IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS AND OTHER WOODEN VESSELS, AND IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING WOOD FOR THOSE PURPOSES
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
ROBERTSON, of Great Howard Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present 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 Twenty-ninth day of July, in the
twelfth year of Her reign (One thousand eight hundred and forty eight), did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James
Robertson, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that I, the said James Robertson, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said James Robertson, my exors, adñiors, or
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 expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS AND OTHER WOODEN VESSELS, AND IN MACHINERY
FOR CUTTING WOOD FOR THOSE PURPOSES," within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark,
and Man, and in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad; in
which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso requiring that I, the said
James Robertson, shall 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 my hand and seal, and cause the same to be
cnrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
A

page_text: -
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.
James Robertson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained-in-and-by-this my Specification thereof, with-the
aid of the several sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed (that is to say):
My said Invention consists of a mode or modes of constructing several
descriptions of machines, some of which are intended to be used in preparing
the materials for making or manufacturing casks, and other wooden vessels of
a similar description, such for instance as vats, harness tubs, &c. &c., and
others of which machines are intended to be used in the making or manu-
facturing of such casks, and other similar vessels from the said materials, or
other materials of a similar description; the object which I have had in view,
in making iny said Invention, being to make or manufacture such casks and
other vessels as aforesaid in a better and more speedy manner than by the
means which hitherto have been employed for such purposes. In the eight
sheets of Drawings hereunto belonging I have shewn, in various Figures,
several machines which are constructed. according to my Invention, and which
are intended to be used for the several purposes herein-before mentioned,' the
pieces of wood to be operated upon being first sawn or cut to suitable lengths.
Sheet 1 of the said Drawings contains several Figures or views of one
description of machine which I have invented, and in which said several Figures
similar parts are marked with similar letters or characfers of reference. This
machine is intended for planeing or otherwise dressing pieces of wood intended
to be used as sides or staves, and also for cutting or plancing pieces of wood
intended to be used in forming heading or ends to the proper form required
for the different descriptions and sizes of casks, or other similar vessels.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) is a front elevation. Figures 2 and 3 (Sheet 1) are re-
spectively vertical sections, as taken through the lines a, b, and c, d, respectively
of Figure 1. Figure 4 (Sheet 1) is an end view. Figure 5 (Sheet 1) is an
enlarged vertical section taken. through the line g, h, of Figure 1. Figure 5*
(Sheet 1) is an enlarged side view of a part of the machine, some portions of
which are in this Figure shewn in section, and this part may easily be dis-
tinguished by the letters of reference marked thereon. Figure 6 (Sheet 1) is
a top plan view of the frame, and Figure 7 (Sheet 1) is a plan view. of the
under side of the frame. A is the framework. B is a smooth surface or
table whereon each of the pieces of wood to be operated upon is to be placed

page_text: in such a position that, when one of the bars H (herein-after mentioned) is
carried forward by the motion of the endless chain, the piece of wood may be
pushed forward, as herein-after described. Instead of this surface or table a
series of rollers may be used, and may perhaps be preferable as causing less
friction, both modes of construction being shewn in several of the Figures, and
the rollers being marked B*, B. K, K, and K, K*, are wheels with teeth or
projections upon them, taking into the links of the endless chains G, G. The
former two of these wheels are fixed upon the driving shaft L, which is furnished
with live and dead pullies M and N, see Figure 7, Sheet 1. H, H, are bars
or catches attached to the chains G, G, which as the said chains are caused to
revolve, push forward or propel the pieces of wood placed, as before described,
upon the smooth surface B, B, or series of rollers B*, B. By this means
each of the said pieces of wood is forced forward between the said surface
B; B (or rollers B*, B*), and the rollers C, C, each successive piece coming.
against the end of the piece preceding it, and pushing it forward through the
machine. The rollers C, C, are supported at each end in bushes or blocks
E, E, which slide in suitable supports E*, E*, placed in an oblique direction
and pressed downwards by the action of a spring or weight, so that the
rollers C, C, may rise and fall and accommodate themselves to any unevenness
or variation in the thickness of any piece of wood which may be operated
upon. The necessary pressure upon the rollers C, C, may be given either by
springs, as represented at D, or by weights, as represented at D*. When the
wood is very tough or uneven, or the work very large, a greater number of
rollers C, C, than are shewn in the Drawing may possibly be found more
advantageous. As the work is thus forced forward, as above described, it is
subjected to the action of the two series of fixed cutters or tools I, I, and J, J,
which act simultaneously, or nearly so, on both sides of the wood, the former
on the under side, and the latter on the upper side, so as to cut off or plane.
away or remove therefrom its unevenness and give to it the required form
according to the purpose for which it is intended to be used. And for this
purpose the edges of the cutters must be made of proper shapes for cutting.
the pieces of wood in the required manner.. Thus, if the pieces of wood are
to be used as the staves or sides of casks or similar vessels, the cutters either
on the upper or under side should be made with concave edges, so as to cut
or shave the outsides of the pieces of wood into the curved form required for.
the outside of the intended cask or vessel; the cutters on the other side being
made with convex edges so as to cut or shave the insides of the pieces of wood
into the concave hollow or curved form required for the inside of the intended:
cask or vessel. Pieces of wood thus cut for the purpose of being used as the

page_text: staves or sides of casks or vessels will; I believe, be made with a greater
degree of accuracy than heretofore; (that is to say). they will all be made of the
same thickness and with the saine external and internal curves, or nearly so.
The cutters for cutting or shaving pieces, of wood which are intended to be
used for forming the heads or ends of, such casks or vessels as aforesaid will
require to be ground straight on their edges, or very nearly so, in order that
cach piece of wood operated upon may be, made flat instead of being curved
like the staves. In order that the cutters, may not split or tear. the work forced
against them they should be so, placed that those which operate first upon a
piece of wood may remove only a small portion: (if any), the others according
to their order, each one cutting away a still further small portion (if any) of
the wood. The last cutter on each side should of course be placed at the
proper distance from each other to give the requisite thickness to the work,
and if the piece of wood-operated upon should happen to be very nearly of
the thickness' and shape required, it may happen that it will only be operated
upon materially by the last of both, or by the last of either of the two series
of cutters placed above and below, as before mentioned. The machine which
I have described may be constructed or used with only one, or a pair, or any
other number of such cutters as aforesaid, according to the nature or shape of
the pieces of wood to be operated upon, and the manner in which it may be
intended to prepare them. I have shewn these cutters placed at the same
angle as the iron of a cooper's jointer, or of an ordinary carpenter's plane, or
nearly so, but the angle may be varied (as preferred) according to the nature
of the work to be operated upon. The cutters shewn in the Drawings are
made with their edges square; or at right angles with their sides, the edge of
each cutter when placed within the machine being at a right angle with the
sides of the machine. The angle which the edge of the cutter forms with the
sides of the machine may however be advantageously varied for the purpose of
better cutting wood with a coarse, or uneven grain. And for this purpose the
cutter, or each or any of the cutters may be made with its edge forming such
an angle as shewn in any of the Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11.(Sheet 1), or any
other similar angle, the angle which the edge of the cutter forms with the
side of the machine being varied in proportion and acting in a manner some-
what similar to the iron of a plane used by joiners or carpenters, called a
skew plane.. I would here remark, that the pieces of wood to be operated
upon may be pushed forward against the cutters by means of a rod actuated
by a crank, or by any other convenient means, instead of that above described
and represented in Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Sheet 2 of the said Drawings.contains several Figures or views of another.

page_text: description of machine, the similar parts in each of which said Figures are
marked with similar letters of reference. This machine is intended to be
used for a similar purpose to that of the machine herein-before described. and
represented in the Sheet 1 of the Drawings. Figure 1 (Sheet 2) is partly a
section and partly a front elevation. Figure 2 (Sheet 2) is a vertical sectioni
taken partially through the line a, b, and partially through the line c, d, of
Figure 1. Figure 3 (Sheet 2) is a plan with a portion removed. A is the
framework, furnished with longitudinal tongues or strips A* projecting from
the inside of each of the sides of the said framework, as shewn more particularly
in Figures 2 and 3 (Sheet 2). These tongues or strips are formed with their
upper surfaces at an angle with the upper surface of the framework, the higher
ends being those nearest to the screw D (herein-after mentioned). B is a
table sliding on the tongues A*, the under side of the said table being formed
at a corresponding inclination with the said tongues, and its upper surface
being parallel to that of the framework. C, a handle for actuating a
screw D, which works in a fixed bearing at one end of the machine, and also
through a lug on the under side of the table B, and by which the said table may
be slided and maintained in the position which gives the desired elevation or
depression of its upper surface, according to the quantity required to be planed
or cut away from the piece of wood to be operated upon, which is to be placed
upon the said. table with one end against the stop or projection B* formed
thereon. G is a box or case sliding on the framework, and being for the
purpose of holding and carrying along with it the plane H, which is furnished
with cutters J, J, and rollers K, K, for pressing on the upper surface of the
work against which the said plane is caused to bear, by means of springs, as at
L, L, or this effect may be produced by weights. The remarks made in the
description of the previously mentioned machine, with regard to the shapes of
the cutters, will also generally apply to this machine. The box G is furnished
with arms G*, one on either side of the machine, projecting downwards, and con-
nected together by a transverse rod I, which is also attached to the endless chain
Z. This endless chain passes over the wheels E and Ex, which are furnished
with projections for taking into its links. The wheel E is fixed upon the
shaft Q, as is also the bevil wheel N. J is a pulley and R is a bevil wheel
upon the driving shaft, the latter gearing into the 'bevil wheel N. K is a
hollow spindle revolving upon the driving shaft. His a pulley and Pa
bevil wheel upon the said hollow spindle, the latter also gearing into the bevil
wheel N. P✶ is a loose pulley. S is a fork for shifting the strap from either
of the pullies J or H* to the loose pulley P, or from the one of the said

page_text: two pullies to the other, which, being alternately effected, will cause an
alternate motion along the length of the table of the chain Z, and consequently
of the box G, holding the plane II. R* (see Figure 3, Sheet 2) is a rod,
which carries the fork S. This rod slides through guides attached to the
framework, and is furnished with two projecting pieces, against which one
of the arms G will alternately strike, and consequently effect the alternate
motion required. T (see Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 3) is a weighted lever,
working on a fulcrum at t, and passing through or connected with the rod R*
or fork S, so as to keep the said fork steady in the position which may bo
requisite for keeping the strap either upon the pulley H or J*. The action
of this machine is as follows:-The table B is to be slided to the position
required, according to the thickness which it is desired to give to the piece
of wood. The piece of wood is then to be placed on the table, in the position
before described, and the plane caused to pass over it by the action of the
endless chain, and when tho plane has so passed over it the piece of wood is
to be removed (if it has been sufficiently acted upon); one of the arms
G* will then reverse the motion, as before explained; a fresh piece of wood is
to be substituted, and the arm G*, again changing the motion, will cause the
said last-mentioned piece of wood to be operated upon in a similar manner.
If the work is not sufficiently acted upon by one passage of the plane over it,
it must be subjected to the operation twice or more, till the desired effect
is produced. I would here remark, that any other suitable mode of producing
an alternate motion of the plane may be substituted in lieu of that herein-
before described and represented in the Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Sheet 3 of the said Drawings contains several Figures or views of another
description of machine made according to my said Invention, and in which
said last-mentioned several Figures similar parts are marked with and
referred to by means of similar letters of reference. This machine is
intended for plancing and jointing pieces of wood to be used as the staves of
or for the ends of casks, or such other similar vessels as aforesaid. Figure 1
(Sheet 3) is a front elevation, representing a straight plane or jointer in
the machine. Figure 2 (Sheet 3) is a top plan view. Figure 3 (Sheet 3)
is a plan of the parts below the line a, b, of Figure 1, from which some
of the parts are shewn as removed. Figure 4 (Sheet 3) is a partial
section through the line c, d, of Figure 1, and a partial end view. Figure 5
(Sheet 3) is a view of a curved plane or jointer separate from the rest
of the machine. A is the frame; B, a flat table, which may be placed
either horizontal or at an angle with the horizon, as herein-after described. On

page_text: the table the pieces of wood are to be placed, with the edges or sides which
are intended to be operated upon presented against the cutters G, G, of the
plane or jointer Q, which is shewn distinctly only in Figure 1. The jointer.
employed for planeing is furnished with four cutters G, G, two of such cutters-
being placed in a direction the reverse or opposite to the other two, so that the
jointer may cut or act either way in working. C is a sliding box for holding.
the plane or jointer Q, the box being constructed so that the plane or jointer;
may be inserted or removed at pleasure, and when inserted held securely therein.
by the screws D, D. Planes or jointers of different lengths and breadths:
ought to be provided according to the sizes of the pieces of wood to be operated'
upon, and planes or jointers of different descriptions ought also to be provided:
(that is to say) one or more with a straight face (from end to end), and others.
with curves of various descriptions, so that the workman may be enabled to
insert and operate with an appropriate tool for producing the intended effect."
Thus, if the edge to be jointed is straight, the face of the jointer must be
straight also, as in Figures 1, 2, and 4 (Sheet 3); and if the edge to be.
jointed be curved, the jointer must be curved from end to end in a similar
manner, as at Figure 5 (Sheet 3). By thus selecting and using an appropriate.
jointer, the cutter will be kept in its proper position or angle with respect to
the edge of the piece of wood upon which it is operating, so as to act in a
similar manner along the whole length of the joint, and thus plane it evenly
and equally from end to end. (In some cases, however, as for instance when
the wood intended for staves is very uneven in the grain, the cutters will only.
be required to act from the middle to the ends of the wood to be operated.
instead of along their whole length, the said pieces being turned about
as required; and in such cases only half the range of action of the plane or
jointer will be required. This is more particularly herein-after explained:) The:
box C, which carries the plane or jointer to be used, works lengthways in cach
direction in a groove, or upon slides or rollers, and is furnished on its under
side with a rack R driven by a pinion S; but if the plane or jointer be a
circular one, then the box C must work in a corresponding circular groove, or
upon corresponding circular slides, instead of a straight groove, as shewn in
the Drawing. The pinion S is fixed upon one end of the shaft T, and upon
the other end is fixed the bevil wheel U. V and W are two other bevil wheels
gearing into the wheel U; and X, Y, Z, are a system of pullies for reversing
the motion of the machine in manner similar to. that previously described with
reference to the machine shewn in Sheet 2 of the said Drawings. The method
of shifting the strap is, however, different; it is best explained by reference to
the Figure 2 (Sheet 3). The guiding fork M is formed upon a sliding bar N,
upon,

page_text: working in supports O, O. II is a lever upon a fulcrum h, one end of this
lever is suitably connected with the bar N for actuating the same, and the
other is so placed that the stop pieces or catches I, I*, fixed to the box C,
may strike against it, and thereby shift the driving strap and reverse the
motion. The following parts of this machine remain to be described:-
m, m, (see Figure 2, Sheet 3,) are two stops (sliding in a groove t), which
are to be placed and fixed at a proper distance apart, so as to admit the pieco
of wood to be operated upon between them, and stop and retain it in that
position upon the table whenever the plane or jointer is moved, and acts upon
it in the one direction or the other. L, L, are sliding holders for the
screws L, L, which serve the purpose of holding down crooked staves, but
the parts L and L* are not required for staves that are not crooked, and in
plancing such staves or pieces of wood may be dispensed with. E, E, and
F, E, are screws for raising the table B to any part of the face of the plane or
jointer, so that by continual working the edges of the bits or cutters may not
be unevenly worn away. For the purpose of jointing or planeing the edges of
pieces of wood with transverse angles of ninety degrees, or so that a line drawn
across the edge of such a piece shall be at right angles, or nearly so, with its
side, as in pieces of wood intended to be used for the head or end of a cask
or such other vessel as aforesaid, the surface of the table B must be placed in
an horizontal position, or at right angles to the face of the plane or jointer, in
order to joint or finish the edges of such pieces of wood at a similar angle.
For the purpose of jointing or planeing the edges of pieces of wood, the
joints of which are to be finished or made at any other transverse angle than
a right angle, as just described (such as pieces of wood intended to be used
as staves, or sides of casks, or similar vessels), the angle which the surface of
the table forms with the face of the jointer must be altered by means of the
screws F, F, so as to cause the edges of the piece of wood to be presented to
the cutter or cutters in such manner as to produce a joint of the required
description. A piece of wood to be operated upon by this machine is to be
placed upon the table with the edge or side to be jointed or planed placed
next the plane or jointer, and so that each end will be placed against or near
to one of the stops m, m, and thus detained in its proper position during the
action of the machine. In planeing or jointing the edges of pieces of wood,
two or more such pieces may be acted upon at one and the same time by
piling the said pieces on each other. The plane or jointer having had motion
given to it by means of the pinion S, the attendant workman is to press the
edge or side of the piece of wood against the plane or jointer, the cutter or
tool of which will thus be enabled to act upon the edge or side, and finish it as

page_text: required, and the operation of the machine must be repeated or. continued
until the edge or side has been so finished or completed in the required manner.
If the intended edge of the piece of wood be curved (as in pieces of wood
intended for cask staves) the plane or jointer cannot in all cases be permitted
to act upon it from end to end, particularly if the plane or jointer cuts.or
operates in each direction, for the cutter might act so much against the grain
of the wood as to tear the wood or prevent the machine from making a smooth
and proper joint. In such cases the operation of cutting by the plane or
jointer must be commenced at the middle or other proper part of the edge to
be operated upon, so that the cutter may operate from that part to and
towards the end of the piece of wood, and, if necessary, afterwards from the
same part to and towards the other end, repeating or continuing the operation
of the machine until the joint or edge of the piece of wood has been completed
in the manner required. The attendant workman in this case: is also to keep
the edge of the piece of wood continually pressed against that of the plane or
jointer, so as to cause the cutter to act evenly and equally during the whole
of the operation. The angle of the table with the face of the plane or jointer
must, in every case, be made such as to produce a joint (whether curved.or
straight) with the required transverse angle, as before described. I would
here remark, that any other convenient means may be employed for producing
the alternate motion of the plane or jointer, and I find in practice that in
particular the motion derived from the working of a crank, with rod connect-
ing it with the plane or jointer; may be very advantageously substituted. I
would also remark, that the plane or jointer may be made entirely of metal,
instead of principally of wood, as represented by the color on the Drawings,
and, if preferred, the part which comes against the work may be made with
rollers (instead of an even surface), as in the plane represented in the Sheet 2
of the Drawings.
Sheet 4 of the said Drawings contains several Figures or views of another:
description of machine for bending and trussing or compressing the staves
together, and forming them into casks or other similar vessels. In the
several Figures contained in this Sheet 4, similar parts are marked with
similar. letters of reference.
Before being subjected to the operation of this machine the staves are required
to be rendered, pliable and soft, either by the action of fire, steam, or hot water,
but I prefer steam or hot water for this purpose as effecting the required
object without blistering the staves, or making them uneven on the inside,"
which is frequently occasioned by the use of fire, and in consequence of which
leakage is frequently caused.

page_text: Figure 1: (Sliect 4) is a frout elevation, Figure 2 (Sheet 4) is an end view;
Figure. 3. (Sheet. 4) is a plan or horizontal section, taken according to the
various parts marked and denoted by the letters a, b, c, d: Figure 4, (Sheet 4),
is a top plan view? A is the framework:E and Bare cases or trussers, cach
in height corresponding with one half of the cask to be trussed or..compressed:
These cases or trussers..are formed in two halves, and. fastened together by
screws or other means at C, C, and CC. See Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 4).
The lower trusser E rests upon the foundation plate of the frame A, and the
upper trusser B is attached to the plate M: To this plate is attached the
screw F H is a bush having a female screw formed therein, corresponding
with the screw F. The threaded bush. is fixed to the bevil wheel G, and
revolving therewith lifts or depresses the plate M, and with it the case or
trusser B: The wheel G must have motion communicated to it from a prime
mover in any convenient manner. D; D, are recesses formed in the cases or
trussers. E. and B for the reception of hoops. The method of using this
machine is as follows:-The cask may be "raised" or built either in or out of
this machine, according as it is preferred: If the former, hoops are to be placed.
in the recesses of both cases or trussers by slickening the screws at C and C
and then tightening them when the hoops are so placed, and the case or
trusser B is to be raised up out of the way of the operation next to be per-
formed. The staves, made pliable or soft as before mentioned, are then to be
placed in the: lower trusser E, with their lower ends close together, and their
upper ends radiating and spreading out all round, and the upper trusser is to
be forced downwards, whereby the part marked I will collect the spreading
ends of the staves, and the staves will thus be bent and compressed into the
form of a caska. The screws at C, C, are then to be slackened, and the
upper trusser Elifted out of the way, leaving the hoops which were previously
in the recesses of the said trusser upon the newly-formed cask. The screws
at C; C, may then be slackened, leaving the hoops which were previously in
the recesses of the lower trusser B upon the newly-formed cask. The hoops.
employed may be simply used' as trussing hoops to hold the cask in form:
while others are being placed on it in the usual manner, or they may be left
permanently upon the casks, and any number of them may be employed;
according to the description and size of cask to be made. In order that the
cask may be made to assume a correct shape, an inside mould or pattern for
each half, constructed in manner following, is placed within each trusser. A
description of one mould or pattern will suffice for both, the Drawing suffi-,
ciently explaining the difference of their construction. J, J, are iron ség
ments whercon the wooden covering K, K (corresponding with the form of

page_text: the inside of the casks), is placed, and which, though not strictly so in shape;
I call a cone. The segments J, J, are to be kept in proper position by the
hollow pyramidal wedge L, or the same may be composed of two, three, or
more portions. The segments must be so constructed at the places where
they touch each other that one of them at least may be drawn towards the
centre when the wedge L is withdrawn, and the whole so constructed and
arranged that the various parts may clear the bilge of the cask, for which
purpose the cone K is made of three equal portions, or of as many equal or
unequal parts as may be deemed requisite. The wedge L may be withdrawn
by a windlass Z, having tackle properly arranged for the purpose, or in any
other convenient manner. If the cask is raised or built in the ordinary
manner, or out of this machine, before being subjected to the operation of
trussing, the hoops which are to fit into the recesses in the lower trusser E
will of course be upon the staves instead of in such recesses, and the screws
C, C, must be slackened to admit them, in order to place the staves (so raised)
in the said trusser. When the hoops are in their proper position in the said
recesses the screws C, C, must be tightened, and the method of trussing will
be the same as before: I would here remark, that the forcing down of the
upper trusser may be effected in any other convenient manner besides that
above described; and I would also remark, that in some cases it may be.
desirable to have the upper trusser fixed and the lower one moveable, but I
consider the arrangement above described will generally be preferable. The
sizes and shapes of the trussers and moulds to be used in making casks or
similar vessels in this manner must of course vary according to the sizes and
shapes of the casks or vessels which are intended to be made.
Shect 5 of the said Drawings contains several Figures or views of another
description of machine which I have invented; and the several Figures of this:
machine contained in Sheet 5 are also marked with similar letters of reference.
This machine is intended to be used for trussing or compressing together the
pieces of wood of which the heads or ends of casks or similar vessels are to be:
formed after being heated by fire, steam, or hot water. Figure 1 (Sheet 5)
is a front elevation, Figure 2 (Sheet 5) is an end view, and Figure 8 (Sheet
5) is a plan. A, A, is the frame, the upper part of which forms a level table,"
whereon the picces of wood are to be laid in a warm state. B, B, are bars,
extending lengthways across the table, their under surfaces being oblique, or
formed to a slight angle with regard to the plane of the table. C is a séréw,
with a bar D affixed to it, the end of the screw being allowed to turn therein.
E, E, are levers fixed to the screw C for turning the same by hand. F is a
brass bush wherein the screw C works. G, G, are the pieces of wood to be

page_text: trussed or compressed. II, II, (Figure 1) are wedges corresponding on their
upper surfaces with the obliquity of the under surface of the bars B, B, and
placed on each piece of wood between each bar and piece of wood, thus
pressing them down, and keeping each piece from rising. The wedges II, II,
act upon each piece separately (as the pieces of heading of some casks are
uneven). The action of this machine is as follows:-The pieces of wood being
placed in the machine in manner already described, the bar D is to be forced
forwards by the screw C against the pieces of wood, thus compressing or
trussing each piece firmly against the other. The pieces G, G, may be kept
down by screws passing through the bars B, B, instead of wedges; and the
compression of the pieces of wood in the machine, so as to form the head or
end of a cask or other similar vessel, may be effected by any other adequate
power, as well as by means of a screw, as just described.
Sheet 6 of the said Drawings contains several Figures or views of another
description of machine which I have invented, and in which said several
Figures similar parts are marked with similar letters of reference. This
machine is intended to be used for cutting the pieces of wood intended to form
the heads or ends of casks, and such other similar vessels as aforesaid, into a
circular form, and of various sizes, and for cutting, sloping, or bevilling the
edges of such heads or ends so as to fit the grooves or grouping made to receive
them. Figure 1 (Sheet 6) is a front elevation, Figure 2 (Sheet 6) a vertical
section thereof as taken through the line a, b, of Figure 1, Figure 3 (Sheet 6)
is an end view, Figure 4 (Sheet 6) is a plan. A is the framework; B is a
revolving table, fixed upon a spindle N, driven by the pulley C. The head or
end, after being trussed by the machine lastly before described (and Figures of
which are shewn in Sheet 5 of the said Drawings), is to be removed therefrom
and placed upon the table B in either a warm or cold state, the cold state
being, I believe, the best. D is also a revolving table or plate, over and
corresponding with the table B. M, M, are two or more screws passing
through the plate D, so as to hold fast the "cantles" or side picces of the
head or end, or as many more of such pieces as may be considered necessary.
Screws may also pass through the table B if required for the same purpose. Tho
plate D may either be driven like the table B, or may simply follow or ac-
commodate itself to the motion of the said table. E is the cutter for giving
the requisite circular form to the head or end. This cutter is fixed to a piece
I sliding in the box G, and may be moved upwards or downwards therein by
means of the screw H, so as to cause the same to act or not, at pleasure.
Fis a screw for sliding the box G, and with it the parts which it carries to
the required distance from the centre of the table, so as to cut the head or

page_text: end of any required diameter. J is a block resting on a slide S on. the
framework, and attached to or formed in one pieco with the box G. The
object of this block (J) is to hold the cutters K, K, for sloping or bevilling the
newly formed circular edges of the head or end to a bevil and thickness.to
correspond with the grooves (on the inside.of the staves) into which they are
required to be, fitted. L is a screw for bringing the cutters K, K, gradually
upon the edges of the head or end, the screw F serving to adapt the. cutters to
any diameter thereof. T is a centreing pin sliding through the spindle of
the plate D. The head or end to be subjected to the action of this machine
is to be placed upon the lower table B in such a position that the centreing
pin T may coincide with the centre of a circle previously described upon the
said head or end, so that the tools E and K may then act directly upon the
work. Each of these machines should be furnished with several pairs of
tables, so as to fit, carry, or hold heads or ends of the various sizes which
may be required by the manufacturer..
"
Sheet 7 of the, said Drawings contains several Figures or views of another
description of machine which I have invented for topping, sloping, hollowing,
scrozing, or grooving and preparing the ends of casks and other similar vessels
of different descriptions and sizes, for the insertion of the heads or ends
thereof. And in the said several Figures of the said machine similar parts
are niarked with similar letters of reference. Figure 1 (Sheet 7) is a front
elevation, and Figure 2 (Sheet 7) is a side or end elevation, a cask being
in both of these views or figures represented in section. Figures 3 and 4
(Sheet 7) are a plan and horizontal section respectively, taken through the
lines a, b, and c, d, respectively of Figures 1 and 2. A is a flat revolving
table or platform working by the bevil wheels B, B; or other convenient
means, and whereon the cask or vessel (as shown by the cask K) to be
operated upon is to be placed. When so placed it is to be centred and held
thereon by the blocks C, C, C, which are to be forced against the insido
of the cask by the links or rods E, E, E, attached to the said blocks and to
the circular plate E. The circular plate E* moves upon a centre pin
mounted in a suitable bush in the middle of the table A, and is to be turned
by a lever or winch D. This lever or winch must be furnished with a screw
(as shewn at f, Figures 2 and 8) to keep it and the blocks firmly in their
proper position when the blocks are forced against the inside of the cask or
vessel. The arms E, E, E, are: furnished with pins c, e, e, (as shewnin
Figures 2, and. 3),. each of which attaches the arm to its block, and also
passes through and works along in a slot cut in the table A in a direct line
between the centre of revolution and the circumference or periphery of the
.

page_text: table, and the said slots are placed at equal distances from each other round
the table, so that each of the blocks C, C, C, may always be opposite the same
portion of the circumference of the table; and each of them always be at tho.
same distance from the centre of revolution of the table as the other blocks.
By turning the plate. E (which has its centre of revolution coincident with
that of the table) in the one direction or the other the blocks may, by means
of the arms E, E,,E, be pushed from or drawn towards the centres of the
table, the utmost extent to which they can be pushed outwards or drawn
inwards being limited by the length of the arms and the diameter of the
plate E. The faces C, C, C, of the blocks C, C,. C, must be made
curved and according to a segment of such a circle as will enable them to fit
accurately or nearly so against the inside of the cask or vessel to be placed
upon the table. A machine of. this description may be fitted for operating
upon casks or vessels of several diameters by furnishing it with blocks of
different sizes and arms of different lengths. The cask or vessel to be
operated upon will be held more steadily and securely upon the table if a
hoop, as shewn in dotted lines at L, Figure 1; be placed upon the cask or
vessel; and held down means of chains or rods attached to the hoop and
the table, one of which is shewn in dotted lines and marked O in Figure 1.
Each of the rods or chains O is furnished with a shackle M and a bolt N for
attaching it to the edge of the table, the bolt being fitted into a slot in the
table to admit of adjustment, according to the size of the cask or other vessel.
Fis framework for holding the sliding block G with which the tool or tools
may be raised or lowered by means of the screw I. H is a socket or holder
for the tools sliding in the block G, and by means of which the said tool. or
tools may be moved towards or away from a point 'above the centre of the
table, according to the manner in which tho-tool or tools may be required to
operate. The tool or tools which is or are to be affixed to the piece marked
Hor to a block to be fixed thereto, may be either one or more, and must be
of a form corresponding to the work which they are to perform. The frame F
with tools, and everything else it carries may be moved bodily upon the
slides P, P, and secured in any required position thereon by the screws R, R;
the, object of this arrangement being to adapt the machine to different sizes of
casks or other similar vessels. In Figure 1 (of Sheet 7). I have shown a
tool or combination of tools for operating upon the upper edge of a cask or
similar vessel, so as to cut it and make it of the shape which is usually
adopted in preparing or finishing this part of a cask or similar. vessel. In
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (of Sheet 7), I have shewn different views of the
same tool or combination of tools or of some of the parts thereof. Figure 5

page_text: (Sheet 7) is drawn to an enlarged scale and represents a plan view or
horizontal section of the socket or holder H, to which is fixed the tool or
combination of tools already mentioned. m is the topping tool (shewn in
Figures 1 and 5), one end of which is inserted in the socket or holder H and
secured by screws.
One side of this tool is made with a sharp edge to operate
upon the edge of the revolving cask or vessel, and cut it down and give it a
level and even surface all round. This tool m is made sufficiently strong to
carry. the block n, n (Figure 5), and hold it firmly. Upon this block n, n, is
fixed securely by screws the tool or cutter p (shewn upon an enlarged scale in
Figure 6, Sheet 7); by means of this tool the sloping and hollowing opera-
tions are to be performed, the effect of the operation of the tool upon the inner
edge of a cask or vessel being shewn upon an enlarged scale in Figure 7
(Sheet 7). The grooving or scrozing operation, that is, the forming of a
groove all round the inside of the cask or vessel for the insertion of the head
or end, is performed by a grooving tool v inserted in the block n, n, and
projecting from the face of it in the ordinary way, as shewn in a section of the
block n, n, upon an enlarged scale in Figure 8 (Sheet 7). Figure 9
(Sheet 7) is a detached view of the tool v. The mode in which this ma-
chinery is to be used is as follows:-The cask or other vessel is to be placed
and secured upon the revolving table A in manner before mentioned, care
being taken to have the centre of the upper part of the cask or vessel as
nearly as practicable immediately above the centre of revolution of the table A.
And for this purpose, when a cask or vessel is first operated upon in this
machine, it will be better to place that end downwards and upon the table
which is the most level, and when one end has been operated upon it is of
course to be turned down and placed upon the table, the other end will then
with facility be placed in proper position so as to be operated upon in its turn:
Motion being given to the table by means of the bevel wheels, as already
mentioned, or in any other convenient manner, and the cask or vessel thus
made to revolve rapidly, the cutting tool m must be lowered gradually by
means of the screw rod I until the ends of the staves or pieces of wood
forming the edge of that end of the cask or vessel are cut down, so as to form
a level and even surface all round. During the time when this operation is
performed the block n, n, and tools fixed upon it, are kept a sufficient distance
from the inside of the cask to prevent them coming into contact with it. But
when the end of the cask has, by the operation just described, been topped;
the screw I is to be kept at rest, and the holder or socket H is, by means of
the screw J and its, handle, to be drawn gradually from the centre of tho
cask, thus causing the block n, n, and the tools before described which it

page_text: And the various tools
carries, to come towards the side of the cask, and gradually operate upon it in
the manner required. Thus the tool 2, as before mentioned, will perform the
sloping and hollowing, and the toul will perform the grooving, the edge of
the cask or vessel when finished being as shown in section in the Figure 1.
If it should happen that the upper edge of the cask or other vessel is not quite
circular, or that its centre is not quite concentric with the centre of revolution
of the table A, the tools will be prevented from acting more upon one part of
the inner side of the cask or vessel than another by a portion of the block n, n,
which being somewhat deeper than the tool or cutter p (as shewn by dotted
lines in Figure 6) will come in contact with the inside of the cask, and keep
the parts immediately above from being acted upon by the tools. Tho
tool m, the block n, n, and the tools connected therewith, must be made of
different sizes and forms, according to the sizes and shapes of the different
casks and other vessels intended to be operated upon.
may, if desired be mounted in separate blocks, so as to operate separately.
Sheet 8 of the said Drawings contains several Figures or views of
another description of machine which I have invented, and in which said
several Figures similar parts are marked with similar letters of reference. This
machine is intended to be used for punching holes for rivets in hoops for
casks and other similar vessels at equal distances from the ends, and in the
middle of the breadth of each piece submitted to its operation. Figure 1
(Sheet 8) is a front elevation. Figure 2 (Sheet 8) is a vertical section taken
through the line a, b, of Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 (Sheet 8) are end views.
Figure 5 (Sheet 8) is a plan view. Figure 6 (Sheet 8) is a plan view with
certain parts removed. A, is the framework, the upper surface of which
forms a table B. M is the fulcrum of the lever N, which works the punch
or punches C, C. O is a crank for actuating the lever N. D, D, are two
guide pieces, which may be moved towards and away from the punch or
punches equally on each side of them, by turning the right and left hand
screw E, or in any other suitable manner, the object being to adjust the
distance between the said guide pieces to any breadth of hoop which is
required to be punched, in such manner that the hole or holes may be formed in
the middle of such breadth. F is a stop piece to be fixed by a screw at tho
distance from the punch or punches equal to the distance which the hole or
holes are required to be formed from the ends of the pieces of hoop. The
position in which the said pieces are to be placed upon the table to be subjected
to the operation of the machine is represented by the dotted lines in Figure
5. Thus it is evident that when the guide pieces D, D, and stop F are
adjusted, as before mentioned, the holes formed will be punched in the middle
of the breadth of the hoop, and at equal distances from its ends.

page_text: Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I' do
not claim any of the parts of the several machines herein-before described
separate from the general arrangement thereof herein-before described, but
I hereby claim as of my said Invention,
..
Firstly, the mode of constructing a machine as firstly herein-before described
to be used for plancing and otherwise dressing such pieces of wood as aforesaid
in manner aforesaid.
Secondly, the mode of constructing a machine as secondly herein-before
described, to be used for plancing or cutting such pieces of wood as aforesaid,
in manner aforesaid.
Thirdly, the mode of constructing a machine as thirdly herein-before dé-
scribed for planeing and jointing such pieces of wood as aforesaid in manner
aforesaid.
Fourthly, the mode of constructing a machine as fourthly herein-before
described to be used for bending, trussing, or compressing staves or pieces of
wood together so as to form them into casks or similar vessels, in manner
hèrein-before described.
Fifthly, the mode of constructing a machine as fifthly herein-before described
to be used for the purpose of trussing or compressing together the pieces of
wood of which the heads or ends of the casks or similar vessels are intended to
be formed in manner hercin-before described.
Sixthly, the mode of constructing a machine as sixthly hercin-before
described to be used for cutting the pieces of wood intended to form the
heads or ends of casks and similar vessels into circular forms, and for cutting
or bevilling the edges thereof in manner herein-before described.
Seventhly, the mode of constructing a machine as seventhly herein-before
described to be used for topping, sloping, hollowing, scrozing, or grooving, and
preparing the ends of casks and other similar vessels for the insertion of the
heads or ends thereof, in manner herein-before described.
Eighthly, the mode of constructing a machine as eighthly herein-before
described to be used for the purpose of punching holes for rivets in hoops for
casks and other similar vessels in manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robertson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
JAMES (L.s.) ROBERTSON.
B

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-ninth day of January,
in the year of our Lord 1819, the aforesaid James Robertson came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifi-
cation aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.