Improvements in or relating to Sawing Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Sawing Machines.
I, CHARLES EATON TURNOCK of 47 Albert Road, Edgehill, Liverpool in the
County of Lancaster, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :-
Hitherto in circular saw benches, it has only been possible to obtain one cut at a
time, and to make the next cut the timber had to be pulled back and again
presented to the saw, and this operation was repeated again and again until the
timber was cut up into the number of boards or pieces required.
Now by my present invention I am able to very greatly expedite the process of
sawing up the timber into a number of boards or pieces of the thickness required,
in fact I am able to saw up the timber in several pieces in the same time practically
as it was possible hitherto to cut one board.
In carrying out my invention 1 provide a series of saws each mounted on an
independent spindle one behind the other, said spindles being capable of sliding
transversely. propose also to make the benches in sections, each containing two
circular saws for convenience and portability in fixing, each bench being flanged
and rahbetted so as to enable the series of benches to be firmly attached together.
The circular saw spindles are mounted on suitable slides capable of sliding
transversely so as to enable the sawyer to easily distance and gauge the saws
before sawing the boards. These slides can be operated by means of a rotary
screw spindle operating a nut fastened to the slide, but I do not limit myself
to this arrangement as any other suitable arrangement may be employed. Thus
for example the saw spindles may be formed in two parts one part having
pulleys or other means attached for driving purposes, the other part having the
saw mounted thereon, and coupled to the other portion by a device comprising
an elongated threaded collar, grip or cap, the adjacent ends of the spindles
being threaded with right and left hand threads, to receive the screw threads
on the inside of this collar. The outside of this elongated collar is formed
with teeth which engage a toothed pinion which can be brought into and out
of gear with the toothed collar by means of cranks and levers which can be
controlled by the operator, or else coupled to the main starting lever which
guides the straps on to the fast pulleys. Thus when the machine is started
the pinion is drawn out of engagement with the toothed collar while when the
machine is stopped again it is put into engagement, and by rotating this pinion,
when it is in engagement with the toothed collar it is obvious that the collar will
be rotated and that portion of the spindle on which the circular saw is mounted
slid transversely either one way or the other. By this means the transverse
position of the saws can be adjusted, so as to cut boards of the required
hickness.
The fence plate for regulating the thickness of boards to be cut, comprises
essentially an open framing, on the front face of which a fence plate is mounted
and fixed. It is preferably made of polished steel of the required thickness,
say inch or more. The fence frame is of course adjustable transversely. In
conjunction with each fence plate, 1 provide a guide blade or knife adjustable
longitudinally in the fence frame and at back of the blades 1 arrange a spring, the

page_text: tendency of which is to push the blades forward. It may be locked in any
required position to allow of different sized saws being used. The object of this
blade arranged in front of the fence is to safely guide the cut boards in the required
direction, the blade being adapted to receive the cut in the timber immediately
after leaving the saw.
The fence frame is made open, so as to allow the cut board or boards to pass
through the same, and behind the fence plate where other plates are provided
adapted to guide and slightly spread the cut boards, so as to give them security
and avoid any possible jamming of the cut boards when passing onwards. The
ience plate may be attached to the fence frame by means of projecting straps
securely screwed or riveted thereto or in any other suitable manner.
Any ordinary roller feed can be arranged in proximity to each saw so as to give
the necessary feed motion to the timber. The rollers of these feeds may be formed
with grooves, and furthermore I propose to fix other feeds adapted to draw all the
cut boards onwards. To prevent the saws from running unevenly through lateral
play, and in order that they may work more steadily, gripping or guiding devices
are fixed to the loose sliding plate, or placed in any other position where found
most suitable. These grippers or guides bear against the saw on both of its faces
near the periphery and prevent any lateral play.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The fence plates and saws having been adjusted to occupy the required positions,
the timber to be sawn is placed against the first fence and fed forward by the
roller feeds to be presented to the saw. The first cut in the timber is thus
commented, the sawn portion passing along behind the fence plate. Soon after the
timber comes in contact with the second saw, which cuts off the second board, the
two sawn portions passing behind the second fence and slightly spread outwards by
the blade and plate aforesaid so as to avoid any possible jamming of the cut boards
while passing onward. When the timber reaches the next saw and feace, the same
operation is repeated, the boards pass behind the fence and so on until the entire
length of timber is sawn up into boards, the cut boards passing behind the fences
in each case. At a suitable int, the cut boards are caught by a friction tension
feed and carried forward to the end of the machine.
To vary the thickness of the boards, all that is necessary is to adjust the saw
spindles transversely, and thus a series of boards can be cut simultaneously of any
required thickness.
I have described the above way in which I propose to carry my invention into
effect, but I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the details
described, as these can be altered to suit special circumstances and requirements,
the main feature of my invention being the cutting of timber in several boards or
pieces simultaneously by means of a series of circular saws.
Dated this 12th day of September 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
1, CHARLES EATON TURNOCK of 47 Albert Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool in the
County of Lancaster, Timber Merchant 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 :—
My invention relates to certain improvements in and connected with circular saw
machines used for sawing or cutting timber into boards of various thicknesses aud

page_text: for like purposes and the objects of my said invention are to effect the cutting of
two or more boards simultaneously and to enable the use of both ordinary and
swage saws for the purpose.
33
2
$
Hitherto with the use of "swage saws (ie. circular saws made thicker in the
middle than at the periphery for the purp ise of giving stiffness to a thin cutting
edge) it has not been the practice to cut more than one board or sliver at one
time owing to the fact that great difficulty has been experienced in dealing with the
cut boards which must be guided away from the saws at a considerable angle and
no adequate provision for dealing with the same is made in ordinary saw benches.
My present invention is therefore more especially designed to meet and overcome
this difficulty and to the best of my knowledge and belief the same has not been
accomplished in a practical manner prior to the date of this my said invention.
The features of novelty comprising my said invention are (1) The employment
of a number of circular saws each driven in lipendently and arranged to cut a
number of boards successively of a "deal" or other piece of timber. (2) The
provision of means for adjusting the said saws transversely and for rea lily varying
the lateral distance between the successive saws. (3) The provision of means
immediately following each saw for spreading the "kerfs" (ie. the cuts made in
the timber by the saws) and guiding the cut boards away from the up-coming parts
of the saws. (4) The provision of means for rendering the machine self acting in
the carrying forward of both the unent and cut timber.
In carrying my said invention into effect I employ two, three or more circular
saws each mounted upon an independent spindle and arranged at certain distances
apart in one long hench or frame, or one, two or more saws and spindles may be
contained within short sections of bench and two or more such sections may be
joined together to form a continuous bench.
The figures upon the sheets of drawings hereunto appended represent substantially
the essential features of my said invention and the method of carrying the same
into effect, but I do not confine myself precisely to the forms and construction
shewn, I may find it desirable to alter the detail of construction and proportion of
parts to adapt my said invention to varying conditions and requirements.
Figures 1. 2. & 3. upon Sheet I of the said drawings are a longitudinal sectional
elevation, a transverse section and a plan respectively of a machine constructed
1. the
according to my said invention in which 1. 2. 3. are three circular saws.
first in the series is carried in the usual manner. Saws 2 & 3 and others following
if more are employed, are carried by supplementary sliding top plates or frames 4. 5.
which form the surface of the bench at the points where the saws are located.
These said plates are arranged to slide transversely for the purpose of adjusting
These franes or
cach saw indipendently of the preceding or following saws.
plates are operated by screws and handwheels as shewn and set screws or other
device are provided for locking same in any desired position.
Each saw is provided with an adjustable guide fence for determining the thickness
of board or sliver to be cut. The fence 8 adjoining the first saw 1. is of ordinary
character, but the fences 9. 10 adjoining the second and each succeeding saw
consist of front plates of cast iron or other suitable material attached to brackets
or stays 11. 12. in such manner as to leave cavities or spaces behind the same for
Within
the passing through of the boards cut by the preceding saw or saws.
these said spaces are placed one or more thin vertical adjustable plates 13. 14.
arranged and fixed in such manner as to keep the boards cut by preceding saws in
proper position until they emerge at the delivery end of the machine.
Immediately following the first and each succeeding saw, vertical plates 6. 7. of
steel or other suitable material, shaped to fit the curve of the saws are placed and
arranged to stand in the cuts formed by the saws. These plates are of tapering
section and act in the manner of wedges in opening out the cuts and guiding the
cut boards away from the up-coming edges of the saws. Each of these said plates
is connected to the fence adjoining the next succeeding saw by means of a number
of dovetailed tongues fitting and sliding in grooves forined in the face of such fence

page_text: for the purpose of enabling the said plates to be adjusted longitudinally to suit
saws of various diameters, while at the same time maintaining the continuity and
evenness of the surfaces of the said plates and fences against which the timber
being cut is pressed by the feed rollers. These said plates are further stiffened by
stout top bars A. A' fitting into sockets B. B₁ formed upon the top edges of the
fence plates 9. 10. and they are kept in place in relation to the saws by means of
helical or other springs C. C₁ contained within the said sockets and which are
arranged to exert a certain pressure upon the ends of the said stiffening bars.
This is for the purpose of providing for a certain degree of "relief" in the event
of the said plates becoming jambed in the kerf of the timber being cut. Adjustable
stops D. D' are provided to regulate the distance through which the said springs
shall act, and set screws E. El are provided for determining the pressure to be
exerted by same.
The back edge of each fence is connected to the adjustable plate in the space
behind the next succeeding fence by means of a plate such as 15 and 16 of wrought
iron or other suitable material. These said connecting plates which have a
number of slots formed in them near each end-to be hereinafter referred to-are
attached to the fences and inner movable plates in such manner as to allow of
the said fences and plates being adjusted indipendently. These plates are for the
purpose of guiding and keeping the boards cut by any particular saw separate
from that being cut by the next succeeding saw, and they further act as surfaces or
foundations against which the back feed rollers 21-26 may press for the purpose
of carrying forward the cut boards.
Feed rollers 17-20 for guiding and propelling the timber to each saw are
provided and arranged in the manner shewn. Said rollers, as likewise the
rollers 21-26 are carried by hinged or pivoted arms in the usual manner and may
be actuated by chains, toothed gear, or other suitable known means. The requisite
pressure may be obtained by weights or springs, both methods being well known and
in common use. The rollers in front of the saws have a number of toothed or
serrated collars formed thereon, or the said collars may be faced with rubber or
its equivalent. Those at the back have collars thereon faced with rubber or other
suitable equivalent material. These feed rollers, both back and front are
combined with plates 15. 16. and 27. 28. having series of slots formed therein near
one or both ends through which the collars on the feed rollers project. The
plates 27. 28. are supported by brackets 29. 30. and are attached thereto by means
of two or more studs." Helical springs being introduced between the said plates
and brackets for the purpose of allowing of a certain amount of movement of
the said plates to enable them to adapt themselves to variations in the thickness
of the deals or other form of timber being cut. The brackets 29. 30. are adjustable
transversely.
The feed rollers 23-26 at the back of the second and each succeeding saw are
caused to rotate at speeds slightly above that of the front rollers for the purpose
of carrying away the cut boards quickly. Small rollers of the usual kind inay be
introduced into the faces of the fences against which the timber slides for the
purpose of reducing the friction due to the pressure of the feed rollers.
Figures 4 and 5 on Sheet 11 of the said drawings are an elevation and plan
respectively of a modification of my said invention in which rotatable metal discs A
are placed immediately following each saw in place of the fixed plates 6. 7. in
Figs. 1. 2. & 3. These discs-which are made in form somewhat similar to a
swage saw, ie, thicker in the centre, but without teeth-are carried by studs fixed
to arms or brackets B attached to the tops of the fence plates 9. 10. and the said
fence plates are cut away where the discs overlap same so as to allow of the said
discs being set linable with the faces of the fence plates. These discs are for the
same purpose as the plates 6. 7. but being capable of rotating they revolve as the
timber passes along and the frictional resistance offered thereby is reduced to a
minimum, the contact being more of a rolling than of a sliding order. This form
of guide or "spreader" is more especially applicable when cutting comparatively

page_text: thick boards owing to the friction in that case being considerably greater than
when cutting thiu boards. The brackets or arms B carrying the discs may be
fixed in sockets and furnished with relief springs similar to the stiffening bars A
and A¹ in Figs. 1. 2 & 3.
A further modification of my sail invention consists in arranging the sliding
plates or frames, carrying single saws, in pairs at suitable distances apart,
the object being to cut a board or series of boards off each side of the timber
simultaneously. This arrangement enables a larger number of saws being
grouped together in a given space, and the productive capacity of a machine
arranged in this manner would be double that of the machine shewn in
Figures 1. 2. & 3.
The pulleys for driving the several spindles are mounted upon sleeves through
which the said spindles pass and are connected thereto by feather keys or other
suitable means.
These sleeves are carried by bearings attached to the main framing of the said
bench or series of benches and always remain in the same relative position. This
arrangement allows of the endway adjustment of the said spindles without altering
the positions of the said pulleys.
The operation of a machine made in accordance with my said invention is as
follows, the action being the same in the case of the saws being arranged in pairs.
as in the case of a single row as shewn in Figures 1. 2. & 3. The "deal" or piece
of timber to be cut is carried by the feed rollers up to the first saw and the cutting
of the first board commences. The board first cut passes behind the guide plate
and through the space behind the second fence and on to the end of the machine.
As the timber reaches the next and succeeding saws each cuts a board or sliver of
a thickness equal to the lateral distance between itself and the preceding saw and
each board as cut passes behind the guide plate and through the space behind the
fence adjoining the next saw and so on to the end of the series.
:
It will thus be obvious that a great many saws may be employed in the manner
aud order described and that boards cut by such a machine can be produced much
more expeditiously and economically than by ordinary methods and further by
enabling the use of swage saws in this manner and order a further economy and
greater accuracy in working are at the same time ensured.
The positions of the saws could be adjusted by lengthening or shortening the
several spindles by means of right and left hand screwed couplings or sleeves as
described in my Provisional Specification but I wish it understood that I do not
consider that the best method and I therefore purpose abandoning the method as
regards my present invention.
I am aware that circular saws and spindles capable of lateral adjustment and
arranged opposite one another have been employed for cutting boards to a given
width and for like purposes and therefore wish it understood that I do not set
forth as novel the principle of transverse adjustment but to the best of my
knowledge and belief the arrangement of a number of circular saws capable of
transverse adjustment in the order and manner herein described and illustrated
is novel.
I also wish it understood that I do not set forth as novel the application of feed
rollers in any way for propelling the cut or uncut timber except as combined with
guide plates such as 15. 16. and 27. 28.
1 may employ adjustable grips for steadying the tops of the several saws
employed in my said machine and may attach the same to the brackets 29. 30. or
other suitable support.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
claim is :-
1. In circular saw machines the combination of two or more saws carried by
separate spindles, one or more or all of them being capable of adjustinent

page_text: transversely and the combination therewith of plates such as 6. 7. and fences 9. 10.
substantially as herein shewn and described and for the purpose stated.
2. In circular saw machines in which two or more saws are employed the
combination therewith of fences such as 9. 10. plates 6. 7. brackets 11. 12. and
division plates 13. 14. substantially as described and illustrated and for the
purpose stated.
3. In circular saw machines employing two or more saws, the combination
therewith of guide plates such as 15. 16. and 27. 28. and the combination with the
same of feed rollers such as 21-26 and 17-20 substantially as described and for
the purpose stated.
4. In circular saw machines the combination with one or
more saws of the
circular rotatable discs such as A, arranged immediately following such saw or
saws, substantially as herein shewn and described and for the purpose stated.
5. The general combination of parts constituting a circular saw machine
employing two or more saws, for effecting the cutting of two or more boards
simultaneously and embodying means for readily varying, by transverse adjust-
ment, the lateral distance between the successive saws, and for the employment
of "swage
as well as ordinary circular saws, substantially as herein described
and illustrated.
33
Dated this 11th day of June 1896.
CHARLES EATON TURNOCK.