Improvements in Machinery for Cutting Wood for Builders' Laths and Match Splints.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 17th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 17th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Cutting Wood for Builders'
Laths and Match Splints.
I, ANGUS FRASER, of Sudbury, Suffolk, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows: :-
This invention relates to improvements in the invention described in the Specifi-
cation of Patent No. 8031 of 1888, and essentially consists of doing away with the
top inciser E, substituting revolving cutters to act upon the shaving as it leaves the
log; such cutters are carried in suitable bearings attached to the knife carrier C",
and revolved by pulley and belt at a uniforın speed. Placed in front of the cutting
knife C, is a table for the shaving to come upon as cut off, which passes under a
guide on top of table and is cut into the necessary width as it exudes, by the
revolving cutters. These cutters are long blades attached to a suitable foundation,
the length of the blades being equal to the longest length a log of wood can be put
in the machine. The log is driven at varying speeds to suit the revolving cutters.
The varying speeds are obtained by means of cone pulleys, connected by belt; the
latter being arranged to move along the cones by any suitable known means for the
purpose of shifting belts in motion. The table attached to front of knife C, has a
number of openings in it to allow any knots or detached pieces of wood to fall
through and so prevent them coming in contact with the cutters.
Dated this 13th day of June 1895.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Cutting Wood for Builders' ·
Laths and Match Splints.
I. ANGUS FRASER, of Sudbury, Suffolk, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements upon an invention described in the Specifi-
cation of British Patent dated June 1, 1888, No. 8031, and essentially consists in
providing revolving cutters or blades to act upon the shaving as it leaves the log
instead of employing the top incisor as in the specification aforesaid. Means are
provided also whereby the log is driven and the cutting knife if traversed at varying
speeds or at a regularly increased speed in order that the shaving proceeding from
the log shall be delivered to the revolving cutters or blades at a regular speed; the
invention further provides means whereby these operations may be carried intó
effect, all as hereafter described.
The following description will enable the invention to be easily understood by the
references made herein to the accompanying drawings and to the prior Specification
of Patent No. 8031, 1888, afore mentioned.
Figure 1 of the annexed drawings is a vertical cross section of the machinė
shewing my improvements therein.

page_text: Figure 2 is a cross section on an enlarged scale shewing the shaving delivery
apparatus and the revolving cutter, and Fig. 3 is a part plan view of Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a partial front elevation of the left hand end of the machine drawn
to the same scale as the cross section at Fig. 1 to more fully show the log driving
mechanism.
The log B, from which the shaving is to be cut is carried by chuck shafts B2 B3,
so as to be revolvable within the frame A of the machine and the chuck shafts
are revolved by tooth wheels B4* driven by pinions B4 from a main driving
shaft B5, as heretofore, these latter gear wheels being indicated by the chain line
at Fig. 1.
Mounted upon one end of the main shaft B 5 is a tooth wheel R, Fig. 4, also shewn
by a chain line Fig. 1, driven by pinion Q on counter shaft P which latter is revolved
by fast and loose pulleys O thereon, actuated by belt 1.
The belt 1 passes over a pulley 2 treyed upon an overhead shaft 3 Figs. 1 and 4
carried by a suitable bracket 4. Carried by this latter bracket and at a suitable
distance therefrom, is a shaft 5 parallel to the shaft 3, the shaft 5 being driven
by pulley 6 and belt 7 from a prime motor.
Mounted on the shaft 5 is a coned drum 8, while upon the shaft 3 is a similar
coned drum 9, but mounted with its truncated apex in the reverse direction;
these coned drums are connected by a belt 10, the longitudinal position of which is
regulated by a fork 11, guided by an upper fixed bar 12, and traversed by a screw
shaft 13 located between the shafts 3 and 5. The screw shaft 13 passes through a
nut 14, Fig. 4, on the fork, and the shaft 13 itself is revolved at a proper speed by
means of a spur wheel 14 on the screw shaft 13 driven by a pinion 15 mounted
upon the shaft 3.
By these means it should be observed that while the first
motion shaft 5 is driven at a regular speed, the second shaft 3 will be driven at an
ever varying speed according to the slower revolutions of the screw shaft 13 cause
the belt 10 to be traversed upon the opposite cones, in this manner is the pulley 2
driven at a varying speed and this varying speed is communicated through the
belt 1, and pulleys O; to the shaft P and therefrom through the main driving shaft B 5,
chuck shafts B2, B3, to the log.
The log being revolved at such a varying rate of speed as will insure a delivery
of the shaving at a constant rate of speed, it necessarily follows that the cutting
knife C, its carrier C 1, the moving head D, and parts connected therewith should
be traversed towards the block also at a varying rate of speed. The moving head D,
(carried in guides D1, in the framework A) is traversed by screw D 2, operated by
worm wheel D3 and worm J1 on longitudinal shaft J as described in previous
Specification No. 8031 1888, and according to my invention I drive the shaft J at
a varying rate of speed from a spur wheel 16 keyed on the shaft P, this spur
wheel 16, drives through intermediate spur wheels 17 and 18 to a spur wheel 19
keyed on the shaft 1. Where desirable or found necessary the shaft I, may be
divided and fitted with a chuck coupling 20, whereby the motion of the knife may
be instantaneously discontinued.
By reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be observed that located in front of the
cutting knife C there is a table 21 fixed to and carried from the knife carrier C1.
Mounted above the table 21 over which the shaving is delivered, are two rollers 22
and 23 carried in bearings 24, Fig. 3, from the said table and around these rollers
is placed a band or apron 25, the office of the rollers and the connecting apron 25
being to hold down and aid in traversing forwards the cut shaving over the table,
the traversing action being facilitated by a lower roller 26, acting in conjunction
with the upper roller 23 with this object. At one end, Fig. 5, the rollers 23
and 22 are fitted with toothed wheels 27 gearing with a central pinion 28 on a
shaft 29, the opposite end of which latter is fitted with a belt pulley 30 by which
the shaft 29 and the rollers 22 and 23 are rotated.
The front edge of the table 21 is generally cut off somewhat at an angle as
shewn at Fig. 2, and a rotary cylinder, 31, carrying a number of blades 32, is
mounted in bearings formed on extension 33 of the moving heads D, in such a

page_text: position that the edges of the blades 32 when rotated at a regular speed, strike off
equal portions of the shaving of a width proportionate to the speed of rotation of
the cutters and to the rate of delivery of the shaving.
The shaft 34 carrying the bladed cylinder 31 is fitted with a belt pulley 35.
The bladed cylinder 31 and the feed rollers 22, 23 are driven from an overhead
shaft 36, Fig. 1.
This shaft 36 is itself driven by belt 37, and carries a pulley 38, which by belt 39
drives the pulley 35, of the bladed cylinder 31 also the shaft 36 carries a pulley 40,
which by belt 41 drives the pulley 30 on shaft 29, and thereby the rollers 22
and 23.
The table 21 attached at the front of the knife C, may if required, be formed with
a number of openings to allow any knots to fall through.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In machinery for cutting wood for builders laths and match splints, revolving
the log (from which the wood is to be cut) at a varied speed and advancing the
cutter at a proportionately varied speed to obtain a regular rate of delivery of the
shaving in combination with a cylinder provided with blades and revolved at a
regular speed to divide the shaving and produce laths or splints of equal widths
substantially as set forth.
2. In machinery for cutting wood for builders laths and match splints, the
mechanism for revolving the log and traversing the knife at proportionately varying
speeds, substantially as described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination with a revolving log and a 'traversed cutter, of a table carried
by the cutter frame, driven rollers above the table for traversing the shaving
thereon, and a number of rotary blades for striking off widths of the shaving as
it becomes projected beyond the edge of the table, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
4. The general construction and combination of parts composing the improved
machine for cutting wood for builders laths and match splints, all arranged
and acting substantially as and for the purposes described and illustrated with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 17th day of March 1896.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
37 Cursitor Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
37 Cursitor Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.