CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ART OF CUTTING, OR WHAT IS COMMONLY CALLED FACING AND DRESSING CERTAIN KINDS OF STONE
Year: 1835

page_text: لنجم
, 1, JAMES
HUNTER, of Leysmill, in the Parish of Inverkeillor, and County of Forfar, in
that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, called Scotland,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eighteenth day of March, in the fifth year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
James Hunter, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said James Hunter, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said James Hunter, my exors, adñors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England and Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ART OF CUTTING,
OR WHAT IS COMMONLY CALLED FACING AND DRESSING CERTAIN KINDS OF STONE;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said James
Hunter, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be enrolled in His said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and

page_text: by the same, reference being had thereunto, will more fully and at large
appear.
3
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Hunter, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention to
consist in a machine for the cutting, facing, or dressing blocks of stone of
such an improved construction, that, first, the rough surfaces of any number of
blocks of stone can be subjected in unintermitting succession to the operation
of the planing tools; secondly, by which the adjustment of the said tools can
be readily adapted to any thickness of surface which may be required to be
cut away. Thirdly, by which the greater the thickness of surface which the
said tools are employed to cut away, the greater is their efficiency, and the
less they are injured; and, fourthly, by which the said tools are so firmly yet
temporarily secured in their places as to perform their office without any
appreciable shaking, or recoil, while at the same time they can be easily
removed as they are worn either for the purpose of repair or of being
replaced by new tools; by which several means a smooth and true facing is
given to blocks of stone with less labour and with less waste of the planing
tools than can be done by any planing machine heretofore known and
used.
And in further compliance with the said proviso, I, the said James Hunter,
do hereby declare that the manner in which my said Invention is to be per-
formed is fully shewn in and by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and by the
following description thereof, the same letters and figures being employed
to denote the same parts in each of the said Drawings, that is to say :-
Figure 1 is an end elevation, and Figure 2 a plan of my machine as it appears
in its complete state when fixed ready for working to a stone bed or foundation.
A, A, A, is the sole or foundation plate, a plan of which is shewn separately in
Figure 3, and a, a, a, three rows of pullies or traverse rollers fixed in the same.
B, B, is a large platform on which the stones C, C, C, are laid for the purpose
of being cut, faced, or dressed, which platform moves to and fro in the pullies or
traverse rollers a, a, a, a, and is formed of planks four inches thick laid across
three longitudinal beams D, D, D, and securely bolted thereto. b, b, b, b, are
two bars of about an inch thick, faced with plate iron, which are nailed to the
surface of the said platform, and exend parallel to each other from end to end
thereof, and serve as ledges within which to secure the stones C, C, C, C. c, c, c, c,
are chocks or loose pieces of wood of different sizes made use of to fix the
stones steady between the bars or ledges b, b, b, b, when they are of less width
than the space between the said bars or ledges. e, e, e, are iron plates affixed to
the under sides of the longitudinal beams (D, D, D,) of the platform at the parts

page_text: where the said beams rest or bear on the pullies or traverse rollers a, a, a.
f is a toothed rack which is fixed to the bottom of the middle of the longitu-
dinal beams D, D, D, on the side opposite to the ironplates e, e, and extends
the whole length thereof. L, L, is a large sliding frame, in the centre of
which the working or planing tools are fixed, and which has a space of about
six feet to traverse in, three on each side of the position in which it is
represented in Figures 1 and 2. This frame rests on four wheels or friction
rollers M, M, M, M, affixed to the shafts N, N, which revolve on brackets
0, 0, 0, 0. P, P, are two pullies which revolve on an axis fixed in the
standards g. 9, one of which is turned by an open strap and the other by a
cross strap, so that they may revolve in opposite directions, and thus give a
reciprocating motion to the sliding tool frame L, L. Q is a clutch between the
pullies P, P, connected with the handle and crank R, R, which are acted upon
by studs or catches S¹ and S, projecting from the sides of the sliding tool frame
L, L, in such manner as to make the clutch operate on each pulley alternately.
T is a pinion fixed to the end of the axis of the pullies P, P. U is a spur
wheel into which the pinion T works. V, the axis of this spur wheel, on
which axis there is placed a pinion (not seen in the Drawing), which works
into the sliding rack W, W, the teeth of which point downwards. X, X, X, X,
are the bearings in which the rack W, W, slides. Y, Y, is a strong beam
fixed across the back of the rack W, W, the ends of which project through
the sides of the sliding tool frame L, L. Z, Z, are two connecting rods which
pass from the ends of the beam Y, Y, to the blocks in which the planing
tools are fixed, as herein-after explained. E is a pinion which works
in the toothed rack f, on the under side of the middle longitudinal beam D
of the platform B. F, a shaft to one end of which the pinion E is fixed;
G, a ratchet wheel fixed near to the opposite end of the shaft F; II, II,
a pall and crank attached to the cross shaft, supported by the standards, 1, 1,
which acts on the ratchet wheel G; I, a pin fixed in the side of the sliding
frame L, L, and which, as that frame moves towards the side G, , catches
the upright arm of the crank II, and presses it forward in that direction; K is
a wheel which, operating through the intervention of the shaft F, pinion E,
and rack f, on the platform B, throws it entirely back, when all the stones
upon it have been planed, or returns it under the planing tools, if any part of
the work requires to be gone twice over. For the purpose of shewing more
clearly the two systems of mechanical combination which have been just
described, the one for making the sliding tool frame L, L, traverse to and
fro, and the other for bringing forward the platform with the stones during the

page_text: operation of planing, there is given in Figure 4 a sectional elevation of the
former through the line A, B, of Figure 2, and in Figure 5 a sectional eleva-
tion of the latter through the line C, D, of Figure 2; the planing tools and
the manner of fixing them in the sliding frame L, L, are represented on a
large scale in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and partly shewn, but on a smaller
scale, in Figures 1 and 2; two cant or tilt blocks B, K, B, K, are fixed one
on each side of the sliding frame L, L, with two tools, 2, ², k, k², in each.
Figure 6 is a front view, and Figures 7 and 8 two side views of these cant
blocks; they turn on studs h, h, which are fixed in vertical sliding blocks m, m,
which are moveable up and down by the screws and handles n, n, and may be
adjusted to any thickness of stone that may be required to be planed; the
two tools marked and are roughing tools, and those marked and ke are
finishing tools, and both are represented one half the full size in Figures 9 and
10; they are of a round form, and about an inch in diameter, and the two
finishing ones have chisel or broad mouths; both sets of tools are fixed in
wrought-iron tubes o, o, by means of adjusting screws p, p, which tubes are
turned so as to fit accurately into holes bored in the cant blocks B, K, B, K.
To each set of tubes in which the finishing tools is and ke are fixed, a short
lever is keyed on, the upper end of which is slightly curved and toothed, and
above it there is a horizontal screw r, which works into the teeth of this
lever q, so that by applying a spanner to the square heads of the screw r, the
finishing tool may, through the medium of the screw, the lever, and the tube,
be adapted with the greatest nicety to the surface of the stone to be dressed and
placed; no such nice adaptation is necessary in the case of the roughing tools, and
to them, therefore, no such adapting lever is applied. G, Figure 6, is the cover
for the outer pivots of the screw r; as each tool wears it can be readily removed
for the purpose of repair or being replaced by new tools by loosening the
adjusting screws p, p. Two brackets are affixed to the face of the vertical
sliding blocks m, m, in the manner represented in Figure 1, and two screws t
and u are inserted therein, which screws serve to limit the arc described by the
cant blocks B, K, B, K, in turning on the studs h, h, as herein-after ex-
plained.
Having now described the different parts of my said machine and the
manner in which the same are connected with and act the one upon the other
I shall proceed to explain the mode of operation of the same. The platform
being filled with blocks of stone, the vertical sliding blocks m, m, should be so
adjusted that the roughing tools shall strike each block as it passes under
them at such a depth below the top surface as to sever and throw off before

page_text: them large portions of the stone at a time, taking care always that the depth
shall be within such limits as that the line of least resistance shall terminate
in the top surface of the stone, so that the fractures shall all tend in that
direction. When this adjustment has been made, let the sliding frame L, L
be moved towards H, x; as it traverses in that direction, the sliding rack
W, W, will carry the cross beam Y, Y, in the same direction, until the
connecting rods Z, Z, have drawn the cant blocks over as far as the screw t,
when the roughing tools i¹ and k¹ will be brought into operation against the
stone, and so continue till the projecting stud or catch S' comes in contact
with the crank R, and throws the clutch off the pulley then in operation on to
the other pulley, which will make the frame return in the opposite direction
G, z. The sliding rack W, W, carries back at the same time the cross beam
Y, Y, till the connecting rods Z, Z, push the cant blocks over against the
screw u, when the tools and are brought into play, and so continue till
the catch S comes into contact with the crank, and again reverses the motion.
At the moment of this last reversal of the motion taking place, the projecting
pin I also throws over the upright arm of the pall and crank H, H, (in a
manner similar to the yarn beam of a power loom,) and brings forward the
platform B with the stones for the next operation of the planing tools. The
pall and crank H, H, falls back of its own weight into its former position as
soon as the pin I recedes from it. When the roughing tools are first brought
into action, as before described, through the traversing of the sliding frame
L, L, towards H, a, they commonly leave the surface of the stones in ridges, but
the finishing tools being further back, take off these ridges when returning, and
so on till the planing of the blocks is completed. No time is lost in clearing
the platform of the finished blocks, as the men in attendance on the machine
are removing the blocks at one end while the machine is at work at the other
end, and a minute or two suffices to return the platform. The sliding frame
L, L, generally traverses at the rate of thirty feet per minute, and a set of
stones filling the platform from end to end can be planed in about forty-five
minutes.
And having now particularly described the nature of my said invented
mprovements, and the manner in which the same are performed, I declare
hat I do not claim any of the parts of the machine herein-before described
separately, otherwise than and in so far as the same are newly combined
and arranged for the purpose of cutting, facing, dressing, or planing stones as
aforesaid; and I. declare that what I claim as my Invention is, the particular
combination of sliding-frames, racks, wheels, pinions, pullies, cant block,

page_text: planing tools, tubes, screws, and other contrivances embodied in and forming
in their entirety the machine herein-before described, by which,
Firstly, the rough surfaces of any number of blocks of stone can be sub-
jected in unintermitting succession to the operation of the planing tools.
Secondly, by which the adjustment of the said planing tools can be readily
adapted to any thickness of surface which may be required to be cut
away.
Thirdly, by which the greater the thickness of stone which the said tools are
employed to cut away the greater is the advantage, inasmuch as the lengths of
stone severed and thrown off at each stroke are proportional to the depth of the
cutting, and the rest given to the tools, and their consequent exemption from
heating, softening, and abrasion, is in like manner proportional to the lengths
of stone severed and thrown off from the surface at each stroke.
And, fourthly, by which the said tools are so firmly yet temporarily secured
in their places, as to perform their office without any appreciable shaking or
recoil, while at the same time they can be readily removed as they are worn
either for the purpose of repair or of being replaced by new tools; by which
several means a smooth and true facing is given to blocks of stone in less
time, with less labour, and with less waste of the planing tools than can be
done by any planing machine heretofore known and used.
And I declare further that the velocity with which the said machine ought
to be driven will depend on the quality of the stone required to be planed by
it, and that it admits of being driven with any required degree of velocity
by proportionally increasing or diminishing the strength of the different parts,
and the amount of the moving power applied thereto.
And I declare that my said machine is applicable particularly to the cutting,
facing, and dressing of sandstones, limestones and freestones, but generally to
all such stones as are now cut, faced, and dressed by hand, with the wooden
mallet and chisel; and though the said machine as used by me is worked by
steam power, I declare that the same may be worked by water power, horse
power, or any other mechanical first mover.
And I further declare that by coupling a lathe with the machine of my
Invention herein-before described, the planing tools may be applied to the
cutting, facing, and dressing of stone in any variety of curvilinear direction;
and that blocks of stone may be thus formed into columns, cornices, vases, and
other articles of an ornamental form, with a degree of accuracy, dispatch, and
economy unattainable by hand labour, or by any other planing machine here
before known and used; and that I claim the right to use my said machine

page_text: coupled with a lathe as aforesaid, as part of my said invented and patented
improvements; and, finally, I declare that though in the machine herein-before
described, the planing is effected by means of a series of reciprocating move-
ments, yet that I reserve to myself full power and liberty to accomplish the
same by a circular movement, or by any other description of movement,
which shall produce the same new and useful effects as the machine of my
Invention herein-before described, without involving any substantial or ma-
terial departure from the principles of construction and operation developed
and embodied therein.
And such my invented improvements being to the best of my knowledge
and belief entirely new and never before used within that part of His
said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called
England, I do hereby declare this to be my Specification of the same; and
that I do verily believe that this my said Specification doth comply in all
respects fully and without reserve or disguise with the proviso in the said
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent contained, wherefore I do hereby
claim to maintain exclusive right and privilege to my said invented improve-
ments.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hunter, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and thirty-five.

page_text: JOHN MACDONALD, of Arbroath, Depute Town Clerk, maketh oath and saith
that he was present and did see James Hunter, party hereto, take and
acknowledge the within Specification, and sign, seal, and deliver the same,
and that the name "W" Andson" is the signature of the said William
Andson, and that he is Chief Magistrate of Arbroath, and one of His Majesty's
Justices of the Peace for the County of Forfar.
JOHN MACDONALD, of Arbroath, Depute Town Clerk, maketh oath and saith
that he was present and did see James Hunter, party hereto, take and
acknowledge the within Specification, and sign, seal, and deliver the same,
and that the name "W" Andson" is the signature of the said William
Andson, and that he is Chief Magistrate of Arbroath, and one of His Majesty's
Justices of the Peace for the County of Forfar.
Sworn at Arbroath, this Twenty-ninth day of
August, 1835, before me, Chief Magistrate
of Arbroath, & one of His Majesty's Justices.
of the Peace for the County of Forfar.
In Chancery.
WANDSON, J.P.
JOHN MACDONALD.
DAVID ALLAN, of No. 46, Coleman Street, in the City of London, Merchant,
maketh oath and saith that he knows and is well acquainted with William
Andson, who is Chief. Magistrate of Arbroath, and one of His Majesty's
Justices of the Peace for the County of Forfar, in that part of the United
Kingdom called Scotland, and with the manner and character of the hand-
writing of the said William Andson; and this deponent further saith that the
name or signature "W. Andson," with the addition "J. P." set, subscribed, and
written upon or indorsed at the foot of a certain skin to a certain Specification,
dated the Twenty-ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-five, and executed by James Hunter, whereby it is
stated that the said Specification was acknowledged by the said James Hunter
on the day aforesaid, are of the proper handwriting of the said William
Andson, and that the said William Andson at the time of setting and sub-
scribing his name on the said Specification in manner above stated was, and
and that he is now, Chief Magistrate of Arbroath, and one of His Majesty's
Justices of the Peace for the said County of Forfar, in Scotland.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the oath of David Allan, the
Specification aforesaid was inrolled word for word as above written. And also
the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute
made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.