US2005212A - Threshing - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1935. aamcKERsHAM 1 THRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR tamer-[T lV/cl erjham ATTORNEYS 2,005,212 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT'OR f/mert'. W/ckerJ/mm June 18, 1935.

E. E. WICKERSHAM THRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 June 18, 1935. I

E. E. WICKERSHAM THRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 n n u n D n INVENT g/marflV/c M m muurmn m 2 M A June 1935. E. E. WICKERSHAM THRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIE :1 E

I INVENIOR B 47/7105 W/c (rem/70m ATTORNEYS Patented June 18,1935 l gaff: I

, :'2,oo5,i2 Y

- ,I W I G v n Elmer E. Wickersham, Stockton; Califl, assignor 1' by mesne, assignments, to Caterpillar Tractor i 00., San Leandro, Calit, a corporation of Cali fornia' I Application Jammy 14, 1928, Serial No. 246,697 L a ,z cmi -2 r a My invention relates;to.machin'es for threshing Fig. 4 is a transverse section; the -plane of sec grain and isespecially: related to that type of tion being, taken online 4-4 of Fig. -2. machine ordinarilytermeda combined harvester- Fig.- 5 is a similar. transverse section; the plane thresher, including a header portion for cutting of section being indicated by line ie-i:ofFig.-'2.l ,1

5 the grain and a separator portion for threshing In itspreferred form, the machine of rmy ine 5 the grain, I w vention preferably includes a separator body An object-of my invention is1to provide a madeoi a tubular shell ofcorrugated metaL- 1 threshing" machine of light but sturdy con- I While the machine is'well' adapted for use in struction; I v a wide variety of circumstanceszand while/its Another object-of any-"invention is to'provide construction is susceptible to numerous variations ".10 a unitary body for the separator portion in order to adapt it to particular circumstances, itis'parto eliminate the large amount of machineryylabor ticularly' applicable toruse in cutting standing I l I and fitting necessary toassembie-the body porai and th s g the in ker e f om he, tion 0! threshing machines as at present-constraw; -I havetherefore constructed, according u structed. v I l 3 to one aspectioi myinventiorha light,,strong 5- A further object or my invention ,isto provide machine I cutting a threshing S and n ametalbodysumciently strong toibe'seli-suppo'rt grain. 1 i i: ,r mg and'at thesame time to be or materially less f I p e erab y p v 5a pa r of s pp t weight than a comparable body built according' wheels-e and' d i -a me tby an D to the present methods, 1 a a axle 8 preferably of'tubularcross section; Rest 2 'An'hddi ional objectof my invention is to de-' ing on the axle 8 are a pair of balance beams a sign a threshing machine in which the separator nd Hi of: the usual kind extending to the Irear portion is substantially balanced on its support- O the 9316i w re gthey are p v ,w aa t pigl e I Y counterweight l2 to-balance'aheader. It- This; i'

I A rurther object ormy invention is toprovide h e customarily compris sa p n d a a bin d harvgstef-th eghef w i .c be spout it over which the'draper is extended .:,'1 l ic entirely' supported bya single'pairoI wheels. leading edge of the-header i i ypr9- An dit object o my n ti n 5 t m. vided with a sickle bar, not shown,- driven by -a prove-'generally the header portion of ac'ombined Suitable shaft "-1 sh extends ;,8 r

hawestepthreshertorduce itscbst of, ann cluster l8 driveneby a tumblerv shaft. in the'. 3

ture and to afford a construction which iswell customary Preferably the e d able to withstand the jolts and 'jarstowhichsuch is balanced on the W andmiconvenientmode machinery is customarilysubjected. I v "of construction is tosituate the-balance beams My invention ossesses, other Y dvantageous d 0 on sides ir s port n features, some of which withlthe toregoingwill Wheel: t 1 I beset forth at lengthiin the following 'descripe A150 e axle-.3 h O Y- Q t tion'whereI shall outline'in Iull-thatiorm of the threshing machine-1 e bodies r t ma threshing machine or my inventiomwhichIhave arily made of IramBWOrk of woodeorwfy ironv selected for illustratio n th drawings g co shapes which is suitably covered with sheet metal 4O panying and forming part or the present specifi and require frame t Support 4 cation; In said drawings I have shown one form them 011 the wh ls. y require pe J of threshing machine embodying my invention, and a considerable amount oficlose fitting and but it'is to be understood that I do notlirnit'myhand lab nas mb s', a d e pr e to w r self'to'such form since the invention, asset forth 10058 under he jarring and joltin ww h' in the-claims, may be embodied in apluralit'y of machine is subject in use; Due to the large 45 forms. 7 i e .number of braces-and struts requisite in the "In said drawings: e r ordinary'method of constructiom'the body for Fig. leis aplan view of a combinedharvester-z the" separator is of considerable weight, is costly thresher constructed according to'my invention, to transport; andrequires a large amount of Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section" through the power to propel "'n the field;

threshing machine, the plane of section being To overcome these ,difllculties 'and to provide indicated'by ne 2 2 or Fig-ia a body which is'at' once light and rigid, I pret-v Fi'gfi'3 is a transverse section through the erably form the body of a tubular shell made 7 V threshing machine or my invention, the plane of a of corrugated metal. -It is possib'le to make the section beingindicatedby line 3-3 01 Fig. 2. shell of a smooth sheet, but then the thickness 'of metal requisite for a rigid body is such that the weight is-e'xcessive. For that reason, I preferably use metal of light section and corrugate it in order to obtain the requisite strength. My corrugated metal shell 2| is not only light, but is possessed of sufficient inherent rigidity to preclude any objectionable flexing in the body.

The shell 2| is preferably mounted by passing the axle .6 transverselytherethrough and usually is situatedsothat when it is provided with its separating machinery the assembly approximately balances on the axle 8. To reenforce the points I at whichthe axle 6 passes through the shell 2|, I

preferably secure pads 22 and 23 to the shell and form them to encompass the axle 9. Preferably the pads are secured against rotation on the axle but the separator body is'free to rock about the axis of the wheels6 and 1 by rocking with the axle. By this construction no separate main frame is necessary; the sheet metal body serves both as a main frame and as an enclosure and support for the threshing and sep-' arating mechanisms. I

The leading end of the shell 2| isrpreferably closed by a head usually 'of flanged metal fitting withinthe open end andsuitably secured in place, as by rivets. Means are provided for drawing the combined harvester-thresher of my invention over a field and these means usually "comprise a-draft attachment 28 secured to the lower end of shell 2| and preferably engage-able by-a tra'ctor not shown. Intermediate the ends Y of the shell and spaced from the head 24 is a transverse wallor bulkhead 26 also preferably of metal and suitable secured to the'zshell. This bulkhead is provided with anaperture 21 tore: ceive portions of theseparator,mechanism, as will'be described later, andis effectively situate adjacent the axle 6 to assist in stiffening the body 2| near its point of 'support.'.-

5 Intermediate the head 24jand the bulkhead 26 is agenerally. rectangular aperture 2.9 out in one side of the shell 2| to receive the spout l6 of the header. A jigger-board of the usualkind can be providedJat the lower margin of the aperture 29 .if-desired, but ordinarily the, corrugated shell-2| is amply strong and rigid to support one end of the spout:|6.

{Within the shell'2l, I preferably mount suitable' separating: mechanism. Thus the shell not only forms a'housing or enclosure for the separatingmechanism, but it also provides a unitary support" therefor. ,Extending horizontally. across the shell 2| andlying just below. the aperture 29 isa feeder-1| to receive'grain from the spout l6. As 'l's' customary, this feeder. comprises a belt,

. usually apair of chains on which suitable transverse sticks 32 are affixed, runningabout drums 33 and rat each end. Belowthe feeder, Ipreferably provide'a sheet 36 of metal to catch any grain kernels which might possibly become dislodged at this early stage in the separating proc- Just beyond the termination of the feeder and preferably operating through the aperture 21 in bulkhead 26 is a cylinder 31;. This cylinder pref= erably is arranged with its axis substantially transverse of theshell 2| and approximately in vertical alinement with the axle 8. Comprised in the cylinder is a spindle 38 therefor preferably journaled inpads 39 and 49 fastened directly to the walls of the shell sothat the entire weight of the cylinder fl'issupported directly by the shell. To aid in guiding grain brought inby the feeder 3| intothe cylinder 31, metal cheeks 42 and 43 preferably extend from the sides of the shell 2| along the sides of the cylinders. As a further aid in feeding the grain into the cylinder, 8, beater 44 of the usual type is journaled within the shell 2| slightly above the feeder and in advance of the cylinder 31.

Cooperating with the cylinder is a concave 46 of the customary kind which is supported within the shell 2|. Preferably the concave is vertically adjustable to afford a regulation in the separation of the grain kernels from the straw. In operation, the cylinder 31 is rapidly revolved and discharges the grain in substantially a tangential direction upwardly toward the top of the shell 2|. The grain straw emerges from the cylinder in a more or less fluffy, light mass and the mass is further separated and dispersed by a beater 41, similar to one unit of the conventional picker, which is mounted on a central shaft 46 journaled directly in the shell 2| At asuitable point in the length of the shell, a baffle 49 is preferably suspended to halt the upward progress of the grain and straw and to permit it to fall gravitally onto a straw walker 5|.

Thev straw walker preferably comprises a plurality of parallel strips 52 having serrations 53 on their. upper edges. These strips at their leading ends are provided with eccentric straps 54 encompassing eccentrics 55 disposed in varying angular relation on the drive shaft 51. The trailing ends of the strips 52 are mounted for horizontal oscillation on a rod 58 secured to hangers 59 at either side of the shell. Upon rotation of the drive shaft 51, the eccentrics 54 afford a rotary motion of the leading ends of the strip 52 and a reciprocating motion of the trailing ends thereof. Due to the varied angular relationship of the eccentrics 55, not all of the strips approach their topmost positions at the same time and action is produced which ,impels towardthe rear of: the shell the straw falling on the straw walker. Preferably the strips 52 comprised in the straw walker are not sufficiently numerous to extend entirely acrossthe shell 2| but at their sides lie adjacent walls 6| and 62 providedby a separate insert 69 suitably secured to the walls of the shell and slopinggenerally downward to a central trough 64 at the lowermost portion of the shell 2|.

Means arev provided for cleaning the grain kernels shaken and separated from the straw. To suitable ones of the strips 52, a screen 66 is secured and partakes of the motion of those strips. Grain kernels passing through the fluffy straw on the straw-walkerlodge on the screen 66 and, due to the vibrating motion of the screen in'consonance with thevmotion of the strips 52 to which the screen is attached, usually drop through the screen onto the insert 63 down which they pass gravitally to the central longitudinal trough 64. Weeds and undesirable short lengths of straw which will not pass through the screen 66 discharge over the trailing end thereof and pass out of the machine through the open rear end of the shell 2|. The straw from which the grain kernels have been removed and which has been sufficiently agitated by the straw walker is also discharged from the machine through the open end of the shell 2|.

The grain which accumulates in the trough 64 is propelled by a grain auger 61 toward the rear ofthe shell 2| where it falls into the casing. of a cross auger 69 leading to an elevator 1|. The elevator extends along the outside of shell 2| into the upper part ofa bulk grain bin 12.

pass over the having ends with arcuate terminations to seat on the upper portion of the shell 2I. ,The grain discharged by the elevator II into the bulk grain bin isfirst distributed by a cross auger 13 extending transversely of the bin. The housing ll. of the cross auger is provided with an aper-.

ture 16 opening onto the initial end of a recleaner screen II, which is preferably supported on pivots I8 and I9 secured to the walls of the bulk grain bin I2 and usually is'oscillated'by a lever 8| connected to a suitable crank pin'82. Grain kernels which, fall "on the recleaner' screen are violently agitated while they progress gra'vitally 'toward the lower endF'thereof. Suitable kernels'pass through the'recle'aner screen and fall, ,into ,a}hOpper .83 the bottom ofiwhichis formed by a sheet metal plate 84 slopingjtoward a discharge? spout 86 extending over] wheel 1. Arranged under, the spout 8B is usually as'ack ing platform 81 mounted on the axle 8i and leading to a sacking chute" affording a convenient T means for releasing sacksof grain from the har- Grain'which has not been completely threshed, and undesired seeds which were. not separated end of the reclean'er screen 11 to "fall gravitally, down either one of the [two chutes 89 and Q0 substantiallyspanning'thebeater 44 and opening onto sheets 92 and S3 guardingthe two sides'of the feeder 3|.) Such grain kernels are again passed through, the threshing operation and eventually are either discharged as unfit or are lodged inthe hopper 83 of the the grain by means 'of air bulk grain bin. ,7 I

It is desirable to assistin the separation of erably are, furnished by a blower |Il| conveniently mounted exteriorlyof the shell 2| and secured thereto by a saddle I02. An extension of thecylinder spindle 38 passes through the blower IOI and serves to drive the impeller thereof, not'shownfi' An airduct I03 diverges tangentialyjfiom; the casing of, the blower IN and leadsintoa'transverse pipe. I04 extending part way'through' the shell 2|." 'llhepipe for' a por-i tion of its circumference is flared into a'throat I06 in whichis located a regulating butterfly I01 to control the eiilux of air. Inasmuch as the throat extends substantially entirely across the shell 2| and directs the air in an upward direction through the screen 66 and past the beater 41, it assists materially in keeping the grain undergoing separation in alight, fluffy condition anismas .well as the header mechanism. An

engine H3, preferably of the usual internalcombustion type, is suitably mounted on the axle 8. Preferably this engine is slightly rotat able around the axle for adjustment of the driving chain Ill which connects it with a gear H6 at the end of the cylinder and blower spindle 38. Also on the spindle 38 and preferably interposed between the blower casing IN and blasts and these prefrnounted'on said the blower the shell 2| is a sprocket |I1 meshing with a drive chain. I I8 in engagement with a sprocket H9 secured to the shaft I2I of the beater 44. A sprocket I22 similar to sprocket H9 drives a chain I23 passing in turn oyer sprockets on the shaft of the feeder 3|, on the shaft I24 for transmitting thedrive to the gear nest I8, on the shaft 51 which actuates the straw walker eccentric, on the shaft 48 of the beaterllyaround an I idler I26 and back to the sprocketl22; Anfaux' iliary chain I21 is inengagement with a second sprocket on the shaft 51 and mesheswith a sprocket I28 ona' cross shaft I29 connected by bevel gears I3Il'to the longitudinal grain auger 81. The trailing end of the auger'likew'isemeshes through bevel gears I32 with'a cross shaft I33 at theend of the shell 2| and drives the elevator-II through a short chain 134'. At the upper end of the elevator, there is provided a chain I drive extending from the upper elevator shaft to the shaft of the distributing auger 13 and a second chain I31 for driving'the'crank disc 82.

It will be appreciated'that inaccordance with my invention a combinedv harvester-thresher is provided in which the threshing machine is characterized by'a tubular corrugated metal body of extremely lightweight andrigid non-yielding construction forming not only ahousing'and support for the separating mechanism but also serving as the main-frame of 'the machine." With this construction I am enabled to dispense with a large number of parts necessary in the usual body and frame construction and am enabled to effect economies in material andmanufacture.

A'compact arrangement is provided, as is evidenced by'the simple drive mechanism-employed,

and inasmuch as the assemblyprovided' by: the

mechanism is substantially balancedon the supporting axle, it is'necess'ai'y to provide only the minimum number of groundcontacting wheels,. thus further reducing the cost ofmanufacture andincreasing the simplicity.

I claim: .1..A thresher ing wheels ons assembly on said axle.

. 2. A thresher comprising a tubular metal shell,

v comprising a tubular shell, an axle passing through said shell, a pairof supportaid axle and separating mechanism shell substantially to balance the separator body and the associated separating V reinforcing pads on opposite sides of said shell;;.

and supporting wheels on said axle. V 3. A thresher comprising a'tubular, metal body,

a head closing one end of said body, a bulkhead spaced from said head and extending across said body, said body having an aperture therein intermediate said head and said bulkhead, and separating mechanism within said body adapted to receive grain through said aperture and discharge the straw therefrom through the open end' of said body, said mechanism including a cylinder adjacent said bulkhead.

4. A thresh-er comprising a tubular, metal shell, 2

a head closing one end of said shell, a bulkhead bracing said shell and spaced from said head, an axle passing through said' shell adjacent said bulkhead, supporting wheels on said axle, and separating mechanism within said shell, said mechanism through an opening in said bulkhead.

5. In a harvester-thresher a sole support and housing for threshing mechanism consisting of a single member. v

6. In a thresher, a main frame consisting ofa including a cylinder operating an axle passing through said pads and said shell, I

sheet of material, and threshing mechanism supported on said frame.

'7. In a thresher, acne-piece main frame, and threshing mechanism enclosed by said frame.

8. In a thresher, a tubular, main frame, threshing and separating mechanism therein, a bin thereon, and a conveyor to transport grain from said mechanism to said'bin. r Y I 9, In a combined harvester-thresher, a onepiece bodyhaving an aperture in the side thereof, a header communicating with said aperture, threshing mechanismenclosed in and supported bysaid body, a wheel-supported axle secured to said body, and a draft attachment secured to said body. I a k 10. In a thresher, a main frame consistingof a'sheet of material,v and threshing mechanism supportedand enclosed by said frame. Y

11. In a threshing machine, a wheeled axle, a shell constituting the sole frame of the machine, threshing mechanism mounted within and supported by said shell, and means for positioning theshellon the axle in a position in which the shell is substantially balanced about the axle.

1 2. Ina. threshing machine, a wheeled axle, a unitary sheet metal shell member constituting thesol'e frame of the machine, threshing mechanism mounted within and supported by said shell, and means for positioning the shell on the axle in a position invwhich theshell is substantially balanced about the axle.

' 131 In a thresher, a unitary sheet metal shell member, an axle, meansfor positioning the shell ina balanced position on the axle, and a grain bin mounted above the axle and upon the shell to preserve the balance of the shell.

14. In a threshing machine, a wheeled axle, a. unitary sheet metal shell member constituting the sole frame of the machine, threshing mechanism mounted within and supported by said shell, and means for positioning the shell' on the axle.

15. In a mobile thresher, a main supporting frame consisting essentially of a substantially rigid unitary and hollow structure, thresher mechanism enclosed and supported by said structure, and ground engaging members carried by said structure, whereby stresses caused by movement of the device over rough ground and by operation of said mechanism are transmitted to and taken up by said main supp t frame structure.

16. In a mobile thresher, a main supporting frame consisting essentially of a substantially rigid unitary and hollow structure, thresher mechanism enclosed and supported by said structure, ground engaging members carried by said structure, and a grain bin supported on said structure and over the ground engaging members.

17. In a threshing machine, a substantially rigid metallic shell constituting both the main supporting frame of the machine, and the housing and support for threshing mechanism.

18. In a mobile threshing machine, a combined threshing mechanism housing and main supporting frame consisting essentially of a substantially rigid metallic shell, ground engaging members carried by said shell, and threshing mechanism within and supported by said shell. 19. In a mobile thresher, a main supporting frame consisting essentially of a substantially rigid unitary and hollow structure of sheet metal, thresher mechanism enclosed and supported by said structure, said frame constituting substantially the sole support for said mechanism, and ground engaging members directly. carried by said :tructure, whereby stresses caused by movement of the device over rough ground and by operation of said mechanism are transmitted to an taken up by said main supporting frame structure. I i

20. In a mobile thresher,-a substantially rigid hollow structure of sheet metal, thresher mechanismenclosed and supported by said structure, said structure constituting both the main supporting frame of the machine and substantially the sole support for said mechanism, ground engaging members, and means serving solely toconnect said ground engaging members to said main supporting frame structure.

nmviaa E. WICKERSHAM.

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