IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CUTTING AND SHAPING OF WOOD, AND IN THE MACHINERY FOR THAT PURPOSE
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANCIS
ROUBILIAC CONDER, of Highgate, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters. Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-third day of February, One thousand eight hundred and
forty-three, in the sixth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said
Francis Roubiliac Conder, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her special permission,
licence, and full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Francis
Roubiliac Conder, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, by myself or themselves, or
such other person or persons as I or they should appoint or agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
of fourteen years therein mentioned, should make, use, exercise, and vend,
within that part of the. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called
England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in
the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all
Her said Majesty's Colonies abroad, in such manner as therein mentioned, my
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CUTTING AND SHAPING OF WOOD, AND IN
THE MACHINERY FOR THAT PURPOSE;" in which said Letters Patent there
is contained a proviso, that I, the said Francis Roubiliac Conder, shall
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calender months next inmediately after the date of the

page_text: said in part recited Letters Patent, reference being thereunto had, will more
fully and at large appear, otherwise those Her said. Majesty's Letters Patent
should become void.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Francis Roubiliac Conder, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is performed, is particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following instrument in writing, and the Drawings
numbered from Figure 1 to Figure 18 inclusive, hereunto annexed :-
My Invention consists in cutting and shaping wood from log or balk timber
for staves, shingles, laths, or other articles where wood is used when formed
into strips, boards, or planks.
I shall now describe the process for making staves and the other strip articles.
First, I take a log or balk of timber and cut it into a block the length I
require the stave or other article, I then saw it into slabs of a sufficient sub-
stance by any of the ordinary and known means, avoiding that part of the
black for slaves which forms the heart, as shewn in Figure 1. When these
slabs are so cut, they are placed in a vessel or box made of metal, wood, or
other suitable material, sufficient to contain steam pressure, as Figure 2, into
which steam is admitted by means of pipes, valves, and cocks; the pressure of
the steam is regulated by the number of the slabs as well as their dimen-
sions; the time required for this operation for ordinary slabs is, for oak, aslı,
and elin, about one hour, and for pine, rather more. The pressure 1 prefer is
about ten pounds to the square inch. The steam is distributed in the box
by means of perforated pipes passing around the inside of the box or vessel;
the top of this vessel is made to open, for the purpose of admitting and
taking out the slabs or pieces of timber; it is provided with cramps to keep
it closed while it contains the pressure of steam within; when the slabs have
been steamed as aforesaid, the wood is rendered soft, and facilitates its being
cut, and the tanning or coloring matter is removed, which gives to casks
made from staves upon ny patent principle the means of being used for
holding fluids at once, without any further seasoning or cleansing. These
effects may also be produced by boiling the wood, but I prefer steaming. The
slabs being properly steamed or boiled, are taken out of the steam vessel at
about one hundred and twenty degrees of Fahrenheit, and are then subjected
to the operation of one of the cutting, slicing, or chopping machines, which I
shall hereafter more particularly describe. In these machines the slabs are cut
into staves, shingles, laths, and boards, for various purposes.
I shall describe the machines which I claim as my Invention, and which I
have found to answer best for short articles for the slicing process..

page_text: First, the machine represented at Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, which is a recipro-
cating machine, with self-feeding apparatus, and with peculiar arrangements for
holding and stiffening the knives, which I shall more fully describe in the
reference to the plans. This machine is worked by steam or other I have
power;
found the best velocity to be about one hundred and twenty revolutions per
minute.
Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 represent a simple reciprocating machine without
self-feeding apparatus, but with the same description of knife as in Figures
8, 4, 5, and 6.
Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14 represent a circular plato revolving machine,
fixed on an axle with drums, &c., into which one or more knives is or are fixed;
these knives are constructed as shewn in Figure 12, as well as upon the plan
represented in the previous machine, and in Figure 13 they are so placed that
their distance from the surface of the plate is the thickness of the stave or
other article required. The slab is then placed upon the bed or cutting block,
I
the plate being put in motion by means of a steam engine or other power.
have found a velocity of sixty revolutions per minute to be the best. The slab
is forced up against the surface of the plate, and as the knives come into contact
with it, a stave or other article is sliced or cut from the slab, and passes through
the opening in the plate at the back of the knives.
Having described the apparatus necessary for preparing and cutting staves,
shingles, laths, and short strip articles, as comprized in Figures 1 to 14,
inclusive, I shall now describe the apparatus and operations for cutting or
shaping timber for other objects where long pieces are required, such as flooring
or other boards.
The logs of timber must be steamed in a vessel as before described as in
Figure 2, only of suitable dimensions to take them in and out with convenience;
Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18 illustrate this machine, which is intended to cut
long pieces or planks in the direction of the grain of the wood longitudinally,
the details of which will be more fully explained in the description of the
Drawings.
The steamed timber is placed in the frame of the machine at about the
temperature of one hundred and twenty degrees Fahrenheit, which is so
constructed that a traversing head, into which a knife is placed, is drawn
along the frame and against the wood by means of chains placed at each side,
and worked by wheels; by this operation a plank is cut from the log, the
traversing head then returns at an increased velocity (or it may be made to
cut both ways), the log of timber is elevated according to the thickness of the
plank required, and the traversing action resumed. The machine is worked

page_text: from a steam engine or other moving power by straps or wheel-work, with
apparatus for engaging and disengaging. The Drawings are all made to scale,
which is shewn on each, and are the proportions I have found best.
Figure 1 is a section of the end of a piece of balk or log timber, and shews
the part I cut into slabs for staves, leaving the heart, which is colored dark
red, for other purposes.
Figure 2 is a plan and section of the steaming boxes A, A, A, A, which are
here made of wood, and formed as shewn, having two flaps or doors B, B, B, B,
fixed on hinges, for the purpose of taking in and out the slabs; along the
bottom are placed the longitudinal and cross bars C, C, C, C, C; C, so as to
form a receptacle for the condensed steam, which is occasionally drawn off at
the cocks D, D, and more effectually to enable the steam to surround the
slabs; E, E, is the main steam pipe in connection with a steam boiler, and by
which the steam boxes are supplied with steam; G, G, G, are the small pipes
that connect with it, by means of the stop-cocks I, II; the steam is admitted
through the perforated pipes I, I, I, into the box, and regulated by the cock;
the flaps or doors B, B, B, B, are lined at their junction with felt, so as to form
a steam-tigat joint, and are held down by the cramps J, J, J, J, J, J.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, are elevations and sections of a reciprocating self-
feeding machine, with details of knife. Figures 3 and 4 shew a side and front
elevation of the machine, and 5 a side section, which is erected upon a bed
plate A, A, to which is cast the deep socket B, B, for the crank shaft C, with
its drums D, D, and fly wheel F, to work in; this crank, by means of its con-
necting rod G, G, gives motion to the knife frame II, H, in which the knife
is fixed, which works in guides between the main frame I, I. The platform
J, J, upon which the slabs of wood K, K, K, K, are placed is part of the main
framing, and is formed with openings on its surface, to allow the forcing
wheels M, M, M, M, and the rollers L, L, L, L, L, L, with their endless
bands Q, Q, to work, for the purpose of advancing the slabs of wood to the
knife in the cutting frame. The slabs are kept down by means of the
roller N, N, working in the guide frames R, R, and by the lever frame O, O,
with its pressing and guard pieces P, P; this roller and apparatus is regulated
by means of the pinion wheel S, which works into a wheel T', fixed upon the
shaft V. On this shaft are fastened the two leather bands W, W, which are
fixed at their other ends to the spindle X, X; by extending or reducing these
bands by means of the handle and ratchet wheel Z, so is the pressure on the
slabs produced by means of the connecting rods Y, Y. The slabs are advanced
the distance that their thickness is required by means of the cam or eccentric,
Number 1, placed upon the crank shaft, and working against a roller, Number 2,

page_text: fixed to a graduated lever, which, by the connecting rods, Numbers 3, 3, acts
upon a ratchet wheel, Number 11, and works the four forcing wheels M, M,
M, M, and conveys the same motion by means of the wheels, Numbers 12 and
13, to the rollers L, L, L, so that the whole advance of the slab are uniform;
the thickness of stave is regulated by this apparatus, which is varied by allowing
the rods, Numbers 3, 3, to have more or less action, and varying the pitch of
the ratchet wheel. Number 4 are weights, with their rods, to keep down the
pressing and guide pieces P, P. The knife, Number 5, is made as shewn
in Figure 6; it is held in its place by being attached to four studs, Numbers
6, 6, 6, 6, fixed to the frame H, HI, and by the bar, Number 7, with its bolts; at
its other end are four similar oblong holes, which fit on to four studs in the
plate, Number 8. On the frame II, II, are, two abutting pieces, Numbers 9, 9,
and on the plate is a similar one, and by driving the key, Number 10, between
them, it of course extends and tightens the knife, which enables me to use a
much thinner one than by any other mode of fixing. Number 14 is a bar of
wood, placed in. the space into which the knife works, with spiral springs
acting upon it, so that any strip of wood, the last of the slab that would other-
wise pass into this recess, is thus prevented by the bar, Number 14, filling up the
space, at the same time yielding to the operation of the knife and ejecting any
fragment of wood. The whole of the machine is put into motion by means of
a strap working on the drums D, D, which imparts rotation to the crank shaft;
and from it to the other parts, by which constant work is effected by mercly
supplying the front of the platform with a succession of slabs of the steamed
wood.
Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 are elevations and section of a reciprocating
machine, without the self-feeding apparatus, which is erected upon a bed
plate A, A, to which is cast the deep socket B, B, for the crank shaft C, C,
with its drums D, D, and fly wheel F, to work; the crank, by means of its
connecting rods G, G, gives motion to the knife frame H, H, in which the
knife L, L, is fixed, and which works in the guides between the main frame I, I.
The platform J. J, upon which the slabs K, K, K, are placed, is part of the
main framing; theso slabs are pushed by hand against the knife frame H, H,
which the knife L, L, separates into staves or other articles; the knife and its
apparatus are the same as described in the preceding Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6,
and the general arrangement of its parts the same, except in not having the
apparatus for feeding it by mechanical means.
Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14 are front and end elevations and sections of a
rotative machine. A, A, is a stone or brick foundation, upon which it is
erected; B, B, B, B, is a timber frame that rests on the foundation, and on
.

page_text: which the whole machine is fixed; C, C, is an iron plate fixed upon an axle
D, D, working in two plummer blocks F, F; upon this axle is placed a fast
and loose drum or rigger G, G; in the plate C, C, are two openings H, H,
for allowing the stave, when cut, to escape, at which is fixed a knife made of
steel and iron, shewn more fully in Figure 14. The plate C is retained in its
true position by its edge being made very true and stronger than its general
section, and working between guide rollers K, K, K, K, with regulating
screws. The slab of wood N to be cut is placed upon the timber frame
B, B, B, B, against the plate C, and as it revolves, the knife slices off' a piece,
which slab is afterwards kept pressed against the plate, when a repetition of
the same takes place. L is a lever and apparatus worked by the steering wheel
M, for starting and stopping the machine; 0, 0, is a break, with its wheel
apparatus P, P. To assist this operation, Q, Q, are the strengthening
brackets, fixed to the back of plate and keyed on the shaft or axle D, D, so as
to give it increased stiffness.
Figure 14 is a section of a knife that is held in its place by the bolts R, R,
and regulated, as to the thickness of the stave or other article, by the screws
S, S, and the cutting edge is pressed forward by the sett. screws T, T; with
these screws every adjustment required is obtained. Figure 13 shews a knife
upon the tension principle, as explained and in use in the two previous
machines; the same description of it will apply to this machine.
Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18 are elevations and sections of a machine to cut
long pieces, such as boards, from wood having been steamed, &c. Figure 16
shews a side elevation of the machine, which is erected upon the foundation
plate A, A, A, A; B, B, B, B, are four standards that support the main frame
and trough C, C, C, C, in which the timber is placed, and the traversing head
T, T, works on the sides of this frame, and within it are three racks D, D, D,
that support the log of timber, and elevate it means of the pinions E, E, E,
in connection with the bevil wheels and pinions F, F, and G, G, worked by the
handle H. The thickness of the plank is regulated by this apparatus. At one
end of the main frame is fixed the standards I, I, to which are placed, upon
an axle, two chain wheels J, J, J, J, which receive motion by means of the
spur wheel K, K, and pinion L, L, fixed on the shaft M, M. On this shaft is
fixed two drums, with clutches N and O, one to work the machine when cutting,
and the other to carry the cutting or traversing head back at an increased
velocity. At the opposite end of the machine is placed in the frame P, P,
an axle QQ, on which are fixed two chain wheels R, R, that receive the
endless chain S, S, S, S, which are attached to the traversing head T, T, which
works on the frame C, C, C, C. In this head is fixed a knife U, which, when

page_text: drawn against tho log of timber, separates a board, according to the thickness
required. W is a shaft, representing some first mover, as from a steam engine
or other power, which works the machine by the drums Z, Z, by means of the
straps. X, Y. The same letters refer to each Figure. Figure 17 is a side
section; Figure 15, a plan; and Figure 18, an end section. In this as well as
in the whole of the before-mentioned machines, I cut the wood after having
been steamed, which gives it great facility for cutting.
I am aware that steam has already been applied to the softening of wood,
with a view to facilitate its being shaped, I do not therefore claim as part of
my Invention the softening of wood by the application of steam generally, but
only by the method herein-before described; nor do I claim as my Invention
the cutting of wood which has been previously steamed generally; but I claim
as now, and of my Invention, the cutting and shaping of wood, for the purposes
described, from log or balk timber steamed, as a facility for cutting, and cleaned
or boiled as aforesaid, and cut or sliced by the particular machines above
described, and illustrated by the annexed Drawings. I do not claim any of the
abstract or separate parts of the machine, but the general combination; and in
the revolving machine, described in Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14, I only claim as
my Invention the peculiar description of knifes, with the mode of fixing them,
together with the break starting and stopping apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Roubiliac Conder, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this
in the year of our
day of
FRANCIS (L.s.) R. CONDER.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Nineteenth day of August,
in the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Francis Roubiliac Conder came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.