IMPROVEMENTS IN BOAT BUILDING, AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREIN
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nathan Thompson, junior, of 15, Abbey Gardens,
St. John's Wood, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOAT BUILDING,
AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREIN."
Sealed the 9th November 1861, and dated the 13th September 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nathan Thompson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th September 1860.
I, NATHAN THOMPSON, junior, of 15, Abbey Gardens, St. John's Wood,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOAT
BUILDING, AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in boat building, and in
apparatus used therein, and the Invention consists, first, in improvements in
the Invention for which Letters Patent were granted on the 16th June 1858,
No. 1359. Suitable pieces of timber, generally about four to six inches in
width, and about two inches in thickness, are employed to run parallel to each
other in a direction from stem to stern, and about ten inches apart, and they
are secured to chocks or pieces of timber secured transversely, so that the
whole when united shall form the exact shape or form of the boat, and which
I call the "assembling form." At the gunwale parts of the form, and running
from stem to stern is a ledge whereon the gunwale rests, these being the first
A

page_text: •
pieces laid and bent upon the form; the "risings," which support the seats,
are the next parts applied; then the gunwale is notched, and also the
It should be stated that on the
"risings" to receive the ends of the ribs.
bevils of the parallel pieces which run longitudinally, pins are inserted in
a line that will represent the ribs in the finished boat; and levers are also
applied of such forms that when ribs are laid on to the form the ribs may be
pressed against the pins and thereby retained. After which the floor timbers
are secured, and cants to the ribs; after which the keel, and the stem and
stern posts. By thus constructing and applying the "assembling form," I am
-enabled to get out all the fore and aft and bilge timbers in halves, and to get
out the floor timbers and cants, and to secure them in the best possible manner
upon the "assembling form," admitting of replacing damaged ribs with
facility, and it allows me to permanently place the gunwales, risings, wash
streaks, feather bands, and mouldings which could not be done according to the
previous Patent.
Another part of this Invention applies to the making of ribs for boat
building. For this purpose a number of blocks or forms of wood, or it may
be of metal, are used, each having one of its surfaces shaped in conformity
with a finished rib; or, in place of making such blocks or forms to receive
only one piece of timber to be bent thereon, it is sometimes found desirable to
make such forms or blocks sufficiently large to bend thereon seven or any
other number of pieces; in which case each form or block is mounted on
wheels running on a tramway, so as to enable each of the seven or other
number of pieces to be brought in succession beneath the bending apparatus.
Each of such pieces, after having been bent into the proper form, is cut (when
cooled and properly set) into three or four ribs, each of which varies slightly in
bevil and bend. When ribs are both convex and concave, then tin blocks are
to be used, each of which has a convex surface a counterpart of one of the con-
cave surfaces of the pile. Each surface of a block is then to be fitted with a
thin metallic plate attached at one end to the surface, and provided at the
other end with some proper devise for causing that end to approach the surface.
In getting out the ribs, the first operation is to form, by sawing or otherwise, a
wide plank into about the length of any given rib, and having from end to end
the thickness and taper of the rib. The next operation is to steam these
pieces in any well known manner. The third step is to place such pieces with
their ends resting in suitably formed chocks or sockets attached at either end
of the sheet metal pieces, and then to bend the plank by means of the plate,
as herein-after described, until the plank is both bent and twisted, so as to
assume the shape required; or if a rib be of an S-shape it is to be shoved down

page_text: between two surfaces, and each end is then to be bent and twisted to conform
to a surface by means of metal plates. The pieco of prepared wood is to be
attached to one block, or is otherwise caused to assume the form or shape of
the blocks, so as to give the plank the required shape. After the planks are
bent they are to be left confined a sufficient length of time to dry and set to
the required curve, and although I have said that the surfaces are to be
counterparts of a pile of ribs, yet in practice it will be found necessary not to
make them exact counterparts, but to give them a little sharper curve and a
little
greater twist or warp, for the reason that the planks after being bent and
twisted will tend in a slight degree to recover their original shape. The
fourth and last step is to saw the bent pieces of plank into strips, and cach
strip will be a rib properly tapered, curved, and bevilled.
Another part of my Invention consists in a mechanical combination or
arrangement for bending ribs. For these purposes a shape is used suitable
for bending two half-ribs or one complete rib for the two sides of a boat,
and the ends of the two half-ribs, or the centre or middle of the longth of the
piece of wood for a complete rib will be held down on to the form in the
position where the keel comes, and then the two outer ends are received into
hollow sockets which are attached at the ends of levers, whose other ends
move on axes carried by slides, in such manner that as the slides carrying the
axes of the two levers are moved the half-ribs will be bent out to and will be
caused to take the contour of half the form, and so soon as the bending has
been accomplished, the two hollow sockets are secured together by screw
clamps. They are thus held secure for any desired length of time, and
as the ribs are first steamed, they will, when they become dry and set, be in
the forms desired. The holding down of the whole or half-ribs where the keel
is to come, is preferred to be by weighted lever or levers, with suitable adjust-
ment for the axis or axes of the lever or levers; but this may be varied, and
the mode of moving the slides carrying the axes of the bending levers may
be varied put I prefer to use two chains passing round guide pulleys and round
a drum or drums put in motion by suitable gearing, the chains being con-
nected to the slides which carry the axes of the bending levers, and such
slides, together with the levers, are counterbalanced by weights suspended to
chains passing over pulleys.
Another part of my Invention has for its object a combination or arrange-
ment of mechanism for bevilling the edges of the ribs used in building boats.
The machinery is capable of producing different bevils or angles on the same
rib, or different bevils on different planks, without any alteration or adjustment
of the machine. The machine consists of a strong frame supporting a table or

page_text: platform. In proper boxes (attached to the frame and the table) is supported
a shaft, which has keyed upon it a driving pulley, and has mounted upon its
upper end a rotating cutter; between this cutter and the shaft is a bevilled
collar, which may be a separate piece or form part of either the shaft or the
cutter. The shaft is set at an angle with the table, and the cutter should
overhang the table at an angle equal to the angle of the greatest or most
oblique bevil required, and so that an imaginary line on the surface of the
collar, which is coincident with a vertical plane passing through the centre of
the shaft, should be at right angles, or nearly so, with the plane of the table,
or, in other words, the collar should bevil or incline towards the shaft at an
angle greater than a right angle by the number of degrees subtracted by the
angle between the table and the shaft. The angle of bevil of the collar may
be less, but the operation of the machine will then be less certain. Under
the overhanging parts of the shaft lies a fence, which is a piece of metal rising
from the table and bent so as to partially surround the cutter. 1 prefer to
make that side of the fence furthest from the table perpendicular to its surface,
and to incline the other side as closely as possible to the cutter, so as to
strengthen the fence. The top of the fence should be as high as the greatest
projection of the collar above the table. This machine is to be used in con-
nection with a guide board or plate as thick as the fence is high, or nearly so,
and whose edge is of the same contour as one of the edges of the ribs or plank
to be bevilled. And when the cutter is revolved the operation of the machine
is as follows: A plank is to be sawn out either straight or curved as required,
and then is to be fastened to the board or plate. The plate having, as before
stated, been curved to the line of the edge of the required bevil, if that bevil
is to be on a curved edge; if the bevil is to be on a straight edge the guide
plank must be straight. The upper line of bevil is then to be marked on the
upper surface of the plank to be bevilled, and if both board and guide be
moved along the table, the latter in contact with the collar, and in a line
perpendicular to a vertical plane passing through the shaft, the lower edge of
the rib or plank will be reduced to the shape of the guide, and its edge will be
bevilled to an overhanging level equal to the overhang of the shaft. In places
where the line struck on the upper edge of the board lies inside of the edge
thus made, the overhang is to be reduced by moving the guide along in other
directions along the table, it being plain that the edge formed on the rib or
plank will be vertical, if both guide and board are moved in lines parallel
with a vertical plane passing through the centre of the shaft, and that the
board will be sloped inwards from bottom to top at the greatest angle, if the
guide be moved in contact with the rest or fence, and in a line perpendicular

page_text: to that passing through the shaft, as before named, and that various bevils,
either overhanging or retreating, may be cut by feeding the guide in lines at
angles to those already named. After shaping the lower edge of the plank by
the guide, and with the greatest overhang, all that the workman has to do is
to follow around the cutter, moving the board and guide in various lines until
he cuts up to the guide line. Where the bevil in a rib plank is to be through-
out its length at the same angle, I can dispense with a guide line on the
upper side of the board, and direct the course or direction of the guide by lines
drawn on the surface of the table, and each marked with the angle at which a
bevil will be cut by passing the guide along such line. From the foregoing
it will be evident that the collar is useful in cutting the overhanging bevils,
and that the fence is useful in cutting the retreating bevils, and that either the
collar or the fence may be dispensed with when the nature of the work is such
that only one kind of bevil is to be produced.
Another part of my Invention consists of apparatus by means of which tho
edges of the planking for boats may be bevilled and brought to a proper curve,
at the same time with accuracy and despatch; planks for small boats arc, of
necessity, curved along their edges, in order to accommodate themselves to
the shape of the bottom of the boats, and they have a continually varying bevil
on their edges, so as to fit close to the next planks so that the joints may be
properly caulked.
The apparatus herein described is for the purpose of guiding the operator,
so that both the curve and the bevil may be worked out at the same time with
practically unvarying uniformity, and with despatch, without requiring the
application of skilled workmen.
The apparatus consists, first, of a bed or support for the plank to be
worked; second, of an edge guide for controlling the plane, so that it shall
cut the plank to the proper curve; and, third, of a surface guide so con-
trolling the same instrument, that the plank shall receive its proper bevil at
the same time that its curve is worked out. The bed or support for the
plank is furnished with small pins or points for steadying the plank, and the
edge guides are to be formed of the precise curve of the plank required, and
project upwards from the surface guides. The surface guides are to be worked
out into a warped surface, the peculiarity of which is, that lines drawn on it
perpendicular to the edge guide, or nearly so, at any point shall also be at
right angles to the bevil required at the same point. As a means of econo-
mizing the cost of the construction of the apparatus, I make both edge and
surface guides on the two sides of the same bed-piece, so that both edges of a
plank may be worked without removing it from the pins; and I also construc

page_text: on the reverse side of the same beam other edge and surface guides, and
another bed. The instruments to be employed are ordinary planes, which are
to be laid with one side held firmly in contact with the surface guides, and
with the bottom in contact with the edge guides, or as nearly so as the plank
will permit. The side of the plane nearest the surface guide should be
slightly convex, and the bottom thereof should bulge out slightly, the most
projecting points in both surfaces being at or near the cutter or plane iron,
and the stock should extend beyond the iron on one or both of the narrow
sides thereof, so that the wood of the stock may run against the edge guide,
while the iron reduces the plank. The angles formed by the bottom and
sides of the plane should be right angles, but if it be desired to use a plane in
which these angles are not right angles, then the angle between the lines
should be made the same as the angle between the bottom and sides of the
plane. The convexity in the bottom and sides of the plane will be unneces-
sary when the curves and bevils do not change suddenly. The plank to be
worked is to be sawn out pretty nearly to shape, is then to be forced down
into the bed, and is to be planed, while the plane is guided by the edge and
surface until the side and bottom of the plane run in contact with both the
edge and surface guides throughout the whole length thereof. The plank will
then be reduced to the required curve and bevil.
Another part of my Invention consists in apparatus for reducing planks,
so that when worked they shall have a warped or twisted surface. This
apparatus, devised with special reference to the working of planks for planking
boats, planks fitted for that purpose having a twisted or warped surface on
both sides, the one irregularly convex, and the other irregularly concave, the
latter being applied to the ribs or timbers of the boat, which have convex
curves of different curvature at points equidistant from the keel, but varying
distances from the bow or stern of the boat. A plank, in order to fit the
various ribs to which it is attached, must have a convexity or guttering of
different extent at different points of its length, and in order to make the
boat fair with the lines on its planking corresponding to those that can be
drawn over its ribs, the outer surface of the plank should be parallel to the
inner surface, or nearly so. This apparatus will work planks to an irregular
or warped curved surface on either or both sides, and, if desired, with the
surface of the one side parallel to that of the other. This apparatus in its
essentials consists of one or more rotating cutters arranged in a frame, con-
structed in such manner that it can be turned or rotated about on axes.
When combined with a stationary table or equivalent support, along which
the plank to be worked is to be fed, either by hand or by any proper

page_text: machinery, and one or both of the cutters must have knives of such a shape
as will cut either a concave or a convex surface. A circular plate or table
on suitable standards is used, and other standards support the ends of a
feeding table, and their other ends rest upon and are secured to the circular
plate. Just above the bed plate is secured a circular guide and support,
whose centre is vertically under the centre of the circular plate. The two-
circular plates are embraced by two posts, which are secured to moveable
circular plates resting upon the upper and lower stationary circular plates, and
projections, if deemed necessary, may extend from the posts under either or
both of the stationary circular plates; or the inner edge of the lower moving.
plates may enter notches in the posts. These posts are framed together at
the top, and are fitted with boxes, slides, and adjusting apparatus carrying and
governing two rotating cutters, one being so shaped as to cut a gutter or hollow
in a plank submitted to its action, and the other is so formed as to round up at
the centre any board that may be passed over it. Between the two circular
plates a shaft is supported in boxes in the posts, and at the centre of this shaft
measuring between the boxes is a pulley turned off, so as to be a portion of a
spherical surface, or nearly so, and at the outer end of this shaft is another
pulley carrying a belt, which passes over a tightening pulley and partially
around two other pullies, each secured at the end of one of the shafts that
carries a cutter; the whole arrangement being such that the lower shaft may.
be revolved by a belt, although this shaft may change its angular position.
relatively to the shaft which drives, and such that the shaft shall, through the
instrumentality of belts and pulleys, cause the cutters to revolve.
stationary circular plates serve as guides and supports for the moveable cir-
cular plates, and consequently for the posts and the frame and cutter that they
convey, and the posts, framing, and cutters are free to revolve around the
stationary plates, and consequently around the centres of the circles of the
shafts, a line passing through which would pass through the centre of the
cutter shafts, or nearly so. One end of a cord of hemp, wire, or catgut is
secured to one of the posts, passes partially around the upper moving circular
plate, then completely round a small pulley on an upright shaft provided with
a hand wheel, and then partially around the same circular plate to the other.
post, to which the other end of the cord is to be secured, and the whole is to
be drawn tight. By turning the hand wheel, the posts, frame, and cutters
may be turned, so that the axes of the cutters may form different angles with
a line drawn along the edge of the feeding table. On one side of the feeding:
table is fastened an adjustable guide, and the tables or the front and rear ends
of the table are bevilled off so as to allow the lower cutter to turn with the
The

page_text: posts and moving circular plates. A rest bar stands just in front of the lower
cutter, it is attached to the posts, turns when they are turned, and its upper
surface, when properly adjusted, should be level with the lowest depression of
the concave cutter. Over the rest the plank to be planed passes on its way
from the front part of the table to the cutters. Directly above this hangs a
strong and heavy swinging shield. This shield is pivotted upon the posts, and
turns when the posts turn, and bears with its whole weight, or nearly so, upon
the upper surface of the plank which is being planed. It serves therefore as
a pressure bar to hold the plank while being cut, acting as pressure rollers or
bars act in planing machines.
The concavity and convexity of the cutters which are to be used must be
governed by the shape desired to be produced, and they should be counterparts
of reverses of the smallest amount of concavity and convexity required in the
plank to be shaped. Before planing and reducing a plank, the desired shape
must be known, and a calculation made as to how far the rollers must be
turned, or, in other words, at what angle they must stand to the line of travel
of the plank, in order to produce the required degree of convexity and con-
cavity at different parts of the length of the plank. The plank is then to be
laid on the table and moved through the machine, and while it is being reduced
the operator must, by means of the hand wheel, turn the cutter frame as
required. The result will be a plank having on both sides a warped surface,
if both convex and concave cutters are employed, or if two convex or two con-
cave cutters are used; if one convex or one concave cutter is used either in
connection with a resisting surface or with a straight cutter, then the plank
will have a warped surface on one side only.
Other parts of my Invention relate to machinery for planing, moulding,
grooving, rabetting, and bevilling wood suitable for boat building. For these
purposes rotary cutters are employed, carried on axes, one or more of which
are so mounted as to be capable of being moved on centres at right angles to
the direction of their length, by which the cutters may be made to approach
the wood obliquely, and so produce or plane such side or face of the wood at an
angle to its other sides. In machines for planing according to this Invention
the cutters are arranged on three sides of the wood to be planed, so that all
the three sides are operated upon simultaneously, and provision is made for
introducing a fourth pair or set of cutters, so that all four sides of a piece of
wood may be plaued at the same time.
The feeding in of the wood to be planed or moulded is made self-acting, and
is driven by bands and gearing in the ordinary manner, and is so arranged
that the feed may at any time be stopped without stopping the working of the

page_text: machine. If it be desired to produce mouldings on one or more sides or on all
four sides of the wood, the plain cutters from such sides are removed, and
cutters of the form of moulding desired affixed to such axes in lieu thereof.
In order to cut or form slots or grooves (having parallel sides) of any
desired width or depth, a saw having some of its teeth filed off or removed on
its one side, and some on its other side is used so that those teeth will "chime"
or cut narrow cuts on each side of the intended groove, slot, or channel to be
formed, whilst the wood between such two outside cuts is removed by the
straight or central teeth of the circular saw; and in order to cut grooves, slots,
or channels of greater diameter than that of the saw just described, it is so
mounted on its axis as to be set at an inclination thereto by turning a screw
or nut with a spanner or wrench, the thread of the screw working in a female
screw formed to receive it in the thickness of the saw. The boss of the saw
is formed concentrically, and has two similarly formed cheeks, within which it
is capable of travelling the required distance to give the inclination to
the saw.
It is sometimes necessary to form a rabbet along a portion of a length of
wood, and then to discontinue it, as in the formation of the keels of boats; it
is necessary to cut a rabbet on cach side of the stem and stern portions, and
yet not to extend it more than a slight distance along its sides; and such
portions of the keel are generally slightly bevilled, so as to improve the cut-
water. These are tedious operations when they have to be performed by hand.
By this improvement the required bevilling and rabetting for keels of boats is
readily obtained, and the machine is made capable of turning upon a centre,
and is mounted on wheels, which travel on circular tramways or track
attached to the flooring for that purpose; by thus turning the machine, the
curved portions of a keel, stem, and stern may as readily be operated upon as
the straight portions. The wood is fed into the machine by being slid upon a
fixed table or bench, and is received between suitable feed rollers, which are so
arranged the when a check or break is put upon the wood which is being
operated upon they become the means of rotating the machine upon its axis,
so that then, instead of the wood travelling forward during the cutting of the
curved portions, the machine travels and the wood remains stationary. The
rabetting cutters are mounted on suitable axes, and are driven by pulleys and
cords from the main shaft; the bearings of their axes are hinged or moved
on segments, which serve as centres carried by the framing. The upper and
lower set of rabetting cutters are caused to approach each other by means of
counterbalance weights, which determine and regulate the amount of pressure
given to the cutters upon the wood. And in order that the cutters may come

page_text: into and go out of action at the proper times, the foremost ends of each of
their axes have slightly hollowed guides formed upon them, between which a
pattern passes. This pattern and the wood to be operated upon are attached
to and are moved forward through the machine together, and as the narrower
portions of the pattern pass between the guides on the axes of the cutters, the
cutters enter and cut the rabbets, and as the pattern or guage piece increases
in width, the cutters are thereby caused to move away from each other, and
the cutting ceases, although the working of the machine continues, the
bevilling is at the same time going on. The axes of the bevilling cutters are
binged at one end, so that their other ends can be moved slightly towards or
away from each other by means of an axis f, having formed thereon a right
and left-handed screw, working into nuts carried by the axes of the bevilling
cutters. The working of this right and left screw axis is by means of a hand
wheel, so that the attendant upon the machine may, as gradually as he desires,
increase the amount of bevil or diminish it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Nathan Thompson, in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 13th March 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, NATHAN
THOMPSON, junior, of 15, Abbey Gardens, Saint John's Wood, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Nathan Thompson, Her special licence that I, the said Nathan Thompson,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Nathan Thompson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BOAT BUILDING AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREIN," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Nathan Thompson, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,

page_text: and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within.
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Nathan Thompson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
The
This Invention has for its object improvements in boat building and in
apparatus used therein, and consists, first, in improvements in the apparatus
described in the Specification of the Patent granted to George Tomlinson
Bousfield, dated 16th June 1858 (No. 1359.) I employ in boat building
a frame constructed of suitable pieces of timber, generally about four to six
inches in width, and about two inches in breadth, and about two inches in
thickness; they run in a direction from stem to stem, and about ten inches
apart, and they are secured to chocks or pieces of timber secured transversely
so that the whole when united shall form the exact shape or form of the boat, and
which I call the "assembling form." At the gunwale parts of the form, and
running from stem to stern, is a ledge whereon the gunwale rests, the pieces
forming the gunwale being the first pieces laid and bent upon the form.
keel is then properly placed and fixed by screws or otherwise.
The "risings"
which support the seat are the next parts applied, then the gunwale is notched
and also the "risings "to receive the ends of the ribs. It should be stated
that on the bevils of the pieces, which run longitudinally, pins are inserted
in a line that will represent the ribs in the finished boat, and levers are also
applied of such shapes that when ribs are laid on to the form the ribs may be
pressed against the pins, and thereby retained, after which the floor timbers are
secured and cants to the ribs and the stem and stern posts. By thus con-
structing and applying the "assembling form" I am enabled to get out all
the fore and aft and bilge timbers in balves, and to get out the floor timbers
and cants, and to secure them in the best possible manner upon the "assembling
form." By means of the assembling form also ribs may be produced at
any time of the exact form required to replace damaged ribs, and the arrange-
ment above described allows of placing the gunwales, risings, wash streaks,
feather bands, and mouldings, which could not be done according to the mode of
construction adopted in the Specification of George Tomlinson Bousfield's Patent,
above referred to.
The foregoing description will be more clearly understood by reference to the
annexed Drawings marked No. 1

page_text: Figure 1 shows a side view or apparatus arranged according to tins part of
my Invention; and Figure 2, a midship section.
a, a, are longitudinal pieces of timber firmly secured to the frame b by the
chocks c, so that the whole when united forms the exact shape or contour of
the boat. At the gunwale parts of the form and running from stem to stern
is a ledge d whereon the gunwale rests, these being the first pieces laid and
bent upon the form. The risings e, which support the seats are the next
parts applied; then the keel, shown in red lines in the Drawing, is fixed upon
the brackets el; the gunwale is then notched and also the risings to receive
the ends of the ribs; the blocks f', f, being gauge points for marking the
notches or slots for imbedding the ribs; h is a seat for the stern board to rest
upon.
Into the longitudinal pieces a, a, pins 9, 9, 9, are inserted in a line
that will represent the side of the ribs in the finished boat; and levers i, i,
(some only of which are shown in the Drawings) are also applied; they are of
such form that when the ribs are laid on to the assembling form the ribs may
be pressed against the pins, and thereby retained.
Another part of this Invention applies to the making of ribs for boat
building. For this purpose a number of blocks or forms of wood, or it may
be of metal are used, each having one of its surfaces shaped in conformity
with a finished rib. Or in place of making such blocks or forms to receive
only one piece of timber to be bent thereon, it is sometimes found desirable
to make such forms or blocks sufficiently long to admit of any desired number
of pieces being bent thereon; in which case, each form or block is mounted
on wheels running on a rail or tramway, so as to enable the parts of the form
and each of the pieces of wood to be bent to be brought in succession beneath
the bending apparatus. Each of such pieces of wood, after having been
steamed, bent, and allowed to set into the proper form, is cut into three or
more ribs according to the width of the piece of wood, each of which ribs
varies slightly in bevil, and bend in order to suit it for its particular position
in the boat. When ribs are both convex and concave, then blocks or forms
are to be used, each of which has a convex surface and a concave surface,
which are respectively counterparts of the concave and convex surfaces of the
ribs. Each surface of a block is then to be fitted with a thin flexible metallic
plate of the length of the rib which is fixed at one end to the surface of the
form, and provided at the other end with some proper device to receive the
end of the rib or piece of wood for several ribs. In getting out the ribs, the
first operation is to form, by sawing or otherwise, a plank into about the length
of the ribs which are to be cut therefrom, having from end to end the thickness

page_text: and taper of the ribs, and to plane the said plank. The next operation is to
steam these pieces in any well known manner. The third step is to place such
pieces with their ends resting in suitably formed chocks or sockets attached to
the ends of the flexible metal plates. The plank is then bent by the means
herein-after described, on to the form, by which the plank is both bent and
twisted so as to assume the shape required in consequence of the form on
which it is bent being shaped to the proper form. If a rib be of an S shape,
that is, if it consist of a convex and concave shape, it is to be pressed between
two surfaces or forms of the desired convexity and concavity. After the planks
are bent in the forms, they are to be left confined a sufficient length of
time to dry and set to the required curve. Although I have said that the
surfaces or forms on which the bending takes place are to be counterparts of
ribs, I would remark, that in practicé it will be found necessary not to make
them exact counterparts, but to give them a little sharper curve and a litle
greater twist or warp, for the reason, that the wood after being bent and
twisted, will in a slight degree recover it original shape. The fourth step is to
saw the bent planks into strips, and each strip will be proper for a rib properly
tapered, curved, and bevilled. Lastly, the ribs are finished by planing on the
two sides.
The Drawing No. 2 shews apparatus for bending ribs.
Figure 1 is an end view of the machine, and Figure 2 a side view.
A represents the framework of the machine; B, the forming block; this
consists of wood shaped and formed to correspond with the required shapes or
forms to be given to the ribs to suit them for their places in the boat, and
where a piece of wood of a width suitable for making several ribs when cut is
bent, then the surface over which such piece of wood is bent should be such as
to give to each part (which will constitute a rib) the bend and twist suitable to
it, whilst the other parts of the wood will have somewhat different curves and
forms communicated to them. The block B is shown to be mounted at each
end upon a pair of truck wheels C, which rest upon rails or trams D, D, for
the purpose of conveniently moving it under the bending apparatus. The
block B may be five or six feet long, and is intended to be covered with ribs.
The forming block B is covered by beginning at the end B', and bringing the
block forward a suitable distance previous to each bending of a rib until the
block is full; each piece of wood when bent on the form is clamped or secured
to the form, and the bending apparatus is released. When the form B has
been filled with ribs or pieces of wood to form ribs, the
form with the ribs or
wood thercon is removed to a drying room, and another form B is used with
the bending apparatus.

page_text: In the Drawing the machinery is shewn suitable for bending ribs or pieces
of wood for ribs which are of a length to pass from gunwalo to gunwale;
but when ribs of a length only to pass from gunwale to keel are to be bent
the form will be varied accordingly. The ribs are bent upon the block B, by
means of a band, which I prefer to be of steel in length equal to the length
of the rib or piece of wood from which ribs are afterwards to be cut, which
thin plate is represented at H. A socket or shoe I is rivetted to each end
of this band or plate H, and upon each side of each socket I is a raised
side J, and they receive the ends of the unbent rib or wood for making ribs.
The sockets or shoes I, I, are pressed downwards and inwards by arms L
which are centered to a moving piece M, the plate or band H being on the
upper surface of the wood. The moving fulcrums M are guided in their
upward and downward movement by posts N, which receive between them
the sliding carriage T of the fulcrum M. This carriage and the arm L, and
parts connected therewith, are counter-balanced by the weight and cord T',
as shown. When the fulcrum M is up the arm L will be nearly vertical,
the lower and divided end fits on to the step O of the socket or shoe. When
the moving fulcrum descends the arm L assumes an inclined position, as
seen in Figure 1, and thus each arm L presses the socket or shoe I, I, snugly
to the forming block B. The fulcrum M, on each side of the bending
apparatus is drawn down by a chain P, which passes round a windlass Q,
which is turned by gearing actuated by a steam engine or other power, as is
shown by the Drawing. The ribs when first bent are held in place upon the
form or block B by grips R, hooked upon the sockets or shoes I. The
fulcrum M, on each side, when released is carried upward by the weight T,
supported by cords.
The manner of using this apparatus or machinery is as follows:-The ribs
or pieces of wood to form several ribs are sawn to a proper size and cut square
at each end just long enough to enter between the raised ends and sides J, J,
of the plate or band H. The band or plate II, being upon the outside or
upper surface of the rib, or piece of wood to form several ribs; and it should
be stated that when a single rib is to be bent the width of the band or plate
His to correspond with the width of the rib; but when a piece of plank wide
enough to have several ribs cut therefrom is to be bent, then the width of
the band or plate H is to correspond with the width of the plank. The rib
or piece of wood to form several ribs is placed upon the form or block B, and
the rod V is to be brought down firmly upon it, as seen in Figure 1. This
rod is attached to a lever V', whose fulcrum is at V, and the lever is provided
with a rod and ratchet by which it can be firmly held down. The short arm

page_text: of the lever is provided with a weight W, which raises the rod V, as soon as
the long arm of the lever is released from its fastening.
Another part of my Invention has for its object a combination or arrange-
ment of mechanism for bevelling the edges of the ribs or other parts used in
building boats.
The machinery is capable of producing different bevils or angles on the
same rib or part or different bevels on different ribs or parts without any
alteration or adjustment of the machine. Such an arrangement of mechanism
is shown in Drawing No. 3, Figure 1 is a side and Figure 2 an end elevation
of the machine.
The machine consists of a strong frame, a, a, supporting a table or platform b.
In proper boxes , c, (attached to the frame and the table) is supported a
shaft d, which has keyed upon it a driving pulley e, and has mounted upon its
upper end a rotating cutter f; between this cutter and the shaft is a bevelled
collar 9₁ which may be a separate piece or form part of either the shaft or the
cutter. The shaft is set at an angle with the table, which may be made
capable of being varied, and the cutter should overhang the table at an angle
equal to the angle of the greatest or most oblique bevil required, and so that
an imaginary line on the surface of the collar, which is coincident with a vertical
plane passing through the centro of the shaft, should be at right angles or
nearly so with the plane of the table, or in other words the collar should bevil
or incline towards the shaft at an angle greater than a right angle by the
number of degrees subtended by the angle between the table and the shaft.
This angle of bevil of the collar may be less, but the operation of the machine
will then be less certain. Under the overhanging parts of the shaft lies a
fence h, which is a piece of metal rising from the table and bent so as to
partially surround the cutter. I prefer to make that side of the fence furthest
from the cutter perpendicular to its surface, and to incline the other side as
closely as possible to the cutter so as to strengthen the fence. The top of the
fence should be as high as the greatest projection of the collar above the table.
This machine is to be used in connection with a guide board or plate as thick
as the fence is high or nearly so, and whose edge is of the same contour as
one of the edges of the ribs or plank to be bevilled. And when the cutter is
revolved the operation of the machine is as follows:-A piece of wood is to be
sawn out, either straight or curved as required, and then is to be fastened
to the guide board or plate, the plate having, as before stated, been curved to
the line of the edge of the required bevil, if that bevil is to be on a curved
edge; if the bevil is to be on a straight edge, the guide plank must be straight.

page_text: The upper line of bevil is then to be marked on the upper surface of the piece
of wood to be bevilled, and if both wood and guide be moved along the table,
the latter in contact with the collar, and in a line perpendicular to a vertical plane
passing through the shaft, the lower edge of the rib or piece will be reduced
to the shape of the guide, and its edge will be bevilled to an overhanging
bevil equal to the overhang of the shaft. In places where the line struck on
the upper edgo of the board lies inside of the edge thus made, the overhang
is to be reduced by moving the guide along in other directions along the table,
it being plain that the edge formed on the rib or plank will be vertical, if both
guide and board are moved in lines parallel with a vertical plane passing
through the centre of the shaft, and that the board will be sloped inwards
from bottom to top at the greatest angle, if the guide be moved in contact
with the rest or fence, and in a line perpendicular to that passing through the
shaft, as before named, and that various bevils either overhanging or retreating
may be cut by feeding the guide in lines at angles to those already named ;
after shaping the lower edge of the piece by the guide and with the greatest
overhang all that the workman has to do is to follow around the cutter moving
the piece of wood and guide in various lines until he cuts up to the guide
line. Where the bevil in a rib plank is to be throughout its length at the
same angle I can dispense with a guide line on the upper side of the board,
and direct the course or direction of the guide by lines drawn on the surface of
the table, and each marked with the angle at which a bevil will be cut by
passing the guide along each line. From the foregoing it will be evident that
the collar is useful in cutting the overhanging bevils, and that the fence is
useful in cutting the retreating bevils, and that either the collar or the fence
may be dispensed with when the nature of the work is such that only one
kind of bevil is to be produced.
Another part of my Invention applies to apparatus or forms by means of
which the edges of the planking for boats may be bevilled and brought to a
proper curve, at the same time with accuracy and dispatch.
The Drawing No. 4 shews apparatus or forms arranged according to this
part of my Invention.
Figure 1 is a plan of one of the forms, and Figures 2, 3, and 4 are sections
of other forms. Planks for small boats are of necessity curved along their
edges in order to accommodate them to the shape of the bottom of the boats,
and they have a continually varying bevil on their edges so as to fit close to
the next planks in order that the joints may be properly caulked. The
apparatus or forms herein described are for the purpose of guiding the

page_text: operator, so that both the curve and the bevil may be worked out at the same
time with practically unvarying uniformity and with dispatch, without requiring
the application of skilled workmen.
The apparatus consists, first, of a bed a or support for the plank to be
worked; second, of an edge guide 6 for controlling the plane so that it shall
cut the plank to the proper curve; and third, of a surface guide c for so con-
trolling the same instrument that the plank shall receive its proper bevil at the
same time that its curve is worked out.. The bed or support for the plank is
furnished with small pins or points d, d, for steadying the plank, and the edge
guides are to be formed of the precise curve of the plank required, and project
upwards at right angles from the surface guides. The surface guides are to be
worked out into a warped surface, the peculiarity of which is that lines drawn
on its perpendicular to the edge guide or nearly so at any point, shall also be
at right angles to the bevil required at the same point. This peculiarity will
be plainly seen on looking at the sections where the lines a, y, in surface are
perpendicular to the lines a, a, which are inclined to the bed. As a means of
economizing the cost of the construction of the apparatus, I make both edge
and surface guides on the two sides of the same bed piece, so that both edges
of a plank may be worked without removing it from the pins, and I also
construct on the reverse side of the same beam other edge and surface guides
and another bed. The instruments to be employed are ordinary planes which
are to be laid with one side held firmly in contact with the surface guides c,
and with the bottom in contact with the edge guides, or as nearly so as the
plank will permit. The side of the plane nearest the surface guide should be
slightly convex and the bottom thereof should bulge out slightly, the most pro-
jecting points in both surfaces being at or near the cutter or plane iron, and
the stock should extend beyond the iron on one or both of the narrow sides
thereof, so that the wood of the stock may run against the edge guide while the
iron reduces the plank. The angles formed by the bottom and sides of the
plane should be right angles, but if it be desired to use a plane in which these
angles are not right angles, then the angles between the lines x, y, and a, 2,
should be made the same as the angle between the bottom and sides of the
plane. The convexity in the bottom and sides of the plane will be unnecessary
when the curves and bevils do not change suddenly. The plank to be worked is
to be sawn out pretty nearly to shape, it is then to be forced down on to the
bed, and is to be planed while the plane is guided by the edge and surface
until the side and bottom of the plane run in contact with both the edge
and surface guides throughout the whole length thereof. The plank will then
be reduced to the required curve and bevil.

page_text: Another part of my Invention consists in apparatus for reducing planks, so
that when worked they shall have a warped or twisted surface.
Drawing No. 5 shews apparatus constructed according to this part of my
Invention.
Figure 1 is a front view or elevation of the machine; Figure 2 is a side
view; Figure 3, a plan of the same; Figure 4 is a back view of some of the
parts. This apparatus is devised with special reference to the working of
planks for planking boats, such planks having a twisted or warped surface on
both sides, the one irregularly convex, and the other irregularly concave, the
latter being applied to the ribs or timbers of the boats which have convex curves
of different curvature at points equidistant from the keel but at varying
distances from the bow or stern of the boat. A plank in order to fit the
various ribs to which it is attached must have a convexity or guttering of
different extent at different points of its length, and in order to make the boat
fair with the lines on its planking corresponding to those that can be drawn
over its ribs, the outer surface of the plank should be parallel to the inner
surface, or nearly so.
The apparatus in its essentials consists of one or more rotating cutters
arranged in a frame constructed in such manner that it can be turned or
rotated about on axes; this is combined with a stationary table or equivalent
support, along which the plank to be worked is to be fed by any proper
machinery, and the cutters' axes must have knives of such a shape as will cut
the one a concave and the other a convex surface. a, a, is a circular ring or
casting to be mounted on any suitable framing, within which is fitted another
circular ring c, c, so formed as to be capable of revolving freely within it to
the required distance. This inner revolving circle c, c, has standards b, b,
formed or affixed to it, which carry the cutter axes and also the driving pullies;
d, d, are tables or platforms fixed to the stationary or outer circle a, a, along
which tables the planks to be operated upon by the cutters are fed in, as
herein-after described; e is the driving shaft or axis, having keyed thereon a
driving pulley f, around which two bands g and h pass, and such bands are
guided by pullies g, h, by which means motion is communicated to the
pullies,, on the cutter axes i and j. The cutters on the axis i are convex,
while those on the axis ; are concave; on the vertical axis e is also another
smaller pulley k, which by a band passing around it and another pulley 112 on
the axis m', gives motion to the feed apparatus shewn by Figures 5 and 6,
which represent respectively a front view and a plan on a larger scale. At the
lower end of the axis m' there is a worm m³, which by taking into a
worm wheel m³, gives motion to the axis m, on which is a pinion m³,

page_text: WDich takes into and drives the two pinions a, a, on the axes of the feed
roller d', d'.
The mode of working is as follows:-A plank is fed in on one of the tables
d towards the cutters, in the direction indicated by the arrow in plan, Figure 3;
it is passed under the grooved feed rollers d', d', which are so placed or
inclined as at all times to cause the plank under operation to bear or press
against the adjustible fence n, shewn by red lines in Figure 3. Thus it will
be seen how the plank is fed in towards the cutters, and so long as the feeding
in and cutting goes forward without the inner circle being moved round
within the outer one, the curves cut will not vary from end to end, but when
the attendant moves the hand wheel o, the cutter axes, and consequently the
cutters carried thereby, will be presented more and more obliquely to the
direction of the feed, as the inner circle will receive a greater or lesser amount
of motion, so causing the plank to receive a greater or lesser extent of con-
cavity and convexity. This motion is effected in the following manner:-On
the same axis as the hand wheel o is a small pinion o', which takes into and
drives a toothed wheel of on the axis o³, on which is also a
takes into teeth formed on the under side of the inner circle c.
of the inner circle is graduated, in order that the attendant may be always
aware of the extent of circular action given to the inner circle and cutters
carried thereby, by which the amount of curve given to the plank is governed.
The planks also previously to being fed in are marked to correspond with the
index formed on the inner circle, so that the motion may be given to the hand
wheel o from time to time in order to vary the angle of the cutters to
coincide with what is marked upon the plank.
pinion o*, which
The outer edge
Another part of my Invention relates to machinery for planing, moulding,
grooving, rabetting, and bevilling wood suitable for boat building. For these
purposes rotary cutters are employed carried on axes, one or more of which are
so mounted as to be capable of being moved on centres at right angles to the
direction of their length, by which the cutters may be made to approach the
wood obliquely, and so cut such side or face of the wood at an angle to its
other sides. In machines for planing, according to this Invention, the cutters
are arranged on three sides of the wood to be planed, so that all the three sides
are operated upon simultaneously, and provision may be made, if desired, for
introducing a fourth pair or set of cutters, so that all four sides of a piece of
wood may be planed at the same time. The feeding in of the wood to be
planed or moulded is made self-acting, and the feeding mechanism is driven
by bands and gearing in the ordinary manner, and the gearing is so arranged
that the feed may at any time be stopped without stopping the working of the

page_text: machine. If it be desired to produce mouldings on one or more sides, or on
all three sides of the wood, the plane cutters from such sides are removed, and
cutters of the form of moulding desired affixed to such axes in lieu thereof.
The Drawing No. 6 shows apparatus arranged according to this part of my
Invention.
Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2, a side elevation, and Figure 3, an end
clevation of the machine.
a is the main driving shaft or axis, having fast and loose driving pullies a¹, a'.
The axis a has also four other driving pullies b, c, d, e, keyed thereon, the
pulley by a band passing over it, and a pulley 6 gives motion to the
axis, on which are fixed the cutters to shape the top surface of the
timber; c is a pulley, which by the band c' drives the pulley on the vertical
axis c", on which are fixed the cutters c' which shape the right-hand side of
the piece of timber. The pulley d by a band d' drives the pulley d on the
vertical axis d, on which are the cutters d', which shape the left-hand side of
the timber. This axis d' is capable of movement, so as to present its cutters d'
to the left face of the timber at an inclination to its opposite or right-hand
side, by which means such side of the timber will receive a corresponding
inclination. The pulley e gives motion to the feed rollers in the following
manner is a band by which the pulley on the shaft e is put in motion;
on the shaft is also another pulley e', which can slide on its axis, and has a
clutch formed upon it, by means of which and the lever handle e, it may be
thrown in and out of gear with the axis. Tho pulley by a band e³ gives
motion to a pulleye on the short axis e, on which is keyed a pinion e¹¹ taking
into and driving the toothed wheel e¹ on the axis e¹³, on which is also a pinion
e, which takes into both the pinions e¹³. es, on the axis of the grooved feed
rollers e, e. It will readily be seen that by means of the lever handle e the
clutch e' may be disengaged from its corresponding clutch fixed to the axis e,
and the feed stopped without stopping the working of the other parts of the
machine. The inclining of the axis d³ and its cutters is effected in the following
manner: The frame d* which carries the axis d³ is mounted on two pivots
or centres do, do, carried by the sliding blocks do, which work in slots d', d²,
seen in Figure 3; d³, ds, are screws, either of which may be worked separately,
so as to cause its sliding block do to travel in its slot d', and carry with
it that end of the frame d*. Thus it will readily be seen that the cutters
d*, d*, operating upon the left-hand side of the timber may be set at any
desired inclination, and that such angle may be changed without stopping the
working of any part of the machine. The table f on which the timber is fed
on towards the cutters is made capable of being raised and lowered by means

page_text: of the screw f' and handle f, the screw f' working in the nut f³ at the back
of the plate f, the upright portion of the plate f* working in V-guides f³, f³,
formed in the framing; 9 is a lever, weighted to assist in holding down the
timber on to the bed or table; and h, h, are adjustable springs, also for the
purpose of keeping the timber correctly in position upon the table.
In order to cut or form slots or grooves (having parallel sides) of any
desired width or depth, a saw, such as is shown in Drawing No. 7, is employed.
This saw has some of its teeth A filed or bevilled off on one side, and some of
its teeth B filed or bevilled off on the opposite side, so that those teeth will
"chime" or cut each side of the groove, slot, or channel to be formed, whilst
the wood between such two outside cuts is removed by the straight teeth C of
the circular saw; and in order to cut grooves, slots, or channels of greater
width than that of the saw just described, the saw is so mounted on its axis D
that it can be set at an inclination thereto by turning a screw E with a
spanner or wrench, the thread of the screw working in a female screw formed
to receive it in the thickness of the saw. The boss of the saw is a portion of
a sphere, and is held between two corresponding cheeks F, G, within which
it is capable of travelling the required distance to give the inclination to the
saw. It is sometimes necessary to form a rabbet along a portion of a length
of wood, and then to discontinue it, as in the formation of the keels of boats it
is necessary to cut a rabbet on each side of the stem and steru portions, and
yet not to extend it more than a slight distance along its sides, and such
portions of the keel are generally slightly bevilled, so as to improve the cut-
water. These are tedious operations when they have to be performed by hand,
but by this improvement the required bevilling and rabbetting for keels of boats
is readily obtained.
A plan of the machine is shown at Figure 1, Drawing No. 8, a side view
at Figure 2, and an end view at Figure 3. The machine is made capable of
turning upon a centre at A, and is mounted on wheels B, B, which travel on
circular tramways or tracks C, C, attached to the flooring for that purpose.
By thus turning the machine the curved portions of a keel, stem, and stern
may as readily be operated upon as the straight portions. The wood is fed
into the machine by being slid upon a fixed table or bench, indicated in red
lines on the right-hand side of the Drawing at D, and is received between
suitable feed rollers E, E, which, when the work is straight, draw the wood
forward past the cutters, or when a check or break is put upon the wood
which is being operated upon, cause the machine to rotate upon its axis A, so
that then instead of the wood travelling forward during the cutting of the
curved portions the machine travels and the wood remains stationary. The

page_text: rabbetting cutters F, F, are mounted on suitable axes G, G, and are driven
by pullies G, G', and cords G2, G3, from the main shaft A, as hereinafter more
particularly described. The bearings H, H, of the axes G, G, are moveable
on segments I, I, carried by the framing a', a', and the bearings II, II, by
moving along the circular courses or segments I, I, bring the cutters F, F,
down to their work or remove them from it according to the direction in which
the movement takes place. The upper and lower set of rabbetting cutters
are caused to approach each other by means of counterbalance weights F',
which tend constantly to press them towards each other; and in order that
the cutters may come into and go out of action at the proper times the
foremost ends of each of their axes G, G, have guides J, J, formed upon them
between which a pattern K passes. The pattern and the wood to be operated
upon are attached to and moved forward through the machine together;
and as the narrower portions of the pattern K pass between the guides J, J,
on the axes G of the cutters F, F, the cutters enter and cut the rabbets, and
as the pattern or gauge piece K increases in width the cutters F, F, are
thereby caused to move away from each other, the bearings H, H, moving in
the circular segments I, I, and the cutting ceases although the working of
the machine continues. The bevilling proceeds at the same time as the
rabbetting; the axes L, L, of the bevilling cutters M, M. are hinged at one
end N, N, so that their other ends can be moved slightly towards or away
from each other by means of a vertical axis O, having formed thereon a right
and left handed screw, working into nuts P, Q. carried by the axes L, L, of
the bevilling cutters M, M. The working of this right and left screw axis O,
is by means of a hand wheel O', so that the attendant upon the machine
may as gradually as he desires increase the amount of bevil or diminish it.
Motion is given to the various parts in the following manner:-On the main
shaft A is a driving pulley a, which by a band b, drives a pulley c, on the shaft
or axis d. This shaft or axis d also carries another pulley e, which by a
band gives motion to the pulley e on the horizontal axis e. This axis also
has on it two other pullies f and g, the pulley f by a band f¹ passing over it, and
a pulley f drives the axis f³, on which axis is also another pulley f*, which, by
the cord or band G2 passing over the pulley G¹ of the upper of the two rabbetting
cutters F, F, drives the same. The other cutter F being driven by the other
cord or band G2 from the pulley g, as shewn in side view, Figure 2. The feed
motion is obtained in the following manner-i is a worm on the axis & taking
into the teeth of the worm wheel ¹ on the axis i, on which is a pulley 3, from
which the band gives motion to a pulley on the axis ; there is also on
this axis a pinion 7, taking into two pinions i, 2, (on the axes of the feed rollers

page_text: E, E, which are thus driven. On the axis e' is a pulley m, which by a band 'm'
gives motion to the axes of the bevilling cutters M, M ; n, n, are brushes fixed
to the legs of the framing to brush or clear away from the tracks or rails C, C,
the cuttings as they fall from the timber by the action of the cutters. In order
to assist the machine in turning on its centre A, when requisite, I find it
desirable in practice to employ a toothed segment R (see Figure 4), by means
of which and the toothed gearing shown, it is made to turn or assisted in
turning by the attendant working the hand wheel S.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I make no claim to the
mechanical parts separately; but what I claims is,―
First, the combination herein described with reference to Drawings
No. 1.
Secondly, I claim the arrangement of the machinery and apparatus for
bending ribs, herein described with reference to Drawing No. 2.
Thirdly, I claim the combination herein described with reference to Drawing
No. 3, for producing bevils.
Fourthly, I claim the apparatus herein described with reference to Drawing
No. 4.
Fifthly, I claim the combination herein described with reference to Drawing
No. 5.
Sixthly, I claim the combination herein described with reference to Drawing
No. 6.
Seventhly, I claim the combined apparatus described with reference to
Drawing No. 7.
Eighthly, I claim the combined machinery described with reference to
Drawing No. 8.
In witness whereof, I, the said Nathan Thompson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
NATHAN THOMPSON. (L.D.)