US3677258A - Apparatus for continuously gauging and cutting stone in a guillotine type cutting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Relatively large blocks of granite and other stone, weighing several tons or more, are conveyed into a guillotine type cutting machine and are quickly gauged and stopped in an aligned position to cutting chisels by means of a rigidly reinforced gauging stop mechanism. The gauging stop mechanism is uniquely combined with chisel adjusting mechanism of the guillotine machine so that very large bearing surfaces are provided for the stop mechanism to withstand heavy impact forces of a moving block. The gauging stop mechanism is movable downwardly into a gauging position for contacting an upper leading edge of a block of stone at points in front of the cutting chisels when the cutting chisels are raised. With the gauging mechanism in its lowered position, the cutting chisels are locked out of operation. The stop mechanism when moved upwardly releases the cutting chisels and simultaneously provide a cleared space into which cut-off sections of stone may be displaced forwardly of the cutting chisels without damage to the stop mechanism. The gauging stop mechanism further includes a set of detachable spacer plates of different sizes which are interchangeable to vary their spaced relationship to the upper set of cutting chisels.

Description

United States Patent 51 a July 18, 1972 Fletcher et al.

[54] APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY GAUGING AND CUTTING STONE IN A GUILLOTINE TYPE CUTTING MACHINE [72] Inventors: Ralph A. Fletcher, Bedford, N.H.; 'Joseph R. Oliver, Lowell, Mass.

[73] Assignee: H. E. Fletcher Co., Westford, Mass.

[22] Filed: April 24, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 31,608

[52] US. Cl. ..l25/23C [51] ..B28d H22 [58] Field of Search ..125/23 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,919,801 7/1933 Newsom 125/23 2,762,359 9/1956 Entz 125/23 2,768,620 10/1956 Jenkins... 125/23 3,424,144 l/l969 Giconi 125/23 2,867,205 l/l959 Vesper.... ..l25/23 Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Attorney-Munroe l-l. Hamilton ABSTRACT Relatively large blocks of granite and other stone, weighing several tons 'or more, are conveyed into a guillotine type cutting machine and are quickly gauged and stopped in an aligned position to cutting chisels by means of a rigidly reinforced gauging stop mechanism. The gauging stop mechanism is uniquely combined with chisel adjusting mechanism of the guillotine machine so that very large bearing surfaces are provided for the stop mechanism to withstand heavy impact forces of a moving block. The gauging stop mechanism is movable downwardly into a gauging position for contacting an upper leading edge of a block of stone at points in front of the cutting chisels when the cutting chisels are raised. With the gauging mechanism in its lowered position, the cutting chisels are locked out of operation. The stop mechanism when moved upwardly releases the cutting chisels and simultaneously provide a cleared space into which cut-off sections of stone may be displaced forwardly of the cutting chisels without damage to the stop mechanism. The gauging stop mechanism further includes a set of detachable spacer plates of different sizes which are interchangeable to vary their spaced relationship to the upper set of cutting chisels.

6 Claim, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL] 8 I972 SHEET 1 BF 8 DDDDDDDDDUDD 6 Izwezzlnm: zzazazz, 111W DQDDEDDDDDB EDDUDDEDDDDDDEEE Jos 72/8. oiweii,

PATENTEI] JUL 1 8 1912 SHEET 3 BF 8 0512,22? 3.0311 93", 24% flwazey PATENTED JUL 1 8 I972 SHEET l 0F 8 PAIENTEnJuuemz 3,577,25

SHEET 8 OF 8 Rig-10. .14. y-

APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY GAUGING AND CUTTING STONE IN A GUILLOTINE TYPE CUTTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus for cutting mineral bodies such as granite and other classes of stone, and more especially, the invention is concerned with methods and means for separating blocks of granite and the like into relatively smaller sections of desired sizes, utilizing a fluid pressure operated machine of the class commonly referred to as guillotine type machine.

The term guillotine type", as employed in this invention, refers to a machine in which two opposed sets of loading blocks, hereinafter referred to as chisels, are simultaneously engaged with opposite sides of a block of stone and forced toward each other under very large fluid pressures to provide separation along desired planes of cutting. The chisels occurring in the opposed sets noted may have relatively sharp cutting edges or may have blunt or flat end faces.

One typical machine of the guillotine type referred to is the Hydrasplit Machine manufactured and sold by the Park Tool Company of St. Cloud, Minn. In this machine, a pair of hydraulic rams or cylinders are mounted in vertical sides of a frame which straddles a roll conveyor for receiving and advancing a block of granite to a desired cutting position. Upper and lower sets of chisels are disposed in the frame and extend transversely between the vertical sides. A frame extension at the front of the machine supports spring and wedge elements movable transversely into contact with individual chisels in the upper set to selectively adjust chisels to the contour of an upper side of the block of granite. The hydraulic rams exert large pressures for cutting the block along a desired line of severance.

ln utilizing a guillotine type machine to cut a large block of granite which may weigh several tons or more, and which is required to be moved along a conveyor member, problems arise in gauging and stopping the block. This is particularly so in a continuous production operation, such as the present invention may be specifically concerned with, where a granite block is to be cut into smaller granite sections in relatively rapid sequence in order to produce substantial quantities of curbing and other dimension stone.

In a continuous production operation of the type indicated, it is essential to quickly locate a block of granite in a precisely aligned cutting position each time a cutting operation is to be carried out. It will also be appreciated that relatively large granite blocks are not only heavy, but cumbersome to move into a correctly aligned relationship with the sets of chisels in the guillotine machine, and gauging means capable of receiving and stopping such blocks during adjustment must be of extremely rugged construction. Heretofore, in the absence of suitable gauging means, substantial amounts of time and labor have been consumed in making the alignment for each cut and thus limitations have been imposed on the output of the guillotine machine with undesirable increase in production costs.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been proposed in the art to provide a method of gauging involving gauging means arranged along side portions of a guillotine type machine. However, this prior art method of gauging has not, for a number of reasons, proven to be satisfactory when dealing with blocks of granite or other stone of the relatively large size and weight as indicated above. Impact forces of a large block of granite, even when moved at an extremely slow rate of speed, can very rapidly displace and permanently damage gauging devices of the type proposed in the art. A further condition involved is that the leading side of the granite block must, at the time cutting takes place, be completely free from contact with any gauging or holding means since the granite section which is to be cut off separates suddenly under great pressure with an abrupt displacement of the cut sections taking place at the point where the chisels are fully pressurized. It will be apparent that any gauging or holding abutment means, if in contact with or closely adjacent to a section to be cut off, is necessarily subjected to very heavy side thrust forces and damage or deformation of parts will take place in a very short time.

Still another complicating factor is also present. At the discharge side of the guillotine type machine, a multiple wedge and spring mechanism is customarily supported in closely spaced relationship so that each chisel in the upper set of chisels may be variably positioned to adjust to a varying contour of the upper side of a stone block to be split. The multiple spring and wedge assembly is supported in closely spaced relation on a frame extension. This imposes a considerable limitation on working space for mounting a gauge mechanism of suitable ruggedness and adjustability to be of any value in a relatively rapid sequential cutting of successive granite sections each of whose thicknesses must be gauged to meet a standard of uniformity.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a chief object of the present invention to improve apparatus for gauging and cutting blocks of granite and other stone in a guillotine type machine.

It is a further object of the invention to cope with the problems and limiting factors outlined above and to provide an improved gauging and stopping arrangement, particularly suitable for carrying out relatively rapid sequential cutting of dimension stone sections;

Another specific object is to provide apparatus for quickly gauging portions of a relatively heavy block of stone in a guillotine type machine to make possible a rapid sequential cutting operation which produces dimension stone pieces measured to meet a required standard of uniformity in thickness and which requires no change in the design of the guillotine machine parts;

Still another object is to devise an adjustable gauging stop mechanism which is capable of being mounted at the discharge side of a guillotine type machine and which is of suitably rugged construction to withstand repeated impact by relatively heavy masses of granite or other stone moving into a cutting position;

Still another object is to device a gauging stop mechanism of rugged shock resistant nature in combination with novel adjustment control devices for rapidly clearing the stop mechanism away from a gauged section of stone in preparation for a cutting action;

Still another object is to combine with gauging stop mechanism and stop adjusting means, a control system which is interlocked with the actuating control means of the guillotine machine so that no cutting action can occur until such time as the gauging stop mechanism has been moved into a cleared position.

With the foregoing objects in mind, we have conceived an apparatus for periodically gauging portions of a block of stone moved along a conveyor into a guillotine machine. Gauging is carried out in timed relationship to movement of guillotine chisels to provide rapid sequential cutting of granite slabs whose thickness is controlled by the gauging operation in a highly precise manner.

Our improved apparatus is based upon the use of vertically adjustable stop members which are contained in special elongated bearing surfaces. The stop members are arranged in the bearing surfaces so as to be movable into and out of the path of travel of the upper forward edge of a block of stone conveyed through the guillotine machine. We have further devised an arrangement of parts for solidly securing the stops in forwardly spaced relation to the upper set of cutting chisels in a position such that forward motion of a heavy block of stone may be quickly arrested and momentum forces absorbed and distributed throughout the elongated bearing surfaces as the forward edge of the stone is brought into alignment with the chisels.

In combination with these stop members and their elongated bearing surfaces, we have further provided special stop adjustment means including fluid pressure operated cylinders and link members located through spring and wedge components of the guillotine machine so as to lower and raise the gauging stops without interference with the conventional parts of the guillotine machine. We have also devised an adjustable stop assembly whose components may be conveniently interchanged to provide a range of gauging spaces extending forwardly of the upper set of chisels for varying the width of a section to be cut off.

The nature of the invention and its other objects and novel features will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a guillotine type machine as viewed from the entering side illustrating the gauging stop mechanism of the invention in a gauging position with respect to a block of stone. 1

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the discharge side of the guillotine type machine showing further detailsof the gauging stop of the invention in typical operative position of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the stop mechanism in a raised or cleared position to provide for a cutting operation being carried out.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the machine showing further details of the stop adjusting mechanism.

FIG. Sis a plan view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail plan view of a block of granite with the stop mechanism shown in spaced relation to a set of chisels.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view of the stop retaining bracket means of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a detail view of a switch arrangement.

FIG. 9 is a plan cross-sectional view of the machine broken away to indicate portions of the spring and wedge assembly for controlling the upper set of chisels with the adjustment devices of the invention shown therein.

FIG. 10 is a detail elevational view of an adjustable stop assembly.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view indicating a spacing relationship accomplished by a stop assembly such as shown in FIG. 10. 7

FIG. 12 is an assembly view illustrating different sizes of adjustable stops which may be employed.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of a single pair of stops suitable for handling a relatively narrow block of stone, and

FIG. 14 is a wiring diagram illustrating control circuit means for operating the stop mechanism in interlocking relationship with the actuating means for the guillotine chisels.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, we provide a method of positioning heavy blocks of granite in which a pair of stop rod members are slidably supported along elongated bearing surfaces which are spaced forwardly of the upper set of guillotine chisels and which extend upwardly away from an upper leading edge of a block of stone in the machine substantially at right angles to the path of travel of the stone. We have found In carrying out our improved method of positioning a block with stop rods and elongated bearing surfaces space limitations, earlier noted as imposed by spring and wedge devices customarily used in guillotine machines, are avoided by exerting forces from points above the springs and wedges in directions angularly downwardly and upwardly and between the springs and wedges. These forces are exerted through a pivoting link mechanism. at points below the springs and wedges the angularly directed forces are translated into vertical reciprocating motion of the stop rods in close proximity to the chisels.

Considering in further detail the space limitations imposed when spring and wedge devices for the guillotine chisels are utilized with other conventional parts of a guillotine machine, attention is directed to the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 inelusive, in which arrow M denotes a guillotine machine of the general construction common to a Hydrasplit Machine. As shown therein, the guillotine machine comprises vertically disposed side portions 2 and 4 which have hydraulic rams contained therein. Located between the side portions 2 and 4 is an upper frame part 6 and a lower frame part 8. Mounted for ver tical reciprocating movement in the upper housing part 6 is a set of loading blocks or chisels indicated by numeral 10. Also mounted in the lower. housing part 8 is a second set of loading blocks or chisels indicated by the numeral 12, and arranged in vertically spaced alignment with the chisels 10.

It will be understood that the fluid pressure operated rams located in the side portions 2 and 4, although not shown in the drawings, are of conventional type and are operative connected in a well-known manner to the chisels 10 to provide for moving the chisels downwardly against a block of stone located therebelow. The guillotine machine also includes a multiple roller conveyor for receiving and advancing a block of stone B into a desired position relative to the chisels 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the conveyor may comprise a lead-in conveyor section C1 and a second lead-out conveyor section C2. It will be noted that the two conveyor sections are arranged in spaced relation to provide a small opening through which the lower set of chisels 10 may be raised and lowered, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, three sets of rollers in each conveyor section may be employed, and each conveyor section may be supported on suitable stand for locating the block of stone B at a suitable level for advancing it between the upper and lower sets of chisels 10 and 12. Also customary in guillotine machines of the type described is provision for adjustable spring and wedge means to selectively adjust the position of individual chisels of the upper set of chisels 10 in order to conform each of the chisels to irregular stone contours at the upper side of a block of stone to be cut. As illustrative of this well-known type of spring and transversely movable wedge structure, there are shown in FIG. 9, in partly broken away condition, a plurality of spring and wedge assemblies as l6, 18, 20, etc., which are mounted for transverse sliding movement in the forwardly projecting frame extension part 14, best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 9.

Power operating means in one arrangement common to the Hydrasplit machine, earlier referred to, is comprised by an electric motor not shown in the drawings and which operates a piston pump. A flow of oil to the several actuated parts is regulated by conventional solenoid valves which are controlled by means of usual limit switches and push-button contacts. It will be appreciated that the switching means noted is under the control of a machine operator who normally utilizes the switches referred to in order to actuate the conveyor means and advance a block of stone into a desired position. Thereafter, the operator lowers the wedge-adjustable cutting elements against an irregular surface of a block of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and at the same time raises the lower set of chisels so that the stone is held in a clamped position. In this position the hydraulic rams may then be operated to force the upper set of cutting elements downwardly and make a cut in the well-known manner. Other conventional details of construction and operation of a guillotine machine such as the I-Iydrasplit machine may be found in various operating manuals supplied by the Park Tool Company noted above.

It will be apparent that in order for a satisfactory gauging operating to be realized in machine M, gauging stop means are required to be located below the frame extension 14 and in relatively close proximity to the upper set of chisels 10. It will also be apparent that the gauging stops must be mounted for vertical adjustment. To accommodate vertical adjustment there is extremely limited space, and almost no space whatever for power actuating means to be located below the frame extension 14.

In accordance with the present invention, we have resolved this space limitation problem by devising a gauging stop arrangement which operates from points both above and below the springs and wedges. In this arrangement stop rods and elongated bearing sleeves are constructed to form an integral part of frame portion 6 and the adjacent frame extension 14. This permits taking advantage of the extremely rugged construction of the upper frame portion 6 wherein the loading blocks or chisels 10 are solidly supported for transmitting very large fluid pressures.

Essentially our gauging mechanism includes spaced gauging stop elements and rigidly reinforced elongated bearing means for supporting the gauging stop elements at the underside of the frame extension 14 and in close proximity to the chisels 10. Actuating means for the stop rods are operable from points above the frame extension to move the gauging stop elements into engagement with an upper leading edge of a block of stone as it is moved along the conveyor. The gauging stop elements are preferably employed in pairs and in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, two pairs of gauging stops are illustrated.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4, we provideat points immediately below the frame extension 14 relatively heavy retaining brackets as 24 which are arranged in predetermined horizontally spaced apart relationship and which are rigidly secured to a front surface of the upper frame portion 6 at points 60 and 6b by welding or other suitable means as is suggested in FIG. 7. Solidly fastened to these brackets 24 are pairs of elongated bearing sleeves also shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, and including an inner pair of denoted by numerals 26 and 28 and an outer pair denoted by numerals 30 and 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

Slidably supported in the elongated bearing sleeves are two pairs of elongated stop rods which include an inner pair of stop rods 34 and 36 and an outer pair of stop rods 38 and 40. Detachably mounted at the lower extremities of these stop rods are gauging plate members 46, 48 and 49 and 50. The gauging plates are secured in some suitable manner as by threaded fastenings 52, FIG. 10. The fastenings 52 are also threaded into reduced ends of the rods as indicated at 54 in the case of rod 38 of FIG. 10. Set screws as 56 may also be employed to prevent rotative movement of the plates on their respective stop rods.

Each of the gauging plates is preferably formed with flat stone-engaging inserts 60 which may be made of carboloy or other material for withstanding heavy usage in contacting stone surfaces. The gauging plates may occur in varying sizes and FIG. 12 is intended to illustrate two typical sizes including a pair of gauging plates 62 and 64 and another pair of gauging plates 66 and 68 which are designed to be used interchangeably with their respective stop rod elements in providing variable gauging spaces for a section of stone to be stopped and gauged. FIG. 11 illustrates a distance A occurring between the central axis of the gauging plate and a central axis of a chisel element 10. It will be apparent that this distance A is reduced by increasing the size of the plate 44 and thus the thickness of a stone section to be cut off may be decreased. By varying plate sizes, varying thicknesses of stone may be cut off.

' It will be observed that the arrangement of the brackets 24 is such that bearing sleeves and stop rods supported thereon are located in spaced relation-the under side of the frame extension 14 so that a clearance is provided for raising the stop rods and their respective gauging plates upwardly well above the path of travel of a block and the upper chisels.

As one suitable means for raising and lowering the stop rods andtheir attached gauging plates, we provide at the upper side of the frame extension 14 fluid pressure operated cylinders as 70, 72, 74 and 76 which occur in offset relation to the stop rods and which are pivotally mounted in brackets 78, 80, 82 and 84. Each of these fluid pressure operated cylinders includes a piston and rod assembly of the usual type and FIG. 4 illustrates one typical piston and rod assembly denoted by the numeral 86. In accordance with the invention, lower extremities of each of these piston and rod assemblies are attached to pivoted links which are arranged to extend angularly downwardly between adjacent wedge elements as suggested in FIG. 9 and the lower extremity of each piston and rod is pivotally connected to a respective stop rod as indicated in FIG. 7 and as denoted specifically by the piston rod 86 pinned at 88 to stop rod 38. It will be observed that each of these pistons rod elements constitute relatively thin flat bars which can pass between the wedge and spring assemblies at the upper side of the frame extension and each of the elongated sleeve members 30 are cut away as at 90 to provide for an angular displacement of the bars relative to the stop rods as the rods are raised and lowered.

In carrying out the method of cutting blocks as above described, an important consideration is to guard against the possibility of accidental operation of cutting chisels at a time when the gauging stops are in a locked gauging position. As one desirable means of guarding against accidental operation of the machine in this way, we have further devised special gauging stop control means which enables an operator to move the gauging stops into a gauging position quickly and conveniently when a block is ready to be advanced into a gauging position. An important feature of this stop control means is provision for interlocking the fluid pressure actuating system for the guillotine chisels with the operating circuit for the stop adjusting cylinders in a manner such that when the gauging stops are in a lowered gauging position, the actuating system for the chisels is automatically locked out with the chisels in a raised position, and it is only by raising the gauging stops that the chisel operating system can be set in a position to operate.

The details of this stop control means are illustrated in FIGS. I to 5, 8 and 14, and as shown therein, we provide manually operable valves S1, S2 which are mounted at some convenient point on machine M as indicated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Valve S1 controls flow of fluid to stop actuating cylinders 72 and 74, and valve S2 controls flow of fluid to cylinders 70 and 76. Also provided on the stop rod link 86a is a projecting part which is arranged to move into contact with and operate switch 102. As shown in the wiring diagram of FIG. 14, the projecting part is arranged to open and close a circuit for operating the solenoid 104. This solenoid 104 is the control solenoid for opening and closing the guillotine actuating valve earlier referred to and suggested diagrammatically at 106.

In the arrangement described, the projecting part 100 is normally in a holding position against the switch 102 which provides a circuit through which current may flow when independently energized by a machine operator at a point where a chisel cut is desired to be made. When the projecting part 100 is moved downwardly away from the switch 102, this circuit is opened and can no longer be independently energized until the part 100 is returned to its holding position as described. As a result of this control means, it will be apparent that the stop rods 38 and 40 in a lowered position effectively lock out any accidental operation of the chisels and thus there is no opportunity for an accidental cut to occur and damage the stop rods from sudden displacement of a cut-off section of stone.

It will be appreciated that in some types of cutting operations the block of stone may be of a width less than the space between the stop rods 38 and 40, and a relatively narrow block of this type is denoted by the numeral Bl, shown diagrammatically in the FIG. 13. To handle a relatively narrow block of this nature, the second pair of stop rods 34 and 36 are employed as shown in FIG. 13. In this case, it will be understood that the stop rods 34 and 36 will be raised and lowered by the cylinders 72 and 74 and will be controlled by a link member 86b which is provided with a projecting part similar to the part 100 and which will open and close a second circuit not shown in the drawings, but similar in all respects to the circuit as shown in FIG. 14.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be evident that we have provided a rugged stop mechanism which by reason of the use of rigidly reinforced and elongated bearing surfaces is capable of withstanding impact forces from large masses of stone moved along the conveyor structure. A novel arrangement of parts provides for combining this mechanism with a guillotine machine frame with a safety lock out provision being present.

We claim:

1. In a guillotine type machine for cutting a block of stone into slabs, said machine including a spaced apart upright side portions connected by an upper transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing a block of stone along a desired path of travel extending between the side portions of the frame, and below the upper beam section conveyor means for carrying out slabs an upright position away from the machine, and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjustable between the side portions for engaging top and bottom surfaces of the block and exerting pressure to split the block into slabs, the combination of vertically reciprocating stop elements mounted on the said upper transverse beam section and movable in a downward direction into the path of travel of the block to arrest its forward travel, gauging members detachably supported on the reciprocating stop elements for measuring the distance between the top front edge of the block and a desired line of cutting, bearing means rigidly mounted on the upper transverse beam section of the frame for slidably guiding the vertically reciprocating stop elements, means for selectively actuatingsaid reciprocating stop elements, and said bearing means comprising spaced retaining bodies presenting elongated bearing surfaces.

2. In a guillotine type machine for cutting a block of stone into slabs, said machine including a spaced apart upright side portions connected by a transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing a block of stone along a desired path of travel extending between the side portions of the frame, and below the beam section conveyor means for carrying cut slabs in an upright position away from the machine, and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjustable between the side portions for engaging top and bottom surfaces of the block and exerting pressure to split the block into slabs, the combination of vertically reciprocating stop elements movable in a downward direction into the path of travel of the block to arrest its forward travel, gauging members detachably supported on the reciprocating stop elements for measuring the distance between the top front edge of the block and a desired line of cutting, bearing means rigidly mounted on the transverse beam section of the frame for slidably guiding the vertically reciprocating stop elements and means for selectively actuating-said reciprocating stop elements, said bearing means comprising a plurality of spaced tubular bodies presenting elongated bearing surfaces for absorbing impact forces transmitted through the gauging members.

3. A structure according to claim 2 in which the means for actuating said reciprocating stop elements includes linkages pivotally supported on the frame, respective fluid pressure operated cylinders mounted at the upper side of the frame and connected to the linkages, and electrical circuit means for controlling movement of the cutting means and said cylinders for the linkages.

4. A structure according to claim 3 in which the actuating means further includes electrical switch located in the path of travel of one of the linkages for opening the electrical circuit which operates the cutting means when the stop elements are in a gauging position.

5. In a machine for cutting a block of stone into slabs, said machine having a frame which includesspaced apart upright side portions connected by a transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing a block of stone along a desired path of travel into a cutting station between the side portions of the frame, conveyor means for carrying cut slabs in an upright position away from the cutting station and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjustable between the side portions for engaging top and bottomsurfaces of the block and exerting pressure to split the block along a desired plane of severance, the combination of vertically reciprocating stop elements movable into the path of travel of the block after each cut takes place and a separated slab has been carried away from the cutting elements, bearing means solidly anchored on the frame for slidably containing the stop elements, gauging means supported on the vertically reciprocating stop elements in an outwardly projecting position and presenting spaced stop surfaces arranged to define a vertical plane of arresting which extends parallel with and in predetermined spaced relation to planes of cutting of the upper and lower sets of cutting means, and said stop surfaces being operative to receive and transmit impact forces of an arrested block in a direction substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the stop members against the said bearing means.

6. in a machine for cutting a block of mineral, said machine including spaced vertical upright side portions having a transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing the block of mineral along a desired path of travel extending between the side portions of the frame and below the beam section, and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjustable between the side portions for engaging top and bottom sides of the block and exerting pressure to split the block along a required plane of severance, a spring loaded wedge assembly mounted in the frame forwardly of the upper set of cutting means for selectively adjusting individual cutting elements of the said upper set to conform to the contour of the upper surface of the block, the combination of reciprocating stop elements movable in a downward direction into the path of travel of the block of mineral to arrest its forward travel, gauging members detachably supported on the reciprocating stop elements for measuring the distance between the top front edge of the block and a desired line of cutting, bearing means consisting of tubular retaining bodies rigidly mounted on the transverse section of the frame below the said spring loaded wedge assembly for slidably guiding the vertically reciprocating stop elements, and means for selectively actuating said reciprocating stop elements, said means consisting in hydraulically actuated cylinders and electrical circuit means for operating the hydraulically actuated cylinders.

Claims (6)

1. In a guillotine type machine for cutting a block of stone into slabs, said machine including a spaced apart upright side portions connected by an upper transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing a block of stone along a desired path of travel extending between the side portions of the frame, and below the upper beam section conveyor means for carrying cut slabs an upright position away from the machine, and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjuStable between the side portions for engaging top and bottom surfaces of the block and exerting pressure to split the block into slabs, the combination of vertically reciprocating stop elements mounted on the said upper transverse beam section and movable in a downward direction into the path of travel of the block to arrest its forward travel, gauging members detachably supported on the reciprocating stop elements for measuring the distance between the top front edge of the block and a desired line of cutting, bearing means rigidly mounted on the upper transverse beam section of the frame for slidably guiding the vertically reciprocating stop elements, means for selectively actuating said reciprocating stop elements, and said bearing means comprising spaced retaining bodies presenting elongated bearing surfaces.

2. In a guillotine type machine for cutting a block of stone into slabs, said machine including a spaced apart upright side portions connected by a transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing a block of stone along a desired path of travel extending between the side portions of the frame, and below the beam section conveyor means for carrying cut slabs in an upright position away from the machine, and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjustable between the side portions for engaging top and bottom surfaces of the block and exerting pressure to split the block into slabs, the combination of vertically reciprocating stop elements movable in a downward direction into the path of travel of the block to arrest its forward travel, gauging members detachably supported on the reciprocating stop elements for measuring the distance between the top front edge of the block and a desired line of cutting, bearing means rigidly mounted on the transverse beam section of the frame for slidably guiding the vertically reciprocating stop elements and means for selectively actuating said reciprocating stop elements, said bearing means comprising a plurality of spaced tubular bodies presenting elongated bearing surfaces for absorbing impact forces transmitted through the gauging members.

3. A structure according to claim 2 in which the means for actuating said reciprocating stop elements includes linkages pivotally supported on the frame, respective fluid pressure operated cylinders mounted at the upper side of the frame and connected to the linkages, and electrical circuit means for controlling movement of the cutting means and said cylinders for the linkages.

4. A structure according to claim 3 in which the actuating means further includes electrical switch located in the path of travel of one of the linkages for opening the electrical circuit which operates the cutting means when the stop elements are in a gauging position.

5. In a machine for cutting a block of stone into slabs, said machine having a frame which includes spaced apart upright side portions connected by a transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing a block of stone along a desired path of travel into a cutting station between the side portions of the frame, conveyor means for carrying cut slabs in an upright position away from the cutting station and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjustable between the side portions for engaging top and bottom surfaces of the block and exerting pressure to split the block along a desired plane of severance, the combination of vertically reciprocating stop elements movable into the path of travel of the block after each cut takes place and a separated slab has been carried away from the cutting elements, bearing means solidly anchored on the frame for slidably containing the stop elements, gauging means supported on the vertically reciprocating stop elements in an outwardly projecting position and presenting spaced stop surfaces arranged to define a vertical plane of arresting which extends parallel with and in predetermined spaced relatIon to planes of cutting of the upper and lower sets of cutting means, and said stop surfaces being operative to receive and transmit impact forces of an arrested block in a direction substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the stop members against the said bearing means.

6. In a machine for cutting a block of mineral, said machine including spaced vertical upright side portions having a transverse beam section solidly secured therebetween, conveyor means for advancing the block of mineral along a desired path of travel extending between the side portions of the frame and below the beam section, and upper and lower sets of fluid pressure operated cutting means vertically adjustable between the side portions for engaging top and bottom sides of the block and exerting pressure to split the block along a required plane of severance, a spring loaded wedge assembly mounted in the frame forwardly of the upper set of cutting means for selectively adjusting individual cutting elements of the said upper set to conform to the contour of the upper surface of the block, the combination of reciprocating stop elements movable in a downward direction into the path of travel of the block of mineral to arrest its forward travel, gauging members detachably supported on the reciprocating stop elements for measuring the distance between the top front edge of the block and a desired line of cutting, bearing means consisting of tubular retaining bodies rigidly mounted on the transverse section of the frame below the said spring loaded wedge assembly for slidably guiding the vertically reciprocating stop elements, and means for selectively actuating said reciprocating stop elements, said means consisting in hydraulically actuated cylinders and electrical circuit means for operating the hydraulically actuated cylinders.

Images