US1900243A

US1900243A - Brick hacking apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1900243A
Application number: US538768A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank C Layer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-05-20
Filing date: 1931-05-20
Publication date: 1933-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 1950-03-07

Description

March 7, 1933. F. C. LAYER BRICK HACKING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet l toi'zzgy March 7,1933. F. c. LAYER BRICK HACKING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 2o, 1931 March 7, 1933. F. c. LAYER BRICK HACKING APPARATUS jzuezifaz flti'oi'iiezy 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fi led May 20 \PkILV ocean-000000000 Filed May 20, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 wa d" 1 0 MY A o A T i w w m T t u m w r. 1 0G4 mm P 1 m a H 1 L E E W J F mm W? :.::..s W -4 6d N\\Mw w- QT & J g v.32 H MUHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIH u l l l l u l n ln n3 Z" j MW m 1 mm mm a 1 i .M mw in l l l l l v l l n H l U n; 1 3 WM March 7, 1933. F L YER 1,900,243

BRICK HACKING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 195% 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 7, 1933. F. c. LAYER BRICK BACKING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1951 6 z V t w n w z #m r m 4m 5 O n 7 b h e 20 a S VNNJ v u 3% 3 MW kmw o 3 H F v -4- a? v l 6 g 3v MN March 7, 1 933.- LAYER 1,900,243

BRICK HACKING APPARATUS I Filed May 20, 1931 7 Sheetsheet 7 Q, a a

Patented Mar. 7, 1933 71mm; 0. Lame, or ALGONQUIN', ILLINOIS BRICK BACKING I APPARATUS Application filed May 20 19a1. Serial at; 538,768. V

' My presentinvention relates to brick han-i dling apparatus, and more particularly. to 1 novel and improved brick hackingapparatus.

An import-ant obj ect of the present. inven- 5 tion is the provision ofnovel apparatus by means of Which brick may be stacked' in a hack on a car or truck for delivery to a drier or kiln, in predetermined and prearranged 7? formation for subsequent handling in the 10 kiln shed by lifting forks or other devices to handle theentire truck load as a unit@ Another object of the invention resides in considerably lessening the time required to ,load the aforesaid cars or trucks for delivery to the kiln.

Another object of the invention resides in" a substantial re'duction'in the labor personnel heretofore required to carry out this transfer I a operation. Another object of my the provision of a plurality ofv grouping frames, conveyed throughout my novel a-p pa-' ratus in predetermined sequence, 1so thata predeterrnined number of frames will com- 'plete'one cycle o-foperation of the apparatus,

and on the co-mpletion of said cycle, tear or truck will have been completelyloaded, ready fordelivery to the kiln.

Another object of the invention resides in 30 so constructing and arranging the aforemenstionedgrouplng frames that the brrc ksplaced therein will be in a position for deposit upon the delivery truck in prearranged relation,

not only with the brick in a given course, but p eally forwarded to-the point or stat on pre also With the bricks inadjacent courses; 1

A still further object of the pr'es'entinVenJ tion resides in the provision of novelc arriers for transporting the loaded grouping frames, i from one station to another.

A further object of the invention resides in a novel track arrangementfor conductlng the aforesald carriers from one stationjto another, coupled With'reversingmeans to re,

versethe direction of travel of said carr-i'ers,

to return them to the initial frame receiving,

position. 7 v v I 7 Another feature of my lIlVBIltI on resides 1n the arrangement of conveyors utilized in 'cooperation Withthe said track mechanism and carriers transported thereon.

' station invention resides in In car'rying; out 'my invention novel apparatus is arranged in substantiallyrec-:';

tangular form, comprising a cross conveyor by means of wh ch empty grouping .framesv are delivered in position to be recelved'by the carriers, a second conveyor conducting;

briokfrom any desired point, as for example from a drier, to sald' cross conveyor, at which point they are'diverted and fed into! the compartments ofthe grouping frames. The carriers above mentioned clamp a filled grouping frame, and convey the same to .a

eneathewhich is located fa car' or truck. At this station the grouping frame is released, said frame and the bricks carried thereby being positionedinproper relation j on said truck, Thereupon the grouping frame is'removed'from the brick, plaTce don a gravity conveyor, and automatically fed to an endless conveyor which in turn "feeds the emptygrouping frames to thefirst cross conrier has released its grouping frame and; the

veyor, at which point they are placeden said conveyor in: proper position. After a car- 1 of the tracksystem, at which pointimeansf is provided to again "automatically reverse.

the direction of; travel of said carrier, and

pared? to clamp another filled grouping frame.

particular construction and arrangement. of

the'partslof myn'ovel apparatus, and all of the above, together vWith other objects and features of theinventiomdetafls of construe-f.

tion, combinations of parts, and advantagesi will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, L, is described and claimed. i I believe that the apparatus hereinQillus; [trated and described is novel, and have there-'1; fore claimed the same broadly in the present plication? i I Believe that fl 'yste'm" of hacking 05 brickcarried thereby, it continues its travel 7 along its "track, until the. end thereof is reached, at which. point means is provided to automatically reverse the direction of travel 'ofsaid carrier. Thereupon the carrier v'vill return, on a parallel track, to the other ende I the said carrier Will thereupon be automati H brick, by means of prearranged grouping frames, is novel, and have therefore claimed said system in this application.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figs. 1 and 2 constitute a plan view of my novel apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view onthe line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional detail of a grouping frame in brick receiving position on the cross conveyor;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the carriers;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 8;

Fig. .8 is a vertical sectional view on the .line 88 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a side elevation illustrating the loading of a truck;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of said truck during the loading operation;

Fig. 11 is a topv plan view illustrating the turntable on the transfer car, and the truck to which the filled cars are conveyed for delivery to the kiln;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 .is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail of the pivoted live rail joint; Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view on the line 1515 of Fig. 8; i

Fig. 16 is a wiring diagram of the entire system, and

Fig. 17 is a wiring diagram of the carrier.

Referring now to the drawings, for a particular description of the invention, its construction and operation, 10 designates a conveyor, such as a belt conveyor, driven by a shaft 11 which in turn is rotated by a chain. 12 connected to the shaft 13 of a motor 14,

a switch 15 being provided to stop and start the conveyor 10 at will. This conveyor 10 is'adapted to transport bricks 16, preferably arranged longitudinally of the belt, in pairs. The conveyor 10 extends from the usual cutting table and the brick, when placed on the cars, will be delivered to a drier in which the green brick are dried preparatory to their being burned in a suitable kiln.

The conveyor 10 terminates closely adj agent to a crossconveyor 17, this cross conveyor comprising the belt 1.7 supported-on a plurality of rolls 18 throughout a portion of its length, the rolls 18 being supported I on shafts19 in a suitable frame 2. The belt 17 is. endless, and is driven by means of a motor ,21, the operation of this cross con: Vefyor'17 being continuous, except as herein after explained. Fixed to the belt'17, asby rivets 22, are a plurality of channel irons 23,

. into the grouping frames.

certain of these channel irons projecting above the other, as at 24, and being provided with shoulders 25. Mounted in the channel irons 23 are a plurality of shafts 26 carrying rollers 27 extending longitudinally of the conveyor 17.

A plurality of grouping frames are provided, these grouping frames being divided into three classes, here illustrated as 28, 29 and 30. These frames are placed upon the cross conveyor 17 inmanner to be hereinafter more fully described, and are fed by the conveyor laterally across the end of the conveyor 10. Adjacent to the end of the conveyor 10, on a'platform 31, stands an operframes. A stop plate 32 is provided, against 1 which the brick 16will abut when being fed The grouping frames 28 are utilized in layingv finger courses on a car, as will be hereinafter more fully explained, and are each adapted to carry sixteen brick, with the exception of the finger course grouping frames designated at 33,

I which are adapted to carry twenty-four brick each. i

As will be clearly apparent from an inspection of Fig. 3, the gr'oupin frames rest on the shoulders 25, being confined between the raised portions 24 of the channel irons 23. The filled grouping frames are carried by the conveyor 17 to a position beneath a carrier designated generally at 34.

The carrier 34 rides on wheels 35 on tracks 36, longitudinal beams 37 being provided to support a motor 38, as well as the supporting members 39, on the upper end of which are slidably mounted side frames 40. Depending from the side frames40are clamping irons 41, normally held in separated position by means of U-shaped leaf springs 42- bearing against the clamping members or arms 41.

Mounted on one side frame 40 is a crank 43 rotating a pulley 44 to'which is fixed a cable 45. This cable 45surrounds an idler pulley 46 mounted on the oppositeside frame 40, and is returned and fixed to a post 47 on the first side frame 40. Thus, rotationof the crank 43 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, will effect a drawing together of the side frames 40, sliding on the members 39 by means of the slots 48 and pins 49. This drawing together of the side frames 40 will also draw the clamping arms. 41 to gether, clamping the same against the outside ofa grouping frame,as for example the frame 29 illustrated in Fig. 3, securely clamp ing the brick 16 within said frame. The

clamping of the brick is. permitted because.

of the fact that the partitions are slidable upon shafts 51, spacing sleeves 52 being provided, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. The.

- carrier 34 is now ready to be conveyed along its tracks 36 to the delivery station for the grouping frames.

Carried by the side frames 53 is a live rail 54 adapted to be engaged by the brushes 55 noted that the live rail 54 terminates before reaching the cross conveyor 17. When the crank 43 has been operated to clamp a filled grouping frame in the carrier 34, the opera: tor 2 pushes thecarrier 34 along its tracks 36 until it brushes 55 are in contact with the live rail 54, said brush being forced against said rail 54 by a coiledspring 59 bearing against the insulating block 60, said spring 59 surrounding a stem 61 and a nut 62 limiting outward movement of the block 60. 7

When the operator 2 has pushed the filled carrier 34 into contact with the live rail 54 he will operate the switch 63, thus preparing. the car for travel along its tracks 36 when another operator, designated as 3, has closed the switch 64. I I

Assuming that the operator 3 has closed the switch 64, the filled carrier will. then.

travel along its tracks 36 until it reaches the rear spot adjacent to the switch 64, inFig. 2, where it will be noted that there is a break in the live rail 54 similar to the break illustrated in Fig. 1.

shaft 67 carrying a sprocket 68 by means of which a chain 69 will rotate the axle 70 and hence the wheels 35 fixed thereto; I

frames 40 and release the clamping arms '41 I over the grouping frame carried thereby,

thereupon releasing the grouping frame and the bricks carried thereby upon the car. 71

' sition illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2,per-

mitting the carrier to beswitchedto the outa or upon the course or courses of brick theretofore laid on said car. v, Thereupon an operator designated as 4 removes the grouping frame from its brick and places said frame upon a gravity conveyor designated generallyat 72. After the operator 4 hasremoved the empty grouping frame, the operator I 3 will push the empty carrier 34 along its Motion is imparted to the 5 carrier 34 by means of the motor pinion rotating a gear 66 which in turn rotates a;

tracks 36 until it is again in engagement with. the live rail 54, whereupon said operator will close the switch 64 and again energize the entire system, with the exception ofthe conveyor 10, which. is operated solely by the operator 1.

On closing of the circuit, by means of the switch 64, all of the carriers, except those within the two dead spots-above mentioned,

will be set in motion, as well as the cross conveyor 17, and the longitudinal conveyor 73, towhich the empty grouping frames are delivered by the gravity conveyor 72. .The

conveyor 73 is operated by a motor 74, chain; 75, and shaft 76, andsaid conveyor 73 will transport the empty grouping frames back to the cross conveyor terminating just; shortthereof. At this point is stationed, an

operator 5,-who will take the empty grouping frames from the conveyor 73 and place them in properposition on the cross conveyor 17.

"After a car has left the dead spot adjacent I to the operator 3,.and is again energized, it

will strike. a gate .77, carrying track sections 36 coinciding with the main tracks 36, and will move said gate to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the carrier continuing in its travel until it reaches the end of its tracks 36 at the left of Fig. 2. Asit reaches this point, a striker .78 will engage the lug 79 on the lever 80, this lever 80 being provided with a pair of arcuate slots 81 within which ride the pins 82 fixedto the live rail sections 83' and 84 respectively. Engagement ofthe lug 79 by the striker 78 will rock the lever 80 on its pivot 85, throwing the live rail section 83 out of contact with the brushes 55, and moving the live rail section 84 into contact with the brushes 55 on the opposite side of said carrier. The last slight forward travel of the carrier will cause the rod 86 rotation of the motor 38, and hence a rep versal of travel of the carrier 34.

The gate 77 is pivoted on a vertical shaft 91, and is moved by the carrier 34 in its forward movement against a counter-weight 92, said counter-weight being connected "to the gate 77 by a cable 93 passing over the pulleys 94. As soonas the carrier 34 has passed the gate 77, the counter-weight'will draw, the

same back to its normal position, or-tothe poside tracks 95, with the opposite brushes 55. in engagement with the live rail 107, for return to loading position. As the carrier 34 returns, or is reversed, a striker 96 will enthus rocking the lever 80 on its pivot 85 and returning the same to the normal position illustrated in Fig. 2, together with the

live rail sections

83 and 84.

When the empty carrier 34 approaches the end of the tracks 95 adjacent to the loading station, it will engage a gate 100, similar to the gate 77, and will swing the same to permit the carrier to ride on to the first tracks 36. This end of the tracks 36 is also provided with a lever 101, similar in each respect with the lever 80, operating the live rail sections '102 and 103 exactly the same as the

sections

83 and 84.

As the, empty carrier reaches the end of its reverse travel, the rod 86 will strike the bumper 104, moving the contact points 89 back to the position illustrated in Fig. 6, for forward travel of the carrier 34. Movement of the rod 86 in each direction, and correct positioning of the contact points 89 relative to the terminals 57 and 90 is controlled by the collars 138. This forward travel will continue as long as the circuit is closed. As the carrier .34 starts again'on its traverse of itsftracks 36, the striker 96 on the opposite side of the car will engage the lever 105, and operate the rod 106 to pivot the lever 101 and return the same, together with the live rail sections 102 and 103, to normal position, as illustrated in full lines at the right-hand side of Fig. 1. The carrier 34 will then continue its forward travel until it reaches the dead spot adjacent to the operator 2. These dead spots adjacent to the operators 2 and 3 areof suflicient extent to accommodate any desired number of cars at a time, being here illustrated as sufficient to carry or accommodate two carriers 34.

Beneath the dead spot adjacent to the

operators

3 and 4 is a pit 108, in which tracks 109 are fixed on a suitable bed 110, a transfer car 111 riding on the rails 109. The top of the transfer car is rotatable relative to the base thereof, and this turntable top designated generally at 112, carries angularly arranged sets of

tracks

113 and 114, adapted to register, at predetermined intervals, with the incoming tracks 115 and the outgoing tracks 116. r V

The car 71 is provided with wheels 117 adapted to ride on the

rails

114 and 113 respectively. The car 71 is provided with a vertically movable bed 118, to which are fixed cables 119, these cables being fixed to drums 120 on a shaft 121, and other cables 122 being united to drums 123 on the shaft 121 and passing around idlers 124 on the shaft 125, whence said cables 122 extend to the other end of the car and pass around idlers 126 and 127, whence they are again fixed to the deck of the car.

Fixed to the shaft 121 is a crank 128 and ratchet 129, said ratchet being in engagement with a pawl 130.- When an empty car 71 is positioned on the transfer car 111, the deck 118 is raised to the top of the car 71, so that the first grouping frames and their brick are deposited'directly on the deck 118.

As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the first brick deposited are in finger courses, with spaces 131 between groups of bricks to permit the entrance of the fingers of lifting forks, or other devices. When two tlers of finger courses have been laid, the operator designated at 6 then swings the car 71 at right angles to its original position, whereupon a stretcher course is laid. Thereupon the operator-6 again'swings the car 71 at right angles, and a header course is laid.

111 Fig. 9 'the apparatus is illustrated as laying a stretcher course, as will be readily understood. i I

As each course is completed, the operator 6 manipulates the crank 128 and lowers the deck 118 a predetermined distance, equivalent to the height of one course, and determined by the distance between-the teeth on the ratchet 129, being held in adjusted position by the pawl 130. The tracks 36 are inclined upwardly, from adjacent to the dead spot to the end thereof, so that the conveyor 72 will have a sufiicient incline to insure a gravity feeding of the empty grouping frames to the longitudinal conveyor 73.

After the car 71 has been loaded, it is then pushed from the transfer car 11 over the tracks 116 on to a truck 132 provided with sets of tracks 133, the truck 132 being of sufficient size to accommodate three cars 71, although it will be appreciated that this is for illustrative purposes only. The truck 132 is mounted on tracks 134 which preferably run directly into the drier or kiln shed, whence the cars 71 are conducted for unloading by any suitable unloading, handling, orlifting forks or devices.

The operator 3 stands on a scaffold 135, ro-

tatably mounted on a pivot 136, a ladder 137 being provided'for access to said scaffold. Thus the operator 3 may shift the position of the scaffold 135 to coincide with the position of the carriers 34 or the car 71, as desired.

In order to completely load the car 71, I find that thirty-nine grouping frames are required. Thus, when the last grouping frame has been deposited on the car 71, a cycle is completed, and the first grouping frame of the next cycle will be carried by the next carrier conveyed to the operator 3,'it being necessary to position a new car 71' on the transfer'car 111, with the deck 118 raised to its uppermost limit, before commencing the loading of said new car 71.

By carrying out my novel system, with the grouping frames prearranged in correct rotation or sequence, loading or building of the hack on the car 71 is facilitated, the opera tors having the correct grouping frames autoinatically positioned for release by-theoperator 3, and each successive groupingframe being placed on the conveyor" 7 2 and delivered to the "operator 5 for replacing on the cross conveyor 17 in correct sequence and relation; 1

By the use of my novel apparatus I am enabled to effect the loading of a'car 71 in'but a fraction of the time heretofore required to effect the building of a hack on such a car.

The advantages of my novel apparatus and system will be instantly apparent to those skilledinthis art. I I

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that I- may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts, within reasonably wide limits without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. 1

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. Brick hacking apparatusof the ln'nd described, comprising a car loading station, 'a set of brick holding grouping frames ofvarying'sizes and capacity, said set of frames representing'the totalvolume of a car, and

means to convey said frames to said car loading station in proper sequence.

2. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a car loading station," a set of brick holding grouplng frames of varying sizes and capacity, said set of frames representing the total volume'of a car, a loading station for said frames, and means to convey said frames to said car loading station in proper sequence.

3. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind de-- scribed, comprising a car loading station, a

set ofbrick holding grouping frames of'v'arying sizes and capacity, said set of frames representing the total volume ofa car, a loading station for said frames, means to convey said frames to said car loading station 1n proper sequence, and means to return said 45 frames to said frame loading station.

4. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a set of tracks, a second set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to its ends, 50-

electrically operated carriers on said tracks, means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said carriers at the end of said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station remote from said loading station, a plurality of grouping frames, a cross conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading station, and means on each of said carriers adapted to clamp a frame therein.

5. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a set of tracks, a second set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to its ends, electrically operated carriers on said tracks, means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said carriers at the end of saidfirst tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station re mote from said loading station, a plurality of grouping frames,a cross conveyor adapted tocarrysaid frames to said loading station, and manually operated means on each of said carriers adapted to clamp a frame therein.

6. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a set of tracks,a second set of tracks parallel with saidfirst tracks' and converging thereon adjacent-to its ends, electrically operated carriersjon said tracks, 'means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said carriers at the end of said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading'station remote from 'said loading station, a plurality of grouping frames, a cross conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading station,

means on each of said carriers adapted-to clamp a frame therein for transfer to said unloading station, and a conveyor adapted to return empty frames to said cross conframes,a cross conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading stat on, means on eachof said carrier's adapted to clamp a frame therein for transfer tosaid unloading station, a conveyor adapted to return empty frames to said cross conveyor, and a gravity conveyor interposed between said unloading station and said last named con veyor to automatically deliver said empty frames to said last named conveyor.-

8.' Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a setof tracks, a second set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to its ends, electrically operated carriers on said tracks, means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said carriers at the end ofv said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station remote from'i said loading station, a plurality of grouping'frames, across conveyor adapted tocarry'said frames to said loading station,

means on-each of said'carriers adapted to clamp'a frame therein for transfer to said unloading station, a conveyor adapted to returnrempty frames'to said cross conveyor,

and means to operate said carriers andsaid conveyorsinunison. l1 -9. Brick hacking apparatus of thekind described, comprising asetoftracks, a sec- 5351 fer to said unloading station, a conveyor empty frames to said last named conveyor.

6 electrically operated carriers on said tracks,

L591 loading station, a plurality of grouping frames to said cross conveyor, said first set'of i 1 last named conveyor to automatically deliver ond set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to its ends, electricallyoperated carriers on said tracks, means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said carriers at theend of said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station remote from said loading station, a plurality of grouping frames, a cross conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading station, a brickcarrying conveyor terminating adjacent'to said cross conveyor, means on each of said carriers adapted to clamp a frame therein for transfer to said unloading station, a conveyor adapted to return empty frames to said cross conveyor, and a gravity conveyor interposed between said unloading station and said last named conveyor to automatically deliver said empty frames to said last named conveyor.

10. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a'set of tracks, a second set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to its ends, electrically operated carriers on said tracks, means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of saidcarriers at the end of said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station remote from said loading station, a plurality of grouping frames, a cross conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading station beneath said carriers, means on each of said carriers adapted to clamp a frame therein for transadapted to return empty frames to said cross conveyor, and a gravity conveyor interposed between said unloading station and said last named conveyor to automatically deliver said 11. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a set of tracks, a second set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to its ends,

means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said carriers at the end of said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station remote from said frames, a cross conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading station, means on each of said carriers adapted to clamp a frame therein for transfer to said unloading statracks inclining upwardly from said unloading station, and a gravity conveyor inter-.

posed between said inclined tracks and said said empty frames to said last named conveyor.

12. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a. set of'tracks, a second set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to its ends, electrically operated carriers on said tracks, means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said carriers at the end of said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station remote from said loading station, a rotatably mounted car positioned beneath said unloading station, a set of grouping frames of varying sizes and capacity, across conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading station, meanson each of said carriers adapted to clamp a frame therein for delivery to said unloading station,-said frames being conveyed to said unloading station in proper sequence to lay the courses of a complete hack on said car. 13. Brick hacking apparatus of the kind described, comprising a set of tracks, a'se-cond set of tracks parallel with said first tracks and converging thereon adjacent to itsends, electrically operated carriers on said tracks, means to automatically reverse the di rection of movement of said carriers at the end of said first tracks, a loading station in said first tracks, an unloading station remote from said loading station, a rotatably mounted car positioned beneath said unloading station, a set of grouping frames of Varying sizes and capacity, a' cross conveyor adapted to carry said frames to said loading station, means on each of said carriers adapted to clamp a frame therein for delivery to said unloading station, said frames being conveyed to said unloading station in pro-per sequence to lay the courses of a complete hack onsaid car, and means to automatically return said unloaded-carriers to said loading station.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name'to this specification.