Improvements in Carving Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr.. 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Carving Machines.
1. SYDNEY PITT of Sutton in the County of Surrey, Gentleman do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (which has been communicated to me from
abroad by Frederick Snow of Lynn, in the County of Essex and State of
Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States; and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
Figure 1 is a side view of the machine with part of the frame cut away so as to
show the cutting tools.
Figure 2 is a top view of the machine.
Figure 3 is an end view of a portion of the machine.
Figure 4 is a top view of the tracer and cutting tools and their connecting rods.
Figure 5 is a detail view of one of the cutting tools and its connecting links with
the rod.
Figure 6 is a side view of the same showing the gearing and connecting links.
Figure 7 is a side view of the detail of the mechanism for changing the position
of the frame L, &
Figure 8 is a top view of the same.
The object of this my invention is to produce a machine to automatically carve
or engrave wood, metal, marble stone or like material, so as to reproduce by
machinery a carving or pattern, which carving or pattern may be changed at
pleasure.
The invention consists of a table having a reciprocating motion back and forth
on a straight line, and being at the end of its travel gradually moved at right
angles to the line of reciprocating motion, on which the pattern and material to be
carved are carried beneath two series of tracer and cutting tools, the series being
placed at an angle to one another, and each series attached to a frame so that one
will be removable from contact with the pattern and material to be operated upon
when the other is in contact therewith, and the various modifications and combina-
tious hereinafter specified and claimed.
In Figure 1, A, represents the frame or table on which the reciprocating
table B, moves back and forth. The reciprocating table B, is driven forward and
back by the rack-bar b, attached on the under side thereof, in which the teeth of
the wheel C mesh. The wheel C, is on the shaft D, which receives motion through
a pulley on that shaft from right and left hand belts which are shifted by means
of the dog 8, coming in contact with the stops 9 and 10, so that the shaft is reversed
each time the reciprocating table reaches the limit of its motion.
The motion of the reciprocating table B, in one direction brings the dog 8, in
contact with the stop 9, which, through the arm 11, and connecting link 12,
reciprocates the gear-rack 13, which turns the gear 14, on which the pawl 15, is
hung so as to come in contact with the ratchet 16, and turn the feed-screw 17, to
the end of which the ratchet is attached, when the gear rack moves in one direction,
but does not turn it when it moves in the other direction; thus moving the platform
or frame 18, sideways on the frame A, which carries with it the platform B,
beneath the tracer and cutting tools.
It is manifest the sideways motion of the platform 18, is intermittent, and only
when the dog 8, comes in contact with the stop at one end of the reciprocating
motion of the platform B, so that the platform B, passes forward and backward ou

page_text: '
the same line before it receives 'any sideways motion from the under platform or
frame 18.
The upright frame F, is placed at each side of the machine, in which, the
shaft G, is supported, the shaft G, running in proper journals, as shown in
Figure 3, at J, and capable of adjustment therein by the adjusting screws H.
The shaft G, is driven by a suitable pulley K, to which power is applied by a belt
from any suitable source.
Swinging on the shaft G, is the rocking.frame L, or if desired the frame L, may
be supported on thimbles on the journals about the shaft G, so that the centre of
motion of the rocking frame and the centre of the shaft will be coincident. This
frame L has attached to it at the lower edge or bottom an extension M, to which
is attached by a suitable joint a rod m, connected at the other end to the crank n,
and the segment o, which segment o, is geared with a segment p,
of greater
diameter, so that about a quarter revolution of the segment p, will make a half
revolution of the segment o.
Attached to. the segment p, by a suitable joint is the rod q, free to move
lengthwise in suitable guides and having at or near each end a catch or stops, s1,
with which the bar r, on the lower side of the platform, B, makes contact as it
reciprocates, when it is at or about the extreme limit of its motion, thereby
shifting the rod 9, and consequently turning the segment p, and the segment o, so
that the crank n, will be revolved a half turn around the centre of the segment o,
and thus shift the rod m, and the frame L.
It will be observed that the two positions of rest of the crank n, are each in line
with the centre of the segment and the line of motion of the rod q, so that the
rod 9, is locked in its position by the crank n, being "on the centre "until the rod q,
is shifted by the contact of the bar r, on one of the stops s, or sl.
Any other suitable mechanism may, be used to shift the position of the frame L,
and.I do not wish to he understood as limiting my invention to this mechanism.
Swung or hinged to the rocking frame L, are the tool carrier, frames O, P, each
being the counterpart of the other, one on either side of the rocking frame L.
. These.. frames are pivotted. on thimbles attached to the rocking frame L,
surrounding the shaft G, so..that their centre of adjustment will be about the
centre of, the: shaft. G.. Each tool carrier frame O, P, is also attached to the
rocking frame L, by the, adjusting rods Q, R; passing through holes in the upper
part of the rocking frame L,. provided for that purpose, and provided with
adjusting nuts so that the tool carrier frames O, P, may be adjusted at proper
angle with one another,. and with the. hanging frame 'L, as is found desirable.
The tool-carrier frame O, is provided with a dovetailed groove, as seen more
plainly in Figure .3,..wherein the.. brackets for the tracer and tool carriers are
adjusted at..such distances.. from. one another as may be, found necessary. The
tool-carrier bracket S,, is shown in Figure 1 in position in the dovetailed groove,
of the tool-carrier frame, O,. while the tool-carrier bracket T, is shown in position
in. the.tool-carrier. frame P. The tool-carrier brackets consist of the dovetailed
part fitting in the dovetailed groove, of the tool-carrier frame and they have
journaled in them the shaft U, sbown.more distinctly in Figure 6, at or near one
eud of which the beveled gear 1. is attached, and to the other end of which the
<bevelled gear 2, is attached. Attached, to the.tool-carrier bracket S, op a thimble
surrounding the shaft U, is the bracket 3, having a journal in each leg through
which. the tool-carrier spindle 4, passes, to which is attached the bevel gear, 5
The tool-carrier spindle 4, is made to receive a cutting head, 6; the cutting head 6
being attachable and removable from the shaft 4, so as to supply a sharp cutting
tool. The bracket 3, may be set in any position, in relation to the tool-carrie
bracket S, by turning it around the thimble, and is so secured by the set screw 19
passing through the bracket 3, and locking on the thimble of S. Revolution i
given to the cutting tool from the shaft G, by means of the bevel gear 7, thereon
..one of which is supplied for each cutting tool; the shaft G, being provided wit
a groove to receive the lock key of each gear. The gear 7, meshes with the gear 1
;

page_text: and turns the shaft U, thus causing the gear 2, to drive the gear 5, and the tool-
carrier spindle 4, each gear increasing the speed of motion so as to give a rapid
revolution to the cutting tools.
The bevel gear I have described as gears but I generally prefer to use bevel
wheels having rawhide contact faces, as at the very high speed at which the tool-
carries are run, better results are obtained by so doing.
The bevel gear 5, on the tool carrier spindle 4, is held in journal bearings in
the bracket 3, but free to revolve therein as driven by the gear 2, and is provided
at its centre with an axial bore through which the tool-carrier spindle 4, passes, a
feather and spline being provided so that the tool-carrier spindle 4, will be
revolved by the revolution of the gear 5, while, at the same time, the tool carrier
spindle is free to move longitudinally, as may be desired.
To the upper end of the tool carrier spindle 4, is attached the guide box 20,
between the collars 21, and 22, on the tool-carrier spindle, so that the spindle may
turn in the guide box; 20, but cannot move longitudinally therein.
Rigidly attached to the guide box 20, is the segment 23, which runs in the
box 24, which box is provided with the friction wheels 25, and 26. The box 24,
is connected by the link 27, to the crank or arm, 28, which is attached and moves
with the shaft 29, which is provided with a spring 30, the recoil of which presses
the crank 28, down and thus tends to project forward the point of the cutting tool.
The pointer or tracer 32, which follows on the pattern, is attached to the shaft 29,
in the same way, as is the cutting tool, as shown in Figure 4.
Connecting the several brackets 3, and the tracer or pointer is the rod 31, secured
to each bracket 3, and to the pointer by a pivotal bolt, as shown more clearly
in Figure 6.
One cutting tool may be used with the pointer, or two or more, as desired, each
being driven and connected with the pointer, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.1
Having described the mechanical construction of the device, I will now proceed
to describe its mode of operation.
The pattern to be reproduced is secured on the table B, so that it will pass under
the pointer or tracer 32, as the table reciprocates and is gradually moved crosswise.
The material to be operated upon or carved is placed so that it will come under the
cutting tool 6; the bracket 3, having been adjusted at such an angle, by means of
the set screw 19, as is best adapted to the pattern to be cut, which, operating
through the rod 31, would turn the tracer, (it being held in a like bracket,)
to the same angle, the tracer and pointer are thus kept parallel to one another.
The brackets of the tracer and the several cutting tools having been secured by
the set screw 19, and the table B, run to one end of the machine, the rocking
frame L, is put in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, which would
bring the series of cutting tools and tracer on the tool-carrier frame O, in contact
with the pattern and material to be carved. The tools being driven at a high rate
of speed, the tahle B, is passed under them, the pointer coming in contact with the
pattern and being by the pattern raised and lowered, raises and lowers the
segment 23, attached to it, which in turn, operating through the link 27, and
crank 28, turns the shaft 29, which has on it the crank 28, connecting with the
link 27, of the cutter, communicates the same motion to the cutter that is given to
the tracer or pointer, all being pressed to their lowest positions by the spring 30,
on the shaft 29, thus a narrow path is cut in the material to be carved the width of
the cutter, and the table B, having reached its limit of motion the stop 10, comes
contact with the dog 8, and reverses the motion of the table B, and at the same
time throws the rocking frame L, so as to bring in contact with the pattern and
material the tracer and cutting tools on the tool-carrier frame P, which being set
at an opposite angle from the other series, cut in the indentations and the other side
of the pattern. The table B, having come back to its original position the other
stop thereon comes in contact with the dog 8, reverses the motion of the gear
wheel C, throws the rocking frame L, back to its original position and at the same
time turns the feed screw 17, and thus moves the table B, a short distance in a

page_text: sideways direction so that a new part of the pattern and new material are brought
in for the next reciprocation of the table. This is continued until the entire
surface of the pattern to be reproduced has been passed over by the pointer, when
the material carved will be found to have been made in exact duplication of the
pattern furnished, without the necessity of any attention from the starting to the
stopping of the machine, whereby one attendant is able to care for a large number
of machines.
It will be observed that the cutting tools are at an angle of about forty five
degrees to the plane of the table B, and are also at about an angle of forty-
five degrees to the line of reciprocating motion of the table B, whereby they follow
all the parts of the pattern, bringing to bear the corner or edge of the cutting tool,
and keeping the material operated upon free from shavings and cuttings.
It will also be observed that the series of cutting tools on the frame O, are at an
angle with the line of motion of the reciprocating table B, the reverse of that of
the angle at which the cutters and the frame P, are, so that one side of the part
to be carved will be cut by one series of the cutters and the other side of the part
to be carved by the other series of cutters.
In adjusting the machine, I have found it desirable to make one point of one
cutter on the frame O, directly in line with the cutter on the frame P, so that they
will. cut substantially on the same line, one cutter when the table B, is moving in
one direction, and the other cutter when it is moving in the other direction, but at
an angle to one another; they cut in all directions and accurately follow the
pattern placed under the tracer.
SI
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that
claim is :-
a
1. The combination in a carving machine, of a rocking frame, having at
thereto a pointer and cutter on one side, and a pointer and cutter on the other
so arranged that one pointer and cutter will be lowered when the frame is sing
to one side, and the other pointer and cutter will be lowered when the frare is
swung to the other side, as specified and set forth.
2. The combination in a carving machine of two pointers and two cutting tools
so attached to a rocking frame that the operative position of one pointer will be
substantially in line with the operative position of the other pointer, and the
operative position of one cutter will be substantially in line with the operative
position of the other cutter, substantially as specified and set forth.
3. The combination in a carving machine of a rocking frame having attached
thereto two tcol carrier frames, adjustable about the same centre as that about
which the rocking frame turns substantially as specified and set forth.
4. The combination in a carving machine of a rocking frame having attached
thereto, two tool-carrier frames, adjustable about the axis of the shaft by which
motion is supplied to the cutting tools carried in the tool-carrier frames, substantially
as specified and set forth.
5. The combination in a carving machine of a rocking frame having attached
thereto two tool-carrier frames adjustable about the axis of the shaft by which
motion is supplied; the tool-carrier frames having attached thereto brackets
adjustable about another shaft, through which motion is supplied to the tools,
substantially as specified and set forth.
6. The combination in a carving machine of a reciprocating table, to which the
pattern and material to be carved are attached, supported on a platform having an
intermittent sideway motion, in combination with a tracer and cutter parallel with
one another, and arranged to move in unison in all directions, having their
operative ends, when in operation, inclined toward the reciprocating table at an
angle of about forty five degrees, and in the general direction of the then motion
of the reciprocating table, substantially as specified and set forth.
7. The combination in a carving machine of a reciprocating table, to which the

page_text: pattern and material to be carved are attached; a tracer and cutting tool, pressed
out in the line of their axis by a spring, the tracer and cutter being parallel to one
another and arranged to advance in unison at an angle of about forty five degrees
to the face of the reciprocating table, and at about the same angle to the line of
motion thereof, the point of the operative tracer and cutting tool being in the
general direction of the them motion of the reciprocating table, so that the pointer
and cutting tool follow up the pattern, and the material being carved as they pass.
beneath them, substantially as specified and set forth.
8. The combination in a carving machine of a reciprocating table, to which the
pattern and material to be carved are attached, supported on a table having an
intermittent sideway motion; two series, each consisting of a tracer and cutter
supported on a rocking frame so arranged that one pointer and cutter will be lowered
when the frame is swung to one side, and the other pointer and cutter will be
lowered when the frame is swung to the other side, substantially as specified and
set forth.
9. The combination in a carving machine of a reciprocating table, to which the
pattern and material to be carved are attached, supported on a table, having an
intermittent sideway motion, two series, each consisting of a tracer and cutter, each
arranged on an adjustable tool-carrier frame supported on a rocking frame with
mechanism whereby the rocking frame will be rocked on its axis at the end
of each movement of the reciprocating table, substantially as specified and set
forth.
Dated thin 12th day of Anvil 1906
SYDNEY PITT.