William Burnham Woods

“ The device, as described in the reissued patent, is adapted, not only to turn logs on their axes, but to roll them from one place to another, as from one part of the log-deck to another, or from the log-deck to and upon the carriage. This requires a change of mechanism. To turn a log when on the carriage without change of its location requires that the toothed-bar should be placed as closely as possible to the side, or within the side of the carriage, and there must be knees to prevent a change in the location of the log. ”

“ The movement of a toothed-bar in turning a log on a carriage against the resistance of the knees is necessarily in the same plane, while the movement of a toothed-bar in rolling a log towards, or upon a carriage is necessarily in constantly changing planes, as the bar follows the changing position of the log. ”

“ The defendant, to sustain his defenses, introduced in evidence letters patent 'for certain improvements in log-turners' issued to John Torrent, dated August 12, 1873, upon his application therefor filed January 29, 1873. In this patent a wedge-shaped tooth-bar is shown hinged at its lower end to an upright shaft, in order that it might adjust itself in proper position to take hold of a log and roll it to and on the carriage of a saw-mill. ”