IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING MOULDINGS AND SHAPES OF CIircular, OVAL, OR IRREGULAR CURVED FORMS IN STONE, WOOD, OR OTHER MATERIALS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR VENEERING MOULDINGS OF SIMILAR FORMS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Thompson, of New Charlton, in the County
of Kent, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR CUTTING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING MOULDINGS AND SHAPES OF CIircular,
OVAL, OR IRREGULAR CURVED FORMS IN STONE, WOOD, OR OTHER MATERIALS,
PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR VENEERING MOULDINGS
OF SIMILAR FORMS."
Sealed the 3rd September 1867, and dated the 4th March 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Thompson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
March 1867.
I, ROBERT THOMPSON, of New Charlton, in the County of Kent, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR CUTTING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING MOULDINGS AND SHAPES OF
CIRCULAR, OVAL, OR IRREGULAR CURVED FORMS IN STONE; WOOD, OR OTHER
MATERIALS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR VENEERING
MOULDINGS OF SIMILAR FORMS," to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention relates to improved arrangements of machinery
for cutting and shaping mouldings of curved and other forms or shapes in
For this purpose the stone to be cut and shaped into mouldings, or
shapes of curvilinear or irregular curved form, is mounted upon a table or plat-
form, which is moved to and fro by means of a wheel and toothed rack or
otherwise. Above the moveable table a vertical axis is arranged to rotate,
upon the lower end of which a transverse frame is keyed or fixed forming

page_text: radial arms at right angles to the axis; upon this frame the slides or saddles
which carry the cutting or shaping tools are mounted so as to be capable of
sliding to and fro upon the radial arms of the transverse frame as it rotates
with the vertical axis which revolves in bearings carried by a frame or support
capable of being raised and lowered with the vertical axis in order to adjust
the cutting or shaping tools to the elevation of the surfaces of the curvilinear
mouldings or other forms to be operated upon. The slides or saddles which
carry the tools and tool holders are governed in their movement to and fro
upon the transverse rotating bar by means of brackets and friction rollers which
embrace fixed guides mounted upon the moveable table or platform, such
guides being made of corresponding curvilinear or irregular curved form to that
of the moulding or forms the cutting tools are required to produce; the cutting
tools are capable of adjustment upon the holders and sliding saddles. The
fixed guides are capable of adjustment upon the moveable platform by means
of set screws or otherwise, so as to fix them to the correct outline of the
moulding or other shape to be cut. In order to smooth, polish, and finish
the surface of the mouldings or other forms cut and shaped as previously
described tools or rubbers of suitable form are substituted for the cutters, and
are caused to travel over and in contact with the surfaces of the mouldings or
shapes in like manner to that of the cutting tools, polishing materials being
applied to the surfaces of the mouldings as required.
According to another part of my improvements in machinery for cutting,
shaping, and polishing mouldings in stone the axis which carries the rotating
frame or radial arms furnished with slides and tools passes up through a slot
in the table or platform, upon which the stone to be formed into curvilinear
mouldings or other shapes is mounted; this platform may either be arranged
to rotate or to move to and fro as may be found most convenient for the
particular form of moulding or shapes required to be produced; the slides
which carry the cutting or polishing tools are provided with arms which are
constantly borne against the surfaces of "templates" or guides (mounted and
fixed upon the rotating or moveable platform) of corresponding outline or
contour to that of the moulding or shapes it is intended to produce, the slides
and tools being moved in one or other direction upon the rotating bar or
frame by cords and weights attached thereto, and in the opposite direction by
the pressure of the arms upon the slides acting against the surfaces of the
templates or fixed guides. The cutting and polishing tools are mounted so as
to be capable of adjustment upon the slides, and the machinery previously
described may be employed for polishing mouldings made of wood or other
materials of curvilinear or irregular curved forms. For some purposes the

page_text: slides may
have rotating drills or tools mounted thereon driven by endless
bands arranged to act in combination with the machinery; for some purposes
the rotating arms and slides which carry the operating tools are arranged to
make partial revolutions only. In place of causing the saddles or slides with
cutters or tools to rotate they may be carried by and slide to and fro upon
stationary arms, the movement of the slides and cutters being governed by the
guides carried by the rotating or moveable platform.
Another of my improvements in machinery for cutting or polishing mouldings
of curvilinear or irregular forms or other shapes consists in mounting a rotary
cutter or tool upon an axis which is capable of being moved to and fro in its
bearings in order to accommodate the position of the rotating cutter or tool to
the curved surface or outline of the moulding as it is presented thereto, or the
cutting tool may be arranged to slide upon the axis with which it rotates. The
moulding to be cut is mounted upon a rotating table or platform which also
carries a fixed template or guide corresponding in form or outline to that of
the curved or irregular shaped moulding or shape required to be cut. The
surface of the template or guide acts upon an arm connected with the axis of
the rotating cutter so as to govern its to-and-fro movement over the face of the
revolving platform, upon which the moulding and guide is mounted. The axis
of the rotating cutter is mounted in bearings which are capable of adjustment
in order to move the cutter up to the face of the work as the cutting takes
place, or the rotating platform may have this movement imparted thereto to
move the moulding or shape up to the face of the cutter; rotating polishing
tools may be substituted for the revolving cutter. This arrangement of
machinery is suitable for cutting or polishing looking glass or picture frames
of curved or irregular form, and this arrangement of machinery may be readily
adapted so as to be employed for the purpose of veneering mouldings in
accordance with the latter part of my improvements. The opposite end of the
revolving axis may be furnished with a rotating cutter or instrument for cutting
or polishing straight mouldings when required, the tool being driven by a feather
upon the axis sliding to and fro in a keyway formed in the boss of the rotating
cutter or polishing instrument.
My improvements in machinery for veneering mouldings of circular, oval,
curvilinear, or irregular curved forms consist in pressing the veneer on to the
surface of mouldings (of the forms above referred to) by means of rollers, the
peripheries of which correspond in form with the surface of the mouldings to
be veneered, such rollers being carried by slides mounted upon radial arms
fixed upon a rotating axis in like.manner to the rotating radial arms and slides
arranged in accordance with the previous part of my improvements. The slides

page_text: which carry the pressing rollers are caused to move to and fro on the radial
arms by flanges or collars upon the rollers acting against the surface of the
moulding, or of a guide of corresponding form or outline to that of the
moulding to be veneered, which is held in a fixed position upon a table or
platform, or other means of governing the movements of the rollers as they
travel over the curvilinear surface of the mouldings may be employed for
carrying out this part of my improvements. The rollers are pressed down upon
the veneer to force out the superfluous glue by means of springs or weights,
leather, woven fabric, or other suitable pliable or flexible material being laid
upon the veneer for the pressing rollers to travel over; the edges of the veneer
may be returned upon the edges or sides of the mouldings by means of additional
pressing surfaces or rollers if desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th September 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
THOMPSON, of New Charlton, in the County of Kent, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
.Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Robert Thompson, Her special licence that I, the said Robert Thompson,
my exccutors, administrators, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Robert
Thompson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING, SHAPING, AND POLISHING MOULDINGS AND SHAPES
OF CIRCULAR, OVAL, OR IRREGULAR CURVED FORMS IN STONE, WOOD, OR OTHER
MATERIALS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR VENEERING
MOULDINGS OF SIMILAR FORMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Robert Thompson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed. in the Great

page_text: Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Thompson, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say :-
The first part of my Invention relates to improved arrangements of machinery.
for cutting and shaping mouldings of curved and other forms or shapes in
stone. For this purpose the stone to be cut and shaped into mouldings or
shapes of curvilinear or irregular curved form is mounted upon a table or
platform, which is moved to and fro by means of a wheel and toothed rack or
otherwise. Above the moveable table a vertical axis is arranged to rotate
(or partially rotate), upon the lower end of which a transverse frame is keyed
or fixed forming radial arms at right angles to the axis; upon this frame the
slides or saddles which carry the cutting or shaping tools are mounted so as
to be capable of sliding to and fro upon the radial arms of the transverse
frame as it rotates with the vertical axis which revolves in bearings carried
by a frame or support capable of being raised and lowered with the vertical
axis in order to adjust the cutting or shaping tools to the elevation of the
surfaces of the curvilinear mouldings or other forms to be operated upon.
The slides or saddles which carry the tools and tool holders are governed in
their movement to and fro upon the transverse rotating or vibrating, bar by
means of brackets and friction rollers which embrace fixed guides mounted
upon the moveable table or platform, such guides being made of corre
sponding curvilinear or irregular curved form to that of the moulding or.
forms the cutting tools are required to produce. The cutting tools are capable
of adjustment upon the holders and sliding saddles.. The fixed guides are
eapable of adjustment upon the moveable platform by means. of set screws or
otherwise, so as to fix them to the correct outline of the moulding or other
shape to be cut. In order to smooth, polish, and finish the surface of the
mouldings or other forms cut and shaped as previously described, tools or
rubbers of suitable form are substituted for the cutters, and are caused to
travel over and in contact with the surface of the mouldings or shapes in like
manner to that of the cutting tools, polishing materials being applied to the
surfaces of the mouldings as required.
According to another part of my improvements in machinery for cutting,
shaping, and polishing mouldings in stone the axis which carries the rotating
frame or radial arms furnished with slides and tools passes up through a slot
in the table or platform upon which the stone to be formed into curvilinear

page_text: mouldings or other shapes is mounted; this platform may either be arranged
to rotate or to move to and fro, as may be found most convenient for the par-
ticular form of moulding or shapes required to be produced. The slides
which carry the cutting or polishing tools are provided with arms, which are
constantly borne against the surfaces of "templates" or guides (mounted
and fixed upon the rotating or moveable platform) of corresponding outline
or contour to that of the mouldings or shapes it is intended to produce, the
slides and tools being moved in one or other direction upon the rotating bar
or frame by cords and weights attached thereto, and in the opposite direction
by the pressure of the arms upon the slides acting against the surfaces of the
templates or fixed guides. The cutting and polishing tools are mounted so as
to be capable of adjustment upon the slides, and the machinery previously
described may be employed for polishing mouldings made of wood or other
materials of curvilinear or irregular curved forms. For some purposes the
slides may have rotating drills or tools mounted thereon driven by endless
bands arranged to act in combination with the machinery. For some purposes
the rotating or partially rotating arms and slides which carry the operating
tools are arranged to make partial revolutions only, In place of causing the
saddles or slides with cutters or tools to rotate they may be carried by and
slide to and fro upon stationary arms, the movement of tho slides and cutters
being governed by the guides carried by the rotating or moveable platform.
Another part of my improvements in machinery for cutting or polishing
mouldings of curvilinear or irregular forms or other shapes consists in mounting
a rotary cutter or tool upon an axis which is capable of being moved to and
fro in its bearings in order to accommodate the position of the rotating cutter
or tool to the curved surface or outline of the moulding as it is presented
thereto; or the cutting tool may be arranged to slide upon the axis with
which it rotates. The moulding to be cut is mounted upon a rotating table
or platform, which also carries a fixed template or guide corresponding in
form or outline to that of the curved or irregular shaped moulding or shape
required to be cut. The surface of the template or guide acts upon an arm
connected with the axis of the rotating cutter, so as to govern its to-and-fro
movement over the face of the revolving platform upon which the moulding
and guide is mounted. The axis of the rotating cutter is mounted in
bearings which are capable of adjustment in order to move the cutter up to
the face of the work as the cutting takes place, or the rotating platform may have
this movement imparted thereto to move the moulding or shape up to the face
of the cutter. Rotating polishing tools may be substituted for the revolving
cutter. This arrangement of machinery is suitable for cutting or polishing

page_text: looking-glass or picture frames of curved or irregular form, and this arrange-
ment of machinery may be readily adapted so as to be employed for the
purpose of veneering mouldings in accordance with the latter part of my
improvements. The opposite end of the revolving axis may be furnished with
a rotating cutter or instrument for cutting or polishing straight mouldings when
required, the tool being driven by a feather upon the axis sliding to and fro in
a keyway formed in the boss of the rotating cutter or polishing instrument.
My improvements in machinery for veneering mouldings of circular, oval,
curvilinear, or irregular curved forms consist in pressing the veneer on to the
surface of mouldings of the forms above referred to by means of rollers, the
peripheries of which correspond in form with the surface of the mouldings to
be veneered, such rollers being carried by slides mounted upon radial arms
fixed upon a rotating axis in like manner to the rotating radial arms and
slides arranged in accordance with the previous part of my improvements.
The slides which carry the pressing rollers are caused to move to and fro by
flanches or collars upon the rollers acting against the surface of the moulding,
or of a guide of corresponding form or outline to that of the moulding to be
veneered, which is held in a fixed position upon a table or platform, or other
means of governing the movements of the rollers as they travel over the cur-
vilinear surface of the mouldings may be employed for carrying out this part
of my improvements. The rollers are pressed down upon the veneer to force
out the superfluous glue by means of springs or weights, leather, woven fabric,
or other suitable pliable or flexible material being laid upon the veneer for the
pressing rollers to travel over. The edges of the veneer may be returned
upon the edges or sides of the moulding by means of additional pressing
surfaces or rollers if desired.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood I will
proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows an end view, and Figure 2 a plan, of a machine constructed
according to the first part of my Invention, suitable for cutting and shaping
curved, curvilinear, and other irregular shapes or mouldings, such as Gothic
windows, elliptic, or other curves for windows or doors, looking-glass, picture,
or other frames, or shapes in wood, stone, or other material. The stone,
wood, or other material to be cut or shaped is mounted upon the table or
platform a, which is moved to and fro as required by means of the toothed
wheel a² on the driving axis a³ taking into the toothed rack a¹ fixed on the
under side of the table a; b is a vertical axis, revolving (or partially revolving

page_text: according to the form being produced) in bearings & carried by the cross bars
or beams 62, 63, of the frame or support 6. A strap or band passing around the
pulley 6 fixed on the upper end of the axis b is caused to give motion thereto
and to the transverse frame or radial arms c, keyed or otherwise fixed on the
lower end of the axis b; c', c', are slides or saddles, arranged so as to be
capable of sliding to and fro upon the radial arms c, c, the cutting or other
operating tools being mounted upon the slides or saddles c, as shown. The
cross beam together with the axis b, transverse radial frame c, and the
cutters or tools are raised and lowered as required from time to time to adjust
the position of the cutting tools to the elevation of the work by means of the
screw shafts or axes d, d, which pass through screw nuts or sockets at each
end of the beam 63, motion being communicated to the axes d, d, by the
bevil toothed gear d', d, and horizontal axis d³, as clearly shown in the
Drawing. The slides c', c¹, are governed in their movements to and fro on
the radial arm c by friction rollers c* (carried by the brackets c³, c², fixed to
the slides c¹), which rollers embrace the guide or guides c³, c³, firmly fixed in
adjustable brackets c, bolted in position upon the table or platform a, such
guide or guides c³, c³, being arranged upon the table so as to correspond
in form or outline to that of the moulding or other form to be cut or shaped.
When cutting or shaping Gothic or other similar forms, such as shown in the
Drawings, where the curves terminate in angles or points, then the radial
arms c, c, in place of rotating only partially rotate, moving to and fro over
the work from one extremity to the other, and when the tools arrive at the
parts where the curves approach each other then the movement of the table a
is arrested, and the action of the tools allowed to depend upon the radial
movement of the saddles upon the arms c.
Figure 3 shows an end view, and Figure 4 a plan, of another arrangement
of machinery arranged and constructed according to my Invention suitable
for cutting and shaping curvilinear or other irregular shapes or mouldings.
a, a, is the table or platform, which I prefer to be fixed, on which the material
to be cut or shaped is mounted; b is the axis upon which the radial arms c
and radiating slides c¹ are mounted, a reciprocating or rotatory motion being
communicated to the axis 6 by the worm a', on the driving axis a taking into
the worm wheel b¹ fixed on the axis b, or by other suitable gear. The radial
slides c¹ which carry the cutting or other tools are provided with arms c², which
are constantly borne against the surface of the templates or guides c³ fixed
upon the table a, and of corresponding outline to that of the moulding or
other shape to be produced. The radial slides c¹, c¹, and tools carried thereby
are moved outwards upon the arms c by the weighted cords c*, c*, as shown,

page_text: the slides being moved inwards towards the centre by the action of the arms &*
against the fixed guides . Rotating cutters c* may be mounted on slides
mioving upon the radial arms c, driven by means of endless bands c³, and
pulleys c, c, and c, as will be readily understood on examining the Drawing.
In order to prevent the rotary cutter c' from travelling beyond its proper dis-
tance self-acting apparatus is arranged so as to arrest its movement, and at
the same time force the cutter and slide backwards upon the radial arm c. For
this purpose a weighted lever 1 is mounted on the arm c, as shown at Figure 4*,
the lever 1 is retained in position by the upper arm of the tumbler or lever 2
until the lower arm of this lever comes in contact with the fixed stop 3 upon
the table a, causing it to move on its axis, and thus allowing the weighted
end of the lever 1 to descend, the arm 4 of the lever 1 acting at the same
time to thrust back the slide and cutter away from the work. Polishing tools
may be substituted for the cutting tools when the machine is employed for
polishing and finishing the work.
Figure 5 shows a side view, and Figure 6 a plan, of another arrangement
of machinery suitable for cutting, shaping, or polishing curvilinear or other
irregular shapes or mouldings according to my Invention. a, a, is a rotating
cutter fixed on the axis b, which is capable of sliding to and fro in its bearings b',
carried by the framing or supports 6. The bearings b¹ of the axis b are capable
of being raised and lowered by the hand gear and bevil pinions c to raise and
lower the revolving cutter a as required; d is an arm or slide, the forked end d'
of which embraces the axis b between the collars fixed thereon, the other
end of the arm or slide d acting against the surface of the template or guide e
fixed on the rotating or reciprocating table or platform fupon which the
moulding or other curvilinear form to be cut or polished is mounted. The
axis b and revolving cutter a are constantly borne towards the table f by means
of the lever arm g and weighted cord g³, the movement of the axis and cutter a
in the opposite direction being governed by the pressure of the template or
guide e upon the end of the arm or slide d, as previously described.
In place
of causing the axis b to slide to and fro with the rotating cutter a the revolving
axis may be stationary, and the cutter a arranged to slide to and fro thereon,
the arm or slide d which is acted upon by the template e being connected
with the cutter, as will be readily understood by reference to Figures 7 and 8
of the Drawings. a* are revolving cutters mounted on the opposite end of
the axis 6, which may be retained in one position upon the axis by a collar
thereon as is well understood.
I will now describe the manner in which my improvements in machinery
such as above described are adapted so as to be rendered applicable for

page_text: veneering mouldings of circular, oval, curvilinear, or of irregular curved
forms.
Figure 9 shows a front elevation, and Figure 11 a plan, of a machine suit-
ably arranged and constructed for carrying out this part of my Invention.
a is a stationary table or platform upon which the curvilinear moulding to be
veneered is mounted; b, the rotating or reciprocating axis for actuating the
radial arms c, c, upon which the slides c¹, c', are mounted; d, d, are pressing
rollers, carried by and revolving in bearings formed in the forked arms of the
axes d¹ mounted upon the slides c¹, c', the axes d¹ being pressed downwards
by springs d, as shown. The peripheries of the pressing rollers d correspond
in contour with the surface of the moulding to be veneered, and the outer
flanches or collars cause the rollers d and slides c¹ to follow the course of the
moulding to be veneered, or the movement of the rollers and slides may be
governed by a guide fixed upon the table a if preferred. The rollers d are
caused to revolve by means of the endless band d³ driven by the pulley d*,
fixed on the axis 6 as shown. By substituting revolving cutters or rubbers
for the rollers d curvilinear mouldings may be cut or polished in machinery
arranged as previously described. The axes of the rollers d may also have a
revolving tool or cutter d³ mounted thereon for the purpose of cutting grooves
or for shaping the work mounted on the table a, d being a guide to govern
the depth to which the tool or cutter d³ is allowed to enter.
"
Figure 10 shows a modification of the arrangement of machinery last
described for veneering curvilinear mouldings, corresponding parts being
marked with corresponding letters of reference. In this arrangement the
pressing rollers d, d, are formed with plain surfaces, and of sufficient length
to act upon the surface to be veneered at any part of its contour, a "caul
of corresponding form being placed over the veneer upon the curved moulding
for the rollers d, d, to press upon. The slides c¹ which carry the rollers d, d,
Two mouldings
in this arrangement are stationary upon the radial arms c.
of corresponding form may if preferred be placed the one over the other, and
the veneer pressed thereon by the rotation of the rollers d.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing or carrying the same into practice, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the exact details herein described; but what
I claim is,
First, the arrangement and combination of machinery for cutting and
shaping mouldings and other devices in stone, wood, or other material of cur-
vilinear, oval, or of irregular curved form, as herein described in reference to
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 4* of the Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the arrangement and combination of machinery for
cutting or polishing mouldings of curvilinear, oval, or irregular curved forms
or other devices, as herein described in reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 of
the Drawings hereunto annexed.
And, thirdly, I claim the arrangement and combination of machinery for
veneering, rubbing, and polishing mouldings of curvilinear, oval, or irregular
curved forms or other devices, as herein described in reference to Figures 9,
10, and 11 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, such arrangements of
machinery being also applicable for cutting and shaping mouldings of like
forms.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Thompson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
5 Witness,
J. G. TONGUE,
Patent Agent,
ROBERT THOMPSON. (L.S.)
34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, W.C.