at will the supply of material from the hopper into the top tray.
In using my apparatus the material-coal, cinders or the like-is delivered into
the case at the hopper C, the top C³, of same being removed, and the slide H, with-
drawn to the desired extent, and the material falling into the top tray is screened
into the next and following trays until nothing but dust is delivered into the tray E,
or bottom of case, meanwhile the oscillating or reciprocating motion given to the
trays, by means of the lever mechanism, above described, added to the sloping
direction of the trays, causes the material that will not pass through the bottom of
a given tray to be discharged from same at the openings J, J¹, into bags or other
receptacles provided under same.
For the purpose of supporting the said bags I may provide stands or brackets on
the ends of case, under the openings J, J'
Various modifications may be made in my apparatus without departing from the
nature of my invention.
For instance it is obvious I may operate the lever G, otherwise than by means of
the handle G', fitting and using instead thereof, if preferred, wheel gearing so that
the lever and consequently the trays will be moved backwards and forwards upon
turning a wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. An improved apparatus for sifting, or screening, and sorting coal, coke,
cinders, and other materials, all arranged, constructed and combined substantially
as described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and operating as, and
for the purpose above specified.
2nd. The combination of parts comprising the trays D, mounted in the case A,
upon chains, or their equivalent, d, d, d, d, all operating as, and for the purpose
specified.
Dated this 13th day of April 1894.
FRANCIS GWILYM CRAWSHAY.
Herbert P. Blake,
70, High Street, Southampton, Agent for the Applicant.