Year: 1897

page_text: I, GEORGE FREDERIC LEBIODA, of 50 Rue Saint Didier, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus for drying and hardening wood of all kinds,
whether in the shape of rough timber in lengths or blocks, planks, rafters, floorboards,
panels, or the like.
The drying and hardening may be effected when the wood is in its natural
condition or when primed, primed and impregnated, or impregnated only.
For enabling the invention to be better understood I have represented the same
by the way of example in the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a front view of the whole apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a side view.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section along the line 1-2 of Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section along the line 3-4 of Figures 2 and 3...
In these figures, the same reference letters indicate the same parts.
My apparatus consists essentially of a foundation or base a formed of a block of
stone or of bricks, metal or other suitable substance.
In this base is a chamber into which is introduced a steam circulating pipe b.
An opening c is formed in the chamber this opening corresponding with another
opening d in the movable grate e which is supported by the base and itself supports
a plate f furnished with transverse grooves g between which a variable number of
holes h are formed in a suitable manner for the passage of air and heat.
The piece of wood i which is to be dried and hardened, is placed edgeways on the
plate f. A vertical plate also pierced with holes for the passage of air and vapour
is placed on the side faces of this piece of wood.
These plates which are furnished with projections m so as to be able to slide in
the grooves
are now applied to the surfaces of the wood by means of cross-pieces n
with the assistance of screw bolts o.

page_text: The cross-pieces n placed at the top and bottom of the plates k upon the flanges p
of these plates are kept in position by means of cross-ties q
A bar or weight lies on the piece of wood i and is retained in place by a cross-
plate or cross-bar 8 which is attached to the grate e and to the plate f by means of
bolts t.
The bar or weight and the cross-plate s are provided with eyes or loops wand v
respectively with which the hooks of a chain belonging to a crane or other appliance
engage.
The apparatus just described is placed in a drying chamber x formed of three
brick walls, the front of this room being closed by means of a metallic screen made
to slide or fold.
In the interior of the drying room x a tube or pipe y for the circulation of the
steam is suitably arranged.
The top of the drying room is closed by a textile fabric of some kind or by sheets
of metal having openings corresponding with the bolts t so as to allow of the nuts
being screwed from the outside.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
After the piece of wood i has been placed edgeways on the plate f, the plates k are
brought into contact with the surfaces of the wood, by turning the handles of the
screws 1. These plates are then kept in contact with the wood, by screwing the
bolts o of the cross-pieces n which are previously put in place.
The bar or weight 7 suspended to the lifting apparatus is then placed on the piece
or wood; then the cross-plates is put in place by means of the lifting apparatus
and the nuts of the bolts t are screwed down.
After the stove or drying chamber has been closed, the cocks are turned on and
the steam flows into the tubes or pipes b and y, and the nuts of the bolts t are screwed
down from time to time so as to gradually increase the pressure on the piece of wood
under treatment.
When the operation is finished, the cocks are turned off, the stove or drying
chamber is opened and then, after the nuts of the bolts t have been unscrewed, the
cross-plate 8 and the bar or weight rare lifted off, finally, the cross-pieces n are
withdrawn, and the plates removed by turning the handle 2 which operates the
drum or cylinder 3 on which is wound the chain 4 connected with the plate k. The
piece of wood is then removed and replaced by a fresh piece, when the whole
operation is repeated in the same manner above described.
The apparatus just described enables wood to be dried and hardened in a very
ardeed
short time.
The vertical plates k may be brought into contact with the wood to be treated or
withdrawn therefrom by means of a jack-screw or in any other suitable or cor nient
manner; and the pressure applied to the piece of wood, instead of bei
ted by
hand, may be effected in any other manner, by means of a hydraulic pre or example,
and the heat may be produced by any other means than that of steam
It is of course understood that the shape, dimensions, details, and materials"
employed in the construction of my apparatus may be varied without in any way
departing from the principle of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
The apparatus for drying and hardening wood arranged and combined as above
described with reference to the drawing and for the purpose specified.
pated this 4th day of June 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & CO.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.