Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1887
Specification Accepted, 27th Jan., 1888
We, ANDREW and ROBERT KERR, trading as Robert Kerr & Sons, Glengarnock,
in the County of Ayr, Scotland, Ironfounders and Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this 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 which relates to Wood planing or Moulding Machines, wherein the
wood to be operated upon is fixed on a sliding table and cut by a transverse revolving
knife or knives, has for its object to make said knife or knives vary in the depth of
cut while wood is being operated on, so as automatically to execute irregular or
circular work such as chair top-rails, frames etc. heretofore generally executed by
hand labour.
Part of a Wood Planing Machine with the improvements constituting this
Invention embodied therein is illustrated on the accompanying Drawing; Fig. 1
being a sectional elevation thereof on the line x. y. of Fig. 2, Fig. 2 being a plan of
part thereof. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate details hereinafter described.
The bed and frame a of the machine may be of ordinary construction, the table b
being fitted and slid back and forward automatically thereon by means of a screw, or
rack and pinion (not shown) in any of the usual ways well known to Engineers.
The reciprocating table has slots c into which fit sockets d d', between which is
placed the piece of wood f (represented by long and short dotted lines) to be operated
on, the front sockets d¹ being fitted on screws e by which they may be tightened up.
Side standards connected together at top with bridge frame 9 are rigidly
fixed to the sides of the bed of machine. Between said standards is fitted by means
of dovetail or other joints so as to be capable of being reciprocated vertically therein,
a transverse frame h to which in similar manner is fitted another frame i so as to be
capable again of being slid on and adjusted vertically with respect to frame h by
means of the screw and handwheel k; said screw being fitted into top of frame / and
working in a nut bolted to frame i as shown at Fig. 1. To relieve the strain on
the screw k and facilitate the raising of the frame i on frame h, both said frames are
fitted on top with sockets connected to which is the diagonal lever m which is
fulcrumed in socket on frame so as to balance the weight of frame i by means of a

page_text: sliding weight (not shown) fitted on end m¹. The other end m² of the lever is shaped
as a handle by which the frame i may be raised or lowered on frame h.
The frame i is provided on each side with a journal box n' in which revolves a
transverse barn fitted with knives similar in manner to those of analagous revolving
wood cutters. To each inner side of the frame n is bolted a bar or foot r shown
clearly at Fig. 1 and indicated dotted on Fig. 2. These two feet r rest on and are
raised, and consequently also the frame i along with them, by a templates sliding
beneath them fixed on the table, the frame lowering by gravity. It is obvious that
the vertical movement of the frame h carrying with it the frame i and knives n can
be varied with respect to the reciprocating table according to the configuration of the
guiding surface of the template, one convex shape of which is shown in elevation at Fig. 3,
of which Fig. 4 is a plan. The said templates are angled and have holes therein as
indicated so as to be easily bolted to table. The sliding surface s¹ of the template
should correspond in configuration to that desired to be executed on or in the wood.
The bar n is revolved by the pulley o driven by a band from larger pulley p which
again is driven by small pulley p¹ from a counter shaft or otherwise. The pulleys pp¹
and standards carrying them are arranged so as to be clear of table.
The Machine operates as follows. The pieces of wood or other material to be
operated on being fixed on the top of table between sockets d d' in a line with the
templates, the frame i is adjusted to the proper height on frame h so that the revolving
knives shall begin to cut at the desired level, the table o makes a back stroke during
which the revolving knife cuts the wood according as said knife is raised by the
templates sliding under and lifting the frame h. The wood is thus cut or surfaced
on one side of same configuration as template during the back stroke of table from
which it is taken off by hand and replaced by a fresh piece before the next back
stroke.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of tny said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is―
1st. The improvements in woodworking machinery substantially as herein described
and shown.
2nd. In Wood working Machinery, the combination with a sliding table of a
transverse revolving knife or knives mounted on a rising and falling frame worked
by templates fixed on table, substantially as and for the purpose described and
shown.
3rd. Raising the knife or knives while revolving by means of templates fitted on
table substantially as and for the purpose de-cribed and shown.
Dated this 14th day of November 1887.