IMPROVEMENTS IN CUTTING WOOD
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HAMILTON, of the City of London, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eighteenth day of
January (One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine), in the twelfth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Hamilton, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said James
Hamilton, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said James
Hamilton, my exors, admors, 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, and in the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her said
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CUTTING WOOD;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I,
the said James Hamilton, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and

page_text: immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Hamilton, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a plan
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine. Figure 2 is an end
Figure 3 is a back elevation. Figure 4 is an
elevation of the opposite end. Figure 5 is a plan. Figure 6 is a front view
of the cutter gate D. Figure 7 is a section of Figure 6.
of a cutter in segments. Figure 9 is a section of Figure 8.
arrangement for moving the screws 3, 3, (Figure 1,)
Figure 11 is the same arrangement as in Figure 10, but
.roller F nearer to or farther from the centre of the cutter E.
Figure 10 is an
simultaneously.
for moving the
When it is desired to cut veneers, the workman having adjusted the
machine by fixing the log to be cut to the fence U, having fixed it firmly, it is
then pressed against the roller F by means of the screws W, W. Motion is
then communicated to the cutter frame D by moving the band upon the fast
pulley which gives motion to the fly wheel I*, causing the cutter frame D
to move up and down. The clicks or palls O*, 0*, are then thrown into
gear with the ratchet wheel P by means of the lever Z, which causes the
sliding carriage S to move on, so giving two cuts to each revolution of the fly
wheel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation. A, A, are the top and bottom rails of the
frame, twelve feet long, three feet high, five inches wide, and one inch thick,
more or less, with six pieces marked B,.B, B, B, B, B, of the same width
and thickness, more or less, connecting them together. On each of these
pieces is a rib running up and down in front,. to add to its strength. C is a
frame, in which the gate D moves up and down. 'D.is the gate, which moves
up and down with cutter E fixed on a spindle, which revolves in the brasses 1, 1.
F is a roller, the centre of which is placed slightly away from the edge of the
19
..

page_text: cutter E by screws 3, 3. The distance of the roller from the face of the cutter
will be the thickness of the veneer, and. by varying the distance of the roller
from the face of the cutter the thickness of the veneer will be varied also. G
This slide is connected with the cutter
E is a pitman or forked connecting
is a slide box, in which moves a slide 4.
frame D, and moves it up and down.
rod, connected with the slide 4 by means of the pin 5. This rod moves the
.cutter frame up and down by means of a crank or crank pin, in the usual way.
I is the fly wheel shaft, having the fly wheel keyed upon one end and the
excentrics upon the other, as seen in Figure 2. J* is one of two hanging
brackets (see Figure 2); bolted firmly to the side frame A, A, supporting and
connecting the driving parts below with the machinery above. S'is a sliding
frame, with a dovetail flanch or front (as seen more clearly in Figure 5). This
frame slides upon the tops of the side frames A, A, A, A, (see Figures 1 and 2,)
and is kept in its proper position by means of guide pieces 12, 12 (see Figures 2
and 4). T, T, T, are three dovetailed slides, of which two only are here shewn
(see Figures 3 and 5), having fastened on them the plate or fence U. U is a
fence plate, to which the wood is intended to be fastened while being operated
upon. The wood is glued upon a rack or frame in the usual way for. vencer
saws. The rack or frame is fastened to this plate by means of thumb screws or
bolts passing through it. V, V, are two brass nuts, fastened to the fence U.
W*, W*, are two toothed wheels moved or turned by the worm or endless
screws X, X. 13, 13, 13, 13, are four upright posts or bearings, in which run
the arbors of the toothed wheels W*, W*. Two only are shewn in this Figure
(sce Figure 5). X, X, are two worms or endless screws keyed upon the worm
shaft Y. Y is a shaft running in two upright posts or bearings 14, 14. Upon
this shaft are keyed two worm wheels or endless screws, for the purpose of
working the tooth wheels W*, W. Upon one end of the shaft is a fly or hand
wheel 15, to enable the workman to advance (or otherwise) the wood until it
presses upon the roller F; the wood is then in a position to be operated upon.
Z is a lever (more clearly shewn in Figure 5), for the purpose of disengaging
the palls (0*, O*, seen in Figure 3) from the ratchet wheel while the top
sliding frame S and the wood is being run back.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of Figure 1. A, A, are the frames, more
clearly seen and described in Figure 1. B* is one of the six inner frames
which connect the sides A, A, Figure 1, and A, A, Figure 2, together. C is the
frame, in which the gate D (Figure 1). runs up and down. 4 is the slide
described in Figure 1. H is the pitman or forked connecting rod. I is the
fly wheel shaft. I* is the fly wheel. J, J, are the fast and loose pulleys.
J*, J, are the two hanging brackets. K, K, are the two excentrics, scen

page_text: more clearly in Figure 3. L, L, are two riders or levers, resting upon the
tops of the eccentrics, one of which is seen in Figure 3. 6 is the joint pin,
upon which the ends of the riders or levers L, L, vibrate. M, M, are two
sliding pieces, moving upon the upper surfaces of the riders or levers L, L.
N, N, are two riders or levers, resting upon the sliding pieces M, M, at one
end, and working upon the joint pin 7 at the other. When the machine is
-put into operation, the cams or eccentrics K, K, and riders L, L, and N, N,
give an alternate motion to the eccentric rods 0, 0 (more clearly shewn in
Figure 3). 9 is a guide for the excentric rods, screwed upon the frame A, A
(see Figure 3). O* is one of the palls, two of which are shewn in Figure 3.
P is a ratchet wheel; 11 is its handle. Q is the shaft upon which the ratchet
wheel is keyed. Upon the other end of this shaft is a pinion R* working in
rack R. This shaft and pinion is shewn in dotted lines. R is the rack bolted
firmly to the sliding frame S. S is the sliding frame, more fully shewn in
Figure 5. U is the fence, to which the wood to be operated upon is fastened.
V is one of the nuts, shewn in Figure 1, W is one of the screws (two of
which are shewn in Figure 5), passing through the nut V, and running in the
upright posts or bearings 18, 18. W* is a tooth wheel, keyed on one end of
the screw shaft W. Two are shewn in Figure 3. X is a worm or endless screw
working on the tooth wheel W. Y is a shaft, upon which the worms X, X,
are keyed. 15 is a fly or hand wheel, keyed upon the shaft Y, to give motion
to the worms X, X. 3, 3, are the two screws that work the dovetailed
slides 2, 2, shewn in Figure 1. U is one of three brackets (shewn in
Figure 5), strongly bolted to the dovetailed slides T, T, T, and fence U.
Figure 3 is a back elevation. A, A, is a frame, similar to that described in
Figure 1, B, B, B, B, B, B, as also described in Figure 1. C is the frame,
in which the gate D (Figure 1) runs up and down. D is the gate (as shewn
in detached view, Figure 6), in which the cutter E operates, as described in
Figure 1. F is a roller. I is the fly wheel shaft. J* is one of the hanging
brackets referred to and described in Figure 1. K, K, are the eccentrics.
L is one of the two riders or levers described in Figure 2. 6 is the joint pin.
M is one of the two sliding pieces, which may be fastened at any point by the
screw L*. N is one of the two riders or levers resting upon the slide M.
7 is the joint pin. 0, 0, are two excentric rods, having pins 8, 8, in the lower
end of each, which pins drop in holes drilled to receive them in the riders or
levers N, N. These pins retain the excentric rods in their proper position. 9 is
a guide piece, screwed upon the frame A, A, for the purpose of keeping the top
ends of the excentric rods O, O, in their proper places. O*, 0*, are two palls
or clicks working upon the joint screws 10, 10. These clicks work in the ratchet

page_text: wheel P. P is the ratchet wheel 11 is its handle. Q is the ratchet wheel
shaft. S is the sliding frame. T, T, T, are the dovetail slides, upon which is
fastened the fence U. U is the fence plate, to which the wood is fastened.
W*, W*, are two tooth wheels, moved or turned by the worms X, X.
X, X, are two worms or endless screws keyed upon shaft Y. Y is the worm
shaft, running in bearings 14, 14. Z is a lever, moving the slide Z° to disen-
gage the clicks or palls O*, Ox, from the ratchet wheel P. This is effected by
there being a pin through each of the clicks, and sliding in a groove in the
slide Zo, so that when the lever Z is moved in one direction the palls are
disengaged from the ratchet wheel P, and are put in gear when the lever Z is
moved in the reverso direction.
A, A, A, A, are the frames,
the six inner frames which
Figure 4 is an elevation of the opposite end.
as described in Figures 1 and 2. B* is one of
connect the sides A, A, Figure 1, and A, A, Figure 3, together, three feet
high, three feet wide, one inch thick, more or less, with flanges for the purpose
of connecting the two side frames together. C is the frame, in which the
gate D (Figure 1) is moved up and down. 4 is the slide described in
Figure 1. H is the pitman or forked connecting rod. I is the fly wheel
shaft. I is the fly wheel. J, J, are the fast and loose pulleys. J*, J*, are
the two hanging brackets. K, K, are the two eccentrics. N, N, are the two
riders or levers, more fully described in Figure 3. 7 is the joint pin. O is
one of the eccentric rods, two of which are shewn in Figure 3. P is the
ratchet wheel. 11 is the handle. O is the ratchet wheel shaft. R is the
rack. S is the sliding frame. U is the fence. U* is one of the thrco
brackets (shewn in Figure 5). V is one of the nuts, shewn in Figure 1. W
is one of the screws (two of which are shewn in Figure 5), passing through the
nut V. and running in the upright posts or bearings 13, 13. W* is a tooth
wheel, keyed on one end of screw shaft W. X is the worm or endless screw
working in tooth wheel W. Y is the shaft, upon which the worms X, X, aro
keyed (Figure 5). 15 is a hand or fly wheel. a is a piece of flat iron, having.
two slots b, b, in it, bolted to the brackets J*, J*. c is a slide, having horns
or forks d, d, running on each side of the band, for the purpose of throwing
the band from one pulley to the other. e is a lever connected at the bottom
with slide c through a slotted hole. In the centre of this lever is a pin f, upon
which the lever e works. By moving this lever with the handle 9 one way
or the other, the band will be moved from one pulley to the other.
Figure 5 is a plan. A, A, A, A, are the side frames. A*, A*, A*, A*, are
four feet for the purpose of fixing the machine to its foundation. B*, B*, B*,

page_text: B*, B*, B*, are the cross frames which connect the side frames A, A, and
A, A, together. Five only are seen in this Figure. C is the frame in which
the gate D moves up and down. D is the gate. E is the cutter. 1 is the
brass box in which the spindle of the cutter revolves. I is the fly-wheel shaft.
J, J, are the fast and loose pulleys. M is one of the sliding pieces, more clearly
shown in Figure 3. N is one of the two riders or levers, more clearly shewn
in Figures 3 and 4. 7 is the joint pin. O is one of the two palls or clicks
shewn in Figure 3. P is the ratchet wheel. 11 is the handle. Q is the
ratchet wheel shaft. R, R, R, R, is the rack, having its teeth upon the under
side, and the pinion upon shaft Q gears into it, and by turning the ratchet
wheel the sliding frame S may be moved in one direction or the other. S is
the sliding frame, upon which the timber is placed to be cut. T, T, T, are
three dovetail slides, upon which the fence U is fastened. U' is the fence
plate. V, V, are two brass nuts, fastened to the fence U. W, W, are the two
screws that work the fence plate U backward and forward. 13, 13, are two
of the four upright posts or bearings, in which run the arbors of the tooth
wheels W*, W. W* is one of two tooth wheels, moved or turned by the
wormis X, X. X, X, are two worms or endles sscrews, keyed upon the
shaft Y. Y is the worm shaft, running in bearings or posts 14, 14. 15 is a
fly or hand wheel. Z is a lever, for disengaging or otherwise the palls O*,0*.
a is a plate or rib screwed firmly upon the dovetail slides T, T, T, connecting
them strongly together, so as to compel them to move simultaneously by the
'screws W, W.
. Figure 6 is a front view of the cutter gate D. D is the gate. E is the
cutter, revolving in the brasses (or box) 1, 1. E*, E*, are two ears, for the
purpose of connecting the cutter frame D with the slide bar 4 (shewn in
Figure 1) by the pin e*. F* are dotted lines for an additional cutter, in case
the work requires it. It can easily be added by giving sufficient length to the
cutter gate D, enabling the same length of stroke to cut twice the depth of the
wood.
Figure 7 is a section of Figure 6. The same figures and letters refer to the
same parts.
.
Figure 8 is a plan of a circular cutter made in segments. h is the mandril
or chuck the segments or cutters i, i, i, i, i, i, are screwed upon. i, i, i, i, i, i,
are the segments or cutters. When these segments are firmly fixed to the chuck
h by screws j, j, j Î, Ì, Ì, Ì, Ì, Ì, Ì, Î, j, as shewn in the Drawings, the cutter
will then be turned and finished into shape, the same as those heretofore
described.

page_text: Figure 9 is a section of Figure 8. The same letters refer to the same parts
as in Figure 8.
Figure 10 is an arrangement for moving the screws 3, 3, (Figure 1,) simul-
taneously. F is the roller, shewn in Figure 1, revolving in dovetailed
slides 2, 2. k, k, are two toothed wheels fixed upon the ends of screws 3, 3,
seen in Figure 1. 1, 1, are two worms or endless screws, keyed upon the ends
of spindle m, which spindle revolves in bearings n, n. These bearings are fixed
to tho dovetailed slides 2, 2, by means of the screws 16, 16, 16, 16. It will
be seen in this arrangement that by turning the spindle m in one direction or
the other, the roller F will be moved nearer to or further from the face of the
cutter, so as to regulate the thickness of the veneer.
Figure 11 is the same arrangement as in Figure 10, but for moving the
roller F nearer to or farther from the centre of the cutter E.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I make no claim
to the separate mechanical parts; nor do I confine myself to the details herein
shewn, so long as the peculiar character of the combination is retained,
whereby knives or cutters with curved edges are used. And although I prefer
that the cutters should rotate freely by the reciprocating action of the
cutter gate, I do not confine myself thereto, as cutters with curved cutting
edges may be employed without having rotatory movement when cutting, but
only the power of turning to bring into action other portions of their cutting
edges; but what I claim is the so arranging mechanical apparatus or parts
that cutters with curved edges may be caused to be put in action by a reci-
procating cutter gate, in combination with suitable arrangements for advancing
the log, and for keeping it correctly up to the cutter or cutters, so that
veneers or thin cuttings of wood may be removed off the face of a log, as
explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hamilton, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Fourteenth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within-named James Hamilton, in
the presence of
JAMES (Ls.) HAMILTON

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of July, in
the year of our Lord 1849, the aforesaid James Hamilton came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.