Improvements in Stone Sawing Machinery.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 29th Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stone Sawing Machinery.
We, GEORGE RUSHWORTH and JOHN RUSHWORTH of Primet Bridge Iron
Works, Colne, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer's and Contractor's Plant
Manufacturers, 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 consists of certain improvements in stone sawing or cutting
machinery, whereby the saw frames are not only lighter in construction, but are
also more rigid, firmer, and better capable of withstanding the severe tension and
strain, consequent upon the heavy and ponderous work, to which this class of
machinery is usually subjected. Our invention also consists of improved means
of driving stone saw frames to obtain a quick return of the frame in readiness for
the sawing of the stone. On reaching the latter, the speed of descent of the frame is
suddenly checked, and the frame allowed to descend gradually while cutting. By
novel means we are also enabled to vary or regulate the descent of the frame
during the sawing process, so that the speed of traverse may be increased or
decreased according to the nature of the material to be sawn, without the machine
being stopped.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 an end
elevation of a saw frame constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 3 is a
plan view of the top of the frame, clearly shewing the driving arrangement.
The four vertical standards or uprights A carrying massive cross-heads B
constitute the outside framing, while girders B₁ extend across from upright to
upright and strengthen the structure. The saw frame is very substantially and
rigidly constructed, and consists of tension plates C, from one to the other of which
extend powerful stays D, to which a number of lattice bars E are rivetted or bolted.
Cross stays E' (see Fig. 2) are also employed for adding stability to the frame.
The tension plates, carrying the saws F, are provided with slide pieces G which
permit of free horizontal reciprocation, that is obtained by crank or connecting
rod H, the latter being connected to any suitable prime mover, or other source of
motive power.
The novel method of constructing the saw frame as described permits of its being
built considerably lighter, and yet adds materially to its rigidity and strength,
especially at its upper part, which is to withstand the greatest strain.
We will now proceed to describe our improved method of driving the saw frame,
which is an essential feature of our invention. This part of our invention will be
fully understood from the following description and by reference to Figs. 1 and 3.
The arrangement for obtaining a quick return of the saw frame, so that it may
be rapidly raised or lowered to any desired position will be first described.
Drum has cross and straight_belts, which, when this means of driving is
inoperative, drives loose pulleys J and J'. When, however, it is desired to
speedily move the saw frame in position for sawing, the straight belt is moved on
to fust pulley K, the other belt of course being used for obtaining a reverse motion,
or vice versu.
Fast pulley K turns shaft L, which, through the medium of toothed gear
wheels M and M' operates shaft N, and thereby bevel gear O. Transverse
shaft P is thus set in motion in either one or the other direction just as the frame
may be required to be raised or lowered, which transmits motion through bevel
wheels P to screw shafts P. The latter, as seen in Fig. 2, raise or lower sliding
head piece P, which is grooved on each side to slide on the. flanges 1" of the

page_text: uprights A. The flanges may be lined with any suitable material on their inner
edges, so that they will not be liable to be fritted away by friction, the lining being
readily renewed when required.
The sliding head-piece is toggle, knuckle, or otherwise jointed to the saw-frame
by joints Q and Qi, one being provided with a right and the other with a left
hand screw thread respectively, so that when the central nut Q is turned, the
sweep of the saw frame may be regulated to a nicety.
When the saw frame has been got into position in readiness for cutting the stone
into slabs, the driving strap is shifted from fast pulley K to loose pulley J or J' as
the case may be.
We now employ another driving arrangement altogether and in contradistinction
to the other when sawing the stone, which will be clearly understood by referring
to Fig. 3. Shaft R is driven continuously from drum I and carries at its other
end a cone pulley R¹ having preferably four faces of varying diameter, which by
means of a belt imparts motion to a similar cone pulley R in apposition to the
other in order that we may get as many variations as may be required in the ratio
of speed at which the saws are lowered as they are cutting the stone.
Cone pulley R operates gear wheels S and S¹ continuously and futilely during
the quick return movement of the saw frame.
As seen in Fig. 2, the starting lever T jointed to L bracket T¹ is slotted or
otherwise formed to stride or grip grooved boss U of sliding pinion U² sliding on
key U³ of shaft U. When the sawing is about to be commenced, the starting
lever T is pushed forward so as to put the sliding pinion U in gear with the gear
wheel M. The driving arrangement is thus completed, and shaft N is driven
slowly through the medium of the respective gear wheels S and S', pinion U* and
gear wheel M', the speed of driving being modified as may be thought expedient
by shifting the driving belt upon one or other of the faces of the cone pulleys, and
thereby slowly lowering the saw frame in the manner already fully described.
The foundation for the saw frame may consist of base plate V strengthened by
fish plate V'.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The improved arrangement and construction of stone saw frames and parts
connected therewith, substantially as described and illustrated.
2. In stone sawing machinery, the driving arrangement for obtaining a quick
return of the saw frame, substantially as shewn and described.
3. In stone sawing machinery, the driving arrangement for obtaining a variation
in the speed of the frame while cutting the stone, and also the improved means
of rendering the same operative or inoperative substantially as shewn and
described.
4. In stone sawing machinery, the combination with the driving arrangement For
obtaining a quick return of the frame, of the arrangement for varying the speed of
descent of the frame while cutting the stone, and the means for rendering the
latter method of driving inoperative or vice versa as required, substantially as shewn
and described.
5. Loose or sliding pinion U having grooved boss U and operated by starting
lever T substantially as and for the purpose described and set forth.
6. The improved method of constructing saw frames for giving lightness and
stability to the structure, substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1894.
F. RICHMOND,
12, Standish Street, Burnley, Agent for the Applicants.