GB476340A - Improvements in or relating to method and apparatus for making concrete articles - Google Patents

Abstract

476,340. Casting and hardening concrete blocks &c. WITHEROW, W. P. June 10, 1936, No. 16237. Convention date, Feb. 8. [Classes 22 and 87 (ii)] Concrete articles are moulded by depositing concrete in a mould positioned above heating means within a storage enclosure, and the articles are removed from the mould when cured and retained within the enclosure for ageing, utilizing heat from the heating means to expediate ageing. Concrete is poured from a truck 2 down a shoot 3 into a travelling hopper 4, arranged over ganged moulds 5 which are fixed to water troughs 7. The moulds are filled, levelled and vibrated and the trough is heated by steam pipes 6 to cure the blocks. When the initial set is acquired, the blocks are raised on a slidable part 8 and subsequently removed by a hoist 10 and travelling crane 12 to a stack 13 on the same enclosure as the heating trough 7. The blocks are thus protected from adverse weather during ageing. The ganged moulds 5 are each formed of two castings 27, 29, Fig. 9. The castings 27 are fixed by bolts 28 to I-beams 24 fixed across steel channel members, whereas the castings 29 are fixed to vertically-slidable I-beams 25. 'Each casting 27 may comprise one side and one end wall of a mould and a ledge for supporting core members 26. The castings 29 may comprise the remaining side and end walls and an apertured pallet. The cores 26 may be connected in pairs by bars 33 having recesses 31 for reception of a shaft 30 carrying cams 29a. The arrangement is such that the shaft 30 can be rotated to move the cams and raise the I-beams 25 slightly and so raising the blocks on the pallets and breaking any bond between the blocks and mould walls. The blocks are left in the raised position while steam circulates in the spaces so formed. The slidable beams 25 and mould parts are subsequently engaged by the hoist 10 for removal to the stack 13. The mould walls may be panelled or ornamented. The cores may be corrugated or otherwise made resilient to facilitate removal of the blocks and they may be hollow to permit heat to reach the interior of the blocks. They may be lined with stainless steel or other sheet metal surfaces affixed by asphalted asbestos paper.