US2564357A - Moving means for building blocks - Google Patents

Description

1951 A. R. FALKNER Q 2,564,357

MOVING MEANS FOR BUILDING BLOCKS F'iledMarch 15, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HL 5527- ,8 F44 KNEE.

A. R. FALKNER MOVING MEANS FOR BUILDING BLOCKS Aug. 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1947 @CDOGQQC) 645527 E. FkLK/VER.

Patented Aug. 14, I 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I7 Claims.

My invention is an improvement in block lifting and moving means for clamping a series of side by side building blocks, either solid or cored, of the general type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,369,727.

The present invention utilizes fluid pressure, as air, for raising and lowering the load, block clamping means actuated by a single lever in operative relation to an opposing abutment, or a pair of such levers operating towards or from each other, a single fluid actuated cylinder for either of such types, and means for applying and releasing pressure thereto and therefrom, as shall be more particularly described.

In the drawings, showing certain preferred constructions.

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the single lever form in holding position with a series of blocks.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is view like Fig. 1 showing the double lever type of machine, and as adapted to engage the endmost of a series of blocks through their core openings.

Fig. 5 is an end view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail cross section on the line VIVI of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 shows in plan view a row of cored blocks in position for clamping.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the supporting frame consists of a pair of spaced apart structural bars, as angle bars 2, to one end of which is connected in any suitable manner, an operating manipulating frame 3. At one end of bars 2 is connected a rigidly attached downwardly extending clamping shoe 4 adapted to engage the outermost one of a series of blocks A.

The opposite end of framing 2 is provided with an angular shape lever 5 pivotally mounted between the bars 2, as at 6. The lever 5 depends downwardly by arm I and is pivotally connected, as by bolt 8, with the double sides 9, of a clamping shoe I0, having a widened face engageable against the opposite endmost block A.

The lever 5 is provided with an inwardly extending arm II provided with a cam-like under inclined face I2. Operation of the lever is by outward movement of roller I3 pivotally mounted, as by cross bolt I4, between the sides of a carriage I5.

The carriage is provided with a terminal supporting roller or wheel I6 pivotally mounted, as at IT, and movable along the upper edges of framework 2, as a track.

The actuating element for carriage I5 is a piston or plunger I8 on the inner end of rod I9 retracted by spring 20, within an operating cylinder 2 I. The cylinder 2| is firmly connected with the framing 2 in any suitable manner, as by lower extensions 22, thus providing lifting and lowering connection with air cylinder 23.

- The cylinder 23 is connected with the cylinder 2| by cross pin or bolt 24, and interfitting flange 25 and cylinder extensions 26.

A pressure line 21 leads from a compressor or pump, not shown, for supply and exhaust to and from cylinder 2 I, and also to the upper portion of lifting cylinder 23, by branch pipe 28.

A rigid rod 29 depends from any suitable upper support, as a crane, for lateral swinging, and is provided with a piston or plunger 30. Pressure from supply line 21 to the cylinder 23, or exhaust therefrom, is controlled by a three way valve 3| controlled by suitable means, as a lever 32 and operating connection 33, leading to the operating extension 3. By such means the entire frame 2 and its parts may be raised and lowered, for transporting the load of blocks A.

Likewise, with valve 3| closed, a similar three way valve 34 in pressure pipe 21, having lever 35 and similar connection 36, controls pressure to and exhaust from cylinder 2|.

As thus equipped, the frame 2, with lever 5 in receded position, is lowered into embracing position as in Fig. 1, and with valve 3| closed, and application of pressure on piston I8 by opening valve 34, roller I3 is advanced, bringing clamping pressure between shoes I0 and 4.

With valve 34 closed, lifting pressure is applied to cylinder 23, when the load may then be elevated and swung to the delivery station, and the blocks released by spring retraction of piston I8 and lowering gravitation of arm II, followed by outward releasing movement of shoe Ill.

The construction of Fig. 4 is generally similar, adapting the machine for core engagement by the entrance terminal gripping shoes into the core openings of endmost blocks A.

In such construction, I utilize a pair of levers 5, each generally similar to the lever of Fig. l, and similarly identified.

In such case, however, the terminal shoes Illa, while similarly pivoted to lever arm I, are provided with inner rounded edges 31 for interfitting engagement inwardly with the concaved ends of the cores of the endmost blocks, as in Fig. 4.

Other working parts are generally the same as above described, except that cylinder 2|a is slightly longer, and is provided with two oppositely acting pistons [8a, slightly separated at the middle for equal application of pressure.

In such case, pressure lin 2'! may be connected with the cylinder at the side, for clearance, with corresponding branch connections and controlling valves as previously described.

The contacting rounded faces 31 are preferably faced with a suitable wearing covering, as steelite, for goodcontact and wear endurance.

In order to provide the machine for use with groups of difierent size blocks, and resulting variation in ultimate space between the shoes, one or more additional pivoting bolt holes, as at 38, may be provided through the frame.

It will also be obvious that if desired, ordinary fiat faced shoes may be substituted, like shoe ID, for outer endmost clamping, in place of the core engaging shoes.

Thus, the double lever construction may be used with outside or endmost flat clamping shoes, if desired.

It will be obvious that with either construction, a considerablenumber of blocks, both solid and cored, may be quickly clamped between the end shoes, raised and moved laterally, to any desired location, and released.

While the first form of the invention requires a limited clearance beyond the blocks for grasping, the second construction requires none for lowering, grasping, and moving. Although such type of machine illustrates use and application to cubical blocks, it will be understood that other shapes and sizes may as easily be engaged and moved, for instance 8 x 8" X 16", or others, and with one, two or three core openings.

Another advantage in engaging a block or blocks by insertion Within the core, is that it prevents any injury or disturbance to any outer face of the blocks, especially when they are not entirely cured.

Notice is given of my Divisional Application Serial No. 16,485, filed March 23, 1948, now U. S. Patent No. 2,527,922.

What I claim is:

1. Block clamping and moving means comprising a frame having at opposite ends a lever provided with a block-engaging shoe, a carriage for each lever, a roller on each carriage engaging the associated lever, said carriages being mounted for spreading and closing linear movements, and a motor arranged between said carriages for moving said carriages to actuate said levers together.

2. Clamping and moving means for blocks having core openings, said means comprising a frame having at each of opposite ends a lever provided with a block-engaging shoe insertible in a core opening to engage a block, a carriage for each lever, a roller on each carriage engaging the associated lever, said carriages being mounted for spreading and closing linear movements, and a motor arranged between said carriages for moving said carriages to actuate said levers together.

3. In combination, a supporting frame having at opposite end portions a pivotally mounted L shape lever having a downwardly extending block-engaging shoe and an inwardly extending actuating arm, an intervening oppositely acting motor having wedging roller portions engaging each actuating arm, a raising and lowering member connected with the motor, and means connecting the motor with the frame.

4. In combination, a supporting frame having at opposite end portions a pivotally mounted L shape lever having a downwardly extending block-engaging shoe, and an inwardly extending actuating arm having an inclined face; an intervening oppositely acting motor, outwardly extending carriages extending from opposite ends of the motor operable between the frame and the inwardly extending arms, each provided with a roller engaging each inclined face of the arms, and means for raising and lowering the frame and its parts.

5. Clamping and moving means for blocks having core openings, said means comprising a frame having at each of opposite ends a pivotally mounted L shape lever having a downwardly extending block-engaging shoe insertible in a core opening to engage a block and an inwardly extending actuating arm having an inclined face; an intervening oppositely acting motor, outwardly extending carriages extending from opposite ends of the motor operable between the frame and the inwardly extending arms, each provided with a roller engaging each inclined face of the arms, and means for raising and lowering the frame and its parts.

6.111 combination with, a supporting frame provided at each end with an shape lever pivoted in the frame having a terminal shoe insertible in the core opening of a block and an inwardly extending lever arm, a motor cylinder, oppositely acting pistons each having an outwardly extending carriage, a rolleron each carriage engageable with each lever arm, means connecting the cylinder with the frame, a raising and lowering cylinder connected with the motor cylinder, an upper supporting rod extending through the end of the raising and lowering cylinder provided with a plunger, a fluid supply conduit connected with the motor cylinder between its pistons, and a supply and exhaust connection between the fluid supply conduit and the raising and lowering cylinder between its end and the rod plunger.

7. In combination with a supporting frame provided at each end With an L shape lever pivoted in the frame having a terminal shoe insertible in the core opening of a block and an inwardly extending lever arm, a motor cylinder, oppositely actin pistons each having an outwardly extending carriage, a roller on each carriage engageable with each lever arm, means connecting the cylinder with the frame, a raising and lowering cylinder connected with the motor cylinder, an upper supporting rod extending through the end of the raising and lowering cylinder provided with a plunger, a fluid supply conduit connected with the motor cylinder between its pistons, and a supply and exhaust connection between the fluid supply conduit and the raising and lowering cylinder between its end and the rod plunger with supply and exhaust valves therefor.

ALBERT R. FALKNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Straight Aug. 12, 1924

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