Improvements in Milking Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893
Improvements in Milking Machines.
A communication from BRYAN ATWATER, of Berlin, State of Connecticut, United
States of America, Farmer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The invention relates to improvements in milking-machines, and the objects of
the improvement are simplicity of construction, and convenience and general
efficiency of the machine.
In the accompanying drawings ;-
Figure 1 is a plan view of the milking machine with broken lines indicating a
change in the position of some of the parts.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same with some of the parts in vertical section,
said drawing also showing one of the receiving cups and conductor.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of a portion of said machine on line ax of Fig. 2
Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section on line y y of Fig. 2, showing a portion
of the machine.
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion of said machine illustrating
more particularly the rods that operate the pressure plates, the central parts being
shown in side elevation.
Figure 6 is a detached plan view of one of the pull plates for said rods, said.
Figs. 5 and 6 being on a scale still larger than Fig. 4.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of one of the receiving cups.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of a portion of said machine on line z z of Fig. 2,.
together with a pair of receiving cups on one of the pressure plates.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of a modified form of a pair of pressure plates and
their operating rods specially adapted for milking the off side at the same time that.
another pair of pressure plates are operating on the nigh side.
Figure 10 is a side elevation of another form of the milking machine, parts of the
frame being broken. away and the crank removed in order to better show the
operating cam, and—
Figure 11 is a plan view of the same.
The last five figures are on the same scale as Fig. 4.
A designates the frame of the machine which also serves as a stool for the
operator. It is provided with adjustable legs 10 which are received in hollow legs.
or sockets 11 and held in their adjusted position by means of any suitable fastening
device, as for instance, the set screws 12, Fig. 2. At the forward part of the
frame A is a vertically swinging frame 13 that is mounted upon a horizontal axis as
at 14, and which carries the laterally swinging frame 15, said frame being mounted.
on the vertically swinging frame 13 on any suitable hinge or pivots, as for instance,.
the bolts 16. The vertically swinging frame 13 has its lower end held forward by
means of springs 42 connected therewith and to the sockets of the legs at that end.
of the machine. At the forward end of this laterally swinging frame 15 there is.
an upright socket 17 bearing a vertically adjustable standard 18 that is secured in.
its adjusted position by means of the set screw 19. The upper end of this vertically
adjustable standard has secured to it a bracket 20 which is pivoted thereto by the
bolt 21 and provided at its lower end with a curved slot 22, Fig. 4, through which
a set screw 23 passes into the upper end of the standard 18 whereby said bracket is
secured in place by said set screw 23, and when said set screw is loosened, may be
adjusted by tilting it to either side on the bolt 21 as may be desired.

page_text: The bracket 20 carries at its upper end a socket 24 which is dovetailed in front
view and within which is received the dovetailed ways or slide 25, said socket being
provided with a set screw 26 for holding the ways or slide 25 in its adjusted
position. This dovetailed slide 25 has secured to it the frame 27 that supports the
pressure plates 28 and 29 and their operating mechanism. The resisting plate 28
is stationary on said frame, while the opposing plate 29 is movable. These plates
are operated by means of divided rods 30 and 31 that pass through the frame 27
and to which the movable pressure plate 29 is loosely connected. Each pressure
plate is preferably provided with a soft or yielding pad 32 of rubber or other
suitable material. The two parts of the divided rods have their ends abutting
against each other, in the normal action of the machine, as shown in Fig. 5, and
they are thus held by means of springs 33 whose ends are secured to pins 34 in the
respective parts of said divided rods. These two parts of the divided rods are also
further connected by means of pull plates 35, the same being secured to the right
hand pins 34 in said Fig. 5, by receiving said pin in a simple perforation, while
said pull plates at the opposite end are slotted as at 36 for the reception of the
pins 34 whereby the springs 33 may yield and allow the two parts of the rods to
separate for a given distance after which the pins 34 will strike the end of the
slots 36 and limit the separation of said two parts to prevent the movable pressure
plate and connected parts of the rods from being pulled out of place. The length
of the slot can be regulated as may be desired and instead of having a long slot at
one end, two shorter slots, one at each end of said plates, will accomplish the same
purpose. The inner ends of the rods 30 and 31 connect with the grooved cams 37
and 38, Fig. 2, preferably by friction rollers as in ordinary connections of analogous
parts with a grooved cam. These cams 37 and 38 are formed in the side face of a
wheel 39 on the shaft 40 which is operated by any suitable means, as for instance,
by the crank 41.
It is proposed to use with each pair of pressure plates a pair of receiving cups 43,
each provided with a hook or clasp 44 for attaching them to the stationary pressure
plate 28 as best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, said receiving cups being connected by
branch pipes to a pipe or flexible tube 45 which may be of any desired length and
extended rearwardly through suitable supports 46 to a covered pail or other
receptacle. The machine may however be used without said cups.
The pressure plates and frame shown in Fig. 9 are like those shown in the other
figures and herein before described, excepting that they are relatively higher on the
frame and the outer ends of the rods 30 and 31 are curved upwardly as at 47 and
loosely connected with the movable pressure plate on the outside. These pressure
plates are operated in precisely the same manner as in the construction first
described, excepting as they are mounted relatively higher on the frame.
The operation is as follows:-
The swinging frame 15 is turned to one side or the other as indicated in
Fig. 1, and the frame 27 carrying the pressure plates 28 and 29 is also turned
in its socket 17 to bring said plates substantially in front of the operator.
Ordinarily the cow's teats are farther apart in front than behind and therefore
the adjustment just described will enable the pressure plates to stand at the
desired angle to the front edge of the frame or stool, so as to bring them into
alignment with the two off-side teats when the machine is set as shown by full
lines in Fig. 1. The laterally swinging frame 15 and the frame 27.swinging
in its socket 17 will permit the inclination of the plates to correspond with the
alignment of the teats on either the off or the nigh side and at the same time
have said plates substantially central with the front of the machine. The broken
lines in Fig. 1, indicate the pressure plates as adjusted to an angle for milking
the nigh side teats. The pressure plates are brought to the proper height
approximately by the adjustment of the legs 10 in its socket. Ordinarily the
height would be adjusted by the latter adjustment alone, but oftentimes it may
be desirable to use both adjustments. Furthermore the height can be slightly
adjusted by merely depressing the pressure plates and causing the whole to

page_text: swing in the frame 13 against the force of the springs 42 and then permit said
springs to press said plates upwards gently against the udder during the milking
operation. The pressure plates are tilted edgewise vertically to bear equally
upon a front and rear teat by adjusting the bracket 20 by means of the set
screw 23 swinging said bracket and the frame supported thereon to one side or
the other in order to tilt said plates in case the front teat is higher than the
rear one as is generally the case. The pressure plates and their frame may be
adjusted from in front to rear on the slide or ways 25 by loosening aud
tightening the set screw 26.
The receiving cups when used are arranged between the pressure plates one
upon each side of the rods 30 and 31 as shown in Fig. 8, and when the machine
is properly adjusted as before described, the swinging frame 13 turned by
depressing the pressure plates, the springs 42 yielding to such depression, and
as they rise again inserting two of the cow's teats into the cups between said
plates. The crank is then turned for operating the plates. In this operation,
the upper edges of the plates are brought upon the parts between said plates
with the full force of the springs 33, the pins 34 not reaching the ends of the
slots 36, the upper edge of the movable pressure plate 29 being in advance of
its lower edge substantially as shown in Figure 2. The yielding springs that
connects the two parts of the divided rods will prevent the plates from being
brought together with force enough to hurt the cow. The continued motion of
the cam will allow this upper edge to remain nearly stationary, when the teats
are firmly compressed, while the cam 38 and spring 33 are pulling upon the
divided rod 31, thereby swinging the movable pressure plate as if fulcrumed by
the compressing point at its upper edge, until the lower edge is moved far
enough to bring said plate substantially parallel to the stationary pressure plate,
the closing of the plates being in effect from the top down to press out all the
milk, quite analogous to the operation of milking by hand, or the pressure of a
calf's mouth. The cams then release the pressure upon both rods and the
movable pressure plate is carried away from the stationary plate maintaining its
parallel position during said movement until it reaches about the point represented
by the broken lines at the right hand end of Fig. 2. The cams then act again
to advance the top edge of the movable pressure plate and so on repeating the
operation before described.
The machine thus far described aside from the modification shown in Fig. 9,
is intended for use when milking only two teats at a time. If, however, it is
desired to milk four teats at a time, this may be done by substantially duplicating
the pressure plates, their frame and operating mechanism as before described,
excepting that the plates are relatively higher upon the frame as shown in
Fig. 9. This second machine with the higher plates may be used for milking
the off side while the other machine is at the same time being used for milking
the nigh side, the operator turning one crank with each hand. Bringing the
plates relatively higher on the frame enables this frame and its rods to pass
under the pressure plates on the nigh side and thereby permit them both to be
used at the same time, but the operation of the modified form shown in Fig. 9
is the same as that herein before described excepting that it reaches under the
pressure plates on the nigh side of the cow.
While the pressure plates are shown and described as consisting of two flat plates,
it is preferred to form the movable pressure plate of a series of finger plates
jointedly connected together as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. The resisting
pressure plate 28 is fixed the same as before described. The opposing pressure
plate 299 consists of a series of jointed finger plates a, b, c and d arranged together
on pintles substantially the same as the leaves of a hinge. Each of these plates is
provided with connecting rods,-30 and 31 being the upper and lower rods sub-
stantially the same as the two rods hereinbefore described and in connection
therewith two intermediate rods e and fare employed. As in the connecting rods
before described, these are hinged to the plate 299, while the rods for the lower

page_text: finger plates b, c and d are of themselves jointed to form flexible connections as
shown at g in Fig. 10. These rods are connected with the operating cam 390, the
same having as many grooves as there are rods and each cam groove being
provided with a concentric portion has shown in Fig. 10. The other parts of the
machine are the same as hereinbefore described, and these parts have the same
general mode of operation only as they are mcdified by the jointed finger plates,
flexible connections, increased number of rods and cam grooves, and the change in
shape of said grooves. The concentric portion of the grooves enables all of the
jointed finger plates to stop for a moment when in a vertical position at the
extreme limit of their movement from the resisting plate, as shown in the broken
lines in Fig. 10. They are then drawn in from the top and each one successively
presented to the resisting plate by first bringing their upper edge into contact and
then their lower edge until all of them are substantially parallel against the
resisting plate, subject however, to being separated by the teats that are pressed
between them. After thus pressing upon the teats, the plates open again as
indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 10 ready to repeat the operation.
While my correspondent has shown and described certain forms of milking
machines proper, that is to say-the pressure plates, their frame and operating
mechanism, it is evident that the parts below the frame 27 and even the horizontal
adjustment of said frame would operate the same in connection with other milking
devices and therefore for all purposes of a combination with said parts other
milking devices will be considered as the equivalent of said plates, frame and
operating mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
1. The combination of a frame, a pair of opposing pressure plates, the connecting
rods secured to the different parts of said plates, and the differently formed cams
for operating said rods with unlike movements, substantially as described and for
the purpose specified.
2. The combination of a suitable frame, the divided rods 30 and 31, the pressure
plates, one of which is connected with said rods, the operating cams and springs 33
connected to the two parts of said rods, substantially as described and for the
purpose specified.
3. The combination of a suitable frame, the divided rods 30 and 31, the pressure
plates, one of which is connected with said rods, the operating cam, springs 33
connected to the two parts of said rods and the pull plates 35 for limiting the
yielding motion of said divided rods, substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
4. The combination of a frame, a pair of pressure plates one of which is fixed
upon said frame, the rods to which the other of said plates is secured, the
operating cams, and yielding connecting devices, substantially as described and
for the purpose specified.
5. The combination of a frame carrying milking devices and their operating
mechanism, the supporting bracket 20, horizontal ways or guides formed on said
frame and bracket for sliding said frame horizontally on said bracket, a standard
on which said bracket is mounted, and devices for adjusting said bracket for
tilting said frame laterally on said standard, substantially as described and for
the purpose specified.
6. The combination of a support, the socket 17, on said support, the standard 18
mounted in said socket, fastening mechanism for securing and adjusting said
standard within said socket, and the bracket 20 carrying milking devices and
mounted on said standard, whereby said milking devices may be swung hori-
zontally, and adjusted vertically, substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
7. The combination of a support, a laterally swinging frame 15 pivotally mounted

page_text: on said support by its inner end, and a vertically adjustable standard carrying
milking devices and connected with said frame by a vertical socket or joint in
the outer end thereof, and devices for securing said standard at different heights.
in said socket, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
8. The combination of a support or stool, the frame 13 carrying milking devices
and pivoted on said stool by a horizontal axis, and springs connected with said
frame and stool for holding said frame in its normal position, substantially as
described and for the purpose specified.
9. The combination of a support, a vertically swinging frame mounted on said
support, a laterally swinging frame 15 pivotally mounted at its inner end on said
vertically swinging frame, and a standard carrying milking devices, said standard
being pivoted to said laterally swinging frame 15 by a socket or joint in the outer
end thereof, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
10. The combination of a resisting plate and the opposing plate consisting of
a series of finger plates jointedly connected and operating devices for successively
moving said finger plates toward said resisting plate, substantially as described and
for the purpose specified.
11. The combination of a resisting plate, the opposing plate consisting of a
series of finger plates jointedly connected, the connecting rods having flexible
connections between them and the lower finger plates and mechanism for operating
said rods, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 6th day of June 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.