IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING OUT WOOD FOR CARRIAGE WHEELS, AND FOR CUTTING AND SHAPING THE WHEELS
Year: 1832

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPII
GIBBS, of the Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, and AUGUSTUS
APPLEGATH, of Crayford, in the County of Kent, Calico Printer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Twenty-second day of September, in the third year of
His reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Joseph Gibbs and Augustus Applegath, His especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said Joseph Gibbs and
Augustus Applegath, our exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as we,
the said Joseph Gibbs and Augustus Applegath, our exors, adñiors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
CUTTING OUT WOOD FOR CARRIAGE WHEELS, AND FOR CUTTING AND SHAPING THE
WHEELS" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that we, the
said Joseph Gibbs and Augustus Applegath, or one of us, shall cause a
particular description of the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in His said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within two calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and

page_text: by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Joseph Gibbs and Augustus Applegath, do hereby declare that the nature of
our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
particularly shewn in and by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and the
following description thereof (that is to say) :-
The stock or nave having been turned, and the centre hole bored out in the
usual way, the mortices to receive the spokes are bored by the machine, of which
Fig. 1 is a plan; Fig. II. is a side and end elevation of the same; and Fig. III.
is another side view. The same letters of reference apply to each Figure.
A, A, A, A, the cast-iron frame or support; B, B, B, the spindle or mandril
upon which the stock is fixed. It is furnished with a dividing plate C, having
grooves or divisions radiating from the centre, which serve to regulate the
position of the mortice holes in the following manner:-A detent pin D is
fixed upon the end of the jointed rod E, which moves through the guides
F, F, and is connected with the crank G, which is shewn in Figure I., and by
dotted lines in Figure III. When the crank G revolves it causes the rod E
and the detent pin D upon its end to move to and from the spindle B. H is
a friction roller or small wheel, acting by rolling or rubbing upon or against
the exterior rim or side of the dividing plate C. Motion is given to the
friction roller H by means of a catgut band leading from the rigger I upon
the spindle J. When the detent pin D is drawn back out of the radiating
groove of the dividing plate C, the dividing plate is at liberty to turn, and the
friction roller H carries it round in the direction of the arrows until the detent
pin D, which is still moving in connection with the crank G, meets it at the
next radiating groove, when the motion of the dividing plate C. is stopped by
the detent pin D, and the crank G causes the detent pin to move down the
radiating groove towards the centre of the spindle. The boring or morticing
is at the same time performed by means of the revolving bits or borers K, K, K
(which may be made of the usual forms), fixed to the ends of the rods, or
shafts L, L, L, to which a rapid revolving motion is given by means of bands
acting upon the riggers M, M, M. The boring bits K, K, K, are caused to
enter into the stock while the detent pin D is moving down the radiating
groove, by means of the forks upon the upper ends of the cranked levers
N, N, N, which levers receive their motion from the fork 0 (shewn in
Fig. III.), upon the end of the lever P, which is connected by means of rods
Q, Q, Q, with the arms R, R, upon the crank G, so that the detent pin D and
the boring bits, K, K, K; move to and from the centre at the same time.
:

page_text: This alternate revolving and boring motion is to be continued until the
stock has been bored all round. The motion of the spindle J is then stopped,
and the stock is raised to receive a second circle of holes by means of the
elevating screw and nuts U, shewn in Figures II. and III., and in this
manner any additional circles of holes may be made, until the mortices are of
a sufficient length, and, if requisite, the mortices may be trimmed up by hand.
In Fig. I. the dividing plate C is shewn to produce a wheel having twelve
spokes. If fourteen or more spokes should be required, the division plate C
must have fourteen or more radiating grooves or divisions, as shewn in
Fig. IV., and in this case that end of the machine distinguished in Fig. 1.
as the moveable end, must be set to the required angle by means of the
adjusting segment V, and fixed by the tightening screw W. This moveable
end turns upon the spindle B. The motion is communicated to either of the
band pullies or riggers fixed upon the spindle J, which has also mounted upon
it a pinion X, which works into the toothed wheel Y fixed upon the crank
axis G. Motion is also given to the band wheels of the boring rods E, L, L.
The fulcrums of the crank levers N, N, are made adjustable upon the
arms Z, Z. The rods or shafts L, L, L, are guided by the bearings S, S,
which are moveable upon centres fixed upon the ends of the adjusting screw
rods T, T, which permit the holes to be bored at the required angle. The
spokes are cleft and roughly shaped in the usual manner, and the first process
is to cut the tenon at the stock end.
is an end view of the same.
Fig. V. is a plan of a machine for cutting the inner tenon, or the tenon of
the stock end of the spoke; Fig. VI. is a side view of the same; Fig. VII.
The same letters refer to each Figure. A is the
east-iron frame or support; B is the sliding bed, moveable upon the Tails or
ribs C, C. It is furnished with a number of moveable, carriages D, D, &c.,
upon which the rough spokes are placed, and firmly held down by the
dogs E, E. These carriages turn upon the centres F, F, and are connected
and moved by the rod or bar G, so as to preserve a perfect parallelism, the
angle of which is governed by means of the toothed segment H. I, I, are
two circular saws, mounted upon the same spindle shewn in Fig. VII., to
which motion is given by means of the band rigger J. The saw carriage and
spindle K can be raised or lowered by means of the adjusting screw L. Z is
a spoke fixed upon one of the carriages D, D, ready to have a tenon cut upon
it when the motion of the bed B shall have brought it to the circular saws
I, I, and in this manner as many tenons can be cut as the number of carriages
upon the bed. The moveable bed B is furnished with a toothed rack M in
geer with a pinion N. Upon the same spindle is a wheel O in geer with

page_text: another pinion P. Upon the spindle of P there are two loose band riggers
Q, Q: one large, to advance the bed with a slow motion while the tenons are
cutting; the other band rigger is smaller, to return the bed with a quick
motion. A double clutch moves upon a feather in the spindle of P, which is
caused to be alternately in connection with the large or small band rigger.
Figure VIII. is a plan of a machine for shaping the spokes; Figure IX. is a
side elevation of the same, and Fig. X. is an end elevation of the same. The
same letters to refer to each Figure. A is the cast-iron bed or carriage,
having two ribs similar to the bed of a lathe; B, B, are carriages or mandril
heads; C, C; are carriages having moveable centres; D, D, are chucks fixed
upon the mandrils B, B, and fitted to receive the inner tenon of a spoke; E is
the pattern spoke, which may be of any form required, and made of wood,
brass, iron, or any suitable material. F is the rough spoke, which has
already had one tenon cut. The mandril heads B, B, are furnished with
similar toothed wheels, to which the same motion is communicated through
the intermediate pinions by means of the pinions G, G, fixed upon the spindle
H, so that when one mandril head revolves the other revolves simultaneously.
Motion is given to the spindle H by means of a catgut band acting upon the
rigger I. K is a cast-iron bed, having two rails or ribs, upon which the
moveable carriage L slides backwards and forwards by means of the toothed
rack M, which is in geer with the pinion N, which is fixed to the cast-iron
frame K. Motion is given to the pinion N by means of two band riggers Y
and Z on its spindle, and a double clutch. O is a bracket having two arms
moveable upon the centre P, which carry a plain cylindrical roller mounted
upon an upright spindle. O has also another arm R at right angles to the roller
arms, and connected by the rod S to another arm R on the bracket T, which
turns on the centre pin P, and carries a cylindrical cutter U for shaping the
spokes, having float teeth around is periphery. The cutter U receives a rapid
revolving motion from a band running upon the riggers V and W. While
the machine is in use motion is communicated to the spindle H, which causes
the wheels and mandril heads and chucks, with the pattern and rough spokes
fixed in them, to revolve. The carriage L is also at the same time moving
backwards and forwards with its cutter U in rapid motion, by which the rough
spoke is cut in a spiral direction until it becomes of the required shape.
When the plain roller Q bears upon the pattern spoke and the cutting ceases,
the cutter U may be pressed towards and against the rough spoke by a weight.
The double clutch X, upon the spindle of the pinion N, is thrown into con-
tact with the riggers V and Z by means of the fingers or lappets a, a, on the
rod 6 which strikes against the end c of the right-angled lever d, which turns

page_text: upon the axis e, and is connected by a link f with the striking lever 9 of the
clutch X in the usual manner of striking in and out a double clutch.
Figure XI. is a plan of a machine for cutting the outer tenon or the tenon
at the felloe end of the spoke. The spokes are to be driven into the stock
or nave in the usual manner. A is the cast-iron frame having two ribs B, B,
to support the carriages C and D. The carriage C is furnished with a spindle
E which revolves in bearings, and has upon it a toothed wheel F in geer with
a pinion G, which receives a rotary motion from a band wheel or rigger H
upon its spindle. The wheel end of the spindle E is made the same size as
the mandril B in Fig. 1 to receive the stock. The stock and spokes being
fixed upon the end of E, a skeleton clamp wheel I, fixed upon a revolving
spindle J, supported upon the bearings and frames K, K, is pressed against
the spokes by means of the adjusting screw L and the guide M, in order to
hold the spokes quite steady during the cutting of the outer tenons. The
cutting of the tenons is performed in the following manner:-The carriage D
has a spindle or mandril N, which is furnished with two circular saws O, P,
one of which, P, is toothed or floated upon its conical face. A rapid rotary
motion is communicated to the spindle N and its circular saws. At the same
time the stock and spokes, together with the skeleton wheel, receive a slow
revolving motion whereby the spokes are successively brought into contact
with the circular saws O, P, which cut the tenons in the manner shewn in
the Drawing. The carriage D has two adjusting motions: one towards and
from the wheel. spindle E, which is effected by the screw Q; the other back-
wards and forwards in the direction of the spindle N, which is given by
another screw R, the carriage D being fitted up in the manner of a slide
rest. The slit for the wedge at the outer end of the tenon can also be cut
in this machine by using the circular saw O. The machine shewn by
Figs. 5, 6, and 7, may be used for cutting the ends of the felloes into the
proper length and radius by a circular saw placed vertically, in the manner
shewn in Fig. 5. R is the circular saw, and S is a felloe placed upon the
moveable carriage D before described, and held down.by the dog E in the
proper position for cutting. Motion is given to the circular saw R by a band
upon the rigger T.
A is the
D, D,
Fig. XII. is a plan of a machine for boring the dowell holes in the ends
of the felloes; and Fig. XIII. is a front elevation of the same.
cast-iron frame supported by a pillar B, and also by a pillar C in front.
is a double-angular bed having the boring carriages E, E, upon it.
angular bed D, D, is made moveable upon the centre pillar 'B, so as to bring
the boring bits F, F, alternately to the end of the felloe G, G, which is
The

page_text: mounted upon the bed H (and secured by a dog or any suitable means).
The bed H is made adjustable to and from the centre pillar B by means of
the screw I, and the boring carriages E, E, are likewise adjusted by means
of the screws J, J, to suit the radius of the various-sized felloes. Motion is
given to the boring bits F, F, in the following manner :-The centre pillar B
has its end turned true, and is furnished with three riggers which may revolve
freely around it. The two lower riggers are connected together (or cast in
one piece). The middle rigger is driven by the band L, and it causes the
lower rigger to revolve with it. The band K, K, passes over the riggers on
the spindles of the boring bits F, F, and against the upper and lower riggers
on the pillar B, and as the lower rigger is caused to revolve by its connection
with the central rigger, it gives motion to the band K, K, which presses
against it, and thus the motion from the band L is communicated to the
boring riggers and bits. The angular carriage D, D, is moved up to the bed
of the felloe by a workman. The holes or mortices in the felloe to receive
the spokes may also be bored in this manner by changing the position of the
bed H and felloe upon it, as shewn by the dotted lines in Fig. XII. The
spoke holes thus bored are squared and completed by means of the machine
of which Fig. XIV. is a plan. A is the cast-iron frame; B, B, are two bits
which support the bed C upon which the felloe is firmly fixed. The spear or
square taper file E is connected, by means of the guide rod F, with the crank
rod G by the joint at H, so that when the crank I revolves, the spear or file
is moved backwards and forwards in the hole in the felloe. Motion is given
to the crank by means of a band on the live and dead pullies K, K. The
bed C is adjustable by means of the screw L. The felloes being now com-
pleted are fixed upon the spokes, and dowilled and wedged in the usual
manner. The wheel is then to be finished by shaping the sides of the felloes
in the shaping machine, of which Fig. XV. is a plan, and Fig. XVI. is an
elevation. A is the cast-iron frame; B, B, are two beds for carrying the
circular saws, which are adjustable endways,. or in the direction of their
spindles, by being made with screws and slides in the manner of a slide rest.
Part of the cast-iron frame A is shewn moveable upon the centre pin D by
means of the segment and set screw E, in order to accommodate the position
of the circular saw F to the required shape of the wheel. Motion is given
to the circular saws by means of bands upon the riggers G, G. The beds
B, B, are made to move to and from the centre pin by means of the bevil
wheels H, H, H, and the screws C, C, one of which is a right-hand and the
other a left-hand screw. The centre pin D has a pair of bevil wheels I, I,
by which motion is given to the beds B, B, and the saws upon them are thus

page_text: caused to advance towards the wheel. J, J, is the cast-iron frame which
supports the bed K, which has bearings to carry the spindle L, which is
furnished with a toothed wheel M in geer with a pinion N, which pinion is
driven by a band round the rigger 0. At the end of the spindle L the wheel
P is fixed, and when the rigger O receives motion, that wheel revolves with it,
at the same time the saws F, F, are put into rapid motion, and the shape of
the wheel is thus cut with great accuracy; and the inner edges of the felloe
between the spokes may be shaved out in the usual manner. The tyring of
the wheel is also to be performed in the usual manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said Augustus Applegath, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.