IMPROVEMENTS IN SEED OR GRAIN SEPARATORS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEED OR GRAIN SEPARATORS."-A communication
from abroad by Andrew Hunter and Egbert Halsey Osborn, both
of Quincey, County of Adams, State of Illinois, United States of
America.
Sealed the 15th April 1873, and dated the 21st November 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st November 1872.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEED OR GRAIN SEPARATORS," a communi-
cation to me from abroad by Andrew Hunter and Egbert Halsey
Osborn, both of Quincey, County of Adams, State of Illinois, United
States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a frame of perforated plates to which is.
imparted a quick vibratory longitudinal movement which is suddenly

page_text: checked at intervals so that the frame is both moved and shaken or
jarred, this is effected by means of a ratchet or cam wheel operating
a lever secured at its upper end to the frame and acted upon by a spring
having its lower end bearing upon the cam wheel.
The Invention also relates to a screened chute to which is imparted a
vertical movement which is suddenly checked at intervals so that the
chute is both moved, shaken, or jarred; this is effected by ratchets or
cam wheels, the teeth of which operate simultaneously upon the flame of
the chute and upon swinging levers, the opposite ends of which act upon
the corresponding parts of the chute.
The Invention further relates to a hopper provided with a feed slide
moving in parallel links or otherwise arranged to provide an even delivery
across the width of the feed slot, in which is provided an agitator to
which is imparted a vertical and somewhat circular movement by the
action of the chute to which it is attached:
:
The object of the Invention is to provide a means of rapidly and
effectually separating seeds from each other, or from foreign or refuse
matter.
In the upper part of the frame of the machine there is provided a
hopper, the longer sides of which are vertical, the others inclining down- :
wards towards a feed slot extending across the width of the hopper,
through the vertical sides of which are cut guide slots directly opposite
each other, and so constructed as to hold a feed slide consisting of a strip
of thin metal in close relation to the upper surface of the rear inclined
portion of the hopper to which the feed slide is connected by links
placed in corresponding relation to the feed slide, and allowing the feed
slide to move diagonally with its edge always parallel to the edge of the
feed slot, thus respectively enlarging or diminishing the capacity thereof
as the feed slide is moved upward or downward.
The agitator consists of a bar which extends almost entirely across the
length of the feed slot; it is secured to the rear side of another bar or to
the upper ends of flexible standards, and is properly bent upward. To
the ends of the latter bar are secured the upper ends of the flexible
standards which have their lower extremities pivoted to a chute, the
movement whereof being vertical and jarring communicates to the
pivoted standards and bar vibratory, vertical, and somewhat circular

page_text: motion, thus preventing the feed alot from becoming choked when the
hopper is filled and the device in operation.
The frame containing the screens is formed with vertical sides and a
back inclining from rear. to front, which forms a portion of its lower
surface, the balance of which consists of an under plate secured to cleets
attached to the lower edges of the sides of the said frame, conforming
thereto in thickness, and properly inclined from rear to front so as to bring
the said plate to a proper distance below the lowest plate or screen in the
frame. The interior of the frame is occupied by the screens or perfo-
rated plates properly inclined from rear to front secured to the sides of
the frame, and each lower one extending towards the front to a proper
distance beyond the edge of the plate next above and separated there-
from by a suitable interval. This frame is suspended at its rear by
links pivoted to the outside of the hopper, its front portions being sup-
ported by upright levers pivoted to straps in which the pivots form
the fulcrums. The lower extremities of these levers are provided with
ears against which rest the lower ends of two springs having a tension
towards the rear and secured to the main frame in which are secured the
screens.
Bumpers are arranged directly opposite the lower ends of the springs,
with the heads of which bumpers the ears come in contact when the
lower ends of the upright levers are thrown backwarks by the action of
the springs; the purpose of the bumpers is to determine the stroke of
the levers, and at the same time to prevent them striking upon the cam
wheels.
The lower rear extremities of the inner surfaces of the levers are pro-
vided with friction rollers which by the action of the springs are held in
such position as to come in contact with the teeth of the cam wheels as
they revolve, the cam wheels being rigidly secured at their centres on a
shaft working in bearings in the main. framing and projecting on one
side beyond the same where it is reduced to a shoulder so as to be
operated by a crank.
The chute consists of a framèd screen having its front under portion
covered with a board or plate and provided in its sides with cleets; it
extends across the breadth of the machine and a suitable distance in
rear of the frame; its front edge is situated below and in front of the

page_text: front edge of the bottom plate in the same frame, it inclines from front
to rear, its front edge resting upon the cam wheels and its rear upon
horizontal levers, and it is loosely attached to the frame by the hook.
These horizontal levers, are pivoted at a proper point inside the frame
and are so arranged that their rear ends are forced downwards by the
weight of the chute resting thereon, or are so constructed that their
weight preponderates at their rear ends, whereby their front ends are
brought in contact with the cam wheels.
That portion of the main frame immediately below the rear edge of
the chute is provided with set screws, by the elevation or depression of
which the inclination of the chute may be respectively diminished or
increased.
The cam wheels are in the present instance constructed with equi-
distant and opposite projections or teeth, one edge of which is vertical,
the other curved. The wheels are rotated from front to rear.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 17th May 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson; Her special license
that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors,
administrators, or 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 Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHED OR

page_text: "
GRAIN SEPARATORS,' a communication to me from abroad by Andrew
Hunter and Egbert Halsey Osborn, both of Quincey, County of
Adamis, State of Illinois, United States of America, upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my
executors or administrators, 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 John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
The said Invention relates to a frame of perforated plates, to which is
imparted a quick vibratory longitudinal movement which is suddenly
checked at intervals so that the frame is both moved and shaken or
jarred; this is effected by means of a ratchet or cam wheel operating a
lever secured at its upper end to the frame and acted upon by a spring
having its lower end bearing upon the cam wheel.
-
The Invention also relates to a screened chute to which is imparted a
vertical movement which is suddenly checked at intervals so that the
chute is both moved, shaken, or jarred; this is effected by ratchets or
cam wheels, the teeth of which operate simultaneously upon the frame of
the chute and upon swinging levers, the opposite ends of which act upon
the corresponding parts of the chute.
The Invention further relates to a hopper provided with a feed slide
moving in parallel links or otherwise arranged to provide an even delivery
across the width of the feed slot in which is provided an agitator to
which is imparted a vertical and somewhat circular movement by the
action of the chute to which it is attached.
The object of the Invention is to provide a means of rapidly and
effectually separating seeds from each other, or from foreign or refuse
matter.

page_text: And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I
shall now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that
purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of
Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in
all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the elements of
the said Invention; Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the same shewing
the internal construction; Figure 3 is a top view showing the feed slide
and upper part of the agitator.
A in the accompanying Drawing is a frame composed of uprights and
cross pieces arranged in any suitable manner. In the upper part of the
frame A is provided the hopper B, the longer sides of which are vertical,
the others inclining downwards towards a feed slot a extending across
the width of the hopper, through the vertical sides of which are
cut the guide slots p directly opposite each other, and so constructed as
to hold the feed slide C consisting of a strip of thin metal in close rela-
tion to the upper surface of the rear inclined portion of the hopper to
which the feed slide C. is connected by the links c of similar dimensions,
and placed in corresponding relation to the feed slide, and swinging on
the pivots d, allowing the feed slide to move diagonally with its edge
always parallel to the edge of the feed slot a, thus respectively enlarging
or diminishing the capacity thereof as the feed slide is moved upward or
downward.
The agitator consists of a bar e which extends almost entirely across
the length of the feed slot a, is secured to the rear side of the bar for the
upper ends of the flexible standards 9, and is properly bent upward.
To the ends of the bar fare secured the upper ends of the flexible
standards g which extend downward outside the sides of the frame E, and
have their lower extremities pivoted to the chute F, the movement
whereof being vertical and jarring communicates to the pivoted standards g
and bar e vibratory, vertical, and somewhat circular motion, thus pre-
venting the feed slot a from becoming choked when the hopper B is
filled and the device in operation.
The frame E is formed with vertical sides and a back inclining from
rear to front which forms a portion of its lower surface, the balance of
which consists of a plate h secured to the cleets i attached to the lower

page_text: edges of the sides of the frame E, conforming thereto in thickness and
properly inclined from rear to front so as to bring the plate h to a proper
distance below the lowest plate in the frame E. The interior of the
frame E is occupied by the screens or perforated plates G properly in-
clined from rear to front, secured to the sides of the frame, and each
lower one extending towards the front to a proper distance beyond the
edge of the plate next above, and separated therefrom by a suitable
interval. The frame E is suspended at its rear by the links pivotted to
the outside of the hopper B and frame E, its front portions being sup-
ported by the levers H pivotted at a proper point to the straps in which
the pivots form the fulcrums. The lower extremities of these levers are
provided with the ears n, against which rest the lower ends of the
spring o having a tension towards the rear, and secured to the frame A,
in which is secured the screens. Bumper screws are arranged directly
opposite the lower ends of the springs o, with the heads of which bumpers
the ears n come in contact when the lower ends of the levers H are
thrown backwards by the action of the springs; the purpose of the
bumper screws is to determine the stroke of the levers H, and at the same
time to prevent them striking upon the cam wheels I.
The lower rear extremities of the inner surfaces of the levers H are
provided with friction rollers p, which by the action of the springs o are
held in such position as to come in contact with the teeth of the cam
wheels I as they revolve, the cam wheels being rigidly secured at their
centres on the shaft K, working in bearings in the frame A and project-
ing on one side beyond the same, where it is reduced to a shoulder so as
to be operated by the crank W.
The chute F consists of a framed screen having its front under portion
covered with a board or plate and provided in its sides with cleets; it
extends across the breadth of the'device and a suitable distance in rear
of the frame A, its front edge is situated below and in front of the front
edge of the plate ; it inclines from front to rear, its front edge resting
upon the cam wheels I, its rear upon the levers L, and it is loosely
attached to the frame A by a hook. The levers L are pivotted at a
proper point inside the frame A, and are so arranged that their rear
ends being forced downwards by the weight of the chute F resting
thereon, or are so constructed that their weight preponderating at their

page_text: rear ends, whereby their front ends are brought in contact with the cam
wheels.I.
That portion of the frame A immediately below the rear edge of the
chute F is provided with the set screws 8 by the elevation or depression
of which the inclination of the chute may be respectively diminished or
increased.
The cam wheels I are in the present instance constructed with equi-
distant and opposite projections or teeth, one edge of which is vertical,
the other curved. The wheels are rotated from front to rear, motion
being communicated to the device by the operation of the crank W, the
cam wheels I revolve acting upon the friction rollers p, which ride up
the curved edge of the teeth of the cam wheels, forcing the lower ends
of the levers H forward, and consequently their opposite ends back-
wards as the latter ends are attached to the frame E; this gives it a
corresponding movement which continues until the friction rollers p
reach the points of the teeth on the cam wheels I; these passed, the
springs o force the lower ends of the lever H sharply back, bringing the
ears n in contact with the heads of the bumpers, whereby the movement
of the levers H and consequently the frame E is reversed, and at the
same time it is given a jarring or shaking movement produced by the
concussion of the ears n and bumpers.
It is obvious that as the cam wheels I are revolved rapidly a quick
vibratory horizontal shaking movement is imparted to the frame E.
While the above operation is in progress the cam wheels I are acting
upon the levers L, the front ends of which are depressed as the teeth of
the cam wheels come in contact with them, thus elevating the rear ends
of the lever and that portion of the chute F resting thereon. At the
same time that the teeth of the cam wheels are in contact with the
lever L the opposite teeth are similarly in contact with the lower surface
of the front portion of the chute F, thus both its front and rear are
simultaneously elevated, which operation continues until the points of
the bearing teeth are passed, when the front of the chute falls suddenly
upon the wheels I, at the same time the weight of the chute on the rear
ends of the levers L or the preponderance of their weight at these ends
brings the front ends of the levers sharply up against the cam wheels,
thus the chute falls suddenly and is shaken by its concussion with the

page_text: cam wheels I, hence a vertical jarring movement is given to the
chute.
It is evident that as the cam wheels are rapidly rotated the front ends
of the levers L are rapidly depressed and elevated, hence that the opposite
ends thereof strike correspondingly against the lower end of the chute,
increasing its jarring movement.
The above movement of the chute F. communicates motion to the
agitator, operating in the feed slot to prevent its becoming choked.
Previous to commencing the above operation the hopper B is filled
with the materials to be separated, the feed slide C being properly
opened to allow the material to pass through upon the upper one of the
plates G.
As a result of the operation the wheat and grain or seed of smaller
dimensions pass through the plates G, falling near the upper end of the
1 chute F. Oats, barley, straw, &c., pass over the front edges of the
plates G,while foul seeds, small and imperfect grains pass down upon
and through the chute screen.
It is obvious that various plates and screens having meshes or
perforations adapted to the service required may be employed in the
device.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,—
First. The relation and construction of the frame B and chute F,
substantially as shewn and described.
Second. The combination of the cam wheels I and levers H for the
uses and purposes substantially as shewn and described.
Third. The combination of the cam wheels I, levers H, and springs o,
substantially as shewn and described.
Fourth. The combination of the frame E, levers H, friction rollers p,
springs o, and cam wheels I, substantially as shown and described.

page_text: Fifth. The use of bumper screws for the purposes substantially as
herein-before described.
Sixth. The combination of the levers H, springs o, and bumper screws,
substantially as described.
Seventh. The combination of the levers H, springs o, bumper screws,
and cam wheels I, substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination of the frame E, levers H, springs o, cam
wheels I, and bumper screws, substantially as described.
Ninth. The cam wheels I in combination with the levers L for the
uses and purposes substantially as shewn and described.
Tenth. The levers L for the uses and purposes substantially as shewn
and described.
Eleventh. The combination of the chute F, cam wheels I, and levers L,
substantially as shewn and described.
1
Twelfth. The cam wheels I provided with equidistant and opposite 1
teeth, for the uses and purposes substantially as shewn and described.
Thirteenth. The feed slide C so arranged that in moving its edges
shall be paralel to the edge of the feed slot a, substantially as shewn and
described.
Fourteenth. The hopper B in combination with the feed slide C, 2
substantially as shewn and described.
Fifteenth. The agitator consisting of the bar or rod e, and flexible
standards g, attached to the chute F, substantially as shewn and
described.
Sixteenth. The agitator 'above mentioned in combination with the 2
chute F, substantially as shewn and described.
Seventeenth. The agitator above mentioned in combination with the
frame E, substantially as shewn and described.
Eighteenth. The hopper B provided with the feed slide C and agitator
above mentioned, substantially as shewn and described.
Nineteenth. The set screws & for the uses and purposes substantially
as shewn and described.
3

page_text: Twentieth. The combination of the frame E, levers H, springs o, cam
wheels I, chute F, and set screws 8, substantially as shewn and
described.
Twenty-first. The combination of the frame E, lever H, springs-o, cam
wheels I, chute F, lever L, and set screws 8, substantially as shewn and
described.
Twenty-second. The combination of the frame E, levers H, springs o,
cam wheels I, and chute F, substantially as shown and described.
Twenty-third. The combination of the cam wheels I, levers H and L,
substantially as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of
May One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.