US642184A - Automatic feeder. - Google Patents

Description

No. 642,184. Patented Ian. 30, I900. J. P. WEHRER.

AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

-Applicntion filed June 28. 1899.-

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

"No Model.)

I: :II -IPHHHHH mil/rel 19029109 m: scams PETERS cav Pumouma, wnsmuummu N0. (M2084. P atBntBd Jan. 30, 1900. .r. P. WE'HRER. AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

(Application filed June 28, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

No. 642,!84. Patented Jan. 30, I900.

J. P. WEHREB.

AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

(Application filed June 28, 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 tries.

JOHN PETER VVEIIRER, OF LA CROSSE, \VISOONSIN.

AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 642,184, dated January 30, 1900.; Application filed June 28,1899. Serial No. 722,206, (No niodelJ To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .1 OHN PETER WEHRER, a citizen of the United States, residing at La Crosse, in the county of La Crosse and State of \Visconsin, have invented a new and useful Automatic Feeder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic feeders for mills which are employed for use in connection particularly with roller-machines in a flour-mill, where an automatic feed of the stock thereto is necessary.

The main object of this invention is to improve the construction of feeders of this char acter and to reduce the number of working parts, while at the same time producing a machine capable of providing an even and regular disposition of the stock to mills with a regulable slower speed than is possible in similar feeders heretofore devised, and especially in feeders of the class disclosed in my former patent, No. 535,429, and also in application for patent, Serial No. 595,476, filed June 13, 1896. In the accomplishment of these objects the machine further provides for the positive separation of foreign substancessuch as nails, bolts, &c.-from the stock or flour that is run through the feeder. The invention is therefore primarily intended to embody a material improvement upon the entire construction and make-up of the machine set forth in my above'referred-to former patent, as well as the device disclosed by the application specified.

\Vith these and other objects in View, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of an automatic feeder embodying the improved features. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of one end of the machine, showing the interior mechanism in elevation. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, taken through another plane, of one end of the machine and looking in a different direction, part of the casing only being shown, and illustrating particularly a deflector. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of a portion of one end of the machine, showing parts in a different position. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of one of the regulating-gates and attachments therefor. Fi 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the inclined separating-sieves. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view showing the guards of the mote-box and their cut-away portions and the part coacting therewith.

Correspondingreference characters are employed in the several views to indicate similar parts.

The casing l is open at its bottom and adapted to be arranged over a roller flour or similar mill for the purpose of evenly distributing the stock thereto, and at its opposite ends said casing is provided with doors 2, having glass panels that admit of convenient access to the interior of the casing for adjusting the mechanism, which is entirelyinclosed, and also affording means for exposing to View the automatic feed devices within the casing. The casing 1 has a longitudinally-vibrating feed-pan 3 mounted therein, which has attached rigidly to each of its corners 4 the lower end of a spring-metal hanger-strap 5, the upper end of the latter being secured to an adjustable supporting-block 6 by means of a clamp-bolt 7, passed transversely through the said block and the upper end of the spring-strap. The opposite ends of the bolt 7 work in slots 8 in angled clamp-plates 9, arranged at each side of the block 6 and bolted to the inner side of the casing 1 close to the top thereof, said angle-p1ates forming guides to retain the block 6 readily in position and allow the same to be properly adjusted up and down to vary the elevation of the feed-pan Each of the adjustable supporting-blocks of each hanger-strap 5 at the corners of the feedpan has fitted in its upper end a screw rod 10, projecting upwardly through the top of the casing and having thereon opposite winged or thumb nuts 12 and 13, which act, respectively, as adjusting and jam nuts and by means of which each block may be raised or lowered and correspondingly affect the feed-pan attached to the straps 5. lhe adjusting means just described are partially located within the easing and on the upper exterior portion and may be readily varied to change the elevation of the pan or modify its adjustment, and the metallic straps suspending the said pan permit the latter to freely and uniformly vibrate within the casing when motion is imparted thereto.

To positively vibrate the feed-pan within the casing, the latter has rigidly secured to its opposite sides,near one end, the lower portions of shaker-bars 14, which are firmly connected to the sides of the pan and project through and work in slots 15, formed in the top of the casing at opposite sides. The ends of the shaker-bars 14 that project over the top of the casing have adjustably fitted thereto, as at 16, the ends of eccentric pitmen 17, which are yielding in nature and have their opposite ends provided with journal-boxes 18, clamped on shaft-eccentrics 19 of a transverse drive-shaft 20, arranged above the top of the casing at one end and journaled at its opposite ends in bearing-boxes 21, supported at the upper terminals of bearing-brackets 22, fastened to the casing at opposite sides. The said drive-shaft 20 is adapted to have a suitable pulley or other analogous device keyed thereto to receive a belt for transmitting motionZtO the said shaft, and thereby actuate the several movable parts of the feeder. The pitmen 17 are preferably made of suitable spring material, which is necessary in View of their rigid connection at one end to the upper ends of the shaker-bars 14, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The longitudinally vibrating or swinging feed-pan 3 essentially comprises the opposite parallel pan sides 24, a central transverse upright partition -board connecting the sides 24 intermediate of their ends, and opposite inclined bottom boards 26 also connect the said opposite sides 24 and decline toward the opposite ends of the pan from the said central upright partition-board. In the present invention the opposite inclined bottom boards 26 have a gradual downward slope from the partition-board and are supported by opposite side strips 27 and transverse end boards 28. The said bottom boards 26 are of considerable width and their opposite end edges overhang the transverse end boards, as at 29, the said end boards being secured to end supports 30, which extend below the same and have attached thereto space-strips 31 at a suitable distance below the upper over hanging edges of the bottom boards 26. The outer surfaces of the space-strips 31 are inclined and extend down to angularly-disposed feed-board sections 32, which terminate in ledges 33. The space-strips 31, feedboard sections 32, and ledges 33 are held by the supports 30 and transverse end strips 28, portions of the said devices being also rested upon each other, and by the arrangement of the said strips 31 and feed-board sections 32 the flour is thrown out or directed toward the outer portion of the ledges 33. The inner rails 34 of screens or sieves 35 are movably held bet-ween the overhanging edges 29 of the bottom boards 26 and the upper edges of the space-strips 31, the outer rails 36 of said screens or sieves being rested upon the upper edges of transverse supports 37, extending across the lower portion of the opposite ends of the pan 3 and connecting the sides of the latter. The screen or sieve is shown in detail in Fig. 6 and in the present instance preferably includes a plurality of rods 38, closely arranged and secured to the opposite rails 34 and 36. The outer rail 36 has an inclined edge 39, which is intended to prevent a congregation or collection of the material that passes through the screen or sieve at such point, as it will be understood that the inclined edge will be more quickly freed from any of the flour or material that passes through the screen that has a tendency to lodge thereon than if the said edge were straight, and this special construction is materially aided in carrying out its function by the vibratory movement of the pan. To the outer surface of the outer rail 36 a depending flange 40 is firmly connected, and secured to the said flange are downwardly-extending hooks 41, having their entrance-throats 42 above the lower end and opening out at one side, the throats being arranged for convenience in attaching the hooks at the outer edges and communicating with the angular seat-openings 43, which extend in the direction of the hooks from the flange 40. The flange 40 and books 41 extend over the outer surface of the transverse supports 37, and from the latter screw-studs 44 project out- Wardly and are caused to enter the throats 42 of the hooks 41 and the openings of the said hooks, with which the said throats communicate. After the studs 44 are thus arranged in relation to the books 41 clampingnuts 45 are applied thereover, and the sieves or screens are thus held in firm connection with the opposite lower end portions of the pan 3 and subject to removal at any time desired or adjustment at their outer ends by loosening the nuts 45 and changing the position of the hooks 41 relatively to the studs 44. In removing the screens or sieves 35 the nuts 45 are first disconnected from the studs 44 and the hooks 41 cleared from said studs. The outer rails 36 can then be raised from the supports 37, and this operation is necessary to disengage the inner rails 43 from under the overhanging end edges 29 of the bottom boards 26. The close joint or fitting of the inner rails 34 with the said overhanging edges of the boards 26 prevents the collection of dust or a deposit ofmaterial under the said boards.

The rods 38 of the screens or sieves 35 are preferably formed of wire of suitable gage,

and the said sieves or screens are disposedin such relation to the opposite end edges of the bottom boards 26 as to permit the stock or flour to freely pass therethrough, while at the same time serving to separate from such stock nails, screws, or other foreign substances ICC IIO

which are delivered over the outer ends of the sieves by reason of the inclination thereof and the vibration of the feed-pan in the end moteboxes 46. The said boxes 46 are arranged directly under the opposite ends of the pan within the casing and are provided with hinged screen-bottoms 47, which rest on cross supporting wires or analogous devices 48 when in lowered position. When the screens 47 are down, they receive and hold foreign substances discharged from the sieves or screens 35,which vibrate'thereover, while at the same time allowing the flour and dust to pass through to the rolls of the mill being fed. Said boxes 46 are fitted within the ends of the casing 1 below the doors 2 and in the present instance have opposite end guards 49, which extend some distance above the lower walls of the said doors 2 and have inwardlyinclined upper edges 50. The guards project below the boxes proper, and the inner walls of the said boxes are formed by transverse strips 51, which are secured to said guards and stand far enough above the level of the sieves 48 when down to establish a containing-receptacle, but do not come close enough to the under adjacent portions of the pan 3 to in any wayinterfere with the vibratory motion of the latter. The guards 49 may be fastened to the casing in any suitable manner, and removable devices may be used for such purpose, which is an obvious expedient. The inner edges of the guards are cut away for a portion of their length, as at 52, to make it easier to remove the screens or sieves 35 or for effecting an adjustment of the latter to vary the pitch, and on the upper inwardly-inclined edges of the said guards a deflector 53 is adjustably mounted, and consists of a board of greater width than the upper portions of the said guards and projecting over the outerparts or ends of the screens 35. These deflectors 53 are adjustable on the guards by having keyhole-slots 54 formed therein, through which set-screws or analogous devices 55 extend from the upper edges of the said guards. The object of these deflectors is to prevent dust from flying out and settling on the contents of the 1note-boxes 46, and by their inclination the said deflectors throw the material that may accumulate thereon back to the screens 35, and by adjusting the deflectors 53 the inner ends thereof can be brought nearer to or drawn farther away from the outer portions of the screens 35, and to still more effectively prevent the settling of dustin the moteboxes dust-cloths 56 are attached to the illner edges of said deflectors and depend to within a short distance of the outer ends of the said screens. These dust-cloths 56 are slitted transversely, as will be understood, and between the lower edges of the same and the outer ends of the said screens sufficient space will be left to allow the free passage of foreign substances from the screens into the mote-boxes. As a further obstruction to the return from or entrance of dust into the said moteboxes dust-cloths 57 a are attached to lower portions of the outer sides of the supports 37 and depend close to the upper edges of the transverse strips 51, thereby closing the space between the said strips and the adjacent under portions of the opposite ends of the pan 3. At any time that a full or better access is desired to the interior of the casing the deflectors 50 may be disconnected from the guards 49, and the sieve 47 can at any time be elevated when its use is not desired, which would depend upon the condition of the stock or flour passing through the feeder, and it is self-evident that if there be no foreign material therein the services of the moteboxes can be dispensed with.

In order to make a plain feeder out of the device in its present construction, the screens 35 are removed, as well as the deflectors 50, and the sieve 47 elevated, or the guards 49 and other parts may be detached to provide a full clearance at the opposite ends of the pan 3.

The vibrating feed-pan 3 receives the stock at the opposite sides of the central vertical partition-board 25 from short depending feed boxes or chutes 57, arranged transversely within the casing and are of a length substantially equal to the width of the said feed-pan between its opposite sides. The feed-boxes are arranged in such manner as to have their lower open sides project within the upper portion of the feed-pan at both sides of the central vertical partition-board, and the upper open sides of the said feed boxes or chutes are fitted to the under side of the top of the casing and under top feedopenings 58in the bottom of the hopper-box 59. This hopperbox is mounted directly on top of the casing over the said feed-openings 58 and has therein a central transverse pointed depending guard 60, arranged between the two openings 58, and thereby allowing the stock to freely enter both of the latter feed-openings and the feed boxes or chutes directly thereunder, and when the feeder is employed in running two different kinds of stock the hopper-box 59 has arranged therein a suitable vertical partition-board 61 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) and divides the interior of said hopper-box into two compartments-one, respectively, for each kind of stock. The hopperbox 50 receives the material or stock to be fed to the mill in the ordinary manner and is preferably provided in opposite sides with suitable doors 62, having glass panels, for the purpose of access and inspection.

The flow of stock over the opposite feedboards 26 ot' the vibrating feed-pan 3 is automatically regulated by means of self-adjusting feed-regulating gates 63, arranged to work within opposite portions of the feed-pan near or over the outer end edges 29 of the feedboards 26. Each feed-regulating gate 51 is pivotally swung from the lower portion of the front wall or side of the opposite feed boxes or chutes 57, and as the construction and arrangement are duplicated on adjacent opposite ends only one will be referred to for the purpose of illustration.

In the outer sides of each feed box or chute 57 a rock-shaft 64 is journaled in end hangerboxes 65, secured to said side or wall of the feed box or chute. On the said rock-shaft opposite sleeves 66 are adj ustably secured by setscrews 67 and have gate-arms 68 extending downwardly therefrom and rigidly attached to the main gate-support 69, which has an inwardly-extending top strip 70 and slots 71 standing transversely of the body thereof at suitable distances apart. An adj usting-board 72 is movably applied to the inner face of the main gate-support 69, and therefrom headed screwstuds or adjusting pins 73 project through the slots 71 and washers 74 on the outer face of the said gate support 69. Through the medium of these studs or pins the adjusting-board 72may be shifted and held at varying depending distances below the lower edge of the said gate-support and will be prevented from rising above a predetermined point by the ledge-strip 70. Just inside the points of attachment of the gatearms 68 to the outer face of the main gatesupport 69 shoe-slides 75 are secured and have screw-stems 76 extending about centrally outward therefrom. The outer faces of the said shoe-slides 75 are beveled, being declined inwardly from their lower portions toward the upper part of the gate-support, and thereby bringing their greatest projection at the lower ends. On each shoe-slide 74 a guide 77 is secured and consists of upper and lower pairs of outstanding arms 78, which are spaced apart from each other, and therein is movably mounted a shoe 79, having a slot 80, of elongated form, through which the shank 76 is adapted to pass. The slot 80 is longitudinally disposed, and the outer face of the shoe is straight, while the inner face is beveled at an angle reverse to the declination of the bevel of the face of the shoe-slides 75. The arms 78 of the guide 77 embrace the opposite sides of the shoe 79 and prevent it from turning laterally, but permit sufficient freedom or sliding action of .the shoe to afford ready means for adjustment and of a character which will operate to extend the device carried by the shoe farther outward from the main gate-support or also permit an inward movement of such device toward said support.

The device that is applied to the outer faces of the opposite shoes 79 is a regulator 81, consisting of a flat strip having a lower inner rounded edge 82 and transverse slots 83 near opposite ends, through which the shanks 76 extend and receive washers and winged butts 84 to clamp the said regulator in adjusted position and by the binding pressure thereon on the shoes prevent the latter also from having any movement whatever. It is preferred that the lower edges of the regulators 81 stand over the overhanging outer edges of the feedboards 26, the upper surfaces of said outer edges being formed with curved bevels 85 to permit an easy overflow of the material from the said boards. The said regulators spread the stock delivered from the feed-boards and form a thin layer, which is regulable in accordance with the distance that the lower edge of each regulator is from the outer edge of the feed-board, and by moving the inner adjustable board 7 2 the stock coming through each feed box or chute 57 is deflected or thrown back toward the partition-board 25 to an extent dependent upon the depression of the said adjustable board 72. This will prevent the jam from concentrating completely against the regulator 81 and permit the latter to more effectually carry out its function of spreading the stock fed thereover over the outer edge of the feed-board below. The interposition of the shoes 79 and the shoe-slides 78 between the regulator 81 and the main gate-support 69 provides means for adjusting the said regulator evenly, and when the said regulator is moved its position is not only varied in a vertical plane, but simultaneously in an outward extent from the said main gatesupport, as previously indicated. During the adjustment of the regulator 81 one side should be kept tight to prevent choking, and to control the outward movement of the entire gate, as composed of the parts just specified, special forms of devices are employed.

On the middle portion of the rock-shaft a sleeve 86 is adj nstably secured by a set-screw 87 and has outwardly-extending diverging arms 88 with elongated angularly-disposed slotted seats 89 on their terminals disposed horizontally and arranged in parallel relation. Depending from the top of the casing 1, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are a pair of posts 90 and 91, both of which extend through the seats 89 on the arms 88. On the post 90 a set-collar 92 is adjustably fastened and has a socket 93, from which a coiled spring 94 depends and attached at its lower terminal to a stop-plate 95, through which said post 90 extends and at a distance above the adjacent seat 89. On the post 91 a set-collar 96 is adjustably fastened, and between the same and the adjacent seat 89 a coiled spring 97 surrounds the said post 91 and has its opposite terminals loose. This spring holds the entire gate down in proper position after a predetermined adjustment has been obtained, and to limit or compensate for a change in such adjustment a set-collar 98 is mounted on the post 91 below the seat 89,through which said post extends. Therefore it will be understood that the tension of the spring 97 may be varied by moving the set-collar 96 in a downward direction, and the entire gate may have its angle changed relatively to the feed-board below by moving the set-collar 98 upwardly or downwardly on the post 91 below the seat 89. The spring 97 is used to obtain the required pressure to retain the material or stock back of the gate in each instance in such IIC manner as to make it flow evenly the full length of the regulator 81 or under the entire gate. The pressure of the infiowing stock behind the gate will of course tilt the latter upwardly against the resistance of the spring 97 and might overcome the said resistance alone with disastrous results, but is checked by the suspended spring 91L, which checks the amount of flow to the rolls, and as the seat 89 under the plate 95 rises and contacts with said plate the spring 94 will not give, but keep the same position, and thereby stop the upward movement of the seats and through the arms 88 check the rotation of the rockshaft 64:, and consequently the outward movement of the gate as an entirety. The spring 91 must be stiff enough so as not to give or yield when the stock is filling up behind the gate; but its degree of resistance should not he so intense as to cause a difference in the vibration of the gate and change or modify the flow of the stock under the regulator.

The regulator 81 has a pair of slots 99 formed therein inside of the location of the slots 83 and which are large enough to permit a screw-driver or other implement to be inserted therethrough and loosen or tighten the headed studs or screw-pins 7 3 directlyin rear thereof. This will permit the adjustment of said screw studs or pins without moving the regulator.

In the operation of the machine the stock to be fed to the mill accumulates within the feed boxes or chutes directly in rear of the adjusting-boards 72 of the feed-regulating gates and irrespective of the speed of vibration of the feed-pan. It will be observed that when a sufficient amount of stock is accumulated the weight thereof will operate to open the feed-regulatin g gates and relieve the pressure, after which the gates will close under the influence of the spring 94, acting in conjunction with the spring 97 in the manner heretofore specified, and will allow a regular and even flow of stock to be worked outward under the lower edges of the regulators 81 of the gates and over the outer beveled edges 85 of the feed-boards 26. From the said outer edges of the feed-boards the stock and any foreign substances that may be fed in therewith falls upon the screen 35, and the said foreign substances-such as nails, screws, bolts, or other material that is too large to pass through the screen-will be fed into the mote-boxes 46, while the purified or cleansed stock passes downwardly through the screen and out over the free edges of the ledge-board downwardly from opposite sides of the pan 3 to the rolls below.

It is obvious that the flow of the stock under the gates must be regulated or controlled; but in feediugunills there should always be a sufficient amount passed through the feeder to overflow the mills or feed as much thereto as the rolls can take without choking. As

soon as any extra accumulation or overflow of the stock has been worked under the regulating-gates the said gates automatically resume their lowered position and the flow will continue to be regular under the control of the springs 94 and 97.

To suit different conditions of stock, it may be found necessary at times to vary the spring tension on the gates or permit the latter to have a normal open position greater than would be afiorded by the adjustment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. To accomplish this, the sleeve 86 maybe turned on the rock-shaft Gl or the sleeves 66, from which the gate-arms extend, be likewise adjusted 011 said shaft. It will be seen from this adjustment that almost every contingency may be met and the feed regulated at will. Whatever the adjustment of the various parts of the gates may be the vibration of the pan will also carry an even flow of stock thereunder, inasmuch as the stock cannot resist the tendency to pass out under the gates, as the vibrations of the pan are inward and outward with a tendency to move slightly upward, thereby causing the stock to work against the lower portion of the regulator 81, and in securing this operation only a slow motion of the feed-pan is required.

Changes in the form, proportions,and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages incident thereto.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In an automatic feederfor mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-pan vibratingly mounted therein and provided with opposite open ends and feed-boards declining in reverse directions toward said ends, the outer ends of said feed-boards being provided with curved bevels and projecting beyond their supports to form seats immediately below, and screens adjustably and re movably mounted in the opposite ends of the feed-pan and having their inner rails normally located directly under the said outer ends of the feedboards, the outer rails of the said screens also having depending slotted holding devices to engage projections on the opposite ends of the feed-pan to maintain the said screens in fixed adjusted positions.

2. In an automatic feeder for mills, a casing having an open bottom, a feed-pan vibratingly mounted in the said casing and having opposite open ends, screens in the feed-pan adjacent the opposite open ends thereof, and adjustable, inwardly-inclined deflectors supported in the ends of the casing above and adapted to be projected partially over the said screens.

3. In an automatic feeder for mills, an openbottom casing, a food-pan vibratingly mounted in the casing and having opposite open ends, mote-boxes in opposite ends of the easin g operatively related to the open ends of the feed-pan, and inwardly-inclined, adjustable deflectors located above the said mote-boxes IIO and adapted to be partially projected over the adjacent open ends of the feed-pan.

4. In an automatic feeder for mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-pan vibratingly mounted' therein and having opposite open ends, screens located in the opposite end portions of the said feed-pan, and inwardly-inclined, adjustable deflectors adapted to be partially projected over the said screens and having dust-cloths on the inner edges thereof.

5. The combination with a feed chute or box,in a feeder for mills,of a regulating device comprising a gate having a rocking movement, and yielding devices in operable relation to the said gate, one of said devices having a continual contact with a portion of the gate and exerting a downward pressure thereon to resist upward movement of the gate and the other device normally out of contact with any part of the gate and operating to increase the resistance to the upwardmovement of the gate beyond a predetermined distance.

6. In an automatic feeder for mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-pan vibratingly and ad-.

justably mounted in said casing and having opposite open ends, screens adjustably and movably mounted in the said opposite ends of the feed-pan, and mote-boxes in the opposite ends of the casing, having guards rising therefrom, with the inner edges cut away to facilitate the removal and adjustment of the said screens.

7. In an automatic feeder for mills, a casing havinga feed chute or box extending downwardly therein, a longitudinally-vibrating feed-pan mounted in the casing under the feed chute or box, a regulating-gate movably and adjustably connected to the outer portion of the feed chute or box, a resilient device for normally holding the gate down against a predetermined pressure or feed, and an auxiliary yielding device adapted to coact with the said resilient device to limit the upward or opening movement of the gate.

8. In an'automaticfceder for mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-pan vibratingly mounted in the said casing, a feed chute or box depending into the said pan, a regulatinggate movably attached to the outer portion of the saidfeed chute or box and comprising a freelymovable main gate or support and an outer regulator thereon, and adj usting-shoes interposed between the opposing faces of the main gate-support and regulator, the said shoes having straight faces bearing against one of the latter parts and inclined faces bearing against the other.

9. In an automatic feeder formills, an openbottom casing, a longitudinally-vibrating feed-pan arranged Within the casin g and having a feed-board, a feed chute or box above the feed-board, a rock-shaft on the outer portion of the said feed chute or box, and a gate attached to said rock-shaft and comprisinga main gate-support having slides thereon with beveled faces and a regulator provided with shoes to adjustably engage the said slides and operating to project the said regulator away from the support.

10. In-an automatic feeder for mills, an open-bottom casing, a feed-pan vibratingly mounted in said casing and having a feedboard therein, a feed chute or box depending into the casing over the feed-board of the pan,.a rock-shaft attached to the outer portion of the said feed chute or box, arms extending outwardly from the said shaft and having engaging terminals, a regulating-gate connected to the shaft, posts dependingfrom the casing through the engaging terminals of the said arms, and springs on the said posts, one of which exerts a downward tension to hold the gate against a predetermined feedpressure, and the other serving as a stop to limit the opening movement of the said gate.

11. In an automatic feeder for mills, an open-bottom casing, a feed-pan vibratingly mounted therein and having a feed-board, a feed chute or box depending from the casing over the said feed-board, a movable supporting device on the outer portion of the said feed chute or box, a gate connected to the said supporting device and comprising a main gate-support,a back adj usting-board,i11clined slides at opposite portions of the said gatesupport having screw-stems projecting outwardly therefrom, a regulator provided with inclined shoes to engage the said slides, and openings through which the said screw-stems extend, and yielding devices for controlling the opening movement of the gate.

12. In an automatic feeder for mills, an open-bottom casing, a feed-pan vibratingly mounted therein and having a feed-board declining toward one end and provided with an outer curved bevel edge, a feed chute or box above and leading to the said feed-board, a gate having a freely-movable suspension from said feed chute or box and provided with an outer adjustable member having an inner face movable inwardly toward and outwardly from the remaining portion of the gate and thereby made shiftable toward or away from the outer curved bevel edge of the said feedboard, and shoes interposed between the said member and the adjacent part of the gate having straight faces on one side and beveled faces on the opposite side.

.13. In an automatic feeder for mills,a casing having an open bottom, a feed-pan vibratingly and adjustably mounted therein and provided with a feed-board, a feed chute or box leading to the said feed-board, movable arms on said feed chute or box, a main gatesupport connected-to said arms and provided with slides having outer beveled faces and outstanding screw-threaded stems, gates on the said slides, a regulator having slotted shoes to engage the said slides and receive the screw-stems,and clamping devices to hold the said stems.

14. In an automatic feeder for mills,a casing IIC having an open bottom and an end door or 210- I above the plane of the outer end of the said eess opening, a longitudinaliy-vibrating feedscreen. pan arranged in the casing and having a feed- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as board, ascreen at the end of the pan, to which my own I have hereto affixed my signature in 5 the said feed-board leads, a regulating-gate the presence of two witnesses.

adjustabiy suspended over the outer portion A v 1 of the feed-board, a 1note-box below the outer I JOHN PErl ER WVEHRER' \Vitnesses: i ALEXANDER WANNER, l FRANK J. STANGL.

end of the pan and provided With a hinged sieve-bottom, and a deflector having an in- [0 Ward inclination and adjustabiy mounted

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