US34132A - Improvement in grain thrashers and separators - Google Patents

Description

. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. F.-COCHRANE.

Grain Thrasher and Separator.

Patented Jany 14, 1862.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. F. COCHRANE.

Grain Thrasher and Separator.

Patented Jany 14, 1862.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM F. COCHRANE, OF- SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

I MPROVEMENT IN GRAIN THRASHERS AND SEPARATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,132, dated January 14, 1862.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM FRAZER GocH- BANE, of Springfield, in the county of Clark and State'of Ohio, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Machinery for Thrashing and Separating Grain, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of athrashing and separating machine embracing my improvements, as seen from one side. Fig. 2 represents a'similar view'of the other side of the same with the cap of the thrashing-cylinder removed. In both of these figures the independent or adjustable frame which carries the thrashing and separating mechanisms is shown as lowered upon the main frame, which is the position most suitable for transportation. Fig. 3 represents a plan or view of the bottom of the machine inverted, showing more particularly the construction of the bottom part of the frame and the position of thestand or frame which contains the gearing; and Fig 4 represents a.

vertical longitudinal section through the machine at the line 0 o of Fig. 3, the grain-belt and independent frame being elevated to the posit-ion most favorable to its successful operation.

In machines for thrashing and separating grain as constructed previously to the date of my invention the frame which sustains the separating mechanism (including the grainbelt) projects upward and backward above the machine at a considerable and an unchangeable angle. frame are also connected firmly to the beltframe to sustain it. This mode of construction makes the machine awkward, inconvenient, and unwieldy in operation and increases the difficulty and cost of transporting it from place to place. It is, moreover, at times desirable to vary the angle of inclination of the grain-belt not only to allow the machine to work in a more confined space, but to render its operation more perfect.

It is the object of the invention claimed under this patent to produce an efiective working machine which shall obviate the abovementioned and other defects incident to these The upright side timbers of the machines as heretofore constructed, and to this end my improvements consist:

First. In arranging the thrashing and separating mechanismsin an independent or separate frame connected with the main frame in such manner as to be capable of moving freely in a vertical plane and of being firmly held in any desired position, the thrashing and separating mechanisms being so arranged in said frame that their relative positions are not disturbed by such movement. By this means I am enabled to give any desirable angle to the grain-belt while in operation and to lower the mechanism within the main frame while being transported from place to place or when not in use.

Second. In arranging the driving-gearing and thrashing-cylinder in such relation to each other that the distance between them may be varied at will and while the machine is in motion without interrupting the working of the mechanism.

Third. In arranging the drivinggearing and separating mechanism in such manner that their relative positions may be varied at will without deranging the driving-gear.

To carry out the objects of my invention, I use a frame differing in construction from those heretofore employed. The uprights, instead of being connected to the frame of the grain-belt, terminate at the upper sill or plate of the frame. The machine may be mounted on a truck, as usual, for convenience of carriage. The gearing is contained within a solid stand or frame resting upon the sills of the frame in a central position near its forward end.

The thrashing and separating mechanisms are mounted in an independent frame, which moves freely up and down within the main frame, and can be held in any desired position by means of a suitable detent. The thrashing-cylinder may be constructed in any convenient manner. It has pulleys on each end of its shaft, by which it is driven from corresponding pulleys on each end of the counter-shaft; but it does not drive any part of the separating mechanism. The beatershaft which actuates the separating mechanism has also pulleys on each end of its shaft, which are driven by corresponding pulleys on the countershaft. The grain-belt is driven from one end of the beater-shaft, while the fan, shoe, and conveyer may be driven from the other.

The accompanying drawings represent a convenient arrangement of parts for carrying out the objects of my invention.

The main frame is shown as consisting of strong sills A, connected by suitable braces and securely fastened.

The gearing has its bearings in a solid castiron stand or frame B, (which I call a combined stand,) resting in bearings on the base of the main frame. A lever C, one end of which is pivoted in one of the sills, extends across the frame under the combined stand. A lifting-screw 0 passes vertically through the side timbers of the frame and through the other end of this lever, so that by turning the screw, which is provided with a handle for this purpose, in the proper direction the combined stand may be raised to any desired position and held there. The driving-gear in this instance consists of a connecting-rod D, (having a universal joint d on its forward end to form a connection with the horse-power or other prime mover,) turning in bearings in the combined stand. On the rear end of this rod is a bevel-wheel d, gearing into a pinion on the counter-shaft d The counter-shaft carries two sets of pulleys, one set (1 of which drives the thrashing-cylinders and the other set d drives the beater-shaft G.

Thethrashing-cylinderandseparatingmechanism are contained within a stout frame E, which is represented as hinged on a pivot 6 near the upper front corner of the main frame A. This independent frame fits snugly within the main frame, and is capable of sliding freely up and down in the arc of a circle of which the pivot 6 forms the center. The frame can be adjusted at will by means of a rack 6 upon it and a pinion e on a shaft a turning in bearings on the main frame. It can be held at any desired elevation by means of a ratchet e and detent e', as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Athrashing-cylinder F is supported in bearings in this independent frame near its front end, and is driven by small pulleys f on each end of its shaft.

A beater-shaft G is mounted in suitable journals just back of the thrashing-cylinder, and is rotated (by pulleys on each end of its shaft) from the counter-shaft. A band g from one end of the beater-shaft drives the shaft h of the grain-belt H, the front end of which belt runs over the shaft e, which also forms the pivot upon which the independent frame turns.

A vibrating shoe I, provided with proper screens, &c., is also arranged within the independent frame beneath the grain-belt.

When it is desired to bag the grain, I employ a creeping-cloth or endless apron J, which reaches across the frame just below the shoe to receive the grain as it passes from the winnower and conduct it to the bagger.

A fan-shaft K is located in front of the creepingcloth. This shaft is driven from one end of the beater-shaft and carries on one end a spur-wheel, which drives the creeping-cloth and vibrating shoe.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the machine is represented with the frame E lowered upon the main frame for convenience of transportation, while in Fig. 4 it is represented as elevated to the proper angle for working effectively. It may, however, be worked in either position by va rying the length of the driving-bands, which are accordingly shown as drawn tight in either position.

What I claim under this patent as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Mounting the thrashing and separating mechanisms in an independent adjustable frame capable of moving freely in a vertical plane within the main frame, for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the driving-gearing and thrashing-cylinder,substantially in the manner described.

3. The combination of the driving-gearing and separating mechanism, substantially in the manner described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM F. OOCHRANE.

Witnesses:

B. H. WARDER, WM. D. BALDWIN.

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