Wood for Kindling.
Year: 1886

page_text: Wood for Kindling.
I, DARWIN ALANSON GREENE, of. the City and County of New York, in the
State of New York, one of the United States of America, Engineer, 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:
I employ a series or gang of circular saws, all of the same or about the same
diameter, and mounted on a single shaft. I feed the material to the gang of
circular saws by a series or gang of feed chains, adapted to receive the irregular
material, and carry it to and past the saws, the motion being in the same direction
as the saws during the operation. I employ clearing fingers to perform the
obvious functions of clearing the sawed material from the saws. I make these
fingers adjustable to accommodate the different sizes as the saws become reduced in
diameter.
The feed chains are mounted on drums equivalent to sprocket wheels and are
held down by peculiarly formed guides.
I control the feed by belt-tightening mechanism peculiarly adapted for con-
venient operation. A crank or toggle lever is thrown a little past the center to
hold the belt-tightener reliably out of action without other fastening. When
thrown in the opposite direction the belt-tightener acts yieldingly against the belt
with the force due to a weight. I provide for adjusting the feed-chains at different
levels as the saws become reduced in diameter. provide unusual facilities for
conveniently removing and replacing the saws. The saw-arbor is supported in
three bearings. Two are permanent and will sustain the weight of the shaft and
hold it correctly in position when the third is removed. This allows the saws to
be taken off and sharpened and replaced or one set of saws to be exchanged for
another with great facility. The removable bracket supports the saw-arbor firmly
when the work is being performed.
I effect the drying with steam heat which raises the temperature of a great
volume of dry air which is drawn. through the mass of wood while the latter is
moving slowly downward in a deep bin. In the localities where my apparatus
Price 1 11

page_text: will be employed fuel is plenty and cheap, the waste,. unmerchantable wood being
usually sufficient to produce more steam than is required for effecting the drying.
But there are difficulties which have heretofore seriously interfered with the success
of such apparatus. My invention is intended to surmount these difficulties.
I provide an apparatus of great capacity at small cost, and effectually guard
against encumbering or clogging, the steam heating pipes by any contact of the
wood or of any dust or dirt therefrom. The air is caused to move in contact with
the heating pipes, and become raised in temperature, and thence to be moved
through the interstices in the large mass of wood while under a suction or partial
vacuum, so that the openings through which the wood is drawn out, and any
openings or leaks in the apparatus will draw inward instead of forcing out air.
The apparatus should be of such depth that the wood is twenty-four or more hours
in moving downward through it. At the top the wood is thrown in by an elevator,
or otherwise, cold, and under conditions often occurring in practice, soaked,
saturated with water. A current of hot air rising from the wood below thoroughly
warms the wood fuel during the first few hours. As it descends lower by the
removal of the dried wood at the bottom it finds a gradually changing hygrometric
condition, the air near the bottom being hot and dry.
I provide such conditions that the entire interior of the kiln is under a partial
vacuum. This materially contributes to the successful working.
To effect the bundling I work a piston in an upright cylinder admitting the
steam below to force it up, and letting it descend by gravity, when the pressure
above and below is equalized by opening the exhaust. The piston operates the
wood-compressing device through a lever and toggles. I provide an adjustable
device for arresting the descent of the piston.
I employ a partially rotating valve operated by treadles to admit and exhaust
the steam.
My wood-compressing devices are partially semi-circular and partially V-shaped,
so that the rise of the piston compresses the wood, not only vertically but
laterally.
I provide for conveniently adjusting the parts to adapt the piston and connections
to compress different sized bundles of wood.
The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent
what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in vertical section showing the entire
apparatus.
Fig. 1a is a plan of the gallery head.
Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section.
The remaining figures show certain portions.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line xx in figure 2.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line y y in figure 2.
Figures 5 to 20 inclusive show the sawing machine alone.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation.
Fig. 6 is a corresponding view showing the bearing in which the back drum-
shaft revolves, and on which the frame carrying the other drum and associated
mechanism is fulcrumed to allow of being raised and lowered.
Fig. 7 is a plan view corresponding to figure 6.
Fig. 8 is a vertical section corresponding to fig. 5. It is a section on the line 8 8
in fig. 11.
Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the clearer lever and its attachments seen at right
angles to the view in fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a rear elevation partly in vertical section.
line tt in fig. 5.
Fig. 11 is a plan view partly in horizontal section.
Fig. 12 represents certain portions in side elevation.
Fig. 13 is a corresponding plan view.
Fig. 14 is a side elevation showing certain parts detached.
The section is on the

page_text: other end is raised and lowered by means of links D2, which connect to arms D³
from a rocking shaft D' mounted in fixed bearings and operated by a hand-lever D³.
A pawl D turning on a fixed center on the framing is adapted to engage in teeth
in a ratchet-wheel D' fixed on the shaft D'. By the lever D and the holding
pawl Do the frame D may be raised and held in any required position. The free
end of this frame carries a shaft D8 which is raised and lowered therewith..
Each shaft D' and D carries a five-sided drum D⁹.
D10 D10 are pitch-chains which, serve as feed-chains to carry the wood to the
saws. They are made in uniform links, the length of each link between centers
coinciding with the breadth of the faces of the drums Dº. The feed-chains are
arranged to match the saws, one feed-chain D10 in each space between each saw B2
and the next. The feed-chains are parallel. The links are connected by transverse
cylindrical bolts D". The interiors of the several links are notched as indicated
by d. These notches engage with the wood and hold the material sufficiently to
present it to the saws as the work proceeds.
The central portion of the framing D carries a table D₁ which firmly supports
the feed chains D10 as they move with their wood past the saws.
It is important that the feed of the wood may be stopped and started promptly
without necessitating the stoppage of the saws. A gear-wheel D¹³ fixed on one of
the drums D engages with a smaller gear-wheel E¹ fixed on a transverse shaft E,
which is supported in bearings in the movable framing D and by the aid of a
pulley E' receives motion from a feed-belt e which is operated by a small pulley E*
on the shaft E³. This latter receives a slow rotary motion through a pulley E' and
a belt e¹ from a small pulley E' on the shaft E7, which in turn receives motion
through a large pulley E8 and a belt e from a small pulley B5 on the saw-shaft B.
This train of mechanisın gives the proper feeding motion to the pitch-chains D¹º
whenever the feed belt e is tightened.
The arrows show the direction of the motion of the gang of saws and also of
the gang of feed chains.
There is a tendency of the wood to be fed in too fast. This is resisted by the
feed chains. The latter are adapted both to compel the wood to move if it resists,
and to restrain it from moving too fast when it is urged forward by the action of
the saws.
Dare guards, curved as shown, and bolted to ribs D¹s formed on the frame D
in the position represented. They hold down the links of the chain D1° and ensure
their true position. They perform also another important function in covering the
spaces between the feed-chains and preventing any chips, bark, saw dust or the like
from getting down into and under the chains.
F is a shaft mounted in bearings in the frame D, controlled by a lever F¹, adapted
to be turned by hand. It carries an arm F2 which supports a stud or pin F³ on
which is a tightener pulley F. An arm F* fixed on the shaft F connects a curved
link F, which performs important functions.
D¹³ are brackets extending downward from the frame D and carrying a transverse
shaft D16 on which is pivoted on lever D17, carrying a weight Dis. A link F
connects to a pivot D20 on this lever D. The gravity of the weight D18 urges the
tightener pulley F up into a yielding contact with the feed belt e. It yields to
accommodate all irregularities.
The feed may be instantly stopped by turning the lever D in the direction to
drop the tightening pulley F, thereby raising the weight D18. The gravity of Dis
opposes .this movement at first, but the arrangement is such that the movement
finally carries the link F past the dead-centre, leaving it in such position that the
gravity of the weight D18 contributes to hold itself up and to hold the tightener
down out of use. It will thus remain out of use as long as desired, ready to
instantly take hold again on the reverse movement of the lever D".
The adjustment of the height of the frame D by operating the lever Do carries
with it the entire train of feed mechanism. These parts are always in correct
adjustment relatively to each other. The entire train of feed mechanism may be

page_text: raised with great nicety as the saws become reduced in diameter by repeated
sharpening. When two sets of saws are used alternately they will frequently
differ widely in diameter, and it becomes necessary to adjust the whole feed
mechanism rapidly to adapt it to large and small saws at short intervals. Turning
the lever D and operating the pawl D effects this adjustment instantly.
The feed-chains carry the wood below or under the axis of the saws. In addition
to the advantage in removing the saw when required this is important to avoid
lifting and flinging off the wood by the motion of the saws. They move the wood
in the same direction as the saws tend to carry it. This carries forward all the
saw-dust and loose material and keeps the work clean.
A' is the main portion of the kiln, and A certain open-work partitions therein
provided with inclined slats a which perform the important functions of allowing
heated air to flow in freely and move upward through the interstices in the mass
of wood without letting any chips or dirt escape through these portions of the
apparatus.
The bin or chamber in which the wood is contained is high. It receives the
wood at the top either constantly or at short intervals. The dried wood to be
bundled is taken away from the bottom and the mass gradually settles, being dried.
on its passage by a liberal flow of warmer air which enters through the slats and
rises through the mass.
I are sets of heating pipes filled with live steam, technically known as coils.
They may be in straight lengths variously connected. In any arrangement live
steam is admitted at a good pressure from a steam boiler or boilers not represented,
entering through pipes i controlled by valves . Cold air is admitted from the
external atmosphere to circulate through these coils, being heated thereby. The
air thus warmed is delivered through the partitions A³ into the mass of wood near
the bottom. The slats as by their inclined positions retain the wood within the
bin or kiln M,and compel it to descend in the.converging space. At the extreme
bottom on each side are sufficient apertures m¹ through which the dried wood is
taken out by hand or machinery and bundled.
A are upright flues, each provided with a suitable hood to exclude the weather.
Each connects with the top of the bin or kiln M, and is controlled by a valve J,
operated by a rod connecting with an arm J. This valve is above the point of
connection of the flue with the kiln. J is another valve similarly controlled by
an arm J. (See figure 1.) This valve is below the point of connection of the flue
with the kiln.
:
A² are passages descending from the flues A° and communicating with efficient
fan-exhausters K, impelled by a steam engine or other suitable means not
represented, which exert a strong exhausting force drawing the air down through
the passages A³.
When it is desired simply to use the natural draught due to the levity of the
warm air, the exhausters K are stopped, the valves J closed and the valves J'
opened. Under these conditions the hot air from the coils enters the mass of wood
through the slatted partitions A and rising through the interstices in the wood,
which lies irregularly filling the chamber M, escapes loaded with moisture but still
with a sufficiently high temperature to maintain a moderate draught. Thus
conditioned it emerges from the top of the bin into the flues A and rises upward
past the open valves J and is discharged through the hooded tops. There are
some conditions of wood and of weather under which this draught is not sufficient.
Then the exhausters K are started, the valves J opened, and the valves J closed..
Under these conditions the air is drawn up through the kiln M more forcibly than
by the natural draught. The fact that it is compelled to descend is of little
importance in view of the strong positive force exercised by the exhausters. This
agency induces a partial vacuum in the descending passage A. To supply this
the air is drawn with much force through the. entire round of movements; first
circulating among the steam coils and becoming heated, thence moving inward
through the-glatted partitions A to the interior of the kiln, thence moving upward -

page_text: through the mass of wood in the kiln and out at the top, thence moving down-
ward through the passage A, and out through the liberal apertures in which the
exhausters K are placed.
It will now be seen that a partial vacuum obtains in the lower portion of the
bin or kiln M, whether the apparatus is being worked by the natural draught or
by the exhausters. The apertures between the inclined slats as put in the warm
air at points somewhat above the bottom. The extreme bottom of the kiln
receives cold air which enters through the apertures m¹ at which the wood is being
drawn out. The cold air entering in this manner cools the wood and becomes
itself warmed. It mingles with the hotter air received through the slatted.
openings and contributes somewhat to the drying influence. The cooling effect
on the wood immediately before the latter is delivered is of advantage in preparing
the wood to be bundled and stored in the best condition.
I provide efficiently against accidental fires from any cause. L are valves,
controlled by valve-stems L¹ leading to the exterior of the building. These valves:
on being opened discharge the live-steam at full pressure in immense volumes into
the bin. Ordinary means as doors, not represented, being provided to exclude the
air from the coils, these devices provide efficient means for filling all the interstices
in the bin with steam instead of air.
The large quantity of kindling wood well dried in the lower portion with a
strong draft inward from other portions of the apparatus, may be peculiarly
susceptible to fire. The provision for excluding air and filling the bin with steam,
may be very important either in extinguishing the fire altogether, or in holding it:
in check until water can be applied in sufficient quantities.
The wood is introduced through the apertures m in the top of the kiln by hand
or by any suitable machinery. I have not considered it necessary to represent.
fully any mechanism for this purpose. N, (fig. 1.) indicates sprocket-wheels which
may be connected with chains and pushers or buckets to move the kindling wood
along horizontally. They may be supplied by elevators arranged in any ordinary
or suitable manner to bring up the wood from sawing and splitting machines which
may be at any desired lower level. There may be any number of elevators, and
any number of horizontal carriers to supply the wood. There may be any number
of such devices to aid in taking away the wood, and supplying it to bundling
machines. My invention does not depend on any particular mode of supplying
the wood, or of bundling and carrying it away.
There are three of the apertures m through which the material is supplied, and
a considerable number of the apertures m', through which the wood is taken out
to be bundled, and through which cold air is admitted. I attach importance to the
arrangement, as allowing a considerable diversity of the rate of supply at the
different apertures m, or a considerable diversity in the rate of withdrawal through
the different apertures m² or both, without interfering with the practically uniform
operation of the apparatus. Certain parts may be entirely thrown out of use for.
a period. For example, I can, in case of leakage, or other failure of one of the
steam coils, shut off the steam therefrom and allow it to become cold, and proceed
to repair it, while the other portions of the apparatus continue to work efficiently.
In such case it will be obvious that those discharge apertures m¹ which are nearest
to the unused heating coil should be thrown out of use. Obviously in such cases,
the unused apertures m¹ should be closed. Such may be effected by a slide, not
represented, or by any ordinary device, as a flexible blanket applied on the exterior
of each orifice, so as to prevent the induction of air through those unused parts of
the apparatus.
It will also be seen from this figure that the inclined partitions A arranged like
an inverted √ in the centre of the structure, do not extend the entire length of the
bin, but terminate near each end with correspondingly inclined ends, and that
these ends are also correspondingly slatted. The entire arrangement allows the
kindling wood to descend in a mass filling the whole structure uniformly until it
reaches the top of the inverted V. Below this it is divided. The inclined positions

page_text: of the central partitions, and the reversely inclined positions of the outer partitions:
cause the wood to descend smoothly, and to be led directly to the apertures m
I attach importance to this arrangement as providing no dead spaces in which
wood may accumulate and remain.
In the modification shown in figures 31 and 32, the kiln is of uniform width.
through the principal portion of its height. The slatted partitions A³ are of less
area, and are inclined so as to deliver the wood through a single aperture'm², these,
apertures being all arranged on one side. The action is the same. The wood:
delivered in the top, wet and cold, is warmed by the current of hot damp air rising:
through the interstices in the wood below. As it gradually descends it parts with
its moisture, and in the lower half of the bin is subjected to eminently dessicating:
conditions. In the extreme lower portion of its traverse in the bin, it is rapidly.
cooled by meeting a stream of cold air. It is delivered dry, with the exterior
cooled, the best attainable conditions for compression in bundles by suitable
machinery, tying or wiring, and delivery for storage or transportation.
An upright cylinder A³ receives a close-fitting piston R, which is a thick solid
casting, grooved circumferentially on its exterior instead of receiving packing. The
piston rod R¹ extends out through a correspondingly equipped hole in the cover,
thus avoiding the use of packing or stuffing box. Its upper end presents a con-
siderable plane surface R³, with a rigid arm R³ extending out horizontally and
taking hold of a vertical guide Aº. A screw R tapped through the arm R³ rests,
at each descent of the piston on a block of wood S, inserted in a suitable pocket:
in the cylinder cover A. The steam admitted and discharged at will by devices
to be described further on, acts on the lower face of the piston when required..
The ascent of the piston acts by the plane surface R² on a roller T* carried on the
free end of a lever T, which latter is provided with a cross-pin or trunnions T¹,
carrying rollers T2, which are received each in a vertical slot A in the fixed frame-
work. The lever T connects by a pin T3 to a link U, extending upward. It also
connects by a pin T to a link U¹ extending downward. The latter connects to a
pin A0 on the fixed frame-work. The former connects by a pin U³ to a carriage U³,
which is guided in suitable ways in the fixed frame-work so as to have only a.
rising and sinking motion.
A stout right and left screw V connects the carriage U³ with a cradle W, in
which the wood to be bundled is placed in proper quantities by hand or by any
suitable means, one end of each stick resting against a back gauge W₁, which
performs the usual function of holding the ends even, being adjustable to adapt
for different lengths of wood. The right and left screw V with its connections.
governs the size of the bundle of wood by determining the height to which the
cradle W shall be raised at each rise of the piston.
On admitting the steam the piston R is driven up and the lever T turned,.
bringing the links U U₁ nearly into line, and elevating the carriage U³, and the
connected cradle W. The elevation of the centre T is accommodated by the slots A"..
The arrangement makes a double toggle joint, affording great compressive power
with little friction and wear.
While the wood is strongly compressed, the string previously introduced is tied,.
as will be readily understood.
On allowing the steam to escape the piston R sinks and the lever T assumes
again the position shown allowing the carriage Ụ³ and the cradle W to sink. The
bundle of wood is now removed and a new lot of wood supplied, and the operation
repeated.
The straps A which extend over the bundle of wood are fixed adjustably to the;
framing A by extending through sockets at the points represented. The nuts A13:
are engaged on the lower end. Pinching screws A¼ contribute to hold them
firmly.
I attach importance to the form of the aperture in which the wood is inserted.:
There is a half-round space in the cradle W, and a corresponding half-round space.
under the straps A¹. Between these portions the surfaces at the sides of the

page_text: space are inclined as shown. This form gives the advantage that when the steam
is let on and the cradle W is forced strongly upward the wood is not only com
pressed vertically between the semi-cylindrical portions, but is also compressed
between the inclined portions of the enclosing surfaces. The result is a nearly
uniform compression of the bundle of wood in all directions. It also releases the
bundle perfectly when the cradle descends enabling the completed bundle to be
easily removed by relaxing all pressure against the sides. This avoids the need of
any mechanical device to eject the bundle even after the most severe pressure,
and the most elastic wood.
.
The space above the piston is supplied with steam at atmospheric pressure
received through the pipe a³ (see fig. 23) which communicates with the chimney,
and is alternately filled and emptied at each movement. This arrangement,-there
being a sufficient quantity of steam in the pipe, ensures that the atmospheric
pressure alone is felt on the upper side of the piston without admitting air
or dust.
The valve and mode of operating it to admit live steam from the boiler, are
peculiar.
A 15 is the valve-chest, X the valve, and X¹ the stem thereof, extending out
through a stuffing-box X*, carrying on its lower end a cross-piece X2, having
pins to which are connected links Y Y, which severally connect with bell-
crank levers Y* Y* which turn on fixed centres A10 and connect respectively with
the treadles YY. On depressing one treadle Y¹ by the foot the stem X¹ will be
turned in one direction, elevating the other treadle. Liberating that treadle and
stepping on the other reverses the movement.
The valve-chest receives steam from the boiler not represented, through a pipe a³
(see fig. 23). The valve X has a hollow throat x, of the form shown in strong
lines in fig. 26, and in dotted lines in fig. 27. The valve has also two orifices or
ports and x².
On turning the valve into the position shown in figs. 23, and 24, the steam may
exhaust freely through the ports xx, flowing inward through the hollow throat x
of the valve, and rising from the centre of the latter and escaping through the
port a¹ into the exhaust pipes a8. In this condition of the parts the valve sinks.
On operating the treadle to partially rotate the valve to induce the condition
shown in fig. 25, live steam is allowed to enter through the ports x¹ x² and the
piston rises with the effects above described.
The junctions of the levers Y* Y* with the treadles Y¹ Y may be adjusted by
means of pinching screws y¹ y² to allow the valve to be always thrown to exactly
the right position by a full depression of the proper treadle.
The straps A may be raised or lowered by properly operating the pinching
screws A¹ and nuts A¹³.
The height of the cradle W relatively to the carriage US may be adjusted by
turning the screw V by means of the small hand-wheel V. When the right
position is secured the pinching screw Z tapped through the carriage U³ confines it.
One of the most important adjustments is attained by the screw R. This
should always receive the concussion when the piston sinks to the lowest point
allowed. In making large bundles the piston should be allowed to sink to the
bottom of the cylinder. When smaller ones are desired the screw R* may be
turned downward so as to arrest the descent by striking on the block or cushion S
earlier.
The rollers T are each formed with a flange which, engaging in the inside of
the bundler frame, keeps the roller in place on the pin T, on which latter it serves
as an anti-friction roller in allowing the vertical motion thereof.
It is important to prevent chips and dirt from getting into the mechanism. The
fixed framework extends upward and forms a casing enclosing the toggle links U U₁,
and their connections. This casing matches closely to the thick portion of the
cradle W. A thinner portion of the cradle extends out further, as plainly shown
in-fig. 21,-· To allow the cradle to run up and down, there is a slot or opening iu-

page_text: the side of the casing of sufficient width and depth to accommodate these thin
parts of the cradle. When the cradle goes up it leaves the lower portion of the
slot open.
I provide means for covering in the form of an extensible curtain on each side.
The two are counterparts of each other; a description of one will suffice for both.
P is a pin inserted through knuckles formed in the edge of the thin portion of
the cradle. P2 is a piece of cast iron or other suitable material hanging loosely
from this pin. A screw p is tapped in the lower end, which connects an additional
piece by being inserted through a slot in the latter. A vertical web or ridge on
the outer face of the upper piece P matches in a corresponding groove on the inner
face of the lower piece Q and aids in guiding it. As the cradle W rises and sinks
the extensible curtain composed of the parts P and Q stretches and contracts so
as to keep the aperture in the framing practically closed.
A rectangular aperture is made in the back of the bundler framing through
which the screw V may be operated. A vertical guide all which may be composed
of a wire folded upon itself so as to form two parallel parts, is suspended to the
cradle W, and hanging down parallel to the screw V receives a wire pin V
inserted in one of the holes in the collar or wheel V1 and aids to prevent it from
becoming loosened.
On
It will be seen that the cradle W operates between the straps A¹³. A recess w
is formed in the cradle to receive the string. The recess extends down to such
depth that the string lies entirely below the wood while the latter is being piled in
by hand or otherwise. After the compression is effected by the means described,
the ends of the string are brought together over the bundle and tied by hand.
relaxing the pressure on the wood it expands until restrained by the string and
forms a properly compacted bundle. The upper points of the cradle W are turned
outward as indicated in fig. 22. This greatly facilitates the rapid and easy insertion
of a fresh string after each bundle is removed.
Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions without departing from
the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.
I can dispense with the provisions for carrying the arm F3 past the dead-centre,
and can hold the belt-tightener by other means. Such would allow better for any
stretching of the feed-belt e; but the strain on this belt is slight, and there need
be but little stretch.
I can use a much greater number of the steam heating coils. Any suitable form
of apparatus inay be provided for taking away the condensed water and returning
it to the boiler.
I propose in some cases to establish fixed perpendicular partitions, dividing the
bin into three relatively independent bins, each of which shall receive wood
through a suitable opening m in the top, and deliver it through a number of
openings m¹ at the bottom. In such case when a portion of the apparatus is
thrown out of use, the introduction of wood through the corresponding top
aperture m should be stopped, which may be done by closing the aperture with a
suitable slide. This modification will be understood without a separate drawing.
It would be fully carried out by simply introducing partitions in fig. 1, at the
points where the joists are shown extending up and down so as to divide the bin
into three equal parts.
I can use exhaust steam instead of live steam in the several coils. In such case
I provide a separate pipe, bringing live steam to the valve L, to aid in suppressing
and extinguishing fires.
Although I have shown only three kilns, or three sets of heating coils, and three
places to introduce wood, it will be understood that the structure may be prolonged
indefinitely. This invention is intended more particularly for utilizing the waste
of saw-mills. At a large lumber centre any number of kilns may be placed side
by side and worked in connection.
:
The end inclines may be omitted in any case, and the double inclines which
form the central portion of the apparatus may be extended quite to the cuts.

page_text: This arrangement allows access through a door at one end or both ends, for repairs.
But for ordinary cases I prefer the form shown. Access for repairs may easily be
obtained through the floor.
Under many conditions sufficient heat will be deflected by the series of coils I in
the centre alone. In such case all the air will be admitted through that coil and
through the adjacent slatted partitions. The access of air through the coils I I
and through the slatted partitions adjacent thereto should be shut off.
One important end attained by my arrangement of the flues is that the
exhausters and other machinery which are heavy are down near the lower floor.
Under ordinary conditions the apparatus will be worked with the exhausters
during the entire day-time; while the wood is descending actively, and at night
live steain will be let into or continued in the several coils and the exhausters will
be stopped and the valves J J adjusted to allow natural draught. The kiln will,
thus conditioned, work by natural draught by night.
The modification shown in figs. 31 and 32, is more particularly adapted for
treating wood which is to be delivered loose in bulk.
I make the kiln without any floor, leaving the air free to rise between the floor
timbers, thus obtaining the most liberal space for its access. In case of fire the
steam can readily expel the air by simply closing both sets of valves J and J.
The live steam will rapidly fill the entire bin and How out through the bottom.
I can dispense with some of the provisions for adjusting some or all the parts.
Thus, for example the straps A¹ may be immovably connected, and the adjust-
ment of the size of the bundle may be made by operating the screw V to work the
cradle higher or lower. Some kind of a stop in place of the screw A* I consider
very important by its function of gently arresting the descent of the heavy piston
however rapidly and unskilfully the machine is worked; and I prefer that it be a
screw as shown, so as to allow of ready adjustment, but a stop set immovably in
the arm A³ may serve.
Any ordinary or suitable means may be employed to facilitate lubrication and
to effect adjustment of various parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a sawing machine, a gang of circular saws as B' with means for driving
them, in combination with a series of feed chains D1° arranged to carry the wood
below the saws and in the same direction as the saws run, arranged for joint
operation as and for the purposes herein specified.
2. In a sawing-machine, as described, the combination, with a gang of saws,
as B2, hung on a single shaft, of a corresponding series of feed-chains carried on
drums arranged parallel with the saw-arbor and revolved by the same power, the
said chains being arranged to move in the same direction as the saws, as set forth.
3. In a sawing machine, as described, the combination with the gang of saws B³
and the series of feed-chains arranged to allow one chain to traverse the space
between two adjacent saws, of a table, as D12, and spring-guards secured to said
table and arranged one between each adjacent pair of chains and extending beyond
the drums as set forth.
4. In a sawing-machine, as described, a feeding-device consisting of a series of
chains led over revolving drums, the shaft of one drum being the pivot of an
adjustable frame in which the other drum is journaled, whereby the feed-chains
may be thrown closer to or farther from the saw-arbor, to accommodate saws of
different diameters, as set forth.
5. The combination with the saws and their shafts B of the frame D. pivoted on
the shaft D¹ and carrying near its free end a drum D³, of the chains D10 having
teeth d the drum D hung on the shaft Ds, and provisions for oscillating the
frame D on its pivot, to throw the feed-chains into desired relations with the saws
at will, as specified.
. . !**

page_text: 6. In a sawing machine the combination with a gang of saws supported on a
common shaft, and with a feed carrier operated by the same power, of a shaft, as C
carrying clearing fingers Cs a lever E. rigid with, said shaft, and a set-screw C³ for
adjusting and holding the clearing-fingers in proper, relations with the saws aud
carrier, as set forth..
7. In a sawing-machine, as described, the combination with the gang of saws and
with the frame D pivoted on shaft D₁ and carrying the feeding-chains D10 D10 of
the shaft D having arm D the link D2 connecting said arm with the carrier-
frame D and the lever D³ and pawl D for controlling the said shaft to adjust and
hold, the carrier in proper relation to, the saws, as set forth.
8., In a sawing machine the combination with the shaft B the shaft D¹ and power
connections, of the frame D pivoted on shaft D1 and carrying-chains D10 and their
drums Do the shafts D¹ and Ds journaled in the frame D; the gears D¹³ El con-
necting the shafts D' E and the belt e and tightener, all arranged to turn together
on the centre D¹ without changing relation of parts, as specified.
9. In a sawing machine as described, the combination with the frame D and
chain-carriers D10 of the belt e and. tightener pulley F the lever arranged to stop
the feed, the weight D18 and the link F, and connections for throwing the link
past centre to hold the weight and tightener out of operation, as set forth.
10. In a kiln for drying kindling wood, a bin having exhauster K for taking
away air and vapor from the top and maintaining a partial vacuum in the
interior, in combination with one or more gratings as A5, an inlet for admitting
fresh dry air thereto from the external. atinosphere, and heaters I I I for heating
such air before its admission through the grates, all combined and arranged for
joint operation substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
11. The two valves arranged one above and one below each bin exit, in
combination with the drying bin M, having inlets for introducing drying air, and
draft exits at the top and flues as A° connecting with such exits, exhaust flues
as A', and means as K for mechanically creating a vacuum therein, and having
connections with said exit apertures whereby the natural draft or the exhaust
mechanism may be applied at will as set forth.
12. In a kiln for drying kindling wood, a bin M in which the wood is slowly
descending during the drying operation, in combination with exhauster K for
taking away the air and vapor from the top and maintaining a partial vacuum
in the interior, and with a bottom having apertures m¹ performing the double
functions of discharging the wood and adinitting air to extract and utilize the heat
from the wood, all substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
13. In a wood bundling machine, the combination with a steam-actuated piston
having a horizontal plane as at R³ of a lever pivoted to two toggles, the one
pivoted stationarily to the frame and the other to the movable wood carrying
cradle, the said lever carrying a friction roller which rides upon the plane surface
of the piston R³ as set forth.
14. The combination with the piston, the lever and toggles as described, of the
cradle W, the stationary strap A¹², and a right and left screw V, arranged between
the cradle and toggles to adjust the throw of the cradle as set forth.
15. The combination with the piston having a horizontal arm R³ and with the
lever T and toggles as described, of an adjustable threaded vertical pin R operating
through the arm of the piston and an elastic stop S, arranged to stop the descent
of the piston yieldingly as set forth.
16. In a bundling machine as described, the cradle W having lower semi-circular
contour and sides inclining outwardly and upwardly, and the adjustable straps A
having semi-circular upper contour with sides inclining outwardly and downwardly
combined and arranged as shown to compress and release laterally as well as
vertically, as herein specified.
17. The combination with the compressing cradle W, the cylinder and piston
and suitable connections between said parts substantially as shown, of the
oscillating valve ✗, arranged at the lower end of the cylinder and adapted to

page_text: control the supply of steam thereto, the cross-bar X2 rigid with the valve-stem,
crank lever links Y, connecting said levers with the cross-bar X', and
treadles Y Y for operating the crank levers to admit or exhaust steam at will,
as and for the purposes herein specified.
18. In a wood bundling machine substantially as described, the combination
with the cradle W of the curtains formed by the parts P, Q, adjustably secured
together by screws and slots connections, and pivoted at P' to the sides of the
cradle to exclude dust and dirt from the wearing parts as set forth.
19. In a bundling machine as described the combination with the guide A' and
yielding stop S, recessed in the cylinder-head, of the piston R, having a horizontal
arm, an adjustable pin A4, working through said arm and against said stop, a
cradle W, a lever and a toggle as described, transmitting power from the piston to
the cradle, and a right and left screw V, arranged between the toggles and the
cradle to arrest the throw of the cradle, as herein specified.
Witnesses:
EDGAR VIBERT JACKA,
FREDERICK JOY GREENE
1034
DARWIN ALANSON GREENE.