US3154831A

US3154831A - Tile and pan handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3154831A
Application number: US243434A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter L Pehoski
Original assignee: PERL TILE CO
Current assignee: PERL TILE CO
Priority date: 1962-12-10
Filing date: 1962-12-10
Publication date: 1964-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 w. 1.. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 l I INVENTOR. -J h/u 7'52 4. Pev/osx/ Nov. 3, 1964 w. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS INVENTOR M41752 1. Pawosk/ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 flrra an Illii mu Filed Dec.

Nov. 3, 1964 w. L. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 INVENTOR M44762 4. Pl/d-Sk/ Nov. 3, 1964 w. L. PEHOSKI TILE AND PAN HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 INV EN TOR.

Arron/v United States Patent 3,154,831 AND PAN HANDHNG APPARATUS Walter L. Pehoslri, St. Paul, Minn assignor, by mesne assignments, to Perl=Tile Qornpany, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Dee. it 1962, Ser. No. 243,434 Claims. (Cl. 2)

This invention relates to an apparatus to be used in connection with handling concrete slabs. The apparatus herein is used in the final phase of a process for forming such slabs, which slabs shall hereinafter be referred to as tile. This tile is used in the construction of buildings, particularly industrial buildings, and is used as in connection with forming the roof structures thereof. The tile is formed in a pan and may be variously sized such as on the order or" four and six foot lengths and two foot widths, and such sizes in this tile represent substantial weight. After a curing process the tile must be removed from the pan. The weight of the tile is such that expedient and economical handling requires the use of suitable mechanical apparatus. This invention therefore relates to the apparatus for removing such tile from tile pans on a substantially automatic basis. It is desirable to have such an apparatus as requires a minimum of manual attention in feeding stacks of said tile-loaded pans to the apparatus and in separating the tile from said pans, and further -elivering said tile and pans to their respective stations.

it is an object of this invention therefore to provide an apparatus for an automatic operation relative to the separation of tile from the tile pans containing the same.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an automatic cyclical operation for the separation of tile from their respective tile pans and the delivery of each to separate stations.

it is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus having a pair of arms to receive a tile and a pan from a staclz, means moving the same to a receiving table receiving said tile and pan in inverted condition, means agitating said table to loosen said tile in said pan, and means automatically removing said pan from said tile for delivery of said pan and tile to their respective stations.

ft is also an object of this invention to provide means coordinating the various functions of applicants apparatus and causing various functions thereof to be carried out simultaneously.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation and partially in perspective of applicants apparatus with some portions thereof being broken away;

PEG. 2 is a view in end elevation and is partially diagrammatic of ap icants general arrangement with portions thereof shown in dotted line, a portion thereof in section, and a portion shown in diiferentpositions;

FIG. 2A is a view in vertical section showing detail of construction of a portion of applicants apparatus on an enlarged scale;

PEG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of applicants apparatus with portions shown in alternate position in dotted line; and

FIG. 4 is a general schematic arrangement of applicants apparatus in connection with its hydraulic system with portions of its electrical system indicated in connection therewith.

Witt. reference to the drawings, applicants apparatus 1% comprises a r ir of spaced vertical columns or

posts

12 and 14 substantially rectangular in cross section having suitable footings and having vertical front edge portions "ice 12a and 14a and vertical rear edge portions 12b and 14b and integral with said rear edge portions substantially the full height thereof are

gear racks

16 and 17.

Carried on said columns is a carriage assembly 18 comprising a substantially rectangular frame 19 horizontally disposed here shown comprising a horizontal vertically disposed rear plate 20, a front angle frame member 21 enclosed at their respective ends by hub-

like ends portions

22 and 23 respectively embracing said columns, said columns being arranged and constructed to form vertical tracks in association with said hub portion for vertical movement of said carriage.

Mounted vertically on an open substantially rectangular frame 24 upstanding from said hub portion 23 is a double acting hydraulic cylinder A having its piston integral with a depending gear rack 28. Mounted in said hub portions in engagement with said

gear racks

16 and 17 are gears 29 and keyed to a shaft 31 extending therebetween and journaled between said hub portions and carried on said shaft and keyed thereto adjacent the gear is a pinion 32 which in turn is engaged and driven by said rack 28. The up and down travel of said carriage assembly relative to said columns is thus performed through the operation of said hydraulic cylinder A. Extending outwardly endwise of said hub portion 23 is a plate bracket 25 and extending endwise of said hub portion 22 is a guard plate 25.

Disposed longitudinally within said'carriage assembly is a shaft having its end portions a and 35b respectively journaled into said bearing blocks or pillow blocks 93 supported on brackets 33 respectively integral with said hub portions .42 and 23 and said end portion 35a extends into a locking engagement with a hydraulic rotary oscillating member B of conventional design such as the commonly used Rotac. Said member B by means of a supportin bracket is integral with said hub portion 22.

Keyed to said shaft 35 adjacent said bearing blocks is a pair of brackets and 41 extending outwardly at right angles to said shaft having pivoted to their free ends by pivots 42 forked or bifurcated

arms

4 and 45 arranged and constructed to swing towards and away from one to be in folded position parallel to said shaft or in extended position at right angles to said shaft.

Said arms are operatively associated by a connecting rod pivoted at one end to a crank 49 rigid with said arm 45' and pivoted at its other end to a crank 50 rigid with said arm 44, said crank with reference to FIG. 2 being here shown at an angle of approximately 45 degrees disposed inwardly and downwardly relative to said arm 44 in extended position.

A double acting hydraulic cylinder (1 is shown pivotally supported by a bracket 53 carried on said shaft 35 with the free end of the piston 51 of said hydraulic cylinder being pivoted to a crank 53arigid with said arm 45, said crank being shown angled inwardly and downwardly at approrimately 45 degrees relative to said arm in extended position. Thus it is seen that an extension of said piston 51 will swing arm 45 inwardly causing the connecting rod 43 to move the crank 53 to swing arm 44 inwardly whereby said arms will be in a folded position.

Integral with said hydraulic cylinder B is an inverted L bracket 53. Adjacent said bracket 53 is a ground supported upstanding framework 5 5 having a pulley 55 mounted at the upper end portion thereof having a cable 55 passing over said pulley having a Weight 57 carried at one end thereof and having its other end secured to said bracket?- Said wei ht serves as a counter-weight or counter-balance in connection with the vertical movement of said parriage assembly 13.

Located adjacent the forward portion of applicants apparatus ill? is an endless conveyor 60 of small height comprising a pair of spaced sprocket chains er passing over sprockets 62 and having their upper runs overlying by inflating or deflating said air hose.

supporting flange portions of the side members of said conveyor. A motor 64 drives said sprockets. This conveyor is of conventional design and is constructed to support stacks of tile pans 65 containing tile 67, which tile have been cured in said pans. Said pans are indicated formed with a flange thereabout and adapted to stack. The upper run of said conveyor will move in the direction towards said apparatus and is here illustrated of a length to hold a front and rear stack of said tile pans 66.

Positioned rearwardly of said apparatus in a cooperative association therewith and shown in some detail in FIG. 2A is a table member 70 arranged and constructed to form in combination a shaker or vibrator portion and a conveyor portion to receive tile pans from said carriage assembly 18 to loosen the tile in said pans for the separation of the tile and the pans and to advance said tile on a conveyor after removal of said pans. This structure is believed to be shown in sufficient detail in sectional view for an adequate understanding of the same.

The structure of said table member 75 generally comprises a basic rectangular leg supported frame 71 having integral therewith longitudinal side frame members 72. A second frame 73 forming a shaker table is supported by springs 73a resting on said side members 72 and has a vibrator motor 74 mounted therebeneath in a conventional application. Said second frame has spaced stub 'arms 75 angled outwardly to receive and hold a tile pan and tile somewhat above the plane of the upper surface of longitudinal tile supporting members 75a.

An endless belt conveyor 76, hereafter referred to as a tile conveyor, having its upper run supported on a plate member not shown is positioned within said second frame free from engagement therewith and is suitably supported on said side members 72 by its leg portions 76a independently of said second frame. Said leg portions respectively rest on pairs of U frame members 77 horizontally'disposed at either side of said basic frame supported on said side members 72 and being arranged and constructed to have the upper of said U members of each pair nestonto the lower members thereof to form a telescopic construction with each pair of said U frame members having a low pressure air hose 78 disposed therebetween and being suitably connected to a source of air under pressure and controlled by a solenoid. Thus the upper of said U members are raised or lowered Thus when a tileis lowered onto said tile supports 75a, it is free from engagement with said conveyor until said conveyor is raised. Said conveyor is in raised position in FIG. 2A. A motor 79 is provided for driving said conveyor. EX-

' tending forwardly of said table and conveyor member 79 thereof having a shaft 83 journaled in said posts with said shaft having arms 84 at right angles thereto keyed thereto and carried adjacent either end thereof. Said arms are. elongated members with conventional swinging fingers 84a and rear ledge portions 84b arranged and constructed topick up a tile pan from said member 74 to lift it free of the tile therein and carry it through an arc of 180 degrees to deposit the same onto an adjacent conveyor which'will be described and to automatically free itself of said pan uponv delivery of the same to said conveyor. In connection with said shaft 83 and carried by said member 80 is a rotary hydraulic cylinder D to oscillate saidfshaftand the arms carried thereby.

A conventional design of a roller type ofconveyor 90 is indicated hereafter referred to as a pan conveyor and having a portion thereof positioned alongside of'sa'id member 80 to receivetile pans therefrom and comprising a base 91, upstanding legs 92 and a plurality of rollers 93. Driving means are conventional and not here shown. This conveyor is indicated as running continuously during the operation of applicants apparatus. Said members 70, and are spaced apart relative to the length of said arms 84 whereby said arms may readily pick up tile pans from said member 70 and deliver the same to said conveyor 90. The height of the rollers of said conveyor 90 will be such that said arms 84 in depositing a pan thereon will have room to drop sufficiently between adjacent rollers to become released and disengaged from said pan.

With reference to FIG. 4, the hydraulic system in connection with the operation of applicants apparatus is indicated schematically. A conventional design of hydraulic system is used and a detailed ihustration and description thereof is not believed necessary for one skilled in the art; An oil reservoir 95 is indicated with a pump 96 and a motor 97 in connection therewith. The motor will be energized in a conventional manner.

Lines

100 and 101 carry the supply and return of oil in connection with the system.

Lines 102 and 193 run to hydraulic cylinder A which in turn raises and lowers the carriage -18. Solenoids 1 and 2 control the valves in connection with the passage of oil through these lines. A holding valve 114 is used in connection with this hydraulic cylinder.

Lines 106 and 167 run to the rotary hydraulic cylinder B which in turn oscillates the shaft 35 and the arms carried thereby. Solenoids 4 and 5 control the valves in connection with the passage of oil through these lines.

Lines

104 and 105 supply the hydraulic cylinder C and a single solenoid spring return valve 112 in connection with these lines is controlled by a solenoid 3. Said valve is normally open for a reason which will hereinafter be indicated.

Lines 108 and 169 supply the rotary hydraulic cylinder D with solenoids 6 and 7 controlling the valves in connection with these lines.

The valves indicated in connection with the system are conventional manual regulating valves.

An air solenoid 9 is indicated in connection with the air hose 78. The source of such air and the lines carrying the same are conventional and are not here shown but are merely indicated by the presence of said solenoid 9 as a control member.

V In describing the operation of the hydraulic system, reference will be had to the solenoids in connection with the action of the respective hydraulic cylinders involved without reference to intervening structure.

The above hydraulic system is actuated by an electrical system and more specifically by the use of microswitches in connection with the electrical system. As will be described, the switches-are engaged by various operating parts of applicants apparatus to energize the solenoids with which they are respectively associated. As will be noted, several portions of applicants apparatus maybe caused to function simultaneously in a coordinated effort. Through the use of multiple contact relays applicants microswitches mayenergize one or more solenoids as will be described. The cooperative effect of applicants apparatus provides adequate information to indicate to one skilled in the art how to physically lay out the'wiring system and connect the necessary relay to bring about the described operation. Hence it is not believed necessary to' illustrate the wiring system.

The microswitches and other switches will be located and their respective functions will be set forth in the following description and in the operation of applicantsapparatus' The microswitches will be indicated by the characters LS indicating a limit switch followed by a numeral. 1 a

Microswitch LS1 is located on the leading edge portionsof the tile pan stack conveyor 60, as indicated in 15116; 2. Microswitches LS2 and LS3 are carried on the mounting plate 12c supported on the column 12 with the plungers of said switches being positioned to be respectively engaged by

annular cams

35c and 35d in alignment therewith and carried on the .end portion 35:: of the shaft 35, as indicated in FIG. 1. Said cams will be out of phase with one another to the extent of 180 degrees.

lvlicroswitch LS4 is carried on the member 70, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 2A positioned to be engaged by the arm 45 when in lowered extended position.

The microswitches LS5 and LS6 are carried in spaced position on the shaft 35, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, having extended reaching rods adapted to be engaged by

collars

48a and 48b carried on the connecting rod as.

The microswitch LS7 is carried on the forward portion of the hub portion 23 of the carriage assembly 1% and is adapted to be engaged by a tile pan 6:; when the same is stacked on the conveyor 61 and as the carriage 18 is lowered thereto.

A manual switch 69 is indicated on the plate member 25 for energizing the electrical system and will run to a source of power. A manual switch 65 is also indicated for manual control of the motor 64 which drives the conveyor chain 61.

A bank of relays are merely indicated by the character 68 mounted on the plate member 25.

Operation To commence the operation of applicants apparatus, a stack of tile filled pans 613 will be deposited onto the conveyor 69 rearwardly thereof, as by a fork lift truck. The manual switch 6S will be closed to connect the electrical system with a supply of current.

The switch LS1 is normally closed when free of any overlying pressure. Thus with the closing of the manual switch 69, switch LS1 automatic. lly energizes the motor 64 to move said stack of tile pans forwardly. The leading bottom edge portion of the lowermost tile pan will engage switch LS1 and open the same.

At this point the shaft 35 and arms carried thereby will be in a forwardly facing rotated position withsaid arms being folded. This is a stopping position as to the operation of the apparatus, as will hereinafter be explained. Also as will hereinafter be described, the carriage and related structure will complete a cycle and return to desoend or become lowered in the irection of the stack of tile pans with said arms in folded position.

As the carriage 18 is lowered, the switch LS7 engages the uppermost tile pan, which engagement closes said switch and two functions as a result are performed. The switch LS7 through a sequence of relays contacts the solenoid 2 to halt the downward movement of the carriage 18 in connection with the holding valve 110 to position the carriage to align the

arms

44 and 45 with the uppermost tile pan and secondly; said switch LS7 deenergizes the solenoid 3 to permit the valve 112 to assume its normal function of causing said hydraulic cylinder C to extend its piston to cause said arms 44 and $5 to extend outwardly to receive said uppermost pan. Thus said arms normally are in extended position so that in the event of a breakdown of the electrical system with the arms being loaded with a tile pan, said arms will remain in extended position.

As said

arms

44 and 45 are extended, the connecting rod 48 is moved to cause the collar 48b to engage and close the switch LS5, which switch engages the solenoid 1 and actuates the hydraulic cylinder A to raise the carriage 18.

As carriage 18 is raised, with reference to FIG. 1, the cam 35: engages the switch LS2 closing the same; Said switch through a sequence of relays causes three functions to be performed. It causes the solenoid 1 through valve 116 to halt the action of said hydraulic cylinder to hold said carriage at its upper limit of travel; said switch further energizes solenoid 4 to cause hydraulic cylinder 6 B to rotate the shaft 35 through 180 degrees to have its arms face rearwardly and the tile pan contained in said arms is thus inverted; and further said switch energizes the solenoid 6 to cause the hydraulic rotary cylinder D to rotate the pan removing arms 84 from a pan pickup position overlying the tile conveyor 76 into the direction of the pan conveyor 90.

As the rotation of the shaft 35 through 180 degrees is completed, the pan arms '74 extend over the pan conveyor 96, the cam 35c disengages from switch LS2, and the cam 35d engages and closes the switch LS3, which switch energizes the solenoid 2 causing the hydraulic cylinder A to lower the carriage 13 in the direction of the table member 70 with the

extended arms

44 and 45 holding a tile filled pan in position overlying said table member. Said table member comprises the shaker table '73 and the tile conveyor 76. It is understood that said tile pan is now in inverted position with the tile therein facing downwardly.

Said carriage is lowered to the point that the extended arm 45 engages and closes the switch LS4. At this point the cam 3541 is disengaged from the switch LS3. At the point of engagement with the switch LS4, the tile pan and tile is placed onto the supporting arms 75.

The closing of the switch LS4 causes two functions to be performed. Said switch LS4 energizes the vibrating motor 4 causing the shaker table 73 to shake and loosen the tile within the tile pan. At the same time through a sequence of relays, said switch LS4 energizes solenoid 3 to actuate the hydraulic cylinder C to retract and fold the arms 4 and -35.

As the

arms

44 and 45 become folded, the switch LS5 becomes engaged and closed by the member 43a carried on the connecting rod 48 and two functions are caused to be performed. Said switch LS5 energizes the solenoid 1 causing the hydraulic cylinder A to raise the carriage 18 and at the same t me through a sequence of relays said switch energizes the solenoid 7 causing the rotary hydraulic cylinder D to swing or rotate the pan removing arms 84 through 180 degrees from the pan conveyor 8 to the tile pan on the shaker table 73.

As the carriage reaches its upper limit of travel, the cam 35c engages and closes the switch LS2 and causes four functions to be performed. Said switch LS2 is put into circuit with the solenoidl which causes the valve to halt the upward movement of said carriage and hold the same at its upper limit; it energizes the solenoid 5 actuating rotary hydraulic cylinder B to cause a forward rotation of degrees of the shaft 35 and arms carried thereby with said arms in folded position; it opens the circuit of said vibrator motor '74 stopping the shaking of said shaker table 73; and it causes the solenoid 6 to become energized and actuate rotary hydraulic cylinder D to rotate the pan arms 84 through 180 degrees from the shaker table '73 to the pan conveyor 9%, said arms having engaged the pan on the shaker table 73 at the instant that the shaking of said table stopped.

When said shaft and arms have been rotated through 180 degrees, the cam 35c will become disengaged from the switch LS2 and the cam 35d engages the switch LS3 closing the same.

Said switch LS3 causes two functions to be performed. Said switch energizes solenoid 2 causing the hydraulic cylinder A to lower the carriage 18 and it energizes the air solenoid 9 to cause the inflation of the air hose 7% which raises the tile conveyor 76 into engagement with the tile 67. As said conveyor 76 is raised, the motor 79 is energized to drive said conveyor forwardly and advance the tile thereon onto an adjacent conveyor for delivery to a desired station.

A complete cycle has now been described. In commencing the next cycle, the carriage 18 in being lowered causes the switch LS7 to engage the uppermost of the tile pans stacked on the conveyor 65? and the next cycle is under way.

As the next cycle proceeds, during the time that the switch LS3 causes the carriage to be lowered in the direction of the shaker table and tile conveyor, said switch LS3 will open the circuit of the air solenoid 9 causing the tile conveyor to become lowered and the motor driving said conveyor to become deenergized.

When the last tile pan on the tile stack conveyor 60 has been removed before closing down the apparatus for the day or for the job, the apparatus will complete its cycle in connection with said last tile pan and commence thenext cycle thereafter with the conveyor 60 empty of any tile pans. With the last tile pan removed, the switch LS1 resumes its normally closed condition. The switch LS7 descends with the carriage 18 without engaging a tile pan and thus remains in opened condition. At the lower limit of travel of said carriage, the switch LS1 through a sequence of relays causes the carriage to become raised to its upper limit of travel and be there stopped. When the use of the apparatus is next resumed, the cycle thus commenced will be completed before a tile pan is picked up. The system is deenergized by operation of the manual switch 69.

After the last tile and pan have been deposited onto the shaker table 73,the next cycle is merely commenced to the point of the carriage 18.lowering and raising'with the

arms

44 and 45 facing in a forward position to raise the tile conveyor 76 to advance the last tile deposited thereon. Thus the whole apparatus is cleared of any tile before shutting down.

The applicant presents and discloses a relatively simple yet efliciently coordinated structure to carry out a plurality of functions simultaneously in handling tile laden pans of substantial weight, separating the tile and pans and respectively dispatching said tile and pans to respective stations.

' of applicants invention which, generally stated, consists in an apparatus capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts, and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: a lIAn apparatus separating tile pans from tile formed therein in connection with a stack ofitile laden pans having in combination,

a carriage, a

means supporting said carriage for vertical movement,

a carriage moving means carried by said first mentioned means,

said carriage comprising retractable pan receiving means and supporting'oscillating means for said pan receiving means,

means supporting said stack of tile laden pans forwardly of said carriage supporting means,

a supporting member rearwardly of said carriage supporting meanscomprising a vibrating means and a tile removing means, p I

a pan removing means in connection with said supporting member,

manual means energizing said apparatus,

means in connection with said stack supporting means arranged with said carriage supporting means to position said carriage in alignment with the uppermost "of said tile laden pans to commence a cyclerof operation when said apparatus is initially energized,

means on said carriage engaged by the uppermost of said actuated tile receiving means actuating said carriage moving meansto raise said carriage,- said raised carriage actuating said oscillating means to oscillate rearwardly said pan receiving means and 8 said tile laden pan in connection therewith inverting said pan,

said oscillating means upon completion of its cycle of oscillation actuating said carriage moving means to lower said carriage and deposit said tile laden pan carried by said tile pan receiving means onto said supporting member,

means on said supporting member engaged by said carriage to actuate simultaneously said pan receiving means and said vibrating means, said pan receiving means retracting to release said tile laden pan on said supporting member,

said retracted pan receiving means actuating said carriage moving means to raise said carriage and simultaneously to actuate said pan removing means to engage said pan,

said raised carriage actuating said oscillating means to oscillate forwardly said pan receiving means and simultaneously deactivating said vibrating means and actuating said pan removing means to remove said pan from said supporting member, and

said oscillated pan receiving means actuating said carriage moving means to lower said carriage in position to commence a new cycle of operation and simultaneously actuating said tile removing means to remove said tile from said supporting member.

2. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile formed therein in connection with a stack of tile laden panshaving in combination,

a carriage, means supporting said carriage for vertical movement, carriage moving means carried by said last mentioned means,

said carriage comprising retractable pan receiving means, means oscillating said pan receiving means carried by said carriage,

- means forwardly of said carriage supporting a stack of tile laden pans,

a supporting member rearwardly of said carriage comprising a tile laden pan vibrating means and a tile removing means,

.a pan removing means in operative association with a first means carried by said carriage actuated by said actuated tile pan receiving means to actuate said carriage moving means to move said carriage to a raised position, 7 V V r means on said supporting means engaged by said raised carriage to actuate said oscillating means to move said pan receiving means rearwardly through degrees to invert said pan carried by said pan receiving means, means on'said supporting me'ansengaged by said oscillating means to actuate said carriage moving means to lower said carriage to deposit said tile laden pan onto said supporting member, 7 7 means in connection with said supporting member engaged by said lower carriage simultaneously actuating said pan receiving means to retract and release said tile laden pan and actuating said vibrating means, 1 a second 'means carried by said carriage engaged by said pan rec'eivingmeans in retracted condition to actuate said carriage moving means to raise said 'carriage and simultaneously actuating said pan removing means to engage said tile pan on said vibrating means,

means on sm'd supporting means engaged by said raised carriage actuating said oscillating means to rotate said pan receiving means forwardly and simultaneously deactivating said vibrating means and actuating said pan removing means to remove said pan free of the tile therein from said supporting member, and

means on said supporting means engaged by said pan receiving means when oscillated forwardly actuating said carriage moving means to lower said carriage in position to commence a new cycle of operation and actuating said tile removing means to remove said tile from said supporting member.

3. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile formed therein in connection with a stack of tile laden pans having in combination,

a supporting framework comprising spaced columns,

a carriage movable vertically of said columns,

a carriage moving means carried by said framework,

a retractable tile pan receiving means carried by said carriage,

oscillating means on said carriage moving said tile pan receiving means rearwardly and forwardly,

conveying means supporting a stack of tile laden pans forwardly of said framework,

manual means energizing said apparatus,

means in connection with said conveying means being arranged to position said carriage to commence a cycle of operation when said apparatus is first energized by said manual means,

means on said carriage, with said carriage in said operating position, engaging said uppermost tile laden pan to actuate said tile pan receiving means to receive said uppermost tile laden pan,

means on said carriage actuated by said actuated tile receiving means to actuate said carriage moving means to raise said carriage,

means on said framework engaged by said raised carriage to actuate said oscillating means to move said tile pan receiving means rearwardly through 180 degrees to invert the tile laden pan carried by it,

a supporting member rearwardly of said framework comprising a vibrating means and a tile removing means,

a tile pan removing means in association with said supporting member,

said oscillating means in oscillated condition actuating said carriage moving means to lower said carriage to position said tile laden pan onto said supporting member,

means carried by said supporting member engaged by said lower carriage actuating said vibrating means and actuating said tile pan receiving means to retract from said tile pan,

said tile pan retracting means simultaneously in retracted condition actuating said carriage moving means to raise said carriage and actuating said tile pan removing means to engage said tile pan,

means carried by said framework engaged by said raised carriage deactivating said vibrating means and simultaneously actuating said tile pan removing means to remove said tile pan from said supporting member, and actuating said oscillating means to oscillate said pan receiving means forwardly through 180 degrees, and

means on said framework engaged by said osciflating means upon the forward oscillation of said pan receiving means actuating said carriage moving means to lower said carriage to commence a new cycle of operation and simultaneously actuating said tile removing means.

4. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile fomed therein in connection with a stack of tile laden pans having in combination,

a framework having a pair of upstanding columns,

a carriage movable vertically of said columns having an oscillatable tile pan receiving means in connec tion therewith and oscillating means therefor,

carriage moving means carried by said framework,

means forwardly of said framework supporting a stack of tile laden pans and being arranged to actuate said carriage moving means to position said carriage in alignment with the uppermost tile laden pan of said stack of the same in commencing a cycle of operation when said apparatus is initially put into operation,

means on said carriage engaging the uppermost tile laden pan of the stack of the same to actuate said pan receiving means to receive said uppermost tile laden pan,

said carriage moving means actuated by said pan receiving means to move said carriage to a raised position,

means on said framework engaged by said raised carriage to actuate said oscillating means to oscillate said tile .pan receiving means rearwardly to invert said tile laden pan carried thereby,

a supporting member in operative association with said framework rear-wardly thereof and comprising a tile laden pan vibrating means and a tile removing means,

means on said framework engaged 'by said rearwardly oscillated pan receiving means to actuate said carriage moving means to lower said carriage to position said tile laden pan onto said supporting member,

means on said supporting member engaged by said lowered cmriage to actuate said tile pan receiving means to release said tile laden pan and simultaneously to actuate said vibrating means,

means on said carriage actuated by said pan receiving means releasing said tile laden pan to actuate said carriage moving means to raise said carriage,

a pan removing means in operative association with said supporting member,

said means on said framework engaged by said raised carriage actuating said oscillating means to oscillate said pan receiving means forwardly and simultaneously to deactivate said vibrating means and actuate said pan removing means to engage said pan, and

means on said framework engaged by said for-Ward oscillation of said pan receiving'means actuating said carriage moving means to lower said carriage to position the same relative to said stack of tile laden pans to commence another cycle of operation and simultaneously actuating said tile removing means to remove said tile from said supporting member.

5. An apparatus separating tile pans from tile formed therein in connection with a stack of tile laden pans having in combination,

a supporting framework comprising a pair of spaced columns, a carriage movable vertically of said columns comprisin a rotatable shaft journaled therein and a' pair of spaced forked arms carried by said shaft swingable radially thereof to extended or retracted position,

hydraulic means carried on said framework moving said carriage, i

hydraulic rotary means mounted on said carriage rotating said shaft and arms,

hydraulic means carried by said shaft extending and retracting said arms,

a loading conveyor forwardly of said framework carrying said stack of tile laden pans,

a supporting member rearwardly of said framework comprising a tile laden pan vibrating means and tile removing means in association therewith,

pan removing means adjacent said supporting member in operative association therewith,

manual means energizing said apparatus,

means in connection with said loading conveyor actuated by said stack of tile laden pans,

said first hydraulic means actuated by said last mentioned means to position said carriage relative to said stack of tile laden pans to commence a cycle of operation when the operation of said apparatus is first commenced,

means carried by said carriage actuated by engagement with the uppermost of said tile laden pans of said stack of the same to actuate said third hydraulic means to extend said pan receiving arms to receive the uppermost of said tile laden pans,

means carried by said shaft engaged by said extended arms to actuate said first hydraulic cylinder to move said carriage to a raised position,

means carried by said framework engaged by said raised carriage to actuate said hydraulic cylinder to rotate said shaft reanwardly,

means on said framework engaged by said rotated shaft to actuate said first hydraulic means to lower said carriage to deposit said tile laden pan onto said supporting member,

means on said supporting member engaged by said lowered carriage to actuate simultaneously said vibrating means to vibrate said tile laden pan deposited on said supporting member and said third to rotate said shaft forwardly, to actuate said pan removing means to remove said pan from said supporting member and to deactivate said vibrating means, and

said forwardly rotated shaft engaging said means actuating said first hydraulic cylinder to lower said carriage relative to said stack of tile laden pans to commence a new cycle of operation and simultaneously said means actuatesaid tile removing means to remove said tile from said supportingmember.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 976,243 Zagelmeyer Nov. 22, 1910 1,454,051 Heulings May 8, 1923 2,269,557 Sexton Jan. 13, 1942 3,011,665 Wise Dec. 5, 1961 3,032,851 Gibbs May 8, 1962 7 FOREIGN PATENTS I "1,062,188 France Dec. 2, 1953

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS SEPARATING TILE PANS FROM TILE FORMED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH A STACK OF TILE LADEN PANS HAVING IN COMBINATION, A CARRIAGE, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID CARRIAGE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT, A CARRIAGE MOVING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FIRST MENTIONED MEANS, SAID CARRIAGE COMPRISING RETRACTABLE PAN RECEIVING MEANS AND SUPPORTING OSCILLATING MEANS FOR SAID PAN RECEIVING MEANS, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID STACK OF TILE LADEN PANS FORWARDLY OF SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING MEANS, A SUPPORTING MEMBER REARWARDLY OF SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING MEANS COMPRISING A VIBRATING MEANS AND A TILE REMOVING MEANS, A PAN REMOVING MEANS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER, MANUAL MEANS ENERGIZING SAID APPARATUS, MEANS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID STACK SUPPORTING MEANS ARRANGED WITH SAID CARRIAGE SUPPORTING MEANS TO POSITION SAID CARRIAGE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE UPPERMOST OF SAID TILE LADEN PANS TO COMMENCE A CYCLE OF OPERATION WHEN SAID APPARATUS IS INITIALLY ENERGIZED, MEANS ON SAID CARRIAGE ENGAGED BY THE UPPERMOST OF SAID TILE LADEN PANS TO ACTUATE SAID PAN RECEIVING MEANS TO RECEIVE SAID UPPERMOST OF SAID TILE LADEN PANS, SAID ACTUATED TILE RECEIVING MEANS ACTUATING SAID CARRIAGE MOVING MEANS TO RAISE SAID CARRIAGE, SAID RAISED CARRIAGE ACTUATING SAID OSCILLATING MEANS TO OSCILLATE REARWARDLY SAID PAN RECEIVING MEANS AND SAID TILE LADEN PAN IN CONNECTION THEREWITH INVERTING SAID PAN,