US1024122A - Brickmaking-machine. - Google Patents

Description

J. R. DAWKINS & D.v PARKS. BRICKMAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.3, 1910. 1,024, 1 22.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

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QQ a Ln J. R. DAWKINS & D. PARKS. BRIGKMAKING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN.3, 1910. 1,024, 1 22., Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

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J. R. DAWKINS & D. PARKS.

BRIGKMAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.3, 1910.

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Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

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' JDHN IB'. DAWKINS AND DENNIS PARKS, OF ST., LOUIS, MISSOURI; SAID PARKS ASSIGNOB-TO SAID .'DWXINS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

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s l Appunti@ med January a, 1910. serial No. 536,101.

useful Improvements in Brickmaking-Ma-- chines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in brick makin machines ofthe type in which clay, suitably prepared, is forced in a continuous column from a container having a rectangular outlet, by means of an auger.

The invention comprises tures, viz., the application ofelectricity to facilitate the free passage of-the column of clay from the auger machine, `its subsequent indentation and severance into sections of brick` length, and the impressing in each brick of a given mark or word; and novel mechanisms whereby the various objects described are attained. Chief among these may be mentioned a novel construction of cutting device, which is operated by` the moving column of clay, said cutting device comprising a number of blades mounted on an endless carrier,` which blades, in operation, penetrate the column of clay at right angles to its line of movement, and, as stated, sever portions therefrom of the length of a brick. In this operation lthe clay-is prevented from sticking to the knives by the application of electricity, as previously mentioned, and hence itis that we are enabled to `use blades, which insure a straight, smooth cut, as distinguished from the employment of wi res, which are now universally employed for this operation.

As regards the broad idea of the application of electricity to movable objects to prevent clay from stickingto them, the present invention is an application of the generic' idea, in this regard, described and claimed in Reissue Letters-Patent No. 12,715, granted November 5th, 1907, to John R. Dawkins, one of the applicants herein. The application of this dlscovery to the purposes of al brick making machine, however, presents certain specific and important advantages, due to the nature of the work of such machine, whichhas heretofore imposed certain two salient feav limitations upon its improvement. Among these important advantages maybe mentioned the fact thaty in the case of a brick making machine of the auger type, to which the present invention relates, the clay can be utilized in a more moist Vcondition thanI would be possible withoutthe employment of. electricity; and such use of moist clay enables us to make a brick, the body of which is more homogeneous in its structure, by reason of theparticles adhering and co- -hering to a far greater degree than would be possible with the clay in a drier condition.

lVVithout/the employment of electricity, such moist clay as we are enabled to use would adhere to 'the walls of the-die or mouth of the auger machine, and to other parts of the machine with which it, would come in contact in the course of being shaped into bricks. vAnother of the advantages referred to is that we are enabledv to make bricks without the necessity of passing them through a repress after the cutting operation. This advantage we secure by the combined operations of electricity and the novel form of cutter referred to, the former insuring a .perfectly smooth surface vto the four sides of the column of clay, and the cutters, also aided by the electrical action,

operating to sever each brick from the col-` umn of clay by means of a straight, smooth cut, thus avoiding jagged and irregular surfaces, so-tha t the brick, when severed from the moving column cf clay, and, if desired, impressed `with a suitable name or nzlirk, may atI once be conveyed to the drying 'The use of blades on an endless carrier possesses the further advantage that we are enabled thereby to run the cutting device directly from the column of clay, by impact and contact of the clay with the broad surfaces aiforded by said blades, thus dispensing with intermediate gearing between the belt moved by the clay and the cutting device. This arrangement insures that the cutting device shall act in unison with the belt carrying the clay, and produces an absolute uniform cut irrespective of the rate of paed, or of variat-ions in the speed, of the e t. v

In coperation with the cutting mechanism we have devised an automatic creaser, which operates to indent the clay on opposite sides in the line of the cut ofthe knives,

so that the brick will have beveled side edges. This creasing of the column'of clay prior Ito the cutting thereof also tends to prevent the clay at the end edges of the bricks from being torn. oli' by the descent of Ithe knives through the column of clay.

In addition to thebroad features charac-l terizing our machine, there are certain features of novelty residing in details of construction and in the combination and cooperation of the parts described, which will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the invention following.

In the accompanying drawingsillustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, illustrating the main features of our` invention; Fig. 1EL is a vertical sectional view of the mouth-or die of an auger machine, a portion of the receiving table being shown in elevation, the figure representing, in effect, acontinuation of the right yhand-side of Fig. 1; Fig.

. 2 is a detached view illustrating the mark-` atelyjcoperating therewith in front elevation; Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken -on the line 7-7 of Fig. ,6, and viewed inthe direction of the arrow.

Referring now tothe drawings, 1 indicates a table for receiving and supporting the column of clay as it issues from the auger machine, and 2 a table for receiving and delivering the bricks as they are respectively cut from the continuous column of clay on table 1. For the purpose of briefness in description we will herein refer to table 1 as the receiving table and table 2 as the delivery table.

The receivin table comprises suitable frame work an standards, which need not be particularly described, and its upper sur` face is formed by a belt 3 which passes over pulleys 4, 5,.located, respectively, at opposite ends of the table, and is supported in a horizontal plane by a series of rollers 6, loosely mounted on shafts 7, which in turn, are journaled at their ends in the sides of the table. The pulleys 4, 5 are mounted on shafts 8, 9, which are journaled in the suitable bearings at the sides of the table. The pulley 4 is fast on its shaft 8, and the latter projects beyond the table at one side thereof. Mounted on lsuch projecting end of this shaft is a relatively large sprocket wheel 10. Theupper surface of the delivery table is likewise formed by an endless belt 11, supported to run in a horizontal plane` on rollers 12,whose shafts are journaled in the sides of said table, the -belt being supported at opposite endsthereofby means of pul-V leys, only one of which, indicated by 13, is shown. The said pulley 13 is fast on a shaft 14 whichis journaled in opposite sides of the delivery table vand projects beyondone side thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. Mounted on the projecting end of the shaft 14 is a sprocket wheel 15, of relatively small diameter as compared with the sprocket wheel 10. The sprocket wheels-10 and 15 are fast on their respective shafts and are connected by means of a sprocket chain 16. By the provision of the mechanism described the belt 1,1 will be moved by and in unison with the movement of the belt 3, but at a higher rate of speed, owing to the difference in size of the sprocket wheels 10 and 15.A Mounted on opposite sides of the receiving table, vand projecting upward therefrom, are supports 17, on and between which is mounted an inclined run-way 18, .the highest end of lsaid run-way being toward the auger machine. Mounted to rollsmooth'ly and easily around said .run-way are a series of pairs of rollers 19, each pair of rollers being loosely mounted on opposite ends of a shaft 20. The various shafts 20 are connected in pairs by two links 21, each of said links having at one end a projection 22 inclined'slightly from the vertical. Extending between and secured to the projections 22 of each pair of links is a blade 23. The incline of these blades 23 is such that in their movement along the under side of the run-way said blades assume a pov sition exactly at right angles to the plane of movement of the belt 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The links 21 loosely receive the respective shafts 20 at their opposite ends, and as the rollers 19 are loosely mounted on these shafts, the frictional resistance interposed to the rotation of the rollers 19 is very little, and the endless cutting member as a whole can be caused to freel travel about the run-way, with the expen iture of but a slight amount of power. Referring to Fig. 1**,the numeral 24 indicates the die of the auger machine, a portion of which is indicated at 25, the said die being insulated from cont-act with the body of the auger machine by insulation 26. As the column `of clay 27 passes from the die 24 inthe well known manner it is supported and held in a horizont-al position by a roller 28, or other character of support, mounted at the end of the receiving table, and passes on to the belt 3. The column of clay will frictionally engage the belt and cause the latter to move with it. As this movement continues the end of the column of clay will strike against one or the other of the knives 23 and force it along in the same direction, thus rotating the endless cutter. v As will be seen, the under side of the cutter moves necessarily in the same direction. as the' column of clay, and owing to the incline of the run-way, the blades 23 will successively be forced into and gradually through the clay, the cutting being completed when the blade comes in contact with the belt 3, at which point the rollers of that particular blade will move upward by reason of the rollers passing around the lower end of the run-way.

29 indicates a support which is mounted between the pulleys 4 and 13, that is to say, between the ends of the receiving and delivery tables, for supporting the brick 30 in its passage from the belt 3 to the belt 1. As shown, the support 29 is in the shape of a slightly curved plate which is adjustably mounted at opposite ends on the sides of the table as indicated in Fig. 1 at 31. Wel do not wish, however, to be limited to this pars ticular form of support. In order to make a clean cut of the bricks at theouter edges, and to have the end edges of the brick slightly beveled, we provide an automatic creaser which will now be described.

Extending between and through the sides.

of the run-way 18, and suit-ably journaled therein, is a shaft 32, on each projecting end of which is a crank arm 33, in the outer end of each of which is a slot 34, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6. A rod 35 has a connection at its upper en d with eachof the crank-arms 33 by means of a suitable pin or bolt passed through the upper end of said rod and engaging in the slot 34.

'36 indicates a pair of creaser-arms located respectively on opposite sides of the table and pivotally mounted thereon, as indicated at 37. Each of thesecreaser-arms is bent at right angles to itself at each end, as shown, the upper bent end 37a of each arm eXtending part way across the receiving table, and having its forward edge beveled, as indi cated at38. The lower bent ends 3'8a pro.- ject beneath the table and beyond the point ofv pivotal connection 37. Each of these lower bent portions 38a has secured toits inner end one end of a spiral spring 39, the other of which is secured on aba'r 40, or other fixed part of the table, at the bottom thereof. Each of the rods 35 is'pivotally connected to the corresponding creaser-arrn' 36, as indicated at 41, at a point some distance removed from the pivotal connection 37, and on the side opposite to that to which the spiral spring 39 is connected. Secured centrally of the shaft 32 by means of a setscrew 42 is a dog 43. Loosely mounted at one end on the shaft 32 adjacent to said dog is an arm 44, the lower end of which pro# jects downward below the plane of the path i followed by the shafts 20 of the cutter as they pass along the under side of the runway. Pivotally mounted at its lower end on the arm 44, as indicated at 45, is a pawl 46 which is provided on one side with a shoulder 47 adapted to engage the end of the dog 43. Above this shoulder 47 the pawl 46 is provided with a curved edge 48 which normally bears against a pin 49 adjustably mounted in one side of the run-way. This pin 49 is mounted in thel end of a plate 50 (see Fig. l) which is provided with 4a slot 51, and is held in position by a suitable nut and bolt 52. An opening 53 is provided in the side of the run-way whereby the attendant can, by striking the arm 50 or the pin 49 therein, vary the position of the latter with respect to the pawl 46. Secured at its upper end to the under side of the pawl 46 is a leaf-spring 54, the lower free end of which bears against a pin 55 carried by the arm 44. Mounted centrally of each of the shafts 2() is a roller 56, and as the endless cutter travels around the run-way these rollers in turn come in contact with the under side of the arm 44 and raise it. This raises the pawl 46 and by the engagement of the shoulder 47 thereof with the dog 43 causes the shaft 32 to be rocked, which throws the outer ends of the crank-arm 33, and consequently the rods 35, downward. This operation causes the upper ends of the creaser-arms to be moved outward against the .resistance of the springs V39. As the pawl 46 is moved up* ward it is gradually moved also backward by reason of the contact of its curved edge 48 with the pin 49 and this continues until its shoulder 47 is moved out of contact with the dog 43, thus releasing said dog and allowing the springs 39 to pull the lower bent ends of the creasenarms downward. This operates to throw the upper bent ends inward with suliicient force to cause the bev eled ends 38 thereof to strike the sides of lthe column of clay 27 and form a vertical identation therein. As the roller 56 passes from under the arm 44 the latter falls, the

leaf-spring 54 pressing the pawl 46 constantly against the pin 49 and in position to haveits shoulder 47 engage the end of the dog 43 when the next roller 56 strikes the lower end of the arm 44 and raises the same.

Mounted at eachside of the receiving table is a leaf-spring 57, the free ends of which are engaged and pressed` inward by the creaser-arms 36 as their upperends are suddenly thrown inward by the action of the spring 39. These springs 57 act as a cushion for the said creasers, and also to immediately force the creasers outward after their ends have indented 'the sides of the. column of clay. The operation, therefore, is that of a quick, sharp blow of the ends of-the creasers on the sides of the column of clay, the onward movement of the said column not being thereby impeded and the indentation being clearlyv and evenly impressed. By manipulating the pin 49 `through the opening 53 the distance the dog 43 will be raised before the shoulder of the pawl 46 passes out of engagement therewith to allow the creasers 36 to be thrown inward by the springs 39, is so regulated that the indentation in the sides of the l:column of clay will be made to exactly coincide with the plane of movement of the cutters or knives 23 as they force their way through the column of cla Lgs each brick 30 is severed from the moving column of clay the movement of the cutter 23 at its rear end forces said brick over the support 29 until its forward end is well on tothe rapidly moving belt 11. Mounted on opposite sides of the delivery `table 2 are posts 58, on each of which is mou-nt d a bracket 59 affording bearings for opposiie ends of a horizontal shaft 60. Loosely mounted on the shaft 60 is a marking roller 61, having, preferably raised, suitable marks or letters 61a thereon to be impressed into the top of the brick to serve vas a trade-mark or trade-name for the brick.

The word shown in the drawing is Electric. The roller 61 is in contact on one side with a collar 62 secured on the shaft 60, and at its other side with a tension spring 63 coiled around the shaft 60 and held to bear with greater or less force against the roller l61 by means of an adjustable collar 64 mounted on the shaft 60. Projecting from the periphery of thev roller 61 is an arm 65 which is adapted to be engaged by the forward end of each brick as it is carried under the roller by the belt 11, to cause said roller to revolve on its shaft until the first of the raised letters 61a`indent themselves' in the brick when the roller 61 will be continued to be revolved by engagement of the brick with said letters. The diameter of the roller 61 is such that as the brick passes from under theroller the arm 65 will have been turned into position to be engaged by the forward end of the succeeding brick, when the preceding operation will be repeated. The spring 63 bears with sufficient force upon the roller to prevent its movement after the brick has passed from under it, so that the arm 65 will always be left in the proper position for engagement by fthe succeeding brick.

We will now describe the electrical connections and arrangements whereby, utilizing the principle of the patent to Dawkins before mentioned, we prevent the adherence` of the clay to the various metallic parts of the machinery with which it. comes in contact.

Referring to Fig. 4, 66 indicates angleiron plates secured on the opposite sides of the receiving table, about mid-way of the length of the cutting device, on the side of each of which plates facing inward there are secured a number of iiexible strips of metal 67 having free ends extending inward and positioned to bear lightly against the respective sides `of the column of clay as it passes under the cutting mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 3, blocks 68 are mount-- ed on opposite sides of the delivery table to which blocks are secured spring-arms 69 having curved ends projecting under the shaft 60 and adapted to bear lightly against the opposite sides of the brick as it passes under the markin roller 61. marking roller is insulated from the machine by means of a sleeve of insulating material 70 which encircles the posts 58 and extends between said posts and the hubs 71 of the brackets 59. Y

Referring now to Fig. 1, 72 indicates, diagrammatically, an electric generator, from the negative side of vwhich a wire 73 leads to, and is electrically connected with, the metallic frame or run-way 18 of the cutting device.

nected with, the pivot or spindle 37 of one of t-he creaser-arms 36. A wire 74a connects the two spindles 37. -A branch wire 75 also leads from the negative 'side of the generator, and is electrically connected to one of the posts 58 supporting the marking wheel 61. A further branch wire 76, shown detached in Fig. la. leads from the negative side of the generator, and is electrically connected to the die y24 of the auger machine. From the positive vside of the generator a wire 77,leads to, and is electrically connected with, the'metal roller 28, this being eected, as shown, by connecting wire 77 to an arm 78 which is in contact with the bearing of said metallic roller28. A branch wire 79 connects the positive of the generator with the plates 66 carrying the brushes. 67. Another #wire 80 connects the positive of the generator with the support 29,' and a wire 81 leads from the positive, of the generator and is connected to the two brushes 69. By means of these various electrical connections thefollowing yresults are secured: (a.) The column of clay, in a more moist condition than has heretofore been found practicable, passes freely out from the die 24 Without adhering to the die, and having its sides and edges perfectly smooth and regular. (b.) The various cutters 23 are successively passed through'the column of ciay to sever the same into brick lengths, making an even, smooth cut, and are as readily withdrawn from the clay, being entirely free from adhering material. (c.)

The said A branch wire 74 leads from the wire 73 to, and is electrically con-v maletas the negative side of a generator with the metallic object and the positive side of the generator with the clay, in which circumstances the object may be brought into intimate contact with thel clay, or forced into or through the same hering thereto.

We claim:

1. In a brick making machine, in combi- Without thel clay adnation with a support fora moving column' of clay, means for cutting the clay' while erator, said' cuttin in mction into brick lengths, a source of electricity, and means for placing and maintaining the column of clay and said cutting mechanism in the circuit of the said source of electricity. v Y

2. In a brick-making machine, in combination with a support for a movlng column of clay, means for cutting the clay while in motion into brick lengths, an electric generator, said cutting means being connected withl one side of said'gener'ator, and a conductor connected with the other side of said generator and adapted to be engaged by the moving column of clay.

3. In a brick-making machine2 in combination with a support for a moving column of clay, means for cutting the `clay while in motion intobrick lengths, an electric gener# ator, l said cutting means being connected with the negativeside of said generator, and a conductor connected with the positive side gaged by the moving column of. clay.

4. ln a brickmaking machine, in combination with a support for a movmg column of clay, means for cutting the clay while -in motion into brick lengths, an electric genmeans being connected with the negative side of said generator, and

' a conductor mounted on said support and connected with the positive side of said generator, and adapted to be engaged by the moving column of clay. p

5. In a brick-making machine, in combinationf'with an endless carrier adapted to receive' andbemoved by a moving column of clay, cutting mechanism coperatmg with said carrier for severing. the column of clay into brick lengths, an electric generator, and means for connecting one side of said generator with the moving column of clay, and the other side with said cutting mechanismu 6. Ina brick-making machine, in combination with a support for a moving column of clay, cutting mechanism mounted above said support and comprising a series ot `blades arranged and adapted to cut through the column of clay at predetermined points at right angles to the line of movement of the clay, an electric generator, and means for connecting one side of said-generator with theV moving column` of clay and the other side of said generator with said blades.

7. In a brick-making machine, in combination with the die of an auger machine, a source of electricity, and means for electrically connecting said die and the clay issuing therefrom with said source.

8. In a brick-making machine, in combination with the die of an auger machine, an

electric generator, means for connecting one s1de of sald generator with said die, kand means for connecting the other side of said generator with the clayv issuing from said die.

9. In a brick-making machine, in combination with the die of an auger machine, an endless carrier for receiving a column of clay issuing from said die, a support for the clay between said carrier and the mouth of said die, an electric enerator, and means `for connecting one si e of said generator with said die, and the other side of said generator with the clay through ,said sup'- ort. p 10. lIn a brick-making machine, in combination with the die of an auger` machine, a support adapted-to receive a column of c lay forced through said die, cutting mechanism embodying a series of blades adapted to travel in a path to cause them to successively cut through the plane traversed by the column of clay, an elect-ric generator, means :for electrically connecting one side of said generator with said clay adjacent to said die and said blades, respectively, said generator havin its other side electrically connected to sai die and to said blades. 11. In a brick-making machine, in combination with means Afor severing a moving column of clay into brick lengths,`an endless carrier for receiving the severed bricks, a

marking wheel mounted for rotation above said carrier and adapted to be engaged by, and in rotating to impress its marks upon the bricks passing thereunder, an electric generator, contact devices adapted to en age the brick as it passes under said mar ing wheel, said contact-devices being electricallyconnected with one side of the generator,

and said marking wheel being electrically connected with the other side of the generator.

12. In a brick-makin machine, in combi- V nation with asupport or a moving column of clay, cutting mechanism for severing the column into brick lengths, means for 1ndenting the clay on opposite sides at points set our hands in presence of two subscribing coincident With the subsequent and succes- Witnesses.

sive lines of severance, a conductor adapted JOHN R. DAWKIN S. to be engaged by the moving column of e1ay,' DENNIS PARKS.

5 said conductor and said indenting. means Witnesses:

being connected with a source of electricity. BRUCE S. ELLIOTT,

In testimony whereof We have hereunto STELLA HILL.

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