CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING ADD SHAPING WOOD FOR SHIP BUILDING AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1846

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WEBSTER COCHRAN, of Paris, in the Kingdom of France, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date, at Westminster, the Second day of
June, in the ninth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said
John Webster Cochran, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John
Webster Cochran, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others
as I, the said John Webster Cochran, 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 of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, and vend, within that part of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING ADD SHAPING WOOD FOR SHIP BUILDING AND OTHER
PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso requiring
that I, the said John Webster Cochran, shall particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
A

page_text: be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause
the same to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and
at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Webster Cochran, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by this present Specification or
Instrument in writing, reference being had to the several Drawings or Figures
hereunto annexed (that is to say):-
My said Invention consists in certain additions to and variations in the
construction and arrangement of the various parts of machinery used for sawing
or cutting wood, and my several improvements in such machinery are intended
the better to adapt or fit such machinery for the sawing or cutting of wood so
as to prepare or assist in preparing the same of such shapes as may be
required for ship-building and other purposes; and my said improvements
may be divided into two several parts (that is to say):-
Firstly, such of my said improvements as relate to saw mills intended to be
capable of making straight, curved, or irregular cuts in timber in manner
herein-after described, and either with or without the cuts made by such
mills or machines being made winding or varying in the bevil thereof, as
also herein-after described.
And, secondly, such of my said improvements as relate to saw mills intended
to be capable of sawing straight or curved logs or pieces of timber into
planks or pieces of wood in manner secondly herein-after described.
I will now proceed, with the aid of Sheet I. and Sheet II. of the said
several Drawings or Figures (in which similar parts are marked or referred to
by similar letters or characters), to describe the first part of my said Invention
in connection with or as applicable to the construction of a vertical saw mill (or
a mill in which the saw or saws thereof move vertically); and for the purpose
of more clearly describing the nature of this part of my said Invention, and
the manner of performing or working the same, I will describe as well the
several parts of an ordinary vertical saw mill as also such additions and varia-
tions as aforesaid, and then state this part of the improvements or things
which I claim as of my Invention; but it must be understood that although I
shall describe the several parts of my said Invention, in connection or
together with a vertical saw mill, the several parts of my said Invention, or
the principle thereof, may be applied to the construction of a saw mill working

page_text: with straight or web saws, whether such saws move or work vertically, hori-
zontally, or in any other manner.
Fig. 1 of the said Drawings is a plan or bird's-eye view of a vertical saw
machine or mill with a portion of such additions and variations as aforesaid in
working order, and as the same would appear if viewed from abow and
having mounted thereon a crooked log of wood, which has been cut by means
of a machine or mill constructed according to my Invention. Fig. 2 of the
said Drawings is a view of the same machine or mill in section, with the said
log of wood mounted therein, taken longitudinally through the dotted line
A*, B*, in Figure 1, and as the same would appear if viewed from one side,
with the addition of the graduated semi-circular board, longitudinal bar, and
sliding frame herein-after described. Fig. 3 is a view of the same mill or
machine in section taken transversely through the dotted lines C*, D*,
Figure 1, and as the same would appear if viewed from one end, and looking
towards the saw gate, some of the parts of the same machine being removed,
so as the better to exhibit the remaining parts thereof. Figures 4, 5, and 6
are detached views of different parts of the same machine or mill. A, A, A,
(best seen Figures 1 and 2) are the stationary framing or sills upon which
the sliding carriage of the mill is mounted. The framing or sills must be
firmly fixed in the usual way upon the ground, or upon masonry in the
building in which the mill is intended to be placed, and a mode of doing this
is represented in Figure 2. Two longitudinal rail plates a, a, best seen in
Figures 1 and 2,) of the usual description, having V-edges on their upper sides
are securely fixed upon the horizontal longitudinal sills or beams of the framing,
and upon the V-edges of which rail plates the sliding carriage is to move in
the usual way, for the purpose of advancing any piece of wood which it may
carry up to the saw or saws, in order that it may be cut into the required
shape or shapes. The sliding carriage (in or upon which is to be placed any
log or piece of wood intended to be cut) consists of two longitudinal bars
B, B, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, (which form the base of the carriage,) placed
parallel to each other, and braced together into the form of a rectangular
frame by the transverse rod b, and the head block or plate C, C. The under
sides of the longitudinal bars B, B, have each a longitudinal groove extending
the whole length of the carriage, and fitted to the V-edges of the rail plates
a, a, so that the carriage may slide easily and securely along in the ordinary
way. There are also on the under sides of the longitudinal bars B, B, two
toothed racks (shewn in Figure 2, & in dotted lines in Figure 1,) extending
along the whole length of the carriage. These racks are placed adjoining to
and parallel with the grooves before mentioned, and so that a pair of pinions

page_text: h', h', (best seen in Figures 2 and 3,) may (when a piece of timber is to be
cut) move the carnage along upon the rail plates a, a, by means of trains of
wheels connected with the pinions (as best seen in Fig. 3, and also in red lines
in Figure 2), and when the piece of timber has been cut, the machinery may
be thrown out of gear, and the sliding carriage moved back by any of the well-
known means. The sliding carriage is kept down in its proper position by
two fiction rollers h³, 2, (as best seen in Figure 3,) one on each side, and
those rollers have their edges fitted to the V-rails, which run along the upper
sides of the sliding carriage, as herein-after mentioned. Each of these rollers
is attached to the inside of one of the standards or fender posts J, J,
(within which the saw gate works,) immediately above the sliding carriage,
as shewn best in Fig. 3 Upon the head block C, C, is mounted the poppet
head c, c, which is made capable of being moved laterally in a dovetailed
groove for the purposes of adjustinent. In this poppet head is an axle which
carries the chuck plate D, and this chuck plate is made capable of turning
freely upon its axis. This chuck plate has a dovetailed groove extending across
-the-face of it, and having fitted into it the foot of the jaws or clips d, d, the
lower of which is made fixed and the other moveable. The moveable jaw is
kept in its place by two bolts h, h, and by a nut upon one of these bolts It
may be screwed towards the other jaw for the purpose of holding one end of a
log of wood or piece of timber firmly in the camage; and the lower or fixed
Jaw or chip must be mounted in such a way that the inner surface thereof will
at all times coincide with an imaginary line drawn across the face of the chuck
plate D, and through the centre of the axis thereof. These jaws or clips may,
by means of the screw shaft g, be moved across the face of the chuck plate in
either duection as may be required, for the purpose of balancing a log or piece
of wood, which is to be held between the chuck plates whilst it is being cut
The head block E, E, is mounted upon the side bars B, B, of the sliding
carriage. Along the tops of the side bars B, B, are V-edges; and under and
across the ends of the head block E, E, are grooves to receive the said last-
-mentioned. V-edges, so that the head block E, E, when placed across the
sliding carriage with its grooves upon the same V-edges may slide easily along
above or upon the tops of the sliding carriage in the direction which may be
requued for the purpose of adjustment, according to the length of the log or
piece of timber to be cut The head block E, E, has motion given to it
(along the carriage) by means of a pair of pinions, which are fixed upon a
transverse shaft under the head block (as seen in dotted lines in Figure 1, but
as best seen in Figure 2), and which serve the purpose of keeping the head
block down in its proper position on the carriage. This transverse shaft forms.

page_text: the axis of each of the said last-mentioned pinions, and the bearings of the
shaft (in which it is made to turn by means of a handwheel, handle, or other
convenient means,) are fastened to the under side of the head block E, E.
The last-mentioned pinions are placed in such a position that the teeth of
the
these pinions take into the teeth of the toothed rack, which is placed upon
under sides of the longitudinal bars B, B, as before mentioned; and as the
pinions are turned round in the one direction or the other, the head block
E, E, will be moved towards the one end of the sliding frame or the
other. Upon the head block E, E, is mounted a puppet head e, e, which
is made capable of being moved laterally in a dovetailed groove for the
purposes of adjustinent, in like manner as the puppet head c, c, on the head
block C, C. In this puppet head e, e, is an axle which carries a toothed
wheel K, to which is attached the chuck plate F; and this wheel, with the
chuck plate, is made capable of turning upon its axis. This chuck plate has
a dovetailed groove extending across the face of it, and having fitted into it
the foot of the adjustable jaws or clips f, f, which are intended to hold the
other end of the log of wood or piece of timber placed in the sliding carriage
to be cut. These jaws or clips are constructed and mounted in or upon the
chuck plate F in like manner as the jaws or clips d, d, which are mounted in
or upon the chuck plate D, D. A view of the wheel K and the chuck
plate F, with the moveable jaws or clips f, f, mounted therein, is shewn in
Figures 2 and 4. A variation in the construction of the jaws or clips is shewn
in Figures 9 and 10, in which the fixed and moveable jaws of the clips are
made with quadrant slots, in order that the moveable jaw or clip may be
capable of being turned to one side or the other, so as the better to grasp and
hold the end of any irregularly-formed end of a piece of timber. In each of
the Figures 1 and 2 there is represented a log or piece of time z, z, 2, 2,
in the sliding carriage by means of the jaws or clips, shewing its appearance
after it has been submitted to the action of the saws, and had two of its sides
cut, so as to make it of the required shape. In order to place a log or piece
of timber in the sliding carriage in a proper position for being cut, one end of
it must be placed between the jaws or clips of the chuck plate D, which is
mounted on the fixed head block C, C; and the moveable head block E, E,
being then moved to a proper position for enabling the jaws or clips of the
chuck plate F to receive the other end of the log or piece of timber, that
end of the log or piece must then be placed between those jaws or clips; the
nut of the screw bolt h of each pair of jaws or clips is then to be turned, so as
to bring the moveable jaw or clip down upon the log, and hold it securely.
In the place of the roller which is ordinarily used in sawing mills or machines.
held

page_text: for the purpose of supporting a log or piece of wood at an intermediate point
between the ends thereof, and near to the saws of the mill, I use an oscillating
cylindrical roller, or a roller having the axis thereof capable of being deflected.
from a horizontal position; and this oscillating roller support, and the
machinery which I deem best adapted for regulating the motions and positions
thereof, are described as follows:-This roller support must be placed at a
position as near as conveniently may be to the saws of the mill, and in front
thereof, and must be independent of or separate from but within the frame of
the sliding carriage. The roller, and the machinery connected therewith, may
be supported by any framing or other convenient means upon the ground, or
in connection with the stationary framing of the mill. A mode of supporting
this roller, and the machinery connected therewith, is shewn in Figures
1, 2, and 5. G (Figures 1, 2, and 5,) represents a cylindrical iron roller,
mounted upon an axle in an oscillating segment piece H (best seen in
Figures 2 and 5). This segment piece is supported by an axle, stud, or
trunnion at each side thereof, which is mounted in the frame I, I, these
axle studs being placed at right angles with the axle of the roller. The seg-
ment piece H has the semicircular edge thereof toothed, so as to take into
the threads of the endless screw L²; and the segment piece is held down by a
quadrant slot in the segment piece, and working on a pin or pins I, I, so as
to allow of the oscillation of the segment piece, for the purpose of varying the
deflection of the axis of the roller G in any manner which may be required.
The quadrant slot is to be made of a sufficient length to allow of the deflection
of the roller support to the extent which may be required. Each side of the
frame I, I, is fitted within two upright supporters i**, **, the sides of the
frames having longitudinal grooves or slots to receive the ends of pins to be
drawn through the uprights into the grooves, so as to keep the frame I, I,
securely within its two uprights, and yet allow it to be varied or depressed as
may be required. The frame, I, I, is supported by two jack screws 4, 4,
which are threaded into the lower part of the frame I, I; and the shoulders:
of these screws work against a stationary rail or bar I", which is firmly fixed
to the stationary framing or foundation of the mill, as shewn in Figure 5.
The lower ends of the jack screws are furnished with bevil wheels 8, 3, which
respectively take into two bevil wheels 2, 2; and the bevil wheels 2, 2, are
fixed upon a transverse shaft 1, which may be turned by a handle or
other convenient means. By turning the shaft 1, the bevil wheels will
be put in motion, and the jack screws turned; and as these screws are
turned the one way or the other, the frame I, I, may be raised or lowered
as may be desired. By these means the frame I, I, and the roller G,

page_text: may be lowered, so as to removo the roller G out of the way when
desirable so to do; and by raising the frame I, I, and roller G, the
roller may be elevated in such a way as to form an intermediate support
to a log or piece of wood whilst the saws are cutting it. If the pieces
of wood intended to be cut in a mill should happen to be of such a
description that they will not be held sufficiently steady during the opera-
tion of sawing by one intermediate roller support, such as herein-before
described, the saw mill may be constructed with an additional oscil-
lating roller support (similar to that. herein-before described), and capable
of being raised and lowered as herein-before mentioned, and such additional
oscillating roller support may be placed behind the vertical saws, or in any
other position which may be found desirable, for the further or better sup-
porting the pieces of wood to be cut in the mill. Pieces of wood for ship
building, and for various other purposes, frequently required to be cut into
irregular shapes, and for the purpose of preparing such pieces of wood of the
desired shapes, it is frequently necessary that one or more of the surfaces
thereof should be cut with a varying bevil or surface, or with a surface cut
in a twisting or winding manner, the bevil or direction of a cut or cuts con-
stantly varying, either regularly or irregularly, in one or more than one
direction, as the cutting proceeds. The saws of a vertical saw mill cannot,
as such mills are usually constructed, be moved out of their perpendicular
position to either the one side or the other, for the purpose of varying the bevil
or surface of a log or piece of timber which they are cutting. This object
may, however, be attained by gradually turning a log or piece of timber.
which has been placed in a mill to be cut in the requisite direction or directions
as the operation of sawing proceeds. For the purpose of being enabled to
turn a log or piece of wood during the cutting thereof, my improved sawing.
machine is constructed with revolving chuck plates and oscillating segment
piece or pieces, with roller support or supports, as herein-before described.
These chucks and the intermediate roller support or supports may be turned
in the manner required by hand, or by any convenient machinery for effecting
that object, such as that I am now about to describe. The teeth of the
wheel K behind the chuck plate F take into an endless screw L', as shewn in
Figures 2 and 4, which is fixed upon a transverse shaft K', shewn in Figures,
1, 2, and 4, and in like manner the teeth of the oscillating segment piece H
take into the endless screw L³, as best shewn in Figures 2 and 5. The chuck
plate D
may, if it should be thought desirable, be furnished with a rim of
teeth, taking into an endless screw in like manner; but a machine will work
sufficiently well for all ordinary purposes without this addition to the machine.

page_text: as represented in the Drawings. When a log or piece of wood has been
placed with its ends in the jaws or clips of the turning chuck plates, the roller
support G must be raised until the upper surface thereof comes in contact
with the log, and the mill or machinery must be put into gear in such a way
that the direction and degree of the inclination (if any) of the axis of the
roller support G to the horizon must at all times be the same as that (if any)
of the face of the fixed jaw or clip of the chuck plate F. The chuck plate F
and the segment piece H must at all times be turned together in the same
direction, and in the same degree or with the same speed, and the chuck plate
D being left free to turn upon its axis will be turned as the log or piece of
wood may be turned. Upon the end of the driving shaft K' of the endless
screw taking into the teeth of the chuck wheel K is fixed a bevil wheel K³,
taking into another bevil wheel K upon the driving shaft Y, which last-
mentioned wheel is prevented from turning upon the shaft Y by means of a
feather or key in the boss of the wheel which takes into a groove along one
side of the shaft Y. For the purpose of preventing the shaft Y from spring-
ing, and also for keeping the said bevil wheel K* in gear with the other
bevil wheel Ks, a collar K is fitted upon the boss of the bevil wheel K' (within
which collar the boss of the wheel turns truly), and the collar is attached by
its arm to the under side of the head block E, as best shewn in Figures 2
and 4. The boss of the wheel K is kept in its place within the collar K' by
a narrow collar fastened upon the outer end of the boss by a set screw, as
best shewn in Figure 2. And as the head block E on the sliding carriage
with the same head block is moved along in either direction, the bevil wheel
K which the shaft Y turns will be moved along at the same time, and kept in
gear with the other bevil wheel K³ with which it is intended to work. The
driving shaft K has its bearings in the moveable frame I, I, with which it
must rise and fall. One end of this driving shaft passes through its bearings
in one side of the frame I, I, and through the next adjoining upright ***, in
which a slot is cut so that the shaft K³ may pass up and down within the
slot as the frame I, I rises and falls. The shaft K' has its outer end fitted
into a hole or bush in the collar n³ upon the boss of the wheel n¹, so that the
collar n must be raised or lowered in like manner as the end of the axle
which works within the said bush or hole. Upon or near to the end of the
shaft K, which is next to the collar n³, is fixed a bevil wheel m', which takes
into another similar bevil wheel n¹. The bevil wheel n', with its long boss
below it, is placed upon an upright driving shaft n³, which has a groove or
key way cut along one side of it, to receive a feather, placed all in the inside
of the boss of the bevil wheel n', which is made to move freely up and down

page_text: within the groove. The bevil wheel n¹ and its boss move freely up and
down upon the shaft n², and the boss of the bevil wheel n', which turns freely
within the collar n³, are kept securely within that collar by means of a narrow
collar fastened upon the end of the boss by a set screw in the usual manner.
The bevil wheels m¹ and n¹ are thus at all times kept in gear with each other.
The shaft n³ has its bearings at the foot in a socket or step, and at the top in
a bracket, as seen in Figure 5. Upon the top of the shaft n³ is fixed a bevil
wheel n', which takes into another wheel ³, fixed upon the shaft Y. The
boss of the bevil wheel n³ is made to move in a bearing or bush at one end of
the bracket or arm n, within which the boss turns freely, and the bracket or
arm is fixed to the frame I*, and by these means the shaft Y is kept steady
and in its proper position whilst in motion. When the driving shaft Y is left
at rest, the moveable chuck plate F and the segment piece H, with the roller
G, will also be left in a state of rest, that is, they will not be turned either to
one side or the other of the machine. And when it is necessary that a log
or piece of timber to be cut in one of my machines should be turned in
either direction during the process of cutting, for the purpose of producing
a piece of wood of the intended shape, then the chuck plates and roller
support are to be left in a state of rest; and if the chuck plates and roller
support are turned by such machinery, as shewn in the Drawings, then
also the drawing shaft Y and all the machinery connected therewith, and
herein-before described, are to be left in a state of rest. But when it is
necessary that a log or piece of timber should be turned during the process of
cutting in one of my machines, then that may be done by hand, as herein-
before mentioned; or if the machinery be such as herein-before described, then
motion is to be given to the shaft Y, and such motion regulated and (when
necessary) accellerated or retarded by the machinery now to be described.
And whenever motion is given by means of the driving shaft Y to the
transverse driving shaft K', and the moveable chuck plate F, a similar
motion will, by means of the train of wheels before described, be also
communicated to the transverse driving shaft K³, and the segment piece
H, carrying the roller support G. Upon the driving Y, and near to the
end of it which is next to the machinery now to be described, is fixed a
bevil wheel n', which takes into another bevil wheel ne, fixed upon the end of
the axis of the conical pulley or drum a', the axis of that pulley or drum
being placed at a right angle with the shaft Y. Near to the last-mentioned
conical pulley or drum, is another precisely similar conical pulley or drum
X³, the axis of the two pulleys or drums being placed parellel to each
other, and that end of one conical pulley which is of the greatest diameter

page_text: being placed opposite to that end of the other conical pulley which is of the
smallest diameter, in the same way as usually adopted in the construction of
conical pulleys or drums. These conical pulleys are connected by means of a
band or belt V2 in the usual way, the position of the band or belt upon
the drums being regulated by means of the screw shaft Z, and a frame or
fork Z, which straddles the band or belt. The screw shaft Z is threaded
through a boss or solid piece in the centre of the frame or fork which straddles
the band or belt V; and by turning the screw Z, the frame, and with it the
band or belt, may be moved upon the cones as may be desired, for regulating
the motion to be given to the shaft Y, and the machinery connected there-
with. At the top of the frame or fork just mentioned is placed a pointer
or indicator Z', which moves along the graduated index plate Z³, together with
the frame or fork Z³, according as the position of the frame or fork and the
band or belt V2 are altered in the one direction or the other; and the person
superintending the working of the machine is thus enabled by the screw
shaft Z to move the band or belt V2 into the position which is required for the
production of the precise motion which is intended to be communicated to the
shaft Y and the machinery connected therewith. The drum X3, which drives
the drum X*, will give more or less motion to the latter drum, according as the
belt or band V2 is placed nearer to that end of the conical drum X³ which is
of the greater or lesser diameter. Upon the outer end of the axis of the
drum X is fixed a bevil wheel 6, which takes into a bevil wheel 5, fixed upon
the top of the upright driving shaft 5*. At or near to the bottom of the
driving shaft 5* are placed two bevil wheels x and x2, in such a position
that either of them may be brought into gear by means of the double clutch s¹
placed between them upon the shaft. Each of these bevil wheels a¹ and a² is
made to turn freely upon the driving shaft 5*, except when it is brought into
gear by the double clutch S', and when either of these two wheels is so brought
into gear it will turn the shaft 5* upon which it is placed. The bevil wheel x¹ is
kept in its proper position upon the shaft 5* by a bracket above it, and one
end of the dead key or feather which is below it upon the shaft. The bevil
wheel is kept in its position by the bracket below it, and the dead key or
feather above it. The position of each of these wheels is shewn in Figures 3
and 6 of the Drawings. The clutch S¹, between the wheels a¹ and at, carries
round the shaft 5* by means of a dead key or feather working in a groove in
the inside of the clutch in the ordinary way, so as to allow of the clutch being
moved up or down the shaft 5* when required, so as to be brought into gear
with either of the wheels x and x³, as may be desired. The clutch is moved
up or down upon the shaft 5*, and kept in either of the three positions in

page_text: which it may require to be placed by means of a lever w, which at or near to
one end of it may be placed in either of the three notches in a piece of metal,
according as the clutch may be intented to be out of gear or in gear with either of
the bevil wheels x and x2. Upon one end of the axis of the conical pulley or
drum (and outside of the frame upon which it has its bearings) is fixed a
bevil wheel o, gearing into and turning the bevil wheels x and x above
described. Upon the opposite end of the axis of the conical drum or
pulley X2 is fixed a bevil wheel o³, which takes into another bevil wheel o³, and
the bevil wheel o³ is fixed upon a driving shaft p', and at or near to the other
end of which shaft is an endless screw or worm p², taking into the worm wheel w¹,
on the transverse driving shaft W. The worm wheel w¹ is made to turn round
freely upon the shaft W, when it not brought into gear by the clutch v,
This wheel is kept in its proper position
The clutch has a groove inside of
is
for the purpose of turning the shaft.
on the shaft in the usual manner.
it to receive a dead key or feather let into the shaft W, upon which
it slides in the usual way, and it may be moved along the shaft into
or out of gear with the worm wheel w¹ by a forked lever, or any other
convenient means, for the purpose of setting in motion or stopping the
sliding carriage, as may be desired. From the long transverse driving shaft W
motion is given to two trains of wheels, as shewn in Figures 3, and by these
trains of wheels, terminated by pinions or wheels taking into the toothed
racks along the under sides of the sliding carriage, as herein-before described,
the sliding carriage is moved along the rail plates a, a, in the usual manner.
Near to the conical pulley or drum a³, herein-before mentioned, is another
precisely similar conical pulley or drum x³, the axes of these two conical pulleys
or drums being placed parallel to each other. These conical pulleys are placed
so that the end of each conical pulley or drum which is of the larger diameter
is opposite to the end of the other conical pulley or drum which is of the
smaller diameter, in the same way as usually adopted in the construction of
machinery to be moved by means of conical pulleys or drums. These conical
pulleys or drums are connected together by means of a band or belt V¹ in the
usual way, and the position of the band or belt upon the drums is to be regu-.
lated by means of a screw shaft of a similar kind to that herein-before described
for regulating the position of the band or belt upon the conical pulleys or.
drums X and X, or by other convenient means. The drum X, which drives.
the drum X, will give more or less motion to the last-mentioned drum according
as the belt or band V₁ is placed nearer to that end of the conical drum X
which is of the greater or lesser diameter, and by these means the speed of
the drum X2 may be varied as may be desirable for regulating the motion of

page_text: the sliding carriage for the purposes herein-after mentioned. Upon one end of
the axis of the drum X' is fixed a spur wheel Vs, into which takes a pinion V
on the main or fly wheel shaft S, by which motion is given to the machinery
herein-before described.
Having described the mode in which motion is given to the sliding
carriage and machinery before described, I will now point out the manner in
which the speed or degree of motion to be given to the sliding carriage during
the operation of the machinery in cutting a log or piece of timber may be regu-
lated. Timber being of various degrees of hardness, and the pieces of it to
be cut being of variable size and thickness, the cutting of pieces of timber
may be performed with greater or less speed according as they vary in the
respects before mentioned; and when a piece of timber is to be cut into any
curved or irregular shape the process of sawing it cannot be safely performed
as rapidly as if the saw cuts had to be made in straight lines. For these
reasons it is desirable that the person superintending a saw mill should be
able from time to time to vary the motion or speed of the sliding carriage
carrying the log or piece of timber, so as to regulate the speed with which the
sawing is to proceed as circumstances may require. The mode in which I
accomplish this object is by moving the strap or belt V₁ along the conical
drums X and X' by the means herein-before described, so as to give
more or less speed to the motion of the drum X³, and as motion is given
to the sliding carriage through the medium of the drum X3, and the
machinery connected therewith, the person superintending the mill may,
by varying the motion of the drum X in manner aforesaid, from time
to time increase or diminish the speed with which the sliding carriage
is moved, so as to regulate the feed or motion of the log or piece of timber
placed in that carriage to or towards the saw or saws, for the purpose of
being cut.
I will now proceed to describe the mode in which I mount and work the
saws in a machine or mill made according to those parts of my said Invention
which I am now describing, and the construction of the various machinery
connected therewith. J, J, J, J, are two upright metal standards or fender
posts bolted or otherwise securely fastened to the foundation of the machine
or building. These standards are placed perpendicular and parallel to each
other, and they are to be held firmly together at the top by means of a rod,
brace, or stay, or other convenient means. On the inside of each of those
standards are placed two vertical guides j, j, j, j, upon which slide up and
down the saw frame or gate in the usual way. The saw-gate or frame consists
of two bars, M and M, connected or held firmly together by means of two side

page_text: or connecting rods N and N, as shewn in Figure 3. The bars and side rods
are connected together by lock nuts, so that the frame or gate may be
lengthened or shortened for the purpose of taking or holding longer or shorter
saws as may be required. To the foot of each of the connecting rods N and
N is attached an end piece Q₁ and Q³, each of those end pieces having a
groove in its end next the standard, so as to work up and down upon one of
the guides j. In each of these end pieces is a hole or socket to receive the
ends of the cross head Q, to which motion is to be given for the purpose of
moving the saw frame or gate up and down. The upper bar M has a
V-edge along so much of the upper side thereof as is necessary to receive the
antifriction rollers to be placed upon it as herein-after described, and the
lower bar has a V-edge along so much of the lower side of it as is necessary
to receive similar anti-friction rollers. Within the gate or frame which has
just been described, the saw or saws is or are to be placed and held, and such
saw or saws is or are to be mounted in a stretcher or stretchers, or otherwise,
as herein-after described. My saw stretcher is made of two end pieces m, m,
into each of which is fitted one of the ends of the standard or strut O, and
into an end of each piece is fitted a tension rod O*. At the other end of each
cross piece is fixed a swivel, having a swivel piece or turning pin p, one end of
which is to be held in the swivel box by any of the usual means, and the other
end of which swivel piece or pin is constructed with an opening or chops for.
receiving a saw in the ordinary manner. Each swivel piece has a flange r
with two ears or arms opposite to each other, the flange being placed between
the swivel box and the opening or chops for holding the saw. The swivel
piece and flange are both made of one piece of metal, and the flange is placed
close to and in contact with the end of the swivel box, so as to prevent any
wabbling or shaking in the swivel joint. Upon or near to each end of the
upright standards O, O, and opposite each of the flanges which have just been
described, is placed a link or piece of metal r, which is made to turn freely
upon that part of the standard. Between the links or pieces of metal (just
described), when put into their proper places upon one of the standards O, O,
is to be placed a feather or rib Y*, with one of its edges parallel and near to
the standard, but so as not to touch it, in order that the feather or rib may
turn freely without being impeded by friction against the standard. This
feather or rib is to be inserted and firmly fixed in a mortice in each of the
links, r, between which is placed, and so that the feather and two links or
pieces to which it is attached may move together round or upon the standard
as far as may be required. The ears of the flanges before described, and the
ends of the links r, which have also been described, are then to be connected.

page_text: together by moveable cross or parallel arms, so as to obtain what is
commonly called parallel motion (as seen in the Drawings), and so that by
means of such parallel motion, when the feather or rib is turned in either
direction, the saw may, without applying any force thereto except at the ends
thereof, be also turned in a similar direction. When the machine is in
action, a saw may be turned in either direction, as required, by means of a key
applied to the feather or rib, and without touching the saw with the key.
A drawing of a key proper for this purpose is to be seen at Figures 11 and
12 in the Drawings. For the purpose of cutting pieces of timber into curved
or irregular shapes, particularly if there should be any sharp or quick turns to
be made in any of the cuts required, the saw blade or blades to be mounted in
one of my machines should be narrow, and if made with thin backs they will
turn and cut so much the better. The end pieces of a stretcher being put
upon the standard O, the saw 1 fastened into the chops of the swivel pieces
in the ordinary manner, and the ends of the flanges ** and links r
(having the feather or rib Y* fixed between them as before mentioned) being
connected by means of the parallel arms r*, as herein-before described, and
the tension rod O* being by means of its nuts at each end screwed sufficiently
tight, the saw will be stretched to its proper tension for sawing, and the saw
with its stretcher will be ready for being mounted within the saw gate or
frame. Although I have described a saw stretcher as having only one saw
mounted therein, my said stretcher may also have two or more saws mounted
therein, and both all of such saws turned in a similar manner as herein-
before described, when required for the purpose to which the saw machine is
intended to be applied. Each saw, together with its stretcher, is to be
mounted in the saw gate or frame in such a manner that it may be moved
laterally within the saw gate or frame, and when there are two saws mounted,
the saws, with their stretchers, ought to be mounted so that the saws may be
placed towards the centre of the frame, and the tension rods towards the
outsides of the frame, in order that the saws may be capable of being brought
near together, when so required, for the purpose of cutting a piece of wood into
the desired shape. For the purpose of mounting the stretchers and their saws
within the frame or saw gate, I use sliders n, n, which are fitted upon the
upper and lower bars M and M, and which have friction rollers working
within them upon the V-edges of the bars. One end of each of these sliders is
made in the form of a stem or bolt, which is to be passed through a hole made
for that purpose in the end piece of a stretcher, and secured by means of a
nut.
I use four of these sliders for the purpose of mounting each saw and
stretcher, two at each end, and the nuts upon the ends of the stretchers are

page_text: to be screwed sufficiently tight to hold the saws and stretchers securely
within the gate or frame, and yet allow them to move freely in a lateral
direction as may be required. Each pair of sliders is to be held firmly
together by means of a cross bar fixed to the outer end of each slider.
Each slider should be furnished with a set screw (to screw against the
bar M), so that both or either of the saws may, when required, be fixed
in any particular position for making a straight cut or cuts, and so that if
either of the saws should happen not to be required for sawing any particular
piece or pieces of timber it may be fastened at one side of the saw gate and
out of the way.
A different mode of constructing the saw gate or frame of one of my said
machines or mills, and also a different mode of mounting saw blades therein,
are shewn in Figures 7 and 8 of the said Drawings. The peculiarity in the
construction of the saw gate or frame consists in this, that the top and bottom
bars (M and M) thereof are made of pairs of rails connected together, so as
There is
to leave open longitudinal slots between them, as shewn in Fig. 8.
a flange upon the edge of each rail, which is to be placed next the
inside of the saw gate or frame, and this flange extends the whole length
of the inside of the slot, leaving just space or width enough in the slot between
the edges of the flanges to allow of the pins, rods, or bolts which may be used
for connecting the ends of the saw stretchers or other mountings of the saws,
with the friction rollers or wheels which run along upon the flanges, to traverse
or pass freely along the slot. There must be two pairs of friction rollers or
wheels connected with each end of a saw stretcher or other mounting, and
each pair of rollers or wheels must be mounted upon an axis, so as to run freely
along upon the flanges, and the two pairs of rollers or wheels connected with
the end of a saw stretcher or other mounting must be connected together by
the axes thereof being fixed to a bar or rod, or to a carriage which moves
freely along between the rails. According to the mode of mounting a saw
shewn in Fig. 7, the saw blade is to be held between a pair of swivels, each of
which swivels is to be attached to the axle or carriage of a pair of the friction
rollers or wheels already described. Within the tube Y** is a standard rod,
which is to be placed parallel with the saw blade, and to have each of its ends
attached to the axle or carriage of a pair of friction rollers or wheels already
5 described. The end of each swivel which is next the saw is to be connected
with the standard just described by means of a cross bar or rod, and upon the
swivel piece or pin is a flange with arms, as herein-before described, for turning
Upon the standard just described is a tube Y**, having feathers or
wings along each side of it, and the arms of the flanges upon the swivel pieces
the saw.

page_text: or pins are connected by links with the edges of the feathers or wings
extending from the tube upon the standard O or rod before described, so that
by turning the tube Y** and its wings upon the standard or rod, the saw
mounted therewith, and placed parallel thereto, may also be turned by a
parallel motion in the like direction. A saw thus mounted may be turned by
means of a key applied to either of the wings or feathers of the tube Y** just
mentioned, in the same way as the saw in one of my saw stretchers herein-
before described may be turned by a key applied to the feather or rib of the
stretcher. In Fig. 7 is also shewn two of my improved saw swivels, y¹ and y²,
to which the saw in that Figure is shewn to be attached by means of the
chaps of the swivel pieces p, p. My said improved swivel is composed of two
hollow cylinders, closed at one end, (except as herein-after mentioned) and open
at the other end, the edges of the open ends of the two cylinders being threaded
so that they may be screwed together to form the swivel box. One of the two
cylinders has a pin attached to or forming part of it, for the purpose of being
connected with a carriage or the axis of a pair of friction rollers running along the
flanges of the inner sides of the rails, as before mentioned. The other cylinder has
the closed end thereof pierced in the centre, to admit the end of the swivel piece
or pin p into the cylinder or swivel box, and when that piece or pin has been
introduced into the cylinder, there is a space between the piece or pin and the
sides of the cylinder into which must be introduced a sufficient number of
small hard metal balls or spherical rollers to surround the pin and interior of
the cylinder. A washer is then to be screwed upon the upper end of the
swivel piece or pin, and this washer must be of a sufficient diameter to cause it
to rest upon the whole of the balls or spherical rollers within the cylinder,
when the swivel is in use. The end of the swivel piece or pin is then to be
secured by a nut threaded with a reverse thread, and screwed on to the piece or
pin, and the edges of the two cylinders being screwed together the swivel
will be complete. In front of or behind the saw gate I place a cross frame
P, extending from side to side of the machine, and attached to the standards or
fender post J, J, as shewn in Figures 1 and 3, it being there shewn placed
behind the saw gate. This cross frame is composed of two thin metal rails or
plates placed a proper distance apart, for the purpose of balancing or holding
the key or fork to be used for turning the feathers or ribs. In each of these
rails or plates is cut a longitudinal slot extending nearly the whole length of the
cross frame, these slots being cut of such a diameter as to admit the key or
fork to be introduced with facility into it. The key or fork may be introduced
between the slots of this cross frame; and after having been applied to a
feather or rib, for the purpose of turning it, together with the saw attached

page_text: thereto, in the required direction, the key may be allowed to remain in the
slots of the cross frame, and it will be retained there, and be prevented by'
the two narrow rails above and below it from falling or being shaken out, and
will thus be at all times ready for instant use when required. The alternating
vertical movements of the saw frame or gate are effected as follows:-The
cross head Q, Q, (see Fig. 8,) is attached by means of a rod to the vibrating
beam R, R, Figures 1 and 2. At or near to one end of this vibrating beam is
cut a longitudinal slot, to receive a crank pin fixed upon one of the arms of
the fly wheel, upon the fly wheel shaft or first mover S, and this slot must be
of a sufficient length to allow the pin to pass along in each direction as far as
may be necessary during each revolution of the wheel in the usual manner, and
when the fly wheel shaft is put in motion, the crank pin gives a vibrating
motion to the vibrating beam with which it is connected in manner aforesaid,
and the vibrating action of the beam R gives the requisite alternating vertical
movements to the saw frame or gate in the usual way. The vibrating beam
R may, however, receive motion from the fly wheel shaft by means of
a crank and connecting rod, or by any other of the means usually em-
ployed for such a purpose. In order to balance the weight of the saw
gate or frame, I attach a sufficient counterbalance weight s, s, to the end
of the beam R which is opposite to that connected with the saw gate;
I balance the weight of the saw gate in this manner in preference to placing
a counterbalance weight on the fly wheel, as usual, because I find that
the weight of the saw gate is as effectually counterbalanced by the mode I
adopt, and
adopting that mode the motion of the fly is equalized, and the
strain upon some parts of the machinery diminished. A sawing machine
constructed as aforesaid or otherwise, according to the part or parts of my
Invention which I am now describing, may be used for the purpose of cutting
logs or pieces of timber by one and the same operation into many shapes
which could not be effected by other machines without a plurality of operations.
Thus if both or either of the sides of a log should be intended to be cut in a
curved or irregular line, that object may be attained by turning from time to
time the feather of each or either of the stretchers of the saws, and with it the
saw, in the required direction; and when simultaneously making two cuts in a
log by my said machine, it is not at all necessary that the cuts should be
parallel with each other, for the lateral movements of the saw within the saw
gate being perfectly independent of each other, each saw may be turned in the
required direction for the purpose of making the intended cut in the line
described, however much the two lines to be cut by the two saws may vary
from each other. It is not necessary that two saws should be actually used

page_text: for the purpose of cutting timber in one of my said machines, although two
saws may be mounted in the saw gate, for the peculiar construction of my
said sawing machine may be made available for the purpose of making single
as well as double cuts.; and if it should happen that the shape into which a
piece of timber is intended to be cut requires the adoption of such a mode of
proceeding, I can enter one of the saws, and commence cutting a piece of
timber with it, and after the cutting with one saw has proceeded the requisite
distance, I can then enter the other saw also, so that both saws may then
proceed with the cutting of the log, or the cutting with either or both of the
saws alternately or simultaneously may be varied from time to time, as may be
required, for the purpose of cutting the piece of timber into the desired shape.
Although my machine will make cuts along pieces of timber in irregular lines,
as herein-before described, yet it must be understood that my said machine
is capable of making any cut or cuts in a straight line or lines, and is also
capable of making either of two cuts in a straight line, whether the other of
the two cuts it is making is or is not straight. If the form of a cut or cuts to
be made by one of my machines should happen not to be required to be made
winding, or to be made with a varying bevil or bevils, the turning chucks and
roller support or supports must not be turned by hand or otherwise during the
operation of sawing; and if the machine is constructed like that herein-before
described, the machinery herein-before described for turning the chuck plates
and roller support must not be brought into action by means of the clutch st
and handle w, herein-before described; but the saw or saws having being
properly entered, in such a case the cut or cuts of the required shape may
be made as herein-before described, the chuck plates and roller support
remaining at rest within the sliding carriage during the whole operation.
But when it is intended that the face of the cut or cuts to be made by
my said machine shall wind or vary in the bevil thereof, the chuck plates and
roller support or supports must be turned by hand or otherwise in the
requisite manner; and if the machine is made as herein-before described, then
the machinery before described for turning the chuck plates and roller support
must be put in motion by the lever or handle w and clutch s' in the proper
direction, according to the direction in which the form of the cut or cuts to be
made shall be required to wind or vary in the bevil thereof; and the direction
in which the form of cuts may be made to wind or vary in the bevil thereof
may be changed from time to time as required by reversing the action of the
machinery by means of the lever or handle w and clutch s. By means of the
pair of conical drums X and X', and machinery connected therewith, as
herein-before described, I am also enabled, by one of my machines, con

page_text: structed in manner aforesaid, from time to time to vary the degree or amount
of the winding or variation in the bevil of the form of any cut or cuts to be
made by the saws; and in order to effect this object by means of the screw-
shaft Z, I shift the position of this connecting band or belt of the conical
drums X and X so as to increase or diminish the driving speed of the
conical drum X, and thus vary the rotary movement of the log. The
graduated index plate, already described, is to be marked in such a way as to
shew the degree of rotary motion which any particular position of the band or
belt upon the conical drums X³ & X will give to a log relatively to the
longitudinal motion of the log during the process of cutting; and the angles or
degrees of the bevil or bevils being marked upon any log to be cut (as shewn
by way of example in Fig. 1), the person having the direction of the machine will
be enabled, by means of the graduated index scale, the index or indicator, the
screw shaft Z and machinery connected therewith, to regulate the rotary motion
of the log in the manner which may be necessary for producing the required
effect. When I effect such bevil cutting of a log as aforesaid by turning the log
(during the process of cutting), either by hand or by any other means, except such
self-acting machinery as herein-before described as applicable for that purpose,
I employ an apparatus, which I am now about to describe, for the purpose of
enabling me the better to regulate the turning of the log, as well as to
dispense with marking the log with indicative figures for representing the
bevil or bevils to be cut. This apparatus is shewn in connection with my said
sawing machine in Fig. 2, and detached parts thereof are also shewn in
Figs. 1 and 4. The apparatus consists of a graduated semicircular board 6*, 6*,
marked with angular lines or degrees denoting the angles or bevils to which
the sides of the log are required to be cut for any particular distance. I attach
this board 6, 6, firmly to the back part of the chuck wheel K by means of
a bracket and screw or other fastening. Upon a longitudinal bar c*, c*,
extending along the middle of the machine from the transverse tension rod
of the standards J, J, to an end standard d*, I mount a sliding frame e*, e*.
The end of this frame has a segmental piece f*, with a quadrant segmental
slot formed in it, which receives a screw 9*, inserted into a radial arm h*,
moveable upon a centre at *. In commencing the operation of cutting the
log, I fix the sliding frame e*, e*, and place the radial arm h* at an angle
marked on the semicircular board corresponding with the bevil to be cut.
The arm in starting must be fixed to the segment piece f* standing over a certain
mark upon the board 6*, which shall indicate the angle of the bevil to be cut, and
as the carriage with the chucks advances the rotary motion of the log upon the
centre of the chucks must be so arranged as to keep the said mark upon the

page_text: board always immediately under the edge of the radial arm. When the mark
upon the log indicating that the bevil of cutting is to be altered has arrived
at the saws, the corresponding mark upon the board 6* will have come under
the centre. The frame e, e, must then be slidden forward upon the
bar c, c, and again fixed, the radial arm h* being adjusted to the required
angle of bevil, and its edge brought over the corresponding mark upon the
board *. The operation goes on as before, and by so adjusting the parts as
described from time to time to suit the required bevils to be cut on one or both
sides of the log the operation is perfected. In order to balance a crooked
piece of timber in the holding chucks, when submitted to the operation of the
saws, I slide the holding jaws d and f laterally in the dovetailed grooves of
the chucks D, F, by which their positions will become excentric, as seen in
Fig. 1. By these means the weight of a crooked piece of timber may be
equally divided or balanced, so that its centre of gravity or axis shall be brought
as nearly as possible into the axis of rotary motion; that is, into an imaginary
line drawn between the centres of the two cheek plates. This will afford
greater steadiness to the log under operation, and prevent the saws being
subjected to lateral strain, and the necessity for a counterbalance weight to
balance the log will also be thus obviated. For the purpose of preventing the
figures or marks upon the surface of a log or piece of timber to be cut in
one of my said machines or mills from being covered with sawdust, and to
enable the workman having the direction of such machine or mill the better
to see the figures or marks upon such log or piece of timber as the cutting
thereof proceeds, I make use of an ordinary blowing apparatus in connection
with a pipe or pipes for conducting the air to a place near the saws and
the surface of the log, for the purpose of blowing away the sawdust, which
otherwise would be deposited upon the log, and hide the said figures and marks
from the view of the workman. B, Figures 1 and 2, is a blowing or fanning
apparatus of the ordinary description, which may have motion given to it from
the fly-wheel shaft by a belt B, or any other convenient means.
B' is the pipe
or tube through which the air is to be forced, the end or nozzle of which is
brought to the required position in front of the saws, and near to the top of the
log. Although I have described this blower in connection with my said
machine or mill, I do not claim such blower as any part of my said Invention,
but only describe the same to enable others to use this part of my said
Invention as beneficially as I can. It must not, however, be understood that
I mean to represent the blowing apparatus above described to be the only
blowing apparatus which can be used for the purposes aforesaid, but I have
mentioned the best mode known to me for effecting the said purposes.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe certain other improvements in machinery for
sawing or cutting wood, which may be called the second part of my said
Invention, with the aid of Sheet III. of the said Drawings (in which also
similar parts are marked or referred to by similar letters or characters); and
these improvements are intended the better to adapt or fit such machinery for
the sawing or cutting of straight or curved logs or pieces of wood (in a
manner different from that which has been already described, and) so as to
prepare or assist in preparing planks or pieces of wood of such shapes as
may be required for ship building or other purposes. In sawing or cutting
into planks or other pieces logs of wood of straight or regular shapes, such
as logs of fir or other timber which is usually imported into this country well
squared and nearly straight, it is desirable that the saw mill or machine should
be self-acting, or as much so as possible, and that the mill should be so
constructed as to cut logs in the required manner with greater ease and
certainty, and save as much as possible of the time usually required for
mounting a log in the sliding carriage of a saw mill which is intended to be
cut therein. Oak and other timber intended to be applied to ship building
and other purposes, is frequently in its natural state in curved forms, and
cannot by means of ordinary sawing machinery be with facility cut into the
required shapes without cutting across the grain or fibre of the wood in such
a way as materially to diminish its strength and durability when applied to
the planking of ships or any similar purpose, or any other purpose which
makes it desirable that the timber should possess as much tenacity and
durability as possible. In cutting such curved logs of timber into planks or
pieces of the shapes required for such purposes as I have just mentioned, it
is therefore desirable that the operator or workman should be enabled to make
the longitudinal cut or cuts proceed as nearly as possible in the same direction
as the grain or fibre of the wood, notwithstanding any curvature thereof.
The cutting of curved logs of timber in this manner by saws has hitherto
been unattainable, or nearly so, except by means of saws worked by manual
labour only; but my improvements in saw mills or machines which I am now
about to describe are intended to render such improved mills or machines
applicable in the cutting or sawing logs into planks or pieces of timber of
the shapes required for ship building and other purposes, whether such logs are
in regular or curved forms.
Figure 13 is an elevation or view of a saw mill, furnished with improve-
ments according to this part of my Invention, as such a saw mill would
appear if viewed from one side thereof, one side of each of the pits being
removed for the purpose of exhibiting the machinery therein, and a log of

page_text: wood shewn as mounted and partly cut by the saws of the mill. Figure 14
is a plan or bird's-eye view of the same mill or machine, and of the partly
cut log therein, as it would appear if viewed from a position immediately above
it. Figure 15 is a view of the same mill or machine and log in transverse
section, taken through the dotted lines A*, B, Figure 14. Figure 16 is a
detached view of one of the carriages used for mounting logs of wood upon
for being cut by means of the mill or machinery. I am now describing and
shewing the end of a log mounted therein. The saw gate in this machine
may be constructed and mounted in any manner which is usually adopted, or
in the manner already shewn in describing the first part of my Invention. J, J,
are the fender posts or standards in which moves the saw gate or frame, as
already described with reference to the first part of my Invention. M, M is
the saw gate or frame, as constructed in an ordinary manner, and has motion
given to it by means of a vibrating beam R, which in Fig. 13 is shewn in a
bell crank form, and that beam is connected with the fly wheel R³, by means
of a connecting rod R¹, in the usual manner. Upon the vibrating beam R
is cast or placed a weight R³, which is intended to be a counterbalance
weight for the saw gate, in manner herein-before described. The saws
may be mounted in the saw gate or frame in the ordinary manner, as
shewn in Fig. 15, or in the manner herein-before described as a part of
my said Invention. In the construction of a saw machine or mill accord-
ing to this part of my Invention I dispense entirely with a sliding
carriage such as generally used, or such as mentioned in describing the former
part of this my Invention, and in lieu thereof mount a log or piece of timber
to be cut upon detached carriages which move upon castors, and traverse along
platforms or level floorings made for that purpose before and behind the saw
gate A, A.
Figures 13 and 14 are the platforms or floorings upon which the
detached carriages are to run, and which must be made wider than the saw
gate, and sufficiently wide to allow the carriage attached to each end of a log
of wood to run freely along to or from such a distance from straight lines
drawn at right angles in front or behind the saw gate, as may be required by
the curves or sweeps in the form of any log to be cut. B is a detached
carriage made of a piece of wood or iron about three or four feet long
(according to the size of the logs of timber to be mounted upon it), and of a
sufficient substance to bear the weights which it will be required to sustain.
Upon the top of the carriage is a pair of jaws, ears, or flanges 6' and 6*, within
which one end of a log is to be placed, and fastened by a set screw b³, threaded
into one of the jaws, as shewn in Figures 14 and 16. These carriages run
upon castors 6 and 6, Figures 13, 14, and 16, so as to run along upon the

page_text: platforms or floorings of the mill in any direction which may be required.
Upon one side of each of these carriages is fixed a tail handle 6 (Fig. 13), by
means of which the carriage may be moved about, and also kept in a proper
position for receiving the end of a log to be placed upon it. These carriages
must be made of such a height that the top thereof upon which one end of a
log is to rest shall be upon a level with the tops of the roller supports herein-
after described, or nearly so. In front of the saw gate and standards is placed
a cast-iron frame C, C, for the purpose of holding firmly in their proper
positions the wheels and other machinery mounted therein, and the bottom of
this frame is placed so as to be upon a level with the platforms or floorings
already described, as seen in Figures 13, 14, and 15. Upon one side of this
framing C are placed two upright metal cylindrical guide rollers D' and D³,
each of which is constructed and mounted in a similar manner. The axis of
each guide roller is mounted in two dovetailed V-pieces d¹ and d³, which slide
within V-slots made in arms or parts of the framing, as shewn in Figures 13
and 14. Into the ends of these V-pieces d¹ and d are threaded strong screw
shafts or bolts d' and d', and these screws are held in fixed bearings in the
framing so as to move the guide roller which they carry further from or
nearer to the side of the framing C. Upon the heads of these screw shafts are
placed spur wheels and d", and there is a pinion d' mounted upon a stud
between and taking into these wheels, and this pinion being turned by means
of its hand wheel d³ the one way or the oth, the two spur wheels and their
screw shafts may be turned in the manner which may be required for the
purpose of varying the position of the guide roller. Upon the opposite side of
the cast-iron frame is mounted another upright metal and cylindrical vibrating
roller E, which is mounted in a segmental frame or piece E¹, with which it
vibrates or moves. The segmental frame E' is mounted, hung, or supported
upon a perpendicular driving shaft E³, which has its bearings in two brackets
fixed upon the standard or fender post J. The segmental frame is made so
as to turn or move upon the shaft E, upon which it is mounted or hung, for
the purpose of bringing the cylindrical roller mounted in this segmental
frame into contact with any log of wood which may be intended to pass
between it and the two cylindrical rollers upon the opposite side of the cast-
iron frame, for the purpose of being cut. The outside of the arc of the seg-
mental frame is furnished with teeth, or a rack into which take the teeth of the
pinion E. The pinion E³ is mounted upon the top of a perpendicular driving
shaft E', which has its bearings in brackets fixed to the frame C. Upon the
bottom of the shaft E is fixed a bevil wheel e, taking into another bevil
wheel e', fixed upon a horizontal driving shaft e², and the shaft & has fixed upon
one end of it the spur wheel e³. Into the spur wheel e' takes the pinion e^,

page_text: fixed upon a horizontal driving shaft e, and upon the same shaft is fixed the
drum or pulley e, upon the outer end of which shaft is a hand wheel e. Upon
the drum or pulley e is wound a portion of a cord, one end of which, passing
over the pulley e, suspends a weight E by a hook at the end of it, and this
weight may be varied so as to increase or diminish the pressure which it is
intended to create. The cord must be wound round the drum or pulley e in
such a direction that when the weight E' is hung upon the end of the cord it
will have the effect of turning that drum or pulley round in such a way as by
means of the train of wheels connected therewith, and already described, to
press the cylindrical roller E against any log of timber which may be placed
in the mill to be cut, and to hold such log steadily and firmly as it passes
between that roller and the guide rollers D¹ and D³, towards the screws, for
the purpose of being cut; and when the pressure caused by the weight E is
no longer required, the weight can be removed from the hook at the end of the
cord, so as to cause the vibrating roller E to cease from pressing against a log
of wood; and, when desired, the machinery may be reversed by the hand
wheel e, so as to remove the roller E to a greater distance from the opposite
guide rollers D' and D³, so as to allow of the introduction of a fresh log to be
cut. The pressure of the vibrating roller E against a log passing between it
and the opposite guide rollers D' and D³ may, however, be effected by springs
or by any other mode by which the vibrating roller E can be made to press
steadily and equally against all parts of a log or piece of wood passing between
that roller and the guide rollers up to the saws to be cut, notwithstanding any
inequalities in the surface or thickness of the log or piece of wood, and so that
the roller E may, whilst continuing such equal pressure, from time to time
advance or recede, as may ber equired, by such inequalities, during the progress
of a log or piece of wood towards the saws to be cut. Upon the foot of the
which takes into an
axis of the vibrating roller E is fixed a toothed wheel e*,
intermediate wheel e **, the wheel ex × being mounted upon a stud on the
under side of the segment frame E¹, so that the wheels e* and e** may be
always in gear with each other, and the wheel e* * always in gear with the
wheel exxx. (into which it takes), notwithstanding the lateral motions or
variations in the position of the segment frame E¹. The wheel e* * * is
fixed upon the lower end of the driving shaft Es, and immediately below that
wheel and upon the same shaft is a bevil f¹, which takes into another bevil
wheel f³, fixed near the end of the shaft or axis of the cylindrical roller
support F¹. Upon the end of the shaft or axis of the same wheel, and close
to the bevil wheel f", is fixed the worm wheel f³, which takes into the endless
screw upon the upright driving shaft f. At the foot of the shaft f³ is
fixed a bevil wheel f, which takes into another bevil wheel f" upon a short

page_text: horizontal driving shaft fs, and upon the shaft fe is a spur wheel f, into which
takes a pinion f10 fixed upon the horizontal driving shaft h.
Upon the
horizontal shaft is a conical pulley or drum H³, and connected with it
another conical pulley or drum H', which is mounted upon the fly-wheel
shaft S. These conical pulleys or drums are connected together by means
of a band or belt, in the same manner as herein-before described. with
reference to similar pairs of pulleys or drums; and the position of such band
or belt upon the pulleys or drums just described is to be changed for the
purpose of varying the feed of the log to the saws, or the speed with which the
log is brought up to the saws to be cut, in the same way as herein-before
described with reference to the former part of my said Invention. The cylindrical
roller support F, already mentioned, is placed immediately in front of the saws,
and immediately behind the saws is another cylindrical roller support F2, which
revolves freely upon its bearings. The forked lever G₁ has its two forked ends
attached to the two standards or fender posts J, J, by studs, so as to allow the
opposite end of the lever to be raised or depressed, as may be required. Within
the forked part of this lever is mounted a press roller F³, which turns upon an
axle, the ends of which are made to slide in slots in each of the arms of the fork,
so as to enable the attendant workman to place the roller nearer to or farther
from the saw gate, as may be required, according to the form of the log of timber
to be cut in the mill. Upon the outer end of this lever is mounted a moveable
ball or weight G2, the position of which upon the lever may be varied according
to the degree with which the roller F3 is required to press upon the log.
When this lever is not in action the loose end of it is to be suspended, as
shewn in Figure 13. When it is intended to introduce a log of wood into this
machine, in order that it may be cut, such one or more of the saws as may be
required must be placed in the proper position in the saw gate, according to
the thickness of the planks or pieces of wood into which the log is to be cut.
When a log or piece of wood is intended to be cut in a mill or machine con-
structed according to this part of my Invention, care should be taken that the
edge or side of the log which is to be placed next to the guide rollers should
be made either straight or in the line according to which the intended saw cut
or cuts are to be made, for whatever may be the form of that side of the log
the saw cut or cuts made by the machine will be made parallel with that side
of the log throughout. Logs and pieces of fir and some other kinds of timber
are generally imported into this country nearly straight, and squared in such a
way that they may be submitted at once to the process of sawing in this
machine, without any previous preparation; but if the side or edge of such a
log or piece of timber which is to be pressed against the guide rollers as it
passes along towards the saws to be cut should happen to be of an irregular

page_text: shape, or not of the shape or in the line according to which the saw cut or
cuts are to be made, then that side or edge of the log or piece of wood must
be sawn or cut in some other manner into the proper line or shape according
to which the saw cut or cuts is or are intended to be made by the machine.
Logs or pieces of oak and other timber intended to be used for ship building
and other purposes, which are curved, are frequently squared, but in such a
way that the squared piece remains still curved in the same way as before,
and so that the strength of the timber, or the planks or pieces into which it is
to be cut or shaped, may not have the strength or tenacity thereof impaired by
cutting across the grain or fibre of the wood in any part thereof. And if such
a curved log or piece of timber which is intended to be cut in the machine has
had the side or edge thereof which is to be placed next the guide rollers cut
and squared with sufficient evenness and regularity, then it may be at once
introduced into the machine to be cut; but if that be not so, or if the log or
piece of wood to be cut has not been squared at all, the side thereof which is
to be pressed against the guide rollers must be cut and squared so as to make
it assume the proper form according to which the other cut or cuts are to be
made by the machine, and care should be taken that when a log or piece of
timber is to be cut in this machine the lower or under side thereof which
passes over the roller supports should be as straight or level or as nearly in
one plane as conveniently may be. One end of a log or piece of timber to be
introduced into this machine for the purpose of being cut must be mounted
upon a detached carriage, such as herein-before described; and the upright
cylindrical vibrating roller E being drawn back a sufficient distance from the
opposite guide rollers D¹ and D2, the other end of the log is to be passed
between the rollers, and brought over the roller support F¹ up to the teeth of
the saws.
The weight E' is then to be placed upon the hook at one end of
the cord wound upon the drum e, so as to cause the vibrating roller E to press
the log against the guide rollers D¹ and D³, by which rollers it is to be guided
or kept in its proper position as it passes along up to the saws for the purpose
of being cut. The guide roller D¹ must, by means of the screws &³ and do,
be placed in such a position as to cause the saws to enter the log in the manner
required, and being so placed must remain in that position during the cutting
of the log. The position of the guide roller D* must be adjusted by means
of its screws in such a way that the log or piece of timber shall be presented
or pass up to the saws in the proper direction and position for being cut in the
manner required, and so that the cuts to be made by the saws shall, through-
out the whole length of the log, be parallel with that side of the log which is
placed next to the guide rollers D'and D²; and from time to time as the curvature
of that part of the log (if any) which comes between the guide rollers shall

page_text: vary in any respect, the attendant workman must gradually vary or adjust the
position of the guide roller D² so as to cause the log to be brought up in the
proper direction to the saws for being cut. But when a straight log is to be
cut in the machine, the position of these guide rollers must continue the same
throughout the whole of the operation. Motion being now given to the
machine, the revolution of the rollers E and F¹ will draw the log forward
towards the saws to be cut, the feed or speed of cutting being regulated by the
conical pulleys or drums, as before mentioned. When the cutting of the log
has proceeded a sufficient distance, then pieces of wood are to be placed in the
saw cuts at the cut end of the log, in order to prevent the saws from being
nipped, and that end of the log is then to be mounted in a detached carriage,
as shewn in Figs. 13 and 14. The loose end of the forked lever is then to be
loosened from its suspender, and the press roller F³ and the weight G' being
placed in their proper positions, that roller is to be brought down upon the log
so as to press it down more effectually into its proper position upon the roller
supports as it passes along, and enable the roller support F, by its revolution,
to assist in drawing forward the log. When the tail end of the log comes up
near to the guide roller D, the carriage at that end of the log must be released
or taken off; and when that end of the log has come up near to the centre of
the guide roller D³, the pressure of the roller E must be discontinued, but the
roller should be retained in the same position in order to assist in steadying
that end of the log. The pressure of the vibrating roller E being then
released, the log will be drawn forward by means of the roller support F¹
until the whole log has been cut. Although I have shewn the guide rollers D¹
and D in the Drawings as mounted at a certain distance from each other, yet
I vary the construction of this part of my machinery by making the guide
roller D and its mountings capable of sliding longitudinally in a groove, or
otherwise, so that the distance of those two rollers from each other may be
varied from time to time, as circumstances may require. And although I
have shewn in the Drawings a mode of communicating motion to the log or
piece of timber to be cut by means of the vibrating roller E, yet I also vary
the construction of this part of my machinery by giving motion to the log by
means of the guide roller D¹, instead of the vibrating roller E; and when
motion is given to the guide roller D¹ instead of the vibrating roller E,
I further vary the construction of the machinery by making the vibrating
roller E and its mountings, and the apparatus connected therewith, capable
of sliding longitudinally in a groove or otherwise, so that the distance of that
roller from the saws may be varied from time to time, as circumstances may
require.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, in manner aforesaid, I hereby declare that
I claim as of my said Invention,
Firstly, the mode of constructing saw mills or machines with revolving
or turning chuck plates and oscillating or turning intermediate roller
supports for the purpose of holding, sustaining, or supporting logs or pieces of
timber whilst being cut, such chuck plates and supports being made capable
of being turned by the machine itself, or by hand, for the purpose of varying
(when necessary) the bevils of the cuts to be made by the mills or machines,
for the purpose of producing pieces of timber of the required shapes.
Secondly, the mode of turning such chuck plates and supports of saw mills
as aforesaid by means of a pair of conical drums connected by belts or bands,
and furnished with graduated scales, for the purpose of enabling the attendant
workman to regulate the turning of the chuck plates and supports with pieces
of timber supported thereby, so that the bevils of the cuts to be made in such
pieces of timber may be varied in the manner necessary for cutting such pieces
into the required shapes.
Thirdly, the mode of determining the bevils of cuts to be made in my said
improved sawing machine by means of a graduated semicircular board and
sliding frame, as herein-before described.
Fourthly, the mode of constructing such chuck plates as aforesaid with the
jaws or clips thereof mounted upon an excentric motion, (that is to say,) upon
a foot or piece fitted into a groove, so as to be capable of sliding laterally
therein from the centre of the chuck plate, for the purpose of bringing the
centre of gravity of logs or pieces of wood of irregular shapes within a centre
line drawn between the centres of the chuck plates for the balancing of such
logs or pieces whilst they are being cut or shaped in the mill.
Fifthly, the mode of constructing the jaws or clips of such chuck plates as
aforesaid with quadrant slots, and so that one of the jaws or clips thereof may
be turned towards either side, for the purpose of better and more securely
bolding logs or pieces of timber of crooked or irregular forms, whilst being
cut or shaped in the mill, as herein-before described.
Sixthly, the mode of mounting saws in stretchers, as herein-before described,
and also the mode herein-before described of mounting such saws with their
stretchers within a saw gate or frame, so as to be capable of sliding laterally
in either direction within the saw gate or frame.
Seventhly, the mode of constructing a saw gate or frame with double head
or foot rails or bars, or with longitudinal slots and flanges in such head and
foot rails or bars, in manner herein-before described; and the mode of

page_text: mounting saws within such saw gate upon swivels and friction rollers moving
upon the flanges herein-before described.
Eighthly, the mode of constructing saw swivels with antifriction balls or
spherical rollers, as herein-before described.
Ninthly, the mode of turning saw, mounted upon stretchers or otherwise,
within the saw gate, by means of feathers or ribs, with the arms or parallel
motions connected therewith, and by keys, as herein-before described.
Tenthly, the mode of regulating, by means of a pair of conical drums or
pulleys and the machinery connected therewith, the motion or speed of the
sliding carriage of a saw mill, and the feed of the log or piece of wood to the
saws, for the purpose of being cut as herein-before described.
Eleventhly, the mode of balancing the weight of the saw gate or frame by
placing a counterbalance weight upon the vibrating beam, as herein-before
described.
Twelfthly, the mode of constructing a saw mill or machine with guide
rollers and a vibrating roller, for the purpose of feeding and drawing a log or
piece of timber in the proper direction to the saw or saws of the mill, for the
purpose of being cut, as herein-before described. And,
Lastly, the mode of constructing the detached carriages for the purpose of
holding or supporting the ends of logs or pieces of timber whilst they are being
cut, and at the same time allowing them to be moved in any required direction,
as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Webster Cochran, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-six.