Improvements in and relating to Stave Rounding, Crozing, and Chamfering Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 3rd Feb.,
1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Stave Rounding, Crozing, and
Chamfering Machines.
We, JAMES PLEUKHARP and WILLIAM KELSEY LIGGETT, citizens of the
United States of America, residing respectively at 80 West Third Avenue, and
178 East Town Street, in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin, and State
of Ohio, one of the United States of America, Manufacturers, 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 that class of machinery which is
designed to facilitate the formation and completion of stave blanks in the'
manufacture of standard barrels.
The invention aims to provide in one organization instrumentalities for rounding
one side of stave blanks and crozing and chamfering the same and performing the
several operations at different times but in one continuous process, thereby
obviating more than one handling of the blanks which is necessary to place them
in a hopper, from which they are automatically taken by an endless carrier and
conveyed to two sets of cutters, one set notching the opposite edges of the blanks
and the other set removing that portion of the blank between the said notches
and rounding the blank. The blank is then presented to crozing and chamfering
cutters which even the blanks, making them all one length, and will form the
proper croze and chamfer.
The invention consists of the organization, which hereinafter will be more'
particularly set forth and claimed, and which is shown in the accompanying
drawings forming part of this Specification, and in which-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying our invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the organized machine.
Figure 3 is a vertical section about on the line X-X of Figure 2 looking in
the direction of the arrow, parts being broken away to better show the details of
construction and the relative arrangements of the parts.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the upper pressure bar, showing the levers'
attached thereto and the weights on the said levers for yieldingly holding the
pressure bar to the work.
Figure 5 is a cross section of a pulley at the delivery end of the machine over
which the carrier passes, and which is provided with an elastic rim.
Figure 6 is a detail view of a stave blank.
Figure 7 is a view of the blank after being operated on by the first set of
cutters.
Figure 8 is a view of the blank after being operated on by the second set of
cutters.
Figure 9 is a detail view of the completed stave.
The frame A for supporting the operating parts of the machine, may be of any
suitable construction being preferably closed in on four sides. The drum F
located at the receiving end of the machine, is journalled at its ends on the side
portions of the frame, and one of its journals is extended and provided with the
worm wheel 6 which meshes with a corresponding worm thread 7 on a shaft 8.
This drum is provided with a series of faces which approximate and correspond
with the width of the stave blanks 9. These fares f extend from one end of the
drum to the other end and are separated by ribs f¹ which project slightly from
the drum and are designed to engage with the rear edge of the stave blanks and
carry them forward to the separate set of cutters 6 and C. Near each end of

page_text: the drum Fan annular groove or channel is formed to receive the chains
composing the endless carrier E and which are of sufficient depth to permit the
upper edges of the said chains to come flush with the faces of the drum, thereby
permitting the stave blanks to be wholly supported by the said drum when
operated on by the cutters and C³, so there can be no sag or give to the
said blanks when operated on by the said cutters. The ribs are of suitable
dimensions and are straight on their front or active side so as to engage with
the stave blanks and carry them forward in a positive manner to the cutters b
and C¹.
The support for the delivery end of the carrier E is composed of a shaft G¹
and pulleys G mounted on the said shaft near the ends thereof. The shaft G² is
mounted at its ends in bearings G' which are adjustable on the frame A by means
of set screws g¹ so as to take up wear in the chains comprising the carrier E.
The set screws g¹ obtain a purchase against stops- of lugs gª projected vertically
from the frame A. Ench of the pulleys G is provided with sprockets which
engage with the links which comprise the chain of the carrier E, and with an
annular rim on which is fitted an elastic band 9, the combined thickness of the
elastic band and the rim being about equal to the depth of the chains
composing the carrier E so that the stave blanks will be held firmly against the
lower portion of the guide H which is located at the delivery end of the machine.
The carrier E is composed of two endless chains which pass around and are
supported at their ends by the drum F and the pulleys G. The links composing
these chains are about equal in length to the width of the stave blanks and have
projections which are designed to carry the stave blanks forward after they leave
the cutter C¹ to the chamfering and crozing cutters. The links of said chains are
held so that the projections e will be preserved in co-incident relation by means of
the sprocket teeth on the pulleys G and the sides at the inner end of the channels
or grooves f³.
་
A track is provided beneath the lower portion of the carrier E to support
the stave blanks when travelling from the drum F to the pulleys G after being
operated on by the cutter C'. A guide H, preferably ogee shaped, is provided
at the delivery end of the machine to hold the stave blanks against the lower
portions of the pulley G, and the upper portion curves away from the said
pulleys G to properly deliver the stave blanks after being finished. The lower
portion of this guide H conforms to the pulley G and is arranged at a proper
distance therefrom to snugly comprise the stave blanks between it and the said
pulleys G. A cross bar I located opposite the upper portion of the guide H and
suitably connected with the frame A by having its ends bent down and bolted to
the said frame, forms a support for spring arms J, J.. These arms J. J' are
secured at their inner ends to the cross bar I and extend in opposite direction
therefrom and conform to the shape of the upper portion of the guide H. The
stave blanks pass between the guide H and the arms J, J', as most clearly shown
in Figure 3. In the preferred form of construction the arms J, J' are bolted to
the upper side of the cross bar I and are bent around the edges and beneath the
same, thereby forming a yielding portion between the said guide H and the cross
bar I.
The cutter head 6 is provided with a series of cutters 2, which are located at
intervals apart, and which in the operation of the machine are designed to form the
notches n in the opposite edges of the stave blank 9. as shown most clearly in
Figure 7. This cutter head is provided with slots 3 which have enlargement 4 for
the purpose of receiving the head of the bolt which secures the cutters 2 to the
said cutter bead. The journal of the cutter head & is projected beyond the side of
the frame A and provided with a band pulley 10.
The cutter head C' is approximately of a spiral form, as indicated most clearly
in Figure 3, so that the cutters thereof will operate by a shear or draw cut and
effect a smooth and even cutting. This cutter is arranged below the cutter b and
is designed to remove that portion of the blank left between the notches n

page_text: and produce a curved surface on one side of the blank, as shown most clearly in
Figure 8. The journal of the cutter head C¹ is extended and provided with a band
pulley 11.
A pressure bar 6 is arranged between the cutter heads and C, and is designed
to press the stave blank against the drum F while the same is passing to the
cutter C. This pressure bar is preferably formed of cast metal and is hollow,
and is provided on the face opposite the drum with a series of ribs 5 which corre-
spond in number and position with the cutters 2 on the cutter head so as to enter
the notches n formed in the stave blank 9, thereby holding the said stave blank
firmly and preventing any vibration or longitudinal movement thereof. Elbow
levers 12 projecting from the pressure bar and mounted in line with or on the
shaft of the cutter head C, have weights 13 at their outer ends which serve to
force the pressure bar b' against the stare blank with a proper degree of pressure.
The levers 14 pivotally supported at 15, and having weights 16 at their outer
ends, are connected at their inner ends with the pressure bar C' by means of
links 17. The pressure bar C2 is similar in construction to the pressure bar 6' and
is located below the said pressure bar and opposite the cutter C. The stave
blank is held against the drum while being operated on by the cutter C¹ by means
of the said pressure bars b' and C².
The hopper a for receiving the stave blanks, is located directly above the
drum F and is closed at its rear side and one end only. A portion a³ extends frem
the said closed end of the hopper parallel with the closed side thereof for a short
distance, and is designed to facilitate the proper feeding or supplying of the stave
blanks to the said hopper. A space is left between the upper portion of the
drum F and the lower edge of the hopper to permit the free passage of the stave
blanks from the said hopper when engaged by the ribs on the said drum. A
cross bar a¹ contiguous to the rear side of the hopper a forms a support for a series
of spring guards a² which are attached thereto at their upper ends and have their
lower ends extending to within a short distance of the pressure bar b', and which
are designed to hold the stave blanks in position between the drum F while passing
from the hopper a to the cutter b.
The cutters and C¹ are enclosed within a housing O which is in communication
with a suction fan of any ordinary construction by means of a conveyor P for the
purpose of removing all the cuttings and conveying them away from the machine
to a convenient place.
A horizontal shaft 15" parallel with the drum F and located near the lower end
of the frame A, is provided with a bevel pinion 16* which meshes with a bevel
gear wheel 17 on the vertical shaft. 8, and is provided with a baud wheel 18 which
receives its motion from any suitable source of power by means of an endless
belt 19. This belt 19 is moved in the well-known way to throw the machine in
and out of gear by means of a shifter 20 of ordinary construction. A shaft 21
having an idle pulley 22 is provided for a belt 23 to pass around and give proper
direction thereto. This belt 23 is driven by any suitable motive power, and after
passing around the idle pulley 22 passes around the pulleys 10 and 11 to drive the
cutters and C¹.
The mandrels R carrying the chamfering and crozing cutters, are set at an angle
to the carrier E and incline in opposite direction. Band pulleys are provided at
the outer ends of the mandrels R to receive the belt, not shown, by means of which
the said mandrels are rotated. The chamfering cutter S is dished and the crozing
cutter T is correspondingly dished, and the two cutters are secured to the inner
ends of the said mandrels. The chamfering and crozing cutters operate on the
stave blanks at a point about opposite the middle of the guide H and about in the
plane of the shaft G¹.
In the operation of the machine the stave blanks are fed by hand to the hopper a
and are taken one at a time from the bottom of the pile by means of the ribs f¹ on
the drum F and carried, first to the cutter which forms the notches n in the
opposite edges thereof, and then to the cutter C' which rounds one face of the said

page_text: :
blank, and from this cutter the blanks are carried by means of the carrier E to the
crozing and chamfering cutters and from thence to the delivery end of the
achine.
Having now w particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. In an organized machine for rounding one face of stave blanks and chamfering
and crezing the same, the combination of a cutter having the blades arranged at
intervals in its length to notch the blanks, a second cutter to remove that portion
of the blank between the said notclies, crozing and chamfering cutters, and feeding
mechanism to carry the blanks in a curved path to the notching and rounding
cutters and to the crozing and chamfering cutters, whereby the blanks will first he
notched in opposite edges, have the portion removed between the notches and then
crozed aud chamfered, substantially as set forth.
2. In a stave rounding machine the combination of a cutter having knives at
intervals in its length, feeding mechanism to carry the blanks in a curved path so
that the cutter will notch the opposite edges of the blanks, substantially as
specified, and a pressure bar having a series of transverse projections to correspond
in number and position with the knives on the said cutter head, to enter the said
notches formed in the blanks to hold the latter firmly against vibratory or
longitudinal movement, substantially as set forth.
3. In a stave rounding machine, the combination of a drum for feeding the stave
blanks, a cutter located beneath the said drum, pressure bars, one arranged on each
side of the cutter, pivotally supported and adapted to more away from the drum,
and weighted levers connected with the said pressure bars to yieldingly hold the
same in a normal position, substantially as set forth.
4. In a stave rounding machine, the combination of a stave blank feeding drum,.
a hopper located above the said drum, a cutter located about opposite the center
of the drum, yielding guards conforming to the drum and extending between the
hopper and the cutter b, a second cutter C' beneath the cutter b, a pressure bar 71
between the vertically disposed cutters and C, and a pressure bar C³, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
5. In a stave rounding machine, the combination with the vertically disposed
cutter heads and C¹ constructed to round one face of the blank staves, of a
housing enclosing the said cutter heads and adapted to be connected through a
suitable conveyor with a suction fan, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
6. In a stave rounding machine, the combination with a guide H and a carrier,.
of a pulley supporting the said carrier and provided with an annular rim, and an
elastic band surrounding the said rim, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
7. In a stave rounding machine, the combination with a guide H, and an endless
carrier comprising a chain, of a pulley to support the said chain provided with
sprocket teeth to engage with the links of said chains, and having a rim, and an
elastic band fitted around said rini, substantially as set forth.
8. In a machine of the herein described character: the combination with a drum
having a series of faces, and having projections between the said faces, of a hopper
located above the said drum and closed on one side and end, only, and having a
space between the said drum and the lower edge of the hopper, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
9. The combination with an endless carrier, and supports for the said carrier, of
a track beneath the lower portion of the said carrier, and ogce-shaped guides
forming a continuation of the said track, and spring arms J, J' conforming to the
upper portion of the said ogee shaped guide Hand extending in opposite directions
from an intermediate support, the outer ends, of the said arms being free,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 10. The combination with the drum F having grooves formed therein near
each end, and a hopper, of an endless carrier composed of chains which are
adapted to travel in the said grooves and come flush with the face of the said drum,
and provided with projections which are adapted to engage with and carry the
stave blanks forward, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with an endless carrier, supports F and G for the said
endless carrier, cutters for rounding one face of the stave blanks, the guide H
conforming to the support G, and oppositely inclined mandrels arranged within the
plane of the support G and provided with chamfering and crozing cutters to operate
on the inner or straight side of the said stave blanks in opposition to the guide H,
substantially as set forth.
12. A machine of the character hereinbefore set forth, comprising the following
elements which are combined and arranged to operate substantially in the manner
herein before set forth, the same consisting of, an endless carrier comprising two
endless chains, a drum having a series of faces and having projections between
the faces, and having annular grooves near each end of the drum to receive the
said chains, pulleys to support the opposite end of the said chains, each pulley
having sprocket teeth, an annular rim, and an elastic band around the said rim a
cutter head to form notches in the opposite edges of the stave blanks, a second
cutter to remove that portion of the blank between the notches and round one face
of the stave blank, pressure bars, one on each side of the latter cutter and
connected with weighted levers which hold the said pressure bars to their work, a
track beneath the lower portion of the carrier and ogee shaped guide at the
delivery end of the machine, spring arms conforming to the upper portion of the
said guide, a hopper to receive the stave blanks, spring guards between said hopper
and the first of the two cutters, a housing enclosing the said cutters and adapted to
be connected with a suction fan, and mandrels inclining in opposite directions and
provided with chamfering and crozing cutters, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Dated this 10th day of Doombay 1002