US759198A - Machine for breaking and scutching fibrous material. - Google Patents

Description

No. 759,198. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904. W. A. 6; A.'M. SHELY.

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SGUTUHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 3. 1903. RENEWED DEO.12. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1%. 759,198. .PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

W. A. & A. M. SHELY.

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SGUTGHING PIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 3, 1903. RENEWED 1120.12. 1903.

3&3 I Wa sh/M No; 759,198- PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

W. A. & A. M. SHBLY. I

MACHINE FOR BREAKING 'AND SGUTOHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIGATION FILED nun. s, 1903. mmnwnn DEO.12. 1903.

no roman. 4 SHEETS-SEEET a.

|!i l!| m E 1:: i ze iii mi' gmlilml m g] M d 7 b W i PATJBNTEDMAY a, 1904. W. A. & A. M. SHELY.

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SCUTUHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 3, 1903. RENEWED D20. 12, 1903. N0 MODEL; 4 SHEET8-BEEBT 4.

Niren STATES Patented May 3, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE. I

W'ILLIAM ADONIRAM SHELY AND ALDA MERRILL SHELY, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS. i

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SCUTCHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,198, dated May 3, 1904.

Application filed March 3, 1903. Renewed December 12, 1908. :Serial No. 184,993. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM ADONIRAM SHELY and ALDA MERRILL SHELY, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Breaking and Cleaning Fibrous Material; and we do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for breaking and scutching or cleaning fibrous ma terial, such as hemp, flax, jute, sisal, and other fiber-yielding plants.

The principal object of the invention and its main distinguishing characteristic is the operation upon the fibrous stalks 0r stocks progressively toward their centers from opposite ends simultaneously. This simultaneous progressive action on opposite halves or portions of the material results in decided practical advantages, viz: First, the stalks need not be clamped so tightly by the feedcarriers, since the opposite pulls exerted thereon by the oppositely-arranged breaking and sc'utching mechanisms counteract each other; second, as the work progresses toward the centers of the stalks all woody or cellular matters, shreds, and waste are separated gradually from the fibers instead of accumulating therein and clogging or encumber-ing the uncleaned portions of the stalks, as in the case of machines having exactly the opposite mode of operation, in that they work the stalks from their centers outwardly toward their ends; third, the fibers are less liable to be ruptured or injured, and, fourth, after all cellular matters are separated the fibers are continually whipped or combed out lengthwise, and are consequently delivered from the machine in excellent condition for further treatment.

The invention includes, briefly, first, breakingand cleaning mechanisms for operating simultaneously on opposite ends or portions of the fibrous stalks or stocks and progressively toward. their centers, said mechanisms preferably consisting of break-bars and cooperating breaking and scutching devices; second, means for primarily breaking or cracking the stalks at their centers and feeding them laterally to said mechanisms; third, means for supporting the material between the opposite breaking and scutching mechanisms and means for adjustment to suit stalks of different lengths, whereby only the opposite extremities of the stalks will be engaged by said mechanisms at the receiving end of the machine; fourth, means for feeding the material slowly along the breaking and scutching mechanisms and presenting the stalks to said mechanisms progressively from opposite ends toward their centers; fifth, auxiliary stalk feeding and holding devices arranged beside the opposite breaking and scutching devices, and, sixth, mechanism for breaking and cleaning the central parts of the fibers after their end portions have been broken and cleaned.

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, illustrate a machine embodying these several features in cooperative relation; but it will be understood that the invention can be practically embodied in machines of other styles, provided the distinguishing characteristic of the invention be incorporated to wit, operation upon the ma terial progressively toward the centers of the stalks from opposite ends simultaneously.

The invention will first be described with reference to said drawings and will then be pointed out more particularly in the claims following this description.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the n-iachine, certain overhanging partsbeing broken away for clearness. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the machine. Figs. 3 and 4 are top and side views, respectively, of a fragment of the main feed chain or carrier. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section of the machine on line A A of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 is an elevation of one set of break-bars and cooperating breaking and scutching devices and auxiliary stalk feeding and holding devices. Fig. 7 is a detail transverse section on line B B of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow and showing a fibrous stalk passing between the cooperating upper and lower disks which primarily break or crack the stalks at their centers. Fig. 8 is a conventional representation of a transverse section through the main portion of the machine, showing the material under treatment. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the driving-disk for the gyratory feed-bars or auxiliary stalk feeding and holding devices. Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse section through the secondary carriers and mechanism which breaks and cleans the central parts of the fibers after their end portions have been treated, showing the fibers grasped by said carriers and under treatment by said mechanism. Fig. 11 is a detail view of a set of whippersor heaters. Fig. 12 is a detail View of a modification of the breaking and scutching devices; and Figs. 13 and 1 1 are side and top views, respectively, of another form of auxiliary stalk feeding and holding devices.

The letter a designates a feed-table along which the hemp, fiax, or other fibrous stalks are fed laterally by carriers 5 to the breaking and scutching mechanisms. Suitable devices for primarily breaking or cracking the stalks at their centers may be located at the deliveryend of this table, said devices in the present machine consisting of a pair of upper disks 0, coacting with an intermediate lower disk (Z, Figs. 1, 2, and 7. As shown, table a is supported on adjustable standards 1. The upperdisks are mounted on a shaft 2, which is suspended in adjustable hangers 3 and connected by sprocket-and-chain gearing at with the main driving-shaft 5, to which power may be applied at pulley 6 from a suitable motor. The lower disk (Z and the front drums of carrierb are mounted on a shaft 7, having its bearings on the under side of table a and connecting with shaft 2 by intermeshing gears 8. A suitable arrangement of driving connections is represented and described herein; but it will be understood that this may be modified, as desired.

Adjoining the delivery end of table a is an adjustable stalk-supporting platform f, which is preferably double inclined or pyramidal in form, being triangular both in plan view and in side elevation, highest and broadest at its front end next table a and terminating in a blunt point at its rear end. This platform may be adjusted to suit materials of different lengths, for long stalks the inclination of its sides being comparatively steep and for shorter stalks the inclination being less. To permit this adjustment, each side of the platform may consist of two overlapping trianand-chain gearing 25 with shaft 21.

gular plates or boards 9 and 10. In Figs. 2 and 5 the lower plates 9 are shown fastened to bars or rafters 11, pivoted at their lower ends to fixed uprights 12, while the upper plates 10 are pivoted to bars or rafters 13,

opposite upper plates 10.

adjustably secured to bars 11 and connected by toggle-links 14 at their upper ends. By this construction the pitch of the platform may be varied as desired, though such adjustability may also be obtained by other devices. By means of adjustable standards 1 table a, together with carriers I) and lower disk (Z, may be raised or lowered to conform to the pitch of the platform, so that the stalks may be delivered onto the apex thereof. Upper disks 0 may also be raised or lowered by adjusting hangers 3. The front ends of lower plates 9 are shown extending beyond the upper boards 10 and under table a, while the space between the frontends of said upper boards and the rear edge of said table is bridged by fingers c. It may be desirable to use a flat platform in some instances, as when treating short material, in which case the devices for primarily cracking the centers of the stalks would not be needed.

The fibrous stalks pass rearward from table 0 onto platform f, and having been centrally cracked or broken between disks 0 and (Z the central breaks in the stalks fit over the ridge in the platform, while their end portions naturally hang down upon the opposite inclined sides. The stalks are moved laterally along the platform by means of a central carrier which, as shown, consists of an endless feed chain passing around drums or sprockets it and 2', located at the apex or front end and rear end, respectively, of the platform, so that the lower run of the carrier travels along the ridge just above the slot 15, formed by the space between the edges of the Said carrier is shown provided with pivoted fingers 16, which at the lower run are held projected into groove 15 and in engagement with the stalks lying athwart the platform by contact of right-angle tail members 17 of said fingers under a fixed bar or plate j, located between the carrier-drums, as shown in Figs. 2 and 1. The front carrier-sprocket h is journaled in an adjustable hanger 18 to compensate for adjustment of the platform. The rear carriersprocket is journaled in a hanger 1.9 and is connected by a sprocket-and-chain gearing 20 with suspended shaft 21, which may be driven from the main shaft 5 by sprocket-andchain gearing 22 or from any other suitable source of power.

At the front or wider part of platform f intermediate stalk feeders or carriers may be employed. These are shown in Figs. 1 and 5, consisting of endless toothed chains k, passing around suitable drums or sprockets 23, journaled in adjustable hangers 24., the shafts of the rear drums being connected by sprocket- In the machine illustrated a pair of breakbars are arranged one above another at each lower side of the platform and substantially parallel therewith, said break bars being slightly separated, so that the ends of the fibers projecting beyond the edges of the platform can pass freely therebetween, as represented in conventional Fig. 8. These break-bars are preferably supported in such manner that they can be adjusted both vertically and laterally toward or from the adjoining breaking and scutching devices hereinafter described, so that the machine may be used for treating different materials varying in coarseness and texture. The spaces between the upper and lower breakbars are continuous and uninterrupted throughout, so that the fibrous stalks can enter freely between them at the front of the machine and pass out at the rear. The upper break-bars may be adjustably secured to hangers 26 and the lower break-bars similarly secured to standards 27.

Arranged alongside the break bars and. above the lower edges of the platform are auxiliary feeding and holding devices, which assist in moving the stalks rearward and in keeping their ends in position during the breaking and cleaning operation, such devices preventing disarrangement or bunching of the stalks during their passage through the machine. For hemp and siinilar stalks the devices shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 are preferred. These consist each of a set of gyratory feedbars 0, which are preferably toothed or serrated on their lower edges, so as to bite the stalks positively. One or two bars may be employed, though three bars for each set are found most desirable. The feed-bars of each set are shown pivotally connected at their front ends to the face of a rotary disk on, which is mounted, on a shaft 28, driven from the main shaft 5 by chain-and-sprocket gearing 29. This disk is setat an angle to the related breakbars, so that the feed-bars may be given a gyratory or fallingandrising backward-and forward movement following one another. The rear ends of the feed-bars are similarly secured to the back of a correspondingly-arranged disk or, or they may be otherwise sup ported to permit this gyratory movement. These gyratory bars feed the stalks in a twofold direction toward the breaking and cleaning mechanism and toward the rear or finishing end of the machine. Such gyratory feedbars are, perhaps, the most efficient devices which may be employed in this relation. They are not specifically claimed per se herein, but are separately illustrated, described, and claimed in our copending application for patent therefor, filed January 26, 1904, Serial No. 190,692.

In some cases, as when operating upon tangled or short stalks, the auxiliary feeding and holding mechanisms shown in Figs. 13 and 14 may be substituted for the gyratory feedbars. This mechanism comprises a series of small pin-wheels .2, arranged along the inner side of the break-bars, set at an angle thereto and mounted on short shafts geared together, chain-and-sprocket gearing being indicated. employed in lieu of the gyratory feed-bars.

Exterior to and cooperating with each pair of break-bars is a suitable device or mechanism for breaking and cleaning the ends or portions of the stalks which project outwardly between the break-bars. These devices or mechanisms should be such as will, first, break the stalks against the break-bars, which constitute anvils over which the material is broken, and, second, continually seutch, beat, or comb the broken portions, so as to remove all woody or cellular matters, shreds, and waste,and cleanse and work out the fibers into pliable lengths. The breaking and scutching devices shown consist of rotary cylinders 9, provided with spiral ribs or blades 30, which one after another come close to the breakbars as the cylinders rotate and break the Other suitable devices may also be stalks against either the upper or lower breakbars, according to the direction of rotation, and then scutch. comb, and thresh .out all woody or cellular matters. The cylinders preferably rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 5, 8, and 10, so as to break the stalks against the upper break-bars and comb out the fibers in an upward direction. This arrangement could be reversed, however, the direction of rotation being best governed by the nature of the material to be treated. The fibers are scraped or combed for the entire lengths thereof which project between the breakbars, and as the stalks move along the supportingplatform these projecting lengths increase owing to the convergenee of the opposite brea k-bars, so that the beneficial scutching action of the cylinders becomes more appreciable. The cylinders may also carry brushes 31, these being preferably detachable, since they are not always needed. Theshafts or axles of said cylinders are shown mounted in suitable standards and connected to the main shaft 5 by bevel-gears 32. shown any equivalentform may be substituted, such as rotary reels having suitable ribs or blades thereon, or other suitable devices may be employed to cooperate with the break-bars.

Since the cylinders q rotate continuously in one direction, breaking the material only against the upper or the lower break-bars, (in the present case the upper ones,) it will be observed that the other bars (here the lower ones) serve principally as stationary guides and supports for the stalks or fibers, and hence are not essential to the breaking and cleaning operation. Therefore a single break-bar may be employed at each side. of the platform, if desired, though a pair of such break-bars is preferred, not only because they guide and hold the material in place, but also because they permit breaking the material against either the upper or lower bar and scutching and combing it upward or dowmvard. This lat- In place of the cylinders ter function, however, may also be accomplished by employing a single break-bar of suitable construction and passing the material either under or over said break-bar, according to whether the breaking and scutchingdevice acts upward or downward.

Another form of breaking and scutching mechanism is represented in Fig. 12, wherein y designates two spiral ribs or blades mounted on oppositely-rotating arms, the circle transcribed by one blade being greater than that transcribed by the other, so that the blades can pass each other at diametrically opposite points in each revolution. This form of mechanism causes alternate up-and-down strokes on the same portion of the material, the ribs or blades actingin rapid alternation. on the ends or portions of the stalks or fibers which project out between the break-bars and breaking them alternately against the upper and lower break-bars and combing the broken fibers alternately upward and downward. This action results in breaking the stalks efl'ectively, facilitates separation of all cellular matters and waste, and overcomes the tendency of unretted material to bend instead of breaking. Such mechanism is very efficient'in some cases, but is merely shown as one of the various mechanisms which may be substituted for the rotary ribbed cylinders. No specific claim is made herein to this particular form of mechanism; but it is illustrated, described, and claimed in our copending application, filed March 3, 1903, Serial No. 145,885.

It is desirable to arrange the break-bars and coacting devices relatively inclined to each other, since if both were straight and parallel the entire row of stalks would be broken simultaneously, causing heavy jars and requiring more power to operate the machine. Hence ribs or blades 30, as well as blades y, are pref- Y erably but not essentially spirally-twisted or otherwise relatively inclined to the breakbars, so that they have ashear-like action with the bars, striking the stalks successively from one end of the platform to the other instead of striking the whole row simultaneously.

Owing to the rearward convergence of the break-bars and cooperating mechanisms, as the fibrous stalks move along the supportingplatform their ends project farther and farther between the break-bars, and hence the stalks become broken and cleaned gradually toward their centers from opposite ends simultaneously, the advantages of which mode of treatment have previously been pointed out. The stalks are cleaned almost wholly during their passage along the platform, but their central parts, grasped by carrier g, have yet to be broken and cleaned by a secondary operation. This is preferably performed by a continuation of one set of break-bars and cooperating devices, which extend beyond those of the other set and beyond the rear end or point of the platform. To carry the fibers along such extended mechanism, suitable secondary feed devices may be employed, adapted to grasp the cleaned portions of the fibers passing from the shorter mechanism and carry them rearward until the breaking and cleaning operation is completed. The secondary feed devices shown consist of endless tubular compressible belts, which may be pneumatic tubes. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 10.) One belt is arranged above and intermediate two lower belts s and cooperates therewith to grasp the fibers. The upper belt '1 passes around grooved pulleys t, journaled in hangers, and the lower belt passes around double-grooved pulleys a, mounted on standards. The belts may be driven by any suitable connection. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the front pulley t is connected by sprocketand-chain gearing 33 with overhead shaft 21. One of the lower pulleys a may be similarly connected with the main shaft 5, if desired. The coacting runs of the belts may be confined between guide-plates 2;, Fig. 10, so that the fibers will be held firmly throughout the length of said coacting runs. ,A triangular table or support w for the fibers may be provided between the belts and the extended breaking and cleaning mechanism, said table being supported on suitable standards from beneath. As the fibers are carried rearward by the belts their central portions are subjected to the action of the extended breaking and scutching mechanism, so that when eventually delivered from the ,machine they are thoroughly cleaned throughout.

To assist in keeping the fibrous ends of the material in position and in cleaning the broken herds and shreds therefrom, whippers or beaters may be employed. These may be applied to more or less of the surface of either one or both of the cylinders q, but are shown applied only to the extension of the-longer cylinder opposite the secondary feed devices. As illustrated in Figs. 1. 10, and 11, these whippers consist of a series of curved fingers or rods {0, which are suitably attached to a rock-bar 3 1, having its bearings supported on the upper break-bar or at other convenient place. Said bar is shown provided with a crank 35, connected by pitman 36 to a crankdisk 37 on a short shaft 38, journaled in hangers and driven from the shaft 21 by sprocketand-chain gearing 39.

The operation of the machine may be briefly summarized as follows: The stalks are placed transversely on table a and are fed laterally by carriers Z) between coacting disks 0 and (Z and thence onto platform f. Having been centrally cracked or broken between said coacting disks, the stalks conform to the shape of the platform and their opposite halves or end portions hang naturally down upon the opposite inclined sides thereof. Central carrier g engages the stalks and moves them rearward, which movement is facilitated by the shape of the platform and is assisted by intermediate carriers 7; and the auxiliary gyrating feed-bars 0. As soon as the length of the stalks permit their ends pass through the spaces between the upper and lower breakbars 7) and are struck by the breaking-andscutching ribs 30 of the rotating cylinders. Owing to the convergence of the break-bars and cooperating mechanisms, as the stalks move rearward they project farther and farther between the break-bars, whereby they are broken and scutched progressively toward their centers, while their projecting portions are continuously whipped or combed out lengthwise. hen the stalks reach the rear end of platform f, they are broken and cleaned throughout, excepting their small central parts, which must yet be acted upon. The cooperating tubular belts r and 8 now grasp the fibers at the cleaned portions thereof pass ing from theshorter breaking and scutching mechanism and carry them rearward beside the extended portion of the longer breaking and scutching mechanism, which acts upon the central uncleaned parts. Thus the fibers are eventually delivered from the machine thoroughly cleaned and in excellent condition.

While the employment with means fol-feeding the stalks laterally of a break-bar arranged at-an angle to the direction of feed and a cooperating device or mechanism for breaking the projecting portions of the stalks against the same is a very efficient arrangement for treating the material progressively and one which we regard as an important fea' ture of our invention, the invention is not limited to the employment of such break-bars and cooperating devices nor to two entire mechanisms, as herein represented, but includes any equivalent arrangement that might be adopted for o1i erating progressively from the ends toward the centers of the stalks or fibers, and it will also be understood that the word stalks as used in the following claims includes any fibrous material suitable to be treated by machines of the character described.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

1. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, two mechanisms arranged to operate at different points simultaneously upon opposite ends of the stalks or stems and progressively from said ends toward the centers.

2. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, means for centrally holding and laterally feeding the stalks or stems, and two opposite mechanisms arranged to operate simultaneously upon opposite ends of the stalks or stems and progressively from said ends toward the centers.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for feeding the stalks laterally, of a break-bar and cooperating device angularly arranged with relation to the line of feed so that the stalks are broken and cleaned progressively from the ends thereof toward the centers.

4. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, opposite mechanisms adapted simultaneously to workupon and break the opposite ends of such material, and means for presenting the material to said mechanisms progressively from both ends of said material toward the center thereof.

5. A machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material comprising two opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms, and means for feeding fibrous material therepast and simultaneously presenting opposite ends of the material to the respective mechanisms, progressively from both ends of said material toward the center thereof.

6. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, mechanism for feeding the stalks laterally, and opposite similar mechanisms for simultaneously breaking and cleaning the opposite ends of the stalks, said feed mechanism presenting the stalks simultaneously to said breaking and cleaning mechanisms progressively from both ends of the material toward the center thereof.

7. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, opposite break-bars, breaking and cleaning mechanisms cooperating therewith, and means for passing fibrous material along said break-bars and presenting it simultaneously to said breaking and cleaning mechanisms from both ends of said material toward the center thereof.

8. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous stalks, opposite break-bars, and breaking and cleaning mechanisms beside said break-bars and coacting therewith, with means for feeding the stalks laterally along the lengths of the break-bars and presenting the stalks simultaneously to said breaking and cleaning mechanisms progressively from both ends of said stalks toward the centers. thereof.

9. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibers, &c., two opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite ends of the fibers, said mechanisms converging toward the rear end of the machine, substantially as described.

10. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, two opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite ends of thefibers, one of said mechanisms extendingrearwardly beyond the other, substantially as described.

11. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, two opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite ends of the fibers, in combination with mechanism for feeding fibrous materials longitudinally of and along said breaking and cleaning mechanisms and presenting the material simultaneously to said mechanisms progressively from both ends of said material toward the center thereof.

12. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, two opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite ends of the fibers, said mechanisms converging toward the rear end of the machine, in combination with mechanism for feeding fibrous materials longitudinally of and along said breaking and cleaning mechanisms, whereby the fibers are progressively cleaned from both ends toward the center.

13. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, a pair of opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms, a fiber holding and feeding device between said mechanisms adapted to carry fibers therepast, break-bars beside said mechanisms against which the ends of the fibers are broken, and auxiliary feed devices beside said break-bars.

14. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, apair of converging breaking and cleaning mechanisms, fiber holding and feeding devices between said mechanisms adapted to carry laterally arranged fibers therepast, break-bars beside said mechanisms against which the ends of the fibers are broken, and auxiliary feed devices beside said break-bars.

15. In a machine for treating fibrous material, an adjustable platform, break-bars along the opposite sides thereof, movable breaking and cleaning devices beside and cooperating with said break-bars, and mechanism for feeding fibers over said platform and along the break-bars, substantially as described.

16. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a central platform, converging breakbars along the opposite sides thereof, movable breaking and cleaning devices beside and cooperating with said break-bars, and mechanism for feeding fibers over said platform and along the break-bars, substantially as described.

17. In a machine for treating fibrous material, an adjustable platform, break-bars along the opposite sides thereof, movable breaking and cleaning devices beside and cooperating with said break-bars, mechanism for feeding fibersover said platform and along the breakbars, one set of breakbars and breaking devices being extended beyond the other and adapted to operate on the centers of the fibers, substantially as described.

18, In a machine for treating fibrous 1naterial, a central adjustable platform, converging break-bars along the opposite sides thereof, movable breaking and cleaning devices beside and cooperating with said break-bars, mechanism for feeding laterally-arranged fibers over said platform and along the break-bars, one set of break-bars and breaking devices being extended beyond the other and adapted to operate on the centers of the fibers, substantially as described.

19. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of opposite break-bars,mechanism between the break-bars for feeding material therepast and longitudinally thereof, and a breaking and cleaning mechanism beside and cooperating with each break-bar, said mechanisms being adapted to operate simultaneously upon the opposite ends of the material progressively from both ends of said material toward the center thereof, as

"it is passed along the break-bars.

20. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of a breakbar, mechanism beside said break-bar and 00- operating therewith to break and clean the material, and mechanism for feeding the material along said break-bar, said feeding mechanism moving the material at an angle to said break-bar so as to bring the material gradually more and more under the action of the said breaking and cleaning mechanism, substantially as described.

21. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of mechanism for holding fibrous material centrally and feeding it laterally, opposite break-bars along which the opposite endsof the material are passed, and opposite breaking mechanisms cooperating with said break bars to work the material simultaneously from both ends progressively toward the center, and auxiliary feeding mechanisms beside and coacting with said break-bars.

22. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of mechanism for holding fibrous stalks centrally and feeding them laterally, opposite break -bars along which the opposite ends of the stalks are passed longitudinally, and opposite similar rotary breaking mechanisms cooperating with said bars to work the stalks progressively and simultaneously from both ends toward the center, and auxiliary feeding mechanisms beside and coacting with said break-bars.

23. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibers, two opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on the fibers, said mechanisms converging toward the rear end of the machine, and one of said mechanisms being extended rearwardly beyond the other, substantially as described.

2 1. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, two opposite similar breaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite ends of the stalks, said mechanisms converging toward the rear of the machine and one of them being prolonged rearwardly beyond the other; in combination with mechanism for feeding stalks past said breaking and cleaning mechanisms, and secondary feeding mechanism for carrying the fibers past the extension of the longer mechanism, substantially as described.

25. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of a breakbar, a breaking and cleaning mechanism coacting therewith, means for feeding stalks past said break-bar, longitudinally thereof, and gyrating feed-bars coacting with said break-bar, substantially as described.

26. In amachine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of oppositely-disposed break-bars, a breaking and cleaning mechanism beside and coacting with each break-bar, and a set of gyratory feedbars beside and coacting with each break-bar, substantially as described.

27. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of oppositely-disibosed converging break-bars, a rotary breaking and cleaning mechanism beside and coacting with each break-bar, and a set of gyratory feed-bars beside and coacting with each break bar, substantially as described.

28. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of oppositely-disposed break-bars, cleaning and breaking mechanisms coacting therewith, an intermediate platform over which the stalks are fed, mechanism for feeding the stalks along said platform, and gyratory feed-bars beside and coacting with each break-bar, substantially as set forth.

29. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrousmaterial, the combination of oppositely-disposed converging break-bars, a rotary cleaning and breaking cylinder coacting with each break-bar, an intermediate adjustable platform over which the stalks are fed,

mechanism for feeding the stalks along said platform, and gyratory feed-bars beside and coacting with each break-bar, substantially as set forth.

30. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of a doubleinclined platform, a central carrier cooperating therewith, and opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms at the opposite sides and lower edges of said platform, with means for feeding stalks laterally toward said platform, and mechanism for centrally cracking the stalks to cause them to hang over the platform, substantially as described.

31. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of mechanism for breaking and cleaning the fibers, with a carrier composed of opposite endless pneumatic belts, and guides between which the coacting stalk-clamping runs of said belts are passed, substantially as described.

32. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of a rotating cleaning and breaking cylinder, with a vibrating series of whips arranged and operating transversely of the cylinder and coacting therewith, substantially as described.

83. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, in combination, break-bars, a rotary breaking and cleaning cylinder beside the break-bars, and mechanism for feeding fibrous material along the break-bars and cylinder, with a series of transversely-arranged vibrating whips coacting with the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

34. In a machine for, breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of the breakbars, mechanism for feeding fibrous material along the bars, and rotating spiral breaking and cleaning ribs or blades coacting therewith, and auxiliary feed devices beside and coacting with said break bars, substantially as described.

35. In combination, a longitudinally disposed break-bar and. mechanism for feeding stalks longitudinally along said bar; with breaking and cleaning mechanism coacting with said bar, said mechanism including means for breaking the ends of a row of stalks pro jectingbeyond the bar progressively from said ends along the length thereof toward the center of the stalks.

36. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, a rotary stalk breaking and cleaning cylinder, combined with a series of curved fingers lying transversely of the cylin der and means for vibrating said fingers toward and from the periphery of the cylinder, for the purpose and substantially as described.

37. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of the pyramidal platform, opposite converging breakbars, feed mechanism for moving the fibers over said platform and along saidbreak-bars, the rotary ribbed cylinders beside and coacting with said break-bars to break .and clean the opposite ends of the fibers simultaneously, and the auxiliary feed mechanism beside and coactin g with said breakbars, all substantially as described.

38. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of the platform, the opposite converging break-bars beside the lower edges thereof, mechanism for feeding the fibers over said platform and along said break-bars, one of said break-bars being prolonged beyond the other, and the auxiliary feed mechanism beside and coacting with said break-bars, with the rotary ribbed cylinders beside and coacting with said break-bars, one of said cylinders extending beyond the other, and a secondary feed mechanism for carrying the partially-cleaned fibers from the end of the short cylinder past the extension of the longer cylinder, all substantially as described.

39. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, the combination of the platform, the opposite converging break-bars beside the lower edges thereof, the mechanisms for feeding the fibers over said platform and along said break-bars, one of said break-bars being prolonged beyond the other, and auxiliary feed mechanism beside and coacting with said breakbars,with rotary cylinders having spiral ribs beside and coacting with said breakbars, one of said cylinders extending beyond the other, a secondary feed mechanism for carrying the partially-cleaned fibers from the end of the short cylinder past the extension of the 'longer cylinder, and Whips coacting with the extension of the longer cylinder, all substantially as described.

L0. In a machine for treating fibrous material, afeed-platform havinga plurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle With relation to each other, feeding mechanism extending along such platform at an oblique angle to at least one of said edges, and mechanism for operating on the material located along said edges.

41. In a machine for treating fibrous mate rial, afeed-platform having a plurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle With relation to each other, feeding mechanism extending along such platform in oblique -relation to both of such edges, and mechanism for operating on the material located along said edges.

42. In a machine for treating fibrous material, afeed-platform havinga plurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle with relation to each other and having inclined sides converging medially thereof and forming a ridge extending in oblique relation to the side edges thereof, feeding mechanism mounted along the ridge of such platform, and mechanism for operating on the material located along the opposite side edges of such platform.

43. Ina machine for treating fibrous material, a feed-platform havinga plurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle with relationto each other and havinginclined sides converging centrally thereof and forming a ridge extending in oblique relation to the side edges thereof, movable feeding mechanism extending parallel with the ridge of such platform, and mechanism for operating on the material located along the opposite side edges of such platform.

44. In a machine for treating fibrous material, afeed-platform having a pluralityof longitudinal edges extending at an oblique angle With relationto each other, feeding mechanism extending along such platform in oblique relation to such edges, supplementary feeding mechanism extendingparallel With such edges, and mechanism for operating on the material located along such edges.

45. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangular feed-platform, central feeding mechanism extending longitudinally along such platform in oblique relation to such edges, converging supplementary feed mechanisms at opposite sides thereof, and mechanism for operating on the material located along the opposite converging edges of such platform.

46. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangular feed-platform having inclined sides converging medially thereof and forming a ridge extending longitudinally in oblique relation to the outer edges, feeding mechanism comprising a toothed chain extending parallel with the ridge of such platform, and mechanism for operating on the material located at the said outer edges.

&7. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangular feed-platform having inclined sides converging medially thereof and forming an apex extending longitudinally in oblique relation to the outer edges, feeding mechanism comprising a toothed chain extending parallel with the ridge of such platform, supplementary feeding mechanism extending along the outer edges thereof, and mechanism for operating on the material located at said outer edges.

l8. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangular feed-platform having inclined sides converging medially thereof and forming a ridge extending longitudinally in oblique relation to the outer edges, a central feeding device extending along the ridge of such platform, supplementary feeding mechanism comprising movable toothed bars mounted on each side thereof in oblique relation thereto, and mechanism for operating on the material located at the outer edges of such platform.

49. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangular feed -platform, a toothed feed-chain extending longitudinally thereof in oblique relation to its outer converging edges, supplementary feeding mechanism comprising longitudinally-movable toothed bars extending in oblique relation to such chain, and mechanism for operating on the material located at the opposite edges of such platform.

50. In a machine for treating fibrous material, opposite break-bars arranged in oblique relation to each other, rotatable breaking and scutching blades cooperating therewith having their axes parallel With such break-bars, and feeding mechanism intermediate such break-bars and extending in oblique relation thereto.

51. In a machine for treating fibrous material, opposite breaking and scutching mechanisms comprising revolving blades arranged in oblique relation to each other, the rear end of one of such mechanisms extending beyond that of the other, break-bars arranged intermediate such blades and parallel with the axial centers thereof, a triangular feed-platform having its outer edges parallel With such breakbars and With the axial centers of such blades, feeding mechanism extending longitudinally along said platform in oblique relation to said break-bars and mechanisms, and secondary feeding mechanism for carrying the material along the extension of the longer breaking and scutching mechanism.

52. In a machine for treating fibrous material, opposite breaking and scutching mechanisms comprising revolving blades mounted in oblique relation to each other, break-bars arranged intermediate such blades and parallel with the axlal centers thereof, a triangular feed-platform having its outer edges parallel longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle with relation to each other, a toothed feedchain extending along such platform in oblique relation to both of such edges, toothed feeding-bars vibratingly mounted on opposite sides of such chain, and mechanism for operating on the material located at the opposite edges of such platform.

54%. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a feeding-platform having a plurality of longitudinal edges extending at an oblique angle with relation to each other, feeding mechanism extending along such platform at an oblique angle to both of such edges, toothed feed-bars vibratingly mounted along the converging edges of such platform, rotary driving-disks to which said feed-bars are secured mounted with their axial centers at an oblique angle to the feed-bars, and mechanism for operating on the material located at the opposite edges of said platform.

55. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a pair of, breaking and seutching mechanisms arranged obliquely in relation to each other,feeding mechanism mounted intermediate such mechanisms, and a central supporting element for the material comprising a central guiding-ridge portion extending obliquely in relation to said breaking and scutching mechanisms.

56. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a feedplatform having a plurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle with relation to each other, means for feeding laterally arranged material along such platform at an oblique angle to at least one of such edges, and mechanism for operating on the material located along said edges.

57. In a machine for treating fibrous material, means for'supporting stalks transversely arranged to their line of movement, feed mechanism for moving the stalks laterally, and opposite supplementary feeding devices obliquely disposed and converging, tending to feed the stalks laterally and to draw them out endwise.

58. In a machine for treating fibrous material, means for supporting stalks transversely arranged to their line of movement, feeding mechanism for moving the stalks laterally, and opposite supplementary feeding devices tending to feed the stalks laterally and to draw them out endwise.

59. In a machine for treating fibrous material, means for laterally feeding transverselyarranged stalks, and opposite obliquely-disposed supplementary feeding mechanism.

60. In a machine for treating fibrous material, converging feeding means for conveying laterally stalks or material disposed transversely of such feeding means.

61. A support for stalks or fibers, in amachine for treating fibrous material, over which the stalks or fibers are adapted to be laid transversely, said support having opposite longitudinal fixed portions, at or beyond which the stalks or fibers are adapted to be treated by operating instrumentalities, and an intermediate longitudinal adjustable portion adapted to be raised or lowered to vary the distance between the same and said fixed portions, whereby said support can be adjusted to suit material of different lengths.

62. A stalk or fiber support, for machines for treating fibrous material, having opposite longitudinal fixed portions disposed in oblique relation, at or beyond which stalks or fibers arranged transversely of said support are adapted to be worked or treatediby operating instrumentalities, and an intermediate longitudinal adjustable ridge portion adapted to be raised or lowered for varying the distance be tween the same and said fixed portions.

63. A stalk or fiber support, for machines for treating fibrous material, having opposite longitudinal fixed portionsdisposed in oblique relation, at or beyond which stalks or fibers arranged transversely of said support are adapted to be worked or treated by operating instrumentalities, and an intermediate ridge portion obliquely disposed to said fixed portions and downwardly inclined toward the point toward which said fixed portions converge and having its upper end adjustable upward or downward. 64:. A stalk or liber support, for machines for treating fibrous material, having opposite converging fixed portions at or beyond which stalks or fibers arranged transversely of said support are adapted to be worked or treated by operating instrumentalities, and a medial inclined ridge portion also converging toward the point of convergence of sa' 1 fixed portions and having its upper end vertically adjustable.

65. A feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, over which the material is designed to rest transversely, said platform having opposite fixed edges and an intermediate longitudinal adjustable part adapted to be raised or lowered to vary the distance between the same and said fixed edges.

66. A feedqplatform of the character described having opposite fixed edges obliquely disposed to each other and an intermediate longitudinal adjustable part adapted to be raised or lowered.

67. A feed-platform of the character described having opposite converging edges and inclined sides converging medially and forming a downwardly-inclined ridge.

68. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, having opposite edges converging or obliquely disposed to each other, over which platform the material to be treated is adapted to be fed laterally.

69. A feed-platform of the character described of substantially triangular form having a medial ridge downwardly inclined toward the point and inclined sides which are adjustable for elevating the upper end of the ridge.

70. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, and means for varying the inclination of its sides.

71. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, having its opposite edges disposed in oblique relation, and adjustable inclined sides capable of having their inclination changed.

72. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, having its opposite sides adjustable for varying their width.

73. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, having its opposite edges converging and its inclined sides adjustable for varying their width.

74. A feed-platform of the character described having opposite fixed edges and inclined sides converging in an intermediate ridge, said sides being adjustable for varying their width and the position of said ridge.

75. A feed-platform of the character described having opposite converging fixed edges and inclined sides converging in an intermediate ridge, said sides being adjustable for varying their width and the position of said ridge.

76. A feed-platform of the character described having opposite converging fixed edges and inclined sides converging in an intermediate ridge, and means for adjusting the wider portions of said inclined sides for varying their inclination and the position of said ridge.

77. Afeed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, having opposite converging edges, at or beyond which fibrous material laid athwart the platform is adapted to be treated by operating instrumentalities, and means for varying the width of said platform at its wider end.

78. A feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, having opposite converging edges and formed of two parts meeting in the medial line of the platform and each extensible transversely.

79. A feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, having opposite converging edges and inclined sides converging in an intermediate ridge, each side capable of being extended in width substantially in the di rection ofan arc having as a center the point of convergence of the ridge and outer edge of said side.

80. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shaped inclined sides converging in a medial ridge, each side being adjlustable for varying its width at its broader enc.

81. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shaped sides meeting in an intermediate line, each side consisting of overlapping plates adjustably secured together.

82. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shaped sides meeting in an intermediate line, each side consisting of two overlapping triangular plates having their points comparatively fixed and otherwise adjustably secured together.

83. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shaped sides meeting in an intermediate line, each side consisting of two overlapping triangular plates having their points comparatively fixed and otherwise adjustably secured together, the outer edges of said platform being relatively fixed.

84. A double inclined or roof-shaped feedplatform, each side of which consists of two overlapping plates, transverse bars or rafters to which the lower plates are secured having their lower parts pivotally attached to fixed supports, transverse bars or rafters to which the upper plates are secured, the upper and lower bars being adjustably secured together, and toggle-links connecting the upper ends of the upper bars.

85. A feed-platform having opposite obliquely-related edges and inclined sides which provide an intermediate ridge, and a carrier for moving transverselyarranged material along the platform traveling along said ridge.

86. A feed-platform having opposite obliquely-related edges and inclined sides which provide an intermediate ridge, and feeding mechanism for moving stalks or fibers laid athwart said platform along the same.

87. A feed-platform having opposite inclined sides the upper edges of which are sepa rated to provide a slot in the ridge, and a carrier traveling along said ridge having projections depending in said slot for engaging stalks v accordance with the adjustment of the feedplatform.

90. In combination with a pyramidal or double-inclined platform having its pitch or ridge elevation adjustable, a feed-table provided with means for conveying transversely-arranged material onto said. platform, and means for adjusting the height of said feed-table.

91. A feed-platform having a plurality of longitudinal edges obliquely related, and feedin g mechanism extending longitudinally along said platform at an oblique angle to at least one of said edges.

92. A feed-platform having opposite longitudinal edges obliquely related, and feeding mechanism extending along said platform at an oblique angle to both of such edges.

93. A feed-platform having a plurality of longitudinal edges obliquely related and opposite inclined sides forming an intermediate longitudinal ridge, and feeding mechanism extending parallel with said ridge.

94. A feedp1atform having opposite longitudinal edges obliquely related, and feeding mechanism for moving transversely-a1ranged material along said platform at an angle to both of said edges.

95. In combination with a feed-platform having opposite inclined sides forming a longitudinal ridge, means for feeding transversely-arranged stalks to said platform, and means for cracking said stalks intermediatel y to cause them to hang or rest upon the opposite inclined sides thereof.

96. In combination with a feed-platform having opposite inclined sides forming a longitudinal ridge, means for feeding transversely-arranged stalks to said platform, and means for cracking the stalks intermediately before passing to said platform, comprising a pair of disks and a coacting intermediate disk between which and the said pair the stalks are passed.

97. In combination with a feed-platform having opposite inclined sides forming a medial longitudinal ridge, means for feeding transverse]y-arranged stalks to said platform and means for cracking them at their medial portions.

98. The combination of a feed-platform having opposite edges disposed in oblique relation to each other,at or beyond which transverselyarranged material is adapted to be treated by operating instrumentalities, means for feeding transversely-arranged material onto the receiving end of such platform, and means for feeding such material longitudinally along such platform.

99. The combination of a feed platform having opposite obliquely-related edges and inclined sides forming an intermediate longitudinal ridge downwardly rearwardly inclined, and means for feet ling transversely-arranged material onto the receiving end of such platform.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

W ILLIAM ADONIRAM SHELY.

ALDA MERRILL SHELY. Witnesses:

FRANK CLARK,

J OTIN EDWARD WARD

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