IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS, BARRELS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Grist, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF CASKS, BARRELS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
Sealed the 6th February 1855, and dated the 21st August 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Grist at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st August
1854.
I, JOHN GRIST, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS, BARRELS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
In the manufacture of casks and barrels, several different operations are
necessary, and my present improvements refer to machinery for "jointing,"
chiming and creuzing, bending, and raising or gathering staves into casks.
The improvements in jointing machinery consist in the employment of a
double-bedded lathe with a separate headstock carrying a face plate. The
various curves to suit different sized staves are marked out on this plate, and
the wood is held on it while being jointed, by means of clamps or screws.
Each bed is provided with a headstock or carriage, upon which the cutters are
mounted.
In chiming and creuzing as generally followed, a different sized saw or

page_text: cutter is required for each different size of stave. Now, one of my improve-
ments under this head of my Invention consists in mounting a circular saw
or cutter upon a shaft, the angle of which can be changed, or the shaft
lengthened out, to suit the different sizes of staves.
Another improvement under this head is intended for the chiming and
creuzing of staves while in a bent state, and consists in adapting certain chiming
and creuzing machinery, described by me in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to me for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the 10th day of September 1853, as applicable to staves in a straight or
unbent state. The main alterations necessary to adapt this machinery to bent
staves consist in the employment of a drum between the cutters or saws.
This drum is of the same curve as the staves, and is made to rotate slowly.
My improvements in bending machinery consist in mounting in a suitable
framework supports for the ends of the staves to be bent. A shoe or block of
the exact curve of the intended stave is made to descend upon the wood.
The wood still in the frame is heated in a suitable kiln. The pressure is
maintained a certain time; the frame and wood are then taken from the kiln,
and the stave allowed to cool down; after which the shoe or block is raised,
and the stave removed.
The raising or gathering machine is as follows:-Upon a bed plate, two
heads similar to lathe heads are made to advance towards or recede from each
other, by means of a right and left handed screw working in the bed and
through nuts at the bottom of the heads. Each head is provided with a face
plate and mandril. One of the face plates has fixed to it the head for a cask,
and the other an open ring, or each face plate has a ring fixed to it. The
staves are placed upon the head and ring, and are held thereon by means of
clips or springs or elastic bands, until sufficient staves are added to form the
cask, when the lathe heads are caused to recede, and the cask rolls out of the
machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed 3
by the said John Grist in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
February 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
GRIST, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters 3.
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of August, in the year of our

page_text: Lord-One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Grist, Her special licence that I, the said John Grist,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John'
Grist, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS, BARRELS, AND
OTHER SIMILAR
ARTICLES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Jolin Grist,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Grist, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say:-"
In the manufacture of casks and barrels, several different operations are
necessary, and my present improvements refer to machinery for "jointing,
chiming and creuzing," bending, and raising or gathering staves into casks.
The improvements in jointing machinery consist in the employment of a
surface. plate mounted upon a double-bedded lathe with separate headstocks.
The various curves to suit different sized staves are marked out on this
plate, and the wood is held on it while being jointed by means of clamps or
screws. Each bed is provided with a headstock or carriage, upon which the
cutters are mounted.
In chiming and creuzing as generally followed, a different sized saw or
cutter is required for each different size of stave. Now, one of my improve-
ments under this head of my Invention consists in mounting a circular saw,
or cutter upon a shaft, the angle of which cutters can be changed, or the arms.
carrying the cutters can be lengthened or shortened, to suit the different size
of staves.
Another improvement under this head is intended for the chiming and
creuzing of staves while in a bent state, and consist in adapting certain
chiming and creuzing machinery, described by me in the Specification of

page_text: Letters Patent granted to me for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the 10th day of September 1853, as applicable to staves in a straight
or unbent state. The main alterations necessary to adapt this machinery to
bent staves consist in the employment of a drum between the cutters or
saws. This drum is of the same curve as the staves, and is made to rotate
slowly.
My improvements in bending machinery consist in mounting in a suitable
framework supports for the ends of the stave to be bent. A shoe or block of
the exact curve of the intended stave is made to descend upon the wood.
The wood still in the frame is heated in a suitable kiln. The pressure is
maintained a certain time; the wood and frame are then taken from the kiln,
and the stave allowed to cool; after which the shoe or block is raised, and the
stave removed.
The raising or gathering machine is as follows:-Upon a bed plate two
heads similar to lathe heads are made to advance towards or recede from
each other, by means of a right and left handed screw working in the bed
and through nuts at the bottom of the heads. Each head is provided with a
face plate and mandril. One of the face plates has fixed to it the head of a
cask, and the other end an open ring, or each face plate has a ring fixed to it.
The staves are placed upon the head and ring, and are held thereon by means
of clips or springs or elastic bands, until sufficient staves are added to form the
cask; the necessary hoops are then adapted, when the lathe heads are caused to
recede, and the cask rolls out of the machine.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed, I have shewn the several machines for
carrying the different heads of my Invention into effect.
First, the jointing machine.-Figure 1 represents a front elevation, Figure 2
an end elevation, and Figure 3 a plan, of this machine. A, A, is the frame-
work of the machine; B is the surface plate, which is centred upon the shaft
or axis B', mounted in the plummer blocks B², und caused to rotate by the strap
pulley C, or by any other equivalent means. D, D, D, are a series of clamps
between which the wood to be jointed is firmly held by the blocks D', D'.
These clamps have attached to them and at the back a centre stud or axis E,
which is passed through a slot E' in the surface plate, and retained in position
by a nut and screw. By this means the clamps are capable of being adjusted
nearer to or further from the centre of the plate, in accordance with lines
drawn upon the surface plate, these lines being to insure that all the clamps
are shifted to the same point, that the curves of each piece of wood when cut
shall always exactly correspond. The ends of these clamps are provided with
V pieces F, F, which fit into corresponding Vs, F', upon the surface plate,

page_text: which are capable of being adjusted in the slots F, F, to correspond with the
adjustment of the clamps in the slots E¹. G, G, are pins, which are passed
through the slots G' in the surface plate, and screwed or otherwise secured to
the under side of the clamps, there being one pin to each clamp. These pins,.
as the surface plate revolves, alternately come in contact with guides placed
at the back, which guides are formed of such a curve that, combined with the
rotation of the surface plate, they impart to the wood in its traverse to
the cutters the desired curve to which the wood is to be shaped, the clamps
turning sufficiently upon their centres to suit this arrangement. H, H', are
the cutters, which are keyed upon their respective shafts I, II, and driven
by the pullies H, H. These cutters are mounted in pairs in the headstocks
I, I, one at each end of the machine. These headstocks are capable of being
shifted nearer to or farther from each other, either by means of a right and
left handed screw or by any other improved method, the headstocks sliding in
the double bed J, J, similar to an ordinary lathe bed. The operation of this
machine is as follows:-The several pieces of wood being adjusted in their
respective clamps, and the cutters at each end of the machine being set to
work, the surface plate is caused to revolve, which thereby brings the wood in
contact with the cutters, and gives the proper shape thereto. It is necessary
that as soon as the wood has passed one set of cutters, and one edge of it being
thereby shaped, that before the wood arrives at the opposite set of cutters the
wood should be turned or reversed, so as to present the opposite or uncut edgo
to the action of the cutters. This action is performed by removing the pin G
from the back of the clamp, which enables the clamp to be turned, and with it
the wood, after which the pin is inserted into a hole in the opposite end of the
clamp. The reversing of the clamps may, however, be dispensed with by
placing one set of cutters nearer to the centre of the surface plate, so that
each side of the wood is shaped by alternately coming in contact with them,
one set (the farthest from the centre of the surface plate) cutting the outer
edge of the wood, and the opposite set cutting the inner edge. This machine
is also equally well adapted to cutting staves in the bent or unbent state, as
represented in Figure 2.
Second, the chiming and creuzing machine.-The first of my improvements
under this head of my Invention is represented in Figures 4 and 5, which
respectively represent a plan and end elevation of a machino constructed for
this purpose. A, A, is a shaft mounted in the bearings A', A'; B, B, are two
side arms, united at top by the rod B'. These arms are centred upon the
shaft A, and are free to oscillate thereon by means of a crank or other suitable
arrangement acting upon the rod C. D, D, are two other arms, which are

page_text: .connected to the arms B, B, and oscillate with them. These arms carry the
shafts of the cutters E, E, which are of the proper shape for chiming and
creuzing the ends of the staves, one of which is represented at F in Figure 4.
The staves are held. in suitable clamps, and the cutters are caused to oscillate
against them, at the same time that they are caused to rotate by the straps
and pullies G, G. The arms D, D, have slots a, a, formed in them, whereby
they can be shifted nearer to or farther from the shaft A, according to the
radius of the cask.
The second improvement under this head of my Invention is intended for
chiming and creuzing staves while in a bent state. Figure 6 represents a
front elevation, and Figure 7 a vertical section, of a machine for carrying this
part of my Invention into effect. A, A, is the bed of the machine; B, B, are
the headstocks carrying the cutters C, C, caused to revolve by means of the
pullies D, D. These headstocks are capable of being shifted nearer to or
farther from each other by the right and left handed screw E, tapped through
corresponding nuts secured to the bottom of the headstocks. F, F, is a drum,
which is divided into two parts, and mounted upon the shaft F¹, turning in
the brackets G, G. H is a worm wheel upon the shaft F', and geared into
by the endless screw H', mounted in the frames I, I, and driven by the pullies
J, J. The brackets G, G, carrying the drum, are secured by V pieces G¹, G¹,
to a plate K, the two ends of which are fitted with sliding pieces K', 'K', fitted
into V grooves in the brackets L, L, attached to the framework M of the
machine. By this means the drum can be raised or lowered through the
medium of the screw N, tapped through the nut N', in the framework M,
the lower end of the screw being secured by a garter pin and groove in the
socket N² on the plate K. The brackets G, G, can also be caused to advance
nearer to or recede farther from each other by means of the endless screw O,
as represented in the plan of the plate K in Figure 8. P is the stave, which is
secured to the drum F by the bracket and screw Q; several of these brackets
may be mounted upon the circumference of the drum, so as to render the
chiming and creuzing of staves continuous. The action of this machine is
as follows: Upon motion being communicated to the endless screw and
worm wheel, the.drum is caused to rotate, carrying with it the staves to the
cutters, which were previously put in motion. The size of the drum corre-
sponds with the interior of the cask; but, should it be desired to chime and
creuze staves for a cask of a larger or smaller dimensions, the drum can be
removed by shifting the headstocks B, B, and brackets G, G, farther from
each other, and a fresh drum of the size required inserted, the headstocks and
brackets being then adapted to suit the required size of stave.

page_text: Third, bending the staves.-Figure 9 represents a plan, and Figure 10 a
section, of a machine constructed according to this head of my Invention.
A, A, are two end pieces or frames, which are connected together by the
rails B, B, upon which the ends of the staves, or wood to be formed into
staves, rest side by side; C, C, are a series of blocks, one to each stave.
Each of these blocks is provided with a screw D, tapped through the rail E;
F, F, are steadying pins passed through the rails G, G. In order to bend
the stave into the curve indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 10, the
screws D, D, are turned so as to bring the blocks down upon the wood,
until it assumes the curve of the intended stave. When all the staves in
the series are thus bent, or such of them as are required, the whole appa-
ratus is then transferred to a suitable kiln, and exposed to the action of
steam and heated air until the staves become permanently set; after which
the frame is removed from the kiln, and the staves allowed to cool, when the
blocks are raised by turning the screws in the reverse direction, and the staves
are thereby liberated. Figures 11 and 12 are views of a modification of
the above arrangement, in which the screws for raising and lowering the
blocks are acted upon by a series of endless screws, gearing into worm wheels
upon them.
Fourth, the raising or gathering machine.-Figure 13 represents a side
elevation, and Figure 14 a section, of a machine for carrying this head of
my Invention into effect. A, A, is a bed plate; and B, B, two heads similar
to lathe heads, which are caused to advance nearer to or recede farther from
each other by means of the right and left handed screw C, tapped through cor-
responding nuts on the under side of the heads; D, D', are face plates screwed
upon the ends of the mandrils D', D, and provided with a number of radial
clips E, E. Figure 15 represents a view of a portion of one of these face plates,
detached from the machine, and shewing the arrangement of the clips, which
are formed each with a spindle passing through the rings F, F', cast upon the
back of the face plates; G, G, are helical springs, one to each spindle, which
press upon the discs H, H, and against the ring F. By this means a con-
stant pressure is exerted towards the centre of each face plate, and the staves
interposed between the clips and the circumference of the face plate are
securely held.
I is a ring supported upon pins a, a, projecting from the face
plate D; J is a head of a cask held between the clips. When it is desired to
form a cask, the staves are inserted between the clips and the periphery of the
ring and head, one at a time, until a sufficient number of staves are placed.
At each insertion of a stave the machine is partially turned round, and to
insure that the position of the two face plates shall exactly coincide, I mount

page_text: upon each of the mandrils a ratchet wheel K, into the teeth of which the
spring palls L, L, take. When the cask has thus been formed, and before
removing it from the machine, I pass over each end the requisite hoops for
holding it together; these hoops having been thrown over the face plates on
to the mandrils, previously to commencing the formation of the cask. I also
place round the centre of the cask, a spring band or pitch hoop, similar to
that represented in Figures 16 and 17, in which A is the band or hoop,
formed of two parts connected together by the hinge B. C is a screw, which
is hinged to the end a of the hoop. When the hoop is placed round the cask,
this screw is brought down, and into a recess b in the opposite end of the hoop,
when the nut c is turned, and the cask thereby tightened up. Figure 18
represents an enlarged view of the face plates, ring I, and head of the cask.
The cask is removed from the machine by causing the heads B, B, to recede
from each other, when the cask rolls out of the machine.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as
my improvements in machinery for the manufacture of casks, barrels, and
other similar articles is,-
First, the jointing of staves, whether bent or unbent, by means of the
arrangement and combination of machinery represented in Figures 1, 2,
aud 3 of the Drawings hereunto annexed and hercin-before described.
Second, I claim the chiming and creuzing of staves by means of the
arrangement and combination of machinery, whereby a compound rotary and-
oscillating motion is imparted to the cutters and saws; and also the means
whereby the radial arms carrying the saws and cutters can be lengthened
or shortened, and so adjusted to chime and creuze the staves in accordance
with the radius of the head of the intended cask, all as herein-before
described and represented in Figures 4 and 5 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed. I also claim under this head of my Invention, the employment
of a drum of the same curve as the staves to be chimed and creuzed;
such drum being caused to rotate between the cutters or saws, all as herein-
before described and represented in Figures 6 and 7 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Third, I claim the bending of staves by means of the peculiar arrangements
and combinations of apparatus represented in Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 of tho
Drawings hereunto annexed; and I also claim the placing of the staves, while
so bent, in a suitably constructed kiln, and subjecting them to the action of
steam and heated air, for the purposes herein-before described.
And, fourth, I claim the raising or gathering of staves, so as to to form a

page_text: cask, by means of the arrangement and combination of machinery represented
in Figures 13, 14, 15, and 18 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, and herein-
before described; I also claim under this head of my Invention, the employ-
ment of an open ring or rings, clips, or springs or clastic bands, in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described and represented in Figures 13, 15,
and 18 of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Grist, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of February, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five.