GB1567229A

GB1567229A - Cutting roof tile blanks

Info

Publication number: GB1567229A
Application number: GB4232977A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Hans Lingl Anlagenbau und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Hans Lingl Anlagenbau und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1976-12-31
Filing date: 1977-10-11
Publication date: 1980-05-14
Also published as: FR2375970A1; FR2375970B1; AU500267B1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CUTTING ROOF TILE BLANKS (71) We, HANS LINGL ANLAGENBAU UND VERFAHRENSTECHNIK GmbH & Co.

KG, a Company of the Federal Republic of Germany, of 971 Neu-Ulm,Postfach 1629, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for use in and to a method of, cutting roof tile blanks by punching from a clay strip.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus suitable for use in, and a method of, cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip by punching the clay strip.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus suitable for use in cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which apparatus comprises carriage means comprising a conveying surface, having a plate portion, for receiving and supporting a forwardly moving strand of clay, means for moving the carriage means forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strand, punching means provided on the carriage means and adapted to cut, on abutting the plate portion during punching, that part of the strip supported, in use, by the plate portion into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading end for a further tile blank and means for actuating the punching means to effect punching during forward movement of the carriage means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus suitable for use in cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which apparatus comprises carriage means comprising a conveying surface, having a plate portion, for receiving and supporting a forwardly moving strip of clay, the carriage means being movable forwards and backwards along the intended path of movement of the strip, means for moving the carriage means forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, which moving means comprises an electric motor for driving a main shaft operatively associated with a disc cam and lever system and an electronic regulating device for the electric motor, punching means provided on the carriage means and adapted to abut the plate, during punching, to cut that part of the strip of clay supported thereby into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading end for a further tile blank, means for actuating the punching means to effect punching during forward movement of the carriage means, which actuating means uses compressed air, in use, as an actuating medium, two rollers over which the clay strip passes, in use, for influencing the electronic regulating device such that the carriage is moved forward, in use, in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, a cutting fork for cutting a bead extruded onto the clay strip to define mounting pegs for tile blanks cut from the strip and a pneumatic jack for actuating the cutting fork, which pneumatic jack is electrically controllable from the main shaft by means of a cam.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which methods comprises moving carriage means comprising a conveying surface having a plate portion forward, the carriage means receiving and supporting a forwardly moving strin of clay on the conveying surface and being moved forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, and punching the strip using punching means provided on the carriage means, the punching means abutting the plate during punching to cut that part of the strip supported by the plate portion into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading end for a further tile blank, the punching being effected during forward movement of the carriage means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cutting roof tile blanks frcm an extruded clay strip, which method comprises moving forward, using moving means, carriage means movable forwards and backwards along the path of a forwardly moving strip of clay such that the carriage means receives and supports the forwardly moving strip of clay on a conveying surface of the carriage means and is moved forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, the conveying surface having a plate portion, punching the strip using punching means provided on the carriage means, the punching means abutting the plate during punching to cut that part of the strip supported by the plate portion into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading end for a further tile blank, which punching is effected during forward movement of the carriage means, and cutting a bead extruded on the clay strip to define mounting pegs for the tile blanks using a cutting fork actuated by actuating means, the moving means comprising an electric motor for driving a main shaft operatively associated with a disc cam and lever system, two rollers over which the clay strip passes influencing an electronic regulating device for the electric motor such that the carriage means moves forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, the means for actuating the punching means using compressed air as an actuating medium and the means for actuating the cutting fork comprising a pneumatic jack electrically controlled from the main shaft by a cam.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing roof tiles, which method includes the step of cutting a strip of clay using the apparatus of the first or second aspect and/or by the method of the third or fourth aspect.

The present invention further relates to roof tiles whenever manufactured by the method of the fifth aspect.

A preferred emoodiment of an apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention can have the advantage that extruded roof tile blanks can be cut from a clay strip precisely and in all suitably desired shapes by means of the punching means.

It is another important advantage of a preferred embodiment that end faces of extruded roof tile blanks can be consolidated by punching at the punching surfaces and ingress of water into the punched surfaces can thereby ibe avoided. Furthermore, punching using a preferred embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that the edges of the extruded roof tile blanks are rounded by the punching means which, preferably, penetrates perpendicularly into the plastic clay strip so that water can advantageously drain away and, as a result, freezing at these places can be avoided.

Advantageously, the punching means is operated using compressed air and the moving means is not loaded thereby so that the moving means can operate with the required precision, even at maximum output.

Finally, it is an advantage that, in a further embodiment of an apparatus and method, a short punching stroke is used which leads to a high output and masses which occur are small so that the apparatus can operate without vibration.

In a first embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the moving means comprises a variable mechanical drive. Furthermore, in this embodiment peg cutting means, such as a cutting fork, is provided for cutting out a clay portion extruded onto the clay strip to define mounting pegs, the cutting means being actuated by a mechanical device such as a system comprising a disc cam, roller and lever.

In a second embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the moving means comprises an electronic drive which is influenced, in use, by the strip feed so that the carriage means is moved forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip and which actuates a pneumatic punching device. In this second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, cutting means, such as a cutting fork, is provided but, in contrast to the first embodiment, the cutting means is actuated by a more precise electrical control which acts with simple means, such as a pneumatic jack controlled by an electromagnetic valve.

Advantageously, the peg waste can now drop downwardly without obstruction due to the absence of a mechanical device for actuating the cutting means. A further advantage of the second embodiment is that the pneumatically actuated and electrically controlled cutting and punching means can achieve a much higher output combined with more precise shaping of the extruded roof tile blanks and with less maintenance of the apparatus.

For a better understanding af the present invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a part-sectional side elevational view of a first embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention Figure 2 shows a part-sectional plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a part-sectional side ele vational view of a second embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 4 shows a part-sectional plan view of the apparatus of Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there are shown two embodiments of an apparatus for use in automatically cutting roof tiles from an extruded clay strip or strand. Each embodiment comprises a table 21, measuring rollers 2 supported on the table 21, a cutting fork 7 for cutting out mounting pegs from a bead 8 extruded onto the clay strip 1 and a carriage 3 mounted on rollers so as to move along the table.

Means for moving the carriage and means for actuating the fork are also preferably mounted to the table. The movable carriage 3 comprises rollers forming a roller table and a plate 6, of material over which the clay strip can slide, for supporting part of the clay strip. The caniage 3 is also provided with a punching device 4 having a punching tool 5 adapted to abut the plate 6, during punching to cut that part of the clay strip supported by the plate 6.

The punching tool 5 comprises two cutting knives, one planar and the other arcuate to cut that part 'of the clay strip supported by the plate 6 into a waste portion 10.

The device is operatively situated between a die of an extrusion press and a delivery belt 9.

In use, the clay strip 1 emerges from the die of the extrusion press and is guided in conventional manner over the measuring rollers 2, which influence a regulating drive of the apparatus so that the carriage 3, to- gether with the punching device 4, is briefly moved in correspondence with feed of the strip during the punching operation. The punching tool S is guided against the plate 6 to cut that part of the clay strip supported by the plate 6 into the waste portion 10 and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading edge for a further tile blank. A mounting peg for the extruded roof tile blanks is cut out by means of the cutting bow or fork 7 from the bead 8 which is extruded on to the clay strip 1.

After the punching operation, the leading extruded roof tile blank is initially advanced by the clay strip 1 on the roller table of the carriage 3 to the delivery belt 9 which guides the extruded roof tile blank away from the clay strip 1 with acceleration while the punching waste portion 10 drops through, that is from, the roller table.

In the first embodiment as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the means for moving the carriage comprises a vari able mechanical drive system which is in fluenced by the measuring rollers 2 so that the carriage 3, together with the punching device 4, is briefly moved in correspondence with feed of the strip. The system comprises a main shaft 12, a disc cam 17 and a cam roller attached to a lever 15 of a lever system connected to the carriage 3.

The means for actuating the fork comprises a shaft 18, a disc cam 19 and a cam roller attached to a lever 20 of a lever system attached to the fork 7. As a result, the fork 7 can move vertically to effect cutting of the bead 8. Ths actuation of the fork is, preferably, dependent on the strip feed. The fork 7 is supported by the table 21.

The punching device 4 carries two punching tools 5, one planar and the other arcuate The punching device is actuated for a vertical punching stroke via a medium, such as compressed air, by means of a switching operation in correspondence with the movement of the carriage 3 such that the punching operation is performed during forward movement of the carriage.

In the second embodiment as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the means for moving the carriage comprises an electric motor 16 which effects movement of the carriage 3 by means of the main shaft 12 thereof, a cam disc 17 and a cam roller attached to a lever 15 of a lever system connected to the carriage 3. The measuring rollers 2 influence an electronic control for regulating the electric motor 16 such that the carriage 3 moves in correspondence with strip feed during punching. Means, such as the electronic control, actuate the punching device 4.

The means for actuating the fork comprises a pneumatic jack 11 mounted on the carriage 3 in accordance with the roof tile blank length at the required distance from the punching tool 5. The pneumatic jack 11 is controlled by the main shaft 12 and a cam 13 and is preferably controlled by means of an electro-magnetic valve.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the absence of a mechanical device for actuating the cutting fork enables the peg waste 14 to drop downwardly without obstruction and to be discharged on a conveyor belt.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. An apparatus suitable for use in cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which apparatus comprises carriage means comprising a conveying surface, having a plate portion, for receiving and supporting a forwardly moving strand of clay, means for moving the carriage means forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strand, punching means provided on the carriage means and adapted to cut, on abutting the plate portion during punching, that part of the strip supported, in use, by the plate portion into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 4 shows a part-sectional plan view of the apparatus of Figure 3. Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there are shown two embodiments of an apparatus for use in automatically cutting roof tiles from an extruded clay strip or strand. Each embodiment comprises a table 21, measuring rollers 2 supported on the table 21, a cutting fork 7 for cutting out mounting pegs from a bead 8 extruded onto the clay strip 1 and a carriage 3 mounted on rollers so as to move along the table. Means for moving the carriage and means for actuating the fork are also preferably mounted to the table. The movable carriage 3 comprises rollers forming a roller table and a plate 6, of material over which the clay strip can slide, for supporting part of the clay strip. The caniage 3 is also provided with a punching device 4 having a punching tool 5 adapted to abut the plate 6, during punching to cut that part of the clay strip supported by the plate 6. The punching tool 5 comprises two cutting knives, one planar and the other arcuate to cut that part 'of the clay strip supported by the plate 6 into a waste portion 10. The device is operatively situated between a die of an extrusion press and a delivery belt 9. In use, the clay strip 1 emerges from the die of the extrusion press and is guided in conventional manner over the measuring rollers 2, which influence a regulating drive of the apparatus so that the carriage 3, to- gether with the punching device 4, is briefly moved in correspondence with feed of the strip during the punching operation. The punching tool S is guided against the plate 6 to cut that part of the clay strip supported by the plate 6 into the waste portion 10 and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading edge for a further tile blank. A mounting peg for the extruded roof tile blanks is cut out by means of the cutting bow or fork 7 from the bead 8 which is extruded on to the clay strip 1. After the punching operation, the leading extruded roof tile blank is initially advanced by the clay strip 1 on the roller table of the carriage 3 to the delivery belt 9 which guides the extruded roof tile blank away from the clay strip 1 with acceleration while the punching waste portion 10 drops through, that is from, the roller table. In the first embodiment as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the means for moving the carriage comprises a vari able mechanical drive system which is in fluenced by the measuring rollers 2 so that the carriage 3, together with the punching device 4, is briefly moved in correspondence with feed of the strip. The system comprises a main shaft 12, a disc cam 17 and a cam roller attached to a lever 15 of a lever system connected to the carriage 3. The means for actuating the fork comprises a shaft 18, a disc cam 19 and a cam roller attached to a lever 20 of a lever system attached to the fork 7. As a result, the fork 7 can move vertically to effect cutting of the bead 8. Ths actuation of the fork is, preferably, dependent on the strip feed. The fork 7 is supported by the table 21. The punching device 4 carries two punching tools 5, one planar and the other arcuate The punching device is actuated for a vertical punching stroke via a medium, such as compressed air, by means of a switching operation in correspondence with the movement of the carriage 3 such that the punching operation is performed during forward movement of the carriage. In the second embodiment as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the means for moving the carriage comprises an electric motor 16 which effects movement of the carriage 3 by means of the main shaft 12 thereof, a cam disc 17 and a cam roller attached to a lever 15 of a lever system connected to the carriage 3. The measuring rollers 2 influence an electronic control for regulating the electric motor 16 such that the carriage 3 moves in correspondence with strip feed during punching. Means, such as the electronic control, actuate the punching device 4. The means for actuating the fork comprises a pneumatic jack 11 mounted on the carriage 3 in accordance with the roof tile blank length at the required distance from the punching tool 5. The pneumatic jack 11 is controlled by the main shaft 12 and a cam 13 and is preferably controlled by means of an electro-magnetic valve. An advantage of this embodiment is that the absence of a mechanical device for actuating the cutting fork enables the peg waste 14 to drop downwardly without obstruction and to be discharged on a conveyor belt. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. An apparatus suitable for use in cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which apparatus comprises carriage means comprising a conveying surface, having a plate portion, for receiving and supporting a forwardly moving strand of clay, means for moving the carriage means forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strand, punching means provided on the carriage means and adapted to cut, on abutting the plate portion during punching, that part of the strip supported, in use, by the plate portion into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank

and a leading end for a further tile blank and means for actuating the punching means to effect punching during forward movement of the carriage means.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the conveying surface comprises rollers.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuation means comprises a switching circuit controllable in correspondence with movement of the carriage means.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the switching circuit is controllable by compressed air.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage means is supported by a table having means responsive to strip feed over which the strip of clay passes, in use.

6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the responsive means comprises rollers.

7. An apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the moving means comprises a drive regulated, in use, by the responsive means.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises means for cutting a portion 'of the strip to define mounting pegs for a tile blank cut from the strip.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 8 when appended to Claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the cutting means is carried by the table.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the cutting means comprises a cutting fork.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, which comprises a cam and lever system for actuating the cutting means.

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moving means comprises an electric motor and wherein a or the regulating drive is provided, the regulating drive being an electronic regulating drive for the electric motor.

13. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moving means comprises a cam and lever system.

14. An apparatus according to Claim 13 when appended to Claim 12, wherein the electric motor drives, in use, a main shaft associated with a disc cam and lever of the cam and lever system, which system is connected to the carriage means.

15. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 8 to 10 and to Claim 12, 13 or 14 when appended thereto, which comprises a pneumatic jack for actuating the cutting means, the cutting means and the pneumatic jack being carried by the carriage means.

16. An apparatus according to Claim 15 when appended to Claim 14, wherein the pneumatic jack is electrically controllable by the main shaft via cam means.

17. An apparatus suitable for use in cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which apparatus comprises carriage means comprising a conveying surface, having a plate portion, for receiving and supporting a forwardly moving strip of clay, the carriage means being moving forwards and backwards along the intended path of movement of the strip, means for moving the carriage means forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, which moving means comprises an electric motor for driving a main shaft operatively associated with a disc cam and lever system and an electronic regulating device for the electric motor, punching means provided on the carriage means and adapted to abut the plate, during punching, to cut that part of the strip of clay supported thereby into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading end for a further tile blank, means for actuating the punching means to effect punching during forward movement of the carriage means, which actuating means uses compressed air, in use, as an actuating medium, two rollers over which the clay strip passes, in use, for influencing the electronic regu- latiag device such that the carriage is moved forward, in use, in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, a cutting fork for cutting a bead extruded onto the clay strip to define mounting pegs for tile blanks cut from the strip and a pneumatic jack for actuating the cutting fork, which pneumatic jack is electrically controllable from the main shaft by means of a cam.

18. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the punching means comprises cutting knives.

19. An apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein two cutting knives are provided, one planar and the other arcuate.

20. A method of cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which method comprises moving carriage means comprises ing a conveying surface having a plate portion forward, the carriage means receiving and supporting a forwardly moving strip of clay on the conveying surface and being moved forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, and punching the strip using punching means provided on the carriage means, the punching means abutting the plate during punching to cut that part of the strip supported by the plate portion into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading end for a further tile blank, the punching being effected during forward movement of the carriage means.

21. A method according to Claim 20, which further comprises cutting a clay portion, which clay portion has been extruded onto the clay strip, using a cutting fork to define mounting pegs for tile blanks cut from the clay strip.

22. A method of cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, which method comprises moving forward, using moving means, carriage means movable forwards and backwards along the path of a forwardly moving strip of clay such that the carriage means receives and supports the forwardly moving strip of clay on a conveying surface of the carriage means and is moved forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip, the conveying surface having a plate portion, punching the strip using punching means provided on the carriage means, the punching means abutting the plate during punching to cut that part of the strip supported by the plate portion into a waste portion and thereby to define a trailing end for one tile blank and a leading end for a further tile blank, which punching is effected furing forward movement of the carriage means, and cutting a bead extruded on the clay strip to define mounting pegs for the tile blanks using a cutting fork actuated by actuating means, the moving means comprising an electric motor for driving a main shaft operatively associated with a disc cam and lever system, two rollers over which the clay strip passes influencing an electronic regulating device for the electric motor such that the carriage means moves forward in correspondence with forward movement of the strip. the means for actuating the punching means using compressed air as an actuating medium and the means for actuating the cutting fork comprising a pneumatic jack electrically controlled from the main shaft by a cam.

23. An apparatus suitable for use in cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

24. An apparatus suitable for use in cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to, and as shown in,. Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A method of cutting roof tile blanks from an extruded clay strip, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A method of manufacturing roof tiles, which method includes the step of cutting a strip of clay using the apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 19, 23 and 24 and by the method of any one of Claims 20, 21, 22, 25 and 26.

28. Roof tiles whenever manufactured using the method of Claim 27.