IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR MAKING CASKS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR MAKING CASKS." -A communication from
abroad by Emile Gérard and Félix Thuillier, both of Paris, France.
Sealed the 20th October 1873, and dated the 3rd May 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 3rd May 1878.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR MAKING CASKS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to a series of apparatus to be used in the
manufacture of casks. The rough staves are first cut of a uniform
length and then shaped and smoothed in a machine. They are then
dried by passing over a bright fire, bent and curved both in the direction
of their length and breadth, after which they are delivered to the cask-

page_text: cut of the length desired the staves are placed in the shoot D, composed
of parts d, e, f, from which they are supplied to the saws and cutters
used in shaping the same by a carriage E fitted to travel the whole-
length of the machine and running on rails F. Above carrier E is fixed.
a pattern or guide G, which is shown in detail in Figure 4, and consists.
of two long steel plates held apart by a wood block, the several parts
being united by a bolt. This wood block carries at each end two metal-
plates g, having bolts and nuts h, by adjusting which latter the ends of
the two steel plates may be brought more or less closely together so as
to resemble in plan the form of a stave.
To the under side of the carriage E is attached a plate I by bolts k
passing through the pattern, said plate I being connected by hooks p, q,
to the ends of the chain passing round pulleys P, Q, by which the.
carriage is moved to and fro. Above the pattern is a plate H fixed to it
by bolts i having three pointed pins and a spring catch at its front end,
which catch on the movement of the carriage E to the right will be
depressed by the staves contained in the shoot, and pass under the same,
but will resume its position immediately it has passed.
.
On the return movement of the carriage towards the left the catch
detaches one of the staves from the shoot, and brings it successively
under the first pressing roller K, and then to the sawing apparatus after-
wards, under two other similar rollers next to the apparatus for smoothing
or planing the staves, and lastly under another roller similar to the
foregoing. These rollers shown in detail in Figure 5 are hung in
bearings b, and are held down by weighted levers L so as to force the
pins of the pattern into the stave, and so hold it firmly while it is being
sawn and planed. After passing under the last roller the pattern meets
the two strips of sheet metal M, which are supported on blooks N, N,
and adjusted in position by bolts m, and being thinned at their front
edges insert themselves between the pattern and the stave so as to detach
the latter. It remains in this position until forced on by the next stave
and delivered to the planing machine; n, Figure 3, are scrapers for
cleaning the edges of the pattern block. The pattern returns imme-
diately it has deposited the stave to obtain a fresh one, and the operation
is repeated. The carriage is moved to the right or left by two chains,
shown in thick dotted lines in the Drawing, both being wound on a
drum R. This drum R is mounted on a shaft S, receiving rotary motion
alternately in opposite directions by the wheel and pinion T, U, and
•
A

page_text: pulley V; X, Y, two loose pulleys, whose bands (one of which is crossed)
are alternately placed on the fast pulley V so as to give the alternate
rotary motion referred to. The forks 7, 8, which guide the bands are
mounted on an arm t, receiving reciprocating motion from a reversing
lever v, pivoted at x, and provided with a handle y, which lever is
operated by a lever a (see Figure 1), pivoted at point ẞ, having a
weight at its upper end, and an arm & at its lower end, whereby the
lever a is oscillated by the to-and-fro motion of carriage E by the aid of
parts en, θλμπ, εσφ, ω. The motion is reversed by the weighted lever a
falling over either to the right or left.
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 9ª show details of the apparatus for sawing the
edges of the staves. A¹, portion of the sawing apparatus fixed to the
machine so as to be adjusted thereon at any position or angle; a¹, screwed
stems for holding movable part B¹ above part A¹ in clamps b', which
prevents its rising during its longitudinal to-and-fro movement; O¹, arm
fixed to B¹ by a square headed bolt c', and provided with a roller which
is pressed by spiral springs attached to A¹ and B¹, constantly against the
surface of the pattern block; a screw for adjusting the relative positions
of C¹, B¹, and consequently of the roller and saws; D', bracket carrying
the shaft of circular saws pivoted to B¹ by bolt e¹; ƒ³, screw for fixing
the part D' at any desired inclination.
By means of the above arrangement, after once adjusting the pattern
block, any number of staves may be sawn of different widths, but similar
one to the other, while by altering the pattern staves of any desired form
or length may be sawn.
Figures 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 show details of the apparatus for
planing the edges of the staves. H', part fixed to the machine so as to
be adjustable thereon; h¹, stop against which the screw V₁ of the
movable part I' abuts, the latter, which carries a friction roller, is fitted
to slide on H³, and is connected thereto by two spiral springs; m², metal
plate which holds the part I' on H¹ while permitting of its sliding move-
ment; M³, plane holder fixed by a bolt p¹ working in a slot q' on part I';
7³, screw held between two collars on part M¹ for changing the relative
position of the roller and plane.
By means of the above arrangements any width or form of stave may
I macking

page_text: The rollers with which the tool holders of the preparing machine are
provided are in constant contact with the pattern block, and conse-
quently the saws and cutters necessarily work in a direction following
the surface steel plates of the pattern.
In order to give a true lozenge form to the stave four circular saws
are used, two of which remove the portions a, a, Figure 28", and the
other two the portions b, b. A cask constructed of staves of the above
form would resemble two truncated cones placed base to base, as shown
in Figure 28b, to which a rounded form might be given by turning off
the projecting ridge in a lathe, as indicated' by the shaded parts,
Figure 28°. The same result would also be obtained by first shaping the
staves as in Figure 28ª.
In order to prepare the staves of the ordinary form they are first made
of a lozenge shape, and the angles are then removed by the plane so as
to obtain a curved form, as shown in Figure 28°.
The machine for planing the staves is shown in plan and elevation in
Figures 10 and 11, while Figures 12 to 22 shew details of the various
parts. This machine is very simple, and requires but little description.
On leaving the preparing machine the staves are pushed one by the
other between the guides a on the table D, carried on standards E of the
machine, and then between guides c and two grooved feed rollers F, F¹,
on shafts H, I, which are turned in contrary directions by the pulleys
G, G³, and wheel gearing A, B, C, C¹. The upper roller F turns in
bearings K at b, b, Figure 14. From here the staves pass over two
cutters M, M³, (adjusted by plates d, d³,) the first one of which removes
a shaving of about th of an inch in width by 12th in thickness from
each edge of the stave, while the second cutter trims the whole surface.
The staves are pressed against the knives by the weighted rollers
L, L, carried on levers P, Q, which latter are mounted on pillars e, e¹,
on table D; R, S, Figures 19, and 22, parts which respectively apply the
pressure of levers P, Q, on the upper feed roller F¹, at points 9, 9,
Figure 14, and on the two weighted rollers L, I, by means of plates h.
The heating apparatus is illustrated in front and side elevation, plan, and
section in Figures 29, 30, 31, and 32, while Figures 33, 34, and 35
show details. This heating apparatus consists of a chamber formed of
iron plate A, A¹, B, B¹, bolted together and supporting the grate bars C.
Coke is supplied to the grate by the doors D, D². The plates A, A³, carry

page_text: arms F, F¹, at one end, supported by a frame G, on which arms a cast-
iron carriage H travels. The plates A, A¹, have ledges E along their
entire inner surface, and the plates B, B¹, support a long iron bar K, L,
near the top and in the central line of the grate. The dotted lines b, c,
d, e, f, h, l, Figure 29, show the outline of the upper edge of this bar, !
and also the distance between this edge and the ledges E. The action
of the heater is as follows:-The stave is placed on the arms F, F, with
its end abutting against the edge of arm F and its rear edge against the
raised part of carriage H, which has a longitudinal to-and-fro motion
imparted to it by a winch through a crank M and connecting rod N.
The stave is placed in position during the backward motion of the
carriage, and is then pushed forward, and bears at about its middle
against the bar K, L, while its ends are held by the ledges E. Another
stave is then placed on the carriage, which in its turn engages with the
ledges E, pushing before it the first stave. Thus the staves so fed one
by the other are caused to traverse the whole length of the heating
.chamber, during which time owing to the relative forms of the bar K, L,
and of ledges E, they have a certain longitudinal curvature imparted to
them, which as they have been highly heated throughout their passage
through the apparatus is permanently retained.
In the Drawing small louvre plates are shown above the fire-bars, but
below the bar K, L, connected to the latter at m, n, o, and to bar P, Q,
lever R, and parts S, T, q, v, x, to regulate the position of the louvres
for moderating the heat as required. Figure 35 shows a tool Y, which
may be attached to the carriage H by the parts s, t, u, x, y, for passing
through the last of the staves to be bent. The same apparatus may be
adapted for bending staves of different lengths by simply adjusting the
relative positions of ledges E and central bar L.
On leaving the heating apparatus the staves are next built up in the
form of a cask by the aid of an apparatus illustrated in Figures 52, 53,
54, 55, and 56 of the Drawings, consisting of a frame A carrying a fixed
plate B, having a wide flange 6 in which is fixed an iron ring c.
D are
eighteen flat springs fixed to ring c. E is a plate having a socket q
keyed on a stem F fitted to slide in a socket p of plate B. The lever H
pivoted at d and acted on by a spring f engages in groove h, holds the
*plate E in the position shown in the Drawing. The movement of the
lever is limited by a stop j. By pressing the lever against the spring

page_text: 1st. To force down the temporary hoops which have been applied by
hand on the cask, as much as possible thereon, so as to bring the staves
closer together and give the cask its proper form.
2ndly. For permanently fixing the wood or iron hoops with which the
cask is to be provided.
The metal frame A of the machine is fixed by its flanges to a wood
standard B firmly embedded in the ground. The barrel to be hooped is
placed on a metal platform C disposed at a convenient height. This
plate may have an upward or downward motion imparted to it either by
mounting it on a screw fitted to turn in a nut, or the tube E which
carries the nut may be made to slide in the fixed part F. The attendant
who manages the machine can either raise or lower the platform O by
rotating the same, after first pulling a lever D having a spring b, e, and
pivoted at d to release the catches a on the said plate. The platform C
is however prevented from sliding downwards except by overcoming
the pressure of the weighted lever G pivoted at f, whose motion is
limited by a stop g. After the cask is placed on the platform a hoop
is applied on it by hand, and forced into position by the claws h, m,
pivoted at K to the segments H of plate L, and having a variable up
and down movement; n, o, springs for holding claws h against the
cask; h, treble claws to be applied on the laps of the hoops. The
downward movement of the claws h ceases automatically and the
reverse movement commences only when the hoop is in place,
-

page_text: •
•
This action is produced in the following manner:-The claws / are
attached to a plate Z connected by two rods P to a nut Q, which travels
up and down on a three threaded screw R receiving motion from bevel
wheels p. q. The shaft of wheel q carries a fast pulley S and two loose
pulleys T, T', to which pulley's motion is imparted by two bands, one
being crossed. The bevel wheel p and screw shaft are connected by a
feather and groove, so that they will both turn together, the screw shaft
being also free to move up and down through the wheel. A fly wheel
- U is mounted loosely on the upper end of the screw, which during the
downward motion of the claws operates a ratchet wheel V by means
of a pawl S. The bands being both placed on the two loose pulleys,
the machine is started with the aid of the fork X pivoted at x, and
parts y, z, 8, 8¹. The claws / then commence to descend, the double cone
N carried on a stem M, being brought down on to the chine of the
cask, and the rim 7 serving to properly centre the same, the cone N
· becoming lodged therein while the claws continue to descend. The
latter are pressed against the cask by springs n and force the hoop
before them until it reaches its proper position which is determined by
its diameter. The hoop then becomes more difficult to move and the
claws are arrested in their downward motion, the nut Q also remains
stationary, or nearly so, but as the screw continues to turn in the same
direction an upward motion is imparted thereto. The socket rat the
upper part then strikes violently against the upper arm of framing
A with sufficient force, with the assistance of the fly wheel in motion,
to complete the fixing of the hoop and overcome the resistance which
the lever G opposed to the sliding of tube E. The latter in sliding
reverses the motion by the aid of the parts before referred to, and
the claws then rise, leaving the cask free. Lever G is returned to it's
normal position on the nuts Q, rising by the aid of lever 6, parts µ, w, p,
and rod z. The machine is then ready for action as before.
L
The machine for chining or grooving, beveling, and chamfering the
staves is shown in Figures 36 to 51 inclusive.
When the cask has been shaped by the hoops applied by the machine
last described it is placed in this machine, the frame of which is fixed
by means of bolts to a wood post or standard B firmly embedded in the
ground. The plate O which is the chief feature of this machine is
keyed to a vertical shaft D, receiving rotary motion from bevel wheels
at a, b, and driving pulleys E, E¹. Shaft D carries a sleeve F which

page_text: is brought down by acting on forked lever G pivoted at c. On releasing
this lever the sleeve rises under the action of counterbalance H and
pin d. The sleeve F in its downward motion bears on the set screws e
and oscillates the parts I mounted in bearings K on their pivots. The
sleeve F may be prevented from acting on the parts I by turning plates
g, h, screwed to said parts I on their pivots ; m, are stops to limit the
motion of plates g, h.
Figures 38 and 39 show top and under side views of plate C. Below
the plate are seen two tool holders L, M, pivoted at p, q%; when in the
position shown in the Drawing they are held by two springs v, 8, on the
upper side of the plate bearing on studs t, u, projecting through the
same. When the sleeve F descends the tail ends of the parts I act on
the tool holders, causing them to turn on their pivots and move the
tools outwards. On ceasing to bear on the lever G the springs r, 8,
return the tools to their normal position. Tool holder L receives the
bevelling tool N, while the second tool holder carries the chamfering
and grooving tools O, P. The shavings produced in the bevelling
escape at the opening Q in the plate C, while the other cuttings fall
inside the cask. The plate C has a rim x which embraces the outside
edge of the cask during the operation and so serves to centre it.
Beneath plate O is another plate R, Figure 36, carrying a fork at V,
which is raised or lowered by the aid of lever S, while a lever ✗ serves
to prevent its rotation.
The following is the action of the machine:-The cask is placed
on plate, R, which is then brought up to plate C, by bearing on the
treadle S. The sleeve is prevented from acting on the beveling tool
by turning one of the plates g, h; plate O is then set in motion and
pressure is brought to bear on lever G. In this manner the grooving
and chamfering tools are put in action. After this first part of the
operation is terminated lever G is released and the rotation of shaft D
arrested. Then by acting on the plates g, h, the two first tools are
removed and the beveling tool only substituted, after which the machine
again resumes its action. By releasing the hand and foot levers G, S,
the motion stopped, when plate R returns to the position shown in
the Figure. The cask is then reversed and the operation repeated at its
opposite end.
Ricures 63 በሊ and A5 show on alavation

page_text: different views of detached parts. The heads of the cask are made in
several parts, the edges of which are first planed by the machine, and
then nailed together. The machine framing C is mounted on a bench A,
supported on legs B. D is a shaft mounted in bearings a at one end of
the machine, having a crank on one end, while at the other end is
mounted a fly wheel and fast and loose pulleys. To the crank is attached
a connecting rod for working a plane, which is mounted in a bar E,
having a to-and-fro motion in guides 6. The pieces of wood to be planed
are placed on the plate o beneath the tool. By simply pressing the wood
against the plane its edges will be at once made perfectly smooth. G,
slide operated by a screw F, and which at starting is at one end of its
course next to the central upright of frame C. The attendant places the
first piece of wood on the bench, and abutting against slide G, which is
then moved to the left hand, pushing the wood beforo it towards the
nailing device P, composed of the fixed and movable parts Q, R. This
device presents the ends of two rollers y, y¹, carrying coils of iron wire to
the advancing piece of wood. The device holds the wires firmly as the
wood approaches, and they thus become embedded therein. Immediately
the wood touches the device two hammers & are caused to descend upon
the said device, and cut the wires at the distance of about one inch from
the edge of the wood. At this moment the motion is reversed, and
slide G returns to position, at same time raising hammers d, the carriage
stopping at the end of its course. The attendant then replaces the first
piece of wood against slide G, supplies more wire to the nailing device,
and then places a second piece of wood on the left of the first, after
which the operation is repeated, as before, by setting slide G in motion,
the two pieces being united together at same time as the wires are
embedded in the second piece. The same action is repeated until the
"head" is completed. When there remains but one piece to complete the
head no wire is supplied to the nailer, and the hammers d are not
operated, as in this case the slide G simply serves to bring the last piece
up to the others. W is a small apparatus shown in plan and section,
for holding down the pieces firmly on the bench of the machine with
the assistance of two small rollers hung from a lever d, Figure 65. By
this means the pieces are prevented from rising as they are being fixed
together, so that the "head" may present a perfectly smooth surface.
The following are additional details of the construction of the
machine:—The slide G is connected to the nut of screw F by two strong

page_text: iron rods sliding in a part of frame C. Said screw F is operated by two
bands (one being crossed), a fixed pulley e, and two loose pulleys ƒ, g;
h, i, belt shippers; p, lever for starting the machine. When the slide
moves to the left it raises the two hammers & before referred to by means
of cord k, in which position the tail ends of said hammers are held by
a cross bar m, pivoted at n, which is oscillated by a lever o. When the
slide moves to the left the cord k is put in tension, but the two hammers
remain suspended until the lever o is acted on by the attendant at the
desired moment.
The nailing device is composed of a fixed part R and a movable part Q.
The part Q carries a stud y, which acts on lever I and rod I, reversing
the motion when the slide G has arrived at its extreme left hand position.
The arm L of lever H carries a weight, which is not shown in the
Drawing, and when slide G has moved to the extreme right it oscillates
part M, having a notch r, and by which the weighted arm L is supported,
thus releasing lever H, and stopping the machine. The nailing device
is shown in detail in the Drawing, and does not require further descrip- .
tion. The wire is supplied to the machine through holes & in the end of
frame O by the slide Z, which is made to reciprocate on slides σ by the
lever 7.
€, springs bearing on the wires. The slide Z is provided with
two small blades & pivoted a, which carry the wire with them during its
movement to the right, but release it on its return movement; μ, hooks,
which during the backward movement of the slide take on to the
blades 6.
When the slide moves towards the right the part, which is jointed in
rear of said slide, is made to oscillate on its pivot n, and exert consi-
derable pressure on the parts of the nailing device. The wires are thus
firmly held while the slide G is pressing the pieces to form the "head"
against them. The slide Z returns to the left after the wires embedded
in the wood have been cut off by the descent of parts d. After the
head has been partly formed, and there is only the last. piece to attach
the slide Z is allowed to remain stationary, as no more wire is required
to be supplied. N, part fixed to frame O, pivoted at t, and having a
cam S, on which a stud fixed to the slide G acts; c, pin of slide G, on
; which the horizontal plate of said slide oscillates; &, spring of same; W,
apparatus for supporting the pieces of wood while they are being
fastened together; σ, w, hand lever for holding the pieces in position;
.a, tool for cutting the wires; B, tool for holding the same; y, stop on the

page_text: the hoops are placed; 4, tie rod.
The apparatus which is used for making the joins of the hoops is
mounted on a plate A³, bolted on the table A of the machine.
The joining tool consists of a circular saw a³, provided with a cutter 6¹
of suitable form. This circular saw is mounted on a shaft O¹, carrying a
loose pulley d. In order to set shaft C¹ in motion the pulley & is
brought up to the circular saw by acting on the small lever B¹.
The circular saw and shaft are mounted on the arm P¹, Figure 90,
pivoted at Q¹, and operated by a lever R³, which moves on its pivot o¹ in a
horizontal plane on a support S'. The part P', which is pressed upward by
a spring, is disposed horizontally, but when the attendant acts on lever R¹
said part P¹ is lowered, and with it the saw and its cutter. The saw on
being lowered meets the horizontal plate O¹, on which the hoop iron is
placed. The lever R¹ is perforated for the passage of the bent piece T", .
which is attached to the frame P¹. Thus it will be seen how the saw is
brought down by acting on lever R². Above plate C¹ are two vertical
jaws L', M², which may be lowered by the aid of treadle D, lever E',
and parts g², G³, H³, h¹, F¹. These jaws serve to hold the hoop metal on
the table C¹; e³, plate, against which the end of the hoop is pressed. The
metal being of various thicknesses the two jaws require to work inde-
pendently, for which purpose two springs n³, m³, are employed to aid by
their tension in holding the bands on table C³. In order to make the joins
of the metal hoop it is placed on table O³, where it is held by the two
jaws; the circular saw is then put in motion, and brought up to the
metal by acting on lever R¹³, the junction being made with extreme
rapidity. In order to cut the hooping into lengths it is placed on table A,
with one end touching the movable arm b. At this moment the roller B,
Figure 91, which serves to hold the hooping on the table A, will be on the
incline a, Figure 98, the belt shippers i, f, Figure 96, being above the
loose pulleys E, F, respectively. Lever n¹ is then raised by the aid of a
spring acting on stem Land belt shipper i, carried in guides, which is
brought over the fixed pulley G and screw D, receiving rotary motion
moves roller B towards the left of the Drawing. o, catch on stem L, on
which a lever n of shaft M bears to hold said stem in position. In a few
moments the collar y, which is carried on the screw nut, abuts against
the stop d on the reversing rod c, causing the rod to slide in its sup-

page_text: ports h, g, h, and bringing the belt shipper fin turn over the fast pulley,
while shipper i is moved back opposite the loose pulley, thus reversing
the motion. At the moment this is about to take place the stop d comes
against the bent lever S, whose motion is limited by a part t and the
weighted cutter P, which slides on the two guides or rods Q, held
together by tie R, to which bent lever S is bolted at r, immediately
descends, and cuts the hoop of the length desired. p, pulley, round
which passes a cord attached to the cutter P at q, and at the other end.
to slide H. The roller B now returns towards the right, and the bent
rod S, which is fixed to the nut of the screw, pushes before it the slide H
fixed on the starting lever, thus putting the cord of knifo P in tension,
and returning the same to its former position while it is held suspended
at the top of columns Q by a catch u bearing on a projection carried by
the bent rod S. The part 3 of the screw nut at same time meets the
projection e on the starting lever, and moves it to the right; the part f
then shifts the band on to the loose pulley, and so stops the machine.
As every
The operation is then repeated for another hoop, and so on.
two adjoining hoops of a casks are of different lengths the position of the
arms 6 is varied to cut the metal band of the length required, as clearly
shown in the Drawing. N, Figure 88, counter plate of the hoops; ✗
aperture in table A, through which the detached ends of the hoops fall;
x, rod sliding in part T; Y, slide mounted on rod a³, on which is fixed
arm 6; Y¹, lever provided with a finger Z¹, which works on small
guides W¹ for regulating the length of the hoops. The bands may also
be punched in a machine of similar construction.
.

page_text: thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Melville Clark, 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 MAKING CASKS," a communication to me
from abroad by Emile Gérard and Felix Thuillier, both of Paris, France,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville
Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
3 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 Alexander Melville Clark, 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 had to the nine
Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates to a series of machines for making-casks. The
stave blanks are first cut of a uniform length, and cut out or shaped and
the edges planed in the first machine of the series. They are then
passed over a bright fire, means being provided to regulate the heat as
required, by which they are dried and bent or curved both in the direc-
tion of their length and their breadth, after which they are delivered
to the trussing machine. The cask when mounted and trussed is
brought to its final form by the hooping machine, and it then passes to
another machine in which the staves are grooved to receive the heads,
which machine also serves for beveling and chamfering or dressing the
ends of the staves. Other machines plane the edges of the several pieces
of which the heads are composed, and also put together and turn these
heads. When the cask is headed up it only requires to bo hooped.

page_text: Figure 1 shows an elevation, Figure 2 a plan, and Figure 3 a section
(on line 1-2, Figure 2) of a machine for cutting out the staves, while
Figures 4 and 5 show details.
A, wood framing of the machine carried on supports B; C, table pro-
vided with ledge a and stop b, against which the stave blanks are placed
to be cut to length by circular saws c; D, shoot in which the cut stave
blanks are placed; e, iron plates upon which shoot D is fixed adjustably
by brackets d; f, adjustable guide pieces whose position in the shoot is.
varied according to the length of the stave blanks; E, automatic carriage
by which the stave blanks are fed to the tools; F, ironways running the
whole length of the machine, on which carriage E slides; G, guide or
templet, shown in detail in Figure 4, fixed on carriage E, and consisting
of two steel plates held apart by a wood block; g, iron plates fixed on
the wood block of templet and supporting bolts h provided with nuts,
by which the ends of the steel plates may be adjusted at the required
distance apart; H, steel plate provided with pointed pins and a spring
catch; i, bolts by which plate H is fixed upon the templet; I, iron plate
supported beneath the carriage E by bolts passing through holes / in
the wood block of templet. Said plate is provided with hooks p, q, to
which are attached the ends of the chain by which the carriage E is
traversed to and fro. K, K, pressure rollers, shown also in Figure 5, by
which the stave is held firmly upon the templet whilst it is acted on by
the tools;, bolts supporting the frame of rollers K; L, weighted lever
to act on the pressing rollers; M, metal blade fixed to arms N, by
which the finished stave is detached from the templet on which it is
carried; m, bolts for adjusting position of blades M; n, scrapers for
cleaning the sides of the templet; P, Q, guide pulleys for the chain
attached to carriage; R, chain barrel mounted on shaft S; T, gearing
for working same; U, driving pinion; V, X, Y, fast and loose pulleys;
r, 8, belt shippers supported on a bar t, and operated by a cranked
lever v pivoted at x for reversing the motion; y, handle of lever v,
embracing the stem of a lever a, fulcrumed at B, weighted at its upper
endy, and having an arm & against which abuts alternately the arms
En of a horizontal frame a hung from another frame μm, against whose
ends, which rise above guides F, the carriage E abuts; σ, stop
to limit the motion of lever a; e, slot in which arm n works, it being
drawn in the opposite direction by a spring w. This is designed to
lessen the shock of lever a striking against arms eŋ.
8

page_text: Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 show details of the apparatus for sawing
the edges of the staves. Figure 10 is a top view of the movable guide
B¹ of the sawing machinery; Figure 11 is a side view of the slide O¹
which carries the guide roller; Figure 12 are side and under side views
and section of guide B¹ and slide C¹ connected; Figure 13 shows a side 5
view and plan of tho headstock D' which carries the saw shaft, while
Figure 14 shows a side view of the support A¹ of the sawing apparatus.
:
A³, portion of the sawing apparatus fixed adjustably to the bench of
the machine, so that it may be placed nearer or farther from the centre
of the machine, or at any angle required. a¹, screwed stems for holding 10
guide part B¹, above the fixed part A¹ in clamp 6¹, which prevents its
rising during its longitudinal to-and-fro movement; C³, arm fixed to B' by
a square-headed bolt c', and provided with a roller which is pressed by
spiral springs attached to A¹ and B', constantly against the surface of
the templet; d³, screw mounted in a lug on B³, and working in a nut 1
fixed on C¹ for adjusting the relative positions of C, B', and consequently
of the roller and saws; D¹, headstock carrying the shaft of circular saws
pivoted to B¹ by bolt e¹; f¹, set screw for fixing the part D' at any
desired inclination. By means of the above arrangement, after once
adjusting the templet, any number of staves may be sawn of different 2
widths, but similar one to the other, while by altering the templet,
staves of any desired form or length may be sawn.
Figures 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, show details of the apparatus for
"jointing" or planing the edges of the staves, shown in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 28 shows a section of guide H¹ of the planing machinery; 2
Figure 29, a section of the sliding plate I'; Figure 30, front view and
plan of guide H'; Figure 31, under side and front views of slide I';
Figure 32 shows the plane iron or cutter; and Figure 33 front view and
plan of cutter holder M¹; H³¹; guide fixed adjustably to the machine
framing; h¹, stop against which the screw V₁ of the slide I' abuts. The 3
latter carries a guide roller, and it is fitted to slide in H', to which it is
connected by two spiral springs; m², metal block by which the slide
is connected to guide H¹; M², plane holder fixed by a bolt p¹working in
a slot q¹ on slide I'; r³, screw held between two collars on part M¹ for
changing the relative position of the roller and cutter. By means of 3
the above arrangements any width or form of stave may be planed in
this machine.

page_text: The action of the machine for preparing or cutting out the staves
(Figures 1 and 2) is as follows:-All the working parts are carried on
bench A, B. The blank to be cut to a certain length to form a stave is
first placed on a table C mounted to oscillate on a centre, as seen at the
right hand of the machine, and the table is then brought up to two
circular saws c placed at a suitable distance apart, by which the stave
blanks are cut to length, after which they are shaped in the following
manner:- After being cut to length the staves are placed in the
shoot D, whence they are fed automatically to the saws and cutters by
the carriage E, which traverses to and fro along the ways F, as before
described. Above carriage E is fixed the templet G, which is shown
in detail in Figure 4, and consists of two long steel plates held apart-by
a wood block, the several parts being united by a central bolt. This
wood block carries at each end two metal plates g, having bolts and
nuts h, by adjusting which latter the end of the two steel plates may
be brought more or less closely together, so as to resemble in plan the
form of a stave.
To the underside of the carriage E is attached a plate I by bolts
passing through holes k, the said plate I being connected by hooks
p, q, to the ends of the chain passing round pulleys P, Q, by which the
carriage is moved to and fro. Above the guide or templet is a plate H
fixed to it by bolts i, having three pointed pins and a spring catch at its
front end, which catch on the movement of the carriage E to the right
will be depressed by the stave blanks contained in the shoot, and pass
under the same, but will resume its position immediately it has
passed.
On the return movement of the carriage towards the left the catch
detaches one of the stave blanks from the shoot and brings it first under
the first pressing roller K and then to the sawing apparatus, afterwards
under two other similar rollers; next, to the apparatus for planing the
edges of the staves, and finally under another roller similar to the
foregoing. These rollers shown in detail in Figure 5 are hung in
bearings 6, and are held down by weighted levers L, so as to force the
pins of the templet into the stave and so hold it firmly while it is being
sawn and planed. After passing under the last roller the templet passes
under the two blades M, which being sharpened at their front edges
insert themselves between the templet and the stave, so as to detach the
atter. It remains in this position until forced on by the next stave

page_text: and delivered to the planing machine. The templet returns immediately
it has deposited the stave to obtain a fresh blank, and the operation is
repeated. In order to complete the description of this machine I will
now explain the method of reversing the motion and also the action of
the saws and planes. The carriage is traversed to and fro by the !
two chains shown in thick dotted lines in the Drawing, both being
wound on the drum R. This drum R is mounted on a shaft S receiving
rotary motion alternately in opposite directions by the wheel and
pinion T, U, and pulley V; X, Y, two loose pulleys whose bands (one of
which is crossed) are alternately placed on the fast pulley V, so as to
give the alternate rotary motion referred to. The belt shippers 7, 8, are
mounted on a bar t which is moved to and fro by a lever ♥ pivoted
at x, and provided with a link y, which lever is operated by lever a,
before described (see Figure 1), which is oscillated by the to-and-fro
motion of carriage E, as before mentioned, the motion being reversed:
by the weighted lever a falling over either to the right or left. The
rollers with which the tool holders of the preparing machine arc pro-
vided are in constant contact with the templet, and consequently
the saws and cutters are guided in ther work by the surface of
the steel plates of the templet. A perfect stave made of wood, of 1
equal thickness throughout, should have the form of a lozenge; but it
would not be easy to make one of that shape in the machine
above described, because the circular saw cannot be moved suddenly'
from one direction to another whilst it is in work. It will therefore be
understood that this machine may be provided with four circular saws,
arranged as above described, two of which remove the portions a, a³,
Figure 99, and the other two the portions 6, 6. A cask constructed of
staves of this form would resemble two truncated cones placed base to
base, as shown in Figures 100 and 101, to which a rounded form might
then be given by turning off the projecting ridge in a lathe, as indicated
by the shaded parts, Figure 101. The same results would however also
be obtained by shaping the staves in the first instance as in Figure 102.
In order to prepare the staves of the ordinary form in this improved
machine they are first made of a lozenge shape, and the angles are
then removed with the plane so as to obtain a curved form, as shown
T100

page_text: work in a right line, so that they may be driven at a high speed without
danger of heating.
•
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, show an arrangement of machine for preparing
or cutting out the staves, in which four saws are employed; Figure 6
being a plan, Figure 7, an elevation, and Figure 8 a section taken
through the centre of the saw carrier, while Figure 9 shows one of the
pressing rollers detached on a larger scale. The frame of the machine
is constructed of iron bars A, carried on legs or supports; B, C, slanting
boards forming a hopper or shoot, in which the stave blanks are first
placed; a, brackets to which boards c are attached bolted to metal
plates b, between which passes the catch of the templet; D, carriage
sliding on frame A and carrying the pattern or templet E. The
several parts of the lattar are fixed to a block d; e, e³, steel plates of about
2 inches in width screwed on the sides of the templet; f,f¹, iron bands
of about an inch in width fixed to the steel plates e, e¹; F, top plate of
the pattern, studded with points for holding the stave, and with a spring
catch, as before; H, under plate of the templet, to which the chains for
working same are attached; K, roller for holding down the stave on the
templet while being shaped by the circular saws L, L'; M, weight
acting on pressing roller K; h, blade which serve to detach the staves
from the templet, the latter returning to receive a fresh stave; 1, point
of attachment of the first chain of the carriage; P, guide rollers round
which said chain passes; & point of attachment of second chain; P¹,
guide roller of same; N, drum on which both chains are wound,
mounted on a shaft O and carrying a wheel Q receiving motion from
pinion R by means of pulley S; T, T, loose pulleys; m, m³, belt
shippers; n, axis of fork m; p, shaft of belt shippers; q, cranked lever
oscillating on point r; u, rod which in sliding acts on lever q by means
of tappets 8, 8¹, for reversing the motion, it being operated on by
carriage D abutting against tappets t, t; W, cast-iron brackets bolted
to the framing to support the saw carriers; V, guide of saw carrier,
adjustable at different angles, as well as to or from the centre of the
machine; X, slide fitted to move in guide V; %, springs which regulate
the adjustment of slide X; Y, part carrying a friction or guide roller,
the position with regard to slide X being regulated by a screw v,
whereby the relative positions of the guide rollers and saws are likewise
adjusted; u, guide rollers which press constantly on the templet while
it is passing between the saws; Z, headstock pivoted in x, and adjusted
in position by a screw v.

page_text: The action of the machine is as follows:-The staves are produced of
any size or shape in this machine in one operation. The blanks to form
the staves are thrown by the workman into the hopper C, where they
are conveyed to the saws by the carriage fitted to travel on ways A
extending from end to end of the machine. On this carriage the
templet E is fixed, which latter as before-mentioned consists of a wood
block d and four steel plates e, e¹, two inches in height, secured to said
block, so that they may be contracted or expanded in order to vary the
form of the templet. Two iron bands f,f¹, are fixed to plates e, e¹, the
bands being placed at the upper edges of plates e and the other f¹ at
the lower edges of plates e¹. When the carriage moves to the left the
spring catch on the end of the templet enters between the metal plates b,
and becoming depressed slides beneath the staves in the hopper, the
carrier continuing its movement until its end projects beyond the
hopper, when the catch rises, and on the return movement of the carrier,
removes a stave from the hopper and conveys it to the saws as before
described. The chains for working the carrier are attached to the metal
plate H beneath. The carriage after removing the staves one by one
from the hopper first passes under pressing roller K, thence to two
circular saws L, and under two other rollers similar to K, afterwards
under two circular saws L, and finally under another pressing roller.
These rollers which are provided with weights M serve to hold the
staves firmly on the templet while under the action of the saws. After
leaving the last roller K the templet is conducted towards two metál
blades h, the front edges of which insert themselves between the templet
and the staves, whereby the latter is detached and deposited on blades h
the carriage continuing its movement until its motion is reversed, which
is effected in the following manner :-The carriage is moved to the right
or left by two chains the one attached at 2 to the under side of the
carriage and passing round grooved roller P to drum N on which it is
wound, the chain being attached to the drum at its front end. The
other chain is attached at 7 and passes round the grooved roller P¹ to
drum N on which it is wound, and to which it is also attached at its
back end. Drum N is driven by wheel and pinion Q, R, and pulley §;
T, T, are two loose pulleys each having a belt, one being crossed.
Above the loose pulleys are placed the belt shippers m, m². When the
latter are in the position shown in the Drawing, the machine is at a
standstill but will be immediately started by bringing the fork m over
the fast pulley. The carriage will then travel to and fro until its
-

page_text: -
motion is arrested by separating belt shipper m from m³, and returning
the latter to its former position over the loose pulley. The two belt
shippers m, m³, are both mounted on the same horizontal shaft p which
moves to and fro by the movement of crank lever q. Lever q is pivoted
at and is actuated by the two tappets 8, 8², carried on the reversing
rod, said rod being also provided at each end with a tappet t, t,
against which the carriage abuts at each end of its course.
The several parts of the machine being in the position shown in the
Drawing, by bringing fork m over the fast pulley the carrier will
move towards the right and soon come in contact with tappet which
moves the reversing rod also in the same direction. During this
movement the tappet s turns lever q and consequently pushes back
fork m over loose pulley T, at same time bringing fork m¹ over the
fast pulley. The motion is in this manner reversed. At the other end
of its course the carriage E abuts in a similar manner against tappet t and
slides the reversing rod to the left, at same time that tappet a¹ oscillates
lever q in the opposite direction, and by this means brings fork m² over
pulley T¹ and fork m over fast pulley S. The carriage can only be
arrested while it is in motion from left to right by bringing fork m³ over
the loose pulley and placing fork m in the position indicated in the
Figure.
The action of the four circular saws which are precisely alike is as
follows: Each adjustable saw carrier is composed of four principal
parts, viz.,―
•
1st. A bed or guide V carried on a cast-iron bracket W fixed to the
machine frame. By sliding guide V the saws may be placed nearer or
further from the centre of the framing, and also adjusted at the desired
inclination, after which the guide remains stationary during the whole
time the saws are in work.
2nd. A slide x free to move in the guide V during the motion of the
saws so that the latter may move to and from the centre of the machine.
Strong spiral springs are attached to the parts V and X and have a
constant tendency to bring the saws towards the centre.
3rd. A part Y in which are mounted the guide rollers u, u¹; this
part Y is fixed to slide X during the action of the saws, but their
relative positions and conseqently that of the guide rollers and saws may
be adjusted by means of screws v.

page_text: 4th. A headstock Z pivoted at k and fixed in any desired position on
slide X by screws y. The saw spindle is mounted so that the saws may
be inclined more or less from a vertical line, as required. The templet
in passing under the saws (which are driven at about 1800 revolutions
per minute) bears against the guide rollers u, u³, and presses the saw
frames outwards as the width of the templet increases, each of the saws
partaking in this movement.
It will be observed that by varying the form of the templet or the
position of guide V or by changing the relative position of the saws and
guide rollers, or lastly by inclining the headstock Z more or less, the
saws may be made to work in any plane desired, and thus with the four
saws with which this machine is provided staves may be cut in a lozenge
shape of any length or breadth desired suitable for making all kinds of
casks.
:
When very thin staves, 2/8th of an inch at most in thickness, are 1
required for making a rough kind of cask, two circular saws only need
be used, the templet being made of curved form for the saws to work
against as in the preparing machine first described. In this case
however the sawing would be very uneven and the edges of the staves
require planing afterwards, which is obviated in the machine last 2
described.
I will now proceed to explain the use of the plates f, f', which as
before-mentioned are fixed on the steel templets e, e³. The guide rollers
u first travel on the templets e¹ and then on the plates f; while the
guide rollers a¹ which are on a lower level with regard to their corre- 1
sponding saws first travel on the plates f¹, and then on the steel templets e.
It should be also remarked that the plates f form a continuation in a
straight line of the templets e¹, and strips f¹ a similar continuation of
templets e. By this means the middle of each finished stave is made
to correspond with the centre of the templet, and the circular saws L, L',
thenceforward will cut the wood in a straight line after they have
completed the stave.
The machine for planing the staves is shown in Figures 15 to 27 of
the Drawings, Figure 15 being a plan, and Figure 16 an elevation of the
machine; Figure 17 showing a section of the lower framing; Figure 18 8
a plan of one of the pressing rollers; Figures 19 and 20 detached views
of the upper and lower feed rollers and their shafts; Figure 21 a

page_text: detached view of the driving shaft; Figure 22 detached views of the
plates bearing on the axes of pressing rollers; Figures 23 and 26 show
the two cutters; Figure 25, cast-iron support of levers P and Q;
Figure 24, the bridge piece for transmitting the pressure of lever P on
5 the upper feed roller, while Figure 27 shows a cross bar and upright by.
which the pressure of lever Q is applied to the upper pressing rollers;
D, cast-iron table on standards E; a, wooden guide pieces between
which the stave to be planed is inserted; F, F, cast-iron grooved feed
rollers; G, G¹, fast and loose pulleys; B, pinion on pulley shaft;
0 A, spur wheel on lower feed roller; C, C¹, toothed wheels gearing
together the shafts H, I, of the feed rollers; K, supports of the upper
feed and pressing rollers; b, journals of upper feed roller shaft resting in
bearings in plates K; c, metal guides for the staves; L, L', pressing
rollers; M, M', cutters; d, d², plates for adjusting same; e, e³, metal
5 pillars fixed on table D; P, Q, pressing levers; R, bridge pieces for
applying the pressure of lever P on upper feed rollers; S, upright and
cross bar for applying the pressure of lever Q on both pressing rollers;
9, journals of shaft of upper feed roller in which bridge piece R rests;
h, metal plates on which cross bar S rests. This machine is very simple
Oand requires but little description. On leaving the preparing machinery
the staves are pushed one after the other between the guides a
on the
table D, then between the two grooved feed rollers F, F¹. They then pass
under rollers L, L', and over two cutters M, M³, the first one of which
removes a shaving of about 4th of an inch in width at each edge of
3 the stave while the second cutter planes the whole surface.
'
The heating apparatus is illustrated in Figures 34 to 40 of the
Drawings, Figure 34 being a side elevation, Figure 35 an end view,
and Figure 36, a plan of the machine; Figure 37 is a section on the
line yo; Figure 38, a section of carriage on line aß; Figure 39 shows
› details; while Figure 40 shows detached views of an implement for
removing the last staves from the heater. A, A, B, B¹, metal plates
forming the sides of the heater; C, grate; B, fire-doors fitted above the.
grate bars; E, E, flanges extending the whole length of sides A, and
serving to confine the ends of the staves and bend them downwards;
5 F, F¹, bars on which slide H is supported, and moves to and fro in
guides; K, L, longitudinal central bar supported on the end plates B, B',
of the heating chamber, for the middle of the staves to rest on; b, c, d,
e, f, h, 1, Figure 34, outline of upper edge of bar K, L; G, support.

page_text: for F; M, N, crank and connecting rod for working slide H; m, n, lugs
formed on louvre plates jointed to bar K, L, at o, and also to the
connecting rod P, Q, at p; R, lever for working rod P, Q, by means of
axle S, T, having a lever arm q which acts on stud r fixed to bar P, Q;
✗, strut for holding lever R in position; Y, Figure 40, device for
removing the last staves to be attached to slide H by two lugs or
claws & pivoted at u, and connected by a cross bar x; t, slots to receive
lugs &; y, hook on the slide by which the claws 8 are locked in position.
The action of the heater is as follows:-Coke is supplied to the grate
at the doors D, D³. The first stave is placed on the bars F, F, with its
end abutting against the side of bar F, and its rear edge against the
raised part of slide H. The stave is placed in position during the
backward motion of the slide, which then pushes the stave forward until
it meets the bar K, L, on which it bears at about its middle, while its
ends are held under the flanges E. The rest of the staves are successively
fed in the same way to the apparatus, each stave being pushed forward
by the succeeding ones in such way that the staves are caused to
traverse the whole length of the heating chamber, during which time
owing to the relative positions of the bar K, L, and of ledges E, they
are bent in the direction of their length, and being at same time highly
heated during their passage through the apparatus the curvature thus
imparted is rendered nermanent

page_text: A, rotating platform on which the staves are placed, as shown,
provided with a flange a, against which the staves are held by spring
clips 6; B, tubular support or sleeve carrying platform A, fitted to slide
and turn in a socket on the tripod stand O; D, movable plate supported
above platform A on a central rod sliding through B, and held up by a
latch c; E, cast-iron conical ring or compresser; F, screw shaft for
working the compresser; G, fly wheel'; H, guide of screw shaft;
d, e, bevel wheels; f, g, h, fast and loose pulleys; m, n, belt shippers;
M, reversing lever weighted at O; o, p, q, rod and lever for throwing
the machine out of gear; N, catch for holding up weighted lever M,
and provided with fingers s, t, acting on lever p; P, rod fixed on the
compresser ring and carrying a tappet Q, which acting on link N arrests
the motion of the machine; R, S, truss hoops.
To build up a cask the attendant places the staves on end around
the platform A as before mentioned, the lower ends being held between
clips 6 and rim a, and the upper ends of the staves resting against
plate D, as shown. The cask is then trussed with three truss hoops
applied one in the middle and one at top and bottom. This is effected
by the aid of the compresser E consisting of a conical ring, and two
parts hinged together, as shown in Figures 106 to 107, whose inner
surface when they are locked together coincides with that of the ring.
The e.compresser E is moved up and down by the screw shaft F which
works through a nut fixed to the framing, and is driven by bevel
gearing d, e, connected to the screw shaft by a groove and feather. The
loose pulleys g, h, are placed one on either side of pulley f, with two
belts, one of which is crossed.
The following is the action of the machine, the belt shippers m, n,
being in the position shown and the screw at rest:-On transferring the
belt from pulley 9 to pulley of the screw will be set in motion, and the
compresser E commence its downward movement. If now a downward
pressure be applied on platform A, the sleeve B will bear on weighted
lever M and oscillate the latter, raising rod o and rocking lever p, which
moves arm q to the left, and consequently brings fork n over the fast
pulley, and returns fork m to its former position. Thus the motion is
reversed, and the compresser E rises at same time that the horizontal
arm of lever p also rises and abuts against link N which is pivoted at y,
and has a constant tendency to swing forward, except when prevented
by lever p. When the horizontal arm passes beyond fingers of part N

page_text: it continues to bear on finger and rests thereon. When compresser E
rises the tappet Q abuts against link N, and moves it backwards until
the horizontal arm of lever p is released, at same time that fork n is
returned by weighted lever M over loose pulley h, and the motion is at
once arrested.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the downward motion is
regulated according to the pressure applied on platform A, while the
upward movement is regulated by adjusting the position of link N and
tappet Q.
The proper number of staves having been first placed on the plat 1
form A, the middle truss hoop R is placed round them, and the machine
set in motion, the hinged part of the compresser being first opened, as
shown in Figure 107. The ring in descending presses on the truss hoop
until the pressure overcomes the weighted lever O, and the motion is
reversed. The ring then rises and stops, as before described. The
hinged parts of the compresser are then closed together and locked, as in
Figure 106, and the top truss hoop is placed on the cask S.
It will be unnecessary to use the machine for putting on this hoop, as
the staves which have still a tendency to expand will hold it themselves.
The plate or mandrel D is then lowered and the barrel reversed, as :
shown in Figure 111. The conical ring is then brought down, and
encircling the ends of the staves forces them together, and the hinged
parts being closed assist in compressing the staves, upon which a third
truss hoop is thrown on immediately they appear above the compresser.
The cone still continuing to descend compresses the staves until the
motion is reversed, whereupon the attendant quickly throws open the
hinged jaws, and the ring rises free of the barrel and then stops. The
truss hoop last applied is now tightened by bringing down the compresser
once more with the jaws locked. By this machine three truss hoops are
applied and made to bite on the cask by a suitable adjustment of
weighted lever O.
A greater number of truss hoops may if necessary be placed on the
cask by superposing several compressers, such as that above described.
The cask is now ready to be transferred to the hooping machine, which
is illustrated in Figures 56 to 61 of the Drawings, Figure 56 being an
elevation of the machine; Figures 57 and 58, sections of same on
lines 1, 2, and 3, 4; Figure 59 is an enlarged under side view of plate L;

page_text: Figure ov, detached view or a gripper or claw; ana figure 61, plan or &
nut Q.
A, cast-iron framing of the machine bolted to a wood upright B,
which is firmly embedded in the ground; C, table on which the barrel
to be hooped is placed; E, tube sliding in fixed socket F; D, hand
lever pivoted at d for preventing the rotation of table O; G, lever
pivoted at f for raising sleeve E, and with it the nut in which the screw
of table Ơ works; b, spring mounted on a fixed part e, and pressing
lever D outwards; a, lugs formed round the edge of table O; 9, set screw
for limiting the movement of lever G; h, m, claws or drivers pivoted at /
for fixing the hoops on the cask; H, segments fixed on plate L, to which
an up-and-down motion is imparted; n, steel springs united in a ring o
for holding claws h up to the cask; h¹, triple claws to be used at the
laps of the hoops; M, rod carrying the guide cone N used to centre the
cask, and to form a guide for the claws; P, rods connecting plate L
with nut Q; R, three-threaded screw; p, bevel wheel fitted with a
groove and feather connection on screw shaft; q, bevel wheel on driving
shaft; S, fast, and T, T', loose pulleys with open and crossed belts; r,
collar or shoulder keyed on screw shaft; U, fly wheel loose on said shaft ;
V, ratchet wheel keyed on the shaft, and actuating fly wheel U by
means of pawl 8; aß, belt shippers; x, pivot of lever X forming
part of belt shipper; ay, bar, carrying shipper ẞ mounted on a
bracket ; σo, studs on reversing rod; y, elbow lever pivoted at €;
2, vertical rod attached to lever y; 0, bent lever having a notch µ and
a slotted plate w resting on nut Q; p, pin of lever y lodging in the
notch of lover μ. This machine serves to more firmly fix the
temporary truss hoops applied on the cask by the trussing machine
previously described, so as to compress the staves still closer together,
and bring the cask to its final form, and also for permanently fixing tho
wood or iron hoops with which the cask is to be provided. The barrol
to be hooped is placed on the table C, which is disposed at a convenient
height, and may have an upward or downward motion imparted to it
either by turning the screw supporting said table in its nut or by making
the tube E, which carries the nut, to slide in the socket F. To raise or
-lower the table O by rotation the attendant first pulls back lever D to
disengage it from the catches a on the table. The table O can only
descend by the sliding of tube E when the pressure upon it overcomes
the resistance of the counterweight lever G pivoted at f. After the ;
>
'

page_text: cask is placed on the table a hoop is applied on it by hand, and forced
into position by the claws or grippers h, which have a variable up-and-
down movement. The downward movement of the claws h ceases
automatically, and the motion is reversed only when the hoop is forced
home.
This action is produced in the following manner:-The plates L, to
which the claws h are attached, is connected by rods P to the nut Q,
which travels up and down on screw R, as before mentioned. The
screw shaft receives rotary motion alternately in either direction, and
is free to move up and down through the wheel p. The fly wheel U
is mounted loosely on the upper end of the screw, and is rotated during
the downward motion of the claws h by the ratchet wheel V engaging
with pawl S. The bands being both on the loose pulleys the machine is
started by shifting fork X. The claws h then descend, the double
cone N first coming down on to the chine of the cask so as to properly 1
centre the same, the cone N becoming lodged therein while the claws
continue to descend. The latter are pressed against the cask by the
springs n, and force the hoop before them until it is driven nearly home.
As the hoop then becomes more difficult to move the drivers are arrested
in their downward motion, the nut Q also remaining stationary, or ?
nearly so, but as the screw continues to turn in the same direction it
commences to rise until the roller 7 strikes against the upper arm of
framing A with sufficient force, aided by the momentum of the fly
wheel, to drive the hoop quite home, and overcome the resistance of the
lever G to the sliding of tube E, which then reverses the motion by a
the aid of the parts before referred to. The claws then rise, leaving the
cask free, and the lever G returns to its former position, and throws the
machine out of gear, when the nut Q rises and oscillates lever 0, which
by its notch μ sustains rod ≈ and counterweight of lever G. The
operation of the machine may then be repeated by shifting fork x, as a
before.
The machine for chining or grooving, beveling, and chamfering is
illustrated in Figures 41 to 55, inclusively. Figure 41 shows an
elevation of the machine; Figure 42, plan of plate O; Figure 43, under
side plan of same; Figure 44, plan of movable table R, on which the a
cask is placed; Figures 45 and 46, detached views of the levers used for
raising table R; Figure 47, detached view of hand lever X, which
engages in a fork V on table R to prevent the rotation of the latter;

page_text: outwards. When lever G is released the springs r, s, return the tools
to their former position.
The following is the action of the machine:-The cask is placed on
table R, which is then brought up to plate O by pressing on the
treadle S. The sleeve is prevented from acting on the bevilling tool by!
turning round one of the arms g, h; plate C is then set in motion, and
pressure is brought to bear on lever G. In this manner the grooving
and chamfering tools are put in action.
After this first part of the operation is terminated lever G is released,
and the rotation of shaft D arrested; then by adjusting the arms g, h, 1
the two first tools are thrown out of action, and the bevelling tool only
brought into use, after which the machine is again set in motion.
When one end of the cask is completed the motion is stopped, the hand
and foot levers G, S, released, and table R lowered to the position shown
in the Figure. The cask is then reversed, and the operation repeated at
the other end.
Figures 62 to 76 illustrate the machine for making the head blanks
of the cask.
Figure 62 shows an elevation of the machine; Figure 63, a plan,
and Figure 64, a section of the machine on line 1-2, Figure 63;
Figure 65 shows a plan and section of the carriage Z; Figure 66, end
views of the bed C; Figure 67, plan, front, and side view of the
dowelling device; Figure 68, view of the movable part of said device;
Figure 69, view of stop y of same; Figure 70, view of part S of same;
Figure 71, view of intermediate part 7, carrying the upper tool for
gripping the wires; Figure 72, view of the parts W, W¹, supporting the
lower or bed tools for cutting and gripping the wires; Figure 73, views
of the parts V and X, in which are fitted the lower or bed tools for
cutting and gripping the wires; Figure 74 shows the tool for cutting
the wire; Figure 75 shows the tool for gripping the wire; Figure 76,
face view of this tool.
A, bench; B, standards; C, bed of the machine; a, bearings carrying
the driving shaft D of planing cutter; b, guides in which the plane is
supported; c, plate on which the pieces to be planed are placed; E, bar,
carrying plane, moved to and fro by crank and connecting rod from
shaft D; G, slide, having to-and-fro motion on bed C; F, screw for

page_text: •
traversing said slide; P, dowelling device; Q, movable, and R, fixed
portions of same; Y, Y¹, drums on which the wire is coiled; d, hammers
which cut the wires in falling on to the dowelling device; e, f, g, fast
and loose pulleys; h, i, belt shippers; k, straps, attached to and
supporting weights; d, l, ends of hammer arms; m, transverse bar,
oscillated on pivot n by means of lever o; p, lever, acting on fork i for
starting the machine; H, L, bent lever pivoted at q; I, starting rod;
M, oscillating bar, pivoted to C, and provided with a stud x and notch »,
the tail end of said bar being held back by a spiral spring, whose position
is indicated by a dotted line in the Drawing; N, arm, pivoted at t to
frame O, and provided with a cam 8 on which acts a stud fixed on
slide G; p, pivot on which the horizontal plate of slide G oscillates;
e, spring for returning said plate to position%3; W, apparatus for holding
the planks on the bed of the machine while they are being wired;
8, lever on which the attendant bears for holding the planks, a spring
being used for returning said lever to position when released; w, fork
for limiting the lateral motion of the lever; Z, slide for supplying wire
to the dowelling device; 8, holes made in the end of bed OC through.
which the wires pass to the said device; e, springs pressing on the wires
to prevent their returning; o, guides in which the slide Z works;.
n, lever for working slide Z; 6, grippers of slide Z, pivoted at λ, and.
serving to hold the wires during the movement of the slide towards the
right; μ, hooks with which during the return movement of the slide are
connected catches provided on the grippers 0; , arm jointed to the tail
of slide Z, pivoted at one end on n, and which when said slide moves to
the left bears against those parts of the dowelling device, which serve to
hold the wires; a, tool for cutting the wires; B, tool for holding the
same; y, stop on the movable part of the dowelling device for reversing
the motion of slide G; S, T, U, U¹, V, X, parts of the dowelling device,
made so as to be readily separated to allow of the cutting and gripping
tools being replaced when required. The several pieces of which the
heads of the cask are made are first planed on the edges and then wired
together, both by this machine. The pieces of wood to be planed are
placed on the plate c beneath the tool, and by simply pressing the wood
against the plane its edges will be at once made perfectly smooth. The
slide G at starting is at one end of its course next to the central upright
of frame O. The attendant places the first piece of wood on the bench
and in front of slide G, which is then moved to the left hand, pushing
the wood before it towards the dowelling device P. This device presents.
'

page_text: the ends of two lengths of iron wire to the advancing piece of wood.
The device holds the wires firmly as the wood approaches, and they thus
become embedded therein. Immediately the wood touches the device
the two hammers ḍ are released by the attendant, and caused to descend
upon the said device, and cut the wires at the distance of about one inch a
from the edge of the wood to form dowels. At this moment the motion
is reversed, and slide G returns automatically to its first position, at same
time raising hammers d, the slide stopping at the end of its course.
The attendant then replaces the first piece of wood against slide G,
supplies more wire to the dowelling device, and then places a second 1
piece of wood on the left of the first, after which the operation is
repeated as before by setting slide G in motion, the two pieces being
united together at same time as the wires are embedded in the second
piece. The same action is repeated until the head blank is completed.
When there remains but one piece to complete the blank no wire is :
supplied by the device which remains stationary, and the hammers d are
not operated, as in this case the slide G simply serves to unite the last
piece to the others. W, Figures 63 and 64, is a small apparatus for
holding down the pieces firmly on the bench with the assistance of two
small rollers hung from a lever σ. By this means the pieces are
prevented from rising as they are being wired together, so that the head
may be present a perfectly smooth surface on the one side.
The following are additional details of the construction of the
machine: The slide G is connected to the nut of screw F by two
strong iron rods sliding in an upright of frame C. Said screw F is
operated by two bands (one crossed), a fixed pulley e, and two loose
pulleys fg. When the slide moves to the left it raises the two
hammers & before referred to by means of strap K, in which position the
tail ends of said hammers are held by a cross bar m which is oscillated
by the hand lever o. When the slide moves to the left the cord k is
slackened, but the two hammers d remain suspended until released by
the attendant at the desired moment. The dowelling device is composed
of a fixed part R and a movable part Q. The part Q carries a stud y
which acts on lever H and rod I, reversing the motion when the slide
G has arrived at its extreme left hand position. The arm L of lever H
carries a weight which is not shown in the Drawing, and when slide G
has moved to the extreme right it oscillates part M, by which the
weighted arm L is supported, thus releasing lever H and stopping the

page_text: -
machine. The dowelling device being shown in detail in the Drawing
does not require further description. The wire is supplied to the
machine by the slide Z which is made to reciprocate on slides by the
lever n, and is provided with two small grippers 6 which carry the wire
with them during its movement to the right, but release it on its return
movement. When the slide moves towards the right the part which is
jointed in rear of said slide is made to oscillate on its pivot n, and exerts
considerable pressure on the dowelling device. The wires are thus firmly
held while the slide G is pressing the pieces of the head blank against
them. The slide Z returns to the left after the wires embedded in the
wood have been cut off.
The next part of the Invention relates to the tools for turning the
heads which are illustrated in Figures 77 to 85 of the Drawings.
Figure 77 shows an edge view of a finished head; Figure 78, plan of
a plate B to be placed on the back centre of the lathe used for turning
the heads; Figure 79 shows the under side of said plate and also the
ring A. by which the head is centred; Figure 80 shows a section of
parts A, B; Figures 81 and 82 show detached views of the tool for.
cutting the head in a circular direction; while Figures 83, 84, and 85,
show the tools for beveling the heads as also the tool holder to be fixed
to the slide rest. The heads are finished in any ordinary lathe with the
aid of the above tools. The tool holder fixed to the slide rest is made
of U form, and has three tools affixed to the ends of its limbs, viz., a
cutting tool and two beveling tools. The ring A is placed on the head
blank so as to encircle the same, after which plate B is inserted in the
ring, whereby the blank is centred; a conical cavity is shown on the top
side of the plate B which is applied on the back centre of the lathe, and
the work being then fixed between the face plate and the plate B the
operation is at once commenced. It will be observed that plate B is
provided with steel points which penetrate the head and attach it firmly
thereto.
The machine for cutting the hooping into lengths and making the
joints of the hoops is illustrated in Figures 86 to 98 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Figure 86 shows a plan of the machine; Figure 87 a section of same
on line 1, 2; Figure 88 a section on line 3, 4; and Figure 89 an
clevation on line 5, 6. Figure 90 shows a detached view of a pressing

page_text: roller B; Figure 91, two views of the cutter; Figure 92, detail views of
a guide T; Figure 93 shows a device for regulating the length of the
hoops; and Figure 94 shows the rack W¹ of this device detached;
Figure 95, a detail of the belt shippers; Figure 96, a detail of the support
for rod c; Figure 97 is a detail of an inclined block on which the
roller B rests when the machine is out of action; while Figure 98 shows
a detail of bearing for the shaft of saw used in thinning the ends of the
hoops.
A, table; B, metal roller travelling on table A, and serving to hold down
the hooping thereon before it is cut into lengths; D, triple threaded
screw for traversing roller B; G, E, F, fast and loose pulleys;
c, reversing rod supported in bearings h, g, k, and bent in front of the
driving pulleys; e, d, studs on rod c; H, slide on said rod; f, i, belt
shippers; , guides on the rod c; L, second reversing rod carrying the
belt shipper i; o, notch on said rod; M, spindle on which is mounted":
a lever n engaging with the notch o of rod L, and so holding the latter
in a certain position; Q, pillars forming guides for a weight P which
carries a knife having a lug u engaging in a notch on a bent rods;
R, the tie bar of pillars Q, to which bent rods is pivoted at r; p, pulley
over which passes a cord attached at the one end to the eye 9 of:
weight P, and at the other end to slide H; t, stop for limiting the motion
of the bent rod 8; N, bed knife for dividing the hooping; X, aperture
in table A through which the scraps cut off fall; x, round rod sliding in
guides of part T; b, arm against which bears the end of the hoops to
be cut; Y, slide carrying arm 6 fixed adjustably on rod x¹ by means
of rod y¹ provided with a lug 2¹, taking into the notches in rack W¹ for
regulating the length of the hoops; a, circular saw for tapering the
ends of the hoops; B, saw shaft mounted in bearing 6; €, table on
which the hoops to be tapered are laid; 0, tie rod; A³, plate carrying
the apparatus for making the joint for the ends of the hoops; B¹, lever
for sliding pulley & forward or backward to put it in gear by the
coupling e, f, with the shaft of the tool for making the joints of the
hoops; P¹, frame in which shaft c¹ is mounted, pivoted at Q¹, and held
up by a spring; a¹, tool for making the joints of the hoops provided
with a curved cutter 6; R, lever acting on bent arm T¹ fixed to;
frame P¹, and passing through a hole in R¹ for lowering the tool shaft by
oscillating frame P¹ on its pivot o¹; S¹, support on which lever R¹ bears
in its horizontal movement; D³, treadle which is depressed for the
purpose of holding the hoop; E, lever pivoted at 9', and serving to

page_text: lower the two clamps L', M', by means of the connections G³, H¹;
h³, pivot of lever H¹; F¹, spring for raising lever E¹; m³, n¹, springs
which assist the lever E in compressing the hoops on table C¹; e¹, plate
against which the end of the hoop is pressed.
The above machine performs three distinct functions; viz., 1st., cuts
up the hooping into suitable lengths for the hoops; 2nd., tapers the ends,
and 3rd., makes the joints of the hoops.
I will first describe the two latter operations. In order to taper the
ends of the hoops they are presented to the circular saw a. The joining
tool consists of a circular saw a¹ provided with a cutter 6' of suitable
form, as before mentioned. The attendant brings down by means of
lever R³, the saw and its cutter towards the horizontal plate O¹ on which
the hoop iron to be joined is placed. The metal being of various thick-
nesses the two clamps require to work independently, for which purpose
¡ the two springs n', m³, are employed to aid by their tension in holding
the bands on table. O¹. In order to slope the ends of the metal hoop it
is placed on table C³, where it is held by the clamps, the circular saw is
then put in motion and brought down to the metal by acting on lever R³,
the joint being made with extreme rapidity. In order to cut the hooping
into lengths they are placed on table A with one end touching the
adjustable stop b. At this moment the roller B which serves to hold the
hooping on the table A will be on the inclined block a and therefore
raised off the table, the belt shippers i, f, being above the loose pulleys
E, F, respectively. Lever n¹ is then raised and by the aid of a spring
acting on rod L, belt shipper is brought over the fast pulley G and
screw d, receiving rotary motion, roller B is moved towards the left. In
a few moments the spring tappet y which is carried on the screw nut
abuts against the stop d on the reversing rod c causing the rod to slide
in its supports and bringing the fork F over the fast pulley, while fork i
is moved back opposite the loose pulley, thus reversing the motion. At
the moment this is about to take place the stop & comes against the bent
levers and the weighted cutter P, which slides on the two pillars, Q
immediately falls and cuts the hoop of the length desired. The roller B
now returns towards the right and the bent arm S which is fixed to the
nut of the screw pushes before it the slide H, thus raising the knife P to
its former position, where it is held suspended at the top of pillars Q by
the catch 2 supported in a notch in bent lever 8. The spring rod Z of
the screw nut at same time meets the stop e on the rod c and moves it

page_text: to the right, the fork then shifts the band on to the loose pulley and so
stops the machine. The operation is then repeated for another hoop and
so on. As every two adjoining hoops of a cask are of different lengths,
the position of the stop 6 is varied to cut the metal bands of the length
required. The bands may also be punched in a machine of similar
construction.
I will now recapitulate the advantages of the improved machinery of.
this Invention,―
1st. The Machine for Preparing the Staves.-Machines have already
been devised by which the stave has been produced in a series of distinct:
operations. Thus to produce the curved edges of the stave it has been
necessary that each edge should be successively acted on, and in order
to give it a lozenge form it was presented four times in succession to the
circular saw. In these machines also the stave after being shaped
required to be bevelled at the edges by another tool. Now both the
preparing machines herein-before described, perform all these operations
at one time, thereby effecting a great saving in time and labor.
2nd. The Machine for Planing the Staves.-This method of planing
has no particular feature of novelty, except as regards its application for
the above purpose.
3rd. The Heater.-This apparatus is entirely novel; I am aware that
staves have before been bent by means of steam, but this method is
objectionable inasmuch as the wood has a great tendency to reassume its
original shape when exposed to the air; but this is not found to be the
case when bent by the heat of a coke fire.
4th. The Trussing Machine.-Casks have been trussed by means of a
hydraulic press, but a machine on the system above described driven by
steam power is much more rapid in its action.
5th. The Hooping Machine.-The same observation applies to this
machine, which possesses the distinctive feature of placing the hoops in
different positions on the same cask, while by using heavier or lighter
counterweights said hoops may be driven on with greater or less force
as desired.
6th. The Notching or Grooving Machine.-I am aware that machines
have been used for grooving and bevelling staves before building them

page_text: up into a cask, but this is objectionable on account of the difficulty in
making the grooves correspond when the cask is trussed.
7th. The Machine for Preparing the Heads.-This machine wires or
dowels the parts of the heads together, the pins or dowels being supplied
at same time from coils of wire.
This is an entirely novel feature in
cask making.
With the aid of the series of machines described, a cask may be turned
out complete in the space of a few minutes, and which is at same time
perfectly "tight," a result never hitherto attainable with machine made
casks, and the cost of labor in making a nine gallon cask on this system
would not exceed one penny.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim as the
Invention to be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,―
1st. The combination of machines herein described and illustrated
constituting a complete series for the manufacture of casks of all kinds.
2nd. The two machines for preparing or cutting out the staves with
their accessories, constructed and operating substantially as shown and
described with reference to Figures 1 to 14, and Figures 28 to 33, the
characteristic feature of said machines being the use of circular saws for
producing staves of any thickness with rapidity.
3rd. The arrangement of machine for planing the staves substantially
as described and represented in Figures 15 to 27. for the purpose

page_text: 7th. The machine for making the head blanks self supplied with
dowel pins, constructed and operating substantially as described and
illustrated in Figures 62 to 76.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third day of November, 5
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.