US847391A - Straw-stoker. - Google Patents

Description

No. 847,391. PATENTED MAR. 19; 1907.

A. E. WOODMANSBE.

STRAW STOKER. APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 26, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Tu: NORRIS PETERS co, WASHINGTON n, c.

PATENTED. MAR. 19, 1907.

v No. 847,391.

A. E. WOODMANSE'E.

STRAW STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WHZQQSSQSI TE STA ES ATE T EETGE.

STRAW-STOKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 1907.

Application filed February 26, 1906. Serial No. 303,006.

To in whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARNOLD E. W001)- MANSEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at l/Voonsocket, South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straw-Stokers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in straw-stokers for traction-engines, though of course as a straw-stoker it is adapted for use wherever it may be desired to burn straw.

Hcretofore great difficulty has been encountered in feeding the straw in exactly the amount desired and delivering the same with certainty under all conditions to the fire-box of the boiler and preventing the fire carrying back.

It is the object of this invention, first, to provide a structure which will be always efiectivc to deliver the straw placed in the hopper; second, to provide a means by which the amount of straw to the furnace can be effectively controlled and regulated; third, to provide an improved structure which will deliver the straw in such manner that it can be readily burned without the use of the ordinary grates provided in the fire-boxes, such structure being simple and easy of repair; fourth, to provide an improved arrangement of straw-carriers for use in a stoker; fifth, to provide an improved construction and means of preventing the fire traveling back over the straw that may be in the stoker when the engine is'stopped.

Further and minor objects relating to details of construction will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

A structure accomplishing the objects of my invention is fully described in the following specification, and the invention itself is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

An improved straw-stoker embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation view of my improved straw stoker, the part extending into the fire-door of the boiler being omitted. Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the same structure from the right-hand side. Fig. 3

I is a front elevation view of my improved stoker, the delivery-chute from the same being in section on line 3 3 of Fig. 8 and portions of the casing being broken away to show details of constructoin. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the driving mechanism, partially in section, on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 5 5 of F1g. 2, showing details of the adjusting means for adjusting the tension of the carrier-chains. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the ratchet-driving mechanism for the carrier B, taken on a line corresponding to line 6 6 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the upper guiding-carrier, taken on a line corresponding to line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through the entire stoker, taken on a line corresponding to line 8 8 of Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a detail plan View of the forward end of the stoker where it projects into the fire-box.

In the drawing the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and

.similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawing, the hopper A is provided at its bottom With a substantially horizontal straw-carrier, which is arranged across the bottom and is supported by the shafts B B and actuated by suitable sprocket-wheels. The bearing for the shaft B is adjustable by means of the screw R, which extends through the bearingblock R and is threaded thereinto, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5.

.The carrier B is driven from the ratchetwheel N, which is supported on a suitable axle N. This ratchet is driven from the shaft E, the wheel K having a wrist-pin thereon actuating the pitman K, which operates the lever M. This lever M is slotted and adjustable on its fulcrum M and is connected by a link M to a lever N, which carries the ratchet-pawl n, which engages the ratchetwheel N for driving the same. The lever M is adjust able over its fulcrum by means of the lever P, which is connected thereto by suitable links P and is adjustable by means of the ratchet on the segment P. This shaft E is provided with cranks E, four in number, arranged in opposite alternating pairs. On the left-hand end of the shaft E is a sprocketwheel J, which is driven by the sprocketchain J over the sprocket-wheel 'L. This sprocket i is on the shaft 1, which is driven by the small engine I, supported on the lefthand side of the hopper A, as clearly appears in Fig. 1. The balance-wheel I of the engine is on the end of the shaft I.

The carrier B delivers onto the upwardlyinclined carrier This carrier C is supported on the main rollers C C and is deflected somewhat toward the horizontal at each end. The roller C is arranged lower than and projects partially in under the forward end of the carrier B, so that the straw carried by the carrier B will be delivered onto this carrier C at its lower end and then will be picked up and carried upwardly there by. Rollers c c are arranged toward the upper part of this carrier, so that the carrierapron projects horizontally forward and passes under the roller on the shaft and rearwardly therefrom in substantially a horizontal direction. The slats of this carrier C arc rovided with suitable ins to en a e the straw to drop from the same into the auxiliary hopper A. A roller H, with slats or projections thereon, is arranged back of the carrier C and revolves in the opposite direction from the travel of the apron thereon, so as to strike any straw or chaff that may be retained on the apron of the carrier 0 and clear it from the'same. A guiding-carrier D is supported in the upper frontpart of the hopper A, the lower end of which is arranged just above the upper end of the elevatingcarrier 0 and adjustable up and down in relation thereto. This is done by the lever T, adjustable on segment T on rock-shaft S, connected by arm S through link S to shaft D, swinging in slot d. The slats on the apron of this carrier are provided with pins also, and it runs in the opposite direction from the carrier C, so as to strike back any large accumulations of straw ascending, so that they will fall back into the bottom of 'the hopper A. Thereby the amount of straw delivered upwardly is largely regulated.

The elevating-carrier U and the guidecarrier D are driven by sprocket-gear con nections from the shaft L, the sprockets be ing driven from a gear L on the shaft E, which engages a gear L in order to drive the same in the right direction. These connections are clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, the lower sprocket being deflected to engage a sprocket-wheel which drives the ribbed or corrugated roller H.

A large volume of straw of course can be filled into the hopper A, and the slats with projecting pins passing up in front of the same pull it upwardly, raising the same from the bottom up. The elevating-carrier is slightly inclined, so that it will take hold of the straw at the lower front part of the advancing straw within, so as to insure a pr ger amount being elevated. at all times. Tn l movement prevents the straw from clogging in the hopper, as it is constantly raising the same upwardly from the bottom.

The elevatingcarrier C in addition to the usual belts and slats is provided with a canvas apron, which in view of the peculiar arrangement of the parts enables it to elevate chaff as well as the coarser straw. The upper front part of the hopper A is covered over, a suitable hinged cover A being provided at this point.

The straw is delivered from the carriers into the auxiliary hopper A with inclined sides, that deliver downwardly into the chute F. The chute F is covered over with a coverplate F and provided with a hinged door f, supported on a pivot f j ust beneath the coverplate F. This door f is controlled by a lever f, a ratchet engaged by the pawl f serving to adjust the same in the open position. The weight of this door is sufficient to close it on the burning straw and extinguish the same at that point in the event of any back-firing. The front end of the chute F is constructed and arranged to extend into the door of the fire-box of a traction-engine which comes at the vertical line indicated on Fig. 8.

A plate G extends entirely within the firebox, and grate-bars G are detachably secured by a suitable hook formation (clearly indicated in Figs. 8 and 9) to the front end of the plate G in such a manner that the straw is readily delivered over the plate G out over the bars G, where it is supported for a sufficic'nt length of time to become ignited and burned. Any slight refuse and the ashes pass readily on off the ends of the bars, sothat they can. be removed from the ash-pit. As these grate-bars are of course subjected to the intense heat, it is thought best to make them readily removable, so that they can be easily renewed, as it is believed that they will eventually burn out.

A crank shaft E extends transversely across the rear of the chute F and just in front of the bottom of the auxiliaryhopper A. As before remarked, there are two pairs of oppositely and alternately arranged cranks E on this shaft E. These carry a series of serrated arms E, which are toothed on their under side and extend rearwardly and upwardly, terminating in comparatively broad flat heads provided with serrations on their rear and upper sides for engaging the straw in the auxiliary hopper A. The front of these arms are provided with pivoted serrated toes e, and the whole structures are arranged to reciprocate in the chute F, the teeth projecting downwardly and forwardly, so that the pairs engage the straw or fuel alternately and advance it step by step as the crank-shaft E is revolved. This crank-shaft, as before explained, is driven by the sprocketwheel J, which is driven directly from the engine. The crank is provided on the shaft E, so that the same can be operated in starting the machine by hand until the fire has been started sufliciently to generate the steam necessary to drive the engine.

I desire to remark that I have not shown any means of supporting my improved strawstoker, and I have not shown the same actually connected to the fire-box, because I have not deemed that necessary. I will remark, however, that the stoker can either be carried by a suitable support from the tractionengine itself or can be carried'on a supplemental truck. These are details to which my invention does pertain.

I have shown an auxiliary engine I for driving my improved stoker but I am aware that it can be driven in other ways. I have shown the alternative of a crank for the purpose.

I desire to remark that while I have shown a complete straw-stoker and believe that the entire combination possesses great merit, I think from my experience that subcombinations of many of the parts less than the whole stoker could be made use of with certain equivalent devices, and I therefore desire to remark that many of the details of my improved stoker can be modified without departing from the broad features of my invent1on.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a straw-carrier, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B, arranged around suitable guiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier D above the upper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel in the opposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also provided with suitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from the carrier C a roller II in front of the vertical portion of the carrier C and arranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the travel of said carrier; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, hav ing inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper, carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a cover-plate F over said chute, with a door f hinged at f on the under side of the cover-plate F; a'plate G at the forward end of said chute, arranged to extend into the fire-box; detachable grate-bars G with their free ends arranged to project forwardly into the fire-box; an engine I connected to drive the crank-shaft E by suitable means; suitable gears, sprocket wheels and chains connecting the various carriers, to be driven from said crankshaft E; ratchet-wheel N with a suitable sprocketwheel connected to drive the shaft B of the carrier B in the bottom of the hopper A; a lever N with a pawl to engage said ratchet; a slotted lever M adjustable on its fulcrum M connected by a link M to the lever B at one end, and at its opposite end by the pitman K, to a wrist-pin on a wheel K, on the crank-shaft E and an adjusting-lever P connected by the link P to the lever M for shifting it on its fulcrum, whereby the motion of the carrier B can be regulated, all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B, arranged around suitable guiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier D above the upper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel in the opposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also provided with suitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from the carrier C a roller II in front of the vertical portion of the carrier C and arranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the travel of said carrier; an

auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper, carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved fiat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a cover-plate F over said chute, with a door f hinged at f on the under side of the cover-plate F; a plate G at the forward end of said chute, arranged to extend into the fire-box; and detachable grate-bars G with their free ends arranged to project forwardly into the fire-box, for the purpose specified.

8. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of. the strawcarrier B arranged around suitable guiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a roller H in front of the vertical portion of the carrier C and arranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the travel of said carrier; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on theunder sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said aux iliary hopper A through which the said ser rated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a cover-plate Fover said chute, with a door f hinged at f on the under side of the cover-plate F; a plate G at the forward end of said chute, arranged to extend into the fire-box; detachable grate-bars G with their free ends arranged to project forwardly into the fire-box; an engine I connected to drive the crank-shaft E by suitable means; suitable gears, sprocket-wheels, and chains connecting the various carriers to be driven from said crankshaft E; a ratchet-wheel N with a suitable sprocket-wheel connected to drive the shaft B of the carrier B in the bottom of the hopper A; a lever N with a pawl to engage said ratchet; a slotted lever M adjustable on its fulcrum M connected by a link M to the lever N at one end, and at its opposite end by the pitman K, to a wristpin on a wheel K, on the crank-shaft E; an adjusting-lever P connected by the link P to the lever M for shifting it on its fulcrum, whereby the motion of the carrier B can be Eegi-ulated, all coacting for the purpose specie 4:. In a strawstoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardlydelivering straw-carrier C in front of the straw-carrier B arranged around suitable guide-rolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the strawcarrierB, and the upper end of which projects horizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier D above the upper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel in the opposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also provided with suitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from the carrier 0 an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved fiat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a cover-plate F over said chute, with a door j" hinged at fon the under side of the cover-plate F a plate Q at the forward end of said chute, arranged to extend into the fire-box; and detachable gratebars G with their free ends arranged to proj ect forwardly into the fire-box, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitable guiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crankshaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a coverplate F over said chute, with a door f hinged at f on the under side of the coverplate F; a plate G-at the forward end of said chute, arranged to extend into the fire-box; and detachable grate-bars G with their free ends arranged to project forwardly into the fire-box, all coacting for the purpose specified.

6. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitable guiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the straw-carrierj rolls so that a portion projects horizontally B, and the upper end of which projects horiunder the forward end of the straw-carrier zontally forward, the said carrier being prol B, and the upper end of which projects horivided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier D above the upper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel in the opposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also provided with suitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from the carrier 0 a roller H in front of the vertical portion of the carrier C and arranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the travel of said carrier; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crankshaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; and a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper, all coacting for the pur ose specified.

7. In a straw-sto (er, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around'suitable guiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a roller H in front of the vertical portion of the carrier C and arranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the level of said carrier; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crankshaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; and a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper, all coacting for the pur ose specified.

8. In a straw-sto (er, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitable guidezontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier D above the upper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel in the opposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also provided with suitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from the carrier C; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; and a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper, all coacting for the purpose specified.

9. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontal straw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitable guiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward end of the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and the slats thereof, being provided with projecting pins; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crankshaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; and a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw'from said hopper, all coacting for the purpose specified.

10. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a hopper with a horizontal straw-carrier in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-delivering straw-carrier, the lower end of which is arranged beneath the horizontal carrier in the said hopper and the upper portion of which is extended horizontally; an auxiliary hopper into which the said upwardly-delivering car rier delivers; a chute leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hop- Lil -fire-box, for the purpose specified.

1 1. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged therein to deliver the straw therefrom; an auxiliary hopper to receive the straw; a chute leading from the auxiliary hopper; a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate pairs of cranks thereon; arms carried by the said cranks terminating at their rear ends in upwardly-turned fiat heads and provided with serrations on said heads" and under sides, pointing in the direction of said chute; pivoted toes on the front ends of said arms, said toes being serrated on their under sides, coacting for the purpose specified.

12. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged therein to deliver the straw therefrom; an auxiliary hopper to receive the straw; a chute leading from the said auxiliary hopper; a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate pairs of cranks thereon; arms carriedby the said cranks terminating at their rear ends in upwardly-turned flat heads and provided with serrations on said heads and under sides pointin in the direction of said chute, coacting for the purpose specified.

13. The combination of a hopper with suitarms, said toes being serrated on their under sides, coacting for the purpose specified.

14. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged therein to deliver the straw therefrom; a chute leading from the said apparatus; a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate pairs of cranks thereon; arms carried by the said cranks terminating at their rear ends in upwardly-turned flat heads and provided with serrations on said heads and under sides pointing in the direction of said chute, coacting for the purpose specified.

15. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged therein to deliver the straw therefrom; a chute leading from the said apparatus; a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranks thereon; arms carried by the said cranks terminating at their rear ends in upwardly-turned flat heads and provided with serrations on said heads and under sides pointing in the direction of said chute; coacting for the purpose specified.

16. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with means for delivering straw therefrom; a chute to which the straw is delivered; a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranks thereon; arms carried by the said cranks, provided with serrations on their under sides; and pivoted toes at the front ends of said arms, said toes being serrated on their under sides, for the purpose specified.

17. In a strawstoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with means for delivering straw therefrom; a chute to which the straw is delivered; a crankshaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranks thereon; arms carried by the said cranks, provided with serrations on their under sides; and pivoted toes at the front ends of said arms, coacting for the purpose specified.

18. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with means for delivering straw therefrom; a chute to which the straw is delivered; a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranks thereon; arms carried by the said cranks, provided with serrations on their under sides, coacting for the purpose specified.

19. In a stoker, the combination of a suitable chute; arms, with serrations on their under sides, arranged to reciprocate alternately under sides, arranged to reciprocate alternately in said chute; and pivoted toes on said arms, for the purpose specified.

21. In a stoker, the combination of a suitable chute; arms, with serrations on their under sides, arranged to reciprocate alterpagely in said chute, for the purpose speci- '1e 22. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper; a chute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper; reciprocating serrated arms within the said chute; a cover-plate over the chute; a door hinged to the under side of the coverplate, extending downwardly and forwardly in close relation with the reciprocating serrated arms and allowed to rest by its own weight on the straw passing through the chute; and means for clamping the door shut.

23. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper; reciprocating serrated arms having pivoted toes, within the said chute; a cover-plate over the chute; a door hinged to the under side of the cover-plate, extending downwardly and forwardly in close relation with the reciprocating serrated arms and allowed to rest by its own weight on the straw passing through the chute.

ICC

24. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper; reciprocating serrated arms within the said chute; a cover-plate over the chute; a door hinged to the under side of the cover-plate, extending downwardly and forwardly in close relation with the reciproeating serrated arms and allowed to rest by its own weight on the straw passing through the chute.

' 25. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chute leading there from; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper; reciprocating serrated arms within the said chute; a door hinged in the upper part of said chute and extending downwardly and forwardly, adapted to rest upon the straw passing through the chute; and means for clamping the door shut, coacting as specified.

, 26. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper; reciprocating serrated arms within the said chute; and a door with means for clamping the same upon the straw, within the chute.

27. In a straW-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper; reciprocating serrated arms vpithin the said chute; and a door within the c lute.

28. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper through the said chute; forwardly-projecting detachable fingers on the said chute, adapted to be arrangedwithin the fire-box, as specified.

29. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper through the said chute; and forwardly-projecting fingers on the said chute, adapted to be arranged within the fire-box, as specified.

30. In a straw-stolrer, the combination of a chute with suitable means of delivering the straw therethrough, and forwardly-projecting fingers on the end of the said chute, adapted to be arranged within the fire-box, as specified.

31. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a chute, the end of which is adapted to be inserted into the doorway of a fire-box; suitable means for delivering straw through said chute; and forwardly-projecting fingers on the end of said chute, the inner ends of which are free, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

Orrs A. EARL.

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