IMPROVEMENTS: IN MACHINES FOR THRESHING SEEDS AND GRAINS, AND FOR CLEANING THEM FROM THE STRAW AND CHAFF AFTER THEY ARE THRESHED, WHICH HE DESIGNATES AS PALMER'S AMERICAN SEED AND GRAIN THRESHER AND WINNOWER.
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Russell Palmer, of Elizabeth City,
Pasquotunk County, North Carolina, in the United States, now
residing in the City and State of New York, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS: IN MACHINES FOR THRESHING SEEDS AND GRAINS,
AND FOR CLEANING THEM FROM THE STRAW AND CHAFF AFTER THEY
ARE THRESHED, WHICH HE DESIGNATES AS PALMER'S AMERICAN SEED
AND GRAIN THRESHER AND WINNOWER.'”
Sealed the 6th October 1853, and dated the 11th April 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Russell
Palmer at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 11th April 1853.
I, WILLIAM RUSSELL PALMER, do hereby declare the nature of the
5 said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THRESHING SEEDS
AND GRAINS, AND FOR CLEANING THEM FROM THE STRAW AND CHAFF AFTER
THEY ARE THRESHED, WHICH I DESIGNATE AS PALMERS AMERICAN SEED AND
GRAIN THRESHER & WINNOWER," to be as follows:-

page_text: The great and distinguishing feature of iny threshing machine con-
sists in its being so contrived, and. constructed and arranged, that it
can be easily and quickly adapted to the threshing of all kinds of seeds
and grains (excepting Indian corn), from the smaller & finer seeds, as
flax and grass seed, to the coarser & larger grains, as barley and
peas, and also to the threshing of the same kind of seed or grain under
different circumstances, as when it may be damp or shrunken, or, on the
other hand, when the straw is dry, and the kernel plump. If desired,
also, the grain can be cracked or mashed at the same time it is
threshed. My thresher is also peculiarly fitted for the threshing of
rice.
The adaptability of my thresher to the threshing of different kinds
of seeds and grains, and in each case with equal success, is attained
and secured by a principle of adjustment applied to the rotaries &
rubbers of my thresher, as hereafter explained.
Instead of a revolving drum, whether plain or provided with spikes,
such as are used in ordinary threshing machines, I make the revolving
part of my machine in the general likeness of a wheel, having no
felloes or tire. To the centre of the wheel, immoveably fixed to the
shaft, and which part I term a drum, I attach a series of arms or
spokes, made of round or roundish iron, & fitting, by means of
grooves & collars made on them, into corresponding recesses in the
drum, so as to be permanent and secure against being thrown off by
centrifugal force. The drum and its radiating arms, both of which I
include under the general term of revolving rotaries, revolve in a
circular case or box, somewhat broader than the rotaries, which box
contains the rubbers, between which and the rotaries the grain is made
to pass, and by the combined action of which it is threshed. These
rubbers are attached to each inner side of the box, at some little dis-
tance from each other, and so arranged on the opposite sides of the
box or case, that the rubbers of one series on one side are opposite
the spaces between the rubbers of the series on the opposite side.
These rubbers have furrowed surfaces, similar to the furrows upon mill
stones, and are so contrived, as to the manner of attaching them to the
sides of the box or case, that they can be set at any required distance
A

page_text: from the track in which, the rotaries revolve. When small seeds or
grains are to be threshed, the rubbers are moved towards the track
of the rotaries, so as almost to touch them, while, in the case of the
threshing of large and coarser grains, the distance between the rotaries
& the rubbers will require to be proportionately increased.
I also feed the grain into my thresher from the side, and not at the
front, as is the usual method, so that the person feeding the machine is
protected against any accident which might occur from any possible.
separation of the rotaries from the drum.
Actual experiment has also proved that my thresher will accomplish
more labor in a given time, & with a given power, than other
machines generally in use; and it is also found that a great saving in
the quantity of grain is effected, as my machine threshes much cleaner
than others.
To my threshing machine I also attach, if desired, a straw separator
and grain cleaner, receiving motion from a pulley on the shaft of the
thresher, by which I am enabled to clean the seed or grain as fast as
it is threshed, and deposit it in bags, or in any receptacle provided for
that purpose.
The general benefits of my thresher and winnower are, that an
increased quantity of grain can be threshed by it, over other threshing
machines; that it threshes the grain a great deal more effectually
and cleanly; that no accidents can happen from its use; that the
grain can be cleaned from the straw & chaff as fast as it is threshed;
and that the same machine will thresh all kinds of seeds and grains,
except Indian corn.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Russell Palmer, in the Great Seal
Patent Office, on the 11th October 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM RUSSELL PALMER, of Elizabeth City, Pasquotunk County,
North Carolina, in the United States, now residing in the City and
State of New York, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of April, A.D. 1853,
in the 16th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Russell Palmer,
Her special license that I, the said William Russell Palmer, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Russell Palmer, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR THRESHING
SEEDS AND GRAINS, AND FOR CLEANING THEM FROM THE STRAW AND CHAFF
AFTER THEY ARE THRESHED, WHICH INVENTION WAS DESIGNATED AS PALMERS
AMERICAN SEED AND GRAIN THRESHER AND WINNOWER," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said William Russell Palmer, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 William Russell Palmer, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, Plate I. & II., and to the letters of reference
marked thereon, the same letters referring to the same part or parts
of the machine in the different figures.
Plate 1, exhibits a plan of my rotary threshing machine, showing
views of its different parts, and also of different ways of constructing
portions of it. Plate 11, shows the winnower in combination with the
thresher, exhibiting the method of its connexion and the manner of its
working with the thresher.
One great and important feature of my invention or machine consists
in its being so contrived and arranged that it can be easily and readily

page_text: adapted to the threshing of any and every kind of seed or grain, (ex-
cepting Indian corn,) from the smaller and finer seeds, as flax and grass
seeds, to the larger and coarser grains, as wheat, barley, and peas; and
also in its being well adapted to threshing the same kind of grains, under
different circumstances, whether the straw is damp and the grain'shrunk,
or the straw dry and the kernel ripe and plump. This end is attained
by the plan or contrivance of of adjustment applied to the rotary part
of my machine, and the rubbers, as will hereafter be fully explained.
My thresher is also peculiarly adapted to the threshing of rice.
The nature of my Invention consists in the combination of rotary
flails a, a, a, a, with adjustable rubbers 3, 3, 3, 3, so arranged in respect
to each other on the opposite sides of the trough or flail case in which
the flails rotate, that the seed or grain to be threshed is driven by the
rotating flails alternately from side to side of the flail case, and acted
upon successively by the rubbers attached to the opposite sides of the
flail case.
The framework of my machine I usually make of strong upright
posts, six in number, three at each end, b, b, b, b, b, b, and connected by
lengthwise framing b. 1, b. 1, b. 1, and well strengthened by braces. The
arrangement of the framework may, however, be varied according to
the size and locality of the machine; and, where great economy
of material is desirable, only a single set of upright posts need be
used, in which case they should be placed nearly central, lengthwise
with the machine, so as to furnish a support for the shaft of the rotating
flails a, a, a, a; and these posts should also extend above the hood f,
and have cross-framing at top and bottom. Such an arrangement of
frame-work is represented in Fig. 6, Pl. I, the upper part of the frame-
work and of the hood being removed.
For ordinary purposes the thresher and winnower, and their adjuncts,
may be made upon the scale indicated in the drawings, though this
scale may be varied according to the particular use to which the
machines are to be applied, and according to the quantity of power
to be used. When a machine is designed for threshing a particular
kind of grain, or the lighter kinds of grains, it may be smaller, and not
as strongly built as in other cases; while in one of my double machines

page_text: which has two sets of rotating flails, between which should be placed
a.fly-wheel of considerable weight, the whole machine will of necessity
have to be built both stronger and larger.
To the middle of the cross framing b. 1, b. 1, or to the posts in Fig. 6,
Pl. I, is attached the flail shaft 1, constructed with three journals,
which turn in suitable pillow blocks b. 3, b. 3, b. 3, secured by the cross-
framing b. 1, b. 1, b. 1.
To a part of the shaft between two of the framings b. 1, b. 1, is attached
a belt pulley b. 2, by which motion is communicated to the shaft from
any convenient-and suitable power, and from which I generally prefer
to give the rotaries a velocity of about 1500 revolutions a minute,
though. the speed may be varied according to the kind and condition
of the grain. Upon this part of the shaft is also put a grooved pulley X,
Fig. 1, Pl. 1, not quite as large as the driving pulley b. 2, from which
motion is communicated by a round band to the winnower and fanning
mill. A similar grooved pulley may also be put on the shaft to fill
some wanted use, such as to move a light roller way, to run the bundles
through a trough hopper towards the thresher as fast as the bands
are cut, or for any other contrivance to lighten labor.
.
To that part of the shaft between the other cross-frames is attached the
drum C, in which are inserted and fastened the rotating flails, a, a, a, a,
by means of the two rubber rollers, 1, 2, Pl. II, Fig. 1, at the end of
the thresher, and which move up and down in the frame-work Y. I
am enabled at pleasure to tighten or loosen the band passing over the
pulley b. 2.
When the drum is solid and made of metal, the flails should screw
-into it for the distance of three or four inches with a deep cut screw;
and, when deemed necessary, the flails may also in such case have an
additional fastening, by means of a key passing through the drum and
flail, or by means of a side wedge, fitting in a groove, partly in the
drum and partly in the fail.,
:
The drum may also be made of wood; in which case I generally
fasten the flails by means of a head or burr on the inner end of the
flail, and fitting to the periphery of the drum, as shewn in Fig. 7, Pl. I.
The drum may also be constructed as shown in Figs. 2, & 4, Pl. 1,

page_text: .
where it is composed of two half-drums, so formed each. with semi-
circular.recesses in the hub and tire, as to receive and hold, when placed
together, the flails a, a, a, a.
"
The two half sections are firmly bolted together by screws passing
through the arms; and thus the flails, fitting by means of their grooves
and collars in the recesses of the tire and hub, are firmly held in
position, and rendered incapable of being dislodged or thrown out by
centrifugal force. I prefer this latter plan of building the drum,
though any plan may be adopted which will make the flails perfectly
firm and safe. :
The flails are generally made of round iron, varying in size, accord-
ing to the particular proposed use of the machine, from a diameter of
half an inch to that of an inch and a half, or even greater.
The number of flails may also be increased, though for all ordinary
and practical purposes I esteem four to be enough; and they may also
be made of square bars of iron, with the corners taken off, so as to
assimilate their shape to a round.
The series of flails or rotaries revolve in the direction indicated by
the arrows, Plate 1, Figs. 2, & 4, and Pl. II. Fig. 1, in a trough
or flail case e, placed within the framing b. This flail case may be
made either of wood or metal, and may be firmly attached to the
frame work, or it may be so constructed that it can be easily discon-
nected and removed.
г
In Fig. 2, Pl. I, and Fig. 1, Pl. II, f, is a hood or upper half of the
flail case, resting upon and secured to the framing b, & b. 1, by means
of hooks 3. a, 3. a, or in any other convenient manner. This hood protects
the rotaries, prevents accidents, and regulates, when desired, the point
of exit of the threshed grain, and conducts it to the winnower, hereafter
more particularly described.
Upon the inner. sides of the flail case e, are attached the beaters
2, 3, 2, 3, Pl. I, Fig. 2. These beaters are generally, four in number
on each side of the trough, and the two series on the opposite sides of
the trough are so arranged with respect to each other that the beaters
on one side are opposite the spaces between the beaters of the other

page_text: series. These beaters are triangularly shaped, having their broadest
ends towards the circumference of the flail case, and are separated
from each other by a space of about three or four inches. The
adjustible rubbers 3, 3, are separated from each other by spaces about
once and a half or twice their own width.
The beaters are composed of two parts, a flanch 2, and a rubber 3,
both of which have uneven or mill-like furrowed surfaces, the particular
construction of which will be hereafter explained.
The flanch 2, is firmly and permanently secured to the sides of the
flail case e, and has upon the side of it next to the rubber a flange,
which projects so far as the thickness of the rubber, and which tends to
prevent any straw, grain, or any foreign matter, from passing under the
rubber when in any of its various conditions of adjustment.
Between the flanch 2, and the rubber 3, there is a small space or
opening, directly underneath or behind which I make two or three
openings through the sides of the flail case; by means of which ar-
rangement I obtain a current of air from the outside, and directly
upon the grain while being threshed whenever the rotaries are put
in motion. The use of this current or blast of air will be alluded to
hereafter.
Near to the flanch 2, and on the side having the flanch, I place a
rubber 3, Pl. 1, Figs. 2, 8, to which is attached set screws, 4, 4, 4, 4,
Pl. 1, Figs. 2, 4, 8, 9, & Pl. II, Fig. 1, by means of which the face
of the rubber may be set at any required distance from the track in
which the rotaries revolve. These screws pass through the sides of the
trough e, and are acted on by a nut on the outside, working against a
small iron plate, as shewn in Fig. 1, Pl. II. By means of these screws
and their nuts, and the small blocks, Fig. 10, Pl. I, the rubbers are
moved and kept at any required distance from the rotaries, according to
the size and character of the grain to be threshed. When the small
and finer seeds are to be threshed, the rubbers should be brought nearer
the rotaries; and when the machine is to be used for threshing the
coarser grains, the space between the rotaries and the rubbers must be
enlarged.
.

page_text: The blocks Fig. 10, are inserted between the flail case and rubber
3, through the cross opening x Fig. 1, Pl. II, and are moved to any
required position, where they are held by the screws of the rubber
being tightened upon them. These blocks are made with a flattened
metal projection or handle V, Fig10, which enables them to be easily
moved, and which also acts as a guard or support for other plates
which may be added to them to increase their thickness, according to
the increased space made between the flail case and the rubbers in
their different conditions of adjustment.
The rubbers 3, may be adjusted in various ways other than that before
described, two modes of which are represented in the drawings, one
in Fig. 3, & 4, and the other in Fig. 6, Pl. I.
In the plan represented in Fig. 4, Pl. I., I make use of two iron plates
or sectors 5, & 6, which are attached to the outer sides of the flail
case e, and firmly bolted thereto. These plates do not, however, rest
upon the sides of the flail case, but are kept about two or three inches
therefrom by means of short columns C. 1, C. 1, Figs. 3, & 4, placed
between them and the sides of the flail case; through these columns
pass the screws which fasten the plates. When this plan is adopted,
the rubbers are adjusted by means of the two nuts on each screw
attached to the rubber, one nut taking the outside of the flail case,
and the other nut taking the back of the plate or sector.
In this arrangement I generally prefer that the rubber should have
two screws at its broader end, Figs. 3, & 4; and I also use, at the
same end, a block, Fig. 10, to ensure a greater stability to the rubber.
In the plan represented in Fig. 6, Pl. I, all the rubbers on one side of
the flail case are cast solid with and made a part of an iron plate p, the
whole of which is adjustible by means of the central screw and
crank p. 1, and the screw attached to each end. Each screw has two
nuts, one taking the inside of the side piece o, and the other nut
taking the outside of the same piece. The central screw is attached to
the plate p, by a shoulder and head or burr on the inner side of the
plate, and is worked by a crank through the cross piece, and in a nut
attached to the outer surface of the flail case e; it has a thread cut upon

page_text: it its entire length and by it the whole plate, with its rubbers, is moved
nearer to or farther from the rotaries, where it is retained by the screws
and nuts attached to the ends of the plate.
In this arrangement but a single flanch is made use of on each side
of the flail case, and this is placed at that end of the plate p, with
which the rotaries first come in. contact..
Another method of adjustment may be made use of by having the
rubbers made permanent upon the sides of the flail case, and inserting
different sized rotaries in the drum according to the grain to be
threshed, in which arrangement the finer and smaller the grain the
larger must be the rotary, to more nearly fill the space between the
opposite rubbers.
In another method of adjustment the rubbers are firmly fixed to the
sides of the flail case e, and then the whole side of the flail case is
moyed nearer to or at a greater distance from the rotaries.
In such a case the length of the axle or shaft between its bearings on
the sides of the the flail case will be diminished or increased in length
in proportion as the sides of the flail case are brought nearer together,
or moved farther apart.
.
Other ways of adjustment may be devised and used, but the particu-
lar plan is of but little importance so long as the device or principle re-
mains the same.
In cases, also, where threshers are desired for threshing a particular
kind of grains and seeds of about the same size, and where cheapness
of construction is sought, I construct them with the same formation
and combination of the rotaries and rubbers, but without having any of
the parts adjustible, in which case they are none the less effective, but
cannot thresh grains of very different character or sizes.
The rubbers 3, 3, 3, 3, and the flanches 2, 2, 2, 2, have both uneven
or furrowed surfaces, as represented in Plate 1, Fig. 2, and also more fully
in Fig. 8, Plate 1. The shape of the furrows or grooves upon them is
somewhat peculiar, and is the result. of design and experiment in refer-
ence to the particular use for which they are intended. Fig. 8, shows
an end view of the rubber and flanch..
:

page_text: nor serrated or tooth shaped as www, but somewhat as fol-
lows, the depression on one side of the groove
being nearly right angled to the surface, while the angle on the other
side is much more obtuse, and the inclination longer and easier. The
rotaries, when in motion, move up these inclines, and not down them,
and strike first the highest point of the rubber, and then fall or
vibrate into the groove, and then pass up the inclined part of the next
highest point, and so on from one groove to another.
By this means, and particularly by the sudden concussion given the
straw by the fall or vibration of the rotary from the top to the bottom
of the groove, the grain is separated from the husk, while at the same
time the kernel is not broken or crushed, nor the grain thus injured for
inarketable purposes. If the rotaries, however, are made to revolve in
a contrary direction, passing down the inclines and striking directly
against the perpendicular surfaces of the grooves, the grain, though it
will be threshed none the less effectually, will be very much broken and
crushed.
I am aware that it has been attempted to use waving surfaces in
connection with a revolving drum, but these waving surfaces have
generally been placed at or near the outer periphery or circumference
of the drum, or so that the periphery of the drum should act upon
the waving surfaces; but rubbers and beaters have never before been
constructed, as I have been able to learn, in the manner above illus-
trated and explained, nor have they ever before been so contrived and
arranged as that by them a thresher could be adapted to the threshing
of different kinds of seeds and grains.
The grain or seed to be threshed is fed at the sides of the machine,
and not in front of the revolving part, as is usually done in the various
threshing machines now in use. It may be fed in by means of hoppers
of any convenient shape, which may be placed on either or on both,
or on but one side of the machine. I prefer, however, that the grain
should be fed on both sides.

page_text: The grain is carried by the rotaries down into the flail case e, where
it is subjected to the action of the rotaries upon the rubbers; and the
operation of threshing completed.
In ordinary cases, except when the straw separator and winnower is
attached to and used with the thresher, the grain, when threshed, is
discharged at 7, the opposite aperture k, in such case being closed
with a slide k. 1, Plate II, Fig. 1. But if the straw separator and
winnower are used with the thresher 1, is closed by a slide, and the
threshed grain is discharged at h.
In cases also where grain, as wheat, is affected with smut, I make
the point of exit of the threshed grain at k, thus requiring it to make
the entire circuit of the flail case e, and hood f; and generally, when
the grain is smutty, I do not attempt to clean it at the same time it is
threshed, and therefore do not use the winnower.
From experiment I find that I am thus enabled the more effectually
to remove, and frequent trial has demonstrated that grain affected to a
considerable extent with smut, when simply threshed in my rotary
threshing machine, is more completely cleansed from the taint than
when run through ordinary smut machines.
The manner in which my thresher acts so satisfactorily and
wonderfully in the removal of smut, I conceive to be something as
follows:-
Allusion has before been made to the relative situation of the
flanches 2, 2, and the rubbers 3, 3; that there was a small space left
between them, underneath or behind, which openings were made in the
sides of the flail case e. Whenever the rotaries revolve, a constant
current of air is put in motion through such openings, and between the
flanches and rubbers, which acts directly upon the grain while it is
being threshed. The threshing is, in fact, equivalent to a hard and
continued rubbing of the grain between the rotaries and the rubbers,
which would of itself tend to remove or loosen the smut from the grain;
and so long as the operation is going on a constant stream of air is
acting upon the grain, and the combined result of the two operations
is to remove almost entirely all the smutty particles.

page_text: This end is also secured more completely by having the opening 1,
closed, and forcing the grain. to be discharged at ; the rapid revolution
of the rotaries imparting such a velocity to the straw and grain, as to
cause them, when discharged from the machine, to be both carried
some distance from it, wholly separated to a very great extent from
each other.
The current of air coming in through the openings behind the
rubbers, and that created by the rotaries themselves, form thus a con-
tinued blast acting upon the grain, the natural effect of which is to
remove particles of smut, or of any other kind of dirt which may be
in contact with the kernel; and this end will be more completely
attained if the thresher, while in operation, can be so placed (which I
always do when it is possible), that a strong cross current of air can
be made to act upon the straw and grain after it is discharged from the
machine.
In ordinary threshing machines the grain and straw are usually all
thrown together, and the smut, which has been broken by the operation
of threshing, is thus more likely to affect the whole mass; while in
my thresher the strong and continued air currents which act upon the
straw and grain have a natural tendency to separate the two, and clean
the grain from smut and dirt as well as from straw.
From the peculiar construction of my thresher, I am also able to
thresh grain without injureing or breaking the straw.
This end is very
desirable, particularly in the neighbourhood of cities, and everywhere
where straw is valuable for other purposes than fodder or litter. When
it is desirable thus to preserve the straw for marketable or other
purposes, when long straw is required, the straw is not permitted to
pass into and through the flail case e, but only the grain end is applied
and acted on by them, the other end of the straw being retained in the
grasp of the operator. Any kind of grain may be threshed in this
manner, and generally I prefer to thresh flax in this manner, and
without having the straw pass through the machine.
Whenever grain is threshed in this manner, the machine will, of
course, accomplish a less amount of labor in any given time, but the

page_text: actual power required to separate the grain from the straw is so much
less than that needed in the other way of threshing, that a fly wheel
with a crank, and turned by hand, will effect nearly as much as a single
horse power when the straw is fed into the machine. When grain
is thus threshed so as to preserve the straw, the threshing is not
effected by the contact of the rubbers with the rotaries, but by means
of the rapid and violent blows of the revolving rotaries applied
directly upon the seed ends and heads of the grain.
When it is desired to clean the grain at the same time it is threshed,
I attach to my thresher a winnower, as represented in Pl. II., con-
sisting of a straw separator and fanning mill. These are attached to
that end of the machine at which the grain is fed into the thresher, as
represented in Pl. II., Fig. 1. The straw separator is made of the
same width with the thresher, and consists of a long trough m, within
which is a wire grating, the arrangement of which is shewn in the
drawing by dotted lines. The trough m, is, in fact, but a continuation
of the hood f, and the two are generally made as one part.
The straw and grain are both thrown off near the top of the ex-
tended hood into the long trough m, but are prevented from being
thrown too far by the descending hood or curve 7, as shown by the
dotted lines in the side elevation, Pl. II., Fig. 1.
The grain and straw, having been thrown into the trough m, fall on
the wire grating z,.placed towards the bottom of the trough m. This
grating runs the whole length of the trough, and each alternate wire
is bent up, as shown in the Figure, so as to make a series of in-
clines, which shall keep shoving the straw towards and out of the
end of the trough furtherest from the thresher. The trough m, rests on
rollers on the top of the winnower, and has a vibrating motion given
to it from the blower of the winnower by means of the crank o, Pl. II.,
Fig. 1, & Pl. II., Fig. 2; N; which is attached by connecting bars at
one end to the trough m, and at the other end to a crank pin p
Pl. II., Fig. 1, in the blower pulley, the fulcrum being formed by a
bracket r, Pl. II., Fig. 1, from the winnower.
By the motion given to the trough m, the straw is carried off at the

page_text: extreme end, and the grain falls through the: wire grating 2, and into
hopper boards s, s, (Fig. 1, Pl. II., in each end of the lower part of the
trough, and passes through a screen t; Pl. II., Fig. 3, of about inch
mesh, and through a riddle u, Pl. II., Fig. 3, of finer mesh into the
winnower, riddles of different sized meshes being used for different
grains.
The blower of the winnower is driven by a band 8, running from a
small pulley on the thresher shaft, so as to diminish its speed; and,
passing through sheaves v, v, Figs. 1, & 3, Pl. II., and then around a
large pulley w, w, on the blower shaft. Upon the blower shaft I gene-
rally have two or three pulleys of different sizes, so that I can change
the speed of the blower whenever desirable. The wind, in passing from
the blower, is made to pass through a screen 9, Pl. II, Fig. 3, so as
to equalize the blast, and operates upon the chaff as it falls with the
wheat from the riddle' u. The chaff is carried or blown off in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Fig.. 3, Pl. II., while the grain,
falling on the inclined plane 10, Fig. 3, Pl. II., runs down it into
aný receptacle, bags or otherwise, provided.
In order that the grain may be made as clean as possible, I place in
the inclined plane 10, a fine screen 11, Fig. 3, Pl. II, which allows
any fine seed or dust to pass away from the grains.
I am aware that straw separators have been used in connection with
threshing machines, and that fanning mills have also been used in such
connection, and I disclaim any Invention as respects such general con-
nection or combination. I. am also aware that the form of the wire
rack, is not new, but has been used for similar purposes as: that to
which I apply it. But the peculiar arrangement and position of the
straw separator and fanning mill, by which the straw is carried on
top of and over the fanning mill, and is discharged at right angles to
the line of direction of the current of air from the fanning mill, which
acts upon the chaff and light dirt, is new, and has not been used or
known, so far as I am aware, before my Invention thereof.
The peculiar construction of the shaking lever, Fig. 2, Pl. II, and the
manner of its working. from the fanning mill, is also novel, according
to the best of my knowledge.

page_text: By connecting the straw separator and winnower with the thresher,
by means of the trough m, or the extended hood f, I am enabled to
clean the grain as rapidly as it is threshed; as by this arrangement I
am able to avail myself of the current of air created by the revolution
of the flails, and to render it of assistance in the cleaning of the grain,
in addition to that derived from the blower of the winnower.
The winnower may be used in connection with the thresher on all
occasions, if desired; but in cases, as before stated, where the grain is
smutty, I prefer to use the thresher without the winnower.
The principal features of my thresher, which distinguish it from and
render it superior to ordinary threshing machines, are,--
1st, that I effect the separation of the grain from the straw by the
use of a rotating wheel or wheels, having but a few spokes or arms in
connection with adjustible rubbers, instead of having to use a long revolv-
ing drun, as in other threshers; and I am enabled, in this manner, to
dispose entirely with the use of spikes, which are always liable to be
thrown out of the cylinder, and are the very frequent cause of serious
and fatal accidents. I also place the feeder or operator at the side,
instead of in front of the rotating part; in this way also lessening the
liability to accident or injury.
2nd, with a given power, and in a given length of time, I am able to
perform more work with my thresher than can be performed with the
same power, and in the same time, by any other thresher now in use.
3rd, my thresher entirely separates the grain from the straw, (whereas
other threshers leave more or less of the grain unthreshed,) thus effect-
ing a great and valuable saving in the product of labor, and greatly
increasing, in the aggregate, the quantity of grain secured from the
threshing. Frequent and actual experiment prove the last two pro-
positions.
I claim as my Invention the general arrangement and construction
of my threshing machine, being a combination of a series of rotating
flails or arms, revolving in a trough or flail case fitted with rubbers, as
before described.
I claim also the peculiar structure and arrangement of the rotary,

page_text: as substantially before set forth and described, whether constructed in
any of the particular modes before described, or in any other equivalent
form, such rotary being made up of a series of arms or flails, radiating
from and securely fastened to a central drum.
I claim also the peculiar construction of the mill-like furrowed
surfaces of the flanches and rubbers, as substantially before set forth,
and their position in respect to each other, and their arrangement, as
before described, upon the opposite sides of the trough or flail case.
I claim also the device or plan of adjustability applied to the
rubbers, whether in the ways before referred to, or in any other equiva-
lent manner, by means of which the rubbers can be set at any required
distance from the track of the rotating flails, and the thresher thus be
adapted to the threshing of any kind of seed or grain.
I claim also the combination, in the manner before substantially set
forth and described in my Specification, of the furrowed adjustible
rubbers and flanches, with the flail case, and also the combination of
the rotating flails or arms with such rubbers and flanches, for the
purpose above mentioned.
I do not claim, generally, the combination of the threshing machine
with the straw separator and grain cleaner, as they have before been
used together and in combination; but I claim the peculiar mode of
connection or combination, as substantially before set forth and de-
scribed in my Specification, 1st, by means of the various pulleys and
peculiar shaped crank lever, which gives motion to the fanning mill
and vibrations to the straw separator, and causes them all to work
kindly together, by means of power transmitted from the thresher.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Russell Palmer, have
heretofore set my hand and seal, this Second day of September,

page_text: er Britannick Majesty's Consulate, New York.
I, Anthony Barclay, Esquire, Her Majesty's Consul, do hereby
certify that William Russell Palmer, named and described in the
above and preceding instrument, this day appeared, and in my
presence did set his hand and seal thereto, and acknowledge the
sanie to be his act and deed, for the "purposes therein mentioned.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
office, at the City of New York, this Second day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
ANTH. BARCLAY.