IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING WOOD FOR BOAT-BUILDING AND OTHER USES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nathan Thompson, of Abbey Garden, St. John's
Wood, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING WOOD FOR BOAT-BUILDING AND OTHER USES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nathan Thompson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition on the 11th
February 1861.
I, NATHAN THOMPSON, of Abbey Garden, St. John's Wood, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING WOOD FOR BOAT-BUILDING AND OTHER USES," to be
as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for preparing
wood for boat-building and other uses, and consists, first, in improvements in
sawing machinery, wherein the bed or apparatus which carries the wood to be
cut is arranged in such manner that the wood is so caused to approach a
circular saw that the saw may be caused to cut the wood in a straight or
inclined direction, or to make such cuts alternately, as may be required; for
instance, when cutting timber to form ribs for boats it is necessary to cut the
timber in such forms that the ribs may taper from the keel portions upwards;
and in order that various thicknesses of timber may be placed in the machine
at different times to be operated on by the saw there is an adjustable "fence,"
Price 8d.1

page_text: against which the timber to be cut lies, this fence carries three or other suit-
able number of dogs for holding the timber. The two end outermost dogs are
arranged to travel lengthwise of the table. The central dog or dogs are
capable of transverse movement, by means of which such portions of. the
timber carried thereby are caused to approach nearer to or recede from the
line of the saw, according to the extent of taper or inclination required to
be given to the rib longitudinally. In addition to the table and fence moving
longitudinally towards the saw, the table and frame is arranged to turn on
centres or axes, so that the timber may be presented to the saw in an inclined
position, which is necessary when cutting timber into ribs when such timber
has been bent into form. This last-mentioned movement is given to the table
and fence by means of a lever handle fixed to an axis having thereon pinions
taking into racks carried by the hinder portions of the bed frame. In order
to give only the amount of inclination required to the bed and fence there is a
toothed segment with ratchet teeth and an adjustable stop against which the
lever handle on the axis of the pinions before referred to comes. Suitable
provision is made for moving the table and fence towards and from the saw
without inclining or leaving the vertical position. As soon as the cut has
been effected, and the timber has passed the saw, the motion is caused to be
changed by a suitable clutch or apparatus, and the return movement of the
table, the fence, and the timber is caused to take place whatever be the length
of the timber which for the time being is in the machine.
Another arrangement, when sawing bent tapering timber into ribs for boat-
building, consists of a table or bench and a circular saw arranged for cutting
them with parallel sides, for which purpose on the table or bench are two
fences, one on one side of the saw rising to a height suitable for having pressed
against it the one edge of the bent timber, the other fence having its edge in
a line with the edge of the saw. The first-mentioned fence is capable of being
adjusted to and from the same, and according to the form of rib desired to be
cut, by which arrangement, as the bent timber is moved to and past the saw,
the rib or piece cut off will pass on one side of the edge of the second-men-
tioned fence, and the bent timber from which the rib is cut will pass on the
other side of such fence.
The second part of the Invention consists of improvements applicable when
building boats upon the assembling form described in the Specification of a
Patent granted to G. T. Bousfield, dated 16th June, 1858 (No. 1359). I,
according to the present Invention, build a boat with diagonal planking or
sheathing (either with or without longitudinal ribs, as may be desirable), by
first steaming and bending the one set of planking on the assembling form;

page_text: the joints of each one of said diagonal pieces are fitted in the first instance
perfectly by hand, they are afterwards taken off the form and re-steamed
and straightened, they are then in a condition to become patterns for any
number of boats required of this pattern, and by having said pattern it will
greatly facilitate the construction of diagonal boats; or a suitable form may be
made so that each plank will be caused to assume and be in a condition to
retain its form before being placed in its position on the assembling form, and
to admit of such bent planks being attached either to longitudinal ribs or to
the gunwale and keel; and I also build clinker-built boats on the assembling
form by lapping the edges of the streaks one over the other, the ribs in such
case being recessed or cut with steps to receive the several streaks, or the
streaks may be fixed without such recesses. In cutting timber into suitable
forms for the stems and stern-posts an apparatus or machine is used consisting
of a circular saw table so arranged with a fence that by reason of the surface
of the fence inclining to the saw, according to the extent of bevil desired, the
piece of timber to form a stem or stern-post is fed in towards the saw whilst it
is held firmly against the fence: and when the cut is made there is an adjustable
piece, which is made to slide on the fence already mentioned, which presents a
face at an opposite angle to the previous face, and the piece of timber which
has had one side cut is then again fed up to and cut by the circular saw, and
is cut thereby on the other side to an opposite angle. When forming transom
thwart knees and breast hooks a pattern or form is used, and is fixed on the
piece o timber, and I pass the edges of the piece of timber against revolving
cutters (either saws or plain cutters) until such of the projecting parts of the
piece of timber which extend beyond the pattern or form have been cut away
and the edges have received the bevil desired. In order to cut the ribs used
when constructing clinker-built boats with steps or recesses for receiving the
edges of the planks or streaks I cause the ribs to be acted upon by circular
cutters; and in order that the inclines or steps, as they vary, may be correctly
produced or cut, I employ two fences or guides, one fixed and the other
moveable, the moveable one extending beyond the fixed one. The ribs to be
recessed or cut with steps are placed across these two fences and there held,
and whilst so held they are acted on by revolving cutters and the various
inclines are produced by bringing the moveable fence nearer to or removing it
further from the fixed fence.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Nathan Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
August 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, NATHAN
THOMPSON, of Abbey Garden, St. John's Wood, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Nathan Thompson, Her special licence that I, the said Nathan
Thompson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Nathan Thompson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully 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 PREPARING WOOD FOR BOAT-BUILDING AND OTHER USES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Nathan Thompson, 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 Nathan Thompson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
The first part of this Invention consists of an improved sawing machine;
the said machine has a bed so arranged that it may be made to traverse past
the saw with the timber fixed upon a table carried by in such manner that
the saw may be made to effect either a straight cut or a tapering cut, or
alternately the one and the other, as may be required, as for instance, for
cutting out timber to form ribs for boats, in which case it is necessary to make
them taper gradually from the keel portions upwards. And in order that
various thicknesses of timber may be placed in the machine to be operated
upon by the saw, the "fence" mounted on the table, and against which the
timber to be cut lies is made adjustable. This fence carries three or other

page_text: suitable number of "dogs" for holding the timber. The two end dogs, or
those at either extremity of the bed are arranged to travel lengthwise, so as to
be capable of taking and holding between them a greater or lesser length of
timber, while the central dog has not this movement. All the dogs are capable
of being moved in a transverse direction, in order that the ends of the timber
carried by them respectively may, as required, be caused to approach nearer
to or recede from the line of the saw according to the extent of taper required
to be given to the timber or rib longitudinally.
In addition to the movements just described, the table and bed are connected
together by hinges or centres, so that the timber may, when required, be pre-
sented to the action of the saw in an inclined position. This last-mentioned
movement to the table is given by means of a lever handle fixed to an axis
carried by the bed and having thereon pinions taking into racks carried by the
hinder portions of the table.
In order to secure the table in any required position, there is a toothed
segment with ratchet teeth and an adjustible stop, against which the lever
handle on the axis of the pinions just referred to rests. Suitable mechanism
is also applied to move the fence, and also the timber carried thereby forwards
towards the saw or away from it without altering the inclination of the table.
The saw employed is of a circular form, and the timber to be cut is carried
past it as already described. As soon as a cut is made and the timber has
entirely passed the saw, a change of motion caused by a suitable clutch is
given, and the return movement of the bed table and fence with the timber is
caused to take place, and thus the machine is equally applicable for operating
on short timber or long lengths.
Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawing shows a machine arranged in this manner.
Figure 1 is a plan; Figure 2 a back view; and Figure 3 a transverse section
of the same; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, show separate views of some of the
parts.
a, a, is a strong framing firmly fixed to the flooring of the building; b, b, is
the bed which travels longitudinally on the frame a, a, it is mounted on rollers
or wheels b', b', which travel on rails or guides a', a', fixed upon the upper
side of the frame a, a. There is also another frame or table c, c, the front
part of which is hinged at c to the front bar of the bed b, b, in such manner
that by means of a lever handle F the hinder portion thereof may be raised or
lowered; the lever handle F is mounted on the shaft or axis F' carried in
bearings on the bed b; there are toothed racks F', and stop F, to retain
the handle in any desired position, the axis F has on it toothed segments F³,
aking into curved racks F, by means of which the frame c, c, is moved (see

page_text: Figures 6 and 7). The front and back bars of the table c have fixed on them
the iron rails c, on which the timber to be cut is laid. The fence i, i, is
arranged to travel transversely on the table in guides c¹, c', carried by the
table c, c. Upon this fence i. i, are suitable "dogs" or instruments to hold
the wood firmly while the sawing takes place. The central dog d is capable
of moving transversely, and the end dogs e, e, move both transversely and
lengthwise of the machine, the latter to accommodate different lengths of
timber when only one long length of timber is required to be cut, the central
dog may be moved back out of the way, and the two end dogs e, e, only be
brought forward to hold the two extreme ends of the timber. But when two
shorter pieces of timber have to be cut, then the end dogs e, e, will hold the
cuter ends of each piece, whilst the central dog d will hold the inner ends of
both the central dog d being made double or with two. faces or sets of
holding points. Each of the dogs e is attached to two long toothed racks e', e',
and there are pinions e, e, mounted on axes e³, e³, taking into the several
racks e, c. The axes e, e', work in suitable bearings in the fence i, i, and
motion is given thereto when requisite by means of the hand wheels e, e,
which have pinions on their axes gearing with pinions on the axes e³. Thus it
will readily be seen on examining Figure 2, how by means of this apparatus,
the endway movement is given to the dogs e, c, the transverse movement of
the dogs e, e, to set the timber at the required inclination to the saw is given
by means of the crank handles f. f, on the small vertical axes f. f. on which
are pinions . f, which take into the teeth formed on the hinder portions or
stems of the dogs e, e. Movement is given to the central dog d by means of
the handle on the axis g'. on which is a pinion g* shown in dotted lines in
Figure 1 in the Drawing, which takes into teeth formed in the hinder portion
or stem of the dog d. The saw frame A, A, is fixed in front of the frame a, a.
The saw is mounted on the main driving shaft or axis A', and is driven by
a band actuated by the steam engine or other prime mover, and passing over
n pulley A on the same shaft is another smaller pulley A³, which by a
band Aives motion to a pulley A on the axis A°; on the axis A is also
another Iley A. which by a band A gives motion to a pulley A mounted
loosely on the shaft or axis C. On the saw shaft is also another driving
pulley B, from which a band B' gives motion to a pulley B on the shaft or
axis C; on this axis is a conical drum or pulley C¹ with a band C, by which
it communicates motion to another conical drum C on the axis C', on which
axis is also a pinion C, taking into and driving a toothed wheel C mounted
loosely on the shaft or axis C7; on this axis C7 is another pinion C, which
drives the rack 62, 62 and the frame b to which it is connected. The connection

page_text: between the rack b and the bed b is made in such a manner that the bed can
travel a few inches independently of the rack to lessen the strain on the parts
in reversing; D is a clutch for locking the toothed wheel C or the pulley A,
to the axis C when required. Thus it will be seen that the shaft C is
stationary, unless the clutch D is engaged either with the clutch of the toothed
wheel C, or that of the pulley A°. The toothed wheel C is clutched during
such time as the cutting is taking place, and as soon as the cut has been made,
a stop (herein-after described) causes the clutch D to disengage from it when
it will revolve loosely on its axis. The pulley A' is loose upon its axis
excepting at such time as the return of the frame is iaking place after a cut
has been made, and then the clutch D is engaged with a corresponding clutch
formed on the side of the drum or pulley A°; E is a spring attached at one
end to the framing a, a, and at its other by a link E¹ to the arm E of the bell-
crank lever E³; at E' it is formed into a fork and enters a groove in the
clutch D. The spring E tends at all times to pull in the direction indicated
by the arrow marked upon it in Figure 1, which would cause the clutch D to
engage with the pulley A" and revolve with it. Extending along the entire
length, or nearly so, of the front of the frame is a notched plate j (sec
Figure 8) and into any of the notches may be placed the stops k, l. The
stop k is for the purpose of placing the clutch D in a central position in relation
to the wheel C, and the drum or pulley A³. The other stop is for the
purpose of causing the reverse action or return of the frame b, b, and parts
carried thereby after a cut has been made, and acts as follows:-As soon as
of the lever F, causes it to
the cut is made the stop comes against the end
move on its centre P, carried by the framing a, and release the lever arm E²
from the catch on the further end of the lever P, the lever with its catch
and the lever arm, having up to this time occupied the position shown in
Figure 9; the spring E will then engage the clutch D with the drum or
pulley A, and then the return of the frame b, b, and parts carried thereby
takes place until the stop by coming against and acting upon the catch k',
moves it on its centre carried by the framing a, causing its end to push the
pin k on the slide which is thus moved, the slide has a notch ko, in which
the end of the lever arm E constantly lies, and when the slide is thus moved,
it carries with it the lever arm E3 and sets the clutch. D-in a central position,
the spring E being overcome; thus the motion of the carriage is stopped, the
momentum of the bed b will carry it on a few inches, but the clutch D is still
kept in a central position, the catch k' passing along the under side of the stop k,
which is straight, the bed is prevented overrunning by the projection
stop coming against a projection on the buffer spring p.
on the

page_text: When the apparatus has been set ready for a fresh cut to be made, and all
is ready to commence, the lever handle m is moved and it being connected
with the slide by the connecting link n, the end of the lever E³ is moved
so as to cause the clutch D to engage with the toothed wheel Cº, and the
feeding goes on as before; as the lever E3 is thus moved it passes the catch ',
and this being weighted, falls over it so as to retain it when the handle m is
released.
The stops and I will act again at the proper time, they being shifted to
different notches in their plate ; according to the length of the piece of
timber to he sawn; o is a lever which, by acting on other parts not shown in
the Drawing at the end of each cut, sets the timber a short distance back
away from the saw so that the face of it may not be scratched by the teeth of
the saw during the return motion. This arrangement is common-in sawing.
The
machines; hence it is not necessary that it should be here described.
lever o is actuated by a projection on one of the moveable stops; it is also
capable of being worked by a treddle.
Another part of my Invention relates to machinery for sawing bent tapering
timber into ribs for boat-building, for which purpose I employ a machine such
as is shewn in Sheet 2 of the Drawings. Figure 1 is a plan, and Figure 2 a
side view of the same. The machine consists of a table or bench A and a
circular saw B arranged for cutting ribs with parallel sides from timber
bent to the curve of the ribs to be produced. On the table or bench two fences
are mounted, one C on one side of the saw, rising to a height suitable for
having pressed against it the one edge of the bent timber, the other fence D
having its edge in a line with the edge of the saw. The first-mentioned
fence C is capable of being adjusted to and from the saw, and according to
the form of the rib desired to be cut, the fence C, as shewn in the Drawings, is
made in two parts, the one adjustable by a rack and pinion as shewn, and
which is in fact an ordinary circular saw fence, and the other or larger part
rests against the first, and is also supported at the ends by struts C' from the
table. The timber to be cut into ribs is brought to the machine after it has
been bent to the form required, as is shown at E; to produce ribs, it is
required to cut parallel slices from this timber, but these slices have to be cut
In
at an inclination to the surface of the timber not at right angles to it..
making the first cut, a piece has to be removed of a certain width at each end,
and running to nothing in the centre. The object of the fence D is to aid in
making this first cut; the timber is marked at the point at which it is desired
that the saw should enter, and this point is presented to the saw, the centre
of the timber where the saw is required to run out being kept off from the

page_text: fence C by the distance between this fence and the saw by a gauge piece
which the workman holds in his hand; thus a cut is made until the timber
reaches the fence D, which enters the cut, and then guides the timber until
the saw runs out at the other end of the timber. For the subsequent cuts,
the timber has simply to be pressed against the fence C, and the fence D is
useless; it need not, however, be removed. The upper surface of the table is
hinged to the frame thereof, so that its height may be adjusted according to
the thickness of the timber.
Another part of the Invention consists of improvements applicable when
building boats with diagonal planking or sheathing upon the assembling form
described in the Specification of a Patent granted to George Tomlinson
Bousfield, dated 16th June 1858, No. 1359, or the improvements thereon
described in the Specification of the Patent granted to me, and dated 13th
October 1860, No. 2209.
When several boats are to be produced, I make patterns for the various
pieces of the diagonal sheathing in the following manner:-I proceed as if
building a boat by first steaming and bending the under set of planking on
the assembling form, the joints of each one of said diagonal pieces being fitted
in the first instance perfectly by hand; afterwards the upper set of sheathing
is fitted in a similar manner. The pieces are then taken off the form and
re-steamed and straightened; they are then in a condition to become patterns
for any number of boats required of that pattern, and the use of such patterns
will greatly facilitate the construction of boats with diagonal planking. In
producing the diagonal sheathing for a boat, it will only be necessary to cut
the several pieces of sheathing to form according to the patterns, to steam
them, and bend them on the assembling form. When this is done they may
at once be fixed the one to the other, and to the ribs, or to the gunwale and
keel.
Another part of the Invention relates to machinery for cutting timber into
suitable forms. For the stems and stern posts an apparatus or machine,
shewn in Sheet 3 of the annexed Drawings, is used for this purpose; it con-
sists of a circular saw C and a table A. having an inclined fence B; the piece
of timber D to form a stem or stern post is fed in towards the saw, whilst it is
held firmly against the fence B. Thus the piece of timber is cut to the
required bevil on one side; afterwards, in order to cut the other side, there is
an adjusting picce E (shewn separately in Figure 2) which is made to slide
on the fence B already mentioned, which then presents a face inclined at an
opposite angle to the face previously employed, and the piece of timber which

page_text: has had one side cut is then again placed against the fence, and fed up to and
cut by the circular saw on the other side to an opposite angle.
Another part of the Invention relates to clinker-built boats. which in some
cases I build on the assembling form; I lap the edges of the streaks one over
the other. and cut recesses or steps in the ribs to receive the streaks. In
order to cut these steps or recesses for receiving the edges of the planks or
streaks, I cause the ribs to be acted upon by circular cutters A, as shewn in
Sheet 4 of the annexed Drawings, Figure being a plan and Figure 2 a
section of the machine. And in order that the inclines or steps which vary
in form may be correctly produced or cut, employ two guides C, D, of which
the former is moveable to and from the latter. E is a frame resting on the
guides C and D, and which may be set at any required inclination by tra-
versing the guide C. The rib F to be recessed or cut with steps is placed on
the frame E against the straightedge E', and there held by the lever G,
and whilst so held it is (together with the frame E) passed over the revolving
cutters A The upper edge of the guide D enters a groove in the under side
of the frame E, and prevents it travelling laterally. The various inclines of
the different steps are produced by bringing the moveable fence C nearer to
or removing it further from the fixed fence D, and by altering the inclination
of the straightedge E', clinker-built boats may be constructed, if desired,
without cutting such inclines or steps in the ribs.
In witness whereof, I, the said Nathan Thompson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
NATHAN THOMPSON. (L.S.)