Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 9th July, 1892

page_text: by suitable brackets and carrying at one end a bevil wheel 17 meshing into a
wheel 18 fast on the top of a vertical shaft 19 guided by suitable bearings in a
column 23 which rests on suitable foundations.
It will now be understood that by imparting rotary motion to the vertical
shaft 19 through a driving mechanism to be hereinafter described, an upward or a
downward sliding motion will be given to the two cross-frames 9, 9* carrying the
two blade pullies 6, 6, through the intervention of the following instrumentalities,
miz. shaft 19, wheels 18, 17, shaft 16, worms 15, 15, worm wheels 14, 14, cross-
shafts 13, 13, wheels 12, 12, 12, 12 & 11, 11, 11, 11 and screwed spindles 10, 10,
10, 10. The connection between the screwed spindles 10 and the cross-pieces 9, 9*
is obtained, as already stated, by nuts, not shown, see Fig. 2.
I will now describe the driving mechanism which imparts rotary motion to the
shaft 19 either in the one or in the other direction, according to whether the
blade-carrying pullies 6, 6* require to be moved upwardly or downwardly. It
is to be understood that both these movements of the pullies have to take place at
different speeds; the upward motion which brings the pullies back to their topmost
position, after a stone has been cut or sawn, should take place as quickly as possible
because while the pullies are moving upwardly, no sawing is effected and con-
sequently it is a loss of time for the machine, whilst the downward motion during
which the sawing action takes place, should not only be effected slowly but should
also be capable of being regulated according to the degree of hardness of the stone
or other substance being operated upon. The said driving mechanism is so
devised that it will answer these two purposes; it is shown in Fig. 1 & 3, and on a
larger scale in Fig. 5, 6, 7, & 8.
The said mechanism has three belt pullies, of which 20 is the loose pulley,
which imparts no motion, and 21 the driving pulley for the upward motion of the
blade carrying pullies 6, 6", whilst 22 is the driving pulley for the downward
motion of the same. The driving pulley 21 is integral with a gear 24 and both
are loose on a shaft 25; the gear 24 engages with a gear 26 loose on a shaft 27
and meshing into a gear 28. The gear comprises a clutch which causes the gear
to carry the shaft 29 along with it, but which enables the gear to run loose on the
said shaft, as will be hereinafter explained. The shaft 29 carries a sleeve 30 formed
integral with a bevil pinion 31 which meshes into a bevil wheel 32 keyed on the
bottom of the aforementioned vertical shaft 19 passing through the column 20
shown fully in Fig. 1 and broken off in Fig. 6.
On the other hand, the second driving pulley 22 is integral with a pinion 33
and both are loose on the shaft 25; the pinion 33 operates a gear 34 which,
together with a pinion 35 are fast on a shaft 36. The pinion 35 operates a
gear 37 which is integral with a friction cone 38 and both are loose on the
shaft 25. The cone 38 transmits its motion to another cone 39 through an
intermediate friction roller 40, as will be hereinafter explained; the motion
received by the cone 39 is transferred to a gear 41 integral therewith, both being
loose on the shaft 27. The gear 41 meshes into a gear 42 which is loose on
the shaft 29 but which can be firmly connected thereto by means of a clutch
similar to the one provided in the gear 28. The clutch is shown in front view
in Fig, 7, (which is a section on the line d, d, of Fig. 5) and is known in France
under the inventor's name, a Mr. Dobo. It is composed substantially of a series
of arms 43 pivotted upon pins 44 fitted in a couple of flanges 45, 45 formed upon
the sleeve 30; the outer edge of the arms corresponds to an arc of a circle struck
from an axis which is intermediate between the center line of the shaft 29 and the
pin 44. It will be understood that when the gear 42 rotates in the direction of
the arrow 46, the arms 43 will be solicited, under the friction created, to follow
the motion of the gear and will grip the same and carry the sleeve 30 along
with them, whilst if the gear 42 rotates in an opposite direction, no gripping
action can take place, the arms 43 tending merely to be pressed against their
springs 47.
The motion of one cone 38 to the other 39 is imparted through the friction

page_text: roller 40, as already explained, the speed of such motion can be regulated at will,
according to the nature of stone being operated upon by moving the roller 40 in
one or the other direction. The roller is therefore fitted in a bearing 48 which
can receive a sliding motion in suitable guideways 49, 49 by means of a screwed
spindle 50 passing through a nut 51 integral with the bearing 48 and suitably
fitted in supports 52, 52. One end of the spindle has fast on it a chain
wheel 53 operated by a chain 54 from a chain wheel 55, and a hand-wheel 56
suitably fitted in a standard 57 and provided with a handle 58. If desired.
the spindle 50 might be operated directly by a crank or hand-wheel applied
thereto, but it is preferable to employ the operating mechanism shown and
illustrated. In order to create the necessary friction between the roller 40 and the
cones 38, 39, the axis 59 of the roller is subjected to the action of one or more
springs 60, capable of being compressed by a screw 61, and a washer 62. Fig. 7
is a section on the line d, d Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the friction
roller & accessories.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that the belt pulley 21 will
produce a rapid motion of the vertical shaft 19 at a constant speed to be determined
when devising the machine, whilst the belt pulley 22 will impart to the said shaft
a motion the speed of which can be regulated at will by displacing the friction
roller 40. And it will also be seen that the train of gears 24, 26, 28 remain
stationary owing to the described clutch, while the gearing, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39,
40, 41, 42, 31 is in motion and vice versa.
I will now describe the driving thechanism which imparts rotary motion to the
pullies 6, 6ª carrying the blade. The condition which the arrangement of parts
has to fulfil is to impart rotary motion in a continuous and regular manner, whatever
be the height at which the pullies are placed, and whatever may be the speed
at which they are moving downwardly during the sawing operation. As
already explained, the blade pulley 6* is loose on its axis and is impelled by
the other blade-pulley 6 which receives a positive motion from the said driving
mechanism.
In the cross-frame 9 Fig. 1 is an opening through which passes a bush 63 in
such a manner that it can rotate freely and find its bearing in the said frame; the
top of the bush has a shoulder 64 which bears upon the upper face of the cross-
frame and the bottom of the bush is reduced in diameter for receiving the blade-
pulley 6 which is made fast by a key or by means of a nut or nuts 65 or otherwise.
Through the bush 63 passes a vertical shaft 66 the top end of which is guided by a
bracket 67 and the bottom end of which rests in a foot-step 68. The shaft 66 and
bush 63 are connected together by means of a feather and key or otherwise, not
shown, in such a manner that the shaft 66 carries the bush 63 along in its rotary
motion, whilst at the same time, the bush can move upwardly, or downwardly and
yet participate in the rotary motion. The lower portion of the shaft 66 passes
through another bush 69 which is suitably supported by brackets 70, 70, and which
is likewise connected to the said shaft 66 by a feather and key or otherwise. The
bush carries a bevil-wheel 71 into which engages a bevil pinion 72 fast on a
shaft 73 suitably mounted in bearing 74, 74; the shaft 73 carries a belt pulley 75
and a friction clutch 76 so that by operating the latter the belt-pulley 75 which is
loose on the shaft will gradually turn the clutch and impart its rotary motion to
the blade pulley 6 through the intervention of the following instrumentalities :
shaft 73, bevil wheels 72, 71, bush 69, shaft 66, and bush 63. The shaft 66 is in a
vertical plane passing through the horizontal fore and aft shaft, 16, Fig. 1 & 4
and consequently it could not be raised, as the shaft 16 would be in the way. To
enable the upward movement of the said shaft 66 to take place however without
any hindrance,, I form an opening in the shaft 16, which opening is clearly shown
in Fig. 4 and is round or square and of such a size as to permit the passage of the
said shaft 66 with ease.
I will now state that the blade 7 should preferably be guided while travelling.
For this purpose any suitable mechanical contrivance might be used; by way of

page_text: example, I have shown an adjustable guiding device composed substantially of
four guides 77, 77, 77, 77 attached to rods 78, 78, 78, 78, which pass through
tubes 79, 79, 79, 79, suitably secured to the cross-frames 9, 9. By pulling the
guides out more or less, they can be placed in a suitable position for steadying
the blade after which they can be set by means of set screws not shown or
otherwise.
The stone or other substance 80 (there may be two, see Fig. 2) to be sawn is
placed upon a truck which may run on rails.
I will now describe the contrivance by means of which the shaft 66 carrying the
blade pulley 6 can be raised, for the purpose of passing the blade 7 thereunder, in
order that it may be placed around both pullies 6, 6. It will of course be easily
understood that when the shaft 66 occupies its normal position, it is impossible to
place the blade around the said pullies. The shaft is therefore rendered movable
endwise in order that it may be raised above ground at a sufficient height for
enabling the operator to pass the blade 7 under the lower end of the said shaft.
After this operation, which only takes place very rarely, and the duration of which
is very short, the shaft 66 is replaced in its first position. The contrivance is
substantially composed of a pair of arms 81, 81 which are applied around the
shaft 66 and are fixed thereto, at the chosen place, by means of bolts, screws or
otherwise. Each of the said arms terminates in an eye in which engages a hook 82
attached to the end of a cord, chain or wire rope 83 secured, at its other end, to a
pulley 84. Both pullies 84, 84 are loose upon the herein before described horizontal
shaft 13 (dependent of the mechanism for effecting the upward or the downward
movement of the blade pullies 6, 6") and are cach integral with a gear 85 in which
engages another gear 86 secured upon a parallel shaft 87, suitably mounted in
bearings 88, 88. The latter shaft 87 carries a worm wheel 89 operated by a
worm 100 secured upon a vertical spindle 101, the lower end of which is provided
with a hand-wheel 102 Fig. 2 & 4. The operation will be easily understood.
Rotary motion being imparted to the hand wheel 102, the shaft 66 will be raised
through the intervention of the wheels 86, 86, 85, 85, 84, 84, wire ropes 83, 83,
and arms 81, 81 connected to the said shaft. The operator then passes the blade 7
under the shaft, after which the latter is again set in place. The upper part of
the shaft is provided with a collar 103 which requires to be loosened before
causing the shaft to be raised, and then to be tightened by means of a set screw,
not shown, when once the shaft is replaced, in order to secure the latter in position.
The upper end of the shaft 66 is guided while the blade 7 is in a low position,
by the bearing 67 attached to the cross-frame 5, Fig. 1, 2.
It is however to be understood that the aforementioned contrivance has only been
illustrated as an example and that the operation of raising and lowering the
shaft 66 might be effected by equivalent mechanical means. If desired, the whole
contrivance might be done away with and in its stead, I might employ an ordinary
pulley-block suspended at a suitable height, the chain of the pulley block being
attached to a hook fixed at the top of the said shaft 66.
It is very important and even indispensable that the operator may be able to
ascertain at all times the degree of tension given to the blade around the
puilies 6, 6ª, for were this not the case, serious damage might happen to the blade
owing to an excess of tightening. For this purpose, I have devised a contrivance
which is provided with an indicator, so that the operator need simply consult the
indicator while he is tightening the blade and thus know when the required
tension has been reached and should not be exceeded without danger to the blade.
Fig. 9, 10, 11 & 12 show on a larger scale two alternate arrangements for
accomplishing this result.
Fig. 9 is an elevation in section on the line e, e Fig. 10 and Fig. 10 is a top view
of Fig. 9. 7 is the blade, 6* the blade pulley and 9 is the cross-frame moving
upward or downward and referred to in Fig. 1, 2 & 3. 8 is the axis for the
blade pulley; the saine is fitted to a slide 104 capable of moving in guide-
ways 105 in a frame 106, sec also Fig. 3. The franie 106 is integral with the

page_text: cross-piece or cross frame 9*. Through the slide 104 passes a screw-threaded
spindle 107 fitted in lugs 108, 109 and provided at one end with a worm wheel 110
operated by a worm 111 fast on an axis 112 to which rotary motion can be
imparted by a hand wheel 113. The two lugs 108, 109 are integral with the
frame 106. The free end of the spindle 107 butts against a mechanical contrivance
the purpose of which is to absorb by leverage the power or pressure exerted, with a
view of indicating that power on an indicator 114, by means of an index 115. The
said device is composed of a pressing piece 116 fitted to slide in the lug 108 and
provided with a flat spring 117 clamped therein in any suitable manner; the
opposite edge of the spring is clamped in the lower portion of a lever 118, by means
of a wedge 119 or otherwise. A similar spring 120 is again wedged in the same
lever 118 and is clamped by a jaw 121 which is integral with the lug 108 and
consequently with the frame 106. Through the top of the lever 118 passes a
horizontal rod 122 with easy play; the top of the lever has a couple of other
flat springs 123, 123, which are wedged in or embedded firmly by means of
a cap 124. The springs 123, 123, of which one on each side of the spindle 122
are likewise wedged in a collar 125 loose on the rod 122 and pressed against one or
more nuts 126. The opposite end of the spindle has a head 127 and between the
latter and the cross-piece 9ª are interposed one or more so-called Belleville
washers 128 acting as springs or buffers. The spindle is screwthreaded and
provided with a collar 129 which can be adjusted and set by means of nuts.
collar 129 is connected to a belt or band 130 which winds upon the arbor 131 of
the index 115.
The
The device, which I term a dynamometric apparatus, is shown in the drawings
in its position of rest or ready to be operated, that is to say, the blade 7 is not
tightened, but is slack around the blade pullies 6, 6*. The operation will be
easily understood. Rotary motion is imparted to the hand-wheel 113 for causing
the slide 104 to move in the direction of the arrow as long as the blade 7 remains
slack, the slide will continue advancing and the spindle 107 will continue to
revolve in the same plane, but as soon as the blade begins to become tight, the
carriage will gradually leave off advancing and at the same time the spindle will
tend to move in an opposite direction to that of the arrow, sufficient play being
allowed for that purpose, in the lug 109.
Now if the operation be continued, the spindle 107 will exert a pressure against
the pressing piece 116 and such pressure will cause the lever 118 to move and
press the spindle 122 towards the left, against the action of the Belleville
springs 128. As the spindle 122 moves, it acts upon the band or belt 130 and
operates the arbor 131 of the index 115. When a predetermined mark has been
reached by the index on the indicator, the operator knows that the tightening
operation of the blade has been conducted as far as safety will permit. I may
add that the arbor 131 of the index 115 is provided with a coiled spring for
bringing the index back to zero, when the operator slackens the blade again, after a
day's work; any other device might however be employed for bringing the index
back to zero.
Fig. 11 & 12 show a modification of the dynamometric apparatus illustrated in
Fig. 9 & 10. In this modification, the screwed spindle 107 acts directly against
the Belleville springs 128 which are slipped over a guide 132, which is integral
with a head 133 and is fitted in a bearing 134 cast with or forming part of the
frame 106. The end of the guide 132 carries a roller 135 over which passes
the band 130, one end of which is attached to the bearing 134 and the other to the
arbor 131 of the index 115. The remaining parts are the same. The operation
will be easily understood without further definition.
The cutting blade proper may be any suitable blade capable of answering the
purpose of cutting or sawing stone, I however prefer employing a blade in which
are formed sockets for receiving specially devised diamond-bits.
Broadly speaking, the improvement has mainly for. its object to provide a cutter

page_text: blade in which the cutters can be set or removed with economy and rapidity, while
at the same time offering the advantage of providing an absolutely firm connection
between the cutter and the blade, whereby danger of the cutters becoming loose
is obviated.
Fig. 13 & 14 show a portion of a blade provided with a diamond-holder set in
accordance with my improvements. The blade can either be for a circular saw, a
straight saw or an endless band saw. 137 is the diamond-holder in which diamonds 138
are set or embedded in any usual or known way. The diamond-holder 137 is formed
to any desired or suitable shape, but it has preferably a circular portion shown in
dotted lines in Fig. 13, which is received in a corresponding hole or socket formed
in the blade 136 while the remainder of the holder extends downward and projects
slightly below the lower edge of the blade, as shown. Over the circular portion of
the holder and on each side thereof is placed a disk 139; the two disks 139 are
united with the holder 137 by means of a rivet or screw 140.
Fig. 15 is a modification of the foregoing arrangement in which the disks 139
are flush with the blade 136 instead of projecting therefrom.
Fig. 16, 17 & 18 show a further modification, in which the holder differs as to
shape. The holder 137 is somewhat narrower at the bottom than at the top and
the opening or socket in the blade 136 is of such a shape as to easily receive the
holder as shown in Fig. 16 The holder, after being placed into the position
shown in that figure, is pushed downward until it projects somewhat below the
lower edge of the blade, as shown in Fig. 17. The gap above the holder is then
filled by means of a metal filling 141 which completely fills up the socket. The
two inclined edges of the holder 137 as well as the two inclined walls of the
socket in the blade are suitably dovetailed and grooved respectively, to provide for
guiding the holder and for firmly holding the same in the socket. The metal
filling can be made of a metal which is more or less plastic at a high temperature;
the filling 141 affects the shape of a block which is highly heated and then placed
into position, after which it is hammered, pressed or otherwise driven into and
around the socket until it assumes the shape shown in Fig. 17 & 18.
Fig. 19, 20 & 21 show a further modification in which the holder 137 is about
square at its main or inner portion, & has a wing or lug 142, the rounded portion
of which is chamfered and engages the blade 136. The connection is obtained by
a rivet or screw 140.
Fig. 22, 23 & 24 show a further modification in which the holder is also square
at its main or inner portion and is provided with the wings or cheeks 142, the
round edge engaging the blade 136.
Fig. 25, 26 & 27 show a further modification which differs from the one shown
in Fig. 22, 23 & 24 inasmuch as the blade 136 itself is grooved for receiving a
corresponding projection 142 of the holder 137. A rivet or screw 143 unites the
whole.
Fig. 28 & 29 show a further modification which differs from the one illustrated
in Fig. 13, 14 & 15. In this modification the socket is circular and extends down-
wards, as in the latter figures, but it is cut away, at 144 Fig. 18, for the purpose
hereinafter mentioned. The holder 137 is likewise cut away at 145 adjacent to the
cut away portion 144 at the socket. The holder is grooved and the socket is
dovetailed, or vice versa. In order to introduce the holder in its socket, it is placed
in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 28 and then pushed in, after which it
is rotated until it assumes the position shown in full lines, and is fastened by means
of one or more pins, rivets or screws 140. By this arrangement, the diamond-
holder 137 can have the same thickness as the blade, no extension projecting
beyond the surface of the latter. In the drawing however the holder 137 has
been shown somewhat thicker than the blade 136.
I wish it to be understood that the cutting blade 7 described as forming part of
my improved stone-cutting machine can also be applied to any other system of
stone-cutting machine in which an endless cutter is employed. I also wish it to

page_text: be understood that the said blade 7 need not be confined to an endless form, since
the diamond-holders, no matter which of the alternate arrangements described be
adopted, can likewise be applied to straight blades to which a to and fro motion is
imparted, as well also as to circular blades to which a rotary motion is imparted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A machine for cutting stone and other like hard substances, comprising an
endless cutting blade 7 passing around two pullies 6, 6, a mechanism for imparting
rotary motion to the blade-carrying pullies 6, 6, a mechanism for imparting
to the said pullies an upward motion at an invariable speed, or a downward
motion at a variable speed, and a mechanism for tightening and slackening the
cutting blade 7.
2. In a machine for cutting stone and other like hard substances, the herein-
before described mechanism for imparting rotary motion to the pullies 6, 6*
carrying the endless cutting blade 7, substantially composed of a shaft 66 receiving
a sliding sleeve 63 and connected thereto by a feather and key, also of
a sleeve 69 likewise connected to the shaft 66 by a feather and key, also of
wheels 71, 72, shaft 73, belt pulley 75 and friction clutch 76, as shown in
Fig. 1, 2 & 3 of the drawings.
3. In a machine for cutting stone and other like hard substance, the hereinbefore
described mechanism for imparting motion to the blade pullies 6, 6º in a vertical
plane, substantially composed of a shaft 19, actuating means therefor, wheels 18, 17,
shaft 16, worm-wheels 15, 15, worms 14, 14, shafts 13, 13, wheels 12, 12, 12, 12,
11, 11, 11, 11, and screwed spindles 10, 10, 10, 10, connected to the cross
frames 9, 9 which carry the said pullies 6, 6ª as illustrated in Fig. 1, 2, 3 & 4 of
the drawings.
4. In a machine for cutting stone and other like hard substances, the hereinbefore
described mechanism for imparting to the blade-carrying pullies 6, 6ª either an
upward motion at an invariable speed, or a downward motion at a variable speed,
substantially composed of a first loose belt-pulley 20, also of a second fast belt-
pulley 21 for causing the vertical shaft 19 to turn at a constant speed by means of
à first gearing as described, also of a third fast belt-pulley 22 for causing the said
vertical shaft 19 to turn at a variable speed by means of a second gearing,
as described; as illustrated in Fig. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 of the drawings.
5. In a machine for cutting stone and other like hard substances, the herein-
before described mechanism for hoisting and lowering the shaft 66 of the blade-
carrying pulley 6, substantially composed of arms 81, 81, hooks 82, 82, wire
ropes 83, 83, drums 84, 84, wheels 85, 85, shaft 13, wheels 86, 86, shaft 87, worm
wheel 89, worm 100, shaft 101 and hand wheel 102, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 & 4
of the drawings and for the purpose set forth.
6. The application, to a machine for cutting stone and other like hard substances,
by means of an endless blade 7 passing around two pullics 6, 6", of a dynamo-
metric device by means of which the said blade can be tightened around the said
pullies 6, 6 and the degree of tension can at all times be ascertained and regulated
at will.
7. The construction and arrangement of the dynamometric device, described and
illustrated with reference to Fig. 9 & 10 of the drawings.
8. The construction & arrangement of the dynamometric device, described and
illustrated with reference to Fig. 11 & 12 of the drawings.
9. The hereinbefore described alternate methods of securing diamond-bits into
strips or endless cutting blades 7, as illustrated in Fig. 13, 14, in Fig. 15, in
Fig. 16, 17, 18, in Fig. 19, 20, 21, in Fig. 22, 23, 24, in Fig. 25, 26, 27 and in
Fig. 28, 29 of the drawings.
10. The general construction and arrangement of parts of the improved stone

page_text: cutting machine, substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 1 to 12 inclusive,
of the drawings.
P. C. GÉRARD,
By L. W., per F. B.