Improvements in Mortising Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application 23rd Nov., 1889-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mortising Machines.
I, FRANCIS VOSBURGH PHILLIPS of 1194 Bonney Avenue in the City of Chicago
County of Cook and State of Illinois United States of America Carpenter, 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 an improvement in mortising machines. The improvement
is herein shown as embodied in a machine more especially intended for mortising
window stiles to receive sash-cord pulleys, said machine being adapted to form two
slots or mortises side by side and parallel with each other at one time. The invention
consists in the matters hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawing illustrating my invention:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mortising machine embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken upon line - of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken upon line y-y of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken upon line of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the machine, showing a changed position of the same
with the cutting tools advanced through the wood being operated upon..
As illustrated in the said drawing, A indicates a base or table to which the several
parts of the machine are attached. B B¹ are two tool-holding spindles arranged
horizontally above said table. C is a sliding work-holder arranged between and
constructed to move at right angles to the spindles B B'. The spindles B B¹ are
arranged in the same vertical plane but in different horizontal planes, and said spindles
are mounted in bearings which have sliding connection with the base or table
adapted to allow the spindles and their bearings to move endwise toward and from
the work-holder C which is located between them. 6 are cutter-heads or tools of
that kind sometimes called "routing bits" which act by rotation and are arranged to
operate both as boring tools and as lateral cutters, said cutter-heads being secured in
the ends of the spindles B B¹ in such manner that when the spindles are advanced
toward the work carrier C the cutter-heads will extend past or overlap each other.
The said cutter-heads bb' may be of any form or construction adapted both for boring
and laterally cutting, those herein shown being of familiar construction having two
parallel oppositely directed longitudinal cutting edges terminating at the extremity
of the tools in transverse cutting edges like those of an auger or similar boring-
tool. The cutter-heads thus constructed, operate to first make cylindric holes in or
through the work and then cut sidewise as the work is moved so as to form slots or
mortises having parallel side walls.
or
Sliding supports for the spindles B and B' are herein shown as made as follows:
D D are two horizontal, transversely arranged supporting bars or pillow-blocks
provided with bearing boxes d d for the spindle B. The pillow-blocks D have
sliding engagement at their opposite ends with two horizontal guide bars D² D²
which are rigidly sustained upon or from the base A by means of arms
brackets d² d². Said pillow-blocks are rigidly connected with each other by a
horizontal girt d'. D¹ D' are similar pillow-blocks provided with bearings d¹ d¹ for
the spindle B¹ and supported by horizontal guide-bars D³ D³ which are supported by
means of brackets d³ ³ from the base A. The pillow-blocks D' D' are rigidly
connected by a girt d³. The pillow-blocks D D D D₁, together with the spindles B B¹
sustained thereby, are adapted to be slid back and forth upon the guide bars D³ D² D³ D³
in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spindles so as to advance the cutting
tools toward and retract them from the work held in the work-holder C. The

page_text: spindles B B are provided with suitable belt-pulleys B2 B3 by which rapid rotary
motion may be transmitted thereto, the belt-pulleys as berein shown being located upon
the spindles in the parts thereof between the bearings d d and d¹ d'.
In connection with the spindles B and B', mounted to rotate and slide longitudinally
in the manner described, any suitable means may be employed for changing the
vertical position of said spindles with relation to the base of the machine or to each
other as may be found necessary in operating upon different kinds or sizes of work.
In the particular construction shown in the drawing, vertical adjustment of the
spindles is accomplished by moving the guide bars D2 D2 D3 D³ vertically with
relation to the bed of the machine. The said bars D² D² D³ D³ are, in the machine
illustrated, supported by brackets d² d² d³ ³ from the bed A, as above described,
and said brackets are connected with the bed by means of vertically arranged screw
bolts do which pass through horizontal parts of the brackets d² d³ and enter the bed
piece or plate A, and for sustaining the said brackets d² d³ at a greater or less
distance above the said bed piece A filling pieces or blocks D D varying in thickness
as necessary to bring the spindles in a desired position, are inserted between the said
brackets and the upper surface of the bed plate.
The particular filling blocks D D illustrated embody novel features of construction
as follows: Said blocks are made considerably longer in one direction than the other
and are stepped or made thicker at one end that the other, the thinner parts of the
blocks being indicated at d d and the thicker parts at dd. Each of said blocks is,
furthermore, provided with a central, longitudinal slot do extending from the middle
of the thicker part do to that of the thinner part d³. When the blocks D₁ D³ are
placed beneath the brackets d d³ the bolts de d' are inserted through the said slot d¹º,
thereby preventing the blocks from being completely detached or removed from place.
A construction of this kind affords adjustment to two positions only in the use of one
pair of blocks for each spindle, the brackets d² or d³ ³ resting either upon the
thinner parts of the blocks or the thicker parts do thereof. The vertical position
of either spindle is readily changed by loosening up the bolts do, shifting the
blocks D or D' so as to bring their thicker or thinner parts beneath the bracket and
then tightening the bolts.
I have shown the filling blocks D₁ D' as applied to one of each pair of guide
bars D2 D2 D3 D³, it being entirely obvious that one of said guide bars may be raised or
lowered to change the vertical position of the spindle without affecting the operation
of the other guide bar, provided the latter is made round, as shown in the drawing.
When provision is made for the vertical adjustment of one of the guide bars, as D³ ³
of each pair, I preferably locate the spindles B B¹ at the ends of the pillow-blocks or
bars D D D D¹ nearest the adjustable guide bar D2 D3, in the manner illustrated in
the drawing.
The construction illustrated, whereby the vertical adjustment of the tool-carrying
spindles is accomplished by changing the vertical position of one pair of guide-bars
only, is obviously a simple and convenient one, and the employment of filling
blocks D D stepped or made thicker at one part than another is obviously well
adapted for use where a machine is intended for making the same article in two or
three different sizes. It is of course obvious that the blocks D* D' may be provided
with any number of steps according to the number of changes or positions necessary
for accomplishing the work for which the machine is intended. It is of course
obvious that filling blocks like those described may be used under all of the brackets,
or those supporting both guide bars D2 D2 D3 D³ belonging to either or both of the
spindles. The said guide bars are shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 6 as applied
to the brackets at the rear part of the machine. When filling blocks D D³, made in
the manner illustrated, are employed for sustaining all of the brackets D2 D2 D3 D³ an
increased capacity for vertical adjustment is obviously provided, inasmuch as either
spindle will be elevated to a greater extent when the thicker parts of the filling
blocks are placed under all of the supporting brackets of a spindle than when placed
under two of them only.
In the operation of the machine the tool-holding spindles are preferably advanced

page_text: toward the work simultaneously from opposite sides of the latter and devices are
herein shown for moving both of said spindles by hand at the same time, the
devices being made as follows: E is a hand lever arranged horizontally and pivoted at
e to the machine base A. E' is a connecting bar pivotally connected with the end of
said lever E and with the rear pillow-block D of the spindle B. E' is a second con-
necting bar pivoted to one of the pillow-blocks D' of the spindle B' and connected
with the lever E between the pivot e thereof and the handle. The pivotal connections
between the connecting rods E1 and E2 and the lever E are arranged at approximately
equal distances from the pivot e of the lever. The same extent of movement in the
spindles will thus be produced when the said lever is swung about its pivot, so that by
means of the said lever E the cutter-heads may be advanced to the same extent and at
the same speed through the work. The position of the spindle and cutter-heads when
the latter are free from the work is illustrated in Figure 2, while the position of the
parts when the heads are advanced through the work is shown in Figure 6.
The work-holder adapted for use with the devices above described embraces as its
essential features a support or guide for the wooden strip or strips to be operated upon,
holding the latter in position between the cutter-heads and adapted to allow the said
strips to be moved laterally with relation to the heads in such manner that the heads
will cut an elongated opening, mortise or slot after they have been advanced through
the wood. The particular work-holder shown is provided with a clamp for holding
the work, and with devices for moving the clamp bodily with relation to the cutter-
heads. Said work-holder is made as follows: F F are two guide-bars arranged
parallel with each other above the base A and at right angles to the spindles B B'.
Said guide-bars are supported at their ends in castings attached to the base A.
GG are two "U" shaped castings mounted and sliding upon the said guide-
bars F F with their arms or forks g g extending upwardly. The castings G G are
rigidly connected with each other by a longitudinal bar G₁ located between the
guide-bars F F. To the inner faces of said prongs g g are secured parallel
vertical side-pieces G2 G2 which, together with a horizontal bottom plate or
strip G³, also secured to said castings G G, form a trough-shaped holder within
which the work is placed. For holding the work in place within the work-holder
I have herein shown a clamping device consisting of a screw-shaft H passing through
one of the prongs g of one of the castings G and provided with a plate h at its
inner end adapted to bear against the board or strip placed within the holder.
shaft H is provided with a hand wheel or crank H₁ by which it may be conveniently
turned.
Said
I have herein shown as placed within the work-holder two similar boards I I which
are to form the stile or side-pieces of a window frame, said pieces or strips being
provided each with a central, longitudinal groove i i which is to receive the parting
strip of the frame. The pair of stiles I I belonging to one window will commonly
be placed together in the holder with their outer faces or those containing the
grooves ii in contact with each other. The work-holder will be so adjusted, further-
more, as to sustain the edges of the boards at equal distances above the upper cutter
and below the lower cutter, or with the grooves i i midway vertically between the
cutters, so that the slots or mortises formed by the cutters will be located midway
of the sash-grooves of the frame when the stiles are in place. The advantage of
operating upon two strips or stiles at once, in the manner described, is that the
mortises formed in both stiles will be exactly opposite each other and equidistant from
the ends of the stiles, while at the same time by placing the external faces of the
stiles in contact with each other, any breaking or splintering of the wood at the
margins of the slots as the cutters pass through the same will be prevented, it being
entirely obvious that inasmuch as the cutters advance from opposite directions one
cutter must enter the wood of any single strip or stile at the rear face of the same and
pass out through the front face thereof, so that when a single strip is operated upon at
once, one or the other of the cutters is liable to splinter or mar the finished surface
where it emerges therefrom.
L (Figures 5 and 6) is an adjustable stop for determining the longitudinal position

page_text: of the strips, boards or stiles inserted in the work-holder. Said stop L is herein
shown as consisting of a transverse bar attached to a longitudinally arranged stein L'
which extends through a guide-aperture in one of the prongs g of the casting G of
the work-holder nearest the rear side of the machine. By shifting the stem L within
the prong the position of the slots or mortises with relation to the ends of the blanks
or stiles II may obviously be determined and varied as desired.
g
A sliding work-holder constructed in the manner above described may be moved to
carry the work longitudinally by hand or otherwise as may be desired or preferred.
I have herein illustrated, however, a device embracing a hand-lever for actuating
the work-holder, said device being made as follows: J is a hand-lever pivoted at j upon
the base A of the machine. Said hand-lever is provided with an arm J to the free
end of which is pivoted a connecting bar J2 which is pivoted also to one of the castings G
of the sliding work-holder. By swinging the hand-lever J about its pivot the
work-holder is carried endwise in a familiar manner.
For controlling the length of the slot or mortise made by the cutting tools when the
strip or board through which said tools have been advanced is moved longitudinally a
suitable stop engaging the work-holder, or any other part connected and moving there-
with, may be employed. In the drawings, K (Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5) is an adjustable stop
adapted to engage the casting G adjacent to the forward side of the machine, or that at
which the operator stands as the work-holder is moved forward. A stop to limit the rear-
ward motion of the work-holder is, in the instance illustrated, formed by the rear
support fof the guide bars F F. In the particular construction herein shown the stop K
consists of a horizontal bar bent upwardly at its end which is engaged by the work-
holder and provided with a longitudinal slot k in its horizontal part, through which slot.
passes a set-screw k¹ which enters the casting and clamps the stop immovably to the
said casting. By shifting the adjustable stop K backward and forward the length of
the slots or mortises made by the rotating cutting tool may be adjusted as desired.
For adjusting the bottom plate G³ of the work-holder vertically in order that the
work may be sustained in a desired vertical position with relation to the cutting tools,
said bottom plate is sustained from the castings G G as follows: G G are two
vertically arranged set-screws screw-threaded at their lower ends to engage screw-
threaded apertures in the castings G G. At their upper ends the said set-screws G* G*
are engaged with bearing apertures in the plate G³, said set-screws being provided
beneath the plate with shoulders or collars g₁ g¹ to afford vertical support to the said
bottom plate. At their upper ends above the collar g₁ the set-screws G³ G' are
provided with heads engaging countersunk apertures in the bottom plate G³ so as to
bring said heads flush with the upper surface of the said plate. The set-screws G*G*
may be rotated for adjusting the bottom plate G³ by means of a wrench applied to the
flat faces of the collars g¹g, or the upper ends of the set-screws may be slotted for a
screw driver.
M (Figures 1 and 2) indicates a rotating cutter attached to the outer end of the
spindle B for the purpose of forming the groove i for the parting strip in case it is
desired to use the same machine for this purpose. N indicates a supporting table for
use in connection with the revolving cutter M. The table N is herein shown as
provided with a vertical guide flange n and as supported upon vertically adjustable
brackets N¹ secured to the base or table N by set-screws n¹. Laterally adjustable
connection between the table N and the said brackets is formed by means of bolts nº
passing through slots in the brackets, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2.
An important feature of novelty in the machine shown is embraced in the con-
struction wherein tool-carrying spindles, movable toward and from each other, are
arranged in different parallel planes, this construction obviously affording means
whereby two parallel slots or mortises may be formed side by side at any distance
apart desired, it being entirely obvious that if the spindles were located at the same
side of the work that the slots could be made no closer together than would be allowed
by the necessity for providing spindles of proper size, and bearings having the
requisite strength for the same to withstand the lateral pressure coming upon the
same when the work is thrust against the sides of the cutter-heads. The machine

page_text: above described may be used for boring two holes at once in case the work is not
moved to elongate the holes, as is done when the machine is used for mortising. I
have hereinbefore described the cutting tools as being advanced entirely through the
work so as to form mortises or slots therein, but it is entirely obvious that the same
machine may be employed to cut closed mortises or recesses in opposite sides of a.
single piece of wood or upon one side of each of two separate pieces of wood placed
together in the holder of the machine, by limiting the inward or advance movement
of the cutting tools so as to make the recess or recesses of a desired depth.
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: The combination with two rotary cutter heads constructed to cut both at their
ends and sides, of two longitudinally movable rotating spindles arranged end to end
and out of line with each other and supporting the cutter heads in position to overlap,.
substantially as described.
2-The combination with two rotary cutter heads constructed to cut on their
ends and sides, of two longitudinally movable rotating spindles arranged end to.
end and out of line with each other, and supporting the cutter heads in position
to overlap, a work-holder movable in a direction transverse to said spindles and
mechanism connected with said spindles for moving the same longitudinally toward
and from each other, substantially as described.
3-A machine for the purpose stated embracing two revolving cutter-heads, two
longitudinally movable spindles sustaining the same, bearings for said spindles, and
adjustable supports for said bearings, whereby the spindles may be moved laterally
with relation to each other, substantially as described.
4:The combination, with two revolving cutter-heads, and two spindles sustaining
said cutter-heads, said spindles being movable longitudinally toward and from each
other, of a longitudinally sliding work-holder, movable transversely with relation to
the spindles, said work-holder being provided with a vertically adjustable bottoni-
plate, substantially as described.
5-A machine for the purpose stated, embracing two revolving cutter-heads
constructed to cut at their ends and sides, two spindles arranged end to end and out
of line with each other and sustaining the cutter-heads in position to overlap, pillow-
blocks affording bearings for said spindles, said pillow-blocks being movable toward
and from each other, guide-bars supporting the pillow-blocks, and mechanism
connected with said pillow-blocks, acting to move the same simultaneously toward
ind from each other.
6-A machine for the purpose stated, embracing two revolving cutter-heads, two.
pindles supporting said cutter-heads, pillow-blocks affording bearings for said spindles,.
guides for the pillow-blocks, a hand lever and two connecting bars pivoted to the
billow-blocks-and to the hand lever, substantially as described.
Signed at Chicago, Ill.. this 30th day of October 1889.
FRANCIS VOSBURGH PHILLIPS.
In presence of,
M. E. DAYTON.
C. CLARENCE POOLE.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant..