Patent ID: 6872136

Claim:
An apparatus for removing kernels from a husked ear of corn that is rotating about its longitudinal axis, comprising: a hollow tube open at both ends; a means for cutting the kernels from the ear; a means for suspending the cutting means resiliently inside the tube so that when the husked ear of corn is inserted into the tube, the cutting means is pressed against the husked ear of corn by the suspending means; the cutting means further comprising a partial cylinder having on its concave surface a grater, the grater further comprising sharp points extending inwardly from the partial cylinder; the axis of the partial cylinder being parallel to the axis of the hollow tube; the suspending means further comprising at least one helical spring interposed between the convex side of the partial cylinder and the inside of the hollow tube; the at least one helical spring being held in compression by at least one threaded fastener, the fastener extending from inside the partial cylinder, through the partial cylinder, through the center of the at least one helical spring, through the wall of the hollow tube, and into a threaded nut; the apparatus further comprising a mounting bracket, a means for husking corn ears, and a means for affixing corn ears coaxially to a power driver; the mounting bracket connecting the hollow tube with the means for husking corn ears; the affixing means comprising an elongate metal screw having an axis and comprising tapered threads at one end, an unthreaded shank at the other, and a flat metal collar fixed to the screw perpendicular to the axis between the tapered threads and the unthreaded shank.