US1396779A

US1396779A - Concrete-block-molding machine

Info

Publication number: US1396779A
Application number: US382042A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alvah L Post; Harry R Post
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1920-05-17
Filing date: 1920-05-17
Publication date: 1921-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 1938-11-15

Description

A. L. AND H. R. POST. CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYILIQZO.

Patented Nov. 15, 192 1.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. L- AND H; R. POST- CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 1?, 1920.

I, Patented NOV. 15, 1921.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- jzuenfor3' e lrw m- A. L. AND H. R. POST. CONCRETE BLOCK MOILDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. 1920.

39 779 Patented N0v. 15, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

,IEZUGIZ 721%.

Maw 50 4 w. W W

UNITED STATES ALVAH L. POST AND HARRY R. POST, OF KENT, OHIO.

CONCRETE-BLOCKMOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed may 17,

To (1?? 11:71am '52 may concern:

Be it known that we, ALvAH L. Posr and HARRY R. PosT. citizens ofthe Ynited States. and residents. respectively. of Kent. in the county of Portage and State of 01110. and Kent. in the county of Portage and State of'Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Con':rete-Block- Molding Machines, of which the following is afull. clear. and exact description.

This invention relates to a machine for molding concrete blocks. and has for its object the provision of a machine by which blocks can be molded efficiently and rapidly. In other words. it is one of the chief objects of the invention to provide a machine by which blocks of a superior quality can be produced cheaply or economically.

The invention resides in numerous de tails of the machine including the arrangement of cores. part or a set of which normally project through the bottom of the mold box or flask. and a second set being carried by a plunger which is lowered to compress the material and serving to force the lower cores downward through the bottom of the flask during the stroke which brings about the actual molding or compressing action. the construction being such that pressure is applied to the material both internallyand externally to compress o'r solidify it.

Additionally the invention relates to mechanism by which material is delivered from a suitable hopper to the mold box, and in the mechanism by which certain parts associated with the'hopper including a door at the bottom thereof, and a cut-*ofi' gate above the door are operated. Still further the invention resides in mechanism by which the molded block is automatically elevated on the upward stroke of the plunger so thatthe block can be tilted forward on a removable pallet which forms a part of the mold box during the molding operation and can then be removed on the pallet.

The invention may be briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts which will be described in the specification and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein we have shown an embodiment of the invention which operates with high ef- Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Xov. 15, 1921.

1920. Serial No. 382,042.

ficiency. Figure 1 is a front view of the machme: Fig. 2- is a side view; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of all but the top of the machine showing the flask filled with material. the parts being in the positions that they occupy just prior to the stroke of the upper plunger: Fig. 4 is a similar view of a portlon of the machine at the completion of the downward stroke of the" tional view substantially along the line 8-,8

of Fig. 5 with j the flask in the position shown in Fig. 5 and with the block and palle t removed; Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view substantially along the line 9-9 of Fig. 2: and Fig. 10 is a sectional view substantially along the line 1010 of Fig. 9.

The machine constituting the subject matter of the present invention includes a stationary frame having two rather heavy upright

parallel columns

10, 10, which are connected together by an upper cross-piece 11, and which constitute supports and form guides for the major part of the operating mechanism.

Movable vertically in guides 12 on the inner faces of the

side members

10, 10 of the frame is a cross-head or plunger 13. from which project a series of vertically movable cores 14. in this case three in number, and tapered at their lower ends as shown. It is these cores which on the downward stroke of the plunger enter the material in the flask and actually mold the openings with which concrete blocks are usually provided and apply pressure internally of the material to compress the latter. Likewise these cores force downward certain cores which normallv project through the bottom of the mold box. Beneath the cross-head and surrounding the cores ll is a combined presser plate and stripper plate 15, which on the downward stroke of the plunger enters the top of the flask and compresses the material therein externally. This plate 15 is movable moved vertically bya connecting rod 18.

pivotally connected to a cross-member 19 of the cross-head (see Fig. 6) and at its upper end being connected to a crank pin 20 extending between a pair of large gears 21 which are supported on shafts 22 journaled in the side frame members 10. which gears are driven in unison by a pair of pinions on a driving shaft :24. This shaft may be driven in any desired manner. as for example. by means of a belt pulley 25 which may rotate continuously and is adapted to be clutched and unclutched to the shaft 2-1. In practice I employ a clutch. indicated but not shown in detail at 26. which clutch will be operated by a conveniently located lever. and is adapted when thrown in. to cause one complete revolution of the plunger and then to be automatically thrown out. Clutches of this character are well known in this and allied arts. and a detailed description of their construction is therefore not necessary.

The blocks are molded in a flask which is beneath the plunger and is supported in a stationary position between the side frame members lO'during the molding operation. This flask includes a stationary back member '27. a pair of stationary end members :28. a movable bottom member :29. which together with a pair of front arms are pivotedat 31 to a pair of vertically movable cross-members 3:2. which are carried by a pair of vertical slides 33 connected together by a lower cross-member 3; which slides are guided for vertical movement in guides 35 (see Fig. 7) which are attached to the inner faces of the side frame members 10.

The ends of the lower cross-member 34 ex-' tend through slots in the side frame members 10 and are connected to a pair of lower outer slides 36 which are guided in the outer portions of the side frame members 10. The function of these slides 36- will be explained shortly.

Above it was stated that the flask includes a stationary back 27. two stationary ends 28. 28. and a movable bottom 29 which is pivotally mounted and carries a pair of arms 30 at right angles thereto. The flask proper into which the material to form a block is dumped. is completed by what is generally termed a pallet 37, which is a removable board adapted to be placed just inside the arms 30. and forms the front side of the box. as clearly illustratedin Fig. 3.

As will subsequently appear. on the upper stroke of the plunger following the block molding operation. the molded block. and certain parts of the flask including the bottom 29-. arms 30 and pallet 31' are elevated with reference to the stationary part of the flask. and are then rotated or swung forwardly until the arms 3 rest on a stationary support 38 here shown in the form of a front cross angle so that the block can be lifted with the pallet and removed from the machine. after which a new pallet will be placed on the arms 30 and swung to upright position by swinging inward the pi"- oted parts of the flask. and then lowered into proper relationship with the stationary parts ofthe mold box.

The bottom '29 has openings coinciding in number and position with the .upper cores 14 carried by the plunger. and when the flask is in normal position ready to receive the material there project through these openings lower cores 39 which are connected to a cross-piece 40 supported and guided for vertical movement by a pair of arms l1 movable vertically in a pair of angle shaped guides 42 which extend vertically downward at the lower central part of the machine from a pair of lower cross-members l3 which are fixed to and extend between the side frame members 10. To this cropiece -l0 is attached a lever 4- which extends rearwardly and at its rear end is connected to a support 45 and to this lever is attached a tension spring -16. the action of which is to normally liold the cores 39 in their upper position shown in Fig. 3. and which permits the cores to be depressed or moved downwardly through ,the bottom of the mold box when they are engaged by the downwardly-moving upper cores 14. b

In accordance with the present inventib'n. measured or predetermined quantities of material are delivered to the flask by mechanism which is wholly automatic except to the extent that the delivery of a charge of material necessary to fill the flask is timed by the operator by throwing a hand lever or equivalent device. In accordance with this part of. my invention I provide a hop er 48. at a suitable elevation at the rear side of the machine, and into this hopper is deposited by a conveyer or otherwise. material containing the right ingredients properly mixed in condition to be molded into the blocks. The material is delivered from the lower end of this hopper to the flask by an inclined chute -19 which is supported in fixed position with reference to the lower end of the hopper and rear top edge of the flask as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Normally the lower end of the hopper is closed by a hinged door 50, the rear edge of which is pivoted to the lower rear edge of the hopperon an axis 51. The door is normally held closed by a pivoted latch 52, and it is released so that a charge of material may fall from the bottom of the hopper and be delivered by the chute 49 into the flask by a manually movable device 53, in this case in the form of a hand lever supported on one of the side frame members 10 at the front of the machine, and connected by a link 5i to the lower part of the latch. hen the operator pullsthe lever 53 forwardly the latch is withdrawn from the door so that it may drop downward against the bottom of the inclined chute. and when the lever is released both it. and the latch are restored to normal position'by a spring 55.

The door 50 is closed automatically after a charge of material is delivered from thehopper .to the chute 49. and to accomplish this the front of the door is connected by a link 56 to the rearwardly extending arm of 1 a bell-crank 57 mounted in a block on the 10 near the top of the machine. When the door is open a downwardly projecting arm 57 of this bell-crank is swung from the full line position of Fi 2 to the dotted. line position which is at jacent a roller 58 (see particularly Fig. 1) carried by one of two cranks 59 which are provided just outside of along the side frame members 10 on the ends of the shafts 22 carrying the plunger operating gears 21. The relation of the roller 58 on this vcrank and the bell-crank arm 57* is such that at the beginning of the down stroke of the plunger the roller swings the bell-crank in such a manner that the link 56 and door are pulled upward until the door reaches closed position and is temporarily secured in that osition by the latch 52.

In order that prec etermined or measured amounts of material may be delivered through the bottom of the hopper -10 I provide a short distance above the door a transversely moving cut-ofl or gate consisting in this case of a plurality of fingers 60. which pass through the rear wall of the hopper in a horizontal direction. and 'at their outer ends which are on the rear side of the hopper being connected to a cross-bar 61. to the ends of which are conn ec'ted a pair of forwardly extending arms or slides 62 which are adapted to slide back and forth in guides 63 secured on opposite sides of the hopper.

The gate is moved rearwardly so as to allow the material above it to drop down onto the closed door 50 of the hopper. and is then moved forwardly so as to form a barrier-or support for the material above it and permit only the material beneath it to pass from the hopper down the chute into the flask when the door is open. and this is done automatically by the following mech- (see anism: On the outer faces of the side frame members 10 I provide a pair of slides 64 which are above the slides 36 already referred to. and these slides are moved up and down in their guide-ways by the two cranks 59 and by connecting rods.65 which connect the outer free ends of the cranks with the slides. The up and down vertical movement of these slides (or rather certain portions of the movement) is transmitted to the gate 60 through mechanism including a pair scribed. is as follows: Assuming thatthe operator has restored the movable parts of the flask to normal or receiving position with the pallet along the front side thereof.

as shown in Fig. 3,-the operator will pull.

outward on the lever 53 so as to allow the bottom door 50 of the hopper to drop and permit the material previously between the ate and the door to slide down the #chute into the flask. 'hen the material slides into the flask the flask will be filled sub stantially as shown in Fig. 3. and the lower cores 39 will now extend upward into the material as shown in this figure. Then the operator pulls the lever. not shown, which starts the plunger operating mechanism in motionrwhereupon the plunger'is lowered and then elevated. and then the plunger operating mechanism is stopped with the plunger in its elevated position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. As the plunger comes down. the upper-cores-enter the material and force the lower cores 39 through the bottom of the flask. The upper cores thus mold the openings in the block being molded and substantially uniform compression is obtained which would not be the case if the openings in the block were formed solely by the upper l plungers without the assistance of the lower plungers which by projecting up through the bottom of the box displace part of the material where the openings are to be formed. Likewise it will be understood that pressure to solidify the material into block form is obtained not only internally by the downward movement of the cores but externally by the premer and stripper plate 15 which isof such a size that it willjust enter the top of the flask and on the retraction of the plunger it prevents the upwardly moving cores 14 from pulling the sand upward.

At the beginning of the downward stroke of the plunger the door 50 is first closed by the action of the roller 58 on the bell-crank arm 57 of the bell-crank 57, and by the links 56 connecting the bell-crank to the door and then after a predetermined downward movement of the slides 6*. during which time the door 50 has been closed the bell-cranks 56 and links and 71 cause the rearwardly movement of the gate 60. This allows the material in the hopper to drop down onto the closed door, and on the up stroke of the plunger the gate is pulled forwardly so as to divide the material which is to form the next charge from that which is now above the gate. It might be mentioned at this point; that the amount or volume of the charge which is supplied to the flask can be varied if desired by reason of the fact that the lower part of the hopper. 2'. a. that part carrying the door can be moved up or down on the lower part of the body portion of the hopper. the lower part thus movable being designated T5 in Fig. 2. This lower part of the hopper is connected onto the main portion by bolts 76 these bolts being provided at their upper ends with adjusting nuts T7.

On the downward and upward strokes of the plunger. not only is a block molded in the mold box. the door closed. and the gate operated as already described. but during the upward stroke of the plunger the block and parts of the 'flask including the bottom 29-and front pallet 37 are elevated so that the block and pivoted

parts

29 and 30 and pallet 37 may be swung outward to the position shown in Fig. 5 as already described.

This automatic lifting of the molded block and parts of the mold box including the pallet is accomplished by the following mechanism: On the lower ends of the slide 64: laterally projecting pins T6 are provided and on the upper ends of the lower slides 36 pivoted catches 77 are provided directly beneath these pins. the catches being normally in the position shown in Fig. 2. so

that on the downward stroke of the plunger the pins T6 will pass beneath .the shoulders 77 of the catches. and on the up stroke will engage these shoulders and elevate the slides 36 as well as the molded block and the movable parts of the flask. Therefore when the plunger operating mechanisn. comes to a stop with the plunger elevated. the molded block is elevated and the operator swings it outward to the position shown in Fig. 5 with the pallet 37 now underneath the molded block. It is thenremoved with the pallet. another pallet is placed on the arms 30. the movable parts of the flask then swung inward and are lowered so that the entire flask will be in position to receive the next charge. and this is done by a trip device connected to the catches 57. which device is operated by a haul lever 78 at one side of the machine .and provided with arms 79 connected by links 80 to the upper ends of the catches T7. The operator has simply to pull up on the hand lever to cause the catches to be swung clear of the pins 76, whereupon the parts drop to normal position, and when the lever is released the latches swing forward to their normal position.

Then the operation is repeated. the operator releasing the door, causing the next charge to be delivered to the flask and the plunger operating mechanism started to mold the next block.

It was previously stated that the upper cores force the lower cores 39 downward through the bottom of the mold box during the down stroke of the plunger and cores. and it will be understood that as the upper cores recede on the up stroke of the plun-' gers. the lower cores 39 are brought up to normal position through the action of the spring 46. However. these lower cores do not engage the molded block on the receding of the upper cores because the block is lifted before suchengagement can take place. so that the upward movement of the lower cores cannot injure the lower part of the molded block.

. With this mechanism. largely automatic in character and controlled by the three levers 53. 78. and a lever not shown which controls the plunger operating clutch. blocks can be molded very rapidly and efficiently. Hence we are enabled to produce very good blocks at low cost.

Though we have illustrated simply the preferred construction. it is obvious that the machine may be modified in details. and we therefore do not wish to be confined to the details shown. but aim in our claims to cover all modifications which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having described our invention, we claim 1. In a block molding machine. a frame. a flask. adapted to receive material to be molded into block form. means for compreming material in the flask comprising a plunger. a plurality of tapered cores which are actuated by the plunger and on the compressing stroke thereof enter one side of the flask and pass through the material and through the opposite side of the flask so as to form openings in the block being molded and to compress the material internally thereof. and a stripper plate which during the compression stroke of the plunger enters one side of the flask and compresses the material externally.

2. In a block molding machine. a vertically disposed frame. a flask adapted to receive material to be molded into block form. and open at the top. means for compressing the material in the flask by pressure exerted internally and externally, com-- and through the bottom of the flask, thereby forming openings in the material and exerting pressure thereon internally, and the stripper plate during the compression stroke of the plungerentering the top of the flask and serving to exert downward pressure on the material externally thereof.

3. In a block molding machine, aflask adapted to receive material to be molded into block form, a plunger for compressing the material in the flask and provided with a core adapted to enter the material to mold an opening in the block. and a core normally projecting into the flask in line with the core of the plunger and movably supported so that it may recede from the flask during the compressing stroke of the plunger.

4. In a block molding machine, a frame. a flask adapted to receive material to be molded into block form. a plunger supported by the frame andmovable toward and from the flask. said plunger being pro vided with a plurality of cores adapted to enter the material to mold openings therein. and-a plurality of cores normally extending into the flask in line with the cores of the plungerland movably supported so that they may be forced from the flask during thecompressing stroke of the plunger.

5. In a block molding machine. a frame. a flask adapted to receive material 'to be molded into block form, a plunger supported by the frame and adapted to compress the material in the flask, said plunger carrying a plurality of cores adapted to enter the material to form openings in the block, and a set of cores normally projecting through the bottom of the flask and yieldingly supported so that they may 'recede from the flask when engaged by the plungers carried by the core.

6. In a block molding machine. a frame. a flask positioned at one part of the frame during the molding operation. a plunger movable lengthwise of the frame and having *means which during, the stroke of the plunger in one direction enters the flask to compress the material therein. and mecha nism operating in predetermined relation with the plunger for shifting the molded block and a part of the flask lengthwise of the frame on the return stroke of the plunger following the compressing stroke. and means foroperating the plunger and said shifting mechanism.

T. In a block molding machine. a frame. a -flask positioned in the lower part of the frame during the molding operation. a

plunger movable lengthwise of the frame and having means which during the downward stroke of the plunger enters the flask to compress the material therein. and mechanism operating in predetermined relation with the plunger for lifting the molded block and a part of the flask on the upward stroke of the plunger following the downward compression stroke, and means for operating the plunger and said shifting mechanism,

8. In a block molding machine, a frame. a flask adapted to receive material to be molded into block form. cores normally projecting upwardly through the bottom of the flask, a plunger movable lengthwise of the frame for compressing the material in the flask and provided with opening forming cores. the first-named cores being movably mounted and adapted to be forced through the bottom of the flask during the compressing stroke of the plunger. and mechanism for lifting the molded block and a part of the flask on the return stroke of the plunger.

.9. In a block molding machine, a frame, a flask adapted to receive material to be molded in block form, a compressor for compressin material in the flask. a receptacle adapte to receive material to be supplied to the flask. means for delivering material from the receptacle to the flask. said receptacle composed of two parts, one adjustable relative to the other, and means for permitting predetermined or measured amounts of material to pass from the receptacle to said delivery means and comprising a door at the lower part of the receptacle, and a cut-off device movable transversely of the receptacle above the door. said door and cut-ofl' device being carried one by one of said parts of the receptacle and the other by the other of said parts whereby on the adjustment of said parts of the receptacle varying amounts of material will be supplied to the flask.

10. In a block molding machine. a frame.

a flask adapted to receivematerial to be molded into block form. a compressor for compressing material in the flask. a recepta- Cle adapted to receive material to be supplied to the flask. means for delivering material from the receptacle to the flask. said re-' ceptacle comprising a body portion and an adjustable bottom portion. the body portion having a cutoff device and the adjustable bottom portion having a door whereby when the door and cut-ofl device are operated in se uence measured amounts of material are deiivered to the flask.

11. In a block molding machine. a frame. a flask adapted, to receive material to be molded into block form. a compressor for compressing material in the flask. a receptacle adapted to receive material to be supplied to the flask. means for delivering mareceptacle comprising a body portion and an adjustable bottom portion. the body portion having a cut-off device and the adjustable bottom portion having a door whereby when the door and-cut-ofl' device are operated in sequence measured amounts of material are delivered to the flask. and means for automatically actuating the door and cutoff device in predetermined relation with the movement of the, compressor.

12. In a block molding machine. a frame. a flask adapted to receive material to be molded into block form. a compressor for compressing material in the flask. a receptacle adapted to receive material to be supplied to the flask, means for delivering materail from the receptacle to the flask. said receptacle having at the bottom a hinged swinging door and above the door having a cut-ofl' device. and means for automatically actuating-the door and cut-ofi device in pre determined relation with the movement of the compressor.

13. In a block molding machine. a vertical frame. a flask near the bottom thereof for receiving material to be molded. a plunger movable vertically of the frame for compressing material in the flask. mechanism for operating the plunger. means by which a predetermined amount of material may be delivered from the receptacle to the flask comprising a door at the lower part of the receptacle. a cut-off device above the door. a slide movable lengthwise of the frame and operatively connected to the plunger operating mechanism. and mechanism for transmitting movement from said slide to the cutoff device.'

14. In a block molding machine. a frame. a flask normally positioned at one part of the frame and adapted to receive material to be molded into block from, means comprising a plunger movable lengthwise of the frame for compressing material in the flask. a hopper adapted to receive material to be supplied to the flask. devices at the lower part of the hopper for causing predetermined or measured amounts of material to be supplied from the hopper to the flask. mechanism for shifting the molded block and a portion of the flask along the frame during a portion of the return stroke of the plunger following the compression stroke. means for operating the plunger. and mechanism operating in timed relation with the plunger for automatically shifting said devices and for operating the block and flask shifting mechanism during the cycle of movement of the plunger.

15. In a block molding machine. a vertical frame. a flask near the bottom of the frame, adapted to receive material to be molded into block form. a plunger movable lengthwise of the frame downwardly and then upwardly so as to compress the material in the flask. mechanism for operating the plunger. a hopper adapted to contain material to be supplied to the flask. a door at the bottom of the hopper. a cut-off device above the door movable transversely of the hopper to permit a predetermined amount of material to be delivered from the hopper when the door is opened. a slide movable lengthwise of the frame for elevating the molded block and a portion of the flask. and mechanisms operated by the plunger operating mechanism for shifting the door. for moving the cut-ofl device and for lifting said slide during each cycle of movement of the plunger.

In testimony whereof. we hereunto afiix our signatures.

ALI'AH L. POST. HARRY R. POST.