IMPROVEMENTS IN THRASHING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE DECIFICATION,
I, CUSTAV WERTHER of N° 5 Körnerstrasse, Dresden, in the Empire of Germany,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN THRASHING MACHINES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In thrashing machines fitted with straw shakers as at present constructed and
arranged no effective provision is made for retaining the straw as it issues from
beneath the beaters, a sufficiently long time in contact with the shakers; or for
loosening and opening it while undergoing agitation by the said shakers. A con-
siderable quantity of valuable seed is consequently carried out of the machine by,
with and within the straw, and lost. Various attempts have been made to remedy
this defect but hitherto without success.
It is the object of the present invention to provide simple and efficient means
for ensuring the proper separation of the seeds from the straw before the latter
leaves the machine, and to this end the invention consists in the adaptation to
thrashing machines fitted with straw shaking devices, of a series of rotating spokes
or tines mounted upon a shaft or axle arranged transversely of the straw shakers,
which spokes or tines pressing against the straw will retard its passage over the
shakers to the desired extent, and at the same time spread and loosen it while
being shaken, thus permitting the seeds to drop between the shaking bars before
the straw issues from the machine.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing in which Fig. 1 is a
longitudinal sectional elevation of part of a thrashing machine of ordinary con-
struction with my automatic straw retarder and separator applied thereto, and
Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 1, 2 of Fig. 1.
A is the feeding hopper, B the drum carrying the rotary beaters, C the concave
between which and the beaters the straw is forced, D the longitudinal shakers over
which the straw delivered from the beating drum passes, E a transverse deflecting
board or screen for keeping down the straw as it passes over the shakers, and F is
the automatic straw retarder and separator.
This automatic straw separator and retarder F consists of a series of spokes or
tines projecting radially from a shaft f¹ mounted in bearings transversely of the
shakers D, and on a level or nearly so with the lower edge of the fixed straw
deflector E. The several sets of radial spokes or tines which are fast on the shaft f¹
may be mounted so that the spokes or tines in each set will be strictly in line, but
they are preferably arranged so that each set has a slight lead with respect to the
adjacent set on one side, the several sets together forming a scrow as indicated in
Fig. 2.
One set of spokes or tines f for each set of bars d in the straw shaker D, has
been found sufficient for the end in view, but the number and arrangement of the
sets of spokes or tines is capable of variation to suit varying conditions. As shewn
in the drawing each set consists of two spokes only and can be made by simply

page_text: thrusting a rod or bar through a hole in the shaft f and securing it therein by
screw nuts or other suitable means.
The straw discharged by the drum B and deflected by the board E presses against
the downwardly projecting spokes or tines ff and is retarded by them in its
progress over the shaking bars d d or their equivalent, until the force exerted by
the succeeding straw overcomes the resistance offered to the rotation of the shaft f¹
and causes it to rotate automatically and present a fresh set or sets of opening or
separating spokes or tines to the mass of straw. The straw which is thus simul-
taneously retarded in its progress over the shakers and opened out by the spokes or
tines, is thus exposed in the best condition and for a sufficient length. of time to
the action of the shakers to effect the removal therefrom of the grain or seeds
contained therein, before it issues from the machine.
In order to vary the resistance to rotation offered by the shaft fits ends are
journaled in wooden bearings which can be tightened upon them by means of
screws ff, or their equivalent. For instance a ratchet wheel and spring pawl or
trigger may be used, or spring friction arms, or an adjustable band brake. By thus
enabling the resistance to rotation to be accurately adjusted, the straw or fibro may
be retained in contact with and subject to the action of the shakers a longer or
shorter time as desired.
By means of this improved automatic straw stopper or retarder, the straw is
prevented from being driven to the outer end of the shakers by the momentum
acquired in its passage under the rotating beaters, and thus leaving the machine
before it is properly shaken.
It is on the contrary retardod throughout its length by the intercepting and
opening or separating action of the tines or spokes and exposed over their total
Jength in an opened state to the action of the shaking bars, thereby allowing the
enclosed seeds or grain time and opportunity to drop through and be collected
within the machine. In some cases the spoked shaft F might be driven at a
determined velocity, but the arrangement shown is preferred, being simpler and
fully answering the end in view.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The adaptation to thrashing machines, of means substantially as described for
retarding the progress of the straw in its passage over the shaking bars or their
equivalent, and for opening or loosening the straw while so retarded, whereby the
straw undergoes a more effectual shaking than heretofore and is freed from seeds
before leaving the machine.
2. In a thrashing machine the combination with the shaking bars or their
equivalent and a deflecting board or screen, such as E, for holding down the straw
upon the shakers as it issues from the beating drum, of a series or set of movable
spokes or tines arranged to intercept and retard the straw in its progress over the
shakers, and means for varying the resistance offered to the straw by the said
movable spokes or tines, substantially as set forth.
3. In a thrashing machine the combination with the straw shakers or their
equivalent, of an automatically rotating spoked shaft for retarding the progress of
the straw over the shakers, and for opening and separating it while exposed to the
action of the said shakers, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 6th dove of October 1884