IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR QUARRYING SLATE AND OTHER ROCK
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINES FOR QUARRYING SLATE AND OTHER ROCK." A communi-
cation from abroad by Adam R. Reese, of Phillipsburg, in the County of
Warren and State of New Jersey United States of Amenice
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st May 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR QUARRYING SLATE
AND OTHER Rock." [A communication from abroad by Adam R. Reese, of
Phillipsburg, in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey, United States of
America.]
The object of this Invention is to avoid the excessive waste, labor, and expenso
incidental to the ordinary modes of quarrying by the use of an improved machine
for sawing or cutting the rock "in situ."
The Invention consists of a reciprocating travelling frame or carriage, provided
with rotary saws or cutters, supported on a frame having adjustable legs for
securing the machine in suitable position, which frame also supports the novel
mechanism through which motion and power is transmitted to the cutters, it being
designed that steam, compressed air, or other motive power used shall be furnished
from a source independent of the machine, all of which will be hereinafter set
forth.
The main frame is a long open rectangular frame having corner blocks through
which pass screwthreaded legs, said frame being supported on nuts or collars
screwing on the legs, and being thereby raised or lowered at one or all of its corners,
as desired. The upper ends of these legs are held in cross timbers or beams above
and parallel with the ends of the main frame. Vertical screw rods pass down
through boxes fixed centrally on the outside of each of these upper beams, and
screw through nuts fixed on the outer ends of the main frame, so that by turning

page_text: them the main frame and the sliding carriage which it supports can be adjusted at
any desired height for shallow or deep cutting, and the saws can be fed down as
the depth of the channel or cut increases. The sliding saw carriage is composed of
two channelled end pieces, intermediate and cross bars, the end pieces clasping or
fitting upon the flanged sides of the main frame in such a manner that the carriage
may hang therefrom. Anti-friction or wearing strips are introduced between the
ends of the carriage and the sides of the main frame. At the underside of the
carriage is journalled a transverse shaft which extends beyond the carriage and
main frame, and has fixed on its ends the rotary saws or cutters. Another
transverse shaft is mounted upon the upper side of the carriage, and carries pinions
which gear in racks bolted along the sides of the main frame, whereby said carriage
is traversed along the main frame.
"
The saw shaft is driven from a longitudinal shaft mounted in the main frame by
skew bevel gear, connected with the longitudinal shaft by a spline or feather, so as
to slide thereon as the carriage moves to and fro.
The engine that drives the machine is mounted upon cross braces of the main
frame. The engine shaft drives a worm shaft mounted longitudinally on the main
frame, suitable means being provided to prevent longitudinal strains on the engine
shaft. Beneath the worm shaft and at right angles thereto a cross shaft is
journalled in the sides of the main -frame, and has keyed on it a worm wheel in
which the worm engages. This cross shaft drives by bevel gear a short longi-
tudinal shaft which is on a lower level than the worm shaft, and extending to the
end of the main frame. On this shaft there is also a worm which engages with
a wheel keyed on a cross shaft beneath.
On this shaft is also fixed a grooved or sprocket wheel, over which passes an
endless rope or chain, which also passes over a grooved guide pulley at the opposite
end of the main frame, and thus extends from one end to the other of the main
frame. The chain is held by a guiding frame in engagement with a sprocket
wheel keyed on the cross shaft of the sliding carriage above described as having
pinions on its ends gearing with racks on the main frame, so that the carriage will
be moved by the endless chain. On the outer end of the second worm shaft is
keyed a cog wheel which gears with another wheel on the longitudinal shaft of
the main frame, whereby said shaft is revolved and drives the saw or cutter shaft.
Thus power is transmitted by the worm gear above described from the engine to
the endless chain, for moving the carriage to and fro along the main frame, and at
the same time to the longituninal shaft of the main frame for driving the rotary
cutter shaft. These cutters or saws are provided with steel cutting teeth, or may
be provided with diamonds for cutting as may be most suitable for the work to
be done.
In operating this machine, when the carriage has reached the end of its run in
one direction, the pinions run off the ends of the racks on the main frame, and
hence the carriage stops though the pinions may continuo to revolve; when then
it is desired to run the carriage back again the engine is reversed, and short
movable rack sections which are pivoted at each end of the main racks are brought
down by the operator, so that they form continuations of the main racks and
engage with the pinions, and enable them to run the carriage back. This operation
is constantly repeated at each end of the main frame, the movable rack sections at
both ends being so balanced that they will lift up out of line with the main racks
when the operator removes his hand. When the machine has formed two parallel
channels in the rock, it may then be raised bodily by a suitable derrick and moved
laterally for forming other channels, and for staying the machine in place, and for
making it easy to adjust it correctly, there are pivoted to each end of the machine
guide rods or stays, to whose ends are pivoted angle plates to be inserted in a
channel already cut and held there by wedges, and the said stays being thereby
made to assist in supporting the machine, and assist in holding it at a suitable
distance and parallel with said channel, so that all the said channels may be cut
parallel and at equal distances apart. The saw teeth are designed to cut upward

page_text: so that the power applied to the cutting shall operate to hold the machine more
firmly down in position.
The saw tooth preferably used in this machine consists of a rectangular bar of
steel, one end of which for about a quarter of its length is widened into the cutting
part of the tooth having a flat face, and also tapering from the front to the back
edge of the tooth, and a semi-circular or convex point from which the crown of the
tooth slopes rearward and upward, at an angle of 15° to the back edge thereof,
so that whatever the wear on the said tooth the cutting edge will always be easily
restored by grinding the tooth while in the saw.
The rest of the bar constitutes the tooth shank, which has rectangular longi-
tudinal grooves on both front and rear edges to embrace the edges of the slots or
sockets of the saw, and in the front edge of said shank near the cutting part
are formed two transverse semicircular grooves 1/32 of an inch apart, or there-
abouts, that correspond with like grooves in the saw, so that when pins are driven
into said grooves the tooth is held in position. On the rear edge of the shank
near its top are two other similar grooves, and opposite them are two like grooves
in the saw.
Pios driven into these grooves assist in adjusting and holding the
tooth in place. The advantage of having the sides of the cutting portion of
the tooth tapering rearward are that thereby the necessity of setting the teeth, as
in the common circular saw, is obviated, as these tapers always preserve a clearance
of about an eighth of an inch on each side of the tooth.
By suitably adjusting the saws or cutters they can be made to cut horizontally
should it be desirable to do so.
I do not confine myself to the precise construction herein shown and described,
as it is evident that the machine may be modified or changed in many parts
without departing from my Invention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th November 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR QUARRYING SLATE
AND OTHER ROCK." A communication from abroad by Adam R. Reese, of
Phillipsburg, in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey, United States
of America.
The ordinary methods of quarrying are very wasteful of the rock, and involve
great labor and expense. The object of this Invention is to avoid this excessive
waste, labor, and expense, by the use of an improved machine for sawing or cutting
the rock "in situ."
The Invention consists of a reciprocating travelling frame or 'carriage provided
with rotary saws or cutters supported on a frame having adjustable legs for
securing the machine in suitable position, which frame also supports the novel
mechanism through which motion and power is transmitted to the cutters, it being
designed that steam, compressed air, or other motive power used shall be furnished
from a source independent of the machine, all of which will be hereinafter set
forth.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 is a plan of the machine; Figure 2 is a
partly sectional longitudinal elevation of the same on line x, x, Figure 1; Figure 3
is an enlarged partly sectional elevation of the same on line y, y, Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional end elevation of the same on line 3, 2, Figures 1
and 2; Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of one of the saws or
cutters, showing the steel teeth in position; Figure 6 is an enlarged front elevation
of one of the steel saw teeth: Figure 7 is a cross section of the same on line w, w,
Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross section of the same on line 8, 8, Figure 6. Similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
A represents the long rectangular frame of the machine, preferably constructed
of angle and channel iron, and having stout corner blocks or posts B, B, through
which pass the vertical screwthreaded and sharp pointed legs C, C, on which the
said frame A is adjusted at suitable inclinations or levels, said frame A being
raised or lowered at one or all of its corners as may be desired, and held in such
position by the collars C', C', that encircle the legs C, C, below the frame A, and
are secured in place by set screws a, a, said collars C', C', being screwed up or
down at will. The upper ends of these legs C, C, are held by set screws b, b, in
the cross timbers or beams C³, C², that are above and parallel with the ends of the
frame A. This frame is designed to be about 12 feet long, and wide enough for the
cutting of channels about 4 feet apart, but it may be constructed of any desired
dimensions. Stout screwthreaded rods C³, C³, are passed vertically down through
boxes b¹, b', fixed centrally on the outside of each beam C2, and also boxes 6, '),
that are secured on the outer ends of the frame A, so that by turning said screw
rods C³, C³, the frame A and its supported sliding carriage D can be adjusted at
any desired elevation for shallow or deep cutting of the saws E, E.
In the Drawings the frame A is strengthened by angle irons c and flat bars or
strips c¹ extending the whole length along its sides, as shown, but the sides may be
made sufliciently strong without these auxiliaries.
The sliding carriage D is composed of two channelled end pieces d, d, that clasp
or fit upon the sides of the frame A in such a manner that the carriage D may
hang therefrom; of the strengthening strips f, f, secured on and covering the under
faces of the end strips d, d; of two parallel cross bars g, g, extending from one end

page_text: piece d to the other, and of the bars k, k, parallel with the ends d, d, and secured
across and upon the upper faces of the bars g, g, all these parts being firmly fastened
together. Anti-friction or wearing strips h of brass or other suitable metal are
introduced between the ends d, d, of the carriage D, being secured thereto, and the
sides of the frame A. In boxes ¹ secured on the underside of the carriage D is
journalled the transverse shaft E' which extends beyond the sides of the carriage D
and frame A, and has rigidly secured on its ends the rotary saws or cutters E, E.
On the tops of the bars h, k, are secured journal boxes k¹, k', in which is journalled
the transverse shaft F1 carrying on its ends the pinions F, F, which gear in the
racks G, G, that are bolted to and extend parallel with the sides of the frame A,
and nearly the whole length thereof, whereby said carriage D is made to move back
and forth. On the shaft E' is rigidly secured a bevelled gear wheel E that gears
with a corresponding gear wheel H', which is secured on a shaft H that is extended
centrally and longitudinally along the frame A, and is journalled at each end in
suitable bearings l, l. Said shaft H has a spline or feather m extending nearly
throughout its entire length, which spline m fits into a corresponding keyway m¹
in the bevel gear wheel H³, thereby preventing said gear wheel H' from rotating
independently of the shaft H, but permitting it to slide thereon.
The saws or
cutters E, E, are operated by power transmitted through the shaft H and genr
wheel to the gear wheel E2, the said saws E, E, being fed down with the
frame A by means of the screw rods C as the depth of the channel or cut
increases.
I, 1, represent channel iron cross braces extending from one side to the other of ·
frame A and rigidly secured thereto, and on these braces I, I, on a level with the top
of the frame A, and on the braces I', 1', crossing said braces I, I, is secured the
engine K that drives the machine. In this instance said engine K is a rotating disc
engine, but I do not confine myself to this construction of engine. A pillar block n
secured on the engine bed plate 12 supports the engine revolving shaft I³, on one
end of which is a clutch i. The reversing gear of said engine is indicated at I.
On cross braces M, M', extending at different levels from one side to the other
of the frame A are secured pillow blocks M, M², in which is journalled a worm
shaft M³ extending parallel with the sides of the frame A carrying a worm M*.
On one end of this shaft M³ is a clutch i always engaged with the clutch i, but
having an end wise play therewith to prevent any longitudinal strain upon the
engine revolving shaft 1. A collar on the shaft M³ bears against the inner
pillow block M and prevents the longitudinal movement of said shaft M³ in that
direction, and the outer pillow block M³ in which the outer end of the shaft Al³ is
journaled prevents the longitudinal motion of said shaft in the opposite direction.
Beneath the worm shaft M³ and at right angles thereto a shaft Nis journalled in
the aides of the frame A, and has keyed on it a wheel N in which the worin M*
engages, the worm M being designed to make about 450 rovolutions a minute,
and the wheel N about 12 revolutions per minute. On one end of this shaft N' is
keyed a bevel gear wheel N that engages with a corresponding bevel gear
wheel which is keyed on a shaft O', which shaft O' is on a lower level than the
shaft M³, and extends parallel with. the sides of the frame A and is journalled in
boxes n', n¹. On this shaft O' is also secured a worm O which engages with a
wheel P that is keyed on a cross shaft P, which is on a lower level than the
shaft O and is journalled in boxes o, o. On this shaft P' is also secured a
peripherally grooved wheel or sprocket wheel P² over which passes the endless
rope or chain Q, whose bight passes over a grooved guide pulley Q' secured at the
opposite end of the frame A, and extending thus from one end to the other of the
frame A. The chain Q is held in engagement with the sprocket wheel R that is
keyed on the shaft F' by a guiding frame R₁, which is held by its arm p between
a bar and a journal box, or in any other convenient manner, so that the
carriage D shall be moved by motion transmitted through the chain Q. On the
extreme outer end of this shaft O¹ is keyed a cogwheel S which meshes with a

page_text: cogwheel H on the shaft H, whereby said shaft H is revolved and power thereby
transmitted to the saws or cutters E, E.
The engine K being set in motion power is transmitted through the engine
revolving shaft I³, shaft and worin M³, M, wheel N, shaft and wheel N', N, wheel
shaft and worm 0, 01, 0³, wheels and shaft P, P2, P, to the chain Q for moving
the carriage D back and forth longitudinally in the frame A, and at the same time
power is transmitted through the cogwheels S, H2, shaft H, and gear wheel H' to
the gear wheel E' and shaft E', whereby the saws or cutters E, E, are revolved.
These cutters or saws E, E, are provided with steel cutting teeth 8, as shown, or
may be provided with diamonds for cutting as may be most suitable for the work
to be done. If steel teeth are used the saws E will be run at about twelve
revolutions per minute; if diamonds are used the saws should revolve about 800
or 900 revolutions per minute.
In operating this machine when the carriage D has reached the end of its run
in one direction the pinions F, F, run off the ends of the racks G, G, and hence the
said carriage D ceases to move though said pinions F, F, may continue to revolve;
when then it is desired to run the carriage D back again the engine K is reversed,
and the movable rack sections G', G', which are pivoted at each end of the racks
G, G, are thrown down at that end that the carriage D has reached by the operator
taking hold of their handles v, so that they shall engage with the said pinions F, F;
then said pinions F, F, having a fresh hold afforded them immediately engage with
the said rack sections G', G', and thence with the racks G, G, and the carriage D is
thereby run back. This operation is constantly repeated at cach end of the frame A,
the rack sections G', G', being so balanced that they will lift up out of gear with
the racks G, G, when the operator removes his hand from their handles or levers v.
This machine is designed for cutting parallel channels in the slate or other rock,
about half an inch wide and a foot or more in depth, and about 12 feet long; the
machine however can be constructed to make channels of any desired distance
apart and of any depth and length. When using this machine it is desirable to
bring the top of the rock to an even surface parallel with the natural split or
lamination thereof, and then to set the machine so that the saws or cutters will
cut channels at right angles thereto. When the machine has formed two parallel
channels of sufficient depth and length in the rock, it may then be raised bodily by
a suitable derrick and moved laterally for forming other channels; and for staying
the said machine in place and for making it easy to adjust it correctly, I have
pivoted to each end of the machine or to the beams C2, C, guide rods or stays T,
on whose ends are pivoted angle plates T, so that the stays T being of a suitable
length the plates T₁ can be inserted in a channel already cut and held there by
wedges T, as shown in Figure 4, and the said stays T being thereby made to
assist in supporting the machine and assist in holding it at a suitable distance and
parallel with said channel, so that all the said channels may be cut parallel with
each other and at equal distances apart one from the other. The saw teeth are
designed to cut upward, so that the power applied to the cutting shall operate to
hold the machine more firmly down in position. To make cross cuts the machine
is raised by derrick or other suitable device and swung around at right angles to
the channels first made.
In Figures 5, 6, and 7, is more clearly shown the saw tooth preferably used in
this machine. It consists of a rectangular bar of steel, one end of which for about
a quarter of its length is widened into the cutting part of the tooth, as shown at 8,
having a flat face t, and also tapering from the front to the back edge of the tootli,
as shown at 3, y, Figure 8, and a semi-circular or convex point u, from which
point the crown of the tooth slopes rearward and upward at an angle of
about 15° to the back edge thereof, so that whatever the wear on the said tooth s
the cutting edge will always be easily restored by grinding the tooth while in the
The rest of the bar constitutes the tooth shank s which has rectangular
longitudinal grooves t¹, t¹, on both edges that are designed to engage over and upon
saw.

page_text: corresponding tongues in the saw sockets w; and in the front edge of said shank 8*
near the cutting part s¹ are formed two transverse semi-circular grooves to a thirty-
second of an inch apart or thereabouts, that correspond with like grooves in the
saw E, so that when pins are driven into said grooves t³, 13, the said tooth s is held
in position. On the rear edge of said shank 82 near its top are two like transverse
semi-circular grooves v', and opposite them in the saw E are two like grooves v³.
Pins driven into these grooves 1, 3, assist in adjusting and holding the tooth 8 in
place. The advantage of having the sides of the cutting portion of the tooth &
tapering rearward, as shown in Figure 8, are that thereby the necessity of setting
the teeth as in the common circular saw is obviated, as these tapers always preservo
a clearance of about an eighth of an inch on each side of the tooth. In grinding
these teeth in the saw I use a small emery wheel mounted on a flexible shaft which
derives its power from the engine shaft.
In operating this machine I design to place the boilers furnishing steam thereto
in some convenient place, and to conduct the steain from boiler to machine through
iron and flexible pipes or tubes.
By suitably adjusting tho saws or cutters E, E, they can be made to cut
horizontally should it be desirable to do so.
I do not confine myself to the precise construction herein shown and described,
as it is evident that the machine may be modified or changed in many parts
without departing from the Invention.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. A machine for quarrying slate or other rock "in situ," constructed sub-
stantially as herein shown and described, consisting of an open frame supported on
legs and supporting a reciprocating carriage provided with revolving saws or
cutters, as set forth.
2nd. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with the
open frame A of the screwthreaded legs C. C, and collars C', C', substantially as
herein shown and described, whereby said frame may be adjusted with the surface
of the rock, as set forth.
3rd. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with the
frame A and beams C of the screwthreaded rods C³, substantially as herein shown
and described, whereby said frame and its supported parts are raised or lowered, as
set forth.
4th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with
the adjustable frame A of the sliding carriage D, substantially as herein shown and
described.
5th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with the
frame A of the sliding saw carriage D carrying saws E, E, and gear wheel E³,
shaft F provided with pinions F, F, and racks G, G, substantially as herein showD,
and for the purpose described.
6th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with the
frame A and sliding carriage D carrying saws E, E, shaft E' and gear wheel E³, of
the revolving shaft H carrying sliding gear wheel H', substantially as herein shown
and described, whereby said saws are moved, as set forth.
7th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with the
frame A and saw carriage D provided with sprocket wheel R, of the revolving
shaft P provided with sprocket wheel P³, guide pulley Q, and endless chain Q.
substantially as herein shown and described, whereby said saw carriage is moved
reciprocally back and forth, at set forth.
8th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with the
frame A having attached racks G, G, and sliding saw carriage D provided with shaft
and pinions F, F, F, of the movable rack sections G', G', substantially as and for
The purpose described.
9th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with the

page_text: frame A of the stays and angle plates T, T', substantially as herein shown and
described, whereby the machine may be adjusted and stayed in position, as set
forth.
10th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, the combination with
the saw E of the tooths provided with flat face t, tapering sides y, y, semi-circular
or convex point and sloping crown u', and with longitudinally edge-grooved
shank having transverse semi-circular edge grooves t, v¹, substantially as hercin
shown and described.
11th. In a machine for quarrying slate and other rock, a saw tooth a provided
with flat face t and rearward tapering, sides y, y, substantially as herein shown and
described, whereby a suitable clearance is given to the tooth, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hercunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of November, A.D. 1881.
ALDIZ