IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING WOOD
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
HUNT BARBER, of King Street, Cheapside, in the City of London, 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 dato at Westminster, the First day of June, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the eleventh year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Thomas Hunt Barber, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Thomas Hunt Barber,
my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Hunt
Barber, my exors, admiors, 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, the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING WOOD," communicated to me from
abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the
said Thomas Hunt Barber, shall cause a particular description of the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by au
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 bad, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in complianco with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Hunt Barber, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters of reference and
description thereof thereon written, that is to say:-
The Invention consists, first, of means of supporting timber when being cut
to various bevils.
Secondly, the Invention consists of improvements in chucks or apparatus
for holding timber at the ends when being cut or sided.
Thirdly, the Invention consists of means of giving motion to timber to
facilitate its being cut to the desired bevils.
Fourthly, the Invention consists of improvements in saw gates or frames.
Fifthly, the Invention consists of improvements in moving tho bevilling bar
or apparatus for governing the bevils which are to be cut.
Sixthly, the Invention consists of means of giving stability to the head block
or apparatus holding a log when being sawed.
And, seventhly, the Invention consists of improvements in apparatus for
indicating the directions or bevils to which timber is to be cut.
And in order that the Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued by me by
reference to the Drawings hereunto annexed, which show so much of sawing
machinery as will enable a workman readily to understand the same, aided by
the description written thereon. The present Invention has for its objects
improvements in the machinery for which Letters Patent were granted to
Junius Smith on the Third day of June One thousand eight hundred and
forty-three. And it will only be desirable to remark that I do not confine
myself to the precise details shewn and described so long as the peculiar
character of either part of the present Invention be retained. And I would
state that I do not now claim the mounting of a log of timber on axes, and
causing it to be cut by a saw or saws moving on axes, and mounted in inner
saw gates or frames moving laterally freely in an outer gate or frame, such
general arrangement of machinery being fully described under the Patent of
the said Junius Smith, and also under a modern Patent granted to John
Webster Cochrane.

page_text: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, Figure 2 shows part of a side view,
Figure 3 shows parts of the other side view of the machine; Figure 4 is a
transverse view, Figure 5 another transverse section, and Figure 6.a plan of
parts of the machinery. In these Figures the same letters of reference are
used to indicate similar parts, and such is the case in the other detail views
shown separately.
The first part of the Invention consists of a mode of giving support to the
timber near the saw in cases where such support is required; but in practice
I have not found such support generally required, the holding it by dogs at
either end being generally sufficient, and it is only in cases where the timber.
is light and springy and of a considerable bend that such support becomes
necessary. a is a roller, the axes or necks of which are carried by a frame b,
such frame being carried by a bar c, which at its lower end is supported by a
lever d, which is supported by a chain affixed on a pulley d'. The bar c is
kept upright by passing through the beam e, there being an enlargement c¹
fixed on the beam e to give extent of guiding surface to the bar; by this.
means the roller will be supported in its centre and offer support to the
timber moving over it. And in order that the supporting roller may be enabled.
to give way and assume an angular position according as the timber is turned.
on its axes in cutting bevels, I apply weights on to the arms f, f, which are to
be fixed by screws or otherwise at any position on their arms to give the
required balance to the log; only one weight will be required to be in use at
one time, the other being disconnected by unhooking its chain.. The roller is
raised or lowered so as to come correctly under the timber by means of a screw
9, which gives motion to a screw wheel 9 on the axis of the pulley d¹. The
peculiarity of this part of the Invention consists in the causing the supporting
roller to be capable of assuming an angular position by the act of the timber
passing over it, and when its under surface is caused to assume an angular
position in order to be cut to varying bevels.
The second part of the Invention consists of an improved form of chuck for
holding the ends of timber when the same is being sided. This apparatus is
shewn in the Figures already referred to, and also separately in several
Figures, the nature of each of which is written on the Drawings. h is the
holding chuck, on which the ends of the timber rest; this chuck is placed on
the axes i, j, of the head blocks, and is made fast by means of a, screw passing
into the sliding supports *, affixed under the sides of the head blocks to give
stability thereto. These chucks h, h, carry holding dogs h, moving on axes

page_text: h, and the log of timber is securely held in position by driving the outer ends
of the dogs into the log, and then the log will be securely fixed for having two
slabs taken off one on either side, or what is called "siding" the log.
I will now describe the parts constituting the third part of my Invention:-
The timber is to be mounted on the axes i, j, by suitable dogs or chucks. I
prefer those shewn at Figures 7 and 8, but they may be varied, and I make
no claim thereto. is a bar, which at its lower end has a plate formed thereon
with a slot through it, the bar being capable of moving freely on the axis i;
and the bark is also capable of being fixed to the chuck or dog on the axis i,
by a screw passing through the slot into the dog or chuck on the axis i.
The bar is made of two parts so combined as to slide and expand or contract
in length, as is shewn by the Drawings. On the upper end of the bar & is
formed a screw socket which is connected to the bar by a pin joint or
axis, the under sides of the screw socket having dovetails which move
in fixed dovetail guides on tho fixed bar 7, the under plate of which
bar being slotted to allow the bar to move freely to and fro from
side to side of the machine; m is a screw, the bearings of its necks
or axes being fixed to the bar 1, and it will be readily seen that according
as the screw is turned in oue direction or the other so will be the direction
of the bar moved, and consequently the axis i and the log of timber
fixed thereto. Motion is given to the screw m by means of the wheel n fixed
on the axis n', on which there is a cog wheel n³, which takes into the cog
wheel m² on the axis of the screw m; and in order to be able to give the
screw a quicker motion when it is desired to run the bark back a crank
hanule m is applied to the other end of the screw m. By this arrangement
the workman will be able to turn the log on the axes i, j, with facility, and by
applying what I call a bevel board, as hereafter explained, he will be able to
do so according to such board and cause the log to turn in such manner as to
have the desired bevel or bevels cut by the saw or saws.
I would state in respect to this part of the Invention that the peculiar
character consists in the mode of applying a screw m to the bar k; I would
however remark that I do not claim the use of a screw and screw nut or
socket generally for this purpose as a mode, using a similar screw and socket,
was described in the Specification of the before-mentioned Junius Smith, but
in that case the screw gave motion to a lever and that lever gave motion to a
bar similar to the bar k.
I will now describe the parts of the Drawing which shew the fourth part of
the Invention: In the Specification of the said Junius Smith one or two saws
were proposed to be used, but in that case if two saws were used they were to

page_text: be both in the same frame; now according to this part of the Invention two
inner saw frames are applied to the saw gate so that the two frames may move
independently of each other. These saw frames are shown in their places in
the Figures before referred to, and they are also shewn in separate Figures 9,
10, and 11, in order that their construction and arrangement may be better and
more readily understood. o is the saw gate; p and q are the two saw frames,
each being a complete frame, the saw being in cach case stretched between
two side rails with top and bottom rails, as shewn. The frame 7 works
within the frame p, the side rails of the frame p being made double to allow
thereof, and the frame 9 moves freely between friction rollers r, and the saws
are capable of moving on their axes readily by being guided to their work; tho
workman, by slotted or forked instruments or bars, as described in the Speci-
fication of the said Junius Smith, acting on the backs of the saws, such
instruments being supported on the bar s fixed across the machine.
I would remark that a machine has before been constructed having two
independent saw frames carried by the same saw gate, but in such case the
saw frames were not complete frames, that is, wherein the saws are stretched
between top and bottom rails, kept apart by two side rails, cach saw being
stretched between two side rails, and it is this having two independent com-
plete saw frames carried by the same saw gate, which constitutes the
peculiarity of this part of the Invention.
I will now describe the parts of the Drawings which shew the fifth part of
the Invention, which has for its object a mode of moving the bevilling bar
which guides the bar k. Figure 12 shews a plan of this apparatus, there
being a screw t, t, at either end of the bevilling bar u, and screw sockets v, v.
The bevilling bar u slides freely through one of the screw sockets t, and is
affixed to the other, the screw sockets moving on pins or axes as shewn; and
it will be evident that by this means the bevilling bar may be readily moved
at either end and retained by the screws. The novelty of this part of the
Invention consisting in the mode of moving and retaining the bevilling bar in
the desired position. The upper end of the bark embraces the bevilling bar
and slides thereon.
I will now describe the parts of the Drawings which shew the sixth part of
the Invention. * h,* are sliding supports fixed under the head blocks to give
support thereto; these sliding supports rest on the rails or bars w, w, fixed
below, and it is by the use of the sliding projections or supports h*, h*, together
with the rails w, w, that the head blocks are made more stable.
I will now describe the parts of the Drawings which shew the apparatus used
for indicating the cuts when siding a log, and for indicating the bevels to be

page_text: cut.
In order to indicate where the cuts are to be made when siding a log
there are dials or index plates y fixed at each end of the machine with
slots, so as to allow of two plumb lines y', y', as shewn, each line at its upper
end having a button which can slide along the slot in the index plates,
and the index plates are graduated on both sides of their centres, the centre
being marked O, the numbering in inches commencing from their centres,
and the centres are over the centre of the axes i, j, of the dogs or chucks
on which the timber is mounted. In order to set out the bevils to which
a log. is to be cut on one or both sides I use a board A, on which the
workman marks the successive bevils to be cut on a log by means of a
bevil square, as indicated by the red lines on the small board A, there being
as many bevil lines marked on the board A as there are to be bevils cut
in a particular log. And I mark out the distances on the log itself thus:-
Supposing the log was to be with its under side horizontal, and the saw or
saws to commence at right angles thereto, the log would be fixed in the
chucks or dogs to that position, and the bar k would be vertical. Then
supposing that in making a cut for three feet it be required to arrive at a
certain angle or bevel, that angle or bevel would be marked on the board A,
and numbered 1. Then supposing that it be desired that at this point the
bevil was desired to be varied, to a certain other angle, by the time the
saw or saws arrived at a second determined point on the log such second
This
angle would be marked on the board A, and numbered 2, and so on.
board A would be placed in the instrument, Figure 13, which has two parallel
edges B and C, and a bar or rule D, such rule turning on an axis; and a
board E, having a slot therein, is to be fixed in the frame on the upper edge C,
so that the angles from the board A may be transferred from the board A on
to the board E by means of the rule D. Then the board E is to be fixed to the
upper end of the bar k, as shewn, in such manner that the mark No. 1 comes
under the line F of the apparatus, which I will now describe. t is a bar,
which may be either fixed above the centre of the machine, or may be the
bevelling bar, moved by screws, as before explained. On this bar there is a
groove in which the bar F slides freely, the bar F being retained in position
by straps F around the bar u, yet allowing the bar F to slide freely. The
bar F is graduated into fect, inches, and parts of inches, commencing with the
right-hand end of the machine, the numbering running back towards the
left-hand end. The cord or line is weighted at one end, and fastened by the
other end to the right-hand end of the bar F. At the left-hand end of the
bar is fixed a bar G, with numerous pins, between which the cord can be
placed. The bar F is slided forward beyond the board E, which is affixed to

page_text: the upper part of the bark; a distance equal to that on the log from its end
where the change of bevil is to commence, that is, in departing from No. 1.to
enter on the distance No. 2, and the cord at starting is to be placed so as to
come directly over the mark showing the first bevil on the board E. Then
the workman (as the machine continues to work, and the log is thereby cut,)
will cause the mark No. 1 to continue opposite the cord until the board
arrives under the end of the cord where it is fast to the bar k, when he will
slide the bark a distance equal to that between the first and second marks on
the log, and he will alter the cord so that it will come directly over the mark
indicating the second bevil, and so on. The novelty of this apparatus is the
use of the fixed index plates, more particularly applicable for siding timber,
and also the use of the boards A and E with the apparatus for transferring
the bevils from one to the other; and also the mode of employing the sliding
bar combined with a cord and a pin, or notched rack, as shewn and described.
I have not thought it necessary to describe the means of giving motion to
the saw gate, nor the action of the feeding apparatus to move the log up to
the saw, they forming no part of the Invention; neither have I thought it
necessary to shew all the details excepting when necessary for the parts
constituting the Invention, such details being well understood.
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 what I claim is,-
First, the means of supporting timber when being cut to various bevils.
Secondly, I claim the improvements in chucks or apparatus for holding
timber at the ends when being cut.
Thirdly, I claim the means of giving motion to timber to facilitate its being
cut to the desired bevils.
Fourthly, I claim the improvements in saw gates or frames shewn and
described.
Fifthly, I claim the improvements in moving the bevilling bar or apparatus
for governing the bevils which are to be cut.
Sixthly, I claim the means of giving stability to the head blocks or appa-
ratus holding a log when being sawed.
And, seventhly, I claim the improvements in apparatus for indicating the
directions and bevils, to which timber is to be cut.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Hunt Barber, have hereunto set
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
my
T. H.
(L.B.)
DARBER.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of July, in the
year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Thomas Hunt Barber 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.
Enrolled the First day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
cight hundred and forty-eight.