IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BARRELLS AND OTHER VESSELLS OF WOOD
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Richards, of 10, John Street, Adelphi, in the County
of Middlesex, London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR MAKING BARRELLS AND OTHER VESSELLS OF WOOD."
Scaled the 13th June 1876, and dated the 29th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Richards at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1876.
JOHN RICHARDS, of 10, John Street, Adelphi, in the County of Middlesex,
London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BARRELLS AND OTHER
VESSELLS OF Wood."
These improvements relate to a system of machines for making wooden hollow
ware, constructed of staves, such as barrells, kegs, firkins, and so on; and to an
improved method of arranging such machines so that the severall operative parts
can be fitted to one common frame and be interchangeable.
These improvements include-
First. A sawing machine for splitting timber into stave blocks, and also for sawing
boards, from which heads or ends are made. The machine is constructed with a
running board beneath the timber to be sawed, arranged to move on a series of
rollers to avoid friction, the timber being guided by means of a stationary gauge
which gives lateral direction.
Second. A machine to saw flat staves by means of a circular saw, which is
supported by means of side guides placed above the lumber sawn.
Third. A machine for sawing staves provided with a band saw arranged to
move parallel to the length of the lumber, the later being held and presented to
the saw by means of a swing carriage pivoted at a proper distance from the saw
to secure the required curvature in the cross section of the staves.
Fourth. A machine for sawing staves provided with a cylindrical saw, the
lumber being in some cases moved on a carriage, and in other cases on a fixed
table, the axis of the saw and the journals being so arranged that by adjustment
laterally saws of various diameter can be employed in the saine machine.
Fifth. A machine for jointing and beviling the edges of staves, in which the
staves when operated upon are set in the position they will have when in a completed
vessell, and then passed between two cutters, whose edges are angular to the axis
of rotation and corresponding to the radi of the vessells for which the staves are
intended, so that a proper bevil will be given to the edges.
[Price 8d.]

page_text: Sixth. A machine to joint the edges of staves by means of a rotary dise fitted
with cutters, the staves being bent to their finished form in a swing frame and
then brought into contact with the cutters, one edge at a time.
Seventh. A machine for compressing or forming staves, consisting of a radial
swing frame and a roller, the staves being pressed between the two, so as to give a
degree of curvature, longitudinally, transversely, or both ways, if required.
Eighth. A machine for trussing vessells, consisting of a ring frame, a bottom
dise or form with adjustable jaws to hold a trussing hoop, in which the staves are
set up two moving carriers actuated by a right and left screw, so as to draw a
trussing rope equally in two directions, at two sides of the vessell being erected.
Ninth. A machine for chiming and crozing vessells, and also cutting them to
length, provided ring wheels and pinions encased in a close frame to protect them
from dust and shavings, and provided with cutters, consisting of circular saws
to cut the croze grooves and to cut off the ends of the staves, the chiming and
howeling being done by means of bent cutters projecting through notches cut in
the peripheries of the saws.
Tenth. A machine for preparing the ends of staves singly, in which the staves
are bent to their finished form by means of a pivoted lever, and then by the same
movement carried past revolving cutters, which finish the two ends simultaneously.
Eleventh. A machine to prepare the ends of staves singly.by moving them on a
sliding carriage until the ends come in contact with cutters having a diameter
approximately the same as the vessell for which the staves are intended, the staves
being at the same time bent by means of a spring or weight as they are moved
forward to the cutters.
Twelfth. A machine to cross cut lumber to short lengths, suitable for the ends or
heads of vessells, consisting of a circular saw mounted in a pendulous swing frame,
the same devices answering for both cross cutting and jointing the edges of pieces
when two or more are required for one end or head.
Thirteenth. A machine to bore holes for dowel pins in the pieces employed for
ends or heads, consisting of two spindles having a lateral adjustment to space the
distance between the holes, and an adjustable table, on which the lumber is
supported.
Fourteenth. A machine for cutting out, turning, and beviling the ends or heads
for wooden vessells, provided with a saw, which is a section of a cylinder for
cutting out the heads, and two sliding tools to form the bevils on each side. The
spindles of the machine being compound, one driven by a belt and the other by a
friction dise, a stop motion also being provided by means of a friction plate, which
retards the rotation when a piece is to be removed from the machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said John Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th September
1.870.
JOHN RICHARDS, of 10, John Street, Adelphi, in the County of Middlesex, London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BARRELS AND OTHER VESSELS OF
WOOD."
This Invention relates to machinery for making barrels, kegs, firkins, and other
hollow vessels of wood constructed with staves.
The various machines employed, the mode of constructing and operating them,
will be herein-after described in connection with the Drawings.
The Invention consists of various machines and mechanism, and also in a new
system of arranging the same so as to avoid the construction of special machines
whenever the work to be performed varies as to shape or dimensions.
Wooden hollow vessels constructed with staves is extremely variable as to shape
and dimensions, and also as to strength and the mode of fitting.

page_text: Vessels to contain liquids require to be carefully fitted and strong, while those
for holding dry substances can be made without much care, and do not require
much strength.
To meet this varied manufacture and avoid the expense of constructing special
machines in each case, the present Invention provides a system of interchange for
the operating details of the machines, so that with slight modification in some
cases, but with no modification in most cases, the same supporting frame can be
employed, except for sawing blocks from round timber, which requires a special
frame.
The machines comprised in this Invention are as follows:-
A machine for sawing stave blocks and ends.
Three machines for sawing staves.
A machine for compressing or shaping staves by rolling.
Two machines for jointing the edges of staves.
A machine for trussing wooden vessels.
A machine for crozing and chiming vessels.
Two machines for crozing and chiming staves.
A machine for cutting off and jointing ends.
A machine for cutting out and turning ends.
A machine for boring dowel holes in ends.
Fourteen machines in all, thirteen of which are arranged to fit upon the same
framing.
The machines and the processes to which they are applied will now be explained
by referring to the Drawings. Similar letters of reference on different views of the
same machine indicate corresponding parts.
Figure 1 is a side view, and Figure 2 a top view of a machine for sawing blocks
or boards from round timber or squared beams. When employed for sawing stave
blocks the timber is slit into parallel pieces, the thickness of which equals the
extreme or bilge width of the staves, which are afterwards slit from the blocks on
one or the other of the sawing machines herein-after to be described.
a is the main frame of the machine; b, the saw; c is a piece of timber to be
sawed; d, the driving pulleys; e, the saw spindle; fis a running board or carriage;
g is an adjustable gauge to guide the lumber and regulate its thickness; are
rollers on which the running board f moves; and i, i, are cross girts to connect the
frame a together; m is a floor bracket to support the outer end of the spindle e.
In operating this machine the lumber is fed by hand the same as in the case of a
common saw bench, but with the difference that provision is made to avoid the
friction which occurs when material is moved on a fixed surface.
Interposed between the timber c and the rollers h is a running board, the purpose
of which is to form a true flat surface under the timber, and thus cause it to move
freely on the rollers h. This running board has no other functions of a carriage
than this, and operates best when allowed some lateral movement, the lumber being
guided by means of the gauge g. This board being very light, not more than one
to one-and-a-half inches thick of wood, offers but little resistance to the movement
of the lumber, so that an operator in pushing the material has only to overcome
the friction against the gauge g, and the resistance of the saw cutting. This
arrangement also permits the lumber to be rapidly and easily run back, so that
more work can be performed in a given time than by machines having automatic
feeding devices.
Figure 3 is an end view and Figure 4 a top view of a machine for cross cutting
stave blocks and slitting the same into staves.
a is the main frame; i is a saw for cross cutting stave blocks to the proper length,
and a saw for slitting the blocks into staves; m is a guide to support saw e;
g is the saw spindle, and o, the driving pulleys; is a gauge to regulate the thick-
ness of the staves, and n a gauge or fence to hold the blocks at a right angle with
the saw i, and cause them to move in a true line.
This machine is employed when the staves to be sawn are flat or of a rectangular

page_text: section, such staves are often employed in making barrels or other vessels to hold
dry substances, and sometimes for soap, ground colors, or other plastic material.
The stave blocks being cross cut to a proper length are slit up into thin pieces by
means of the saw c; this saw is preferably very thin to save material, and is
supported above the lumber being sawed by means of the guides m.
These guides
are adjustable so as to maintain a slight pressure against the sides of the saw plate,
and are provided with means of lubricating the same as guides when placed
beneath the lumber, a device well known and understood.
The frame employed for this machine is the same, which will be shown in
subsequent Figures, the details of the machine being in nearly all cases fastened to
the frame by means of bolts fitting into the angular slots at u, u.
Figure 5 is a front view of a machine for sawing staves by means of a band saw,
and Figure 6 is a top view of the same.
The main frame a is the same as in the last machine described. m, m, are the
saw wheels on which the saw n is placed, one wheel is driven by means of the
pulleys 8, the other being adjustable by means of the screw u and hand wheel t,
Fig. 5. The wood i to be sawed is placed in the box or swing frame e which is
pivoted on the two screws q, q; this frame e is moved by the handle 7, and when
swung backward and forward moves the wood i past the saw n, so that a stave
is cut off at each operation. When this handle is depressed and the swing
frame e thrown back from the saw the wood is allowed to drop down to a distance
equal to the thickness of a stave; then by raising the handle the stave is cut off
by the saw running lengthwise the wood, and is cut to a curve corresponding to
the distance from the saw to the two pivots g, J.
This distance should be approxi-
mately the same as the radius of the vessel for which the staves are intended, so
that different swing frames are required for any considerable variation in the size
of the vessels for which the staves are prepared.
In sawing staves for open vessels those with but one end or head, and tapered in
one direction, this process of sawing is the same as for bilged vessels, such as barrels
or kegs. y is a guard to protect the saw from falling pieces, and to prevent danger
to an attendant.
On the other side of this machine at c, Figure 6, is a circular saw for sawing flat
staves in all respects the same as the one described in Figures 3 and 4. This saw is
added when machines are required for sawing both flat and curved staves, such as are
suitable for vessels to hold liquids or dry substances; by combining the two opera-
tions in one machine both kinds of manufacture can be carried on as the remaining
processes are adopted for staves of both kinds.
Figure 7 is a side view of a machine for sawing staves by means of a cylinder
saw, Figure 8 is a top view of the same machine. a is the frame; c, the saw; and
e, the driving pulleys; i, Figuro 7, is a piece being sawn, and m is a sliding carriage
on which the lumber is moved; n, Figure 8, is one of two gauges which determine
the thickness of the staves. The operation of this machine will be readily under-
stood from the Drawings. The carriage m which moves on the guides or ways 8 is
slit, so that a part o, Figure 8, passes inside the saw c and withdraws the staves
which are cut off from the block m.
Machines of this kind are employed for the rougher kinds of work or in cases
where the waste of wood by reason of the wider kerf cut away by the saw is of
less consideration than the greater skill required in operating the band saw
described in Figures 5 and 6. The diameter of the saws employed must be axproxi-
mately the same as that of the vessels for which the staves are intended, hence the
expense of adaptation is greater than with band saws, so that in most cases a
machine of both kinds can be employed to advantage, especially as a cylinder saw
is useful in cutting up waste pieces which cannot so well be sawn with band saws.
The bearings of the saw spindle in the present machine are so arranged as to be
adjusted laterally, and thus receive saws of various diameters as may be required.
In some cases when staves for the smaller kinds of vessels are sawn, the carriage m
is dispensed with and the lumber slid upon a fixed table the same as in operating a

page_text: common saw bench. In such cases the stave falls from the block when cut off, and
a hopper or box inside the saw must be provided to catch the staves and prevent
then from falling on the saw. Such hoppers are made, by preference, in an angular
form, the apex near the saw at the bottom, and large enough to contain as many
staves as will be cut from one block, so that they need not be removed as fast as
sawn, but only after finishing each block.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of a machine for jointing the edges of staves and
giving to them a proper shape to form the bilge of vessels, and also the bevil on the
edges required to form radial joints. Figure 10 is a top view of the same machine,
and Figure 11 is a detail to explain how the bevil is formed. a is the machine
frame; e is a stave in position to be jointed; b is a sliding carriage moving on the
frame d; s is a bent form made with a curvature to correspond to that of the vessel
for which the staves are intended; u, Figure 10, is an interior form of wood fastened
to the outer form s, and is employed so that staves of either a curved or a flat
section can be jointed by changing this piece u, it having a flat or concave surface
as the shape of the staves may require. Two cutters c, c, conical in form, act on
the top and bottom edges of the stave as it passes between them. The conical form
of these cutters is shewn in Figure 11, t representing an imaginary centre of a
vessel. The cutter spindles are driven from the pulleys and shaft at g by means of
the belt h, and are adjustable up and down on the column or bracket w by means
of screws, one of which is shewn at o, Figure 9. This adjustment provides for
staves of different width. In operating the machine the cam lever i is thrown
forward to release the spring m or other mechanism interposed between the cam
and the stave; this permits the stave to be put into the machine when straight, its
position between the cutters being regulated by means of two stops, one of which is
shewn at n. The stave is laid on these stops and is then clamped by means of the
cami, which forces it into the curved form u, Figure 10, and holds it firmly
while being passed between the cutters e, c. The stops are constructed to bend
in case of any inequality in the width of the staves, which inust slide over these
stops after being clamped to the carriage b. When the stave has been passed
between the cutters c, e, and is reduced to a proper width, the cam i is moved and
the stave released so that it falls from the carriage b without being returned between
the cutters. When the quantity of work is sufficient, two machines of this kind
are mounted on one frame, all the parts being fastened by means of the bolts in the
slots, as shewn.
Figures 12 and 13 are side and top views of a jointing machine, to perform the
same work as the one last described, except that staves of varying width can be
jointed without change or adjustment of the machine.
When two machines are required for jointing staves one of each kind can be
employed to advantage, the present one to operate on pieces which by reason of
irregular or narrow width cannot so well be prepared on the machine shewn in
Figures 9 and 10.
Referring to the Drawings; Figures 12 and 13, a is the main frame, which is
slightly varied from its standard form to accomodate the mechanism, but can be
cast from the same model with some ininor changes; c is a revolving disc of iron
fitted with two or more cutters set in a diagonal position, as seen at i, i, i, i,
Figure 13. This disc receives motion from the spindle e, gear wheels d, and pulleys b.
u, Figure 12, is a casing to protect the wheels d from shavings which fall from the
cutters i. o is a stave to be jointed; m is a swing frame pivoted at b, the stave o
being inserted between the two abutments or stops n, and t is sprung into the
curved form, shown in Figure 12, by means of the screw and hand wheel at 8, the
stop n regulating the amount of curvature, as seen in the side view, Figure 12.
The stave being thus fastened to the swing frame m, this frame is then moved from
right to left, bringing the edges of the stave o in contact with the cutters i and the
face of the disc c. The radius of the swing frame m must be approximately the
same as that of vessels for which the staves are prepared, and different frames are
employed when considerable variation of size renders it necessary..

page_text: It is evident that in this machine, as well as the one shewn in Figures 9, 10, and
11, the only change required in preparing staves for open or tapering vessels is in
the position of the staves when acted upon by the cutters, and that different forms
and holding mechanism must be adopted in such cases. This mechanism for holding
may in either machine, but especially in the present one, Figures 12 and 13, be
greatly varied without departing from the Invention, such mechanical expedients
being familiar to those skilled in the art of making and operating machines. It is
not thought necessary to point them out, as such explanation would in many cases
only confuse the general mode of operating upon which the several machines are
based.
Figures 14 and 15 are side and top views of a machine for erecting vessels,
commonly called trussing. The operation is divided into two parts, namely,
setting up the staves in a circle as shown in Figure 14, and in next compressing
them together at the top so as to receive a trussing or retaining hoop, and thus
prepare the barrel for the howelling, chiming, and crozing machine shown in
Figures 16 and 17. These two machines 14 and 15, and 16 and 17, are shown
mounted on one frame, their operations following consecutively enables the
machines to be thus placed if desirable; but under the system of interchangeable
parts heretofore explained, it is evident that the two machines can be as well placed
on independent frames, there being no connection in their operation.
Referring first to the trussing machine, Figures 14 and 15, a is a bracket in the form
of a ring, with a flange b at one side to bolt it to the main frame c¹, d is a strong disc
suspended to the frame a by means of the rods e which have a screw thread formed
on them, so that by turning the hand wheels f the disc d can be adjusted to or
from the bracket a to accommodate vessels of different length. i, Figure 14, is a
trussing hoop supported in the adjustable jaws o, o. These jaws, four in number,
adjust to and from the centre of the disc d, and are held by bolts fitting into the
angular slots at n, spaced rings as seen at d, Figure 15, enable these jaws o, o, to be
set concentrically and in a proper position to receive different sizes of hoops i, as
the size of vessels may require. m are staves enough to form a barrel set in the
machine ready for trussing or compressing by means of the mechanism shown in
Figure 15. Two sliding carriers p, p, are moved coincidently in different directions
by the screw q, which has right and left screw threads. The carriers p, p, slide on
the cylindrical shaft ?, and are prevented from turning by keys and also to some
extent by the rigidity of the screw q. A strong rope s is passed around the barrel
in the manner shown, and being fastened to the two sliding carriers p, p, is drawn
both ways by turning the crank t, compressing the staves m, until a truss or
retaining hoop can be placed over the end. The barrel is then in the form shown in
the next machine, Figure 17, and can be removed by slacking the rope s. The hoop i
is withdrawn, having become tight by the expansion of the staves and another must
be placed in the jaws o, o, to receive the next barrel. For vessels of different
diameters annular rings are set into the frame d. The two brackets x, x, adjust to
and from the vessels to accommodate those of different diameters.
Referring next to the machine shown in Figures 16, 17, and the detail 18.
Figure 16 is an end view, Figure 17 is a top view, and Figure 18 a sectional view
showing the mode of constructing the cutters to perform the four operations of
howelling, crozing, chiming and cutting the vessels to length. a is a barrel in
position to be operated upon; c, Figure 16, is the cutter for finishing the ends;
d, d, are two brackets or frames with an annular recess formed within them to
receive a gear wheel indicated by dotted lines at f. These gear wheels fit closely
into the recesses formed in the frames d, d, and are supported in an axial position
by bearing upon the points of their teeth and are kept in place by two covering
plates held by screw bolts as shown in Figure 17. These ring wheels have an
internal diameter something less than that of the brackets d, d, so that the barrel a,
when inserted has its bearing on the gear wheels. These wheels are driven by two
pinions also encased and fitted on the shaft g, so that by turning the hand wheel h
the barrel can be revolved about its axis and receive the action of the cutters c.

page_text: These cutters, two in number, are driven by the pulleys shown at p, p, Figure 17,
one of the frames & is arranged to slide on the sole plate n by means of the screw w
and hand wheel u, so that they may be expanded to receive the barrels and then
be closed together until a firm bearing is obtained in the ring wheels; when a barrel
is thus inserted, the cutters c are drawn into contact with the wood by turning the
two handles m, m, and the barrel is revolved once around by turning the hand
wheel, and is then removed from the machine ready to receive the ends or heads
prepared by machines herein-after described. For barrels of various diameters
annular rings of a proper size are fitted into and fastened to the gear wheels; a
matter which requires no special explanation here. The cutters shown at Figure 18
form an important part of the machine being described and hence are shown to an
enlarged scale at Figure 18. The crozing and cutting off are both performed with
circular saws a and e. These saws are nearly complete circles and consequently will
operate a long time without sharpening, avoiding an objectionable result which
always attends the use of spurs having but a few teeth. The two cutters m, m,
have their bevel on the inside and cut at a low inclination suitable for working
across the grain of the wood. The edges are also continuous for forming the howel
and chimne, crossing the cutting off and crozing saws through notches, and thus
avoiding the imperfect action of a cutter placed alongside a saw, the two saws and
two cutters it will be observed are held by two through bolts so that all may be
readily removed for the purpose of sharpening. The cutters m, m, have slotted
holes so that they can be moved in toward the axis of the spindle as the saws a
and c are worn away. The distance between the saws and e is regulated by
employing collars n of different thickness as the size of vessels may require.
Figure 19 is an end view, and Figure 20 a top view of a machine for crozing and
chiming staves singly. Such a process is sometimes necessary in cases where the
parts of barrels or other vessels are prepared, but are not put together because of
the bulk until they reach the place where they are to be used. In the present
machine the cutters employed are the same shown at Figure 18, and the whole
operation is very clearly indicated by the Drawing. a is one of the uniform frames
herein-before described; c, c, are the cutters driven by the pulleys c, c; i is a
pivotted lever mounted on the bracket m; n, n, are two curved forms corresponding
on their concave or front edge to the external diameter of a barrel for which the
staves are intended.
On the under side of the lever i, Figure 20, at v, is a stop against which the
centre of the stave o rests, and by means of this stop is sprung into the curved form
shown. 8, 8, Figure 20, are two drivers which force the stave o down past the
cutters c, c, when the lever i is depressed; p a counterweight to prevent the
lever from falling down when not in use.
To operate the machine the stop at vand the drivers 8, 8, Figure 20, are set at a
proper distance from the fulcrum w, this fulcrum is then moved forward or back
until its distance from the forms n, n, equals the radius of the barrel or vessel
for which staves are to be prepared. The lever i is then raised into the position
shown by the dotted lines, and a stave inserted; when the lever i is lowered the
ends of the stave comes in contact with the forms n, n, and is bent to the form
seen in Figure 20 before reaching the cutters; after passing the cutters and the
forms n, n, the stave being released and free from the cutters falls from the
machine and a new piece can be inserted. The operation of finishing the ends of
staves singly is one presenting some mechanical difficulties, one of which is to have
the two ends cut to duplicate forms, and another is in the tendency to splinter
the edges of the stave when it comes in contact with the cutters.
things are provided for in the present machine, first, by the continuous cutters
with a constant profile on their outside, as shown in Figure 18; secondly, the
difficulty of splintering is avoided by the mode of feeding by hand, so that the
action of the cutters can be felt, and the rate of feed varied to suit the conditions of
operating.
These two
Figures 21 and 22 are front and side views of another machine for chiming and

page_text: crozing staves, singly adapted for staves of larger size than the machine Figures
19 and 20 is suited for, and also for straight staves for open vessels which require to
be operated upon at one end only.
The cutters a, a, are constructed upon the same plan as those described in
connection with the two preceding machines, but of a diameter corresponding to
the internal dimensions of the vessels to be constructed. e is a movable carriage
sliding up and down upon the bracket c and moved by the lever m; n is a device
for bending the stave when necessary to its proper form before coming in contact
with the cutters. When the carriage e is lowered the nuts & coming in contact
with the bracket at o does not follow only for a short distance, so that a stave can
be laid into the two rests 8, 8, and under the hook at v. When the carriage e is
raised the hook v comes in contact with the stave w and bends it down in the
middle until it rests on the stop screw u, Figure 21, the movement of the carriage
being then continued for the cutting action, the spring f, which is of india-rubber
or coiled metal, yields enough for the cutting movement, and at the same time
maintains a pressure sufficient to keep the stave bent and hold it in position ;
a weight can be employed instead of the spring f. The same devices are employed
in preparing staves for open vessels, except that but one cutter is required, and the
hook acts to hold but not bend the staves.
Figures 23 and 24 represent a machine for compressing or forming staves,
Figure 23 being a side view, and Figure 24 a top view of the machine; a is one
of the uniform frames employed for the several inachines heretofore described,
all the mechanism of the machine is mounted on the super frame c. The swing
frame consisting of the pivot at e, the rods d, d, and the quadrant i; m is a form
whose inner surface next the stave n is swept from the pivot at e, and is either
flat or concave as the section of the staves may require; o is a roller driven by
means of the pulleys and the bevil wheels g; q is a bent spring interposed
between the pivot frame 7 and the stud pivot e, so that the swing frame and the
form can yield to accomodate any inequality of thickness in the staves which
are passed between the roller o and the form i. To operate the machine the swing
frame is drawn to one side, and a stave laid against the form m, then, by moving
the frame forward, the stave is caught by the roller o and carried through, receiving
a strong pressure to give the longitudinal curvature, and if required a transvere
curvature at the same time. This operation when staves are green or wet can be
performed so as to render the trussing of vessels more easy, and gives to staves a
better form than if left from the sawing operations to be trussed when straight.
The degree of curvature, both longitudinal and transverse, which can be safely
given in this manner, varies with the kind of wood, the condition in which it is
worked, and also upon the thickness of staves. The radius of the swing frame
and the convexity of the roller o must of course be adapted to the same
conditions.
The machines heretofore described have related to the preparation of staves and
the erection of vessels.
In Figures 25 and 20 are shown a combined machine for cutting off, jointing,
boring, and turning the ends or heads of circular vessels. There are as arranged
three separate machines mounted on one frame, but between them no connection
which prevents their being placed on independent frames, all the parts being
fastened to the top flanges of the main frame a as shown. b is a circular saw
suspended in a pendulous frame e supported on the two brackets, d; f, Figure 25,
is the lumber to be cut off to the proper length for ends, or jointed as may be
required, both operations being performed in the same manner and on several pieces
at once if desired; e is the table on which the lumber rests, divided into two parts
as seen at 1, Figure 26. The boards from which the ends are to be cut having pre-
viously been prepared on the sawing machine, Figures 1 and 2, or in any other way, are
first cross cut to a suitable length. If wide enough to form an end from a single piece
they are then ready for the turning machine, but if two or more pieces are required
for an end, such pieces ars jointed by turning them transverse to the table c, and

page_text: cutting their edges true with the saw b. This saw being dressed for cross cutting
its teeth when operating parallel with the grain of the wood act like cutters and
produce a tolerably smooth surface. After being jointed the pieces are next bored
for dowel pins on the machine m, which is fitted with two boring spindles having a
lateral adjustment, and an adjustable table n in front to support the lumber. The
saw bis driven from the shaft o and pulleys and h, Figure 26. i is a counter-
weight to prevent the frame c from swinging forward when not in use.
Referring next to the machine for cutting out, turning, and bevilling the ends,
shown on the other side of the frame a; p, Figure 25, is a piece from which an end
is to be cut, as indicated by the dotted lines. This cutting is done by means of a
segmental saw shown at having width enough and teeth enough so that it may
operate easily and for a considerable time without sharpening. The piece p being
clamped between two flanges 1 and 2, Figure 26, is set in rotation by the spindle s
and pulleys t; the lever is then pushed forward and moves the slide until the
saw at q cuts through the piece as before described. The end then being reduced to
a circular form is finished by means of the two sliding cutters w, which are moved
alternately by the handles y, and form the proper bevil on each side of the piece, as
shewn in Figure 26. The driven spindle s' is compound, consisting of two spindles, one
within the other, as indicated by dotted lines. The flange 7 on the driving side is
fastened to the interior spindle, and the flange x, Figure 26, is fastened to the exterior
or shell spindle, which is driven by the pulleys t; between the two flanges x and ris
interposed a disc of leather or other material to produce friction so that the piece pis
not driven positively, but by the friction arising from the pressure due to clamping the
picce between the flanges and ?. The flanger is fixed on the spindle a', which
runs loose in the shell c', and is forced forward to clamp the wood by means of the
hand wheel el, all seen in Figure 26. The inner or central spindle indicated by
dotted lines, Figure 26, extends entirely through the frame m¹ to receive the
flange o', which is fixed to the end. When a finished end or head is to be removed
from between the two flanges and r, the hand wheel and screw at el is turned,
this removes the pressure and friction between the two flanges 7 and x, so that the
driving power ceases to act; at the same time the flange o¹ is pressed into contact
with a friction pin u¹ by means of the spring s¹, and thus a retarding force to stop
the machine begins to act as soon as the driving power stops.
The object of the frictional driving mechanism is to avoid accidents from sudden
obstruction to which machines of this kind are liable, and also to avoid shifting the
driving belt each time a piece is put into the machine or removed.
The frictional stopping mechanism is to save the time which would be lost in
waiting for the motion to cease when a piece is finished, and to prevent the plate ?*
from running when not in use.
These frictional devices, although adding to the convenience of operating the
machine, are not strictly essential, and may be omitted and a plain solid spindle
employed. is a guard to prevent accident from flying pieces.
Having now described the various processes, and the mechanical expedients
employed in the manufacture to which this Invention relates, it becomes a matter
of exceeding difficulty to point what is novel and peculiar to the system of
machinery here described.
I have every desire to avoid claiming in this Invention that which may be
comprehended in the various Patents which have hitherto been granted for improve-
ments in machines for cask making, a manufacture analogous to but by no means
the same as that to which the present Invention especially applies.
The system of interchange between the acting parts of the inachines, the employ-
ment of uniform frames, and the combinations which such a system enables, is
however applicable to machines of any kind when different processes are required,
and when such processes vary as to number or character.
I claim as my Invention―
First. A sawing machine arranged with a running board mounted on a series of

page_text: rollers, in combination with a fixed gauge or fence, as shown and as described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2.
Second. Supporting guides for a circular saw plate, applied to its top and above
the lumber to be sawed, as shown and as described with reference to Figures
3 and 4.
Third. A cylinder sawing machine for staves with the bearings for the saw
spindle adjustable across the frame, so that saws of different diameter can be readily
applied, as shown and as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.
Fourth. A band sawing machine for staves provided with a radial swing carriage,
as shown and as described with reference to Figures 5 and 6.
Fifth. A jointing machine for staves, constructed and operating as shown and
as described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.
Sixth. A jointing machine for staves, provided with the mechanism for holding
and presenting thein, as shown and as described with reference to Figures 12 and 13.
Seventh. A chiming and crozing machine constructed with annular gear wheels
and pinions, enclosed in a case and the axial support of the rings given by a bearing
on the ends of the teeth, as shown in Figures 16 and 17 and described in the
Specification.
Eighth. Cutters for chiming, howelling, crozing, and cutting off the ends of
vessels, constructed as shown in Figure 18.
Ninth. A trussing machine for stave vessels, constructed with a screw and sliding
carriers, as shown in Figure 15.
Tenth. A disc plate vertically adjustable and provided with movable jaws to
support a trussing hoop, as shewn in Figure 14.
Eleventh. A chiming, cutting off, and crozing machine for single staves, as shown
in Figures 19 and 20.
Twelfth. A chiming, cutting off, and crozing machine for single staves, provided
with a vertical moving carriage and bending or clamping mechanism, as shown in
Figures 21 and 22.
Thirteenth. A machine for compressing or rolling staves, provided with a radial
swing frame, and operating substantially as shown and as described with reference
to Figures 23 and 24.
Fourteenth. A machine for cutting off, jointing, boring, cutting out, and turning
the ends of vessels, combined and operating as shown and as described with
reference to Figures 25 and 26.
Fifteenth. A machine for cutting out and finishing heads for vessels provided
with a segmental saw as described and shown with reference to q, Figures 25 and 20,
the diagonal sliding tools w and the frictional devices for driving and stopping
shewn and described, also either of these devices if employed singly in connection
with a machine for preparing the ends of wooden vessels.
Sixteenth. The employment of uniform supporting framing for the various
machines herein set forth, so that the working and other parts of same can be
interchanged and combined as required.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Richards, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
JOHN RICHARDS. (L.S.)