US656701A - Pneumatic straw-stacker. - Google Patents

Description

No. 656,70I.

Patented Ang.v 2a, |900. w. J. RANnoLPl-a.

PNEUMATIC STHAW STCKER.

(Application led Oct. 20, 1899.)

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No. 656,70a. Patented Aug. 28, i900. w. J. RANDULPH.

PNEUMTC STRAW STAKER.

(Appumion filed oct. 2o, 1899A) (No Model.) ,4 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 li! if", n

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No. 656,70I. Patented Aug. 28, |900. W. J. RANDOLPH.

PNEUMATIC STRAW STACKER.

(Application med occ. 2o, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-$heei 3.

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VILLIAM J. RANDOLPH, OF JENNINGS, LOUISIANA.

PNEUMATIC STRAWNSTACKER.

SPECIFICATON forming pari. of Letters Patent NO. 656,701, dated August 28, 1900.

l Application filed October 20, 1899. Serial No. 734,249. (No model.)

To all 'LU/wm, t may cm1/carie:

Beit known that I, .WiLLiAM J. RAND oLPH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jennings, in the parish of Oalcasieu and State of Louisiana, have invented a new anduseful Pneumatic Straw-Stacker, of which the following is a specification. f

My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic straw-stackers of the class disclosed by United States Letters Patent No. 617,352, issued to A. O. Randolph and myself on January l0, 1899.

One improvement which I have made is directed to the application of the entire stacker mechanism with ease and facility to an ordinary threshing-machine, whereby I am able to man ufaciure and keep in stock the stacker mechanism and to promptly meet demands therefor and to rig np or apply the structure toathreshing-machine without modifying the structure of the latter.

A further improvement is directed to the revoluble feeder between the spaced blastfans disclosed in the patent herein referred to, by which improvement the beater is made to positively propel the straw in opposite directions tothe oppositely-located fans,` Wherebyj the beater is rendered exceedingly efficient in handling materials which are difficult to manipulate with ordinary stackers-such as wet straw, sun flower-stalks, &c.-such efflcien cy of the beater beingrdue tothe faot'that it threshes 'and separates the wet bundles of straw and positively drives the straw toward the oppositelylocated fans.

A further improvement resides in the chaffing pan or tray, which is mounted and reciprocated wholly independent of the cleaningshoe of the threshing-machine, said chattingtray being arranged for easy and quick removal without dismantling the operative elements of the stacker or the thresher and the casing of the stacker mechanism being constructed for easy access to the chafting-pan.

A further improvement relates to the construction of the stacker-tube, by which it may be extendedor prolonged and lshifted laterally or verticallyin an easy manner and without material leakage ofthe blast, whereby the stacker is adapted to meet any demands which may be required in the practical service thereof.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood To the attainment of the objects hereinbefore recited, the invention consists in the novel combination of devices and in the construction, arrangement, `and4 adaptation of the various parts for service, as Will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, I have illustrated a preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and in Whichvliignre l is a side elevation of my pneumatic stacker applied to the rear part of an 4ordinary threshing-machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional 'elevation of the structure represented by Fig. l, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line 2 2 on Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the stacker mechanism. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section through a part of the frame of the stacker mechanism and through the chafling pan or tray, the dotted lines illustrating the tray or pan and its supf porting devices dropped to their lowered positions preliminary to removal from-the machine, the section being on line 4 4, Fig.` 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 5 5 of Fig. 2, the same being taken through thecasings of the beater and the fans, said beater and the stacker-fans being shown in elevation. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the beater, illustrating a part of the fan and beater-shaft and showing fragments of the hubs for the duplex fans. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through one of the telescopic and adjustable stacker-tubes. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in plan of the outer end of the stacker-tube, illustrating the blastdeiector and the means for adjusting the same. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a slotted part of the telescopic member forming one element of the stacker-tube to illustrate more clearly the means for adjusting the telescopic member and the iiap which is designed to close the slot therein. Fig. 10 is a detail transverse section through the non-slidable element of the stacker-tube, the sectionfbeing taken on the line 10 l0 of Fig. 7, looking in IOO the direction indicated by the arrow. Figs. 1l and 12 are other transverse sections through the stacker-tube on the planes indicated by the dotted lines 1 1 11 and 12 12, respectively, of Fig. 7, each looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 13 is a detail view of a part of another embodiment of the beater, and Fig. 14 is a detail crosssection of the same.

The same numerals of reference are used to indicate like and corresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

The rear portion of a threshing-machine casingis indicated by the numeral 15, the upright frame timbers thereof at 16, the strawcarrier at 17, and part of the shoe at 18. All these elements are common to the ordinary types of threshing-machines or grain-separators, and with the same is combined a pneumatic straw-stacker of the general type disclosed by the patent hereinbefore recited, which stacker in its broad aspect consists of a casing or hood, a pair of shiftable stackertubes, a shaft extending through the casing, a pair of fans on said shaftin alinement with the stacker-tubes, and a beater carried by the shaft and disposed between the fans. No claim is made in this application to the broad combination of parts hereinbefore recited,hnt I have improved the pneumatic stacker mechanism with a View to facilitating its application to a threshing-machine and to promoting the efficiency of the structure.

In my improved stacker I provide a frame which is adapted to be readily applied to the casing and timbers 15 16 of the ordinary thresher. This frame consists of the sills 19 and the posts 20, each sill and post being equal in width to the timbers 16, so that they may be applied to the casing in flush relation to the timbers thereof. The rear end of each sill 19 is secured to one of the timbers 16 by a plate `21, which is fastened to a timber 16 andthe sill 19. The post 2O rests upon the sill 19 and against a sill ofthe casing, and the sill 19 and the post 2O are joined firmly by a bracket 22, the latter having a segmental flange 22a, adapted to be fastened to a fan curb or casin g.

A The outer end of the threshing-machine is inclosed by a curtained hood, the curtains of which are fastened to an outwardly-projecting support 23. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) This support 23 is preferably in the form of a board having a hinged connection 24 with the rear end of the separator. Said support is held in place by braces or stays 25, attached to the separator and to the support, and the rear and side curtains are fastened to the edges of the support. The rear curtain is fastened at its lower edge to a transverse cleat 26, preferably of wood, and below the cleat of the hood-support is a horizontal butt-strip 27, which may be fastened either to the cleat or to the spouts on the fan curbs or casings.

28 designates a beater-casing which is arranged in a horizontal position to extend from side to side of the threshing-machine, said casing being arc-shaped in cross-section. At the ends of the curved beater-casing 28 are the fan curbs or casin gs 29 30, which are closed on their outer sides and have communication on their inner sides with the hood of the stacker mechanism and the beater-casing. Each fan-curb has an inner section 31, which is fast or integral with one end of the beatercasing, each fan-curb also having an outer removable section 32, which is secured detachably-as, for instance, by rivets-to the circular edge of the inner curb-section 31. Each inner section 31 of the curb has its upper wall bent or doubled upon itself and extended to form the flange 33, as shown by Figs. 2 and 5. The flanges of the two curbs or casings are provided with the cleats 34, to which are fastened the side curtains 35, which form a part of the curtained hood for the rear end of the separator. A rear curtain 36 is fastened tothe hood-support 23 to cover the opening between the latter and the strip 26. The front exposed edge of the segmental beatercasing 38 is provided with a door-strip 37, which is secured rmly to said casing in a position to project above the upper edge thereof, and the space between the fan-curbs and their sponts is closed by a removable door 38, which is seated upon the front edge of the beater-casing in rear of the strip 37, the upper part of this door resting against the butt-strip 27 and held in place by suitable fastenerssuch,forexample,as the turn-buttons 39. The sides of the stacker-casing below the casing 15 of the threshing-cylinder are closed by the curtains 40, the upper edges of which are fastened to the machine-Casin g, while their lower edges are attached to a door-cleat 42, the latter arranged in a horizontal position between the post 19 and one upright 16, so as to besecured firmly in place. These door-strips 42 are parallel to and above the sills 19 to furnish the support to the doors 43, which are hinged to said strips and are held in place by suitable fasteners, such as the turn-buttons 44. The hinged doors 43 open into a chamber provided by the frame and hood of the stacker mechanism, which chamber is adapted to contain the chaffing tray or pan, which will be hereinafter described, whereby ready access will be obtained through the doors 38 and 43 to the interior of the stacker mechanism for any purpose.

Each fan curb or casing 29 30 is extended to form the inclined spout 4l, which is prolonged beyond the hood of the stacker mechanism, and through said fan-casings passes the horizontal beater and fan-shaft 45, the segmental beater-casing 28 between the fancurbs being arranged concentric with the shaft 45. A pair of blast-fans 46 47 are carried by the shaft near the end portions thereof and within the fan-curbs, and this shaft is also provided with a rotary beater 48 between the blast-fans. TheY novel construction of the beater and the detailed construction of IOO IIO

the fans will behereinafter described. The horizontal shaft 45 is supported near its end portions in the closed outer members 32 of the fan casings or curbs by the sleeve-bearings 49 50, the same being fitted loosely on the tubular ends of the shaft. Said sleevebearings are formed with external spherical enlargements 51, which are adapted to be engaged by the bracket-plates 52 and the capplates 53. The bracket-plates 52 are applied laterally to the outer sides of the curb members 32, so as to surround the shaft-opening therein, each bracket-plate having an annular groove 52a. The cap-plates 53 are fitted against the bracket-plates, so as to be fastened therewith to the fan-curb by the bolts 54, (see Fig. 5,) whereby the bracket-plates and the cap-plates are secured `firmly to the curbs. The inner surfaces of each connected bracket and cap plate conform closely to the spherical enlargement on one of the bearingsleeves. This construction of the means for supporting the fan and beater shaft provides for the attachment of suspension-rods 55, arranged at the sides of the threshing-machine and the stacker mechanism, each rod having a loop or eye 56, which is fitted loosely in the groove 52n of the bracket-plate before the cap-plate 53 is applied to said bracket-plate. A chain 57 is connected with each suspension-rod 55, and one link of this chain is adapted to be fitted over a hook 58, attached to an upright 16 of the machine-casing. The chain is extended from the hook 58 and is adapted to be fastened to the sill of the threshing-machine. (Not shown.) Between this suspension-rod and the chain is a turnbuckle 59, and a similar turnbuckle 59a may be provided in that length of the chain which is to be fastenedto the threshing-machine. It is to be observed that the suspension-rods and chains serve to sustain the shaft 45 adjustably on the threshing-machine casing, whereby the stacker mechanism is adapted to be applied to different constructions or types of threshing-machines. It is evident that the chain may be lengthened or shortened according to the position of the shaft 45 relative to the threshing-machine, and after the chains and rods shall have been adjusted the turnbuckles may be turned to draw the stacker into close relation to the threshingmachine. The spherical bearing formed by the sleeves on the shaft 45 and the connected pairs of plates provide for the adjustment of the shaft and the fan-curbs by the chains and suspension-rods in a manner to compensate for any inequalities in the length of the chains and suspension-rods, so as to minimize binding and friction on the shaft 45.

I will now proceed to describe the chaffing tray or pan and the means for supporting the same removably on the sills 19 of the stacker mechanism; but at this point I desire to call attention to the fact that the chaftingtray is supported and operated Wholly independent of the machine-shoe 18, whereby the tray may be applied or removed without affecting the shoe or other parts of the stacker mechanism. This chafiing pan or tray 60 is arranged in a horizontal position between the sills 19 and adjacentto the cleaning-shoe 18, so as to close the bottom of the stacker mechanism below the strawcarrier. The tray or pan is provided at its side edges with the vertical flanges 61, and on its under side said tray has the eccentricblocks 62, the latter being disposed at the side edges of said tray and near the edge adjacent to the shoe. Each eccentric-block consists of two sections united together and to the tray by transverse bolts 63, and in these blocks are the openings which accommodate the eccentries 64 Y on the tray-driving shaft 65. This shaft is arranged in a horizontal position below the chafling tray to extend crosswise of the threshing-machine, and this shaft has its end portions journaled in bearings of the hangers 66, the latter being provided with the stems 67, which are secured removably in the angular plates 68, by means of the nuts 69, said angular plates being fastened to the sides of the sills 19. The chaff-retaining plates 70 of angular form are :fastened to theinner opposing faces of the sills 19 in positions to fit inside of the flanges 6l on the chafng-tray, said plates serving to prevent lodgment of the chaff between the flanged tray and the sills 19. chatting-tray rests upon an inclined lip 71, which is provided on the inner edge of the segmental beater-casing 28, said lip having a strip 72 and a wear-plate 73. (Slee Fig. 2.) From this description it is evident that the chaffing-tray is disconnected from the cleaning-shoe 18 and that one end of the tray is supported by the lip on the beater-casing, while the other end of the tray is supported by the horizontal shaft, which is mounted in hanger-bearings fixed removably to the sills 19. This shaft 65 is designed to be rotated by gearing from the fan and beater shaft, and the eccentries on said shaft 65 impart a shaking movement to the tray in an upward and rearward and downward and forward direction, thereby agitating the chaff which may lodge on the tray and delivering the same to the casing of the revoluble beater. One of the important features of the invention resides in the construction by which this tray and its supporting appliances may be easily and quickly removed from the stacker mechanism. Access tothe tray may be obtained to the doors 43; but the nuts `69 of the hanger-bearings are exposed on the outside of the casing so that they may be removed for the hangers to drop down to positions free from the angular bracket 68. When the hangers are thus freed, the chatting-tray may be withdrawn from the lips 71 of the beater- The front edge of the IIO casing, and thus the tray, its shaft,the eccentric-blocks, and the hanger-bearings may be lowered to the positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4 previous to removalv from the machine. The tray and its parts may be replaced with ease and facility, so that the free end of the tray will rest on the lip of the beater-casing and its other end will be supported by the shaft 65, and its bearings attached to the sills 19.

Each fan 46 or 47 consists of a spider 74 and the radial blades 75, said spider being secured to the shaft to make the blades rotate therewith and within the fan-curbs. The spiders of the blast-fan are provided with the inwardly-extending lugs 76, (see Figs. 5 and 6,) to which lugs are fastened the outer ends of the wings which constitute the revoluble beater.

As hereinbefore recited,one of the improvements of the present invention is directed to the construction of the revoluble beater by which it is made to propel the straw in opposite directions toward the fans as well as to beat and separate the bunches of wet straw, thereby facilitating the passage of the straw to the stacker-tubes and overcoming any tendency of the parts to become choked. The beater consists of a plurality of blades, preferably four in number, and grouped in pairs at right angles one to the other. The blades 77 78 extend from the spider-lugs of the fan 46 inwardly toward and beyond the middle of the shaft 45, said beaterblades being disposed in radial positions to and on opposite sides of the shaft, and the inner ends of said blades being curved in opposite directions, as at 79 S0, so as to form surfaces which face toward the fan 46. The other pair of blades 81 82 extend from the spider 76 of the oppositely-located fans 47, the inner ends of said pair of blades being extended beyond the corresponding ends of the blades 77 78. These blades 81 and 82 are on opposite sides and radially with respect to theshaft 45, and they are furthermore disposed in planes at right angles to the blades 77 78, whereby the two pairs of blades are arranged on the shaft for the inner ends thereof to overlap one another. Said blades 81 and 82 have their inner extended ends curved in opposite directions to each other at 83 84 for the provision of surfaces which face toward the blast-fan 47 The blades of each pair are tapered for their smaller outer ends to be fastened to the lugs 76 of one spider, and a pair of blades are secured to the shaft by a pair of plates 85.

From the foregoing description it will be seen thatl have provided a peculiar construction of beater consisting of blades arranged in pairs at right angles to each other and having their inner curved ends arranged in overlapping order to provide surfaces which face toward the oppositely-located fans. This construction of the beater operates to disintegrate bunches of wet straw, and the curved ends of the beater-blades serve to propel the straw in opposite directions toward the fan. The beater has been found to be efficient and satisfactory in service, and any tendency of the blades to break loose is almost wholly overcome.

The shaft 45 is provided on one end with a pulley 86, around which may pass a belt (not shown) propelled by a part of the threshingmachine, and on the other end of the shaft is a pulley 87, which receives a belt 8S, that extends t/o a pulley 89 on the chaffer-driving shaft 65, thus positively operatingthe chaffertray.

I will now proceed to describe the improved construction of the stacker-tubes, a pair of which is employed in my stacker mechanism for use in connection individually with the blast-fan 46 47. Each stacker-tube consists of an inner non-slidable section 90 and a slidable section 91, adapted to telescope over the inner section 90. This non-slidable inner section 90 of the stacker-tube is provided at its lower inner end with a bell-shaped mouth 92, which is fitted slidably around a metallic spherical enlargement 93 on the spout 41 of the fan curb or casing. The bell-shaped mouth of the tube-section has direct metallic contact with the spherical enlargement 93, so as to turn freely in any direction thereon, and practical experience with this type of joint between the fan-casing and the stacker-tube, constructed as more particularly shown by Figs. 7 and 10, has demonstrated that the stacker-tube may be adjusted in any direction with minimum leakage of air, because the weight of the stacker-tube holds its bellshaped mouth in close frictional engagement with the spherical enlargement 93, whereby the employment of a fibrous packing-tube, such asis used in the prior patented construction, is wholly obviated.

The telescopic member 91 of the stackertube is fitted on the non-slidable member 90, to partake of the adjustment thereof and to slide freely lengthwise thereon, said member 91 having a friction-roller 94, adapted to travel against the under side of the tube member 90. The telescopic member is also provided with a longitudinal slot 95, through which projects a bracket-plate 96, having a ange 96? at its lower edge, which flange is seated upon and secured firmly to the tube member 90. As in the prior patented construction, the bracket-plates 96 of the two stacker-tubes are coupled together by a connecting-rod 97, the end only of which is shown by Figs. 1 and 7, and the suspension-cables 98 are fastened to the bracket-plates or to the connecting-rod, said cables passing over a roller 99 and adapted to be coiled on a hand-winch mounted on the deck of the threshing-machine, as is common in the art for raising and lowering a stacker-tube. The bracket-plate 96 serves to direct the telescopic tube member 91 in its slidable travel on the tube member 90, and said bracket-plate also furnishes the support for a sprocket-wheel 100. A short operatingshaft 101 is mounted in a bearing 102 at the base of the non-slidable tube member 90, said IOO shaft having at its lower' end an operatingcrank 103 and a sprocket-Wheel 104 at its upper end, the crank of said operating-shaft being thus arranged Within convenient access of the operator standing on the ground. An endless sprocket-chain 105 passes around the sprocket- Wheels 104 and 100 on the operatingshaft and the bracket-plate, respectively, and this chain is connected to the telescopic tube member 91 by means of an arm 106,Whereby movement of the chain in either direction is communicated to the telescopic tube member. The slot 95 in the slidable member 0f the telescopic stacker-tube is normally closed by means of the stiff flap 107, Which is arranged longitudinally of the tube member 9], on the outside thereof, and is secured at one edge thereto. (See Figs. 7 and 11.) This flap may be made of any suitable vstiff materialsuch as leather, for example-and in the adjustment of the tube member 91 the flap is adapted to ride against the stationary bracketplate 00, as shown by Figs.'7, 9, and 11, so as to travel pastthe bracket-plate. The flap is partly opened by the bracket-plate; but as it is made of stilf material and is secured at one edge to the tube member 91 it will normally occupy a position across the slot, so as to minimize the leakage of air.

The pair of connected stacker-tubes are designed to be shifted laterally by the cables 108 109, Which are attached to the non-slidable members of the telescopic tubes and are arranged to cross each other at a point between said tubes. (See Fig. 3.) Said crossed cables are guided by the rolls 110, secured to the inner sides of the fan-curbs, and said cables are furthermore coiled in opposite directions on a horizontal adjusting-shaft 111. A deflector 112 is supported at the outer end of each stacker-tube and is mounted on the slidable member thereof to partake of the adj ustment of the stacker tube when it is lengthened or shortened. llo one side of this deiiector is iirmly secured a plate 113, having a trunnion or pintle 114 and a crank-arm 114, an adjusting-cable 115 being attached to said crank-arm, as clearly shown by Figs. 1 and 8. A pair of supporting-,arms 116 are secured firmly to the slidable tube member 91, on opposite sides thereof, and in one of these arms is fitted the pintle or journal of the plate 113. A pintle 117 is attached to the other side of the deiiector 112, so as to find a bearing in the other arm 116, and the deflector is thus pivotally mounted in the supporting-arms of the slidable tube member, so as to be adjusted to different positions across the passage in the stacker-tube. A coiled spring 11S is fastened at one end to the deilector above the horizontal plane of its pivotal connection With the supporting-arms (see Fig. 7) and the other end of this coiled spring is attached to an offstanding arm 119 on one of the supportingarms 116. (See Fig. 8.) The spring has a tendency to normally lift the deflector 112 out of alinement With the stacker-tube; but

this tendency of the spring is counteracted by fastening the cable 115 to a cleat 120 or other fastening device on one of the fan-curbs. (See Fig. 1.)

The side and front curtains of the stacker mechanism may be made of canvas or any other suitable fabric; but this particular material is not necessary, because the curtains may be dispensed with and other suitable material, as Wood or metal, may be substituted therefor.

The improved construction of the curtained hood enables me to apply the same to separators or threshing-machines of any type Without making a special type of hood for each class of separator. lt is evident that the hoodsupport 23 may be easily fastened to the separator and that the side and rear curtains may be suspended over the fan-curbs and beatercasing. The connected fan-curbs and beatercasing are attached to or suspended adjustably from the separator independently of the attachment of the hood thereto, and thus the Weight of the curbs and casing is not borne in any Wise by the hood, the latter serving merely as an inclosure for the rear part of the separator.

In the constructionv of beater shown by Figs. 5 and G each pair of blades is braced by a single pair of plates 85, a straight outer edge. -To strengthen the blade, I propose to stiften the same by forming a iiange 125 on the outer edge thereof and by employing a brace 126 in addition to the plate 85. The flange 125 on each blade is made by bending the outer edge at right angles, (see Figs. 13 and 14,) the flanges on the blades of veach pair being bent in opposite directions, and thus the blades are stiffened, s0 that they will not bend. The brace 126'is fastened to the pair of blades in addition to the plates S5 and near the part Where the defiecting face 79 or 84 is formed on the blades. Each brace consists of two straps applied to opposite sides of and bolted or fastened through the blades, as shown by Fig. 14.

Changes may be made in the form and proportion of some of the parts, While their essential features are retained and the spirit of the invention embodied. Hence l do not desire to belimited to the precise form of all the parts as shown, reserving the right to vary therefrom.0

Having thus described the invention, what l claim is 1. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a casing or hood, of a shaft carrying the fans and a beater, and suspension devices connected with the shaft-bearings and provided with take-up devices adapted to relieve the stacker casing or hood from the Weight and strain of said shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a threshing-machine or separator, of a stacker casing or hood attached to and each blade has IOO said thresher or separator and having the and suspension devices connected bearings, said suspension means having eX- l is relieved of the weight and l strain of the shaft and the beater and fans thereon, substantially as described.

3. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a threshing-machine or separasupported removably at one tor, of a stacker casing or hood attached to l said thresher and having a fan-casing, a fanf shaft, shaft-bearings on the fan-casing, and f suspension devices fastened adj ustabl y to the thresher or separator and connected with l saidshaft-bearings, for the substantially as set forth.

purpose described, f

bination of a bottomless casing or hood, the

4. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a stacker or separator, of a .stacker casing or hood attached thereto and h-aving a fan-casing, shaft-bearings fast with j the fan-casing, extensible suspension devices connected to the shaft-bearings and attached to the thresher or mounted in said bearings, substantially as described.

5. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the comseparator, and a shaft? bination with a thresher or separator, of a stacker frame or hood attached to the thresher fan-casings, sleeveenlargements and l or separator and having bearings provided with passing through the fan-casings, a shaft fitted to said sleeve-bearings, a pair of plates fixed to each fan-casing and embracing the en` largement of the sleeve-bearings, rods each clamped between a pair of eXtensible suspension devices attached to the rods and to the thresher, scribed.

6. In a bination pneumatic straw-stacker, the comof the fan-casings, pairs of plates securedto opposite sides of said casings, a shaft,

bearing-sleeves fitted to the shaft and confined Within said thresher or separator, substantially as described.

7. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the coinbination of a stacker casing or hood having the fan-curbs, a fan-shaft, bearings for said shaft secured to the fan-curbs, suspensionrods attached to the bearings, and suspension-chains having adjustable connection with said rods, substantially as described.

8. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a thresher or separator, and a cleaning-shoe, of a bottomless casing or hood, the spaced fan-casings, a horizontal beatercasing connecting said fan-casings, the shaft carrying the fans and a beater, a chaffing-tray disconnected from said cleaning-shoe and discharging to the beater-casing, and means for supporting and operating said chatting-tray independently of the cleaning-shoe,said chaffing-tray and its supporting devices being resaid plates, and l substantially as de- I as described.

pairs of plates, suspensionp rods held between said pairs of plates, and extensible connections from said rods to av movable from the bottomless casin g or hood, substantially as described.

9. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a thresher or separator, and a cleaning-shoe, of a bottomless casing or hood, the spaced fan-casings, a horizontal beatercasing connecting said fan-casings, a shaft carrying the fans and abeater, a chafling-tray end bythe casing or hood and having its other end slidably fitted to the beater-casing, and connections between the fan-shaft and the chafing-tray to vibrate the latter, said chatting-tray and its supporting devices being removable through the botton'nless casing or hood, substantially as described.

l0. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the comspaced fan-casin gs, a horizontal beater-casin g connecting said fan-casings, ak shaft carrying a beater and the stacker-fans, alined shaftbearings secured removably to the bottomless casing'or hood, achaffer-shaft journaled in said bearings and removable therewith from the casing or hood, a chafng-tray supported at one end by the beater-casing and connected near its other end with the chaffer-driving shaft to be supported and actuated thereby, and connections between the fan-shaft and the chaffer-shaft, substantially as described.

1l. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a stacker casing or hood, of a fan-casing having an extended lip,a fan-shaft, a chaffer driving shaft supported by the stacker casing or hood, and a chaffer-tray slidably fitted at one end on the lip of the fan-casing and connected operatively at its other end to the chaffer-driving shaft to be supported and actuated thereby,substantially l2. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination of a bottomless casing or hood, the alined fan-casings, a beater-casing connecting said fan-casings, a shaft having a beater and the fans, han ger-bearings attached to the casing or hood, a chaffer-shaft journaled in said hanger-bearings and provided with eccentrics, a chatter-tray arranged to deliver to the beater-casing, eccentric blocks secured to the chaifer-tray and embracing the eccentrics of said shaft, and connections between the fan-shaft and the chaffer-shaft, substantially as described.

13. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the com- IOO bination of a stacker casing or hood having y the side doors and supporting the fan casings or curbs, hanger-bearings secured removably to the stacker-casing, a chatter-tray resting at one end on the fan-casing, a shaft journaled in the hangerbearings for removal therewith,and connections between said shaft and the tray for shaking the latter, substantially as described.

14. In a pneumatic straw-stacker,a bottomless hood or casing comprising the sills, the

posts, a skeleton front frame having the crossbars,the side and front curtains, and the door at the front of the hood and confined by the cross-bars of said frame, in combination with fan and beater casings' attached to the posts and skeleton frame, a shaft carrying a beater and a fan, a chaffing-tray closing the bottom of the hood between the sills, and extensible suspension devices connected with bearings of the fan-shaft, substantially as described.

15. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a beater-casing, oppositely-located fan-casings, and a shaft having fans within said fan-casings, of a beater located between the fans and provided with blades having propelling-surfaces which face toward the oppositely-located fans, substantially as described.

16. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with oppositely-located fans, and a shaft, of a beater carried by the shaft between the fans and having its blades provided with straW-propellin g surfaces which face toward the oppositely-located fans, subst-antially as described.

17. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a beater-casing and fan-curbs, of a shaft having :fans located in said curbs, and a beater carried by the shaft and having its blades provided with curved propellingsurfaces which face toward the oppositely-located fans, substantially as described.'

18. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the combination with a shaft, and oppositely-located fans, of a beater carried by said shaft between the fans and having sets of blades arranged at different angles with relation to each other and havingI propelling-surfaces which overlap and face toward the oppositelylocated fans, substantially as described.

19. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, the coinbination with a shaft, and oppositely-located fans, of a beater carried by said shaft between the fans and comprising sets of blades arranged in different angular positions 0n the shaft and having the inner ends thereof overlapping one another, the inner ends of the blades of each set being curved outwardly from the shaft and forming propelling-surfaces which face toward one fan, substantially as described.

20. In a pneumatic straw-stacl er, the combination-with a shaft and oppositely-located fans having the spiders thereof provided with extended lugs, of a beater carried by said shaft and having a plurality of blades grouped in pairs and in overlapping order at their inner ends, the outer ends of said blades.` being fastened to the spider-lugs and the inner ends thereof curved laterally to the plane of the shaft, substantially -as described.

2l. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, a telescopc stacker-tube comprising a non-slidable section, a telescopic section provided with a longitudinal slot, a bearing-plate fastened to the non-slidable section and passing through said slot, an adjustingshaft, a guide on the bearing-plate, and an endless connection between said guide and the adjustingshaft and provided with an arm which is fastened to the slidable section of the stacker-tube, substantially as described.

22. In a pneumatic straw-stacker, a telescopic stacker-tube having one member thereof provided with a longitudinal slot and a stiff flap fastened to the slotted tube fornormally closing the slot therein, in combination with means for adjusting the slotted member endwise with relation to the non-slidable member, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

W'ILLIAM J. RANDOLPH.

Witnesses:

M. D. RITTER, W. HARRY KIs'rNER.

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