Improved Method and Machine for Making Profiled Polygonal Articles of Wood.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method and Machine for Making Profiled Polygonal Articles
of Wood.
A communication by THORBJÖRN WAAGE, of Stavanger, in the Kingdom of
Norway, Merchant.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M:I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of War-
wick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
This invention relates to the production of polygonal wooden columns, balus-
tres, chair and table legs etcetera.
Heretofore it has been impossible in a single operation to obtain finished articles
of this kind because the cutters did not cut the fibres, but so to say partly tore
the material away from the blank. For this reason, a clean and smooth surface
could not be obtained. This action of the cutters was due to the fact that, as the
edge of the cutter must project under an angle considerably less than 90 degrees
against the wood surface to be acted upon, those parts of the edge that correspond
to the deeper parts of the profile would be in front of those parts acting upon the
outer or upper parts of the profile and would therefore act as a wedge and tear
off the upper parts of the wood. This will be understood from Figure 1" and 1b
of the accompanying drawings the first figure showing a profile to be cut and the
second figure a side view of a cutter in its operating position in front of a piece
of wood, which latter is shown in cross section. It will be clearly seen that the
deeper part of the profile abc will be cut by the corresponding part d of the
cutter before the upper surfaces mnop in the same vertical section have been
formed by the cutter edges qr. These upper parts of the profile therefore will
be torn away by the wedging action of the front part of the cutter. This action
of such a cutter is of course of less importance in planing along the fibres of the
wood, but it is when "crossplaning" that this disturbing action especially takes
place.
According to this invention this difficulty is avoided by so forming the cutter
that the part d of the cutter in the above example is placed behind the parts gr.
This may be done by dividing the cutter and using one cutter d (as indicated
in Figure 1) and one cutter qr. But as the lines of the profile are continuous
it is more advantageous to solve the problem by forming the cutting edge in
uch a way, that the parts of it going deepest into the material reach the material
later than the parts of the edge acting upon the upper or outer parts of the
material. How such a cutter is formed will be hereinafter explained when
describing and explaining the preferred form of a machine in which this cutter
may be used and by means of which the new method of manufacture may be
carried out.

page_text: Machines for making columns etcetera, according to this method can of course
be given different forms. One form, which is preferable, is distinguished by two
sheaves or wheels mounted on an axle with suitable means for slowly revolving
them and in which at equal distances a number of spindles or carriers are arranged
and between which the materials are put so that during the successive revolving
of the wheels said materials pass one or more cutters, which give them the desired
profile. Every time a material has passed the cutters, the carriers holding it
in a fixed position are turned a part of a revolution, so that the material next
time it passes the cutters presents an unplaned side to them. This is repeated
until the material has got the desired shape and the ready made column or the
like is then automatically disconnected from the spindles, so that new material
can be put in.
One form of the machine is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the machine."
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
--
Figure is a transverse section on the line A-A Figure 2 seen in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
Figures 4 and 5 show a movable support in front and side elevation.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a fixed groove-support in end and side elevation and
plan view respectively.
Figures 9 and 10 show an end elevation and longitudinal section respectively
of the spindle-wheel next to the movable support.
Figure 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 show one of the spindles in this wheel.
Figures 16 and 17 show end elevation and longitudinal section respectively
of the other spindle wheel.
Figures 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 show a
spindle for the same and details thereof.
Figures 23 and 24 show a cutter with four knives or irons through the cutter
head.
1 is the frame of the machine on which the bearings 2, 3 for the axle 4 are
located, and on this axle the spindle-wheels 5 and 6 are mounted. On the bed
of the frame a movable support 8 is arranged, which by means of a screw 9 with
handwheel 10 can be slid along the bed on which it has a guide. The axle 4
passes through the movable support 8, which by means of the bearing 20 is con-
nected with the spindle-wheel 5, this bearing on the inside being provided with a
rib fitting a corresponding circular groove in the hub 22 of the spindle-wheel.
The spindle-wheel 6 is fixed to the axle 4, whereas the wheel 5 is in such a way
connected with the same by means of key and groove, that it is prevented from
turning relative to the axle, but can be slid along the same together with the mov-
able support 8, so that the distance between the spindle-wheels can be regulated
as desired by turning the handwheel 10. The axle + with the spindle-wheels 5
and 6 is put in slow rotation by means of a worm 23 resting in bearings on the
frame, this worm being geared with a worm-wheel 24 on the axle 4, and the worm
getting its motion in some suitable manner for instance by means of a pulley.
Figures 9, 10, 16 and 17 show a suitable construction of the spindle-wheels 5
and 6. These are composed of two rings of which one is put outside the other.
This construction is used to make it easier to provide for the grooves in the bor-
ings 26 for the spindle or carriers. The outer ring can, when necessary, be made
in more sections. One of the spindles in wheel 5 is shown in Figures 11 to 15.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through the spindle lying in the bore of the
wheel. Figure 12 shows an elevation of the spindle; Figure 13 is a section on
the line B-B, Figure 11, seen in direction of the arrow; Figure 14 shows a half-
ring in a groove of the boring and Figure 15 is a section on the line C-C,
Figure 12, seen in the direction indicated by an arrow; 27 is the spindle-body
proper, which has a cylindrical cross-section and the foremost end of which carries
a ring 28 provided with teeth or spikes. In the front part of the spindle there
is a boring 29 with a piston 30, the narrow back part of which is surrounded by
a spiral-spring 41, which pushes against the piston and the bottom of the boring

page_text: and which always has the tendency to push the piston so far in a forward direc-
tion, that its foremost end projects outside the teeth of the ring 28.
The piston rod passes through a smaller boring into a transversal slot 42, where
it is connected by means of a pin 43 with a stop 45 swinging about a pin 44 in the
spindle body. The pin 43 works in a slot 46 in the stop 45, which therefore
will swing about the pin 44, when the piston is moved back, counteracting the
pressure of the spring. When no material is put in between the spindles, the
piston will remain in its foremost position, and the stop 45 will then with its
free end reach into a longitudinal groove 47 in the boring 26, and the spindle
is thus prevented from turning. The backwards motion of the spindle is limited
by means of a bolt 51 put into a slot 48 on the spindle-body, swinging about a
pin 49 and acted upon by a spring 50, this bolt having a keeper 60, which lies
against a projection 61 on a loose half-ring 63 received by a ring-groove 62 in
the boring. The projection 61 reaches into the slot 48 of the spindle-body, when
it is turning. The bolt 51, which together with the back part of the spindle
projects outside the wheel 5 is provided with a nose 64, which, as long as the
spindle remains in the position shown in Figure 11, for every revolution of the
wheel will be geared with the inside of an arch 65 on the movable support 8 and
concentric with the spindle-wheel. By this the bolt will be disconnected from the
half-ring 63, so that the spindle can move freely to and fro as long as the nose 64
is acted upon by the above mentioned arch. When the nose 64 has the shape
shown in Figures 11 and 12, the inner surface of the arch at the ends must have a
somewhat greater distance from centre, so that the bolt can be pressed in
successively.
As shown in Figure 5, the inner surface of the arch (65) is provided with a
groove 66 in which a lug 67 on the rear end of the spindle is sliding at the same
time as the nose 64 of the slot is acted upon. This groove has such a shape, that
the spindle after the disconnection of the bolt has taken place will be drawn
back as shown at the lower part of the wheel 5, Figure 1, whereas the spindle
before the stops again are disengaged from the arch of the support at the other
end of the same, again will be pushed forwards and locked (see position at the
upper part of the wheel 5, Figure 1).
One of the spindles in the wheel 6 is shown in Figure 18-22. Figure 18 is a
section through a part of the wheel 6 in which a spindle is lying partly in sec-
tion; Figure 19 shows the spindle itself; Figure 20 shows the spindle seen
from the front end; Figure 21 a pawl-wheel mounted on the rear end of the
spindle and Figure 22 a bolt seen from the front end; 68 is the spindle-body.
This has a cylindrical cross-section and on its front end is mounted a ring 69 pro-
vided with teeth. This spindle similarly to the spindle 27 has on its front end an
axial boring 70, which receives a movable piston 71, pressed forward by a spiral
spring 72 arranged in the boring. The forward motion of the piston is limited
by a pin 82 passing through a slot 81 and connected with the spindle-body. The
front part of the spindle is provided with a shoulder 83, which lies against the
inside of the wheel (6). This shoulder is provided with a plurality of grooves 84
running parallel to the axis of the spindle. On the rear end of the spindle is
mounted a pawl-wheel 85, which is held in position by a nut 86 and between this
and the outside surface of the wheel (6) a casing is put on the spindle and from
this casing a key 87 projects, which can be moved to and fro in a groove 88
Figs. 16 and 17 in the spindle-bearing 26. The key is normally held in its fore-
most position by means of a spiral spring 89 arranged on the spindle between
the pawl-wheel 85 and the key-casing, and the key is then located in one of the
grooves 84 in the shoulder 83, so that the spindle is prevented from turning. If
the key on the contrary is drawn so far back, that its end comes out of the
groove 84, the spindle can be turned in its bearing. In order to make such a
disconnection possible the key-casing is provided with a stop 90, which during
the revolving of the wheel (6) will be geared with a groove 91 in the stand 100
secured on the machine (Figures 6, 7 and 8). This groove has such a shape, that

page_text: it first draws the key out of the groove 84, in which position the key is held for
a few moments and then the groove again lets the key go back. The stand also
carries a stop 101, which hits one of the teeth of the pawl-wheel 85 at that
moment, when the key 87 is drawn back, and the spindle will consequently be
turned a certain number of degrees before it is locked again.
Parallel to the axle 4, cutters are journalled in the bearings 102, these cutters
being put into rapid rotation by pulleys or other suitable means. The cutter-
head can with advantage be given the shape shown in Figures 3 and 24, where the
knives can be easily adjusted. Each of these four knives are of the same form.
They consist of the cutter proper 103 and a leg 105 at each side by means of which
the cutters may be held to the head by way of bolts 106. The cutter proper is a
part of a round hollow body, whose outer surface has exactly the inverted profile
of the profile to be given the wooden article. 107 is the back edge of the cutter,
and 108 its cutting edge. While the back edge is or may be straight the front
cutting edge is a broken line (see Figure 23-d, q, e, r, s, f,t, g, u, h, v, w, i, a, y,
k, 2, 1), in which broken line the foremost corners d, e, f, g, h, i,k,l correspond to
the parts of the profiled column, that has the largest diameter (see Figure 23ª which
shows the finished column) while the backmost corners q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z cor-
respond to the parts having the smallest diameter. This line is easily obtained
by a grinding operation and its exact form must of course be a matter of work-
manship and judgment. The bearings of the cutters are arranged in guides
on their brackets, so that they by suitable means can be put nearer or farther
from the axle 4.
The operation of the machine is as follows:
When the machine is put into operation the worm 23 will drive the axle 4
with the spindle-wheels 5 and 6, every time they pass the groove-stand 100 on
account of the co-operation of the stop 1011 of the key and the pawl-wheel 85 will
be disconnected and turned a certain number of degrees, for instance, ¼ of a
revolution. The spindles in the wheel 5 will also as long as they have the posi-
tion shown in Figure 11 (the stop 45 preventing them from turning) be drawn
back into the rear position every time they pass the stand-arch 65, the stop 64
of the bolt (51) being pushed by the inner surface of the arch, so that the stop 67,
simultaneous working in the groove 66, draws the spindle back to again be pushed
forwards and locked at the other end of the arch. If now, while the spindle 27
is in its rear position, material be put in between this spindle and the corresponding
one in the wheel 6, the material will be caught by the teeth on the rings 28, 69
and held between these, the spindle 27 before it leaves the arch 65 being again
pushed forwards. When the material is put in, the piston 30 will thereby be
pushed so far back that the stop 45 will come out of gear with the slot 47 and
the spindle will take part in the revolving of the other spindle 68.
wheels 5 and 6 revolve in the direction indicated by the arrow, Figure 3, the
material will slowly pass the cutters, which then plane the side of the material
turned to them and give it the desired profile. As soon as the material has
passed the cutters, the stop 90 on the key 87 will be geared with the groove 91
in the stand 100. The key will now be drawn back, so that the spindles will be
disconnected and together with the other spindle 27 and the material turned for
instance of a revolution, one of the teeth of the pawl wheel hitting the stop 101
on the groove stand after which the key 87 will be pushed forwards and again
received by another groove 84.
As the
When now the spindle 27 arrives at the stand-arch 65, the stops 64 and 67
on account of the turning of the spindle will get in such a position, that they do
not get geared with the inner surface of the arch or rather the groove of the same.
The material will therefore pass the cutters with a new side turned towards
these and this will repeat itself till all sides of the material are planed by the
cutters; when the spindle 27 has passed the groove-stand 100, it will again get
into the position shown in Figure 11, but the piston 30 is pushed back by the
end of the material. The spindle 27 in this position passing the arch 65 will

page_text: again be acted upon by the stops 64 and 67, so that the spindle getting in its
lowest position will be drawn back. The pistons 30 and 71 will then by their
springs be pushed forward, so that the shaped article will be disconnected
and fall down.
When each of the wheels 5 and 6 for instance liave 24 spindles, there will be
four ready made hexagonal columns for every revolution of the spindle-wheels,
provided all spindles have been used. As new materials can be put in during the
operation of the machine, and the cutters are working on materials in different
stages of completion the output of finished pieces per hour will be very large.
The machine here described is, as mentioned above, only an example, as
machines of other constructions can be used for carrying out the same idea. The
wood blanks can for instance of course pass the cutters or knives in a straight line
or the wood can remain at rest and the cutters or knives be moved in front of
the blank; in any of these forms of the machine the new and improved cutters
may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. The method of producing polygonal wooden columns, balustres, table and
chair legs, etcetera, which consists in treating the wooden blanks by a planing
tool, which successively acts upon the several sides of the article, said planing
tool being provided with a cutter or cutters, the cutting edges of which are
formed in accordance with the profile of the article in such way however, that
those parts of the edge which correspond to the deeper parts of the profile reach
the wood later or behind those parts which correspond to the outermost parts
of the profile, substantially as described.
2. A cutter for producing profiled surfaces having those parts of its edge which
correspond to the deeper parts of the profile withdrawn behind those parts that
form the uppermost parts of the profile, so that when the cutter acts upon a piece
of wood the deeper parts of the wood in a certain section are acted upon by the
cutter later than the upper parts in the same section.
3. In a machine for making polygonal columns, balustres and similar articles
the combination with a rotatable cutter of a rotatable support or carrier, pro-
vided with means for holding the wooden blanks at a certain distance from the
cutter and moving them slowly in front of the cutters, substantially as described.
4. In a machine for making polygonal columns, balustres and similar articles
the combination with a rotatable cutter of a rotatable support or carrier, provided
with means for holding the wooden blanks at a certain distance from the cutter
and moving them slowly in front of the cutters, said holders being rotatably
mounted in the carrier and being combined with means for periodically turning
the same a certain part of a revolution substantially as described.
5. In a machine for making polygonal columns, balustres and similar articles
the combination with a rotatable cutter of a rotatable support or carrier, pro-
vided with means for holding the wooden blanks at a certain distance from the
cutter and moving them slowly in front of the cutters, said holders being rota-
tably mounted in the carrier and combined with means for periodically turning
the same a certain part of a revolution, and means for automatically loosening the
finished article from its holders, substantially as described.
6. The machine for producing polygonal articles in its details and as a whole
substantially as described.