GB749377A - Improvements in or relating to machines for moulding soil blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

749,377. Moulding soil blocks. WARNE, A. S. Aug. 20, 1954 [May 22, 1953], No. 14508/53. Class 87(2) A machine for moulding soil blocks comprises one or more tubular moulds 15, 16, 17; a compression ram 25; a plunger 22 coaxial with the ram 25 to form a depression in soil contained in the mould; a fixed table 18 which closes the bottom of a mould disposed in a first position coaxial with the ram and plunger 25, 22; an orifice 19 in the table 18 which registers with a mould disposed in a second position; a second ram 30 adapted to eject a moulded soil block from a mould in the second position through the orifice 19, and interconnected means for effecting depression of the rams and plunger. The interconnection is through a plate 23 to which a rod 21 from the plunger 22 is rigidly connected, through a crosshead 27, and a rod 31 from the ram 30 through a bracket 32. Two rods 26 from the ram 25 are slidable in the crosshead 27 and are surrounded by springs 29 positioned between the crosshead and collars 28 on the rods 26. An operating rod 24 is fixed to the plate 23 and is actuated by a connecting rod 39. A crank 37, driven from a motor 34 through reduction gearing, operates the lower end of the connecting rod and causes up and down motion of the plate 23 with the plunger 22 and ram 30. The crank 37 also operates a connecting rod 46 which reciprocates a crosshead 44 to which are fixed parallel rods 42, 43 slidably mounted in the frame 11, the rod 43 restraining torsional movement of the rod 42. A forked pawl unit 49 is pivoted at its inner end on the rod 42 and carries at its outer end a pin 50 which causes intermittent rotation of a ratchet wheel 48 secured to a vertical shaft 13 which drives a rotatable mould-carrying unit 12. When the rod 42 is making the ratchet driving stroke the plate 23 is raised, and when the unit 12 is stationary a mould, which has been filled at another position of the table, is under the plunger 22 and a mould containing a moulded soil block is under the ram 30. The plunger 22 descends and makes a depression in the soil, followed by the compression ram 25, and the ram 30 descends and ejects a moulded soil block through the' orifice 19, underneath being means which receive the moulded blocks and carry them outwards. The springs 29 retain the ram 25 on the soil block while the plunger 22 is rising, whereby the plunger is freed from the soil, pins on the rods 26 then engaging the crosshead 27 to raise the ram. To ensure that the mould unit 12 remains stationary while the rams and plunger are operating, a notched disc 59 on the shaft 13 is engaged by a spring- loaded bolt 61. When the rod 42 moves to cause the pawl 49 to operate the ratchet wheel 48 a projection 63 from the rod 43 moves to pivot a trip lever 65 which engages a pin 67 on the bolt 61, which is thus withdrawn to free the disc 59. The rotary mould unit may be interchangeable with other units.