IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR WORKING IN WOOD
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Pinchbeck, of No. 19, Salisbury Street,
Strand, London, and 3, York Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
WORKING IN WOOD."
Scaled the 5th November 1875, and dated the 7th May 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Pinchbeck at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 7th May 1875.
I, JOHN PINCHBECK, of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, London,
and 3, York Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR WORKING IN WOOD," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to novel machinery or apparatus for working
in wood, and is more particularly, but not exclusively, adapted to the
forming or making up of a certain kind or description of fire-lighter for
which Provisional Protection was granted to me on the 23rd day of

page_text: February 1875 (No. 669), and the several herein-after described instru-
ments, machines, or apparatus are intended to be combined and worked
together in connection for the production of such before-mentioned
"fire-lighters."
*
The first part of my Invention relates to an improved method of
splitting or chopping up wood for fire-lighting, for constructing fire-
lighters, and other purposes. In doing so I employ a somewhat similar
machine to the ordinary one for working in iron, and known as a
slotting machine;" and, in addition thereto I employ a peculiar
splitting tool constructed in the following manner:-The main or chief
portion is shaped after the manner of an ordinary carpenter's "morticing
chisel," and is made of suitable size and strength and of any required
width. On the inclined face I form a number of grooves or recesses,
about inch or so in width, and about 12 in. or so apart, into which
thin knives of steel are fitted, and these are firmly held in their respective
places in the main chisel by two or more steel pins. The cutting edges
of those knives are angular, the outer edge being considerably in advance
of the back edge, so as gradually to enter into the wood, and the front
or non-cutting edges are chamfered off from the inclined face of the
splitting chisel, in order to offer as little resistance as possible to passing
through the wood as it is split. When the tool is forced through the
wood it detaches a slab from the block, and the angular face of the
chisel forces it out of its perpendicular position. In so doing the slab
comes in contact with the beviled cutting edge of the cross knives, and
a shearing as well as a downward splitting action is in consequence
obtained.
The second part of my Invention relates more especially, but not
exclusively, to the preparation of the triangular tops of my fire-lighters,
provisionally protected as aforesaid. Upon a suitable cast-iron frame a
series of drill spindles are mounted, which work simultaneously, and
which are mounted and run at the angle at which it is required to fix
the legs of the fire-lighters. As the triangular tops of the said lighters
are sawn to their sections in strips on an ordinary circular saw table, and
placed back to back in a suitable triangular groove provided in the above-
named frame, inside the latter a circular saw spindle is made to rotate,
carrying two or more circular saws; these are placed at such distances
from each other, as it is intended to cut off the triangular tops of the
lighters. The circular saw spindle is driven by a belt or strap in the

page_text: usual manner, but the frame carrying the saws swings freely and is
connected by means of a rod to a lever on the rocking shaft, which
gives a downward motion to the drills, and at the same time an upward
motion to the circular saw frame. The triangular tops of the "ûre-
lighters," while being drilled and cut off, are firmly held in the tri-
angular groove of the apparatus by means of a guard, which is also
worked by the rocking shaft, which works the drills. The action of the
apparatus is, that while the drills are boring the holes downward through
the triangular tops, two or more circular saws advance in an opposite
direction and cut them off at suitable lengths. By this means four or
more tops may be drilled and cut off with one motion of the lever,
which works the drills downwards.
The third part of my Invention relates to machinery, more particularly
(but not exclusively) adapted for the manufacture of the said fire-
lighters, and has for its object the rounding of the ends of the legs so
as to fit into the holes bored by the drilling machine above described.
It consists also of a suitable cast-iron frame, into which two steel plates,
each of which have half holes on their edges beviled to a cutting edge,
and which, when brought together, form perfectly sound cutting holes.
The width of these plates may vary according to the number of sticks
or legs to be rounded. The top plate is fixed to the frame, but the
bottom one works in suitable grooves or guides so as to allow the
insertion of the legs when the plates are apart. The bottom plate is
actuated by two cams fixed on a shaft, so that when the legs are placed
in the half holes of the bottom plate it rises and nips the corners of
them. On the same shaft another cam is fixed of the same width as the
steel cutting plates, and as it revolves against the projecting ends of the
legs it forces them back through the plates, thus rounding any number
of the legs simultaneously.
In using or employing this last described machine for the purpose of
completing the "fire-lighters" herein-before mentioned, the legs, before
being brought to the "rounding machine" may be placed upon trays
which have spaces upon them corresponding with the distance of the
holes in the cutting plates, so that one dozen or more may be put into
the machine at one operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Pinchbeck in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th November 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
PINCHBECK, of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, London, and 3, York
Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said John Pinchbeck, Her special
licence that I, the said John Pinchbeck, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Pinchbeck, my executors,
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 lawfully inight 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 WORKING IN WOOD," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Pinchbeck, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 John Pinchbeck, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This Invention relates to certain novel machinery or apparatus for
working in wood, and is more particularly, but not exclusively, adapted
to the forming or making up of a certain kind or description of fire-
lighter for which Provisional Protection was granted to me on the 23rd
day of February 1875 (No. 669), and the several herein-after described
instruments, machines, or apparatus are intended, to be combined and

page_text: worked together in connection for the production of such before-
mentioned fire-lighters, but certain parts or portions thereof may be
employed for other purposes.
The first part of my Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for
and to an improved method of splitting or chopping up wood intended
to be used for fire-lighting and for constructing fire-lighters, and for
other purposes. In doing so I employ a somewhat similar machine to
the ordinary one for working in iron, and known as a "slotting machine,"
and in addition thereto I employ a peculiar splitting tool constructed in
the following manner:-The main or chief portion is shaped after the
manner of an ordinary carpenter's "mortising chisel," and is made of
suitable size and strength, and of any required width; on the inclined
face I form a number of grooves or recesses ½ inch or so in width,
and about 1 inch or so apart, into which thin knives of steel are fitted,
and these are firmly held in their respective places in the main chisel by
two or more steel pins. The cutting edges of these knives are angular,
the outer edge being considerably in advance of the back edge so as
gradually to enter into the wood, and the front or non-cutting edges are
chamfered off from the inclined face of the splitting chisel in order to
offer as little resistance as possible to passing through the wood as it is
split. When the tool is forced through the wood it detaches a slab
from the block, and the angular face of the chisel forces it out of its
perpendicular position; in so doing the slab comes in contact with the
bevilled cutting edge of each of the cross knives, and a shearing as well
as a downward splitting action is in consequence obtained.
The second part of my Invention relates more especially, but not
exclusively, to the preparation of the triangular tops of my fire-lighters,
provisionally protected as aforesaid. Upon a suitable cast-iron frame a
series of drill spindles are mounted which work simultaneously, and
which are mounted and run at the angle at which it is required to fix the
legs of the fire-lighters. As the triangular tops of the said fire-lighters
arc sawn to their sections in long strips on an ordinary circular saw
table and placed back to back in a suitable triangular groove provided
in the above-named frame inside the latter, a circular saw spindle is
made to rotate carrying two or more circular saws; these are placed at
such distances from each other as to be equal to that at which it is
intended to cut off the triangular tops of the lighters.. The circular
saw spindle is driven by a belt or strap in the usual manner, but the

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frame carrying the saws swings freely, and is connected by means of a
rod to a lever on the rocking shaft which gives a downward motion to
the drills, and at the same time an upward motion to the circular saw
frame. The triangular tops of the fire-lighters" while being drilled
and cut off are firmly held in the triangular groove of the apparatus
by means of a guard which is also worked by the rocking shaft which
works the drills. The action of the apparatus is that while the drills are
boring the holes downward through the triangular tops two or more
circular saws advance in an opposite direction and cut them off at
suitable lengths. By this means four or more tops may be drilled and
cut off with one motion of the lever which works the drills downwards.
The third part of my Invention relates to certain machines or
machinery more particularly (but not exclusively) adapted for the
manufacture of the said fire-lighters, and it has for its object the
rounding of the ends of the legs of such fire-lighters so as to fit into the
holes bored by the drilling machine above described. It consists of a
suitable cast-iron frame into which two steel plates, each of which have
half holes on their edges bevilled to a cutting edge, and which when
brought together form perfectly round cutting holes. The width of
these plates may vary according to the number of sticks or legs to be
rounded. The top plate is fixed to the frame, but the bottom one works
in suitable grooves or guides so as to allow the insertion of the legs
when the plates are apart. The bottom plate is actuated by two cams
fixed on a shaft, so that when the legs are placed in the half holes of the
bottom plate it rises and nips the corners of them. On the same shaft
another cam is fixed of the same width as the steel cutting plates, and
as it revolves against the projecting ends of the legs it forces them
back through the plates, thus rounding any number of the legs
simultaneously.
In using or employing this last described machine for the purpose of
completing the "fire-lighters" herein-before mentioned, the legs before
being brought to the "rounding machine" may be placed upon trays
which have spaces upon them corresponding with the distance of the
holes in the cutting plates, so that one dozen or more may be put into
the machine at one operation.
Figures 1 to 4 shew the machine for chopping firewood or the legs
of the lighters.. Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2 a side view;
and Figures 3 and 4 show the chopping chisel to a large scale. A (in

page_text: Figures 1 and 2) is the frame and foundation plate; B, the 1st motion
driving shaft; C, the second motion shaft; D, the wheel gearing into
the pinion in the first motion; E, the pin for working the connecting
rod F; G, a cross head working in suitable guides fixed to the frame A,
and which carries the chopping tool herein-after described; H is a frame
which carries the rollers for the travelling web, and which is worked by
a ratchet wheel and paul I and J, the latter being worked by means of a
lever and connection from the cross head G, and which advances the
web at each stroke of the machine to the desired thickness at which it is
intended to chop off the slabs of wood. The web is of india-rubber,
canvass, or other suitable material, and it is tightened by means of the
roller K, say by means of side screws in the manner shown. The
frame H also carries in front of the chopping knife a spindle L upon
which a segment M is fixed. This segment is only in action at such
time as the chopping chisel is disengaged, and it is used or employed for
the purpose of preventing the block of wood being moved by the
travelling web too far forward and thereby cutting a thicker slab than is
required. As soon however as the chopping chisel has obtained hold of
the wood it falls below or rises above the centre of the spindle L, and
thus allows the wood chopped to fall freely away and become disengaged
from the chopping chisel. By this arrangement one uniform thickness
of slab is obtained, provided the front face of the block is true and
square, and it is capable of ready adjustment, as will be seen. Figures 3
and 4 show a front view and section of the chopping chisel, which not
only detaches a slab from the block but also separates the said slab into
any number of required parts. In these views A is the body of the
chisel or body of the cutting instrument which is made to any required
width, the shank of which is fixed in the cross head of the chopping
machine above described. On the bevilled face a certain number of
grooves or slots are made about ½ inch thick or thereabouts and
sufficiently deep to hold the cross knives but still having metal enough
in the body of the tool to insure its sufficient strength. Into these
grooves the cross knives B, B, &c., are fitted and are held in their places
in the main chisel by means of the steel pins C and D which traverse
the entire width. There is a slight draught or taper made in the holes
of the knives B, B, &c., to insure their being brought up to the backs
and ends of the grooves or slots in the main chisel. The cutting edges
of these cross knives incline inwards towards the face of the main chisel so
as to hug the wood to it, whilst the bevil faces on the other hand throw

page_text: the wood over. By this means a shearing action is produced upon the
sticks which are consequently more easily split. When the transverse
knives require to be sharpened the steel pins C and D are drawn
back when the cross knives B, B, &c., can be removed, ground, and
replaced.
Figure 5 shews the machine for drilling the heads of the kind or
description of fire-lighters herein-before mentioned, and is an elevational
view, in which A is a frame which carries the drill spindles which are
for the intended purpose, ten in number, but the number of which may
of course be varied. The drill spindles B, B, are inclined at such an
angle as is required for fixing the legs of the fire-lighters in the lighter
heads. The drill spindles have each a pinion C, C, through which they
slide, and they are held in their position by means of the covering
plates D, D. The drill spindles pass through the cross heads E, E,
which give the downward and upward motions to them in the following
manner: The frame A carries two rocking shafts F, F', upon which
two segmental teeth levers G, G, are fitted, so that the segment on F
gears into the one on F. The opposite ends of these levers have
elongated holes, which work on pins in each end of the above named
cross heads E, E; any motion given therefore to either of the rocking
shafts For F¹ will be communicated to the other, and thus produce
simultaneous action of the whole of the drills B, B, &c. Thus the
falling and rising action is obtained in the following manner :—'
-The
lever H is fixed on the rocking shaft F, and is connected by means of a
connecting rod I to the crank pin J fixed on the face of the spur
pinion K, which gears into a similar spur pinion L, which has the
driving pulley M upon it. The pinions work on studs fixed in the
frame A, but they are eccentric, the major axis of one pinion gearing
with the minor axis of the other; by this means a slow descending and
a quick ascending motion is imparted to the drills. For turning the
drills the two pulley wheels N, N¹, are provided, which gear into two
of the pinions on the drill spindle, and impart their rotatory motion to
the whole of the spindles.
The triangular heads of the fire-lighters are placed face to face under
the drills, and ten or any number of holes are bored at the required
angle simultaneously by each stroke and the revolution of the pulley M.
Under the frame A is a swinging frame N, which carries a circular saw
spindle O, upon which are two circular saws P, P¹, placed at such

page_text: distance from each other as it is required to make the fire-lighters heads
in length. On the swinging frame before named is a lever Q, which by
means of a connecting rod R and lever 'S each receives motion from the
rocking shaft F, and so arranged that as the drills are descending through
the lighter heads the circular saws ascend, and thus the heads are drilled
and cut off at the same operation.
The triangular heads are placed in a suitable groove in the bed of the
machine, but in order to prevent the top piece being carried upwards by
the return upward action of the drills I have provided for holding the
wood, till the drill points are clear of it, in the following manner :-A
guard piece T is made to embrace the angle sides of the head, one end of
which works on a pin V fixed on the frame A. Upon the rocking
shaft Fa lever is fixed, which works a connecting rod Y, which has a
long slot at its lower end, and into which slot a pin W fixed to the guard
piece T is inserted. The length of this slot is less than stroke of the drills;
consequently the guard is only lifted from the "lighter heads" after
the drill points are above it, and after which the pin W comes in contact
with the end in the slot, and causes the guard to be lifted off the
wood. The return action of the guard upon the new block or head piece
to be drilled is effected by means of a strong spring or a weight or
weighted lever fixed at one end to the frame A, and bearing the other
end on the guard piece T.
Figure 6 is a front elevation, and Figure 7 an end view of a machine
for rounding the ends of the legs of the fire-lighters herein described.
In this machine A is the main frame; B is the main driving shaft
running in bearings C, C, on the frame A. On the centre portion of
the shaft and between the bearings C, C, is the eccentric cam D, the
smallest diameter being at E, and the largest at F. Grooves are formed
in the aforesaid frame, in which are two cross heads G and H.
The top
The
cross head G is fixed, and can be adjusted by suitable set screws.
bottom cross head H moves up and down in the grooves. To these cross
heads steel plates are fixed having half bevelled holes in each, so that
they are brought together they form perfectly round holes. On the
above named shaft B two cams I and J are fixed. On the periphery
of each of these cams steel rollers K, K, are made to work; these are
held in their places by the levers L, L, which by means of the levers
M, M, and N, N, connect the bottom or movable cross heads H. As
the cams move round they bring the plate of the bottom cross head up

page_text: to the top plate. The sticks to be rounded are placed in between the
plates in the half holes when they are at their widest position, and when
the cam D offers its smallest diameter E in front of the holes into which
the sticks are placed, thus forming a guage for the length of the part to
be rounded down. The cams I and J then commence to bring the
bottom up to the top plate, and nip the corners of the wood, while the
cam D moves round, and by virtue of its increase in diameter it drives
the sticks back through the plates; in doing which the corners of the
sticks are taken off by the cutting edges of the holes, and a perfectly
round end is obtained.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I wish it to be
understood that I make no claim to any of the individual parts of the
machinery herein described, except as to and in respect of the form of the
compound chopping chisel or instrument for chopping firewood or bundle
wood, and legs of the fire-lighters, as herein described, and as shewn
more particularly at Figures 3 and 4, and as applied in Figures 1 and 2.
I also claim the general arrangement and disposition of the parts of
the machinery herein described and set forth for the purpose of producing
fire-lighters, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Pinchbeck, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this First day of November, in the. year of
our Lord 1875.
JOHN PINCHBECK. (L.S.)
Witness,
HENRI SCHINLOS,
Assistant to Mr. W. Smith, C.E.,
Consulting Engineer,
19, Salisbury Street,
Strand,
London, W.C.