US1584869A - Grain-cutting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 18 1926.

Lv. L. LADD GRAIN CUTTING APPARATUS Filed June 2l. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 18,1926. L. L. LADD GRAIN CUTTING APPARATUS Filed June 2l.

1923 5 Sheets-Shea?.v 2

May 18 1926.

L. L. LADD GRAIN CUTTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet' 5 Filed June 2l.' 1923 May 18 1926. 1,584,869

L. L. LADD GRAIN CUTTING APPARATUS `Filed June 2l. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

n 7m/@afar lfflllaad Patented 'May 1s, 1926.

l -1,584,369 i v` UNITED STATE-s PATENT-OFFICE.

LESTER L. LADD, OF LOCKPORT, ILLINOIS. I

GRAIN-CUTTING APPARATUS.

Application led June 21, 1923. Serial No. 646,875.

My invention relates to grain cutters and more particularly toyv means for cutting grains transversely into a plurahty ovf parts.

' In grain cutting machinery now in use it .while-other grains are cut so as to be practically powdered,which is very undesirable. In order to cut the grain properly for the uses for which cut-grain is intended, the re- Cil sulting particles should be ofsubstantially the same` size and it is the purpose of my invention to providevmeans for cutting grain producing a product that is of substantially uniform size vvvith substantially no whole grains and a minimum of dust or powdered grain.

` It is particularly .desirable that the grain be cut into equal sizes, in making chicken feed for baby chickens, or what is commonly known as baby chick feed, and also for preparing oats for rolling in making what is known as quick oats, which is rolled oats that can be cooked more quickly than the ordinaryv kind.- This qualitygof the rolled oats is obtained by cutting the shelled grains of oats .into substantially an equal number of parts, the machine shown cutting the grain into three parts-ordinarily. These cut grains are then rolled in the same manner that the whole ygrains are rolled in ordinary rolled oats, producing a product which is made up of smaller flakes than the ordinary rolled oats and which cooks more quickly. The machine is particular/ly adapted for cutting grains used,A for the two purposes mentioned above which are ,of an v elongated form such as wheat or oats, and it has been found that rotary lcutting means can be used very effectively with this sort of a grain to produce the desired cutting into an equa\,numb`er of parts.

In the \form of the invention illustrated, the grain is cut'between a pair of rotary cutting members comprising a plurality of cooperating `cutting teeth which intermesh and which gradually -cut the grain through from all sides as the rotary cutting members move into cutting relationship. Means is also preferably provided for properly` positioning thegrains relative to the rotary cutting members. ln order to properly cut the grains into a substantially equal number of parts of substantially the same size, it is necessary that the grains be properly placed in position relative to the cutting members and rotary means is provided for arranging the grains properly to be' received on the cutting means.- Said positioning means preferably comprises a rotary drum-like, member Yhaving la surface provided with axially extending grooves or pockets therein for receiving the grams. l/Vhen the grams are received in said pockets all of the same will extend in rows in substantially axial alignment. In order to insure substantially even distribution of the grains ovei1 the surface of the drum, spreading means, having axially extending pockets therein, is provided` between said positioning drum and a hopper in which the grain that is to be cutis placed in feeding the machine. From the positioning drum, or rotary feeding member, the grains are transferred to one of the cutting rolls or rotary cutters, which carries, the grains into position to beA cut between said cutter and the co-operating rotary cutter.

Said rotary cutters are preferably provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs, said ribs being provided with toothed surfaces providing pockets between theteeth in which the grains are received. The ribs on one of the rotary cutting members tit between vthe ribs on the other rotary cutting member and the pockets, or recesses, in the ribs are preferably so arranged that when the cutting members move into cutting relationship, said grooves. or recesses Will provide a gradually narrowing opening for the grain so that the grain Will be gradually. out from the outer surface thereof inward ly on all sides sotas to cleanly cut the same into the desired number of parts.

The cut grain will ordinarily be forced 'ing members or plates projecting into the grooves so' as to pry the said' out pieces of f grain out of the grooves with a sort of' laus wedging' action.

Instead ofr providing grooved rotary cutting members which have transverse recesses arranged in rows therein, one of said rotary cutters may, if desired, be provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending cutting blades or ribs which co-operate with the rotary cutter having the transversely extending recesses. The rot-ary cutter member that has no transversely extending recesses can not, of course, carry the grain from the feeding device and, accordingly, the rotary cutter with the continuous circumferentially extending cutting blades musttake the place of the second rotary cutter member described above.

Instead of providing assecond or cooperating cutter member which rotates, a stationary cutter member may I,be provided which is so constructed that the cut grain will be forced to a positionto fall through the same by the rotary cutter member cooperating therewith, thus preventing clogging of the stationary cutter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the accompanying drawings proceeds. However, I desire to have it distinctly under stoodthat I do not intend to limit myself to the exact details shown or described but that I intend to include as part of my invention all such obvious changes and modiications of parts as would occur to a person skilled in this art and as would fall within the scope of the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical section of my improved grain cutting apparatus, certain portions thereof being broken away to more clearly show the operation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my machine, a portion thereofv being broken awayito reveal the interior thereof, j

Fig. 3 is a side elevatlon of my machine, partly broken away more clearly to show the driving connections thereof; Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on a line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a similar section taken on a line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of ortions of the two rota-ry cutters at the` point where cutting takes place;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view greatly magnitied of a grain of oats, showing the same cut into a lurality of parts in the manner in which t e same would be cut by my grain cutting machine; f f

Fig. 8 isa fragmentary enlargedsectional view of one of the cutters taken on the line 848 of Fig. 10; y.

Fig. l10 is an enlarged sectional View taken on a line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 'l1- 11 of Fig. 1. showing the guiding means for the adjustable slide for regulating the feeding of the grain; Fig. 12 is a fragmenta detailed scctional view of a modified form of cutting apparatus using a rotary cutter having beveled cutting edges;

Fig. 13 is a section thereof taken on a line 18-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of a grain cutting apparatus using a stationary cutter member cooperating with a rotary cutter member;

Fig. 15 is a section taken on a line v15--15 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 1G is a'fragmcntary side elevational view of a slightly modified cutter member to be used in a device such as that shown in Fifr. 14.

Feferring in detail to the drawings, my improved grain cutting device comprises a palr of side members 10 and 11, forming the side wals of the machine, a front wall 12 and a rear wall 13. Above the wall 13 is provided an oif-set wall portion 14 and above the wall 12 is provided an off-set wall portion 15 joined to the wall 12'by means of a horizontally extending portion 16.r The wall portions 14 and 15 andvthe side walls 17 and 18, extending upwardly from the walls 10v and 11 respectively, form a hopper 118 into which the grain that is to be cut is emptied. Within the hopper 118 is provided an inclined portion 19 and an inclined ortion 20, said portions 19 and 20 provi ing a gradually narrowing hopper bottom for feeding the grain toward the opening existing between the members 19 and 2O at the lower ends thereof.

Mounted in bearings in the side members 10 and 11 is the shaft 21 upon which is mounted the rotary feeding and spreading member 22, said member 22 being mounted to rotate with the sha-ft 21. The member 22 is provided with a plurality of axially extending ribs or teeth 23 on the surface thereof, providing axially extending grooves 24 therebetween. It will be noted that the member 21 projects into the hopper 118 between the members 19 and 20 so that the grain will drop into the pockets or grooves 24 and rest therein, the spacing between the lower edge 25 of the member 19 and outer ends of the ribs or teeth 23, being such that grains that are not in the grooves will not pass out of the hopper 118. Y

The feeding roll 22 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow placed thereon and it will be seen that the grain will be carried outwardly under the edge 25 of the member 19 away from the hopper 118 and that the same will drop onto the inclined partition 26 as clearly indicated in Fig. 1. 'lhe grain is indica-ted in this figure by the nun'ieral 27.

The main driving shaft of the machine is indicated by the numeral 28 and in Fig. 2 a pulley .29 is shown as being mounted on the outer end of said shaft 28 for rotating the same. .A gear 30 is keyed on said shaft 28 and said gear 30 meshes with gear 33 keyed on the shaft 34 which is mounted in bearings in the members 10 auigll, as will beclear from Fig. 2. The gear 33 meshes in turn with the gear 31 keyed on the shaft 32 which is also mounted 1n bearings 1n the side members 10 and 11, said` shaft 34 being provided with a pulley 35 on the end thereof opposite that carryingv the gear 33. The

' shaft 21 is also provided with a' pulley indisaid feeding drum 38. The grooves 39 are provided with curved wall portions 4t) which merge into inclined wall portions 41, thus providing pockets into which theindividual grains 27 can easily pass when the -member 38 is rotated in the direction of the arrow thereon'in Fi 1. The grooves 39 will pick up 'the grams 27 from the layer thereof that collects `at the lower end of the inclined member 26 and these will be carried around on said member 38. Acurved guard member 42- is provided closely ad jacent the surface of the member 38, said member 42 being spaced sulliciently for the ribs, on the raised portions 43,^between the grooves 39, to pass by the same, but said guard- 42 is not spacedso far from the snrface of the member 38 that the grains 27 can fall out ofthepockets 39after the saine. 150

have 'passed the highest point of their travel around the shaft 28. The guard member 42 is shown as 'being integral with .the

front plate 12 but it is immaterial how the same is mounted as long .as it is held rigidly in properly spaced relationship to the member 38. The guard member 42 is substan' tially cylindrical on'the face thereof adjacent the member 38 and isprovided with strengthening ribs 44. Y

On the shaft 34 is mounted a rotary grain i cutting member 45. The member 4 5, as will be seen from Figs..4 and 5, is provided with a plurality o'l" circmnter entially extending.

libs 46. The ribs 46 are provided with recesses 47 provided with teeth 48 between the same. The recesses 47 -on-adjacent ribs '4G arein axial alignment. Thus all of the recesses 47 are inl axial rows forming grooves in the surface of the member 45, said grooves being arranged in the same circumferei'ltially spaced relationship ast-he grooves 39 on the member 38. As the shafts 28 and 34 are geared together through the gears 30 and 33 and as the numberof teeth on the gears '30 and 33 are in the same proportion as the number of axially extending grooves in the members 38 and 45 respectively, it is evident that the grooves 39 and the grooves formed by the recesses 47 will be in alignment where said members 38 and 45v approaclreach other. Thus the grains 27 will be transferred from the grooves or pockets in the member 38 to the longitudi-A nally extending grooves or pockets in the cutter member`45. In order to prevent any ofthe grains r27 from falling 0H of the member 38, without being transferred to the cutter member 45, the' guard member 42 is provided with a tapering lip portion 49 which extends nearly to the point of adjacencyof the members 38 and 45kk The member 42 also serves the function of preventing any whole grainsfrom passing through the machine without having entered 'one of the pockets or groovesl 39, due tothe yfact that.v

a tapering or wedge-like end portion 50 is provided thereon at the end thereof nearest the hopper 118. The wedge-like end mem'- ris yber 50, it will be seen, will tend to throw grains'27 will remain in .this position on the A l member45 and-will becarried with said member 45 as the same rotates in the direction of the arrow thereon in Fig. 1.

On the shaft 32 is mounted, to rotate therewith, the cutter member 52 which cooperates with -therotary cutting member 45 to out. the grain. The member 52 is pro# vided with .a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs 53 similar tothe ribs` 46.

As will be seen from Fig. 4, the ribs 53 extend'between the ribs 46 so that said memnoted from Fig. 4 that the edges/of the ribs tively, it will be seen that a recess 47 will always be opposite a recess 54 where the members 45 and 52 intermesh. The grain,

being in the pockets or recesses 47, will be engaged by the corners of the ribs 46 and ribs 53 adjacent the recesses 47 and 54 as said members 52 and 45 begin to interengage, and the spacing of the parts and the proportion thereof is such that as the members 45 and 52 rotate in the directions indicated by the arrowsin Fig. l, the 'space bei tween the walls of the recesses 47 and 54 will continuously decrease, as clearly7 shown in Fig. 6, until the wall portion of the recesses 47 will have passed beyond the wall portion of the vrecesses 54 corresponding thereto, and as vthere is one of each of the recesses 47 at each side of each of the recesses,54 andrvice versathe corners of the ribs adjacent said recesses will cut through the grain gradually from all sides thereof (as will be evident from Fig. 6) thus cleanly cutting the grain into a plurality of pieces, indicated by the numeral 62 in Fig. 7

When said cutting has taken place the pieces of grain 62 will be lodged in the circumferentially extending grooves 5l and in the corresponding grooves 63 which are located between the ribs 53, asshown in Fig. 4. Suitable means is provided for dislodging the pieces of cut grain 62 from within the circumferentiallyv extending grooves.

In Fig. 8 a portion of the cutter member 52 is shown after the same has passed the point of engagement with the cutter mem- .ber 45 and it will be' seen from this figure that the pieces of cut grain 62 are lodged -in the grooves 63 between the ribs 53. In asimilar manner,Fig.9 shows the pieces of eut grain 62 lodgedbetween the' circum'4 yferentially extendinglribs 4 6 on the member relitaifefeteeaery dislodging. members 0rblades 64. Said blades are providedwith tapering end portions 65 forming wedgelike portions entering between the ribs 53, the obliquely extending face 66 thereof engaging with the cut pieces 62 to force the's'ame outwardly from within the grooves 63 and causing the same to drop downwardly, as

.clearly shown in Fig. l. The members 64 are each provided with a pair ot notches or recesses 67 into which the holding members 68 extend. The holding members 68 are made in the form of bars extending lengthwise of the machine and are held in place by means of the set screws 69 extending through the arms 70 of the brackets 7l provided at each end of the machine. It will be seen that the position of the members 64 can be adjusted so as to obtain the desired engagement of the wedge points 65 on the members 64 so as to etliciently dislodge the grain from the grooves. It will be seen that due to the engagement of the clamping members 67 in the grooves 68, movement of the blades or dislodging members 64 lengthwise thereof will be prevented. It will also be seen that the grain which is dislodged will drop into the hopper 72 having the inclined wall portion 73, due to the action of gravity.

The cutter member 45 is yprovided with similar dislodging members 74, having a wedgelike end portion 75 entering the grooves 51 to dislodge the cut grain 62 therefrom by engagement with the inclined face 76 thereof. The -members 74 are provided with grooves 77 corresponding to the grooves 67in the members 64 and with clamping members 78 operating in the same manner as members 68. Said members 78 are clamped in engagement with the members 74 by means of the set screws 79 extending through the arms 80 of the bracket 8l provided at opposite ends of the machine. The members 64 and 74 and the members 68 and 78 are substantially identical. The members 68 and 78 are also so made as to hold the members 64 and 74 respectively in properly spaced relationship. How this is done will be apparent from Fig. 2 in which it will be seen that the members 78 are provided with notches or grooves 82 for receiving the edges of the members 74 therein. Thus each membei' 74 will tit into a groove in each of the members 78 so as to hold said members 74 properly spaced so as to alternate with the ribs 46 on the member 45, thus holding the same parallel and properly spaced. The members 74 dislodge the grain in thesame manner as the members 64 and the pieces 62, dislodged, will drop in to the hopper 72 in the manner described above.. The membeis 64 and 74^clean the cutter members thoroughlyv and as the -same rotate again into proper position so-thatvmember 45 will ick up the grain and carry it to the point. o? engagementpfi the members 52 en d,45, there yover the member 22 ont-o'the/ member 26.

Said member 19 is provided with a handle 83for moving the same into adjusted position and the member 19 is mounted in suitable guide grooves 84 in the side members 17 to permit sliding movement for adjusting the amount of grain dropping into the pocket between the members 38 and 26.

IIx-Figs. l2 and 13 is shown a cutting device which comprises the rotary cutter member corresponding to the cutter 45 and arranged in the same relative position to thev other parts of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 1, as is the cutter mimber 45. Said member 45 is provided with ribs ,46 and grooves 51 corresponding to the ribs 46 and grooves 51 of the member 45. The ribs 46 are-provided with transversely extending aligned recesses 47 corresponding to the recesses'47 in the member .45, thus providing the tooth-like members 48 be-| tween said recesses 47. vClo-operating with said cutter member 45 is the cutter member 52 mounted on the shaft 32. Said cutter member 52 rotates in the same direction as does the cutter member 52 in Fig. l and is provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs 90 which have beveled faces 91 to provide a cutting edge 92. The cutting edges 92 are spaced equal distances apart and engage with the grains 27 to cut the same into the pieces 62. In this case 'soA the cutting takes place where the sharpened edges 92 engage with the grains and instead of the cutting taking place at each of the corners of the ribs, the cutting'only takes place at the edges of the beveled ribs 90. Accordingly, if the grain is to be cut in as small sized pieces as bythe device previous- 1ydescribed, it would be necessary to` place the ribs or circumferential cutting vteeth closer together transversely of the device. While intherform shown above two cooperating rotary'cutters are used, it isnot absolutely necessary that both cutters rotate and a device in which. one of the co-operating members .1s stationary 1s shown 1n Fig. 14. In Fig. '14 the spreader member .4 22 shown as being mounted on -the shaft pockets 39' to the rotary cutter member 45v having the pockets 47 therein, said member 45" being mounted on the shaft34.

. (Jo-operating with said rotary cutter member 45" is the stationary cutter member made up of the cutting elements 93 which are held in adjusted position by means'of the clamping bars 94, corresponding in construction to the clamping bars 68 shown in Fig. 1, which areadjustable by means of the set screws 95 extending through the arms 96 of the brackets 97. The members 94 are tween the ribs 46 as the member 45 rotates, the extreme end portion of the member 93 being curved somewhat as` shown at 99 in Fig. 4, or may be made with a straight inclined edge. 100 as shown in Fig. 16. It will be evident that no matter whether the cutting edges of the members 93 are curved or straight, the grains lodged in the recesses 47" will be gradually cut through by the stationary cutter members in a very similarl manner to which the rotary cutter member 52 co-operates with the member 45 Ato cut the grain lodged in the grooves 47.

The members 93 should Yextend in such a'direction and should be provided with a cutting edge so shaped that the cutting is gradual, thus providing a clean cut and less dust and irregular sized pieces than where Acutting is doneonly from one edge of the grain. 'In order .to prevent the s tationary cutter members 93 from becoming clogged with the `cut grain, said members are cut away as shown at 10 1 in Figs. 14 and 15, and as shown at 102 in Fig. 16, to provide spaces 103 between the members 93 greaterthan the thickness of the cut pieces of grain 104, thus permitting the cut pieces 1. In a device of the characterdescribed, v

a pair of co-operating rotary cutter members, and a rotary feeding member for feeding grain to the top portion of one of said 'cutter members by gravity, said one cutter member being positionedbelowsaid other cutter member and feeding the grain into .ehgagement with the` other cutter member in parallel rows.

2. In a device of the character described, a pair of co-operating cutter members, each of bers move into cutting relation.

3. In a grain cutting machine, a pair of cutting rolls, said rolls having alternate circumferential grooves and ribs thereon, the ribs on one kof said rolls meshing with the ooves on the other of said rolls and means l or feeding grain to said rolls parallel to the axis thereof, each of said rolls having grain holding recesses in said ribs. Y '4. In a grain cuttingY machine, a pair of cutting rolls, said rolls having alternate circumferential grooves and ribs thereon, the ribs on one of said rolls meshing with the ooves on the other of said rolls and means or feeding grain to saidrolls, each of said rolls having grain receiving recesses in said ribs, said recesses being arranged in rows transversely of said ribs and being provided with curved cutting edges.

5. In a ain cutting machine, a pair of cutting rol s, said rolls having alternate circumferential grooves and ribs thereon, theaV ribs 'on one of said rolls meshing with the ooves on the other of said rolls and means or feeding grain to said rolls; each of said rolls having grain receiving recesses in said ribs, said recesses being arran ed invrows transversely of saidribs and being provided with curved cutting edges, said rolls being arranged to rotate in such a relative manner that said cutting edges gradually cut through the individual grains.

6. In a grain cutting machine, a pair of cutting rolls, said rolls having alternate circumferential grooves and ribs thereon, the ribs on one of said rolls meshing with the ooves on-'the other of said rolls and means or feeding grain to said rolls, each of said rolls having grain receiving recesses in said ribs, said recesses being arranged iny rows transversely of said ribs, and being provided with concavely curved cutting edges, said rolls being arranged to rotate in such a rela- -tive manner that said cutting edges gradually cutl through theindividual grains from the outer surface toward the center thereof. 7. In. a grain cutting machine, a pair of cutting members,-said members intermeshing and each having ribs thereon, said ribs v'having .grain holding recesses therein, and

f' means for :relatively moving said cutting members 'so that saidcutting members gradually cut through the individual grains om aroundthe: surface thereof toward thev `center thereof. i

8. In a grain cutting machine, a cutting roll having alternate clrcumferential ribs and grooves, each of said ribs having equally spaced transverse arcuate substantially symmetrical grooves therein.

9. In a grain cutting machine, a cutting roll having alternate circumferential ribs and grooves, each of said ribs having equally spaced transverse arcuate substantially symmetrical grooves therein, said grooves being arranged in rows transverse to said ribs.

10. In a device of the character described, a feeding device having transverse grain carrying grooves, a cutter member having grain receiving grooves and a driving connection between said feeding deviceand said cutter member for moving said member relative to said feeding device so that each of said grooves in the feeding device moves into superposed relation to one of the grooves of said cutter member, said feeding device rotating about an axis out of vertical alignment with the axis of rotation of said cutter member to feed the grain to said cut- 11. In a device of the character de-I scribed, a pair of intermeshing cutter mem; bers each having rows of recesses extending tion between said members for moving said members at such relative speeds that each of.

said rows of recesses in one of said members moves into alignment with one of said rows of recesses in the other of said members where said members intermesh.

12. In a device of the character described, a cutter member having a plurality of grooves therein extending in the direction of movement thereof, stationary members entering said grooves for ejecting cut material from said grooves and grooved clampinig members for holding said stationary members in spaced relationship.

13. In a device of the character described, a cutter member having a plurality of grooves therein extending in the direction of movement thereof,`stationary members entering said grooves for ejecting out material from said grooves and adjustable.

grooved clamping members for holding said stationary members in spaced relationship, and adjusting the position thereof.

14. A grain cutting machine comprising' 'a hopper, a spreading device at the discharge transversely thereof, and a driving connecrolls. ineshng-v'yith the grooves on the other of said rolls an rotary means for feeding grain to said ro ls by gravity, one of said rolls rotating about an axis above the axis of rota-tion ofthe other roll. v

Cutter` members intermeshing so that the l'curved edges of transversely adjoining pockets `at the point oft. intermeshing thereof gradually 'close inon the grain fromI Iall sides to cut the saine from tlic outer-surface to- 45 Ward the center thereof.

'17. In a grain cutting machine comprising a feedingdevice and a pair of grooved in-termesliing cutter rolls having concaye transverse rows ofgraiii pockets -thereinp verse rows of grain pockets therein, said` cutter rolls intermeshing so that each row of pockets of one roll aligns with a row of pockets of the other roll at the point of in.-

-termeshing thereof and the curved edges of transversely adjoining pockets gradually close in on the grain from all sides to shear.

the saine from the outer surface toward the -center thereof. Said interineshing portions of said rolls cooperating to force the cut picces of; grain into said grooves and means `for removing said pieces from said grooves.

19. A grain cutting machine comprising a feeding device, a transversely grooved roll receiving the grain from said feeding de- `-vice, and abutting roll interengaging with said first iientioned roll above the axis 'of rotation thereof to cut said grain. l

20. In a deviceof the character described,

said-cutterl rolls intermeshing so ,that each'a cutting roll, aro-operating cutting roll row of pockets of one roll aligns with a row of pockets of the other roll at the point of intermeshingthereofso that the'curved edges of transversely adjoining pockets sides toy shear the same foni the outer surface toward the ,cz/enter thereof. 18.7( A grain cutting machine comprising a feeding. device, 'a pair of grooved inter-l meshing cutter rolls having. concave transrotating about an axis to one side and above the axis of said first cutting roll and a feeding roll .rotating about an axis above andv to the other side' of the axis of said first Y 25 gradually close in on vthe grain from all'.` cutting roll to feed grain thereto by gravity on' the upwardly travelling side thereof.

'In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe niy name this 7 th day of June A. 11,1923. 7

' LESTER ii, LADD.

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