improvements in stone-sawing machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
improvements in stone-sawing machines.
I, FRANK KNOBEL of Bedford, State of Indiana in the United States of America,
Inventor, 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:―
My invention relates to stone-sawing machines employing an endless cable, and
more particularly to means for automatically keeping the cutting-cable taut during
the sawing operation, and for rendering the machine more portable in its nature.
Other points of novelty serving to render the machine of generally improved
construction will be pointed out.
My invention involves the use of a suitable frame for carrying the guide-sheaves
which support and direct the cable across the stone to be sawed, a drive-pulley
over which the cable passes connected with a suitable motor, and a truck mounted
upon an inclined track and carrying an idler over which the cable passes, the
truck serving as a means for automatically adjusting the idler to compensate for
the slack produced by the sinking of the cable into the stone.
My preferred way of accomplishing the above object is by mounting the driving
motor upon a truck carried by an inclined track provided with means for adjust-
ing the inclination to vary the tension on the cable, in which case the idler
mentioned above may be dispensed with. In some instances where two or more
cables are driven by the same motor it is advisable to employ independant ten-
sioning mechanims for each cable, and this may be provided for by arranging
supplementary tensioning devices, one for each cable, at the side opposite where
the motor is located.
In the accompanying drawings-
Fig 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved stone sawing machine provided
with two cutting-cables and having the supplementary tensioning devices
mentioned;
Fig 2, a plan view of the truck upon which the driving-motor is mounted and
the inclined track therefor
Fig 3, a section taken on line 3 of Figure 2; Fig 4, a broken section on line 4
of Figure 2 exposing the pinion and rack through the medium of which the truck
may be moved to the upper end of the track;
Fig 5, a broken view showing a ratchet and pawl controlling said pinion and
operating to prevent the motor from being jerked up the incline by any sudden
strain upon the cutting cable;
Fig 6, a horizontal section of one of the supporting-frame posts showing the means
for raising and lowering the lower guide-sheaves, the section being taken on line
6 of Figure 7;
Fig. 7, a broken view in end elevation (referring to the machine) of one of the
upporting-posts and the raising and lowering mechanism for said guide-sheaves;
Fig 8, a plan view of the supplementary tensioning devices which are in some
ases employed. The sections are viewed as indicated by the several arrows.

page_text: In carrying out my invention the construction will vary somewhat according to
the kind of work for which the machine is designed, the size of the machine, etc.
A represents a supporting-frame for guide-sheaves having supporting-posts A¹
and A2 which should be high enough and widely separated enough to allow any
ordinary sized stone B (say from five to fifty feet in length) to be placed in the
path of the lower cutting-cable.
Figures 6 and 7 show a supporting-post and the raising and lowering device
for the lower sheaves. Frojecting laterally from each post and extending longitu-
dinally thereof (say a distance of ten feet for a large sized machine) are brackets C
provided with beveled flanges C', and, on their outer faces with racks C². The
flanges Cafford guides for slides D) which embrase the beveled edges and project
outwardly terminating in shafts E. Upon the shafts E are journaled guide-sheaves
F secured in place by means of collars adjustably hold in place by set screws t.
The slides are of the yokeshape shown and have journaled in them pinions G
which mesh with the racks C. These pinions are provided with projecting shafts
r having squared ends for the reception of operating handles (not shown), while
the slides D are provided with set-screws p for fastening them rigidly in place
after they have been raised to the desired height by means of said operating-
handles.
Figures 1 to 5 inclusive show a motor and truck for the same, mounted upon
an inclined track. The truck comprises a frame G¹ mounted upon truck-wheels
G2 which rest upon an inclined track, comprising rails H joined by ties n, and
truss-rods m supplied with braces m¹. Between the rails and supported by the
cross-ties n is a rack I which is engaged by a pinion J carried by a shaft J
journaled in boxes J2 depending from the side-beams of the truck-frame G¹. With
the pinion J meshes .a gear K carried by a shaft K₁ journaled in brackets K³
similarly supported by the frame. Toward one end the shaft K¹ carries a ratchet-
wheel K which is engaged by a pawl K pivoted to the frame G¹. This pawl is
arranged to permit the truck to slide freely down the incline, but to prevent its
return without first lifting the pawl. At its extreme end the shaft K' is provided
with a hand-wheel K5, by means of which the truck may be forced up the incline.
At the upper end of the truck-frame is journaled a shaft L carrying at its ends
grooved drive-pulleys L1, and between its ends a pinion L². Toward its lower
end the truck is provided with an electric motor M operatively connected with the
pinion L2 by an intermediate train of gears L³, L, etc. This motor may be
replaced by any suitable motor.
The rails H are pivotally supported at one end by a shaft N mounted in pillow-
blocks N secured to a base N2. The opposite end is vertically adjusted by means
of screws P provided with hand wheels P¹. The base N2 may be staked or an-
chored to the ground in any suitable manner.
At the rear of the main-frame A are supplementary tensioning devices com-
prising two trucks Q (one for each cable) mounted upon tracks, preferably inclined,
carried by a common supporting-frame R. At each side of the inner and upper
end of the frame R is journaled a guide-sheave R¹, while upon the upper ends of
the trucks Q are idlers Q¹. At the rear end of the frame R are journaled pulleys
R2 over which pass cables S joined to the rear ends of the trucks Q and to weights
S. Toward the lower inner end of the frame R are journaled strain-resisting
pulleys T. The arrangement of these several pulleys may be varied and some
of them may be dispensed with, but it is essential that there be some strain-
resisting pulleys over which the loops of the cutting-cable back of the supporting
sheaves W on the supporting-post A² shall pass.
It is important that these last described trucks be supplied with means for
preventing upward jerking under a sudden strain, and for this purpose the trucks
may be supplied with racks and pinions in all respects similar to that described
in connection with the motor-truck. The trucks are shown without this equip-
ment to avoid unnecessary prolixity. Toward the tops of the supporting-posts A¹
and A3 of the main-frame are journaled supporting sheaves W over which pass

page_text: the cutting cables W₁ after leaving the pulleys L'; and from thence the cutting
cables pass over the sheaves Q1, thence over R and T, thence over pulleys F, thence
across the stone and finally over the other pulleys F and to the driving pulleys.
The operation is as follows:-
The machine is first set up as shown in Figure 1, the various parts being
properly staked or anchored in place, and care being had to properly align the
guide-sheaves and pulleys over which the cables pass. A stone B is placed in
position upon a mound B between the uprights A and A. The guide-sheaves E
are raised, through the medium of the pinions G and racks C³, till the tops thereof
are nearly on a level with the top of the stone. If now the motor be started the
cable gradually works its way into the stone, the cutting process being aided in
some instances by feeding into the groove sand and water, hardened shot, crushed
steel, or the like. It is very necessary to raise the sheaves F before beginning
the cutting operation to cause the cable to start with a straight cut, but once the
cable has cut its way clear across the stone the sheaves are of no further use and
are dropped to the bottom of the racks. As the cable cuts into the stone a slack-
ness is produced and it is the office of the tensioning devices described to take
up this slack. The tension will of course depend upon the weight carried by the
trucks and the inclination of the tracks upon which they rest. As stated the
ratchets and pawls operate to allow the trucks to descend freely, but to prevent
their returning under any sudden strain, thus preventing jumping. This is of
the highest importance, as contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of
the machine.
It will be understood that while, the double tensioning device probably gives a
better result because of producing a more equal tension throughout the cable than
the single tensioning device does, and in some instances is rendered particularly
desirable because of the reasons given above, yet the supplementary tensioning-
device is by no means indispensable, and it may be replaced by sheaves mounted
simply in a stationary or adjustable pillow-block, which would be equivalent to
dispensing with all of the supplementary tensioning devices except the sheaves
Tand their supports.
The feature involving driving-pulleys journaled in a truck mounted upon an
inclined track is one of great importance in the production of a practical portable
machine. These machine as constructed for the ordinary trade are not usually
very large, and they are usually provided with but one cutting-cable. In this
case the supplementary tensioning device may readily be dispensed with. In
the larger and less portable machines where two or more cutting cables are em-
pioyed these supplementary tensioning-devices should be retained, or same equiva-
lent independent controlling means for the several cables should to supplied.
A great variety of changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts
may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence I wish to
be understood as intending no limitation by the particular description given
above, except as shall appear from the appended claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-cable
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable, of an automatic tensioning device
for the cable comprising a gravity-operated truck mounted on a track, and a
sheave. journaled in the truck-frame about which said cable passes, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting cable,
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable, of an automatic tensioning-device,
comprising an inclined track, a truck mounted thereon, and a pulley journaled
in the truck-frame about which the cutting-cable passes, the weight of the truck
operating as a tensioning means, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 3. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-cable,
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable, of an automatic tensioning-device,
comprising an inclined track pivotally connected at one end to a support, a truck
upon said track, a pulley journaled in the truck-frame about which the cutting
cable passes, and means for varying the height of the free end of said track to
change the tension in the cutting-cable, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
4. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-cable,
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable, of a tensioning-device for automati-
cally taking up the cable slack, comprising an inclined track, a movable truck
thereon, and a driving-pulley journaled on said truck over which the cable passes,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-cable
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable of a driving and automatic tension-
ing device for the cable, comprising, in combination, an inclined track, a truck
thereon carrying a journaled driving pulley over which the cable passes, and a
motor upon the truck and connected with said driving pulley, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-cable,
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable, of an automatic tensioning device,
comprising an inclined track, a truck thereon, a pulley journaled on the truck
over which the cable passes, and means for adjusting the track to vary the in-
clination and thereby to change the tension of the cable, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
7. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-cable,
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable, of an automatic tensioning-device,
comprising a track, a gravity moved truck mounted thereon, and means connected
with the truck and track operating to allow the truck to move freely to take up
the slack of the cable but to prevent a return of the truck under an added strain
upon the cutting-cable, thereby insuring steadiness of operation, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-cable,
and sheaves regulating the path of said cable, of an automatic tensioning-device,
comprising a track, a gravity moved truck mounted thereon, a pulley journaled
in the truck-frame about which the cable passes, a rack attached to the track, a
pinion engaging therewith carried by a shaft journaled in the truck frame, and a
ratchet and pawl controlling said pinion operating to permit movement of the
truck the take up the slack in the cutting-cable, but to prevent a return of the
truck under an added strain upon the cable, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
9. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with the main-frame, endless
cutting-cables, and sheaves directing the path of said cables, of driving and ten-
sioning means for the cables, comprising, in combination, an inclined track at
one side of the frame, a movable truck mounted thereon, driving pulleys journaled
in the truck frame about which said cables pass, a motor on the truck connected
with said pulleys, and supplementary tensioning-devices at the opposite side of
the main-frame comprising gravity operated trucks, one for each cutting cable,
and each carrying a pulley about which the cable passes, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
10. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with an endless cutting-table,
and a motor for driving said cable, of supporting-posts, supporting-sheaves ror the
cable, racks upon said posts, slides movable longitudinally of the posts, pinions
journaled in the slides and meshing with the racks, and guide sheaves journaled
upon said slides to be moved therewith to a proper height to direct the cable in
its first cutting operation upon the stone, thereby to insure a straight cut, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11. In a stone-sawing machine, the combination with two endless cutting-

page_text: cables, and a motor for driving the cables, of supporting posts, supporting sheaves
for the cable, laterally projecting brackets extending longitudinally of the posts
provided with flanges and on their outer faces with racks, slides engaging said
fanges, pinions journaled in the slides and engaging the racks, shafts carried by
the slides, guide-sheaves upon said shafts, and means for adjusting said sheaves
for proper alignment, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated, this 13th day of November 1897.
L. DUVINAGE
Agent for Applicant.