Improvements in Planing Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1895-Accepted, 1st Feb., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
:
Improvements in Planing Machines.
ri
I, MICHAEL JAMES CAMPBELL, of 219 Eustis Street Boston, Suffolk County
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Contractor, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The apparatus herein illustrated includes the elementary features of a planer, so
termed, since it is evident that my invention is applicable for service in working
wood, metal or other material equally with stone, the only changes being a variation
in the form of the cutting tool or in the speed of some of the operating parts,
dependent upon the quality and nature of the material in process.
The gist of my invention is embodied in mechanism which includes a tool-head
adapted to describe a curved path by means of a pattern or guide plate, and in the
fact that the curve described by the tool differs from the curve of the pattern, since
the path of the tool is the resultant of two motions inasmuch as the work is moving
always in right lines
My invention is furthermore embodied in mechanism by which the tool carriage
shall always move in lines at right angles to the chord of the curved pattern plate.
Moreover in the shape and peculiar form of the pattern plate which tapers from
the centre towards the ends while the opposite edges differ in curvature with the
result that the distance between two corresponding points on opposite edges in
planes at right angles to the chord of the pattern plate shall always be equal.
Other peculiarities and novel features will be hereinafter fully explained and set
forth.
:.
The drawings represent in Fig. 1 a side elevation of a stone planer embodying
my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation in direction
of arrow 1 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on line 4. 4. in Fig. 2
looking in direction of arrow 2. Fig. 5 shows an end elevation in part but enlarged
and with the planer equipped with three tool heads, two for right line reciprocations,
especially. Fig. 6 is a plan of the same..
In said drawings, 2 represents a base or standard of a planer with longitudinal
V grooves 3 for the support and travel of a bed 4 which is adapted to reciprocate
by any well known form of mechanism. In the present instance by means of the
shaft 5, gears 6, 7 and pulleys 8. 8. The material in process is shown at 9, the
tools at 10, 10' 102, the tool holders at 12 121 122 and the tool carriage proper at 13.
This carriage contains a tool holder 12 which is mounted and operated as
follows: Upon the front side of the machine and securely affixed to the casting 2
about inidway of the latter is positioned a vertical plate 14; upon said plate are
fastened twin parallel guide rods 15 15. Movably mounted on said rods is a
frame 16 adapted for vertical right line reciprocation. Said frame consists of
similar end plates 17 171 which slide on the guides and are united by the
rods 18. 18. Laterally of said frame is bolted a flat bar 19 which carries a
removable pattern plate 20, either straight or curved.
In the present instance I am describing the mechanism by which the tool 10 is
caused to move in curved paths after the manner of a trammel. The tool carriage
proper is shown at 13 and is controlled and adjusted for vertical movement by
means of two screw rods 23 23¹ while screw threaded lugs or sleeves 24 are made
fast to the said carriage. The tool holder is at 12 and comprises a swinging head
block 26; this element is equipped for fine vertical adjustment by means of the
screw 27 while lateral adjustment is had by means of the screw 28. Thus it will

page_text: be seen that if any extensive movement of the tool carriage is required, as when a
thick stone is introduced, the screw rods 23 are actuated to raise the carriage 13
proper while the smaller lateral variations in a horizontal plane are obtained by aid
of the screw 28, and vertical changes for the vertical steps or traverses are
controlled by the screw 27.
In the operation of the tool holder 12, laterally of the work simultaneously with
the reciprocations of the bed plate and the maintenance of the carriage at a right
angle to the chord of the pattern plate is embodied the primary feature of my
invention, since by the movement of said holder, the transverse travel of the tool
holder is produced while the work is advancing in right lines; hence the path
described by the tool is a curved one. To control the movements of the tool
holder, the holder 12 and block 30 are arranged for sliding movement on the
carriage. The rear surface of the block contains two studs 31 with anti-friction
rollers between which the pattern plate 20 moves. This block 30, in fact, forms a
part of the carriage but is made separable and for sliding movement on said carriage
in order that the tool holder and the carriage may be adjusted vertically without
requiring the movement of the pattern plate. For purposes of explanation I have
described the friction rolls as a part of the carriage and for all intents and purposes
they are so, since the block 30 may be an integral portion of the carriage but in
that event would not be such a scientific mechanical construction.
The vertical reciprocations of the pattern plate are produced by means of a
screw threaded rod 32, a sleeve shaft 34 carrying a gear 35, while a gear 36 upon
a shaft 37 interconnects with the main driving shaft by the gears 5: 6. before
mentioned. Hence simultaneous movement of the bed plate and tool holder. is
produced; however, the rates of speed may be varied, since the pitch of the screw
threaded shafts 5 and 32 may be varied by substituting different shafts with varying
pitch. Hence the pattern plate may, if desired, be caused to move faster or slower
while the rate of the bed plate continues unchanged. In this manner, the curve
described by the tool and tool holder may be caused to vary. The resultant move-
ments of the above described group of elements are as follows:-The shafts 5 and 32
are set in motion, the bed plate prior to such movement being so adjusted that the
tool 10 is at the commencement of a traverse, say 39 in Fig. 2, while the frame 16
is so positioned that the block 30 is at one end of the pattern plate, either upper or
lower according as to whether an active traverse of the tool is to the right or
the left. During the right line travel of the table carrying the work, the frame 16
is for example, descending. As a consequence, the tool is swung gradually from
the center of the stone laterally until the center of the pattern plate is reached.
The extreme lateral position of the tool is now attained and as the frame 16
continues to advance downwardly, a converse action on the tool holder is produced
and the latter is thrust inwardly upon the tool carriage until a point corresponding
to the point 39 on the opposite end of the stone has been reached. The adjusting
screws 27. 28 are now actuated to depress or raise the tool 10 or slide the latter in
or out before a second traverse is commenced.
My invention, it will be thus understood, is capable of making the tool 10 travel
in any desired curved path, or straight, if it is so desired, by changing the curve
of the pattern plate 20 or removing the latter. Owing to the oblique position
which the ends of said plate assume with respect to the anti-friction rolls at the end
of a traverse, said pattern plate is widest in the center and tapers towards
each end.
By inspection of the drawings it will be seen that the anti-friction rolls are set
firmly in bearings and have no to and fro motion since at various times said rolls
become active and must be positive in their action to cause the tool carriage to
advance across the work in process. It will likewise be noticed that the position
of the tool carriage is always in a line at right angles to the chord of the pattern
plate. Hence because the anti-friction rolls are at a fixed distance apart, it becomes
necessary to taper the extremities of the pattern plate, in order that the distance
between any two corresponding points on opposite edges of the pattern plate in

page_text: planes at right angles to the chord shall be the same, or in other words equal to the
distance between the anti-friction rolls. Hence the curvature of the opposite edges-
always differs at corresponding points one from the other while the curve of the
work is always different from the curve of the pattern plate.
In connection with my improvements, to wit:-a tool head adapted to move in.
a curvilinear path, I propose to employ other tool heads for straight line work;
hence, I disconnect or remove the pattern bar 20. Under these conditions, the
tool holders 12' 12' are stationary except for adjustments such as are requisite for-
the varying thickness of stone when the tool carriage 13 proper may be raised or
lowered by aid of the screw-rods 23. 23' and their actuating mechanism.
Lateral adjustments are obtained respectively for the tool holders 12' 12' by
means of the screws 40 40' while vertical changes are effected by means of the
screws 41. 41. By this manner of mounting said tools, straight traverses may be
secured while the tools are capable of being operated for undercut work or
curvilinear traverses may be produced in connection with the pattern plate.
In connection with the adjustment of the tool laterally for changes requisite for
a number of curved traverses, reference to Fig. 6 shows that the shaft 28 is splined
at 42, hence movement of the tool holder may take place while the block 30 is.
stationary. The adjusting mechanism in Fig. 6 varies slightly from that in Fig. 3,
but the same results are obtained, the advantages of that in Fig. 6 being that the
operating mechanism for changing the position of the tool is near the operator and
consequently controlled more readily and with greater ease.
In some instances the pattern plate may be straight with the active edges or
those which control the movement of the tool-holder converging or diverging, as
shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 3. Under such an arrangement the tool is
adapted for columnar work, and the pattern plate may be made tapered, swelled or
Huted as may be desired, to produce the requisite form of shaft or column.
I do not desire to be limited, as I have hereinbefore expressed, to the exact
shape of the pattern plate, since it may be varied considerably in form and still
embody the spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination with a suitable frame having a movable bed-plate, and a tool
carriage above the same, of a tool holder adapted to slide upon the carriage,
a curved pattern plate, and mechanism to operate the pattern plate, the chord of
said pattern plate, always remaining at right angles to the carriage, substantially
as described.
2. In combination with a suitable frame, a bed-plate adapted to travel in right
lines, and an adjustable tool holder arranged to move transversely of the bed-plate,.
a lateral frame reciprocating in vertical planes, a pattern plate carried on said
frame and located in a plane at right angles to the path of movement of the bed--
plate, and means for reciprocating the lateral frame to cause the pattern plate to
move the tool holder transversely of the bed-plate, substantially as stated.
3. The combination with a bed-plate arranged for right line reciprocations,
a carriage adjustably thereabove, and a sliding tool holder mounted on said
carriage, of a movable frame, a curved pattern plate having motion of its own and
interconnected with the tool holder, said pattern plate tapering towards its.
extremities and the opposite edges being of different curvature, substantially as.
explained.
4. The combination with a bed-plate, mechanism for reciprocating the same,.
a tool carriage for vertical adjustment thereabove, and a sliding tool holder
mounted on the carriage, of a curved pattern plate tapering from the centre
towards its ends, a frame for actuating said pattern plate, whereby the tool carriage
is caused to move in planes at right angles to the chord of the pattern plate as set
forth.

page_text: 5. The combination with a bed-plate arranged for right line movements,
a carriage adjustable thereabove, and a sliding tool holder mounted on said
carriage, of a movable frame, anti-friction rollers at a fixed distance apart for
sliding movement on the tool carriage, and a curved moving pattern plate, said
plate being of such form, that the distance between any two corresponding points
on opposite edges in planes at right angles to the chord of the pattern plate shall
be equal and the same with the distance between the anti-friction rolls, substantially
as described.
6. In combination with a suitable frame, a bed-plate adapted to travel in right
lines, and an adjustable tool-holder arranged to move transversely of the bed-plate,
a carriage supporting the tool-holder, a curved pattern plate in fixed relation to
and located in a plane at right angles to the bed-plate, and united with the
carriage, and means for reciprocating the pattern-plate, whereby the tool holder
describes a path dissimilar from the curve of the pattern plate, as set forth.
Dated this Twenty-sixth day of November 1895.
MICHAEL JAMES CAMPBELL.