Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1887
Complete Left, 9th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th Mar., 1888
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention which has been
communicated to me from abroad by Armand Auguste of La Plaine St. Denis in the
Republic of France Manufacturer to be as follows:-
-
This Invention relating to machines for sawing or cutting stone consists chiefly in
the following improvements namely:
:-
1. The arrangement, form and general construction of frame work for sawing
machines whereby all special arrangements or structures for carrying intermediate
transmissions of power from the motor are enabled to be dispensed with. The elevation
of the machine forming two stages on the main frame is composed (1) of a horizontal
frame or table resting on four straight columns or pillars bolted at their bases to a
cast iron bed plate forming the bed or foundation of the entire apparatus. This
horizontal frame supports all the transmissions for working the endless cutting blade
or band which is employed in these machine tools and for regulating its action. (2) of
a superstructure of iron connected with the table and situated directly above it
consisting of platforms, galleries iron ladders and the like. This superstructure is
specially provided for carrying all the sand or grit boxes and water tanks which are
used in cutting extremely hard materials.
2. The exact adjustment of the proportions of the various endless cutting bands
required for cutting particular blocks of stone, marble or granite and which may be
exchanged one for another in the same apparatus according to requirements or the
nature of the blocks.
3. Different speeds are imparted to the cutting blade in its descending and in its
ascending motion being regulated automatically the quickness or slowness of the
motion chiefly on the descent of the blade being calculated graduated and regulated in
accordance with the varying degrees of hardness of the materials under operation.
These different speeds are obtained by the simplified action of the combined trans-
missions arranged on the table of the machine. The rate of speed at which the blade
ascends is double that at which it descends.
4. The uniform rigid and vertical tension and guiding of the cutting blade during

page_text: its circular horizontal travel being results obtained (1) with regard to the regular
motion of the tool, by means of special guides on a new scientific principle being
specially constructed with a view to prevent deflection of the blade and the incon-
venience produced by the use of wet sand or grit and (2) with regard to the necessary
tension of the cutting blade by means of a horizontal adjusting screw which presents
the advantage owing to its calculated length of enabling the same blade or band to
be used for a considerable time even after repeated breakages and their attendant
soldered joints each of which shortens the blade to a certain extent.
5. Improvements in the horizontal drums or pulleys on which the endless cutting
blade is carried and which are made of such diameter and other dimensions as to
obviate straining and breaking the blades. These drums are covered on their
periphery by thick rubber cushions or pads to prevent the band from slipping and are
provided at their lower edges with flanges made in sections and attached by screws
so as to be readily removed when the cutting blade consists of a toothed blade or to
be put on when a plain blade or one with notches at intervals is employed.
6. The addition and construction of a circular basin or cup in which the end of
the vertical shaft carrying the driving pulley or drum actuating the cutting blade is
supported and rolls. The cup is provided with a system of pipes prolonged in two
discharge tubes through which the soap and water escapes after use and falls into a
receptacle arranged underneath and on the bed plate or frame of the machine. The
water is afterwards returned to the cistern and can be used over again for the same
purpose for a considerable period whereby a considerable saving effected in the
lubrication of the apparatus.
7. The employment of two powerful central screws arranged horizontally slightly
higher than the level of the surface of the foundation plates of the machine being
consequently a trifle elevated above the level of the ground and being situated near
the centre line of the track or line of rails traversing the said plates. These two
screws being carried on supports fixed to the foundation plates are each provided
with a sleeve having a nut or screwed socket which is capable of working along the
entire length of the screws. Each of these sleeves can receive two movable catches
or couplings maintained by plates fixed to the frame of each truck or trolly used for
bringing up the blocks which are to be operated upon. The screws are turned by
means of small crank handles or hand wheels. The object of these screws and of the
sleeves to which the trucks are connected is to regulate with inechanical precision the
action of the cutting blade in cutting slabs which require to be of exactly the same
thickness throughout and consequently to preserve perfect parallelism between each
cut irrespectivo of the dimensions.
8. The special construction of the trucks or trollys carrying the largest blocks of
stone marble or granite which are operated on by the endless band saw or cutting
blade. These trucks or trollys mounted on wheels similar to railway wheels are
composed of a frame of cast iron or wood supporting a cast iron plate or table which
is capable of turning in any direction upon rollers being connected to a central axis
or pivot traversing the frame. This plate is used in making vertical or oblique saw
cuts and is provided at its lower part with strong cast iron rollers which facilitate
the work of loading or unloading the materials and consequently diminish the labour
of handling extremely heavy blocks. Upon plates bolted to the front and back of the
frame there are provided strong hooks or couplings which are caused to engage with
the screwed sleeves on the central screws hereinbefore described in order to hold
or maintain the trucks or trolleys during the cutting and adjust the
necessary.
spaces if
9. The creation and construction of a feed controlling distributing and dividing
system for the sand and water employed in cutting the harder kinds of stone marble
and granite being carried along with the cutting bands in their circular motion. The
novel arrangement of these feed controlling and distributing devices which are placed
upon a superstructure or elevated frame of the apparatus enables the proportions of
the mixture of sand and water to be regulated according to the nature and degree of
hardness of materials operated on.

page_text: ↓
L
The upper part of the grooved shaft passes through a hollow shaft provided with
internal feathers or tongues receiving the motion which it transmits to the cutting
blade through the grooved shaft from a horizontal bevel wheel attached to the upper
end of the hollow shaft and driven by a vertical bevel wheel and a driving pulley
arranged on a horizontal shaft at the side of a corresponding loose pulley.
The said driving pulley receives motion from a belt which passes over a drum
carried by a driving shaft receiving motion directly from the engine or motor through
a pulley arranged together with a corresponding loose pulley at the outer extremity
of the said driving shaft. This driving shaft in addition to transmitting horizontal
motion to the cutting band also produces its vertical motion by means of pulleys
situated at about the centre of the shaft and carrying belts working on fast and loose
pulleys on a shaft also carrying differential pulleys which transmit motion by a belt to
two corresponding differential pulleys on a shaft carrying a cone or variable speed
pulley transmitting motion by a belt to a corresponding pulley on a shaft provided
with endless screws or worms which produce the ascending or descending motion of
the cutting band by means of toothed wheels situated at or near the centres of a pair
of shafts provided at their extremities with bevel wheels driving corresponding wheels
fixed on the upper ends of the screws placed inside the supporting pillars on which the
supports carrying the drums slide as hereinbefore described.
In order to prevent the band saw or cutting blade from deviating from its proper
path in its passage through large or small blocks an improved system of guides is
provided on the supports of the drums and moves with the latter-These guides are
moveable and provided with slides so that they can be lengthened or shortened
according to the length of the blocks of building stone marble or granite placed under
the saw which they serve to support and guide with absolute rigidity in a vertical
position during the cutting-They also serve to facilitate the placing of the endless
band in position and to afford security against accidents resulting from breakage or
neglect to adjust the tension of the band.
These guides are chiefly composed of four supports or sheaths arranged parallel
with the blade which they control and forming part of the supports of the drums.
Each of these sheaths receives a long and stout square bar provided with rack teeth
on its underside gearing with a pinion on a shaft operated by a hand wheel.
The square bars sliding in the aforesaid sheaths are connected together in pairs by
transverse bars their extremities directed towards the centre of the machine are each
provided with one of the improved guiding apparatus so that each guiding apparatus
is situated directly over the endless cutting blade which passes through it. There are
four of these guides each of which contains two cast iron or wood pulleys on vertical
axes adjusted as required by screws. These rollers maintain the blade rigid and
.vertical during its horizontal circular motion. Underneath the saw other rollers on
horizontal axes perpendicular to the direction of motion of the blade and supported
by the guide apparatus serve to hold up the band and prevent it from dropping.
The supporting columns or pillars herein before referred to stand at the four angles
of a cast iron bed plate fixed on a solid foundation of stone and masonry.
This bed plate is crossed by a track or railway proceeding in a direction at right
angles to the lengths of the saw between the drums and on which travel trucks or
trollys carrying the blocks of building stone marble or granite which are to be
operated on in the machine.
These trollys are composed of a strong frame of cast iron or wood mounted on four
flanged wheels. On the upper part of the frame there is placed a cast iron plate
turning on rollers and moveable in any direction so as to present the blocks obliquely
or perpendicularly to or parallel with the cutting blade. Moreover the plate is
provided with rollers carried on small supports or brackets and serving to facilitate
the loading and unloading of the materials to be cut. The Railway is in direct com-
munication with a depot of stones and marbles and with a wharf for delivering the cut
blocks Near the centre of the Railway and fixed to the bed plates of the machine
there are two strong screws working in supports fixed parallel with the rails. Each
screw carries a species of sleeve connected with a nut which can travel from end to

page_text: end of the screw and each of these sleeves is provided at both extremities with two
vertical holes. These holes are destined to receive the hooks of moveable couplings
placed on the frames of the trollys at front and back in the direction in which they
travel on the railway. When the trollys are coupled or connected to the sleeves the
screws are turned by means of hand wheels so as to move the trollys forwards or
backwards to the extent required in order to present the blocks in a proper position to
the action of the endless cutting band or saw according to the lines marked out on
their surfaces.
The water cisterns and apparatus for mixing the sand and water are carried on
elevated platforms of iron bolted to the main horizontal frame of the apparatus and
are arranged directly over the places where the cutting band enters the blocks of
building stone marble or granite pipes attached to the lower part of each water tank
conduct water to the mixing apparatus. Vertical shafts provided with blades or arms
working in the centre of these apparatus are driven by bevel wheels the first bevil
wheel being attached to the upper extremity of the vertical shaft carrying the arms
or stirrers the second being fixed on a short horizontal shaft provided with a pulley
driven by a pulley on the main driving shaft or by a pulley on the shaft driving the
bevil wheels operating the driving drum-The object of these mixers with arms or
blades is to stir the water and maintain the grit or sand required for cutting extremely
hard materials always in suspension therein-An opening is formed at their lower
part for the passage of the mixture the delivery of which is controlled and regulated
by a conical stopper or valve on a screw worked by a small crank handle. A rubber
tube fixed underneath the opening extends to and enters loosely a metal pipe which
latter forms part of the cutter guide to which it is attached and consequently partakes
of all their horizontal or ascending or descending movement.
The water and grit held in suspension in the mixers are thus conducted to cups after
being divided into two equal portions by a small divider-The sand and water then
descend to the lower part of the trough and is taken up by the lower edge of the
cutting band and worked into the cut.
According to another arrangement, water cisterns and sand boxes with conical or
hopper bottoms filled with very dry pulverised grit are arranged on the elevated plat-
form. A valvular and regulating apparatus is applied to the sand boxes for the
purpose of regulating, increasing, diminishing or stopping the delivery of dry powdered
grit This valve apparatus is worked by a long chain which passing first over a
grooved pulley attached to the screw which regulates the valve itself descends to
another similar grooved pulley arranged at the base of one of the supporting
columns of the machine in such a manner as to be near the man in charge of the
machine.
Pipes of india rubber attached to the conical base of the sand boxes and placed
directly underneath the valve lead to metal pipes forming part of the cutter guides
and supply dry grit to oblique nozzles. On the other hand rubber tubes attached to
an opening formed in the lower part of each water cistern supply water above the
nozzle which receives the dry grit at the same time from the valvular apparatus-The
mixture of grit and water is thus made in the nozzle being afterwards divided into
two approximately equal portions by falling on a divider and then passing to the bottom
of the trough through which the cutting band passes and takes up the required
quantity of grit and water to be worked in the cut.
When the machine is arranged to work a number of cutting bands acting simul-
taneously in opposite directions the arrangement next hereinafter described is
employed. The endless cutting blades or band saws whose number is regulated
according to the number of cuts to be made in the blocks of building stone marble or
granite to be operated on can be changed with facility according to the nature of the
materials The endless blades are arranged one within the other the inner or central
blade is carried by two drums in the usual way but the other blades are carried
by a series of small rollers or pulleys arranged in semi circles concentric to the
drums.
One of the central drums and the corresponding small rollers are loose on their

page_text: .
axes and serve to regulate the tension as hereinbefore described-The other drum and
series of rollers impart motion to the blade and are driven by toothed or friction
gearing The friction gearing which is preferable as less productive of shocks and
noise consists of a friction wheel fixed on the central shaft above the drum carrying
the central band. This friction wheel drives small friction wheels on the extremities
of the short vertical shafts carrying the rollers or pulleys operating the cutting band
placed next to the central band and the wheels are held in contact by screws arranged
on the support which act on slides with brass sockets working on guides. The wheels
of the pulleys carrying the band next to the inner band drive the wheels carrying the
next band in the opposite direction which in turn similarly transmit motion to the next
band and so on throughout the series. When toothed gearing is employed the action
is similar to that hereinbefore described.
The drums and small pulleys are covered with rubber to prevent slipping and are
provided at their lower edges with rings or flanges for supporting the blades when
slack.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields London, W.C.,
Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Sawing or Cutting Stone.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention, a communication to mo
from abroad by Armand Auguste of La Plaine St. Denis in the Republic of France
Manufacturer, and in what inanner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relating to machines for sawing or cutting stone consists chiefly in
the following improvements namely,
1. The arrangement form and general construction of framework for sawing
machines whereby all special arrangements or structures for carrying intermediate
transmissions of power from the motor are enabled to be dispensed with. The
elevation of the machine forming two stages or horizontal frames on the main frame
is composed (1) of a horizontal frame resting on four straight columns or pillars
bolted at their bases to a cast iron bed plate forming the bed or foundation of the
entire apparatus. This horizontal frame supports all the transmissions for working
the endless cutting blade or band which is employed in these machine tools and for
regulating its action (2) of a super structure of iron fastened to the said horizontal
frame and situated directly above it consisting of platforms, galleries, iron ladders
and the like. This super structure is specially provided for carrying all the sand or
grit boxes and water tanks which are used in cutting extremely hard materials.
2. The exact adjustment of the proportions of the various endless cutting bands
required for cutting particular blocks of stone marble or granite and which may be
exchanged one for another in the same apparatus according to requirements or the
nature of the blocks.
3. Different speeds are imparted to the cutting blade in its descending and in its
ascending motion being regulated automatically the quickness or slowness of the
motion chiefly on the descent of the blade being calculated graduated and regulated
in accordance with the varying degrees of hardness of the materials under operation.
These different speeds are obtained by the simplified action of the combined trans-
missions arranged on the frame of the machine. The rate of speed at which the blade
ascends is double that at which it descends.
4. The uniform rigid and vertical tension and guiding of the cutting blade during
its circular horizontal travel being results obtained (1) with regard to the regular
motion of the tool, by means of special guides on a new scientific principle being
specially constructed with a view to prevent deflection of the blade and the incon-
venience produced by the use of wet sand or grit and (2) with regard to the necessary
tension of the cutting blade by means of a horizontal adjusting screw which presents
the advantage owing to its calculated length of enabling the same blade or band to be
used for a considerable time even after repeated breakages and their attendant
soldered joints each of which shortens the blade to a certain extent.

page_text: 5. Improvements in the horizontal drums or pulleys on which the endless cutting
blade is carried and which are made of such diameter and other dimensions as to
obviate straining and breaking the blades. These drums are covered on their
periphery by thick rubber cushions or pads to prevent the band from slipping and
are provided at their lower edges with flanges made in sections and attached by
screws so as to be readily removed when the cutting blade consists of a toothed
blade or to be put on when a plain blade or one with notches at intervals is
employed.
6. The addition and construction of a circular basin or cup in which the end of the
vertical shaft carrying the driving pulley or drum actuating the cutting blade is
supported and rolls. This cup is provided with a system of pipes prolonged in two
discharge tubes through which the soap and water escapes after use and falls into a
receptacle arranged underneath and on the bed plate or frame of the machine. The
water is afterwards returned to the cistern and can be used over again for the same
purpose for a considerable period whereby a considerable saving is effected in the
lubrication of the apparatus.
7. The employment of two powerful central screws arranged horizontally slightly
higher than the level of the surface of the foundation plates of the machine being
consequently a trifle elevated above the level of the ground and being situated near
the centre line of the track or line of rails traversing the said plates. These two
screws being carried on supports fixed to the foundation plates are each provided with
a sleeve having a nut or screwed socket which is capable of working along the entire
length of the screw. Each of these sleeves can receive two moveable catches or
couplings maintained by plates fixed to the frame of each truck or trolly used for
bringing up the blocks which are to be operated upon. The screws are turned by
means of small crank handles or hand wheels. The object of these screws and of the
sleeves to which the trucks are connected is to regulate with mechanical precision the
action of the cutting blade in cutting slabs which require to be of exactly the same
thickness throughout and consequently to preserve perfect parallelism between each
cut irrespective of the dimensions.
8. The special construction of the trucks or trollys carrying the largest blocks of
stone marble or granite which are operated on by the endless band saw or cutting
blade. These trucks or trollys are mounted on wheels similar to railway wheels and
are composed of a frame of cast iron or wood supporting a cast iron plate or table
which is capable of turning in any direction upon rollers being connected to a central
axis or pivot traversing the frame. This plate is used in making vertical or oblique
saw cuts and is provided at its lower part with strong cast iron rollers which facilitate.
the work of loading or unloading the materials and consequently diminish the labour
of handling extremely heavy blocks. Upon plates bolted to the front and back of the
frame there are provided strong hooks or couplings which are caused to engage with
the screwed sleeves on the central screws hereinbefore described in order to hold
or maintain the trucks or trollies during the cutting and adjust the spaces if
necessary.
9. The creation and construction of a feed controlling distributing and dividing
system for the sand and water employed in cutting the harder kinds of stone marble
and granite being carried along with the cutting bands in their circular motion. The
novel arrangement of these feed controlling and distributing devices which are placed
upon a super structure or elevated frame of the apparatus enables the proportions of
the mixture of sand and water to be regulated according to the nature and degree of
hardness of materials operated on.
10. The construction of two drums or pulleys fitted accurately upon the straight
columns or supports of the machine in the place of the carriages with sleeves carrying
a single endless band. These two drums by their special construction and arrange-
ment admit of the employment of a large number of cutting bands operated
simultaneously for cutting stone slabs or the like of any desired thickness. The
employment of these drums involves no change in the general arrangement of the
apparatus which works under the same conditions and presents the immense advantage

page_text: f enabling a large number of cutting bands to be worked at once the number so
mployed depending on the cuts marked out on the blocks of stone marble or granite
be operated upon. Consequently by means of this arrangement it is possible to
mploy one, two, five or ten or more cutting blades or bands according to the number
f cuts to be made. The bands or cutting blades working on these drums act
imultaneously in a horizontal position with their lower edges always at the same
vel the distance between them being maintained absolutely parallel with a regular
ad identical relation of speed. The said bands are classified in series or groups
mployed respectively for semi-hard stones, hard stones, very hard and marble and
stly for granite one series can consequently be exchanged for another according to
e quality of the blocks to be cut.
employed depending on the cuts marked out on the blocks of stone marble or granite
to be operated upon. Consequently by means of this arrangement it is possible to
employ one, two, five or ten or more cutting blades or bands according to the number
of cuts to be made. The bands or cutting blades working on these drums act
simultaneously in a horizontal position with their lower edges always at the same
level the distance between them being maintained absolutely parallel with a regular
and identical relation of speed. The said bands are classified in series or groups
employed respectively for semi-hard stones, hard stones, very hard and marble and
lastly for granite one series can consequently be exchanged for another according to
the quality of the blocks to be cut.
These series form the following four distinct principal groups namely
1. Toothed blades.
2. Blades without teeth having the lower edge straight or smooth.
3. Blades with notches at intervals.
4. Blades with diamond pointed teeth.
The adjustment of the cuts in cutting slabs with the use of a number of blades is
effected in the manner hereinbefore described in paragraph 8.´
11. Lastly in the general combination of all the improvements produced and
effected with the object of enabling machine tools employed in the cutting and sawing
of building stones, marble, granite and other stone to work in a normal practical and
advantageous manner.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of referenco indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a longitudinal vertical section
of an improved band saw machine according to this invention.
Figures 2 and 3 represent the machine partly in transverse section and partly
in plan.
Figure 4 shows the machine in plan.
Figures 5 to 11 are details of the sand distributing arrangements and
Figures 12 to 15 illustrate parts of a machine arranged to work several band saws
or cutting blades simultaneously.
This stone cutting machine is provided with a large endless horizontally arranged
cutting band or blade Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 which may be made with or without
teeth at its lower edge, or may be provided with notches at intervals for carrying the
sand and water or may be provided with diamonds. This band is passed round two
horizontal drums B B₁ provided at their lower edge with sections of rings or flanges a
Figure 1 attached by screws and easily changed according as a toothed blade or a
blade with a plain or a notched edge is employed. The throat or bottom of the
groove is lined with a thick and strong rubber 6 to prevent slipping.
The drum B¹ is the motive or driving drum which imparts motion to the cutting
band A and the drum B is loose on its shaft and serves more particularly for regulating
the tension of the said cutting band by means of a sliding head C capable of
horizontal adjustment by means of a screw c provided with a hand wheel. The two
drums B and B are supported vertically by two moveable supports D D¹ shewn in
section in Figure 1 and in plan in Figures 2 and 3 provided at each end with a brass
nut and sliding vertically upon four hollow columns or pillars. E on which the entire
sawing apparatus is supported. The supports D' D work up and down upon the
pillars E their motion being graduated and calculated according to the speeds to be
obtained for the different degrees of hardness of the blocks, which are presented to
the cutting blade. Motion is imparted to these supports for the purpose of raising or
lowering them by means of vertical screws K situated inside the pillars E and working
in the nuts k on the ends of the supports D D¹.
The support D' carries the driving drum B¹ which is fixed on the lower extremity
of a longitudinally grooved vertical shaft F. A collar or shoulder f on this shaft is

page_text: supported and rolls in a brass cup G Figure 1 receiving a continuous supply of soap
and water when the saw is at work from a pipe g communicating with the bottom of
a cistern H carried on the sliding support D. Other pipes and serve for the
discharge of the liquid which has been used for the lubrication of the shaft and
conduct it to a receptacle arranged upon the foundation plate below the shaft.
The upper part of the grooved shaft F passes through a hollow shaft I provided
with internal feathers or tongues engaging with the groove in the shaft F which is
consequently free to slide vertically in the shaft. I but is compelled to rotate with the
latter. Fixed on the upper extremity of the shaft I is a bevel wheel J driven by a
corresponding wheel j on a horizontal shaft provided with a driving pulley L¹ and
a corresponding loose pulley L Figure 3.
The pulley is driven by a belt Figure 4 which passes over a drum M carried
by a driving shaft m receiving motion directly from the engine or motor through a
pulley Z arranged together with a corresponding loose pulley z at the outer extremity a
of the said driving shaft. This driving shaft in addition to transmitting horizontal
motion to the cutting band also produces its vertical motion by means of pulleys N
and n (Figures 1, 2 and 4) situated at about the centre of the shaft and carrying
belts O and O¹ working on fast and loose pulleys o and o¹ on a shaft p also carrying
differential pulleys P P₁ which transmit motion by a belt to two corresponding
differential pulley's on a shaft R carrying a cone or variable speed pulley trans-
mitting motion by a belt to a corresponding pulley S on a shaft T provided with two
endless screws or worms t t which produce the ascending or descending motion of
the cutting band A by transmitting rotary motion to toothed wheels U U₁ Figures 1
and 4 situated at or near the centres of a pair of shafts V V₁ provided at their
extremities with bevel wheels u driving corresponding wheels u¹ fixed on the upper
ends of the screws K placed inside the supporting pillars E on which the supports D D¹
carrying the drums B B' slide as hereinbefore described.
In order to prevent the band saw or cutting blade A from deviating from its proper
path in its passage through large or small blocks an improved system of guides is
provided on the supports D of the drums and moves with the latter. These guides
are moveable and provided with slides so that they can be lengthened or shortened
according to the length of the blocks of building stone, marble or granito placed
under the saw which they serve to support and guide with absolute rigidity in a
vertical position during the cutting. They also serve to facilitate the placing of the
endless band in position and to afford security against accidents resulting from
breakage or neglect to properly adjust the tension of the band. These guides are
chiefly composed of four supports or sheaths 1ª arranged parallel with the blade
which they control and forming part of the supports of the drums. Each of these
sheaths 1 receives a long and stout square bar 1b provided with rack teeth 1 on its
underside gearing with a pinion 1° on a shaft 1d operated by a hand wheel 1'. The
square bars sliding in the aforesaid sheaths are connected together in pairs by trans-
verse bars 18 and 181 their extremities directed towards the centre of the machine are
cach provided with one of the improved guiding apparatus 1" so that each guiding
apparatus is situated directly over the endless cutting blade which passes through it.
There are four of these guides each of which contains two cast iron or wood pulleys 11
rotating on vertical axes adjusted as required by screws 1. These rollers maintain
the blade rigid and vertical during its horizontal motion. Underneath the saw other
rollers 1 (Figure 1) on horizontal axes perpendicular to the direction of motion of
the blade and supported by the guide apparatus 1b serve to hold up the band and
prevent it from dropping or sagging.
The supporting columns or pillars E herein before referred to stand at the four
angles of a cast iron bed plate X fixed on a solid foundation of stone and masonry.
This bed plate is crossed by a track or railway X' Figure 1 proceeding in a direction
at right angles to the motion of the saw between the drums and on which travel
trucks or trolleys Y carrying the blocks for building stone marble or granite which
are to be operated on in the machine.
These trolleys Y illustrated in Figure .1 are constructed to support the largest

page_text: blocks that can be cut by the machine, they are composed of a strong frame Y₁ of
cast iron or wood mounted on four flanged wheels Y'. On the upper part of the
frame Y' there is placed a cast iron plate Y³ moveable on rollers Y and capable of
adjustment in all directions so as to present the blocks obliquely or perpendicularly to
or parallel with cutting blade A moreover the plate Y³ is provided with rollers Y
carried on small supports or brackets and serving to facilitate the loading and
unloading of the materials to be cut.
As herein before explained the cast iron bed plate X is crossed in the direction of
its width and perpendicularly to the direction of motion of the blade A by a track or
railway X which may be in direct communication with a depot of stone and marbles
on the one hand and with a wharf for delivering the cut blocks on the other hand.
Near the centre of the railway X and fixed to the bed plates of the machine there are
two strong screws 2B Figure 4 working in supports 2 fixed parallel with the rails.
Each screw carries a species of sleeve 20 connected with a nut which can travel from
end to end of the screw and each of these sleeves is provided at both extremities
with two vertical holes or sockets 2". These holes are destined to receive the hooks
of moveable couplings 2 placed on the frames Y of the trolleys at front and back in
the direction in which they travel on the railway. When the trolleys are coupled or
connected to the sleeves 2° the screws 2B are turned by means of hand wheels 2* so
as to move the trolleys forwards or backwards to the extent required in order to
present the blocks in a proper position to the action of the endless cutting band or
saw according to the lines marked out on their surfaces.
The water cisterns (A" and Aª¹) and apparatus for mixing the grit and water
illustrated partly in full lines and partly in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 are carried
on elevated platforms A× of iron forming a second horizontal frame bolted to the main
horizontal frame of the machine at each end being arranged directly over the places
where the cutting band enters the blocks of building stone marble or granite. To
these platforms are fixed (1) Water cisterns A and A¹ and (2) mixing apparatus Bb
and B Figures 1 and 2 containing pulverised grit. Pipes Jattached to the lower
part of each water tank A* and A1 conduct water to the mixing apparatus Bb and Bb.
Vertical shafts Za (shown in dotted lines in the tank B¹) provided with blades or
arms Z working in the centre of these apparatus are driven by bevel wheels Z° and Z
(Figure 2) the first wheel being attached to the upper extremity of the shaft Z the
second being fixed on a short horizontal shaft Z. Each horizontal shaft Ze is provided
with a pulley Z. One of these pulleys is driven by a small pulley Z carried by the
main driving shaft m (Figures 2 and 3) which transmits motion to the mixing
apparatus in the vessel Bb by means of a belt Z and the other pulley Z' of the
mixer Bb is driven by a belt Zi on a small pulley Z¹ fixed on the shaft 1.
The object of these mixers with arms or blades is to stir the water in the tank Bb Bb¹
and maintain the grit or sand required for cutting extremely hard materials constantly
in suspension therein.
Openings are provided in the lower part of each tank for the passage of the
mixture the delivery of which is controlled and regulated by a conical stopper or
valve Z on a screw Z worked by a small crank handle Z°. A rubber tube fixed
underneath the opening Z' extends to and enters loosely a metal pipe Fe (Figure 1)
communicating with the cutter guide 1. to which it is attached so as to move
therewith.
The water and grit held in suspension in the mixers Bb and Bb are thus conducted
to cups or troughs H enclosing the saw being divided in two separate streams by
forked distributers I'. The sand and water accumulating in the lower part of the
trough H is taken up by the lower edge of the cutting band or saw A and worked
into the cut.
Figures 5 to 11 illustrate arrangement of apparatus for supplying the cutter with
grit and water there being two such apparatus on each machine one at each end. On
platforms A similarly constructed to those hereinbefore described and carried by the
same iron framework bolted to each end of the main horizontal frame of the machine
there are fixed water cisterns Aª Figure 5 and sand or grit boxes Bb with conical or

page_text: hopper bottoms filled with thoroughly dry pulverised grit. A regulating valve Ca
illustrated in vertical section in Figures 6 and 7 and in horizontal section in Figure 8
is placed at the lower extremity of the hopper or inverted cone forming the bottom of
the box Bb for the purpose of regulating or stopping the delivery of dry powdered
grit. This valve is worked by a long chain Dd Figure 5 which passing first over a
grooved pulley or sprocket wheel E (illustrated in section in Figures 6 and 9) on a
screwed shaft Ex descends to another similar grooved pulley or sprocket wheel E
arranged at the base of one of the supporting columns E (Figures 5, 10 and 11) of
the machine in such a manner as to be near the man in charge of the machine. The
screw Ex works in a stationary nut and opens or closes a sliding valve at the bottom
of the hopper as will be readily understood by referring to Figure 6. Pipes Fi
Figure 5 of india rubber attached to the conical base of the sand boxes B and placed
directly underneath the aforesaid valve lead to metal pipes Fe directly connected to
and moving with the cutter guides I and supply dry grit to oblique nozzles G. On
the other hand rubber tubes J¹ connected to an orifice in the lower part of each water
cistern A supply water above a nozzle G which is supplied at the same time with
dry grit from the box Bb. The mixture of grit and water is thus made in the nozzle G
being afterwards divided into two approximately equal streams by falling on a divider
or distributing. plate I' and then passing to the bottom of the trough H³ where it is
taken up by the cutting band as in the arrangement herein before described.
When the machine is arranged to work a number of cutting bands acting
simultaneously in opposite directions the arrangement next hereinafter described is
employed.
Figures 12 and 13 represent respectively a plan and elevation the latter partly in
section of the driving mechanism at one end of the machine and Figure 14 is a plan
of the tension mechanism at the other end. Figure 15 is an elevation partly in section
of the said tension mechanism. The cutting blades or band saws are marked A A¹
and their number is regulated according to the number of cuts to be made in the
marble or granite or other stone to be operated on and can be changed with facility
according to the nature of the stone. These endless bands or blades are arranged one
within the other and move in opposite directions alternately as indicated by the arrows
in Figures 12 and 14. The inner or central blade A¹ is carried by two drums B B¹ as
in the arrangement herein before described but the other blades are carried by a series
of small rollers or pulleys 661 Figures 13 and 15 arranged in semicircles. These
drums and pulleys are so arranged as to admit of (concentric to the drums) the ready
removal of the bands A and are carried by supports D D' capable of vertical movement
on pillars or columns E as herein before described. The drum B and the corresponding
small rollers 6 are loose on their axes and serve to regulate the tension being supported
by a plate or frame C C¹ adjustable horizontally on the support D by means of an
adjusting screw c.
The drum B and series of rollers 6' impart motion to all the bands or cutters A A'
the motion being transmitted by toothed or friction gearing or the like. In the
arrangement illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 a toothed wheel d on the vertical shaft F
drives a series of pinions d fixed on the spindles of the small pulleys b¹. The pinions
on each radial line of pulleys are geared together so as to cause the pulleys to rotate
in opposite directions alternately and thus. propel the cutters in the directions indicated
by the arrows.
The friction gear which is preferable on account of producing less jerks and noise
consists of a friction wheel keyed on the grooved shaft F above the drum B¹ in the
place of the toothed wheel d shown in Figures 12 and 13. This friction wheel transmits
motion to small friction wheels or rollers which are substituted for the pinions d' placed
on the upper parts of the small vertical spindles or shafts which support the rollers b'.
All these friction wheels are pressed together by screws e working in tapped holes in
the outer edge of the support D' and acting on gun metal bearings G sliding in radial
slots g these sliding bearings carry the small shafts of the rollers 61. Consequently
the friction wheel drives all the small friction wheels simultaneously the rotary motion
being transmitted from ono wheel to another but in opposite directions alternately

page_text: throughout the series as in the case of the toothed gearing
In either case the grooved driving shaft F receives motion from a transmission arranged
as herein before described with reference to the machine working with one cutting band.
The circumferences of the drums B and B¹ and of the pulleys or rollers bare-
covered with a thick layer of india rubber and the drums are provided on their lower edges
with removeable flanges a made in sections. The pulleys or rollers are similarly
provided with flanges a¹ which support the cutting band when slack. Cutter guides
are provided at Figures 12 and 14 acting on the bands A as herein before described.
the number of guide rollers being suitably augmented. The cutters are supplied with
grit and water by arrangements similar to those herein before described the number of
inclined tubes being in accordance with the number of cutters.
The machine can be attended to by one man stationed on the ground near one of
the columns E provided with a clutch lever E Figures 1 and 2 and cords for controlling
the transmission.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. In a machine for cutting stone the general arrangement of the frame work
comprising two stages or horizontal frames one above the other one being for the
support of the driving gear and transmission for imparting motion to the drums B B¹
and the other for the platforms, the grit and water receptacles A and 13 the sail
frame work being supported by four columns E raising all the whole of the machinery
from the ground and acting as guides for the supports D and D carrying the
drums B and B substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in tho
accompanying drawings.
Second. In a machine for cutting stone the general arrangement of the transmission
by the drums Nno o¹ pulleys P P differential pulloys Sr shafts V and screw K
situated inside the columns and working in nuts on the supports D D₁ so as to move
the said supports upwards or downwards at the required speeds in the manner
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Third. In a machine for cutting stone the special arrangement of the cutter guides
operated by a rack 16 a pinion 1° and a hand wheel 1' for the purpose of preventing
deflection of the blade and obviating the disadvantages attending the employment of
wet grit applied in the ordinary way the said guides being constructed substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In a machine for cutting stone the arrangement of the screw c for adjusting
the drum B towards or from the drum B¹ so as to regulate the tension of the saws or
cutters in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. In a machine for cutting stone the combination of the cup G with a cistern H
for the purpose of continually lubricating the shaft of the drum B₁ with soap and
water the said water being elevated into the cistern by suitable tubing and serving to
lubricate the said shaft economically substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. In a machine for cutting stone the arrangement of the drums B and B₁ covered
with india rubber band having flanges a made in sections screwed to the underside of
the drum so as to prevent slipping of the band or cutter and facilitate the removal or
changing of the latter substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Seventh. In a machine for cutting stone the arrangement of the screws 2" 2B on
the bed plate under the machine on which work nuts 2" 2° connected to the frame
of the trolly Y by suitable hooks the said screws being operated by a hand wheel 2* for
the purpose of moving the said trolly along a railway X' as required substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. In a machine for cutting stone the special arrangement of the trolly or
carriage for supporting the stone the said carriage being provided with a rotating

page_text: platform Y³ moving on rollers Y' and Y' for the purpose of adjusting the stone in the
proper position relatively to the cutter substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Ninth. In a machine for cutting stone the arrangement of regulating valve and
distributer apparatus for the grit and water consisting of a hopper Ce a valve C
operated by a screw E2 the said apparatus acting in combination with grit boxes A*
and water tanks Bb pipes J and Fe distributer l' and trough Hh all combined and
operating substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Tenth. In a machine for cutting stone the arrangement of the supports D and D¹
for enabling a number of saw blades to be worked simultaneously being carried round
a series of small cylinders or rollers driven by toothed or friction gear or the like
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and as illustrated in
Figures 12 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.
Eleventh. The combinations and arrangements of parts constituting the machinery
for cutting stone substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 9th day of February 1888