A NEW AND USEFUL MACHINE FOR CUTTING ONE OR MORTICES. FORMING THE SIDES OF AND CUTTING THE PIN-HOLE OF THE SHELLS OF BLOCKS, AND FOR TURNING AND BORING THE SHIVERS, AND FITTING AND FIXING THE COAK THEREIN
Year: 1801

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ISAMBARD BRUNEL, of Bedford Street, Bedford. Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS His Majesty King George the Third did, by His Royal Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Tenth day of February, in the forty-
first year of His reign, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Marc Isambard Brunel, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns,
His especial licence, full power, sole priviledge and authority, that I, the said
Marc Isambard Brunel, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, and exercise, and vend, my Invention of "A NEW
AND USEFUL MACHINE FOR CUTTING ONE OR MORTICES. FORMING THE SIDES OF AND
CUTTING THE PIN-HOLE OF THE SHELLS OF BLOCKS, AND FOR TURNING AND BORING
THE SHIVERS, AND FITTING AND FIXING THE COAK THEREIN," within that part of
Great Britain called England, His Dominion of Wales, and His Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed; in which Letters Patent is, among other things, con-
tained a certain proviso, that if I, the said Mare Isambard Brunel, should
not particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under
iny hand and seal, and cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within one calendar month next and immediately after the

page_text: date of the said Letters Patent, then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties
and advantages thereby granted, should absolutely cease, determine, and
become void, any thing therein-before contained to the contrary in anywise
notwithstanding, as in and by the said Letters Patent will more fully and at
large appear, on relation being thereunto had.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with and obedience to the said
proviso, I, the said Marc Isambard Brunel, do by this instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, and which I shall forthwith cause to be inrolled in
His Majesty's High Court of Chancery, declare that my said Invention is
particularly described and ascertained by the Drawings and sections thereof
hereunto annexed, and by the letters and figures thereon respectively marked,
and the description thereof following, that is to say :-
The whole machine is divided into four different parts:-The first repre-
sents an engine for cutting one or more mortices at the same time, and
is exhibited in different views under the Figures 1, 2, 3, 4. Figure 1 repre-
sents the front elevation of the engine; the second, its lateral section and
elevation; the third, the plan of the box or carriage in which the piece of
wood intended to be cut is laid; and the fourth, the shape of the cutters, upon
a a scale of double the dimensions of that according to which the other parts are
represented. Observation.-The piece of wood intended for making the shell
of a block ought to be well seasoned, that the exactness of the mortices may
not be injured after they are cut by the warping of the wood. It should be,
cut to the length required for the size of the shell and squared nearly to its
dimension; it should be afterwards fixed in the box A, Figure 1, 2, 3, and a
round hole for each mortice bored through it towards one end of it, either
before or after it is fixed. A, Figure 1, 2, 3, represents a carriage or box
without a bottom, sliding horizontally and lengthwise between the two uprights
B, B, Figure 1, and resting on the platform C, Figures 1 and 2. At the front
extremity, and on one side of this carriage, are two screws F, F, Figure 3, to
steady the piece of wood W in the carriage; the same, when much smaller
than the carriage, being steadied by pieces of wood T, T, Figure 3, placed in
the carriage on each side of it.When the wood is set in the carriage, which
is drawn back for the purpose of cutting the mortices, so as to bring the holes
already bored in the wood exactly under the cutters E, E, Figure 1, and E,
Figure 2. These cutters are set into the square sockets F, F, Figure I, and
F, Figure 2, and fixed firmly therein by screws a, a, Figure 1, a piece of wood b,
Figure 1, is intended to keep the sockets at the required distance from each
other; they are fixed to the plate G, Figure 1, by the clamps e, e, and are
adjusted as required by the screws d, d, d, d, which make them more horizon-

page_text: tally to the right or left. The plate G slides up and down between the two
uprights B, B. in the brass grooves H, II. Figures 1 and 2; this plate is set
in motion by the crank J, Figures 1 and 2, by means of the fork g, which is
connected with bolts.. This engine is intended to be moved by turning the
handle K, Figure 1 and 2; and in order to render the power applied for this
purpose more equal, a fly-wheel of about five feet in diameter, and about two
hundred and fifty pounds weight is fixed to the extremity of the spindle L.
The cutters, when in motion, playing up and down begin to cut at first from
the inner side of the holes previously bored, cutting at each stroke quite
through the wood from the upper to the under surface, the wood after each
stroke being, by the forward motion of the carriage, made to slide lengthwise
and horizontally an equal space in order to receive the next stroke, till the
mortices are cut of the length required; they are represented in Figure 3,
as when cut half way. The forward motion of the carriage is given by a
double thread skrew M, Figure 2, which is propelled by the rocket wheel N,
Figure 1 and 2, which acts only when the cutters are raised above the surface
of the wood. Behind the sliding plate G there is a pin O, see Figure 2,
which sets in motion the lever P, Figures 1 and 2, which is connected by the
spindle Q, Figure 2, with the lever R, Figures 1 and 2; at its lower extremity
is a pall S, Figures 1 and 2, which moves the rocket wheel N, Figures 1 and 2.
The carriage advances an equal space every time the cutters rise, which space
may be made greater or lesser by setting the pall S higher or lower on the
lever R, according to the size of the blocks. The cutters are enabled by this
moto n of the carriage to cut at each stroke from 3 to 100th of an inch,
more or less, as the nature of the work may require. When the mortices are
entirely cut, the piece of wood is taken off to make room for another, which
when fixed and screwed in the carriage, the latter is drawn back by the
assistance of the same screw which propels it, by turning the handle U,
Figure 2, towards the left, after having taken off a stopper V, Figure 2, which
prevents the screw from turning when the rocket wheel acts. B, Figure 4,
represents the front, and C the side view of our cutter out of the socket.
This cutter is a kind of mortice chissel, round on the bevel side, of the
size in proportion to the breadth of the mortice required to be made, the
upper part of it is square and let into the hollow part of the socket. At
the bevel of the chissel there is a pin A, which clears the chips out of the
mortice at every stroke. This pin, which goes into a hole in the chissel, is
knocked out when the chissel is to be ground.
Second part represents the engine for sawing the sides or edges F, F,
Figure 2, so as to give them the circular form required. Figure 1 represents

page_text: the front elevation of the engine; second, the plan of the table W and the
shell A, one side of which is nearly shaped; third, the lateral section of the
engine; fourth, the rack and wheels by, which the shell is moved in a circular
direction; and fifth, the spindle explained under the letter S, Figures 1 and 2.
The mortices being cut, the shell A, Figures 1 and 2, is fixed within the two
arms B and C, Figures 1, 2, and 3, by the means of the pieces described
hereafter and horisontal rail h, Figure 2, fixed on the upper extremity of two
uprights t, t, Figure 2, forms a rest n, Figure 1, fixed to the left-hand side of
the table W, W; another rest m, Figures 1, 2, and 3, with a single upright is
fixed to the right hand. These rests may be raised or lowered when required.
Before the fixing of the shell the rest H is turned towards the left as much as
required to be at right angle with the horizontal rail h, Figure 2; a board n,
Figure 1, being passed through one of the mortices, and the end of the shell,
where the mortices are formed square, turned towards the plate a, Figures 1
and 2; the screw b is turned in order to keep the shell steady in an horizontal
direction between the arms B and C, Figure 1. The shell being fixed, the rest H
is turned towards the saw O, which is then set in motion.
At the upper
extremity of the arm B is a screw b, Figures 1 and 2, to fix the shell; and at
the upper extremity of the arm C is a plate a, with several sharp points, which
are also intended to keep the shell steady when pressed by the screw b, the
two arms Brand C, are either contracted or extended to receive different sizes
of shells, and held fast by the pin E passing through the clamp d, Figures 1 and
3, and the sliding barrs D, D, Figure 1, which are capable of being drawn
backwards and forwards against each other, as the distance between the arms
B and C is required to be increased or diminished, there being several holes
through the barrs at equal distance. The clamp d, Figure 1 and 3, is
screwed upon a round plate F, Figures 1 and 3, and keeps the barrs fast and
close together; the plate turns upon the extremity G of the rest H, Figures 1,
2, and 3, to which it is fixed by a center pin screwed underneath, in order to
change the sides of the edges of the shell when required. The plate F is pre-
vented from turning when the saw O; Figures 1 and 3, acts' by a small pin
which passes through it and-the-head-G-at-some distance from its center, the
small pin is taken out when the sides of the shell are to be changed.
The rest H, Figures 1, 2, and 3, is fixed and screwed on the upper extremity
of a spindle J, Figure 3, on which the rest, by means of an oblong hole through
it, which is in part represented at 9, Figure 2, may be sled horizontally, in
order to move the head G to or from the saw O. The plate X, Figures 1,
2, and 3, to which the spindle J is fixed, may be sled horizontally between the
two side pieces Y, Y, Figure 2, when the spindle is to be set nearer to or

page_text: farther from the saw O. On the spindle J, Figure 3, is an horizontal cog wheel
K, Figures 3 and 4, which is set in motion by an horizontal rack L, Figures
3 and 4; this rack is moved by a pinion m, Figures 3 and four, which is
connected by a spindle. Q, Figure. 4, with a vertical-rocket-wheel--N, Figures
3 and 4. The saw O, Figures 1 and 3, is set in a frame P, P, P, Figure 3,
which moves up and down between the two uprights Q, Q, Figure 1, which
motion may be given to it either by a crank or a lever. The motion of the
saw frame P, P, P, Figure 3, upwards and downwards, moves the arm R,
Figures 3 and 5, which is connected by the spindle S, Figures 1, 2, and 5, to
the arm T, Figures 1 and 5; the spindle S turns upon its ends. At the upper
extremity of the arm T, Figures 1 and 5, is a pall V, Figures 1 and 3, which
pushes the rocket wheel N, Figures 3 and 4, and, of course, gives the shell a
circular motion proportionably to the cutting of the saw, when one side or
edge of the shell is cut, as partly seen in A, Figure 2; the arms B and C,
Figure 1, must be turned previous to the cutting of the other side; both sides
being done, the shell is taken to the third part of the machine.
Third part. The engine for the third operation consists of a common stout
lathe, and the additional machinery herein-after described. Figure 1st repre-
sents the lateral elevation of the engine; Figure 2nd, its plan; Figure 3rd, its
front elevation; Figure 4th, the eliptical pieces which shape the shell and
the manner in which the shell is fixed when the angles of it are to be cut;
and Figure 5th, the instrument for boring the pin-hole, and the manner
of using it. A, Figure 1, a chuck in the head of the mandrill of the
lathe by the center screw of the piece K, Figures 1 and 5. The shell;
shaped as it is seen in a, Figure 3, is set between the two arms of the chuck a,
and fastened at its extremitys by the plate D, Figure 1, fixed at the inner
end of the pin B, and by the screw C, Figure 1. On the plate D, Figures
1 and 3, are several sharp points which are intended to keep the shell steady;
and in order to set it true in the chuck, these sharp points are to be placed
in the holes already made by the fixing of the shell within the arms B and
C, Figure 1, Part the Second. The pin B is set in a socket F, Figures 1
and 3, in which it may be sled in or cut according to the length of the shell,
and to which it is fastened by a pin passing through both the pin B and
socket. F', there being several holes through the pin B at equal distance; this
socket turns in the part II of the chuck A, Figure 1, in order to change the
sides of the shell when required; G, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, a round plate,
with several notches to serve as a dividing plate, fastened to the socket F; a
stopper J, Figures 2 and 4, catching in either of those notches to hold the
plate in the situation it is when one of the sides of the shell is turned towards

page_text: the cutter O, Figure 1, to be shaped at the inner extremity of the screw. C,
Figure 1, is a sharp center pin to hold the shell with steadiness, when the
shell already shaped on two sides h, h, Figure 3, is fixed within the arms of the
chuck A, to be cut to the form required. The first operation is boring of the.
pin hole Z, Figure 3; Figure 5 represents the borer fixed upon the forks
b, b, of the rest M, M, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5; it must be observed that as the
pin-hole is nearer to the end, Figure 5, than to the opposite end of it, the chuck
is set as much from its center by the assistance of the adjusting screw N,
Figures 1 and 5. The chuck is fastened on the plate K, Figures 1 and 5, by two
bolts L, L, passing through holes both in the chuck and the plate, the holes
through the chuck being oblong to admit of its sliding on the plate K by the
assistance of the screw N, which turning in a collar k, Figures 1 and 5, fastened
to the chuck, and passing through the nut m fixed to the plate K, moves the chuck
to or from its center, as required, when the shell had been put off its center in
proportion to its size. Then the center bit 1, Figure 5, is set upon the forks b, b,
of the rest M, M, Figures 1 and 3, and being held by the handle is used as in
the common way for boring on a lathe, Figure 5, by pushing the borer towards
the shell. The pin-hole being bored, and the chuck replaced to its center by
the adjusting screw N, the sides V 1 and V 2 of the shell are then cut with a
gouge or cutter O, Figures 1 and 2, which is set, and by a screw d kept firm, in
the hollow part of the head e of the slider P, Figures 1 and 2. This slider
slides lengthwise and horizontally within the rests M, M, Figures 1 and 2,
which is screwed on the plate R, Figures 1, 2, 3. This plate R slidės horizon-
tally and crosswise on the frame Q. Q, Figure 1 and 2, by the power of a
double thread screw F, Figure 3; fixed underneath and fastened to one
extremity of the plate R by two coupling brasses g, Figure 3.
The nut
through which the screw works being fastened to the frame Q, Q, the turning
of the handle S, fixed to the screw f, draws out or in the plate R, which carries
with it the rests M, M, and the centre O; the iron frame Q. Q, Figure 1,
slides lengthwise and horizontally on the frame of the lathe by the assistance
of an adjusting screw h, Figures 1 and 2, fixed on the same principle as the
onef, Figure 3; the coupling brasses-being-fixed-on-the frame o--the-lathe-
and the nut screwed to the frame Q, Q. The sliding of that frame is intended
for the adjustment of the cutter O, according to the size of the shell. The
sliding of the plate R in a direction horizontal and crosswise to the lathe is
intended for moving the cutter or gouge O, fixed to the slider P, when the
workman is forming either one of the sides of the shell. The slider P,
Figures 1 and 2, is guided in its forward and eliptical motion to give the flat
sides V 1 and V 2 of the shell the requisite form by the eliptical piece T1, T2

page_text: is used when the angles n, n, Figure 4, are to be cut. This eliptical pieces
T1 and T2 are fastened on the frame Q, and may be slid horizontally in the
direction of the plate R, as required for several sizes of shells. Through the
socket V, at the extremity of the slider P, is a square barr having at its lower
end a small roller W, Figures 1 and 4, and a knob q, Figure 1 and 2, at its
upper end. This square barr is intended, when raised, to cause the roller W to
bear on the outter edge of the eliptical piece T 1, Figures 1 and 4, and when
Jowered it bears on the edge of the piece T 2, Figures 1 and 4. The workman
proceeds in the following manner to shape the sides of the shell:-The side V.
Figure 1, is supposed to be the first formed. The workman turning slowly
the handle S, Figures 1, 2, 3, and at the same time pushing the slider P
towards the shell, in order to keep the roller W close to the edge of the eliptical
piece T 1, moves the gouge or cutter O," which in its horizontal motion cuts
and forms the surface V 1 of that side to the shape given by the eliptical edge
of the piece T 1. The cutter O having operated as far as the size of the shell
requires, it its drawn back to its place in order to repeat the same operation,
forming the side V 2, which is previously turned towards the cutter O, Figures 1
and 2. Both sides V 1 and V 2 being thus formed, the angles are next to be
cut, see Figure 4, which represents the shell a in a vertical position, and one
of its angles turned towards the cutter O. Before the angles are began to be
cut, the roller W is caused to bear on the edge of the eliptical piece T'2,
Figures 1 and 4, by pushing the knob'q downwards till it touches the surface
of the slider P. The angles are then cut in the same manner as the sides V 1
and V 2, observing, after each angle is formed to turn the next towards the
cutter till they are all cut. The shell being then finished as far as it is
intended to be by that part of the machine, is taken from the chuck, and
another
may be
put in the place.
The fourth part represents the engine for making the shivers, and is
particularly intended for coaked ones. Figures 1 and 2 represent the ele-
vation of part of the lathe to which the machinery herein-after described
is added; Figure 1 represents a lateral elevation, and Figure 2 a front
elevation of it. Figure 3 represents the rest on which the tools are set,
and the chuck seen from above. Figure 4 represents the front of the
chuck; the two last Figures are upon scale of double the dimension of
that according to which the other parts are represented. Figure 5 represents
the form of one end of one of the cutters, upon a scale four times larger than
Figures 1 and 2. Figure 6 represents the one of the pieces H, H, H,
Figure 4. Figure 7, a cutter, seen on two sides, intended for turning parts of
the shivers; these two last Figures are upon the same dimensions as the

page_text: Figures 3 and 4. A and B, Figure 1, 3, and 4, represent the chuck on which,
the piece of wood or lignum vitæ L is set to be formed. A, Figure 1, 3, and 4
round and flat rim turning upon two centers C, C, Figures 1, 3, and 4, which
are fixed by screws to one side of the rim at D, D, Figure 1 and 4. These
-centres, which are opposite each other, divide the rim into two equal parts, and
are intended for turning it, and presenting either side towards the cutters, as
required. B, B, Figure 1, a semicircular piece, fixed at its middle part to the
mandrill of the lathe. The centers C, C, pass through and turn in the extre-
mities E, E, Figure 1 and 3. F, a stopper, fixed at one end on the side, and
at the middle of the semicircular piece B, B, to keep the rim A in its proper
place, and to prevent it from turning upon the centers C, C; this stopper F
has two notches at its other end to receive the pins G, G, Figures 3 and 4,
which are let in the edge of the rim A. On one side of the rim and at equal
distances, are three picces of brass H, H, I, Figures 4 and 6, which are
fastened at one of their ends by a center screw J, J, J, Figures 3, 4, and 6,
passing through both the rim and brass pieces. The screws J, J, J are the
centers on which the pieces of brass H, H, H turn, and the screws T, T, T,
Figure 4, are intended to keep them close and fast to the rim; an-oblong hole
U, Figure 6, enables them to turn on their centers as much as may be
required. These pieces of brass are intended to receive and to hold the lignum
vita L. At the extremity of each piece H is a screw and a nut K, K, K,
Figure 3, 4, and 6, the latter of which, being screwed upon the piece of
lignum vitæ, fixes it tightly between the nut and pieces H, H, H. It must be
observed that the piece under the letters Q, Q, R, S, f, g, and h are the same;
and nearly intended for the same purpose, as those already specified under
the same letters in the third part; Q, Q, therefore is a frame which slides
lengthwise by the assistance of a screw h, Figure 1 and 2, part the 3d, at the
extremity of which a handle e, Figure 1 and 2, is fixed. R represents a
sliding plate, moved by the assistance of the handle S and of the pieces f, g;
the rest M, Figure 1, 2, and 3, is fixed upon the sliding plate R at the same
-place-and-in-the same manner as the rest M, M, Figure 1. Part the
3d of this rest, Figure 1, represents the lateral elevation; Figure 2 the frout
elevation, and Figure 3 a view of it, seen from above. N, Figure 1 and 3, a
spindle fixed and turning on the rest M, and having at its end m a hole to receive
the cutter O, Figure 3, the extremity of which is formed as at O, O, Figure 5.
This cutter is intended to cut the notches a, a, a, Figure 4, for the coak, the
spindle N is also intended to receive a borer or drill to bore the holes through
the coaks and the wood for the rivets which fasten them together. When this
spindle is used, the check is stopped and kept steady by a piece of iron b, Figure 1,

page_text: fixed, at one of its ends to the frame of the lathe, and having at the other a
pink, which when the piece b is raised meet with either of the holes 1, 1, 1,
Figure 4, bored through the rim A. The lignum vitæ L, Figure 1, 3, and 4,
being fixed in the chuck; the first operation is the boring of the centre hole X,.
Figure 4. The cutter d, represented in Figure 7, being set and screwed on the
part U, U, of the rest M; Figure 2 and 3, and its end n turned towards the
lignum vitæ L, the worknien having at first set the chuck in motion; and, by
the assistance of the handle S, slid the rest to the place required for the size of.
the center hole X, turns slowly the handle e, which turning the screw h,
gives to the cutter d an horizontal and lengthwise motion, which forces the
cutter through the wood. The center hole being thus bored, the notches a, a, a,
Figure 4, are next cut, and for that purpose the chuck is stopped and
steadied by the piece', Figure 1. The cutter O, Figure 3, being fixed to the
spindle N, and set exactly opposite the center hole already bored, and
regulated according to the depth of the notches by the handle E, the work-
man proceeds in the following manner:-The wheel P, Figure 1 and 2, is set
in motion in order to communicate it to the spindle N by the assistance of the
string t, t, t, which turns round the wheel P, Figure 1, 2, and 3, fixed to the
spindle N, passing over the two wheels r; Figure 1 and 2; the workman turns
the handle S, which moves the rest M,'and of course the cutter O, in a crossways
direction; the cutter then cuts sideways from the lignum vitæ as much as it
is required for the depth and breadth of either of the notches a, a, a; their
length is determined by the turning of the handle S. One notch being cut, and
the rest slid back to its place, the pin k is taken off from the rim, and the chuck
turned, till the next hole 7 meets with and receives the pin k; the second
notch, or any other, is cut in the same manner as the first. The three notches
being cut on one side, and the stopper F, Figure 1 and 3, being taken off from
the pin G, the rim is turned to present the other side of the lignum vitæ towards
the cutter and the stopper F replaced. The three notches being cut on this
side in the manner above described, the coaks are next put in place, and the
cutter O being taken off, a borer is put to its place. The holes being bored
through, the coaks and the wood pins are put into the holes and rivetted in the
common way; the chuck is again set in motion in order to finish the shiver,
and the cutter d, Figure 7, used in the manner already described, in order to
cut the center hole through the coaks quite true; this hole being made, the
faces of the lignum vitæ are turned one after the other by sliding the cutter d,
adjusted at first according to the thickness required for the shiver, from the
centre to the extremity; which being done, as far as the diameter of the shiver
requires it, the cutter d is pushed forward by the handle e in order to cut the

page_text: lignum vitæ nearly through. When this operation is done, the cud q of the cutter
is turned towards the lignum vitæ, and let in the groove already cut by the
other end of the same cutter; then the workman sliding gently the rest towards
the center cut the groove of the shiver to the exact form of the end g of the
cutter. The shiver is then cut quite off by a sharp pointed cutter, turning pre-
viously the other side of the lignum vitæ towards the cutter. The shiver being
thus finished, a new piece of lignum vitæ may be put in its place; some gradua-
tions cut on the sliding plate R might assist the workman in finding the exact
proportions of all parts and sizes of the shivers.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Ninth.
day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and one
WALKER.
A. McDONALD, his Clk.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Ninth day of March, in the
year of our Lord 1801, the aforesaid Marc Isambard Brunel came before.
our Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stampt according to the tenor of the
Statutes made for that purpose.