Improvements in Machines for Cutting Stone.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cutting Stone.
We, EZRA STEAD, of Wellington Bridge, Stone Merchant, and EDGAR RHODES,
of Hanover Works, Engineer, both of Leeds, in the County of York, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment:
-
The object of this invention is to construct machines for cutting stone, in such
a manner that the frame carrying the cutting plates is provided with a positive
feed which may be actuated at every reciprocation if desired, whilst at the same time
the swinging frame is carried in a firmer manner and allowed to swing with less.
friction than in machines at present in use.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood, we will proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawing in which similar letters.
refer to like parts in both figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed according to our invention
and Figure 2 is an end view of same with a portion of the frame removed in order
to show the working parts more clearly.
A is the frame-work of the machine on the pillars of which slide
saddles B, B, and C is the swinging frame which carries the sawing plates
in the ordinary way. D, D are connecting rods which are jointed at opposite
ends to the saddles B, B and to the swinging frame C, which latter is thus enabled
to swing freely within the frame A. E, E are anti-friction rollers, against which
the sides of the swinging frame C work as it reciprocates in the machine. F, F are
two shafts running across the machine and carrying drums G, G on their extremi-
ties outside the framework, and H, H are chains which are adjustably connected to
the saddles B, B and pass several times round the drums G, G and thence round
pulleys J, J, and up to the lower part of the saddles B, B where they are connected
by adjustable connections. One point in each chain H is connected to its drum G
by means of a pin or other connection so as to prevent the chain slipping or leaving
its required position on the said drum. K is a shaft which is carried in bearings
situated on an extended portion of the framework A, and connecting rods L, L
connect cranks L' with brackets C on the opposite end of the swinging frame C.
M is an eccentric or cam, and N is a slotted lever which is raised up and down by
the cam M as the shaft K rotates. P is a connecting rod which operates a radial
arm P¹ carrying a friction pawl P2 which engages when raised with a wheel R,
and the said wheel R is carried on a shaft R which also carries a worm R². The
latter gears with a worm wheel S which is carried on a shaft S', and S², S² are
worms carried on the shaft S¹ which gear with worm wheels T, T which are carried
on the shafts F, F. V is a trolley for carrying the stone to be cut. W, W are fast
and loose pulleys which in conjunction with crossed and straight straps, enables the
shaft R to be quickly rotated in either direction as required.
The block of stone is placed on the trolley V and the cutting plates are set in
the swinging frame C. which latter is held in the up position at the top of the

page_text: frame A. The belts are then thrown into gear with the fast pulley, thus turning
the shaft R which communicates motion to the drums G, G through the medium
of the worm R2, worm wheel S, worms S², S2, worm wheels T, T and shafts F, F,
thereby causing the saddles B, B to be carried down until the plates are in contact
with the upper surface of the stone. The belts are then thrown out of gear and
on the shaft K being rotated, the cranks L' cause the swinging frame C to be
reciprocated through the medium of the connecting rods L, L the said frame C
being guided in its reciprocations by contact with the rollers E, E. As the shaft K
rotates, the eccentric M which causes the slotted lever N to be rocked on its pivot,
and through the medium of the connecting rod P, radial arm P¹, pawl P2, and
wheel R, the shaft R¹ is rotated and the swinging frame C is fed downward in a
similar manner to when it is lowered by means of the fast pulley and belts before
described, but at a much slower and more regular speed. As will be seen by
reference to the drawing, the eccentric operates on the lever N with every recipro-
cation of the swinging frame C and the amount of feed may be adjusted at will by
ádjusting the connection of the rod P on the slotted arm N.
The employment of a frictional feed in place of the direct pawl and ratchet gear
hitherto employed, enables the said feed to be adjusted with the greatest nicety,
and to be brought into action with every reciprocation of the swinging frame. The
length of the saddles B, B gives a far steadier motion than that obtained where
short saddles are employed, and the rollers E, E situated at the base of the said
saddles obviate the necessity of a large frictional surface being employed as has
hitherto been the case where the side motion has been confined by means of friction
surfaces on the framework A. The connection of the chains to the upper and lower
portions of the saddles B, B give the swinging frame C a positive feed, thus pre-
venting the jumping and consequent bad cutting which often occurs in machines
at present in use, and the adjustable connection of the chains to the saddle enables
any slack to be taken up and so entirely preventing back-lash.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. The saddles B, B carrying the swinging frame C on connecting rods D), 1) and
having rollers E, E at their bases for guiding the frame C during.its reciprocations,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. The drums G, G, chains H, H passing several times round and fixed to the
said drums and passing round pulleys J, J, the said chains being adjustably con-
nected to the upper and lower parts of the saddles B, B, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
3. The eccentric M carried on the main shaft K, the slotted lever N, connecting
rod P, radial arm P¹, pawl P2, and wheel R, in combination with suitable means
for transmitting the motion to the drums G, G, substantially as described.
4. The combination of the framework A, saddles B, B, swinging frame C, con-
necting rods D), D), rollers E, E, shafts F, F, drums G, G, chains H, H, pulleys J, J,
shaft K, cranks L', connecting rods L, L, eccentric M, lever N, connecting rod P,
radial arm P¹, pawl P2, wheel R, shaft R¹, worm R2, worm wheel S, shaft S¹,
worms S2, S3, and worm wheels T, T, substantially as described and shewn in the
accompanying drawing.
201
T
D 1007
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicants.