Improvements in or connected with Resawing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Resawing Machines.
I, FRANK MCDONOUGH, of 1500, Galloway Street, Eau Claire, State of
Wisconsin, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 feed works for resawing machines, especially band
re-sawing machines, and particularly contemplates a construction of feed works
providing for quarter-sawing of the timber.
.
To this end, the invention primarily contemplates an improved construction of
feed works rendering it possible to quarter saw lumber either on a band re-saw
or a circular re-saw, which operation has not been possible heretofore in con-
nection with the feed works of ordinary resawing machines. While the invention
has for a special object provision for feeding quarter logs to a resaw and thereby
carry out the operation of quarter sawing, it also contemplates an improved
construction which renders the feed works convertible for different kinds of
sawing, such as for sawing flitches, for center or cant sawing, or for sawing cants.
In the accomplishment of these several objects the feed works contemplated by the
present invention, are capable of a wide range of use so as to be adapted for
practically all kinds of sawing that can be done in connection with a resawing
machine.
With these and other objects in view, which will readily appear as the nature
of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction,
combination, and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described,
illustrated and claimed, and while the invention is necessarily susceptible to a
wide range of modification, still the preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a band resaw feed works embodying the
improvement contemplated by the present invention, and shown in operative
relation to a band resawing machine.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the complete feed works.
Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view in a plane immediately beneath the lower
ends of the upright slidable roll brackets, exposing the working parts arranged
and housed within the transverse hollow supporting bed for such brackets.
Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a front view, partly in diagram, of the complete feed works, includ-
ing the pressure mechanism arranged below the floor line.
Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view on the line 8-8 of
Figure 5, showing the construction of the split nut for each adjusting screw and
the adjusting device for operating the nut sections.
Figure 9 is an enlarged-detail-view showing more clearly-the-mounting-of-the-
split nut sections.
Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the machine on the line 10-10 of Figure 2.

page_text: Figure 11 is a detail end view showing the tension and equalizing connections
with the ends of the screw adjusting rods.
Figure 12 is a diagram of a log showing the center and quarter sawing carried
out by the improved feed works.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates the main
base frame of the feed works which is slidably supported on a sub-base 2 and
adjusted relatively, thereto through the medium of the set works or mechanism 3,
said set works or mechanism not being claimed herein. The main base frame 1
slidably supports thereon the work carriage 4, which is moved on the base frame
in a direction toward and away from the saw, through the medium of the
carriage adjusting screw 5.
The work carriage 4 is provided with a transverse hollow or tubular supporting
bed 6, forming a rigid part of the base portion of the carriage and essentially
consisting of the parallel vertically-disposed side plates 7 formed integrally with
cross braces or webs 8, and provided at their upper edges with the outturned
guide flanges 9, which form a sliding support for the pair of upright slidable
roll brackets 10 and 11 arranged for adjustment on top of the said supporting
bed 6. Each of the upright roll brackets 10 and 11 is formed at its lower end with
a slide plate portion 12, provided at its side edges with the inturned slide
flanges 13, slidably engaging the outturned guide flanges 9 at the upper side
edges of the supporting bed 6, and interposed in the spaces between the slidably-
engaged flanges 9 and 13 are suitable wear plates 14, adjusted to a working fit
by means of the set screws 15 working in threaded openings formed in the hori-
zontal portions of the flanges 13, such construction being substantially the same
as described in my former patent herein referred to.
Each of the upright slidable roll brackets 10 and 11 is slightly arched at its
inner side to receive and support therein a group of three upright feed rolls 16,
17 and 18, all of which rolls are of a uniform size and are transversely, alined
so that the inner faces of the rolls which contact with the timber will be equi-
distant from the saw line. The said rolls are provided with upper and lower
shaft extremities 19 and 20 respectively, which are journaled in bearing boxes 21
slidably fitted in the squared box seats or notches 22 formed at the upper and
lower ends of the bracket and at the inner side thereof, it of course being under-
stood that each roll bracket is provided with a series of the box seats or notches 22
corresponding to the number of upright feed rolls carried by the bracket. The
intermediate and rear upright feed rolls 17 and 18, carried by each roll bracket,
are of a plain construction and the bearing boxes 21 for the upper and lower shaft
extremities of these rolls are adjustably secured in place by means of an adjusting
bolt device 23, fitted in the bracket, the only purpose of the adjusting bolt device
for the upper and lower shaft extremities of the intermediate and rear rolls being
to provide for properly centering these rolls and to hold the same perfectly rigid
with relation to the saw line, while the other or front roll 16 of the group or series
is permitted to have an independent vielding movement. The said front upright
feed roll 16 carried by each roll bracket is preferably provided with a continuous
series of longitudinal corrugations. and to provide for the yielding support of this
roll in its bearings, the upper and lower bearings boxes 21 therefore, have fitted
thereto the inner end of the adjusting bolts 24, which bolts project through
adjusting sleeves 25 fitted in sleeve openings 26 formed in the roll bracket at the
upper and lower end portions thereof and opening into the box seats or notches 22
for the bearing boxes, and nuts 27 are mounted on the exterior threaded
extremities of the bolts 24 so as to work against the outer ends of the sleeves 25
and provide for the adjustment thereof against one end of the cushion springs 28.
These cushion springs 28 are coiled on the adjusting or tension bolts 24 and are
interposed between the inner ends of the sleeves 25 and the movable bearing
boxes 21 for the upper and lower shaft extremities of the roll 16, thereby providing
a cushion back for said roll to permit the same to readily yield and adjust itself
to unevennesses of the stock as the same is fed through the works to the saw,

page_text: The group of upright feed rolls 16, 17 and 18, carried by each of the roll
brackets are positively rotated in a direction for carrying the timber onto the saw,
and to provide for this rotation of the rolls the upper shaft extremities of the
same are projected above the upper bearing boxes 21 and have fitted thereon
horizontal gear wheels 29, which mesh with interposed idler gears 30 journaled
on stub journals 31 fitted in the upper end of the roll bracket in planes between
the feed rolls, thereby providing for positively gearing together the several rolls,
so that the same will rotate in unison. One of the upright feed rolls of each
bracket, preferably the intermediate roll 17, has its lower shaft extremity projected
into the hollow supporting bed 6 and carries a horizontal beveled gear wheel 32,
which meshes with an adjacent vertically disposed beveled gear wheel or
pinion 33, supported for rotation by the bearing support 34 rigidly
attached to the under side of the roll-carrying bracket, and splined
or feathered on the main drive shaft 35. The main drive shaft 35 is
arranged within the hollow or tubular supporting bed 6 and extends from end
to end thereof, being journaled at the ends of said support in the bearing
collars 36, formed intergrally therewith, and said main drive shaft 35 has fitted
on one of its extremities exterior to the supporting bed a sprocket drive
wheel 37", which receives a suitable drive chain to provide for imparting motion
to the shaft 35. Since each of the roll-carrying brackets 10 and 11 carries the
beveled gears 32 and 33, it will be understood that the shaft 35 provides for
simultaneously imparting motion to the group of feed rolls carried by both
brackets without interfering with the sliding adjustment of said brackets on the
bed support 6 of the work carriage 4.
.
In center or cant sawing the oppositely located roll carrying brackets are
designed to automatically adjust themselves to unevennesses in the timber, and
to maintain a corresponding distance from the saw line, and to provide for this
operation and relation of parts, it is necessary that the two brackets always move
simultaneously and in unison, which result is secured through the medium of the
adjusting-nuts 37 and adjusting screw rods 38 working within the hollow or
tubular supporting bed 6 of the work carriage. Each of the roll brackets is
equipped with an adjusting screw rod 38 and an adjusting nut 37, the adjusting
nut being arranged at the lower end of the bracket and carried therewith, said
adjusting-nut being formed in two duplicate sections or halves 39, provided in
their opposing faces with registering threaded grooves 40 which, when in register,
form the threaded bore of the nut which is engaged by the threaded portion of
the adjusting screw rod 38 working therein.
The split nut sections or halves 39 for each roll carrying bracket, are provided
at their upper side edges with the slide flanges 41 which slidably engage the
rabbeted edges 42 of the parallel guide plates or strips 43 rigidly fastened to the
under side of the slide plate portion 12 of the roll bracket, thereby providing a
slide support for the nut sections to permit of their movement with the roll
bracket, and also an independent sliding movement as the same are engaged with
or disengaged from the threads of the screw adjusting rod 38. The duplicate
sections or halves 39 of each split nut slide between their supports in a direction
toward and away from each other, and to provide for this adjustment of the nut
sections or halves a short vertical rock shaft 44 is arranged on and carried by the
bottom slide plate portion of each roll bracket. The short vertical rock shaft for
each roll bracket is journaled in a bearing plate 45 fastened to the slide plate
portion of the roll bracket in a plane immediately above the split nut carried
thereby and has attached to its upper end a crank handle 46 which is grasped
by the operator to provide for turning the shaft 44 in either direction. The lower
end of each vertical rock shaft 44 has fitted thereto a cross head or disk 47, to the
extremities of which are pivoted one end of oppositely located segmental-adjusting-
links 48, the other ends of which are respectively pivoted to the separate sliding
nut sections 37 therebelow. By reason of this construction, it will be obvious that
by rotating or turning the shaft 44 in one direction the links 48 will be spread

page_text: apart and thereby slide the nut sections or halves 37 away from each other
and out of engagement with the screw adjusting rod 38, while a reverse move-
ment of the rock shaft will draw the nut sections or halves together and into
engagement with the threads of the adjusting rod. In quarter sawing especially
the split nuts of the roll-carrying brackets are disengaged from the screw adjusting
rods 38, but under other conditions, which will be hereinafter more fully explained
the nuts and the adjusting rods are in action to provide for a simultaneous
adjustment of the two roll carrying brackets and their movement in unison
toward and away from each other.
The pair of screw adjusting rods 38 are of different lengths, so as to respec-
tively operate in connection with the split nuts of the separate slidable roll
carrying brackets, and said adjusting rods are extended at one end beyond one
end of the hollow supporting bed 6 and loosely receive thereon the knuckle
collars or blocks 49 which are pivotally engaged by the ends of a horizontal
oscillatory equalizing lever 50 arranged between the outer ends of the two rods
and fastened to the upper end of the vertical rock shaft 51. This rock shaft 51
is journaled in a vertical bearing 52 formed at the outer side of the supporting
bracket 53 fastened to one end of the supporting-bed 6, and the lower end of
the shaft 51, has attached thereto one end of a horizontal rock arm 54, the free
end of which arm loosely engages the slotted terminal 55 of a weighted bell-
crank lever 56, pivotally mounted at its angle on a pendent bracket arm 57
projecting below the supporting-bed 6. The lever connections described provide
for normally moving the screw-adjusting rods 38 in a direction for yieldingly
holding the rolls carried by both roll brackets against the material being fed to
the saw, when the split nuts are engaged with the threads of said adjusting rod.
The said adjusting rods 38 also carry at the sides of the knuckle collars or blocks
thereon adjusting and jamb nuts 58, and carry intermeshing equalizing gear
wheels 59.
In adapting the feed works for quarter sawing, the equalizing and tension
devices for the two roll brackets are thrown out of use by disengaging the split
nuts from the screw adjusting rods in the manner described and bringing into
play a pressure mechanism which I shall now proceed to describe. This pressure
mechanism involves the use of a pair of longitudinally-movable winding shafts 60
and 61 respectively, preferably arranged below the floor supporting the set works.
The winding shafts 60 and 61 are horizontally-disposed in longitudinal
alinement, and each is supported at one end 111 a sliding bearing
box 62, arranged to slide in suitable guides 63 fitted to a supporting sill or beam 64
and having pivotally connected to one side thereof an adjusting-link 65, the
other end of which link is pivotally attached to a swinging adjusting-lever 66:
The adjusting lever 66 for the sliding box 62 for each shaft 60 and 61 projects
upwardly through the floor adjacent to the feed works so as to be within con-
venient reach of the operator, and is pivotally supported at its lower end, as at 67,
on the bracket 68, fastened to the sill or beam 64 at a point above the link
connection 65 therewith. Each adjusting lever 66 has attached thereto one end
of a flexible weighted connection 69 carrying a weight 70, and arranged to pass
over a suitably supported guide or direction pulley 71, the purpose of the
weighted connection 69 for each lever 66 being to provide for normally drawing
said lever, and consequently the bearing box 62 connected therewith, in an
outward direction.
The sliding bearing box 62 for each of the shafts 60 and 61 is provided at its
inner end opposite the link connection 65, with an offstanding forked arm 72
loosely engaging with a collar 73 on the shaft mounted therein to provide for
moving the shaft in a longitudinal direction, and at their inner contiguous ends
opposite the sliding bearing boxes 62 the winding shafts 60 and 61 are respectively
provided with the friction disks or wheels 74 and 75, both of which friction
disks or wheels are provided with beveled peripheries or edges 76 adapted to be

page_text: drawn into frictional contact with stationary brake shoes or blocks 77, a pair of
which brake shoes or blocks is supported at one side of each friction disk or
wheel to provide for immediately checking the rotation thereof when drawn
against the same, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The friction
disks, or wheels 74 and 75 fitted respectively to the inner contiguous ends of the
shafts 60 and 61 are designed to co-operate with a friction pulley 78, arranged
between the opposite faces thereof. This friction pulley is common to both of the
disks or wheels 74 and 75, and is mounted on one end of a drive shaft 79,
journaled in suitable bearings at right angles to the shafts 60 and 61 and
carrying a band wheel or pulley 80, which receives a belt from a suitable source
of power. By reason of the construction described, it will be obvious that by
moving the lever 66 for either of the shafts 60 or 61, in an inward direction
the friction disk or wheel of such shaft will be carried into frictional contact
with the pulley 78, and thereby provide for the rotation of the shaft, which
rotation is immediately checked when the adjusting lever moves outward, and
thereby carries the friction disk or wheel against the brake shoes or blocks 77.·
The winding shaft 60 has attached thereto one end of a pressure cable 81 which;
passing around a guide pulley 92 arranged beyond the shaft 60, extends upward
through the floor and into the hollow or tubular supporting bed 6 of the
carriage 4, and at its opposite ends the said supporting-bed 6 has mounted therein
transverse pulley shafts 83 on each of which shafts is mounted a pair of guide
pulleys or sheaves 84. The pressure cable 81 runs longitudinally through the
supporting-bed 6 and passes over oppositely located alined pulleys or sheaves 84
respectively arranged within opposite end portions of the bed 6, and at its.end
opposite the connection with the shaft 60, the said cable has attached thereto
à pressure weight 86. The said cable 81 is preferably made in sections which
are coupled to the attaching eyes 87 at opposite sides of a fastening block 88
rigidly fastened to the under side of the slide plate portion 12 of one of the roll
carrying brackets designated by the number 10. The other roll carrying
bracket 11 has a similar connection with a separate pressure cable 89, and carries
at the under side of its slide plate portion a fastening block 90 having at opposite
sides the attaching eyes 91, to which is fastened the separate portions of the
cable 89, and at this point it is to be observed that the cables 81 and 89 may be
ropes, chains or any other suitable flexible connections that will wind and unwind
on the winding shafts.
The pressure cable 89 passes over alined pulleys or sheaves 84 respectively at
opposite ends of the bed 6 and is attached at one end to the winding shaft 61,
beyond which shaft is located a guide or direction pulley 92 for said cable, the
other end of the cable having attached thereto a pressure weight 93, which
normally tends to draw the bracket 11 and its rolls in a direction toward the saw
line.
:
In conjunction with the pressure mechanism described it is necessary to
provide a variable stop for limiting the inward movement of each roll-carrying
bracket in a direction toward the saw line, and to provide for this cach bracket
is provided at its lower end with a lateral screw lug 94, in which is adjustably
mounted a stop-screw 95 adapted to work against the hinged or pivoted steel
stop plate 96, forming a facing plate for a stop-arm projection 97 at one side of the
supporting bed 6, said plate 96 being hinged or pivoted to the
stop-arm projection so as to be readily thrown in and out of opera-
tion. It will be understood that there is a pair of the stop arm projec-
tions 97 arranged respectively at spaced points for the stop-screws of each
roll-carrying bracket, and by reason of the adjustable mounting of the stop-
screws 95 a variable stop is provided for the roll carrying brackets so as to regulate
or adjust the movement of these brackets to the thickness of the lumber to be cut.
In quarter sawing, ofter one of the_roll_carrying_brackets-has-been-adjusted--
to the desired position relative to the saw line, such bracket is rigidly fastened

page_text: in position on the bed 6, which result may be conveniently accomplished by means
of set screws 98, adapted to be fitted in the series of screw openings 99 formed
in the lower end portion of each bracket at one side thereof, and adapted to
impinge against the guide flange 9 at one side of the supporting bed, 6, but it
will of course be understood that any equivalent fastening device for each roll
carrying bracket may be substituted for the set screw without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention.
In addition to the group of rolls 16, 17, and 18, carried by each of the brackets 10
and 11, the supporting bed 6 of the work carriage carries a front horizontal
corrugated feed roll 100. The front feed roll 100 is arranged at the front side
of the bed 6, longitudinally thereof, and has its shaft extremities 101 journaled
in the bearing boxes 102 at the outer ends of the offstanding bearing brackets 103,
fastened to the front side of the bed 6 and projected outwardly and upwardly
therefrom, and one of the shaft extremities of the front roll 100 is extended
through a supplemental bearing bracket 104 and carries one of a train of gears 105
driven from the main drive shaft 35 arranged longitudinally within the sup-
porting bed 6. The front feed roll 100 is thus given a positive rotation in a
direction for feeding the timber between the vertical or upright feed rolls onto the
saw, and beyond the saw is arranged a rear horizontal corrugated feed roll 106,
which receives and carries away the timber as it leaves the saw. The rear hori-
zontal corrugated feed roll 106 is journaled in suitable bearings on the support 107
carrying the lower guide 108 for the band saw 109, and one of the shaft
extremities 110 of said rear feed roll carries a sprocket wheel 111 which receives
a suitable drive chain for imparting a positive rotation to the rear roll, and said
rear roll, as well as the front feed roll 100 are arranged with their top surfaces
flush or even with the central timber rest or bearing-bar 112 fastened on top of
the supporting-bed 6 centrally between its ends and transversely thereof in direct
alinement with the band saw.
The band saw 109 is carried by the upper and lower band wheels 113 and 114
of an ordinary band resaw mill 115, but it will of course be understood that the
feed works herein described could be adapted for use in connection with a circular
resaw as well as with a band resaw.
The feed works herein described are designed for completely resawing a log,
and especially for carrying out the operation of quarter sawing in connection with
a band or circular resaw, which has heretofore not been possible with feed works
of band resawing machines, and in order to understand the different operations
of the machine, reference is first made to the diagram shown in Figure 12 of the
drawings, which diagram illustrated a log as it would appear assembled after
being completely quarter sawed. It will be understood that the log is first
received split or sawed longitudinally in the center on the line A-B, and is then
in halves, and to provide for resawing the half logs on the line C-D so as to split
up the log in four quarters, the half logs are passed through the works simply on
the front and rear horizontal rolls 100 and 106, during which operation the roll
carrying brackets are opened up away from the timber rest and held in such open
position.
To provide for opening up the roll carrying brackets away from the timber rest
to carry out the operation of sawing half logs into quarter logs, both of the
levers 66 are moved simultaneously in an inward direction toward each other,
which movement causes both of the friction disks or wheels 74 and 75 to be carried
into frictional contact with the friction drive pulley 78, thereby imparting rotation
to the shafts 60 and 61 and winding up both of the cables 81 and 89. The
winding up of both cables causes both of the roll carrying brackets 10 and 11 to
be simultaneously drawn in a direction toward the ends of the supporting bed 6
and away from the central timber rest 112. When the roll carrying brackets are
opened up far enough away from the timber rest to permit the half logs to be
cut through its center, the levers 66 are released so as to permit the weights 70

page_text: connected therewith to carry the same in an outward direction. This movement
of the levers 66 for both of the shafts 60 and 61, causes the friction disks or
wheels 74 and 75 to be drawn in frictional contact with their respective brake
shoes or blocks 77, which locks the said disks or wheels 74 and 75 against rotation
and prevents the pressure weights 86 and 93 from drawing the roll carrying
brackets back toward the timber rest.
When the half logs have been quartered, the operation of quartersawing then
takes place, and during such operation it will, of course, be understood that the
nuts 37 and screw rods 38 are not in use so as to throw out of connection the
equalizing or tension devices connected with said screw rods, so as not to interfere
with the roll carrying brackets being freely adjusted in connection with the
pressure mechanism below the floor.
In quarter sawing, one of the roll carrying brackets and rolls therein must be
held perfectly stationary or rigid in its adjusted position, while the opposite
bracket and the rolls carried thereby will be free to yield so as to
adjust themselves to .unevennesses of the quarter log, and in making
the front cuts on a quarter log, assuming that the right bracket 11 is to be the
stationary or fixed bracket, it will be understood that the weight 93 attached
to one end of the pressure cable 89 for such bracket will be permitted to bring
the bracket to a position disposing the surfaces of the rolls carried thereby about
one inch from the saw line, which position is indicated in Figure 6 of the
drawing, but it will of course be understood that the regulation of the thickness
of the cut is accomplished by means of the stop-screw 95 of the bracket 11 coming
in contact with the stop projection 97. When adjusted to this position the right
hand bracket 11 is secured fast by means of the set screw fastening 98.
With the bracket 11 adjusted to a fixed position in the manner described, the
opposite roll-carrying bracket 10 is carried back away from the saw line by moving
the lever 66 from the shaft 60, inward, so as to carry the friction disk or wheel 74
of such shaft against the friction pulley 78, thereby rotating the shaft 60, and
winding up the cable 81 thereon in a direction which will provide for moving
the bracket 10 outward, at the same time also raising the pressure or tension
weight 86 attached to one end of said cable 81. With the parts thus positioned,
the quarter-log can be entered with one flat face riding on top of the horizontal
feed rolls, and the other flat face bearing against the group of rolls carried by the
fixed or stationary bracket 11. By now releasing the lever 66 for the shaft 60 and
permitting the weight 86 to come into play, such weight will slide the bracket 10
forward toward the saw line until the rolls thereof are held firmly against the
uneven edge of the log, as plainly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and by
reason of the employment of the weight 86, the rolls carried by the bracket 10
will readily yield to or follow up any unevennesses in the log, and thereby keep
the flat vertical face of the log firmly against the fixedly positioned rolls of the
stationary bracket 11 which rolls therefore practically act in the capacity of
guiding rolls.
At this point, it may be explained that when it is desired to allow either of the
roll carrying brackets to be drawn inward by the weighted cable, the lever 66
for controlling such bracket is moved to a central or intermediate position, so as
to carry the friction disk or wheel away from the brake shoes or blocks 77.
After two or more boards have been taken off from the face of the quarter log
next to the rolls carried by the bracket 11, the log is turned one quarter, so that
the other flat face thereof will lie in a vertical plane, thereby rendering it
necessary to reverse the fixed and movable relation of the two roll-carrying
brackets. To do this it is simply necessary to adjust the bracket 10 to the
proper position with respect to the saw line" and secure the same fast in such
position, while through the medium of the shaft 61 and the cable 89, and the
weight 93-the-other-bracket-11-is-adjusted to allow-the-quarter-log-to-be-positioned-
and is yieldingly held against the uneven edge thereof until the requisite number
of boards have been sawed off.

page_text: In adjusting the machine for center or cant sawing the weights attached to
the cables 81 and 89 are disconnected so as to throw the pressure mechanism
out of use, and the split nuts 37 are thrown into engagement with the threads of
the screw-adjusting rods 38 after both roll brackets have been brought to a
position so that their stop, screws will engage the plates 96 of the stop projec.
tions 97. The same stop plates 96 are then thrown out of the way and the
equalizing and tension devices connected with one end of the rods 38, are
permitted to operate.
An important adaption for the herein described machine is for sawing up
"cants," and it may be explained at this point that in cant sawing the boards
are all taken from one face, as distinguished from quarter sawing, in which two
or more boards are taken from one face and then the same number from the
other face. Therefore, in cant sawing, no particular attention is given to the
direction in which the grain of the stock runs, and as all boards are taken from
one face, it is not necessary to turn the cant or readjust the rolls in their fixed
and movable relations as required in quarter sawing. It will therefore be under-
stood that in sawing up cants the operation is substantially as same as for quarter
sawing, with the exception, that after the roll carrying brackets have been once
set, the same are not disturbed until the sawing of the cant is completed. To
further explain the operation of cant sawing with the herein described machine
it may be stated that the “cant” referred to is simply a log with a slab taken off
of opposite sides, leaving the other two sides of the log in their natural shape.
This cant is placed on the horizontal feed rolls, after one set of vertical rolls
have been opened up far enough on one side to admit the cant, and lying on
one of its flat sides on said horizontal feed rolls, is allowed to pass the saw so
that a slab is taken from one of its natural or bark sides. In this operation the
opposite set of vertical rolls are carried back only far enough to allow the sawed
slab to pass.
After this operation is completed the cant is provided with three
flat faces, two being disposed in a horizontal plane, and the remaining or third
flat face, in a vertical plane. Then the rolls on the vertical flat face or side of the
cant are brought up to within about one inch from the saw to form fixedly
positioned guide rolls, in the same manner as in quarter sawing, after which the
cant is passed and repassed, taking off a board at a time, until the cant is entirely
worked up, leaving only a single slab at the final operation.
Another way in which the cant could be handled in the machine would be,
instead of taking off the first slab as above described, to receive the cant at the
re-sawing machine in the condition described above, and then opening up the
vertical rolls on both sides far enough to permit of the cant being sawed through
the center. This would form two cants with three flat faces, when the operation
to follow, would be the same as already set forth.
+ n
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the feed works herein described have a
wide range of application for different kinds of sawing, especially quarter sawing,
and while the preferred construction of the different parts have been specifically
pointed out, it will be understood that various changes in the form, proportion
and the minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from
the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention
The roll carrying brackets may be adjusted with the screw rods 38 by means
of power.
A convenient way of accomplishing this result is to mount on the
outer extremity of one of said screw-adjusting rods 38 a sprocket wheel 120,
receiving a chain 121, driven from a suitable drive connection and providing
means, when in motion, for simultaneously rotating both adjusting-screws through
their respective nuts. In this way the oppositely located sets of rolls may be
opened and closed by means of power, but in some cases, especially in center
sawing, a crank 122 may be applied to the outer end of one of the screw-adjusting
rods in the usual manner, and the sprocket chain 121 disconnected, so that the
adjustment can be accomplished manually.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of roll brackets supported
on the bed, a group of feed rolls supported by each bracket, means for yieldingly
supporting the front roll of each group to permit an independent self-adjustment
thereof and means for adjustably and rigidly holding the remaining rolls of each
group to their bracket, substantially as set forth.
2. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed a pair of upright roll brackets
supported on the bed, a group of transversely alined upright feed-rolls supported
by each bracket at the inner side thereof, means for rigidly holding the inter-
mediate and rear rolls to the brackets, and separate means for yieldingly
supporting the front rolls of the brackets to permit an independent self-adjust-
ment thereof, substantially as set forth.
3. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of opposing upright
roll brackets supported on the bed, a group of transversely alined upright feed
rolls arranged at the inner side of each bracket, adjustable bearing boxes fitted
to each bracket and receiving the upper and lower shaft extremities of the rolls
carried thereby, means for rigidly holding the bearing boxes for the intermediate
and rear rolls in their adjusted positions, and separate means for yieldingly sup-
porting the bearing boxes for the front rolls, substantially as set forth.
4. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of opposing upright roll
brackets supported on the bed and provided at their upper and lower ends with
an alined series of box seats or notches, a group of transversely alined upright
feed rolls arranged at the inner side of each bracket, bearing boxes fitted in said
box seats or notches and receiving the upper and lower extremities of the feed
rolls, adjusting devices for the bearing boxes for the intermediate and rear
rolls, yielding cushions supported in rear of the bearing boxes for the shaft
extremities of the front feed rolls, and adjusting bolt devices connected with
the latter bearing boxes and carrying adjusting sleeves bearing against said
cushions to regulate the tension thereof, substantially as set forth.
5. In a resawing machine, the work carriage having a supporting bed, a pair
of upright brackets supported on the bed and carrying at their inner sides a
plurality of upright feed rolls, the front feed rolls being corrugated, a horizontal
corrugated front feed roll supported at the front side of the bed contiguous to
the plane of the upright corrugated front feed rolls, a horizontal corrugated feed
roll arranged beyond the saw and the rear side of the bed, and means for positively
rotating all of the feed rolls, substantially as set forth.
6. In a resawing machine, the work carriage having a supporting bed, a pair
of upright brackets slidably supported on the bed and carrying at their inner
sides a plurality of upright feed rolls, a pair of screw adjusting rod's having
tension and equalizing connections therewith, an independent pressure mechanism
having separate connections with the separate roll brackets, an adjusting nut
fitted to each roll bracket, and means for throwing said nuts in and out of
operative relation to said adjusting rods to provide for bringing into action either
the said rods and their attachments or the independent pressure mechanism,
substantially as set forth
7. In a resawing machine, the work carriage having a supporting bed, a pair
of upright brackets slidably supported on the bed and carrying at their inner sides
a plurality of upright feed rolls, tension and equalizing mechanism having
separate adjusting connections with the two brackets to provide for their adjust-
inent and movement in unison, an independent pressure mechanism also having
separate connections with the two brackets, and means for releasing the roll
brackets from the influence of the tension and equalizing mechanism, substantially
as set forth.
8. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright brackets
slidably supported on the bed and carrying a plurality of upright feed rolls,

page_text: tension and equalizing mechanism having separate adjusting connections with
the brackets to provide for their adjustment and movement in unison, an indepen-
dent pressure mechanism, also having separate connections with the two brackets,
and a device carried by each roll bracket for disengaging the adjusting connection
of the tension and equalizing mechanism, substantially as set forth.
9. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright brackets slidably
supported on the bed and carrying upright feed rolls, a pair of screw adjusting
rods having tension and equalizing connections therewith, a split adjusting nut
supported at the lower end of each bracket, and an adjusting device for moving
the nut sections in and out of engagement with the screw adjusting rod therefor,
substantially as set forth.
10. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright brackets
slidably supported on the bed and carrying upright feed rolls, a pair of screw
adjusting rods having tension and equalizing connections therewith, a pair of
rabbeted parallel guide plates or strips rigidly fastened to the lower end of each
bracket, a split nut for each bracket having flanged sections or halves slidably
supported by the guide plates or strips, a short vertical rock shaft mounted in a
bearing at the lower end of each bracket and carrying a crank handle at its
upper end and a cross head at its lower end, and adjusting links pivoted to the
opposite portion of the cross head and respectively to the separate nut sections
or halves, substantially as set forth.
11. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of brackets slidably
supported on the bed and carrying upright feed rolls, means for yieldingly
pressing the brackets toward the saw line, a stop for limiting the inward move-
ment of each bracket in a direction toward the saw line, and separate fastening
means for holding one of the brackets rigid at the point where arrested by the
stop while the other bracket is free to slide, substantially as set forth.
12. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of brackets slidably
supported on the bed and carrying upright feed-rolls, pressure mechanism for
yieldingly pressing the brackets toward the saw line, a variable stop for limiting
the inward movement of each bracket in a direction toward the saw line, and
separate means for rigidly holding either of the brackets at its inward limit of
movement while the other bracket is free to slide, substantially as set forth.
13. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed having offset stop projections at
one side, the upright brackets slidably supported on the bed and carrying upright
feed rolls, said brackets also having screw lugs, set screws mounted in said screw
lugs and adapted to engage the stop projections and limit the inward movement
of the bracket, adjusting devices for yieldingly pressing the brackets in a direction
toward the stop projections, and separate fastening means for holding either of the
brackets rigid at its inward limit of movement while the other bracket is free to
slide, substantially as set forth.
14. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed having offset stop projections,
facing plates pivotally supported on said stop projections, upright brackets
slidably supported on the bed and carrying upright feed rolls and adjustable stop
screws adapted to engage the facing plates of the stop projections and limit the
inward movement of the brackets, means for yieldingly moving the brackets in a
direction toward the stop projections, and separate fastening means for holding
either of the brackets rigid at its inward limit of movement while the other bracket
is free to slide, substantially as set forth.
15. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright roll carrying
brackets slidably supported on the bed, a separate pressure or tension cable for
each bracket having a connection therewith, means for placing stress upon the
cable in both directions, and a fastening device for each bracket to hold one
bracket in a fixed or rigid position, while the other bracket is permitted to yield
or move, substantially as set forth.
16. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright brackets
supported on the bed and carrying upright feed rolls, a pressure or tension cable

page_text: for each bracket having a weight or equivalent connection at one end and also
connected with the bracket, and a winding device connected with the other end
of the cable, substantially as set forth.
17. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright roll-carrying
brackets slidably supported on the bed, a separate pressure or tension cable for
each bracket having a connection therewith and carrying at one end a weight for
drawing the bracket in one direction, a winding device connected with the other
end of the cable, and a fastening device for each bracket to hold one bracket in a
fixed position while the other is permitted to yield or move, substantially as set
forth.
18. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed carrying at each end thereof a
pair of guide pulleys or sheaves, a separate pressure or tension cable for each
bracket having a connection therewith and running through the supporting bed
over the guide pulleys or sheaves at the ends thereof, each cable carrying at one
end a weight for drawing the bracket to which it is attached in one direction, and
a winding device connected with the other end of each cable, substantially as set
forth.
19. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright roll carrying
brackets slidably supported on the bed, a pair of alined longitudinally movable
winding shafts carrying at their contiguous ends friction disks or wheels, a
common friction pulley arranged between said friction disks or wheels and adapted
to be engaged by either of the same, means for moving said shafts longitudinally
in both directions, a separate pressure or tension cable for each bracket having
a connection therewith and carrying at one end a weight for drawing the bracket
in one direction, the other end of each cable connected to one of the winding
shafts, substantially as set forth.
20. In a resawing machine, the supporting bed, a pair of upright roll carrying
brackets slidably supported on the bed, a pair of alined longitudinally movable
winding shafts carrying at their contiguous ends friction disks or wheels, a
common friction pulley arranged between said disks or wheels and adapted to be
engaged by either of the same, sliding bearing boxes receiving one end of the
winding shafts and movable therewith, an adjusting lever for each sliding bearing
box and having a weight or equivalent connection therewith, brake shoes arranged
in a fixed position at the sides of the friction disks or wheels opposite the friction
pulley, and a separate pressure or tension cable for each bracket, having a con-
nection therewith and carrying at one end a weight for drawing the bracket in
one direction, the other end of each cable being connected to one of the winding
shafts, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 9th day of September 1899.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech.E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.