IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING WOOD
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Richards, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING WOOD."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Richards at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1879.
JOHN RICHARDS, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING WOOD."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention consists in certain improvements in machinery for sawing wood,
and relates especially to what are called circular saw benches.
I mount the saw spindle bracket or brackets upon the table or top alone and not
attached directly to the main or supporting frame, so that the machine can be
readily taken apart or erected without affecting the allignment or true relative
position of the working parts.
I also similarly attach the gauges or fences of such machines to the edge of the
table by means of gibs or wedges below the plane of the table, so that no
perforation or grooves are required in the top and so as to be easily mounted.
and dismounted without affecting the allignment of the working parts.
The gauges are made to slide on the gibbed ways so as to be quickly moved for
long adjustments, and have also a micrometer screw on sliding bracket for making
accurate adjustments, the said bracket being mounted on the gibbed ways so as to
be fastened at any point, and the gauge moved differentially, both the micrometer
screw and the saw gauge to slide together when required.
1
The Invention also includes the employment of a separate and detachable plate
connected to the rigid saw gauge by links, so as to be set in an angular position
relatively to the rigid gauge for bevil sawing.
I also fasten an auxilliary or loose plate by a tongue and groove or otherwise to
the main saw gauge when it is desired to shorten the bearing face of the gauge.
The object of both these improvements is to avoid changing the position of the
main gauge, which can at all times remain in its true vertical position with respect
to the top of the table.
For pressing the timber against the fence I employ a bar formed as or fitted with
a spring, and clamped on a long vertical swivel stud inserted in a socket in the

page_text: table top; so that the spring or bar can be readily set in any required position as
to height, and removed and replaced, it is made adjustable by means of a set screw,
so as to be readily set to various positions as the thickness of the timber may
require.
The Invention also includes a new arrangement of the driving mechanism for
selfacting feed in cases where a winding drum is used.
The intermediate gearing for transmitting motion from the saw spindle to the
axis of the winding drum, and consisting of step-pulleys, a pair of bevil wheels, and
a worm, is all mounted on and supported in a single bracket so that the latter can
be readily attached to a machine not specially prepared for gearing of this kind.
For continuous self feeding gearing I employ one or more driven feeding rollers
mounted in and supported by the gauge or fence, and I arrange opposite them one
or more corresponding loose or friction rollers, not driven, which press the timber
against the driven rollers, and the friction or pressing rollers are supported in a.
yielding frame to give elastic pressure, and are adjustable to or from the timber, so
that they can be employed for starting and stopping the feeding by means of the
amount of pressure applied without interfering with the driven rollers in the saw
gauge, which in that case revolve continuously.
This Invention also includes a method of mounting saw spindles in a swing-frame,
consisting of a strong bar extending across the main frame beneath the table and
having supports at both sides of the main frame, and provided with projecting
arms or brackets to receive the bearings of the saw spindle, so that the latter can
be adjusted up or down by giving the bar before named a partial rotation, and
thus project the saw more or less above the top of the table as may be required, no
part of the mechanism being attached to the table or top of the machine, so that
the latter can be removed and permit of access to the working parts beneath without
interfering with the working parts.
The bar is adjusted and fixed in position by radial arm and screw, or by worm
gear, or tooth quadrant, or other suitable appliance for such purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th April
1880.
JOHN RICHARDS, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING WOOD."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention consists in certain improvements in machinery for sawing wood,
and relates especially to what are called circular saw benches.
I mount the saw spindle bracket or brackets upon the table or top alone, and
not directly attached to the main or supporting frame, so that the machines can be
readily taken apart or erected without affecting the allignment or true relative
position of the working parts. I also similarly attach the gauges or fences of such
machines to the edge of the table by means of gibs or wedges below the plain of
the table, so that no perforation or grooves are required in the top, and so as to be
easily mounted and dismounted without affecting the allignment of the working
parts. The gauges are made to slide on the gibbed ways, so as to be quickly
moved for long adjustments, and have also a micrometer screw on sliding bracket
for making accurate adjustments, the said bracket being mounted on the gibbed
ways, so as to be fastened at any point, and the gauge moved differentially, both
the micrometer screw and the saw gauge to slide together when required.
The Invention also includes the employment of a separate and detachable plate.
connected to the rigid saw gauge by links, so as to be set in an angular position,
relatively to the rigid gauge for bevil sawing.
I also fasten an auxiliary or loose plate by a tongue and groove, or otherwise to
the main saw gauge when it is desired to shorten the bearing face of the gauge.
The object of both these improvements is to avoid changing the position of the main
gauge, which can at all times remain in its true vertical position with respect to
the top of the table.
In the Drawings similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side view, and Figure 2 an end view of a saw bench
constructed with my improvements in mounting the saw spindles, and the gauges
or fences. A is the main or supporting frame constructed in the usual form; B is
the main top or_table; C is the saw; D, the driving pulleys; and E the fixed or
standing gauge; F is a loose or auxiliary gauge for sawing bevil or diagonal pieces,
as shown in Figure 2; G is a sliding frame, to which the gauges are attached;
and H an additional sliding piece or bracket in which the micrometer screw I is.
supported; J is a frame or bracket for supporting the outer end of the saw
spindle K.
The sliding carriage or frame G is attached to the dovetailed shaped edge of the
table B by means of angular gibs, as seen at L, such gibs or wedge pieces being
fastened and held by the hand wheels M, M', M³, which are screw threaded, and
act as nuts on bolts or studs fastened in the gib pieces L, one of which belongs to
the wheels M, M³, and the other to the wheel M³, or the studs may, as I prefer it
to, be fastened to the wheels of M, M', M.
By fastening these screws the frame G is firmly clamped to the table B, no
perforations or grooves in the top being required.
If this frame G, with the gauges, is to be moved for a considerable distance, all
of the screw wheels M, M1, M2, are loosened, and the whole slid along approximately
to the distance required; then the nut or wheel M³ for fastening the piece H is
screwed on firmly, securing the bracket H and wedge piece L against the edge of
the table B, the nuts or wheels M and M' for fastening the frame g are then
screwed up, not firmly, but so that by turning the micrometer screw I the gauges
can be set with accuracy, thereupon the wheels M and M¹ are screwed firmly. If
the distance to be moved does not exceed the range of the screw I, then the piece H

page_text: does not require to be loosed, and the gauges can be set by slightly loosening the
nuts M and M' in the frame G. The main or standing gauge E is attached to the
frame G by means of the bolt g¹, the head of which bolts slides in the groove E';
the fence E can be set truly parallel to the saw C, and vertically with the table top,
as shewn, by means of the set screws g², g², and when once set in position need not
be moved for bevil sawing, a separate gauge or plate F being provided for that purpose.
This plate F is held by links fat its ends, as shewn in Figure 2.
By mounting the gauge plate E in the manner shewn, and without the usual
mechanism for adjusting it to angles, it can be fixed more firmly, and retained
constantly in a true position, and the whole construction is much simplified.
The plate F need not be attached in ordinary angular sawing, nor supplied in
the case of machines not required to perform bevil sawing.
By unscrewing and removing the wheels M, M1, M2, the gauges, with their
attachments, can all be slid off the machine and removed.. This can also be done
by only loosening the wheels, and sliding the whole to the edge of the table, but
this method is not so convenient.
1
Other modifications of these devices are to be explained in connection with
another machine further on.
Referring to the method of mounting the spindles of saw benches, I provide two or
more bearings, which are all fixed to the tops or tables of the machines, and without
direct attachment to the main or supporting frames A.
To secure a sufficient distance between the bearings, and have the saw spindles
long enough to be rigid and to operate steadily, I employ a bracket or frame J, which
is fastened to the edge of the table B. In some cases this frame is made to
surround the driving pulleys, as in Figures 1 and 2; in other cases the pulleys are
placed outside the 'frame, as in the plan, Figure 3; but in all cases the saw spindle
supports or bearings are confined to the table, and are connected and made
relatively rigid by means of the attached bracket or frame J, and strong connecting
ribs beneath the table, as shewn by dotted lines N, N, Figure 3.
These ribs are joined to the inner or saw bearing of the spindle K at O.
By this method of construction I secure the required distance between the
supports without employing an independent bearing attached to a floor on
the main machine frame, and also secure a true allignment of the spindle
when a machine is taken down and again erected. I also gain an advantage,
inasmuch as no moving parts are connected with the supporting frame, that part
need not be constructed at the same time as the table or top, and may be supplied
when machines are to be put in use or sent from the works when made.
For pressing the timber against the fences I employ a bar formed as or fitted with
a spring, and clamped on a long vertical swivel stud inserted in a socket in the table
top; so that the spring or bar can be readily set in any required position as to
height, and removed and replaced, it is made adjustable by means of a set screw,
so as to be readily set to various positions, as the thickness of the timber may
require.
The Invention also includes a new arrangement of the driving mechanism for
self acting feed, in cases where a winding drum is used. The intermediate gearing
for transmitting motion from the saw spindle to the axis of the winding drum, and
consisting of cone or step pullies, a pair of bevil wheels, and a worm, is all mounted
on and supported in a single bracket, so that the latter can be readily attached to a
machine not specially prepared for gearing of this kind.
Figures 3 and 4 shew a plan and side view of one of my improved saw benches,
with a winding feed apparatus to be used in cases where large pieces are to
be sawn.
In this case the main parts of the machine, that is, the table frame and saw
gauges, are the same as already described, the auxiliary gearing for feeding being
added. P is the spring or pressing bar for keeping the wood against the gauge or
fence E; this spring P is mounted on a long verticle swivel stud. Q, which passes
through the table and is embraced below in a socket or clamp R, so that the stud Q.

page_text: may be set to any position, and then fastened by the clamp or socket R. When
the stud P is firmly clamped by R it can then be set for timber of different thick-
nesses by turning the screw S, which acts on an arm of the socket R, giving a
partial rotation to the same and to the stud Q, and moving the spring P nearer
to or further from the gauge E, as the thickness of the pieces to be sawn may.
require.
In some cases by preference a hand lever is employed instead of the clamp or
socket R and the screw S, but such an arrangement can be readily inferred and
understood without Drawings.
By attaching this pressing mechanism to the table top, as shewn, and not to the
gauges in the usual manner, the latter are not strained out of position, and the
pressure can be much greater and more directly applied. There is also the
advantage that when this pressing bar P is not required it can be almost instantly
removed by loosening the clamp R, which permits the stud and the pressing
spring P to be lifted from the table. It will also be noticed that by sliding the
pressing spring P forward or back on the stud Q the point of pressure is brought
nearer to or further froin the saw teeth, and also can be arranged to suit saws of
different size in the same bench. This spring P being held by a clamp bar T can
be readily shifted up or down on the stud Q to suit timber of large or small size
in respect to its depth.
The dragging or feeding part consists of a rope U, with a book u to catch the
timber a, winding drum V, and its driving gearing. These are shewn in Figures 3
and 4. The rope and winding mechanism is of the ordinary type, but to so construct
saw benches that such gearing can be applied or removed without the machines
being especially prepared for such feed, I mount the reducing gearing, consisting
of the cone belt pulleys W, bevil wheels Y, and worm wheel X, all on one bracket a,
which is attached to the top of the table by means of screw bolts, as shewn, and
without other preparation than drilling holes to receive the bolts.
Power is communicated from the saw spindle K by a band connecting the cone
or step pulleys W and b from thence by the bevil wheels Y to the worm X, and to
the large worm wheel c which is on the axis of the winding drum V. This drum
is set in motion or stopped by means of an ordinary clutch operated by the
spindle d'and the handle e.
For continuous self feeding gearing I employ one or more driven feeding rollers
mounted in and supported by gauge or fence, and I arrange opposite them one or
more corresponding loose or friction rollers not driven, which press the timber
against the driven rollers, and the friction or pressing rollers are supported in a
yielding frame to give elastic pressure, and are adjustable to or from the timber so
that they can be employed for starting and stopping the feeding by means of the
amount of pressure applied without interfering with the driven rollers in the saw
gange, which in that case revolve continuously.
Figures 5 and 6 shew a plan and end view of one of my improved saw benches,
with continuous feeding gearing. In these Figures letters of reference before used
indicate parts already described and common to the saw benches under consideration
or modifications of same.
For continuous feeding I employ a strong gauge G, which is moved and adjusted
the same as in Figures 1 and 2, and is attached in the same manner to the table
top B.
In this gauge G is placed one or more feeding rollers g set so that their periphery
will project a little beyond the gauge. These rollers are driven by means of the
cone pulley f, bevil wheels h, h', and spur wheels i. They, together with the
gauge g, are moved to or from the saw C, as the thickness of the timber may
require, the shaft j sliding through the bevil pinion h to permit such adjustment.
Opposite the feeding rollers are placed corresponding loose or friction rollers m, m,
carried in a movable frame or bracket n, jointed to a sliding bar q which is adjustable
by means of the screw o. and hand wheel p.. By turning the wheel p the slide.q is.

page_text: advanced or withdrawn, and the rollers m brought nearer to or farther from the
gauge r, as the thickness of wood to be sawn may require.
The bracket n, in which is mounted the pressing rollers m, is arranged to swing
slightly on the bar q, so that the two rollers may have an equal pressure when
both bearing on the wood,
The advancement of the timber is stopped or started by means of pressure
applied or removed from these rollers, so that the hand wheel p controls the
feeding movement without stopping the driven rollers at g, which may revolve
continuously.
The pressure imparted by the rollers m is made yielding to accommodate irregu-
larities in the thickness of the timber to be sawn by the spring 8 interposed
between the wheel p and the boss t on the slide q.
As regards all the parts hereinbefore described, it may be noticed that no
material change is made in the main frame or top of the machine to receive such
parts, and that the whole can with but little delay be removed, leaving the saw
bench adapted for ordinary uses, and as it is shewn in Figures 1 and 2. The
pulleys b on the spindle K, Figures 3 and 5, can be employed to drive the continuous
feeding gearing just described, or the winding or drag feed apparatus explained in
connection with Figures 3 and 4.
The Invention also includes a method of mounting saw spindles in a swing
frame consisting of a strong bar extending across the main frame beneath the table,
and having supports at both sides of the main frame, and provided with projecting
arms or brackets to receive the bearings of the saw spindles, so that the latter can
be adjusted up or down by giving the har before named a partial rotation, and
thus project the saw more or less above the top of the table, as may be required, no
part of the mechanism being attached to the table or top of the machine, so that
the latter can be removed and permit access to the working parts beneath without
interfering with the working parts.
The bar is adjusted and fixed in position by radial arm and screw, or by worn
gear or tooth quadrant, or other suitable appliance for such purpose.
The
Figure 7 is a side view of a saw bench, and Figure 8 is a plan of a bench
constructed according to this part of my Invention with table removed.
main frame, gauges, and table can be the same as those before described, except as
to provisions for mounting the swing frame v in which the spindle K is supported.
This frame v is made of a strong section, and its axis far enough from the saw
spindle to clear the teeth of the saw at v'. It rests in a bearing at X, and extends
across the main frame to the opposite side at y, where there is another bearing, the
distance between being the whole width of the main frame gives a rigidity to the
saw spindle not usually attained.
The bearings at x and y being cylindrical permit a swing motion or partial
rotation of the frame v by means of the screw z and hand wheel a'. By turning
this wheel a¹ a saw or other cutting implement on the spindle K is raised or
lowered so as to project more or less above the table top B, as the nature of the
work to be done may require.
In Figures 9 and 10 is shewn two views of a saw bench differing in several
respects from those herein before described.
It is intended for the lighter kinds of works, and to operate with more accuracy
two saws are provided, one for ripping and one for cross cutting, both being
mounted in a swing frame t, so that either can be brought up and projected
through the table as the kind of work may require. The saw spindles are both
driven by one band, which embraces one or both the pulleys, as their relative
positions may determine.
Letters of reference on those Figures otherwise indicate corresponding parts.
The gauges employed are the same in principle and mode of adjustment as
those before described, but the mechanism is changed to accomodate the special
uses to which these machines are applied. The gauge frame G, with the gauges E

page_text: and F, have frequently to be removed from the top, as in case of cross cutting long
pieces, and to facilitate such removal the clamping bolts at M, M', pass through
slots in the piece G, as shewn by dotted lines, Figure 9, so that the gauges and
their attachments can be instantly removed by loosening the two nuts M, M', their
screws slide in a groove o' formed in a sliding bar c¹, the latter being fitted into
an angular recess in the table B. This bar or slide e¹ is moved by a screw and
wheel M, Figure 10. This screw corresponds to the micrometer screw before
described in connection with previous machines, its object being the same, namely,
to perform an accurate adjustment of the saw gauges after they have been slid
along approximately into any required position, and fastened to the bar e' by means
of the two wheels M, M¹. A scale of inches and parts of inches is marked on the
table at i so that the gauges may be conveniently set.
The gauge E on this saw bench is not, as in previous cases, arranged to remain
in a vertical position, but is provided with the usual mechanism for setting it at
angles for bevil sawing. The auxiliary plate or gauge F is not in present case
employed for bevil sawing, but as a means of lengthening or shortening the
bearing face of the gauge E by being pushed forward or back to or from the saw
teeth.
This plate F is held by a groove and ledge, as shewn in Figure 9, or by other
means that will permit its ready removal from the machine; m is a sliding
carriage or table used in cross cutting or sawing pieces which have no straight side
to fit against the gauges, or when the cut is to be made diagonal to such faces; u
is & privoted cross gauge that may be set at any angle and fastened by the screw v;
at y is a latch for fastening the carriage m when the machine is used as a saw
bench for ripping. The gauge u is detachable.
And having thus described and ascertained the natnre of this Invention, I declare
that I am aware that it is not new to employ a jointed fence plate m, a carriage
adjustable for setting to different thicknesses of wood to be cut, nor to mount the
spindle for a revolving cutter, or other revolving tool, in two bearings on a plate
fixed on the table of the machine, and in a third bearing fixed to the side of the
table, nor to mount a saw spindle in rising and falling swing bearings, nor to mount
worm gear for drag feed motion on a swing frame, or to fit it with clutch, nor to
employ a continuous feed by positively driven rollers on one side of the wood, and
friction rollers, with lever and screw appliance, on the other, but I claim,-
Firstly. The auxiliary gauge or plate F, in combination with the gauge E, which
is adjustably mounted on a carriage or frame that can slide along the edge of the
saw frame table and be adjusted by a screw, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2, and 9 and 10.
Secondly. The gauge E adjustably mounted on a sliding carriage, which can be
adjusted as required, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2,
and 9 and 10.
Thirdly. Mounting the spindle of a circular saw entirely in bearings formed on
one bracket or casting which is fastened to the edge or side of the table only,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Fourthly. The construction of bracket for mounting the saw spindle in rising
and falling saw spindle benches, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 7 and 8.
Fifthly. The construction of fulcrum bracket, as set forth, for mounting thereon
two saw spindles for rising and falling saw spindle benches, with fence or gauge
appliances, constructed substantially as described with reference to Figures 9
and 10.
Sixthly. The gear for the drag feed all mounted on one bracket, which is
fastened to the saw bench table, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 3 and 4.
Seventhly. The positive roller feed gear mounted adjustably on the saw bench
table, in combination with friction rollers mounted adjustably on the table on the

page_text: other side of the wood, all constructed substantially as described with reference to
Figures 5 and 6.
Eighthly. The mode of adjusting the spring bar for pressing the timber
against the fence, substantially as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Richards, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty second day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
JOHN RICHARDS. (LS.)