I■- DRAVEMENTS IN MACHINERY BAD SAWING WOOD
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Benjamin Normand, of Havre, in the
Republic of France, Ship Builder, for the Invention of "I■-
DRAVEMENTS IN MACHINERY BAD SAWING WOOD"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Benjamin
Normand at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 27th October 1852.
I, CHARLES BENJAMIN NORMAND, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING
Wood" to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to improve and expedite the sawing
up of straight and crooked timber for ship building and other purposes.
To this end I propose to bring the timber in the convenient direction
under the action of the saw blades by the employment of various
contrivances adapted to its varied forms and the shapes into which it is
to be severed. I also provide a mode of adjusting saw blades while
in action, so that planks or pieces of varying thicknesses throughout
their length may be cut with facility.
When an arched or crooked tree is to be presented to vertical saw
blades to be cut into planks or pieces with a plane surface; I use the

page_text: following one of the series of contrivances which I have adapted to
saw frames. I screw the timber between a pair of jaws having a V
shape, the under one being stationary, and the upper one mounted on
swinging arms moving on an axis carried by standards. Between
these parallel jaws the piece of timber is made to advance by any
convenient and ordinary means.
When this mode is not applicable to the work in hand I throw back
the top jaw out of the way and other ways get rid of the lower one.
The same work may be produced (when horizontal saws are used) by
drawing the timber conveniently set over a smooth and straight floor
between two pairs of griping rollers, one pair being situated in front,
and the other at the back of the saws, one roller of cach pair being
stationary, and the other brought into and kept in contact with the
timber by means of weights acting on the arms in which they are
mounted.
If I desire to cut curved planks out of curved timber with the same
saw frame I mount the timber in a carriage provided with clamping
jaws, and bring the forward end of the timber to rest on a fluted roller
set in front of the saws. This roller draws forward the load, guided at
the other end in any convenient direction by the four swinging wheels
of the carriage. When a certain part of the tree has been so cut, the
weight resting too much on the roller, and not acting sufficiently on the
carriage, would no longer ensure stability. Another carriage similar to
the first is then brought at the back of the saws, and the tree fixed
to it. The tree then moves parallel to the floor, but the roller acted
upon by a weight always presses the under side of the tree and draws
it forward.
To present the timber already sided so that the vertical saws may
make a curved slanting cut, the timber is placed between rollers
mounted in swinging frames, the whole being inclined at once by
means of a circular rack and worm to any required degree to the right
or left. The frames which carry these rollers are capable of turning in
a horizontal or nearly horizontal plane, and are all connected by rods
to a convenient point of the same lever, so that they may all move
round simultaneously, always presenting their arms as radii from a

page_text: cominon point movable in a line perpendicular to the saw blades. This
radial movement may be obtained also by various other means. The
rotation of the rollers when thus adjusted will cause the timber to move
at each part of its length in the curve required to be cut.
The mode of adjusting saw blades is as follows:-The extremities
of the adjustable blade are carried by blocks which work respectively
in guides, and move simultaneously by screws connected together. A
ratchet, catching at each end of a stroke one or more teeth of a wheel
set on one of the screws, causes this screw and the other connected.
with it to change the position of the saw blade in the required direction
and extent.
In order to cut the ends of two pieces of timber in a series of wedges,
so as to glue both together in a stronger and more perfect manner, one.
of the pieces is fixed on a carriage brought over suitable rails from the
end of the shed. The upper part of this carriage is capable of an
angular motion round a vertical axis situated in front, so that when one
side of all the wedges has been cut by an equal number of saws the
carriage is withdrawn; its upper part to which the timber is affixed is
then turned on its pivot to the required angle, and the cutting of the.
wedges is completed by the same saw blades.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Charles Benjamin Normand in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 27th April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
CHARLES BENJAMIN NORMAND, of Harve, in the Republic of France,
Ship Builder, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the
sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said Charles Benjamin Normand,.
Her special license that I, the said Charles Benjamin Normand, my.

page_text: executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Charles Benjamin Normand, my exccutors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and law-
fully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING WOOD,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles Ben-
jamin Normand, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Benjamin Normand, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thercon (that is to say):
My Invention of improvements in machinery for sawing wood has
chiefly for its object cutting or sawing timber for the purpose of ship
building; the same machinery can, however, also be applied for cutting
wood for other purposes.
Some of the improvements may be combined in one machine, and
applied in such a manner that either all may be employed together, or
separate parts thereof may be used without interfering with the other
portions of the machine. Or the various improvements may be adapted
to separate machines, according to the particular purpose for which
such machines are to be employed.
In order to avoid too great complexity in the Drawings and de-
scription I have principally shewn the various improvements as adapted
to different machines. Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet I, represent various
views of a machine which is intended to make straight or curved cuts
in a rough tree. Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the machine, some of

page_text: the parts being shewn in section; Fig. 2, is a plan view of the same as
seen from above; and Fig. 3, is a transverse section of the machine.
A common vertical saw frame is erected over. a smooth and level
floor A. The tree or log B, to be operated upon is mounted at C, on
a carriage D, which is provided with clamping jaws E, and F, for
holding the log steady while being operated upon. This carriage D, is
mounted on four running wheels G, H, I, K, which are connected to
the carriage by four vertical spindles g, h, i, k, which by turning in their
bearings will allow the running wheels to swing round to any angle.
The other end of the tree is borne over two fluted rollers L, and M,
one of which is placed in front and one at the back of the saws S, hs'
seen in Figures 1, and 2. These rollers are acted on by ratchet wheels
or other suitable contrivances as shewn in the Drawing, and are thereby
made to turn round slowly on their axes, and bring the tree forward to-
the saws. As the tree rests upon the carriage D, which is free to run on
any part of the floor according as it may be guided by the attendant,
it will be seen that the tree may be directed in any manner to the saws
by guiding the carriage D, and the tree will thereby be. moved in an
are of a circle which is struck from a point made by the meeting of the
prolonged axes of the four wheels G, H, I, K, and of the roller L, near
the saws. The attendant may regulate or alter the direction of one of
the running wheels of the frame or carriage D, by means of the worm
N, which will act on the circular rack O, and thereby move this centre
of motion when and to any extent required. When the direction of
one of these wheels is altered all the others will follow, and by this
means the attendant will be able to follow any curve marked on the
tree. When the work has proceeded as far as to cut through about
one third of the length of the tree the weight will bear too much on
the rollers L, and M; I therefore place behind the saws at about the
place marked P, another carriage similar to that shewn at D, for the
purpose of assisting to support the tree. The tree of course moves in
a line parallel to the floor, but the roller M, is suspended in pendant
bearings, and is held up by the weight R, at the end of the lever Q,
and is thereby made to press against the under side of the tree, and
thus follow all the curves and inequalities of its surface, and being

page_text: actuated by the toothed gearing, as above explained, the roller M, will,
as it rotates, draw the tree forward to the saws. When the first
carriage D, has proceeded far enough, and has nearly reached the saws,
it may be removed, and the sawing operation completed as it was
begun, that is, with one carriage D, only which will then be behind the
saws. Another method of regulating the direction of the running
wheels of the carriage D, is shewn in Fig. 2, and may, under some
circumstances, be found preferable to that above described.
The swinging frame in which the wheel K, is set is provided with a
right angled lever T, which is connected at one end to the extremity of
a long rod U, the other end of which is supported in any convenient
manner, and is provided with a handle near the saws. The attendant,
without losing sight of the work or the operation of the saws, will then
be able, by moving the rod U, and lever T, to produce the required
alteration in the direction of the wheels, and thereby guide the carriage,
so as to keep the saws always to a particular line on the tree. Of
course when this mode of directing the carriage D, is adopted, the
screw shaft N, and sector rack O, are dispensed with. The several
Figures in Sheet II, represent various views of a machine for sawing
out timbers with a bevilled or twisted curve, as are frequently required
for ships' timbers. Figure 4, is a longitudinal vertical section of the
machine; Figure 5, is a plan view; Figure 6, is a transverse vertical
section; and Figure 7, is another transverse section taken in the line
1, 2, of Fig. 4; Figure 8, is an end elevation of the machine. The
piece of timber A, is represented as having been previously sided, or
having had two straight pieces cut off the sides for the purpose of more
conveniently placing it in the machine. The log is laid flat on, and is
supported by a series of rollers B, B', C, and C', (the upper sides of
which are always in the same plane,) and are mounted in frames b, b',
c, c', which are moveable round vertical spindles set in the main frames
D, and D. These main frames are provided with journals at each end,
and are supported in bearings in the standards d, d', and d", and are
therefore capable of being inclined simultaneously to any angle to the
horizon, according to the particular bevil required to cut on the log.
The inclination of the frames D, D', is effected by means of the crank

page_text: are of a circle drawn from this
screw L, (Figures 5, and 6,) which acts on the levers e, and e', that
project horizontally from the frames D, D'. The small frames 4, 6',
c, and c', are so connected together by the rods F, f, and f', (or by any
other convenient arrangement,) that they are all made to move together
when required, so that a line drawn through or prolonged from the axis
of all the rollers will always converge and meet at or nearly at one
point in whatever plane they may be. From this it will be seen that
the piece of timber will move in an
point, and the facility of altering its position by the motion of the lever
G, or any other contrivance, will enable the attendant to follow any
curve marked on the piece of timber, while in the meantime he can
regulate the bevil by the screw E. Two of the rollers C, and C', are
fluted, and being actuated by ratchet wheels or other convenient
machinery will cause the piece of timber to travel onward. The log is
effectually kept down on the feeding rollers c, and c¹, by the compress-
ing rollers K, and K'.
The two extreme rollers B, and B', are provided with sharp circular
edges which prevent the lateral slipping of the wood. The cranked
part of the main frames D, and D', between the saw blades H, and I,
is made level with the upper part of the rollers so as to form an addi-
tional support near the saws.
In order to cut at once both sides of a ship's timber which inay be
required to vary in thickness throughout its length, a slow lateral motion
must be given to one of the saws while in action. This is effected in
the following manner:-The two ends of the saw blade I, are keyed
on two blocks, which are made to move simultaneously on guides by
means of the screwed shafts L, and L', which are connected together
by the chain M. At each end of a stroke of the saw the toothed
wheel N, on one end of the screw shaft L, above enters a forked piece O,
which it does not touch when this forked piece is in a perfectly vertical
position, as shown in the detached view Fig. 9; but if the forked piece
is inclined one way or the other it catches one or more teeth of the
wheel N, and by driving it round causes the screw shafts L, and L',
to revolve in the required direction, and by that means move the saw
blade I, in a lateral direction.

page_text: Another and somewhat simpler mode of effecting the same motion,
and which might be found preferable in some cases, is shewn at
Fig. 10. The blocks i, i, in which the ends of the saw blade arc
secured, are connected together by the right angled levers P, and Q,
and the rod R. The end of the lever l', projects and moves up
and down with the saw between two pins S, and T, which are fixed
in a moveable bar; the distance of these pins from one another is
always equal to the length of stroke of the saws, plus the thickness of
the lever. It will, therefore, be evident that when the pins S, and T,
are unmoved they will not act on the lever P, and therefore no lateral
motion of the saw will take place; but if they are raised or lowered
the lever P, will strike against one of the pins, and the corresponding
angular motion of the levers P, and Q, will move the saw blade in a
lateral direction to the distance required.
In Sheet III. I have shewn various plans of siding timber, or
cutting straight through pieces of timber of moderate length. Fig. 11,
is a side elevation, and Fig. 12, a transverse vertical section of one
arrangement for effecting this object. The piece of timber A, is
supported and guided at its under side by the angular or A shaped
bar B, and is held thereon by the V bar C, which is similar in con-
struction to and parallel to the first bar B. The V bar C, rests on
the upper side of the log on which it presses by its own weight, and
between these two bars the piece of timber is supported and made to
glide, and is drawn forward by the ordinary means or any suitable
mechanical contrivance towards the saws E', and F, which move up
and down on each side of the bars B, and C. In order that this
machine may be readily adapted to operate upon various sizes and
shapes of logs or trees the upper V bar is fixed at the end of levers or
arms D, and is therefore moveable round the shaft II, or in its bearings,
as will be easily understood.
Another method of siding logs is shewn at Figures 13, and 14;
Fig 13, is an end elevation, and Fig. 14, is a plan view.
The piece
of timber A, is supported by three wood screws B, C, and D, the
heads of which lie on the smooth and straight floor E. The saws
F, and G. move in horizontal planes, and the feed motion is given

page_text: by the vertical fluted rollers H, and I, which are placed on cach
side of the saws, and against which the piece of timber is made to.
bear by the compressing rollers K; and L, mounted in the double
levers M, and N, and which are kept in contact with the log by the
weights O, and P. By this means the log or frée may be drawn
along the floor to the saws, and is supported on the floor by the heads:
of the screws. In Fig. 15, is shewn a' side elevation; and Fig. 16, a
plan view of a machine for cutting the ends of pieces of timber in a
series of sharp wedges, so that by the increased surfaces two such pieces:
might be glued together in a strong and efficient manner. Fig. 17, is
a perspective view of the ends of two pieces of timber cut in this
manner, and ready to be glued together or "scarfed," as it is usually
termed. Fig. 18, is a perspective view of two pieces combined. Upon
referring to Figures 15, and 16, the piece of wood to be operated upon
is shewn at A, and is fixed on a table C, which is attached to the
carriage B, that moves on suitable rails fixed on the floor: The saw
blades a, b, c, d, and e, are numerous. enough, and so arranged as to.
out. at once one side of .all the wedges; and when this is done the:
carriage B, must be drawn back, and the upper plate or table C, of the.
carriage B, to which the 'piece. of timber. is affixed, is made to move
round on the vertical axis D, to an angle equal to that of the wedges.
to be cut. The other side of these wedges is then sawed out. in' the
same manner as the first, as shewn at Figure 16.
;
Having now
described my various improvements, and the best
means with which I am at present acquainted for carrying the same
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not mean or
intend to confine myself. rigidly to the precise arrangement and con-
struction of parts herein shewn and described, as they may, perhaps,
be varied without departing from the nature and object of my Inven-
tion; nor do I intend to claim any such well known parts herein shewn
and described as have been heretofore used for similar purposes, except
when they are combined or arranged in the manner herein set forth
but that which I consider to be new, and therefore wish to claim as the
Invention secured to me by Letters Patent, is, the method herein.shewn
and described; or any mere modification thereof, for moving pieces of

page_text: timber in variable arcs of a circle tangential to the fixed saws, which I
effect on rough trees by means of carriages provided with pivoting
wheels or pairs of wheels which are capable of moving round fixed
centres, and thereby directing the carriage to which they are con-
nected, and on which the log of timber to be cut is mounted, as shewn
in Sheet I.
Second, I claim the method shewn in Sheet II. of operating on timber
already sided by causing it to travel on a set or sets of rollers so
arranged as always to converge to the centre of motion required, and
which may be inclined all at once when it is required to cut the
timber to a bevel.
Third, the methods above shewn of causing the saw blades to travel
laterally so as to cut at once both sides of timbers which may thereby
be made to vary in thickness throughout.
Fourth, I claim supporting logs of timber on angular edges or
A guides, along which they may be drawn in any convenient way to
the saws, as shewn in Sheet III. I also claim the methods shown in
Figures 18, and 14, of supporting the logs, and bringing them up to
the saws.
Fifth, I claim the method and machinery above shewn and described
for shaping the ends of pieces of timber in two series of parallel planes
meeting at acute angles for the purpose of making scarfings, which,
when glued together, will form joints of considerable strength.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Benjamin Normand,
have hereunto set my hand and scal, this Sixteenth day of
April, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane,
London.
C. B. NORMAND. (L.S.)