GB1571461A - Apparatus for moulding concrete blocks by vibration and pressure - Google Patents

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR M()ULDING CON(?Rh'l'L BLOCKS BY VIBRA I ION AND PRESSURE (71) We KABUSHIKI KAISHA TI GER MACHINE SEISAKUSHO, a Japanese company of Abe 2327-banchi, Ochiai-cho, kkahashi-shi, okayama-ken, Japan do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be gritted to us. and the method by which it is to be performed to be particulirly described in and by the ti,llowing statement:- This invention relates to an apparatus for moulding concrete blocks by vibration and pressure.

In the appiratus for moulding concrete blocks it is necessary to use a light-wcight aggregate. with a reduced watcr-ccmcnt ratio. and to eject speedily the moulded concrete blocks from the moulding box.

In order to do this. it is desirible to pack the concrete closely in the moulding process while strong vibrations are being applied to the moulding box.

However, in conventional vibration type moulding apparatus, it is difficult to apply the vibrations to the moulding box uniformly since the vibrations are not of equal amplitude in all directions. Moreover, in conventional apparatus. the vibrations are directly transmitted to a body of the apparatus for mechanical reasons and as such transmission of the vibrations is repeated, this often causes breakdown of the apparatus. Therefore. it is very difficult to pro duce homogeneous moulded concrete blocks by the conventional apparatus.

In order to overcome the problems and difficulties presented by the conventional moulding apparatus. a very complicated mechanism is required. Thus. so far. there has been no ideal moulding apparatus.

It is, therefore. an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for producing homogeneous. high density and high quality concrete blocks.

Another object of this invention is to prevent direct transmission of the vibrations to the body of the apparatus in order to protect the framework and other parts of the apparatus from the adverse effects of these vibrations.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for moulding con crcte blocks comprising; (a) a support frame including a pair of side plates, upper and lower support members fixedly mounted on the side plates, and I plurality of guide rods secured to said upper and lower support members; (b) a plurality of first piston and cylinder devices positioned adjacent to said guide rods and suspended vertically, with upper ends of the first piston and cylinder devices being pivotally mounted on said upper support members; (c) a plurality of suspension members corresponding in number to the first piston and cylinder devices, said suspension members being connected with the piston rods of the first piston and cylinder devices; (d) a mould; (e) a mould support;; (f) first springs through the intermediary of which the mould support is suspended from suspension members and thereby from the upper support members; (g) a plurality of second piston and cylinder devices mounted on the mould support and extending parallel to said guide rods; (h) a press member movable towards and away from the mould support, the guide rods serving to guide said press member during its movement, (i) further springs through the intermediary of which the upper ends of the piston rods of the second piston and cylinder devices are operably connected with the press member so as to effect movement of the latter; (j) a plurality of pairs of stop members fixed to opposite sides of said press mem ber; and (k) a plurality of pairs of stop members fixed to opposite sides of the mould support and which correspond in number and position to. and face, the first mcntioned stop members.

Preferably, four motor mounting plates, with two of said motor mounting plates at each side of said apparatus, are pivotally mounted on external surfaces of the respective side plates, a respective motor mounted on each said motor plates, and a plurality of transmission belts connect said motors with vibration shafts of the mould carried by said mould support. The pivotal mounting of the plates permits upward or downward adjustment of the motors.

Consequently, the mould is suspended by the mould support and the tension of the transmission belts. This arrangement of the mould support and the motors permits uniform application of the vibrations to the mould. Moreover, by this arrangement, the mould can be set at a predetermined position.

Conveniently, a detachable member is provided for limiting the movement of the piston rod of each of the first piston and cylinder devices. Such an arrangement enables the production of concrete blocks of various sizes using the same apparatus, merely by changing the detachable member.

Preferably also, the piston rod of each of said second piston and cylinder devices pass freely through a respective support part of said press member and is connected therewith through the intermediary of one of the further springs.

In a preferred embodiment, an adjustment plate and a lower support plate are associated with each said suspension member, each said suspension member passes through the center of the respective adjustment plate, is fixed at the center of each said lower support plate and is equipped with one of said first springs disposed between the respective adjustment and lower support plates, a further two of said first springs is provided for each suspension member, said further two springs being disposed on opposite sides of the respective suspension member and being disposed between the respective adjustment and lower support plates, and an adjustment bolt passes through each of said further two springs. the upper portion of each adjustment bolt being fixed to the respective adjustment plate and the lower portion of each adjustment bolt being fixed to said mould support.

Also according to the present invention.

there is provided an apparatus for moulding concrete blocks comprising a support frame, a mould support movable relative to the frame. a plurality of first piston and cylinder devices mounted on the support frame and operably connected with the mould support via resilient means so that the mould support is suspended by the first piston and cylinder devices and movable thereby upwardly and downwardly relative to the support frame, a press member disposed above the mould support, a plurality of second piston and cylinder devices mounted on the mould support to be movable therewith, said second piston and cylinder devices being operably connected with the press member via resilient means, so that the press member is movable towards and away from the mould support by the second piston and cylinder devices, aligned stops which are movable with the mould support and the press member and which engage one another when the second piston and cylinder devices lower the press member to a moulding position so as to prevent further movement of the press member towards the mould support, a mould supported by the mould support for vibration relative thereto and means for vibrating the mould.

The fact that the vibrations generated in the apparatus are absorbed inside the apparatus is advantageous to the installment of the apparatus.

Since the moulded products are homogeneous, of high density and of high quality, they can be extruded from the mould. being held between the press member and a product receiving board on the mould support, resulting in few damages of the products and the efficient production of concrete blocks.

In view of the overall construction of this apparatus, as the mould support is of a suspension type, there are no complicated devices or parts in the lower part of the apparatus. This permits easy maintenance and inspection and cleaning of the apparatus. This ensures that a high durability of the apparatus is attained.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partly cut-away front elevation of an apparatus for moulding concrete blocks shown in a position in which it can be fed with concrete.

Figure 2 is a partly cut-away front elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 during moulding.

Figure 3 is a partly cut-away front elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 during ejection of moulded concrete blocks.

Figure 4 is a partly cut-awav front elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 during discharge of blocks.

Figure 5 is a partly cut-away side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 in the same position as illustrated in Figure 1.

The apparatus for moulding concrete blocks comprises a fixed support frame including an upper frame portion 3, a pair of vertical side plates 3' and a pair of vertical guide rods 11 extending between and fixed to respective upper and lower support members 1 and 1'. The upper support members I project from opposite sides ol the upper frame portion 3, and the lower support members I' project from the respective lower ends of the pair of side plates 3'.

Upper coils of a pair of upper piston and cylinder devices 4 disposed parlllel to the guide rods 11 are pivotally mounted on the respective support members I by means of respective shafts 2 and the lower ends of piston rods 4' of piston and cylinder devices 4 are connected with opposite ends of a table frame 8 through respective suspension members 6 so that the table frame 8 is suspended.

The piston rods 4' are provided with respective stops or height limitation members 5 which correspond to the height of a concrete block. These height limitation members can be replaced with other height limitation members in accordance with the length of the block.

At each end of the table frame X, a pair of support members 8' project upwardly and have respective lower piston and cylinder devices 12 fixed thereon to extend vertical-- ly. Piston rods 12' of the devices 12 have their upper ends attached to a pair of support members 13' of a press frame 13.

At a central portion of the press frame 13, a mould plunger 14 is provided. The mould plunger 14 is moved by the piston and cylinder devices 12. When moved downwardly. in use. the plunger 14 compresses concrete in a moulding box 15 disposed below the plunger 14.

a tie table frame 8 is provided with a group of supports 9 which support a product-receiving plate 16 through the intermediary of shock absorbing rubber blocks 10.

Moreover. at opposite sides of the group of supports 9. a pair of discharge rails 17 for the moulded products are provided.

A feed box 21 which moves forward and backward to feed the concrete into the moulding box 15 is disposed above the moulding box.

The moulding box 15 is positioned in between the mould plunger 14 and the product receiving plate 16.

Stops 18 projecting inwardlv from the respective side plates 3' serve to limit downward movement of the moulding box 15 during ejection of the blocks as will be described hereinafter.

The moulding box 15 is provided with a pair of vibration shafts 15'. The vibration shafts 15' are connected with respective pairs of motors 26 (only one motor of each pair being shown in Figure 1). mounted outside the respective side plates 3', by means of respective pairs of transmission belts 28.

Each of the four motors 26 is attached to the respective side plate 3' by a separate mounting plate 25 which is pivotally attached to the respective side plate 3' through a pair of shafts 29.

Each mounting plate 25 is limited in its downward pivotal movement by an adjust ablc stop 31 mounted on a support plate 3() fixed to the respective side plate 3'. Each motor 26 exerts a force on the transmission belt 28 connected therewith so that when the moulding box 15 is at a predetermined height in the apparatus, its lateral position is determined by the forces applied thercto by the motors 26. Also, this construction cn- sures that the belts 2X are tensioned during operation of the motor 26 so that the shafts 15 are rotated without slipping of the belts 28.

Figure 5 illustrates the connection bctween the suspension members 6 and the table frame 8. On each side of the apparatus, the suspension member 6 is not directly connected with the table frame 8 but passes through the center of a respective adjustment plate 27 and is equipped with a spring 7. The lower end of each suspension member 6 is fixed to a support plate 22. A pair of adjustment bolts 23 engaged with respective base plates 8" on the frame 8 pass freely through the respective support plate 22 and the respective adjustment plate 27. A spring 7' mounted on each bolt 23 is disposed between the respective plates 22 and 27. Nuts on the bolts 23 serve to secure the assemblies of plates 22 and 27 and the springs 7 and 7' together and to the table X.

The suspension members 6 therefore act on the table 8 through the intermediary of the springs 7, 7'. Thus, any vibrations in the table frame 8 are absorbed by the springs 7 and 7' so that they are not transmitted to the framework of the apparatus.

The upper end of each piston rod 12 passes freely through a flanged lower surface of the respective support members 13' of the press frame 13 and is equipped with a spring 24 through which it acts on the respective member 13'.

Due to this construction, any vibrations in the table frame 8 or in the press frame 13 are absorbed by the springs without being transmitted to the other part. A pair of adjustable stops 19 depends from the flanged lower surface of each support member 13' and a pair of adjustable stops 20 aligned with the pair of stops 19 extends upwardly from each support member 8'.

The operation of the above-described apparatus is as follows: Referring now to Figure 1, the press frame 13 and the table frame 8 are separated by a maximum distance by extension of the piston rods 12'. In this condition, the plunger 14 is disposed above the moulding box 15. The feed box 21 is advanced to a position in which it is disposed between the plunger 14 and the moulding box. The product-receiving plate 16, which is placed on the supports 9 through the intermediary of the blocks 10, is in contact with the lower surface of the moulding box 15. Then, concrete is fed to the moulding box 15 from the feed box 21 which is then retracted out of the way. The height limitation members or stops 5 are selected to have a height appropriate to the length of block to be moulded and are attached to the piston rods 4'.

Figure 2 illustrates a stage when moulding is effected.

To compact the concrete, the press frame 13 is moved downwards by retracting the piston rods 12', the springs 24 being compressed during this operation. At this time, the oil pressure supply to the piston and cylinder device 12 is disconnected. However, the press frame 13 continues to move downwardly until the stops 19 and 2() engage each other. When this occurs the oil pressure supply to the piston and cylinder devices 12 is re-connected and pressure re-applied.

The press frame 13 becomes solid with the table frame 8.

The above described arrangement thus involves a change in the pressure applied to the concrete during the moulding operation.

Thereby, the situation is avoided wherein, throughout the moulding operation. a constant pressure is applied since this leads to a situation where the upper portion of the concrete tends to be packed tightly whereas the lower portion of the concrete tends to be packed loosely so that homogeneous concrete blocks are not formed.

The vibrations are applied to the box 15 both at the time of material feeding in Figure 1 and at the time of moulding in Figure 2 by the motors 26 via the belts 28.

At this time. the moulding box 15 is spaced slightly above the stops 18 and keeps its balance as if suspended in mid-air by the thrust forces from the table frame 8 and the tension of the four transmission belts 28 so that the moulding box 15 is vibrated uniformly in all directions, that is. back and forth, left and right. and up and down. As the vibrations generated at this time are appropriately absorbed by the springs 7 and 24. they are not transmitted to the framework of the apparatus. Such vibration absorption helps smooth operation of the table frame 8 and the press frame 13 and so assists the stable production of accuratelv sized concrete blocks.

When the moulding is finished, the piston rods 4' are extended (Figure 3) allowing the moulding box 15 to descend until it engages against and is stopped by the stops 18. The moulding box 15 remains on these stops, and the concrete blocks M, held between the product receiving plate 16 and the plunger 14 are ejected from the box 15.

When the ejection of the concrete blocks M is completed, the press frame 13 is pushed upward by the action of the piston and cylinder devices 12. The plunger 14 is raised through the inside of the moulding box 15 and the concrete blocks M are discharged on the plate 16 along the delivery rails 17 out of the apparatus.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An apparatus for moulding concrete blocks comprising; (a) a support frame including a pair of side plates, upper and lower support members fixedly mounted on the side plates, and a plurality of guide rods secured to said upper and lower support members; (b) a plurality of first piston and cylinder devices positioned adjacent to said guide rods and suspended vertically, with upper ends of the first piston and cylinder devices being pivotably mounted on said upper support members; (c) a plurality of suspension members corresponding in number to the first piston and cylinder devices, said suspension members being connected with the piston rods of the first piston and cylinder devices: (d) a mould: (e) a mould support; (f) first springs through the intermediary of which the mould support is suspended from suspension members and thereby from the upper support members (g) a plurality of second piston and cylinder devices mounted on the mould support and extending parallel to said guide rods: (h) a press member movable towards and away from the mould support, the guide rods serving to guide said press member during its movement: (i ) further springs through the intermediary of which the upper ends of the piston rods of the second piston and cylinder devices are operably connected with the press member so as to effect movement of the latter (j) a plurality of pairs of stop members fixed to opposite sides of said press member; and (k) a plurality of pairs of stop members fixed to opposite sides of the mould support and which correspond in number and position to. and face, the first mentioned stop members.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein four motor mounting plates, with two of said motor mounting plates at each side of said apparatus are pivotally mounted on external surfaces of the respective side plates, a respective motor mounted on each said motor plates, and a plurality of transmission belts connect said motors with vibration shafts of the mould carried by said mould support.

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

Claims (1)

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

   by a maximum distance by extension of the piston rods 12'. In this condition, the plunger 14 is disposed above the moulding box 15. The feed box 21 is advanced to a position in which it is disposed between the plunger 14 and the moulding box. The product-receiving plate 16, which is placed on the supports 9 through the intermediary of the blocks 10, is in contact with the lower surface of the moulding box 15. Then, concrete is fed to the moulding box 15 from the feed box 21 which is then retracted out of the way. The height limitation members or stops 5 are selected to have a height appropriate to the length of block to be moulded and are attached to the piston rods 4'.

   Figure 2 illustrates a stage when moulding is effected.

   To compact the concrete, the press frame 13 is moved downwards by retracting the piston rods 12', the springs 24 being compressed during this operation. At this time, the oil pressure supply to the piston and cylinder device 12 is disconnected. However, the press frame 13 continues to move downwardly until the stops 19 and 2() engage each other. When this occurs the oil pressure supply to the piston and cylinder devices 12 is re-connected and pressure re-applied.

   The press frame 13 becomes solid with the table frame 8.

   The above described arrangement thus involves a change in the pressure applied to the concrete during the moulding operation.

   Thereby, the situation is avoided wherein, throughout the moulding operation. a constant pressure is applied since this leads to a situation where the upper portion of the concrete tends to be packed tightly whereas the lower portion of the concrete tends to be packed loosely so that homogeneous concrete blocks are not formed.

   The vibrations are applied to the box 15 both at the time of material feeding in Figure 1 and at the time of moulding in Figure 2 by the motors 26 via the belts 28.

   At this time. the moulding box 15 is spaced slightly above the stops 18 and keeps its balance as if suspended in mid-air by the thrust forces from the table frame 8 and the tension of the four transmission belts 28 so that the moulding box 15 is vibrated uniformly in all directions, that is. back and forth, left and right. and up and down. As the vibrations generated at this time are appropriately absorbed by the springs 7 and 24. they are not transmitted to the framework of the apparatus. Such vibration absorption helps smooth operation of the table frame 8 and the press frame 13 and so assists the stable production of accuratelv sized concrete blocks.

   When the moulding is finished, the piston rods 4' are extended (Figure 3) allowing the moulding box 15 to descend until it engages against and is stopped by the stops 18. The moulding box 15 remains on these stops, and the concrete blocks M, held between the product receiving plate 16 and the plunger 14 are ejected from the box 15.

   When the ejection of the concrete blocks M is completed, the press frame 13 is pushed upward by the action of the piston and cylinder devices 12. The plunger 14 is raised through the inside of the moulding box 15 and the concrete blocks M are discharged on the plate 16 along the delivery rails 17 out of the apparatus.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

   1. An apparatus for moulding concrete blocks comprising; (a) a support frame including a pair of side plates, upper and lower support members fixedly mounted on the side plates, and a plurality of guide rods secured to said upper and lower support members; (b) a plurality of first piston and cylinder devices positioned adjacent to said guide rods and suspended vertically, with upper ends of the first piston and cylinder devices being pivotably mounted on said upper support members; (c) a plurality of suspension members corresponding in number to the first piston and cylinder devices, said suspension members being connected with the piston rods of the first piston and cylinder devices: (d) a mould: (e) a mould support; (f) first springs through the intermediary of which the mould support is suspended from suspension members and thereby from the upper support members (g) a plurality of second piston and cylinder devices mounted on the mould support and extending parallel to said guide rods: (h) a press member movable towards and away from the mould support, the guide rods serving to guide said press member during its movement: (i ) further springs through the intermediary of which the upper ends of the piston rods of the second piston and cylinder devices are operably connected with the press member so as to effect movement of the latter (j) a plurality of pairs of stop members fixed to opposite sides of said press member; and (k) a plurality of pairs of stop members fixed to opposite sides of the mould support and which correspond in number and position to. and face, the first mentioned stop members.

   2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein four motor mounting plates, with two of said motor mounting plates at each side of said apparatus are pivotally mounted on external surfaces of the respective side plates, a respective motor mounted on each said motor plates, and a plurality of transmission belts connect said motors with vibration shafts of the mould carried by said mould support.

   3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or

   claim 2, wherein a detachable member is provided for limiting the movement of the piston rod of each of the first piston and cylinder devices.

   4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the piston rod of each said second piston and cylinder devices passes freely through a respective support part of said press member and is connected therewith through the intermediary of one of the further springs.

   5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim. wherein an adjustment plate and a lower support plate are associated with each said suspension member, each said suspension member passes through the centre of the respective adjustment plate, is fixed at the centre of each said lower support plate and is equipped with one of said first springs disposed between the respective adjustment and lower support plates, a further two of said first springs is provided for each suspension member, said further two springs being disposed on opposite sides of the respective suspension member and being disposed between the respective adjustment and lower support plates, and an adjustment bolt passes through each of said further two spring, the upper portion of each adjustment bolt being fixed to the respective adjustment plate and the lower portion of each adjustment bolt being fixed to said mould support.

   6. An apparatus for moulding concrete blocks comprising a support frame, a mould support movable relative to the frame support. a plurality of first piston and cylinder devices mounted on the support frame and operably connected with the mould support via resilient means so that the mould support is suspended by the first piston and cylinder devices and movable thereby up wardlv and downwardly relative to the support frame, a press member disposed above the mould support. a plurality of second piston and cylinder devices mounted on the mould support to be movable therewith. said second piston and cylinder devices being operably connected with the press member via resilient means so that the press member is movable towards and away from the mould support bv the second piston and cylinder devices. aligned stops which are movable with the mould support and the press member and which engage one another when the second piston and cylinder devices lower the press member to a moulding position so as to prevent further movement of the press member towards the mould support. a mould supported by the mould support for vibration relative thereto. and means for vibrations the mould.

   8. An apparatus for moulding concrete blocks substantially as hereinbefore described with preference to the accompanying drawings.