IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CUTTING VENEERS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CUTTING VENEERS."
-A communication.
Sealed the 16th November 1858, and dated the 12th June 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th June 1858.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane;
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY. FOR. CUTTING:
VENEERS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of knives: or
planes, and also novel means of operating the same for the purpose of cutting
veneers. The Invention consists chiefly in the use of two knives, arranged
and operated so as to cut the veneer or sheet of wood from opposite sides of
the log or block, each knife cutting one half of the veneer, and so that each
knife will make its cut or stroke in the same plane with the other knife, and.
thus cut the veneer in the direction of the grain of the wood, whereby the
veneer is less liable to be roughed or broken by the sudden cut or stroke of the
knife. The log before being operated upon by the machine, is steamed in'a:

page_text: suitable box by the use of steam and hot water combined, unless the log is a
very soft or green wood. The log to be cut is fixed by means of dogs
(adjustable by screws) on a platform or follower, which is capable of rising
to bring the log under the action of the knives. This follower is supported by
vertical screws on a carriage, which is capable of sliding upon V guides, to
bring the log into position.
The screws that support the follower have their bearing in the carriage,
and are actuated simultaneously by means of suitable gearing. On either side
of the carriage, and a little above it, strong bed plates are provided to carry
the knives. These bed plates extend beyond the log and carriage at one end,
so as to form a strong supporting frame for the driving and operating wheels.
Upon the bed plates, and forming part of them, are vertical side frames of
iron, the inner faces of which lie diagonally to the side of the log to be cut.
These diagonal faces are fitted with grooves to receive the knife frames, and
permit of their sliding endwise therein.
The knives are made long enough to cut the length of any log to be cut
into veneers. They are flat on the under side, the upper part rising from the
edge in an easy curve. The knives are firmly secured to their respective knife
stocks by screws, and the stock is firmly held to the knife frames by screws.
These knife frames or supports of the knife are of a rectangular shape, in
one part, the exterior faces having a curve. The knife frames are three in
number to each knife, of a triangular figure, and their use is to give to the
knife the cutting stroke on either side of the log. They are suspended
to the side frames by means of dovetails on their diagonal faces; the knives
therefore, as they are drawn forward, will approach the log in parallel lines,
and from opposite sides.
The side frames are bolted to the bed plates by adjustable bolts and screws,
so that the angle of the diagonal can be increased or diminished, thereby
increasing or diminishing the cut of the knives according to the size of the log.
The knives are operated, and the log fed up to the knives by the machinery
now to bo described. On that end of the main frame of the machine to which
the knives are drawn while making the stroke, are mounted in the same line
two horizontal spur wheels, which gear together and carry crank pins. These
wheels, by means of connecting rods (crossing each other), and jointed to the
knife frames, operate the knives, causing them to approach to and recede from
the log. For the purpose of feeding the log up to the knives, a cam on the shaft
of one of these crank wheels operates a slotted rocking arm, which connects
by a rod with a second slotted rocking arm or lever, having as its fulcrum the
axle of a spur wheel, that communicates motion to the train of wheels

page_text: mounted in the carriage for operating the screws which lift the log. Fixed
to this spur wheel is a ratchet wheel, into the teeth of which a double pawle
carried by the short end of the rock lever, takes, for the purpose of driving it
round. As, therefore, the cam before mentioned pushes forward the arm in
contact with it, the rocking lever will be caused to vibrate on its fulcrum, and
force round the ratchet wheel, and thereby through the train of gearing raise or
depress the screws, lifting the log up to the knives after every cut, or depress-
ing the follower to permit of the insertion of a fresh log into the machine.
By shifting the position of the rod that connects these two vibrating arms
together, the amount of motion given to the screws for every revolution of the
crank wheels may. be determined with the greatest nicety,. and thus any
required thickness of veneer may be cut.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 11th December 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special license that I, the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, 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 "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CUTTING VENEERS," being a communication from
abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particu-
larly 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being bad to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
:-
This Invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent relates
to a novel construction and arrangement of knives or planes, and also novel
means of operating the same for the purpose of cutting veneers.
The Invention consists chiefly in the use of two knives arranged and
operated so as to cut the veneer or sheet of wood from opposite sides of the
log or block, each knife cutting one half of the veneer, and so that each
knife will make its cut or stroke in the same plane with the other knife,
and in a line parallel with the run of the grain, whereby the veneer is less
liable to be roughed or broken than when cut in the direction of the
length of the log.
In order to cut veneers from such woods as are usually used for veneers by
the improved machinery forming the subject of the present Invention, the log
is first to be steamed in a suitable box, by preference by the use of steam and
hot water combined in order to soften the fibres, unless the log is a very soft
or green wood, in which case the steaming will not be required.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation (taken
partly in section) of the improved machine; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the
same; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the left-hand end, and Fig. 4 an elevation of
the right-hand end of the machine. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section of the
Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 6 is a plan view
showing the feed gear and screws, and also the elevator or follower; and
Fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal vertical section of the same, taken in the line
3, 4, of Fig. 6. In all the Figures the same letters represent like parts.
log carrier taken in the line 1, 2, of
The framework of the machine consists of two cast-iron bed plates A, A,
built and secured upon strong foundations. The two bed plates are arranged
parallel to each other on either side the log carrier or carriage B, over which
is placed the elevator or follower C, which holds the log while being cut, and
by the feed apparatus connected therewith the log is fed up to the knives.
The bed plates A, A, are extended beyond the log carriage at one end so
as to form a strong supporting frame for the driving and operating wheels, as
shown at A', A¹. Upon the bed plates, and forming part of them or secured
'to them, are the vertical side frames of iron marked in the Drawing A2, A2, A3,
and the two sets of which on either side are also parallel.
The log carriage B is a framework of iron, and is placed below the space

page_text: between the sides A, A. Within the log carriage the gearing wheels for
working the feed screws c, c, c, are placed, as shewn best at Figures 5 and 7.
This carriage rests upon ways b, b, into grooves, in which ways the under side
of the carriage is fitted, and upon which ways it is slidden out or in when
desired for placing or adjusting the log. Above the log carriage is placed
the elevator or follower C, upon which the log is fastened, and by which it is
held while being cut. It is supported and raised or lowered by the series of
vertical side screws c, c, c, the heads of which support the elevator, and are
moveable in the. box plate or top piece fitted to receive them. Across the
followers from side to side are placed the horizontal screws d, d, d, at either
end of which are dogs or clamps secured by nuts d', d'. By turning the
screws the dogs or clamps are brought close to the sides of the log, and hold
it firmly in place. The position of the log upon the elevator is shown in an
end view in Fig. 3, at L, the elevator C being raised about midway of its
course by the screwing up of the sets of screws c, c, c.
The knives or planes for cutting or shaving off the veneer are placed on
either side of the log in the same plane with each other, as shewn best at e, e,
(Fig. 3), so that in operating, their edges cut in the same plane. The knives
are made long enough to act upon any given length of any log required to be
cut into veneers. They are flat on the under side, the upper part rising from
the edge in an easy curve, to give them strength. The knives are firmly
secured to their respective knife stocks f by screws, and the stocks are firmly
held to the knife frames by screws, as seen at f¹. These knife frames or
supports of the knife are of a rectangular shape, in one part the exterior faces
having a curve, and are shown at D, D: They are attached on their vertical
faces to the moveable sliding frames of iron E, E, E, a plan view of which is
shown at Fig. 2, and an end view at Fig. 3. The knife frames are three in
number to each knife of a triangular figure, and their use is to give to the
knife the cutting stroke on either side of the log. They are suspended to the
side frames A2, A2, A2, by means of two dovetails g, g, projecting from each of
the three frames E, E, E, which fit into corresponding dovetail recesses or
grooves in the interior faces of the upright side frames.
The inner faces of these side frames are formed at an angle to the edge of
the knife (that is to say) they are made on parallels approaching nearer to one
or other side of the log towards the point to which the knives are drawn.
These frames A2, A2, A2, are bolted to the bed plates A, A, A, and by slotting
the bolt holes they may be so adjusted as to increase or diminish the angle of
the diagonal, and thereby increase or diminish the cut of the knives according
to the size of the log. The sliding frames E, E, E, are all firmly secured to

page_text: the knife frames D, D, D, by suitable screws or bolts, and the knife frames
are firmly secured to the knife stocks and the back of the knives, so that when
the power is applied all will move together. The knives are operated and the
log fed up to the knives by the machinery now to be described.
At that end of the main frame of the machine to which the knives are
drawn while making the stroke, and which is shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 4, at
A', A', are mounted side by side, and in the same line; two horizontal spur
wheels H, H. The wheels H, H, revolve upon the vertical spindles H',
which have their supports at H, secured to the iron frame plates, and
turning upon bearings in the pedestal blocks I, I. Upon the spindle H' is
fixed the bevilled toothed wheel J, which gears into a corresponding bevilled
wheel connected with and operated by a horizontal shaft and prime mover, not
shown in the Drawing.
The wheels H, H, are of the same diameter, and being geared into each
other move together with the same speed in opposite directions, as shewn by
the arrows, Fig. 2. Upon the upper surface near the rim each of the wheels
.H, H, is provided with a crank pin h, and upon the top of each of the two
sliding frames E, E, nearest the two wheels H, H, is affixed a corresponding
pin h, h. These pins are intended to receive connecting rods m, m, which
cross each other, and as their respective wheels H rotate, transmit a recipro-
cating motion to all the sliding frames E, E, E, the three on either side of
the machine being connected together through the knife and knife stock. By
this means an alternately advancing and retrograde motion is imparted to the
knives.
It will be seen that the pin upon one of the wheels H is set a little in
advance of the position of the other, by which means the sliding frames and
knife connected with them on the opposite side are a little in advance of the
frames and knife upon the other side, the object of which arrangement is to
allow the one knife to make its stroke and commence its return motion before
the other knife has completed its stroke, thereby avoiding any collision of the
two knife edges. The feed of the log up to the knives is provided for as
follows: In the log carriage B, between the upper and lower plates composing
the carriage, are placed three horizontal spur wheels o, o', o, having their
axles fixed in the plates of the log carriage. These wheels are geared
together by pinions p, p, so that they may have a simultaneous movement.
Upon each side of the log carriage, and passing through it, are three vertical
screws of the same size, thread, and pitch, the heads of which are received and
held by the box plates fastened to the follower or elevator at c¹, c¹, c',
(Fig. 6,) as above described. On each of the screws c, c, c, is mounted a spur

page_text: pinion, which pinions gear respectively into the toothed wheels o, o', 0%.
Near the end of the log carriage is placed the horizontal spur wheel n, which
gears into o, and which has fast upon its axle the spur wheel or pinion n'.
By the side of the wheel n is placed, a little in advance, but not on the log
carriage, the horizontal spur wheel S, which gears into the small spur pinion n¹.
Upon the axle of the wheel S is placed a ratchet wheel t, into the teeth of
which the double pawls v, v, or pallets catch and work, and which pawls are
worked by the lever V. The longer limb of this lever V₁ is slotted, for the
purpose of screwing on and adjusting the end of a connecting rod w, the other
end of which is secured to a pin, also adjustable in a slot in an arm x. This
arm a is one of a pair x, x', which work upon pins or pivots fast at one
end y, y, and which are secured together by the cross bar y². Upon one of
the shafts H' is fixed a cam z, having its sides curving to a point, and which,
as it revolves with the shaft, operates upon the arms a, a, first one and then
the other, by which a backward and forward motion is given to the pair of
arms at each revolution of the shaft. This backward and forward motion
causes the arm V₁ to vibrate, and the double pawl to operate upon the ratchet
wheel so as to turn it, and with it all the toothed wheels and spindles con-
nected with the ratchet t and spur wheel S, and by all which the pinions c³
upon the feed screws are all turned simultaneously in the same direction. The
slots in the arms V₁ and a permit of the connecting rod w being adjusted so
as to give a longer or shorter vibration to the arm V₁, as may be desired, and
thereby to adjust and regulate the amount of feed or elevation of the log at
each stroke of the knives. It will be seen that the manner of securing the
kuives upon the knife stocks by the screws admits of the nicest adjustment of
the knives, by inserting thin strips of paper or other suitable material between
the knife and stock, or removing it from either knife, so that the knives shall
be made to cut straight and smooth across the log, and leave the face of the
veneer and log smooth and even.
Having described the different parts of the machine, and explained their
connection and mode of operation, it only remains to describe the manner of
fixing and adjusting the log upon the elevator or follower-Upon the corners
of the log carriage are upright standards 4, 4, 4, 4, which fit into corresponding
recesses in the corners of the elevator 5, 5, 5, 5, and serve to steady and guide
the elevator. The log carriage B is drawn out from between the knives, and
the log being placed upon the elevator C, between the dogs or clamps d¹, the
screws d, d, are screwed up, so that the clamps take firm hold of and secure
the log; the elevator or feed screws c, c, are then adjusted so as to bring the
surface of the log to about a level with the edges of the knives. The log

page_text: carriage is now run back to its place, and the feed being adjusted according to
the thickness of the veneer desired by the adjustment of arm W upon its bearings,
the wheels H, H, are put in motion, and the cutting is commenced and carried
on until the log is cut down to a level with the clamps, when the machine
must be stopped.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improved Machinery
for Cutting Veneers," as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent,
and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be
understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,-
First, the use of knives arranged so as to operate from opposite sides of the
log as described.
Second, the arrangement of the adjustable diagonal side pieces and the
sliding frames E, E, E, in connection with parallel knives, whereby the
knives are thrust forward and caused to cut the veneer clear from the log.
Third, the arrangement of the wheels H, H, in combination and connection
with the sliding frames and knives, so as to produce the drawing cut upon the
log at the same time that the knives are moving towards the middle of the log.
Fourth, the arrangement above described for giving the desired feed motion
to the elevating screws simultaneously.
Fifth, the construction and arrangement of the sliding log carriage follower
and elevator for adjusting and carrying the log, and in connection with the
knives and feed motion, the whole operating together in the manner above
described.
Sixth, the manner of constructing and uniting together the knife, knife
stock, and knife frames, or backs, so as to give strength and support to the
knife while acting upon the log.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Neutton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Eleventh day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)