AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR CUTTING SCALEBOARD AND FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SCALEBOARD OR MATERIAL CUT BY SAID MACHINE INTO AN IMPROVED FABRIC FOR STRUCTURES GENERALLY
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR CUTTING SCALEBOARD AND FOR THE MANUFACTURE
OF THE SCALEBOARD OR MATERIAL CUT BY SAID MACHINE INTO AN IMPROVED
FABRIC FOR STRUCTURES GENERALLY."-A communication from abroad by
John Kinney Mayo, of New York City, in the United States of
Sealed the 30th July 1867, and dated the 8th April 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th April 1867.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR CUTTING SCALEBOARD AND FOR THE MANUFACTURE
OF THE SCALEBOARD OR MATERIAL CUT BY SAID MACHINE INTO AN IMPROVED FABRIC
FOR STRUCTURES GENERALLY," to be as follows:-
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawing represents a perspective view of this
improved scaleboard cutter; Figure 2, a section of the same showing the
knife C, C, the adjustable iron B, and the rollers Y and Z; Figure 3 shows a
section of the wheel and roller Y, also the device for cutting match splints D
Figure 4, a face view of the knife C showing the set screws w, w, w.
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
017
Similar

page_text: The object of this Invention is to produce a machine of an improved
description for the cutting of scale board.
This Invention consists, first, in, the stationary bed plate marked A, A, A,
Figure 1, upon which the timber from which the board is to be cut is intended
to be placed, this is set upon the fixed frame O; it consists, secondly, of the
movable frame or carriage composed of the parts marked M, L, L, E, E, E,
K, K, J, I, respectively; this frame when in operation slides upon the
track ff, or trucks can be employed if desired. Into the bed plate before
mentioned is set the adjustable knife represented by C, C, Figure 2, in
section, and face view at Figure 4. Grooves for the reception of the knife
are made on the interior side of the frame 0, 0, and may be seen at to, to,
Figure 2. Further security is given to the knife by the insertion of the
wedges, one of which is represented at a, Figure 2, or by any equivalent
means. Upon one face of the knife are fitted screws shown at w, w, Figure 4,
and w, Figure 2, by means of which the adjustable knife is brought when
desirable in closer juxtaposition to the iron B, which is also adjustable by the
set screws, one of which is seen at Q, Figure 2. By means of these two
devices the boards can be cut of a uniform thickness throughout lengthwise of
the timber to be cut, even when the grains of the wood change and run in
different directions, which is a new improvement and cannot be effected by any
machine now in use. The bed plate is also fitted with a set of movable knives D,
Figures 1, 2, and 3, for cutting match splints and for scoring timber longi-
tudiually for other purposes when required; these score the timber one way,
while the knife before described cuts it the other. This can be brought into
operation by raising it in the space indicated at V, Figure 3. The sliding
frame or carriage before mentioned resting and running upon the track on
guides g, g, is fitted with dogs a, a, a, Figure 1, attached to the sides E, E,
and with an adjustable dog c, N, adaptable to the different lengths of the
timber from which the board is to be cut; by means of these appliances the
timber is fixed in the proper place for cutting. It is further prevented from
springing up by the weight h on the beam I, which can be raised and lowered
by the rope and pulley P, r. Motion is imparted to the sliding frame from
the wheel G, which is connected with the frame at d by the pitman F
attached to the wheel. The range of the sliding frame can be regulated by
the distance from the axis at which the crank is attached to the wheel.
Steam, water, or any motive power can be used in connection with this
Invention. At the points T¹ and g¹ on the beam E of the sliding frame,
Figure 1, are inserted pins, to which are fastened the bands S and T which
pass thence as seen and encircle the wheel P, and are again attached to the

page_text: loaded arms R1, 7, R., i. The object of this contrivance is to impart to the axis of
the wheel P the motion of the sliding frame, so as to cause the wheel to revolve
always in the direction of the arrow 5; each of the bands T, S, is conducted
underneath the wheel P occupying the grooves 1 and 2 (Figure 3) respec-
tively, and as the band S passes directly to the wheel P and the band T is
deflected into the same course by a pulley y the effect of pulling upon either
of the bands is to revolve the wheel P in the same direction. As the band S
is tightened by the motion of the carriage E to the right the band winds upon
the drum P, and the weighted lever R¹ rises at the same time the band T is
being slackened, and so slips upon the drum P, allowing the weighted arm R
to descend. On the return motion of the carriage E to the left making the
effective stroke the band T revolves the drum P and raises the weighted
lever R, while the band S slips on the drum, and the weighted lever R¹
falls. Upon the axis and between the sides of the fixed frame is placed the
cylinder Y, Figures 2 and 3, to which is imparted the rotary motion of the
wheel before mentioned. Between this and the small roller Z the scale board
after being cut and falling between the plates le and is thrown out by the
motion of the rollers. The object of this device is to straighten the board
which would otherwise be let curved and crooked after passing from the
knife; thus the same degree of velocity is communicated to the rollers as the
sliding frame receives from the motive wheel, and the same motion of the
machine by which the board is cut straightens the board after it passes from
the knife. Beneath the rollers may be attached an inclined table, so as
further to bend the board in a direction contrary to the curvature it receives
in being cut, and thereby eradicate any tendency to carl which may not be
overcome by the passage between the rollers Y, Z.
The operation of this machine is as follows :-The timber to be cut being
placed on the stationary bed plate and grasped by the dogsa, a, a, and between
the ends of the sliding frame, the adjustable dog N is then caused to slide back-
ward and forwards over the knife by application of the power to the motive
wheel G, so that motion is given to the timber to be cut while the knife remains
fixed and stationary. The action of the sliding frame is by means of the bands
and loaded arms communicated to the roller; the effect of which is that every
motion of the sliding frame by which a board is cut from the timber, also
corrects the curvature which the board has received in cutting. By this
method of cutting the board can be manufactured much thinner than by
ordinary methods, and is therefore much more useful for a variety of purposes
In consequence of the fixedness of the knife effected by the set screws and
the adjustable iron on the opposite side of the board from the knife the move-

page_text: ment of the timber to be cut, and the. firmness with which the timber is
held, viz., by its own weight, the dogs and the weight on the beam 1, scale-
board can be manufactured by this machine when the grain of the wood
changes, as, for example, curves upwards or downward, in this case in machines
as before constructed the knife will follow the curves of the grain, but in
this Invention will cut the board independent of the grain of a uniform and
unvarying thickness throughout.
The Invention consists, further, in cementing together a number of these
scales or veneers with the grain of the successive pieces running crosswise or
diversely. A number of these scaleboards, their surfaces having been pre-
viously treated with cement or analogous materials, are so laced together as to
cross the grain of the respective pieces so as to form a firm material for the
construction of houses, boats, ships' tanks, floors, pipes, drains, sewers, packing
cases, boxes, barrels, side walks, cans, pails, tubs, firkins, measures, cheese
boxes, trunks, valises, dry docks, canal locks, masts, spars, and a variety of
other purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th October 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William Clark,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, thesaid William
Clark, 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, exer-
cise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED
MACHINE FOR CUTTING SCALEBOARD AND FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SCALEBOARD
OR MATERIAL CUT BY THE SAID MACHINE INTO AN IMPROVED FABRIC FOR STRUC-
TURES GENERALLY" a communication to me from abroad by John Kinney

page_text: Mayo, of New York City, in the United States of America, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors or adminis-
trators, by au 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,
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 William Clark, 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,
reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
Figure 1 represents a view of this improved scaleboard cutter; Figure 2,
a section of the same, showing the knife c, c, the adjustable iron B, and the
rollers Y and Z; Figure 3 shows a section of the wheel and roller Y, also
the device for cutting match splints D; Figure 4, a face view of the knife
c, c, showing the set screws w, w, w; Figure 5 is a transverse section of a
water pipe constructed according to this Invention; Figure 6 is a longitudinal
section of the same; Figure 7 is a side elevation and sectional view of a
portion of clap boarding made on this improved plan; Figure 8 represents
similar views of a section of roofing illustrative of this Invention; Figure 9
represents similar views of a portion of the interior lining of a house or other
analogous structure embodying the same principle; Figure 10 represents a
barrel; to which articles this Invention may also be advantageously applied.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
The object of this Invention is to produce a machine of an improved
description for the cutting of scale board.
This Invention consists, first, of the stationary bed plate marked A, A, A,
Figure 1, upon which the timber from which the board is to be cut is intended
to be placed; this is set upon the fixed frame O.
It consists, secondly, of the movable frame or carriage composed of the
parts marked M, L, L, E, E, E, K, K, J. I, respectively; this frame when
in operation slides upon the track ff, or trucks can be employed if desired.
Into the bed plate before mentioned is set the adjustable knife represented by
c, c, Figure 2, in section, and in face view at Figure 4. Grooves for the
reception of the knife are made on the intertor side of the frame o, o, and
may be seen att, o, t, o, Figure 2; further security is given to the knife by the
insertion of the wedges, one of which is represented at u, Figure 2, or by any

page_text: equivalent means.
Upon one face of the knife are fitted screws shown at w,
w, w, Figure 4, and w, Figure 2, by means of which the adjustable kuife is
brought when desirable in closer juxtaposition to the iron B, which is also
adjustable by the set screws, one of which is seen at 2, Figure 2. By means
of these two devices the board can be cut of a uniform thickness throughout
lengthwise of the timber to be cut even when the grains of the wood change
and run in different directions, which is a new improvement and cannot be
effected by any machine now in use. The bed plate is also fitted with a set
of movable knives D, Figures 1, 2, and 3, for cutting match splints, and for
scoring lumber longitudinally, for other purposes when required; these score
the lumber one way, while the knife before described cuts it the other;
this can be brought into operation by raising it in the space indicated at V,
Figure. The sliding frame or carriage before mentioned resting and running
upon the track 9, g, is fitted with dogs a, a, a, Figure 1, attached to the sides
E, E, and the adjustable dog c, n, adaptable to the different lengths of the
timber from which the board is to be cut; by means of these appliances the
timber is fixed in the proper place for cutting. It is further prevented from
springing up by the weight h on the beam I which can be raised and lowered
by the rope and pulley P, 1; motion is imparted to the sliding frame from
the wheel G, which is connected with the frame by the pitman F attached to
the wheel. The range of the sliding frame can be regulated by the distance
from the axis at which the crank is attached to the wheel; steam, water, or
any other motive power can be used in connection with this Invention. At
the points T and g¹ on the beam E of the sliding frame, Figure 1, are
inserted pins, to which are fastened the bands S and T which passing over
and under the pivot Y encircle the wheel P and are again attached to the
loaded arms R, R; the object of this contrivance is to impart to the axis of
the wheel P the motion of the sliding frame, so as to cause the wheel to revolve
always in the direction of the arrow 5; each of the bands T, S, is conducted
underneath the wheel P occupying the grooves 1 and 2 (Figure 3) respec-
tively; and as the band S passes directly to the wheel P, and the band T is
deflected into the same course by the pulley y, the effect of pulling upon either
of the bands is to revolve the wheel P in the same direction. As the band S
is tightened by the motion of the carriage E to the right the band winds upon
the drum P and the weighted lever R¹ rises, at the same time the band T is
being slackened, and so slips upon the drum P, allowing the weighted arm R to
descend; on the return motion of the carriage E to the left making the
effective stroke the band T revolves thedrum P and raises the weighted lever R,
while the band S slips on the drum and the weighted lever R' falls. Upon the

page_text: axis and between the sides of the fixed frame is placed the cylinder y, Figures
2 and 3, to which is imparted the rotary motion of the wheel before mentioned;
between this and the small roller Z the scale board after being cut and falling
between the plates K and is thrown out by the motion of the rollers. The
object of this device is to straighten the board, which would otherwise be left
curved and crooked after passing from the kuife, thus the same degree
of velocity is communicated to the rollers as the sliding frame receives from
the motive wheel, and the same motion of the machine by which the board
is cut straightens the board after it passes from the kuife. Beneath the rollers
may be attached an inclined table, so as further to bend the board in a
direction contrary to the curvature it receives in being cut, and thereby
eradicate any tendency to curl which may not be overcome by the passage
between the rollers Y, Z.
The operation of this machine is as follows:-The timber to be cut being
placed on the stationary bed plate and grasped by the dogs a, a, a, and between
the end of the sliding frame and the adjustable dog N is then caused to slide
backwards and forwards over the knife by application of the power to the
motive wheel G, so that motion is given to the timber to be cut while the
knife remains fixed and stationary. The action of the sliding frame is by
means of the bands and loaded arms communicated to the roller, the effect of
which is that every motion of the sliding frame by which a board is cut from
the timber also connects the curvature which the board has received in cutting.
By this method of cutting the board it can be manufactured much thinuer
than by the ordinary methods, and is therefore much more useful for a variety
of purposes. In consequence of the fixedness of the knife effected by the set
screws and the adjustable iron on the opposite side of the board from the knife
the movement of the timber to be cut and the firmness with which the timber
is held, viz., by its own weight, the dogs, and the weight on the beam I, scale
board can be manufactured by this machine when the grain of the wood
changes, as, for example, curves upward or downward; in this case, in machines
as before constructed the knife will follow the curves of the grain, but in
this Invention will cut the board independent of the grain of a uniform and
unvarying thickness throughout; thus timber can be cut in this machine which
would be practically useless in others. The board produced by this machine is
adapted to linings of a variety of articles, such as trunks, wardrobes, and
other articles; it is also suited for tanks, dry docks, for roofing of buildings, and
for ship and boat building; the board can be cutinsheets of a size limited only
by the dimensions of the timber, and from the articles so produced portions can
be sawed as use may require. Inasmuch as by this machine the board is cut

page_text: of a perfect evenness irrespective of the grain of the wood by combining any
desirable number of layers of the board so cut with the grains of each
successive layer running at right angles to the previous one a very tough and
flexible article is produced, which can be applied with usefulness and economy
to the construction of boats and a number of other purposes. In machines
which cut across the grain although the board is produced of an equal thick-
ness still it is an inferior article and cannot be employed in the manner I have
described, because in the way of cutting the strength, toughness, and adhesive-
ness of the grains of the board is very much impaired. Board can be cut by
this machine twice as fast as by any machine now in use.
I construct this improved machine substantially in the manner described
fitted with the bed plate of wood or metal so constructed as to operate with as
little friction as possible. Into the bed plate are set the knives described, so
arranged that they can be removed and replaced at pleasure. The motive
wheel can be located at a greater distance from the machine if desired, and
separate from it, and can be driven by any power adequate to the purpose.
This Invention consists, further, in cementing together a number of these
scales or veneers with the grain of the successive pieces running crosswise or
diversely; a number ofthese scale boards, their surfaces having been previously
treated with cement or analagous material, are so laced together as to cross
the grain of the respective pieces so as to form a firm material for the con-
struction of houses, boats, ships, tanks, floors, pipes, drains, sewers, packing
cases, boxes, barrels, side walks, cans, pails, tubs, firkins, measures, cheese
boxes, trunks, valises, dry docks, canal locks, mill and factory flumes, masts,
spars, outside covering and inside finish of houses, stores, shops, depots, and
warehouses, fences, covering of piles, railroad cars, railroad and suspension
bridges, railroad tracks and sleepers, waggons, carriages and carts, bedsteads,
sacking, matresses and covering of beds, sofas, and sofa bedsteads, divans,
lounges, chairs, and settees. In house architecture the weather boarding and
inside finish of the house may consist of this material, and in vessels of every
kind it may be made the covering or lining of the ribs or skeleton, or in some
instances may
form the body of the article, as, for instance, in pipes, in which
the layers are united by an impervious cement, and so applied to each other
that the grain of one will be lengthwise of the pipe, of another will be at right
angles to the former, and if others are added may be spirally around it. By
the well-known process of wet and dry heating such a pliability may be given
to the layers as to permit them to readily assume various figures or be laid
upon irregular objects with the grain of the respective pieces running diversely
so as to prevent splitting. I cannot pretend to anticipate all the various uses

page_text: to which this scale board may be applied, but suffice it to say that by the
means employed I am enabled to make a very strong and light structure of
whatever shape it may be, or for whatever purpose it may be designed; it
is capable of being made an effective and elegant substitute for the usual
covering for the walls of rooms; for flooring it is also available, and especially
in cases where it is an object to make apartments air-tight, as in ice houses,
fruit chambers, and other rooms which it is desired to isolate for any purpose.
It is believed that the Drawings in connection with the above statement
will suffice to explain this Invention without dwelling further upon it.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Fatent is,―
First, the arrangement in the reciprocating frame of the dogs N, a, a, and
weighted pressure bar I, substantially as described.
Secondly, the arrangement ofthestationary knife c, throatpiece B, deflecting
plates,, and rollers Y, Z, substantially as described.
Thirdly, the arrangement of the sliding frame E, straps T, S, pulley Y,
drum P, and weighted levers R, R¹, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Fourthly, in combination with the subject-matter of the second clause I
claim the vertically adjustable slitting knife D, as and for the purpose
described.
And, fiftly, the application of scaleboards or veneers in layers, the direction
of whose grain is crossed or diversified, and which are connected together,
forming a material for the construction, lining, or covering of land and marine
structures.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)