A.H. Patch's post mounted corn sheller

From the Scientific American, 1872

The extreme simplicity, durability and compactness of this machine, together with its efficiency and convenience will commend it to all who understand the need and use of a good corn sheller. The working parts are so few and so easily made (nearly all of them can be cast) that the machine can be constructed very cheaply. There are no complications to perplex the inexperienced and no nice adjustments are required. The machine can be bolted to an upright post, and is then ready for work.

Two pan shaped castings bolted together form the case. The disk has, about midway between its center and circumference, a circle of cogs which mesh into the pinion of the fluted roller. This roller, with its pinion, is cast all in one piece. Suitable bearings for it are bolted to the case, as shown. The disk is provided with annular rows of shelling teeth, as shown.

The corn is fed in, as shown in fig 1. A spring on the inner side of the case holds the ears firmly against the disk, so that varying sizes of ears do not interfere with the operation of the machine. The fluted roller revolves with greater rapidity than the toothed disk, the combined action of these two simple parts stripping off the kernals rapidly and thoroughly.

This sheller, patented April 2, 1872, was Patch's first. At that time, he resided in Hamilton, Massachusetts. He is better known for his later box shellers, after his move to Kentucky. We would like to hear from anyone having this first example of Patch's sheller. Email to: Richard Van Vleck

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