IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKS, AND IN MEE MACHINEDU EEDIAVED TO MADING MIN "
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Pierre Antoine Gaillon, of Paris, in the Republic
of France, Locksmith, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKS,
AND IN MEE MACHINEDU EEDIAVED TO MADING MIN "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pierre Antoine
Gaillon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 12th July 1873.
I, PIERRE ANTOINE GAILLON, of Paris, in the Republic of France,
Locksmith, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKS, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN MAKING THE
SAME," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in improvements in the construction of casks
of all kinds, and in machinery employed therefor, whereby labour and
material are economised, and the wood of the cask not being curved or
bent, as in the present construction of cask, the commoner class of woods
can be employed, and they may be afterwards used (when the cask is
broken up) for other purposes, such as for flooring and other carpenters'
and joiners' work,

page_text: The improved machinery is also applicable to forming casks of the
ordinary shape.
In carrying out my improvements I make the casks preferably of a
cylindrical form, the staves being of a rectangular shape instead of
tapering towards the ends as hitherto, by which an economy of wood is
effected; the surface of the staves is preferably made flat, but they may
be made curved if required, and may also be tapered.
To bevel the edges of the wood to form the staves I employ a double-
faced planing lathe, which cuts both edges of the staves at once; the
cutters of this machine are placed in circular face plates fixed at the
ends of horizontal shafts working in moveable bearings, which allow of
the cutter holders being moved towards or from one another, and also of
varying the angles of the horizontal shafts according to the width of the
staves and the bevel to be given thereto; the shafts are driven by
suitable gearing by means of bands from the driving shaft.
The staves to be bevelled are fixed by a hinged rack on a carriage on
a slide moved between the said cutters by means of an endless chain or
other suitable known arrangement. The staves being thus bevelled on
the edges are next turned or dressed up at the ends and grooved to
receive the heads of the cask. For this purpose I employ a double
centre lathe, each of the mandrils of which carries a plate or lever; the
staves are put together so as to form a cylinder, and are held together
temporarily by hoops provided for the purpose, and are placed in the
lathe; the said levers entering the cask, and bearing against its inner
surface, are fixed thereto by set screws; the ends of the staves are
turned or dressed up and the grooves for the heads formed by suitable
tools or cutters at the sides of the lathe..
I can employ a combined machine for cutting, dressing, and grooving,
the ends of the staves and forming the heads of the casks. In this
arrangement two endless saws are employed with moveable bearings,
and driven by suitable gearing, so that the saws may be adjusted for
cutting different lengths of staves. Between the saws is placed a
revolving drum for holding and fixing the staves, whether curved or
straight, by means of screw levers and racks, or by other suitable
arrangement. At one or both sides of the machine is a vertical lathe
with moveable bearings and double-face plates, for holding and carrying
round the pieces to form the heads of the casks, so that they are cut

page_text: at the same time as and by the same. saws which cut the staves. The
gearing driving the drum holding the staves also works a tool or cutter
at each end of the drum, by which the ends of the staves are dressed up
and grooved as the drum revolves.
To taper the ends of the pieces forming the heads of the casks I
employ the double centre lathe herein-before described.
When the staves are to be curved on their surfaces I employ two
curved planes or cutters mounted on shafts in proper bearings, and
driven in any suitable manner; the staves are moved forward in guides
between these two cutters by means of a number of rollers or cylinders
which may be plain or grooved.
I will now describe the machine I employ for flatting the iron for the
hoops of casks..
This machine consists of a pair of horizontal rolls, between the
bearings of which is placed a small vertical cylinder, and at a distance
therefrom two larger vertical cylinders having moveable bearings to give
the iron the proper angle to suit it to the conical form of the cask.
For my improved cylindrical casks the hoops do not require to be
inclined; I preferably form them with a reversed heel piece at each end
of the piece of iron, and pass the same through a loop of iron, and then
by means of keys or wedges placed in opposite directions I tighten the
hoops as required.
To employ ordinary hoops for my cylindrical casks I place round the
casks strips of cheap wood tapered towards the ends to give the conical
form required, round which the hoops are then passed.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said Pierre Antoine Gaillon in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 12th January 1874.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Pierre Antoine Gaillon, Her special
licence that I, the said Pierre Antoine Gaillon, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Pierre Antoine
Gaillon, 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 CASKS, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN MAKING THE
SAME," upon the condition (amongst others), that I, the said Pierre
Antoine Gaillon, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 Pierre Antoine Gaillon, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 had to the Drawings
hereto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is
to say :-
This Invention consists in improvements in the construction of casks,
and in machinery employed therefor, whereby labour and material are
economised. The wood of the cask not being curved or bent, as in
the ordinary mode of constructing casks, the commoner class of woods
can be employed, and they may be afterwards used (when the cask is
broken up) for other purposes, such as for flooring and other carpenters'
and joiners' work.
.
The improved machinery is also applicable to forming casks of the
ordinary shape.
In carrying out my improvements I make the casks preferably of
a cylindrical form, the staves being of a rectangular shape instead of
.

page_text: tapering towards the ends, as usual, by which means an econony of
wood is effected; the surface of the staves is preferably made flat, but
they may be made curved if required, and may also be tapered.
To bevil the edges of the wood to form the staves I employ a double
faced planing lathe, which cuts both edges of the staves at the same
time; the cutters of this machine are placed in circular rotary face
plates fixed at the ends of horizontal spindles or centres working in
moveable bearings or headstocks, which allow of the cutter holders
being moved towards or away from one another, and also permit of
varying the angles of the horizontal shafts according to the width of
the staves and the bevel to be given thereto; the shafts are driven by
suitable gearing by means of bands from the driving shaft.
The staves to be bevilled are fixed by a hinged rack or cramp on a
carriage on a slide moved between the said cutters by means of an
endless chain or other suitable known arrangement. The staves being
thus bevilled on the edges the ends are next chimed, or turned up and
grooved to receive the heads of the casks. For this purpose I employ
a double centre lathe carrying a drum; the staves are placed round the
drum, and are held together temporarily by hoops provided for the
purpose; the ends of the staves are turned or dressed up, and the
grooves for the heads are formed by suitable tools or cutters at the
sides of the lathe.
I can arrange and employ a combined machine for cutting, chiming,
and grooving the ends of the staves and forming the heads of the
casks. In this arrangement two endless saws are employed, with
moveable bearings, and driven by suitable gearing, so that the saws
may be adjusted for cutting different lengths of staves. Between the
saws is placed a revolving drum for holding and fixing the staves,
whether curved or straight, by means of screw levers and racks, or by
any other suitable arrangement. At one or both sides of the machine
is a kind of vertical lathe with moveable bearings and double face plates
for holding and carrying round the picces to form the heads of the
casks, so that they are cut at the same time as and by the same saws
which cut the staves. The gearing for driving the drum holding the
staves also works a tool or cutter at each end of the drum, by which
the ends of the staves are chimed, or dressed up and grooved, as the
drum revolves.
1

page_text: To bevil or taper the ends of the pieces forming the heads of the
casks I employ the double centred lathe herein-before described.
When the staves are to be curved on their surfaces I employ two
curved planes or cutters mounted on shafts in proper bearings, and
driven in any suitable manner; the staves are moved forward in guides 5
between these two cutters by means of a number of rollers or cylinders,
which may be plain or grooved.
One of the machines I employ for bending the iron for the hoops of
casks consists of a pair of horizontal rolls, between the bearings of
which is placed a small vertical cylinder, and at a distance therefrom 1
two larger vertical cylinders, having moveable bearings.
For my improved cylindrical casks the hoops do not require to
be inclined, but I preferably form them with a reversed heel or shoulder
at each end of the piece of iron, and pass the same through a loop of
iron, and then by means of keys or wedges placed in opposite directions 1
I tighten the hoops as required.
To enable me to employ ordinary hoops for my cylindrical casks I
place round the casks strips of cheap wood, tapered towards the ends
to give the conical form required, round which the hoops are then
passed.
2
Having thus described the nature of my Invention I will now proceed
to more particularly describe the same, and the best means I am
acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, by reference to the
accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1, Sheet 1, is an end
elevation of the double faced planing machine or lathe for shaving or 2
dressing the surfaces and bevilling the edges of the staves, and also for
chiming or dressing and grooving the ends of the staves.
Figure 2, Sheet 1, side elevation of the carriage and platform
carrying the staves.
Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 1, shew the cutters for shaving or planing the 3
surfaces of the staves.
Figures 5 and 6, Sheet 1, views of the cutters for chiming and
grooving the ends of the staves.
Figure 7, Sheet 1, elevation of a lathe for shaving or placing the
surfaces and bevilling the edges of the heads.
E

page_text: Figure 8, Sheet 1, elevation of the combined machine for cutting,
chiming, and grooving the ends of the staves, and cutting out the heads
of the casks.
Figure 9, Sheet 1, end clevation, shewing the drum and gearing of
same detached.
Figures 10 and 11, Sheet 1, side elevation and section respectively
of the double plane or machine for giving a curved surface to both sides
of the staves at one operation.
Figures 12, Sheet 1, plan of the machine I prefer employing for
forming the hoops for casks; Figure 13, vertical section of the same.
Figure 14, Sheet 1, part elevation of a modified construction of the
carriage shewn in Figure 2.
Figure 15, Sheet 2, side clevation of the lathe or machine for
chiming or turning and grooving the ends of the staves at the same
time.
Figures 16 and 17, Sheet 2, side and end elevations (partly in section).
of another construction of machine for forming the hoops of casks.
Figure 18, Sheet 2, end elevation of the machine I prefer employing:
for dressing or shaving the surfaces, and bevilling the edges of staves for
small casks.
Figure 19, Sheet 2, view of a saw for cutting out staves for small.
casks.
Figures 20 and 21, Sheet 2, side and end elevations of my improved
cylindrical cask.
Figures 22 and 23, Sheet 2, elevation and plan of my improved hoop.
for the said casks.
In Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, which shew the double faced lathe and
carriage, a, a, a¹, a', are the spindles or centres carrying at their ends
the rotary circular face plates b, b, provided with cutters c, c, for
bevilling the edges of the piece of wood d to form the stave. e; e, e¹, e¹,
are the headstocks or bearings of the spindles or centres a, a¹. These
bearings with their shafts can be moved towards or from each other on
the beds or tables A, A, by turning the screws f,f, by means of their
handles f, The shafts. a, a, must be arranged so that they may be

page_text: placed at any required angle to suit the size and bevil of the stave to be
made.
In Figure 1 two arrangements arc shewn for inclining the shafts. In
the circular bearing e the ends of the centre or shaft a work in slots,
and the shaft is fixed at the angle required by wedges g, g. The
bearing e¹ moves on a centre or pivot at h, and is provided with a
toothed quadrant i, into which gears a pinion j. By turning this pinion
the angle of the bearing e¹ may be varied as required. k, l, k¹, l, fast
and loose pullies of the shafts a, a¹, for driving the same by means of
straps from the driving shaft.
The framing B of the carriage may be made of wood or iron. The
top or bed is preferably formed of shaped iron m, between the
flanges of which slides the shaped iron n carrying the platform or
sliding table C. This platform is curvilinear or square according to
the form of stave to be made. The platform is provided with a hinged
rack and lever o, or a cramp for pressing on and fixing one or more
staves to be dressed. p, endless chain driven by the wheel q for giving
a to-and-fro movement to the platform. C.
Instead of employing an endless chain for moving the platform C, as
shewn, a rack or a screw arrangement may be employed. Or I may 2
employ two large drums, one at each end of the carriage, as partly
shewn in dotted lines at Figure 2, for giving a continuous movement to
the platform carrying the staves instead of a to-and-fro movement, as
herein-before described.
In Figures 3 and 4 r¹, r, shew convex and concave cutters or planes 2
mounted on the plates b, b, for planing or shaving the surfaces of the
staves, as herein-after described; and in Figures 5 and 6 81, 8, shew
cutters for chiming or cutting round and grooving the ends of the
staves.
This machine works as follows:-The piece or pieces of wood d to 3
form the stave or staves being fixed on the platform C and the
cutters c, c, set at the required angle to bevil the edges of the staves in
the manner herein-before described, and also at the required distance
apart by means of the screws f, f; the platform or sliding table C, and
the shafts a, a¹, are set in motion, and the staves d being drawn along 3
between the revolving cutters c, c, the edges of the staves will be
bevilled thereby. The surfaces of the staves are then planed or shaved

page_text: by means of the cutters r¹ and r respectively, which are substituted for
the cutters c, c. The shafts a, a¹, may now be set in a horizontal
position, and the bearings e, e¹, moved sufficiently apart to allow of the
stave & being placed crosswise on the platform C. Then by substituting
the cutters 8¹, 8, for the cutters r³, r, and setting the machine in motion
the ends of the staves d will be grooved and dressed or chimed by the
cutters, as seen by reference to Figures 5 and 6.
by means of the cutters r¹ and respectively, which are substituted for
the cutters c, c. The shafts a, a¹, may now be set in a horizontal
position, and the bearings e, e¹, moved sufficiently apart to allow of the
stave d being placed crosswise on the platform C. Then by substituting
the cutters &¹, 8, for the cutters r³, r, and setting the machine in motion
the ends of the staves d will be grooved and dressed or chimed by the
cutters, as seen by reference to Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 14, Sheet 1, shews a part elevation of the carriage B provided
with rollers t, t, t, and cords and weights u, u, u, for holding the staves
lengthwise while they are planed or dressed on their surfaces.
For planing or shaving the surfaces and bevilling the edges of the
pieces to form the heads of the casks I employ the machine or lathe
shewn in Figure 7, Sheet 1.
The head a to be planed and bevilled is placed between the parallel
plates 6 and f on the centres c and 9 respectively, the latter being
moveable and actuated by the screw h; d, cutters for planing the face
of the heads; e, iron piece forming spring pincers so as to cause the
cutters to act; i, slide rest or tool holder actuated by the screws j
and k; l, semicircular iron pieces fixed round the moveable, plate ƒ by
means of the pressure screws m for holding the heads in place while being
dressed or planed.
The combined machine for cutting round, chiming, or grooving the
ends of the staves and cutting out the heads of the casks at the same
time is shewn in Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 1. a, a, are two parallel endless
saws having moveable bearings b, b, actuated by set screws c, c, so that
the saws may be inclined as required for cutting the different lengths
of staves and for giving the required bevel to the ends. Between the saws
a, a, is placed the revolving drum C, the shaft d of which turns in
the bearings e, e; f, driving shaft; g, bearing of same; h, pinion on
the end of the shaft f and gearing into the wheel i for driving the
drum C. The wheel i also gears into the pinion j for driving the tool
or cutter k for chiming or turning and grooving the ends of the staves;
1, 1, are screw levers and racks or cramps for fixing the staves on the
drum; m, is the upper spindle or centre of the vertical lathe; the heads
n to be cut out by the saws a are carried between the plates o and p
respectively on the upper centre or shaft m and the lower support or
$

page_text: centre q; r, moveable bearing of the support 9 actuated by the screw s;
t, u, moveable bearings of the shaft m actuated by the screw and cross
piece w.
These moveable bearings r, t, and u, allow of adjusting the
plates p, o, at the required distance from the saw, according to the size
of the head to be cut out. If desired a similar vertical lathe may be.
placed at the other side of the machine so that both the endless saws.
may be used for cutting out the heads of casks at the same time that
they cut the ends of the staves.
By means of this combined machine
it will be easily seen that if the staves are fixed on the drum C, as
herein-before described, and the pieces to form the heads are fixed
between the plates o, p, and if the machine be set in motion the saws
a, a, will, as the drum revolves, cut the ends of the staves so as to make
them of equal length, and will also cut the pieces n so as to form the.
heads of the casks, and as the drum C revolves the tool or cutter / will
chime or turn and groove the ends of the staves after they have been cut
by the saws. By removing the drum C and placing between the saws
a carriage and platform similar to that herein-before described and
shewn in Figures 1 and 2, the saws a, a, may, by being brought nearer
together, be used for cutting out the staves lengthwise and with bevilled
edges. The staves thus cut out are chiefly applicable for casks not
intended to contain liquids.
Instead of curving the surfaces of the staves by the cutters shewn in
Figures 3 and 4 as herein-before described, I can employ the double
plane, shewn in Figures 10 and 11, Sheet 1. In this machine a, a,
are convex plane blades or cutters for planing or shaving the interior,
faces of the staves, and b, b, are concave blades or cutters for planing or
shaving the exterior faces of the staves. The blades a, a, are fixed to
the rotary tool holders c, c, on the shaft d, and the blades b, b, are
fixed to the rotary tool holders e, e, on the shaft f; the shafts d and f
work in bearings in the frame A, A, of the machine and are driven by
the cones g, h. The piece of wood forming the stave is held and
guided by the slides and guides i, i, j, j, and the rollers and cylinders k,
k, k, k, the said rollers being driven by gearing.
Figures 12 and 13 shew the machine I prefer employing for forming
the hoops for casks. This machine is constructed of a conical drum
a mounted on the shaft 6 provided with a toothed wheel c driven by.
the pinion d on the shaft e. The shaft 6 works in moveable bearings.

page_text: ff, actuated by the screws 9, 9; h is a hoop or ring in two parts fixed.
by keys on the drum a, and varying in diameter according to the size
of hoops to be made; i is a cylinder placed obliquely so as to be parallel
with the periphery of the drum a; j, j, guide rollers; k, eccentric
fixed on the shaft o; the ring ¹ of this eccentric is provided with a
punch and is operated by the handle m (or by other suitable means)
for punching holes in the hoops for the rivets; n, matrice to allow of the
passage of the punch l; q, wedge for fixing the iron to the hoop h; r,
shears for cutting the iron..
This machine operates as follows:-' The end of the picce of iron p to
form the hoop is fixed to the ring by the wedge q, and the machine
being set in motion the iron is carried round the hoop or ring h and
passing through the space between the peripheries of the drum a and
the hoop h, it is guided by the rollers j, j, and is formed into a complete
circle or hoop, at the same time receiving the conical form necessary to
adapt it to the conical form of the cask. The eccentric k is then turned
by means of the handle m, thereby punching the holes in the hoop by
means of the punch /; the shears or cutter r is next operated (by means
of an eccentric or a lever) and the hoop is cut off as seen at Figure 13,
and may be removed from the machine.
e, e, are
Figures 16 and 17, Sheet 2, shew another construction of machine for
forming the hoops. a, a, is the framing of the machinė, having a pair
of horizontal rolls b, b, driven by gearing c, c. Between the bearings of
the horizontal rolls b, b, is a small vertical inclined roller d.
the vertical cylinders for guiding the interior of the hoop. These
cylinders have moveable bearings ff, actuated by the screws g, g, to
adjust the cylinders to the different diameters and splay of hoops to be
made.
Figure 15, Sheet 2, shews the lathe I employ for turning up, chiming,
and grooving the ends of the staves after their edges have been bevilled.
only. On the lathe spindle or centre a is fixed a drum 6, round which
the staves c are fixed by moveable hoops d. e is the moveable centre of
the lathe, turning in the bearing e², hinged or pivotted at f, and operated
by 'the screw g; h, cone; i, j, slide rests, each carrying. three tools or
cutters k, l, m. The cutters serve for turning up the ends of the
▸ staves; the cutters for turning up the outer surface of the ends of the

page_text: staves; and the cutters m serve for turning up the inner surfaces of the
ends of staves, and for grooving them at the same time. The slide
rest j is fixed to and moves with the hinged bearing e¹. o, hinged lever
arm which can be raised when required, so as to withdraw with it the
staves forming the barrel part of the cask, when they have been turned
up and grooved at the ends, as herein-before described, and the barrel is
then ready to receive the heads and the hoops to complete the cask.
Figure 18, Sheet 2, shews a small vertical lathe for bevilling the edges
and shaving the faces of staves for small casks. It consists of a pair of
vertical revolving spindles a, a, provided with cutters 6, 6, and driven by
the bands c, c. d, d, sliding bearings of the spindles a, a, to allow of
adjusting the spindles for staves of different widths; e is the piece of
wood to form the stave fixed on the slide f sliding in the bed 9, as
shewn at h, and moved by a screw, an endless chain, or other suitable
contrivance.
In Figure 19, Sheet 2, I shew a rotary, endless, or cylindrical saw a,
mounted on a cylinder 6 on the shaft c, for cutting out in a curved form
the staves for small casks. d, d, bearings of the shaft c; e, e, fast and
loose pulleys; f, the piece of wood from which the staves are to be cut,
and which is moved forward by any suitable mechanism.
Figures 20 and 21, Sheet 2, shew a side and end elevation respectively
of my improved cylindrical cask (the ends being made slightly conical)
hooped with my improved hoops, one of which is shewn in elevation and
plan at Figures 22 and 23, Sheet 2.
In making these improved hoops I form a heel or shoulder near each
end of the piece of iron forming the hoop, the said heels or shoulders
being reversed; the ends of the iron being overlapped are held together
by two straps or loops a, a, of iron.
When the hoop is placed on a cask it may be tightened, as required,
by driving a key or keys 6 in the space between the shoulders or heels.
To remove the hoop the key or keys are driven out so as to loosen the
hoop which can then be removed from the cask.
Having now, described my Invention, and the best means I am
acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, what I claim as new
and desire to be protected by the herein in part recited Letters Patent is,

page_text: the improvements herein-before described and represented in the accom-
panging Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Antoine Gaillon, have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of January, in
the year of our Lord (One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.