USRE13022E - Bbick - Google Patents

Description

W. H. FRANCIS. I BRICK HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOH 31mm Jun 4, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. a: v

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Reissued Sept. 28, 1 909.

nvawto'c witnesses W. H. FRANCIS.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1909. Reissued Sept. 28, 1909. 1 3,022.

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WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, OE GHERRYVALE, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES FRANCIS. OF INDEFENDENCE, KANSAS.

BRICK-.HANDLING MACHINE.

Specificationof Reiss'ued Letters Patent.- Reissned- S01?- 28, 1 909. Original No. 859, 4 4 5, dated July 9,1907. Serial No.

347,360. Application for reissue filed June 4, 1909.

Serial No. 500,228.

To all quiz-omit mo concern:

lle it known that I, lXJI LL QL LlrAtTUKEIS, a .:i ti7;( ,n.o't the l l nitid States, residing. at. hernrvale, in the county of Montgomery and State oi Kansas, have invented certain machine are in their pil Handling.illachines; and I do hereby de--' rlare the following to be a full, clear,

, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it iqipertains t o'make and use trim-aim.

I The object of my invention is-to proride'a' device of this character which. is adapted to I grip and firmly hold a pile of bricks for con 'eying them fronione fla e t in whlch the bricks who l tron; the l relation and can be again grip ed by the machine formoving the same. '1 1e bricks, as shown, are piled with thelower or bottom row spaced a slight distance apart to receive the clamping jaws of the machine, a )110 being defined to mean herein an orderly orn'iation. of bricks, which is a. series-of bricks in. width and aseries of bricks in height.

My invention resides in providing means to engage and lift the entire pile of'bricks without handling, and without disarrangement' of the bricks, and wherever placed. By the entire pile,fis meant all the bricks, including the bottom-most bricks.

My invention provides lifting means -which. 'a-roids the necessity of getting 'be-' neaththe extreme bottom of the pile on the ground, butinstead enters .within the-pile.

in the midst of the bricks,.'so that somefof the bricks, the upper portion, are lifted from.

below. aml-soy'that others,'the lower portion,

are not liftedsfrom.below but rather from 40- above their bottoms, thereby avoiding the necess ty of: getting in under vvthe/very bottom. In Otheifwvords, I carry the entire 'p-ilc witbout-- getting i'n'under the extreme "mum", and my invention consists of means for carrying out this fundamental idea. I fo'resake entirely the old idea that all the bricks must be supported, 2'. e., that the carrier'must be underneath the'bottom layer, and l vproceed liponthe new conception of grlpp1ng orothcrwlse carrying the bottom in suspensii'in. '1'. without having the ear ricr actually under or beneath the bottom, and of supporting-m1 earrying the rest of the pile on orabove said bot'tiiin part thereof.

which constitute the bottom support for the rest of the bricks when resting on the ground, on a car, or in a kiln, always (in accordance with my invention) remain with the rest of the bricks as a component part of the pile, being carried along with the rest of the pile but.wlthoutbeing'engaged underheath, the lift i ng meehanism is always free to engage or disengage the bricks without disturbin the pile. Hence, my invention includes broadly the provision of lifting mechanism for carrying a pile of bricks so that lire lower portion of the pile-is sustherw1se'-than underneath the bottom) as distinguished from being supported (91. grasped or engaged underneath the bottom). It includes broadly the provision of lifting mechanism for carrying a pile-of bricks by Supporting the upper POItIOll of the bricks from underneath and suspending, preferably by l mpin sidewise, the lower ortion of said carrie bricks. In its preterred embodiment, my invention provides means for relieving/the said lower portion, of the weight,in whole or in. part, of the said upper portion of the pile, and hence includes broa ly the provision of lifting mechanism capable. of carrying a ile of bricks while relieving the lower portion of the pile'of the "weight of thevupper portion of the pile. The lower row orlayer of bricks, in the preferredarrangement, constitutes a special bottom, and my invention includes broadly the ing along intact this bottom with the rest oi? the'pile of bricks, so t-hat the pile is thereby sure of always having its proper ,and neces- -wh1cl1 torest when deposited anywhere.

Another object of my invention is to provide a maehineof this character in which a pile of bricks maybe as readily handled when one end of the pile is higher than the other, to prevent the machine from tilting and at all times holding the pile of bricks in horizontalposition.'

vAnother object of my invention is to proide a simple, chea and effective machine to accomplish the a ove results.

ln the accompanyingdrawings: Figure l is an enlarged front elevation of my imi prm'cd machilie. showing a pile oi bri ks As the lower row or rows of spaced bricks provision of means for grabbing and tak- I sary bottom or special form of support on is a vertical sectional view taken on the a'-m of Fig. 1.

Referring 'now to i the drawings, 1 represents a serles of vertically disposed bars provided at their upper ends withjlaterally turned. ends 2. The said laterally turned ends are connected together byfia broad transverse bar 3 adjacent their rear edges. The forward end of said laterally turned ends are connected together by bars 4 and 5, one being above and the cotherbelow said ends 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, andthe said'bars having theirv outer edges flush with the outer edge 6 o f thelateral 'end'inembers. Secured to the upper bar 4 atthe center, by means of bolts 7, is a'yoke 8 for supporting the machine. This yoke, as

- shown, has additional securing means 91 for forming a more rigid connection with the bar 4. The yoke 8, intermediate the securiug means 9, is provided with an elongated horizontal portion 10 having a series of -openings 11- extending vertically therethrough. Straddling said yoke transversely thereof is a link 12 which has rotatably mounted in its lower ends a sprocket wheel 13. The said sprocket wheel is located between the upper bar 4 and the horizontal portion 10 of the yoke and is of a diameter less than thespace between said bar and yoke, and has its teeth Ll passing into the openings 11 in the horizontal portion 10 of the yoke.

The link 12 hassecured to its upper end a supporting chain 15 which may be secured to anv desired crane used in brick yards and the like. Theshaft' 16 of the sprocket wheel;

extending outwardly through one side of the-link, is provided with a crank 17 for rotating the sprocket wheel. Any desired means' is used for holding the crank v17'rin its adjusted position, and thus it will be seen that the rotation of the sprocket wheel throws the point of support off of the center of the frame, and a pile of brickshaving one end higher than the other can-besnp ported in a horizontal osition to prevent the bricks from sliding fgom the pile.

The bars 1, intermediate their upper and. lower ends, and also at the top, are secured together by transverse bolts 18 and 19 and opposite the bolt 19 is an additional bar 20 for ,further strengthening the frame. The bars 1, as clearlyshown in both Figs. 1- and 2, are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the thickness of a brick, the purpose of which will be hereinafter de scribed. The lower ends of the bars 1 are provided with laterally turned ends 21 which are adapted to pass between the faces of the bricks when they are placed or piled on edge. As clearly shown in Flsz. 3. sai

erally turned ends are of a length equal to that of the bricks and each alternate laterally turned member 21 has its lower edge cut away at 22, Secured to the'inner ends of 'the laterally turned members 21, by means of screws 23, is a' transverse plate at extends entirely across the machine. The

said late 2 4aoppositeeach cut away'portion. 22 of the laterally turned member 1s pro-' vided with an elongated slot 25. Passing which through said slot is a piv0t'26 of the clamping jaw "27. The said clampin jaws,- as shown, are of a width to exten from the cut away portion 22 down to a horizontal line with the lower edge f the member 21. The clamping jaws 27 are of a thickness equal -to that of the members21 and extend out to the outer end thereof. Pivotally connected to the outer end of the member 28 is a link 29 which is also pivoted at its lower end to the clamping jaw 27.

.By this construction, the clamping jaws are supported at each end and adapted to oscillate, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully'd'escribed. The outer endof the pivots 26 have rigidly secured thereto an upwardly' extending arm 30, which has its upper end bifurcated at 31 to receive the llOI'lZOJital operating rod 32. Pivotally connected to the )late 2 l at 33 is an o )eratin lever 3% it will be seen that dle with a laterally turned portion 37 engaging the segmental rack bar 38 secured to the bars 1.

The bifurcated ,ends 31 of the arms 30 have pivotally mounted therein the members 39 through which the bar 32 passes and to which said bar is attached. Surroumling the bar 32 areeoil springs 40 which bear at one end against the members 39, their opposite ends bearing against stops 41 carried by the bar 32. The tension of the springs 10 holds the arms 30 in the position clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In using my machine, it is understood that the bricks are first made into a pile, the bottom row being placed on edge and a distance apart sufficient to allow the jaws 21 and 27 to pass therebetween. The superinr posed bricks may be arrang-ed in any desired manner and to any desired height provided such a height is not greater than the length of the arms 1 of the lifting frame. As here-' in shown the. entire pile is in stackedor spaced formation as required when in the kiln for drying or lever .34 in the direction indicated by the burning. By moving the turned on their pivots 26 and the bricks on eithere of the clamping jaws are firmlv' lSO- brick is firmly gripped.

gripped against the arms 21, thus firmly sulnagrling the whole pile of bricks. 'lhe gripping aws 27 being l nked at 2!) and their pivots it; moving '\vith|n the slot 25, it will be seen that any variation in the thickness of the bricks on either side of the clamping jaws is overcome and that each The rod 32, operated by the lever 34, having a spring (.flll' nection with the arms 30 provides for the variations in the thickness of the bricks and thus all of the clamping jaws 27 are given the same pressure for carrying the lower ln'icks of the pile in suspension, the rest of the bricks being supported" from undermath, while the pile is being carried from one point to another. 7

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a pile of bricks can be readily piled and conveyed from one part of a brick yard to the other and relt-aiscththe sameqiile being at all times ready to receive the machine andto be again conveyed elsewhere when desired. .This result is due to the fact that my machine provides means whereby the spaced bricks of the lower row or rows of the pile of bricks are always carried along as a part of the pile and maintained without di arrangement, and hence, whenever. the pile is set down, its bottom :n'rangement is 'exactly its-required to permit the lifting machine to get in or out without disturbing the pile.

By my invention, the desiiedfspaced bottom is always present with the pile and) forms a part of the pile whereas, heretofore it has been necessary either to provide a special receiving table or bottom formed with spaced ribs or receiving portions, or, to lay a special bottom-layer of bricks each time to receive the pile, in order that the lifting mcains might get in under the pile and get out from under the pile as the case may be. The regularly spaced arrangement of ,the bottom bricks, and hence of the clamping jaws or devices, is preferred, as is also the lifting of the-pile, or at least the bottom bricks thereof, by means which horizontally engagcslhe bottom bricks with a sidewise pressure, but, lest the broad. elemental charsidcw'ise pressure, by which I mean an engagement of the lower bricks in a horizontal plane, as distinguished from a vertical engagement against the bottoms of-the lowermost bricks, .is desirable, and certain of my claims are limited thereto, while others of the claims are limited to a vertically disposed lifting frame, etc.. but others of the claims are not so limited and are ii'itelided to cover the fundamental features of the invention, irrespective of whether the bricks are spaced or ..ot, clamped, grabbed, or otherwise, all or only a portion carried from the lower part, carried fron'i overhead as by a vertical frame or not, etc. Certain of the claims are limited to suspending means for carrying the bricks in suspension, and. this is meant to include any and all means of holding or retaining the bricks by engagement therewith at any point or points other than their bottoms. Finally, I wish it understood that my invention includes, broadly stated, means whereby the supported pile of bricks carries its own su| )porting layer or portion, and while I have-herein also claimed the specific mechanism which constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, it will. be understood that my invention .is not limited to any particular ll'lBClltlfllSll'l, excepting as required by the claims, and that certain of the latterare intentionally of a broad, foundational character.

The piles of bricks, as heretofore described, need not neeesmuily be of a uniform height: as the machine can be so adjusted as always to be suspended in a horizontal position.

With reference to the method hereindescribed for clamping and lifting the bricks, I do not claim such a method in this application, but have made it the subject matter of a separate application for a patent. filed on .lnne'l'i'th, 1907 (Patent 874,582, Dec. 24, 1907).

Having descrihedby invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine. of the character described, comprising lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting a pile of superimposed bricks as a' body intact and undisturbed as an orderly pile, without individual handling, said pile consisting of a scriesof bricks in width and a series of bricks in height, said mechanism containing suspending means for carryii'ig the lower bricks of the pile in suspension as distinguished from supported underneath, and including means for applying the pilecarrying strain to the bricks below the top as distinguished from at the top.

A machine of the character described. comprising.mechanism for lifting from the -ground a pile of superimposed bricks, in

spaced, stacked formation, as a body intact and umlisturbcd, said mechanism containing means for ap ilying a lifting engagement to the bottom bricks while still in direct contact with the ground.

3. A machine of the character described.

coni n'isin liftiin 'mechanisn'i for en' a in a j z: I n s suspending means for entering in and among,

the bricks of the lower layer for carrying said lower .layer of the bricks of the pile in suspension distinguished from supportj ed underneath. I

l. A machine of the character described, comprising mechanism for lifting a pile of superimposed bricks from the ground without individual handling, said pile including a series of bricks in width and also in height in orderly piled relation, said mechanism containing means for applying a lifting engagement to the bottom bricks while still in direct contact with the ground, and means to apply the carrying strain to the pile of bricks at a point below the top.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting a pile of superimposed bricks, containing carrying means for engaging and carrying the upper portion of the pile and substantially relieving the lower bricks of the weight of said upper portion, and means for applying the lifting strain to the bricks of the pile below the top of the pile and relieving said top of strain.

(3. A machine of the character described,

comprisinglifting mechanism for engaging.

and lifting a pile ofi-supernnposedbricks,

containing supporting means for engag ng beneath and carrying the upper bricks of the pile supported thereon, and-suspendingmcans for carrying the lower bricks of the pile in suspen'sion as distinguished from supported underneath.

7. A machine of the character described,

comprising lifting mechanism containing means for supportingthe upper; portion of a pile of bricks approximately independently of the lower portion of the pile, and carrying means for applying a lifting sidewise pressure to andamong the bricks of said' lower port on of the pile.

8. A machine of the character described,

comprising. lifting .mechanism containing mans for supporting the upper portion of a pile of bricks approximately independently ofthe lower portion of the pile, and carrying means for applying a lifting sidewise pressure to and among ,the bricks of said lower portion of the pile. 9. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame for lifting a pile of superimposed bricks, provided with laterally extending clamping'ineans for applying a pinching lifting strain to the lower partotthepile. 1 a

' 10. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame haying provision for lifting a pile of superimposed bricks, in-

cluding a plurality of laterally extending clamping devices spaced apart to receive'between them the lower bricks of the pile-in supported engagement therewith.

11. A machine ofthe character described,

comprising lifting means adapted to lift a pile of superiniposedbricks, provided with laterally extending members spaced apart to enter between the lower bricks of the'pile,

and means for clamping said lower bricks to be carried in snspendedposition.

12. A machine of the character described, comprising lifting means adapted to lift a pile of superimposed bricks, having laterally extending supporting and clamping-mechanism spaced apart 'to enter between the lower bricks of the pile for supporting the upper portion of the bricks and suspending the lower portion of the bricks while the pile is being secured.

. 13. A niachine of the character described, comprising a vertically disposed frame, laterally extending arms carried by the upper end of said frame, supporting means carried by the outer end of said arms, and laterally extending clamping'jaws carried by the lower cndof said frame.

14. A machine "of the character described,

com arisin 'a verticall dis osed frame" laterally extending arms carried by the "upper end of said frame, supporting means longitudinally adjustably carried by the outer. end of said arms, and laterally extending clamping jaws carried by the lower end of said frame.

' 1 5. A machine of the character described,

comprising a 'vertically disposed frame, laterally extending arms carried by'the upper end of; said'fram'e, an elongated yoke carried by the outer end of said arms, a link suitably supported and straddling said voke, a sprocket wheel rotatably carried by the lower end of said link and having teeth entering openings in the yoke, means for rotating said sprocket wheel -whereby the point of support is shifted, and laterally extending gripping jaws carried by the lower end of said frame.

16; A machine of the character described,

comprising a vertically disposed frame shaped and adapted to receive and carry a pile of bricks, said p ile consisting of ,a series of bricks wide and high, laterally ex tending arms carried bythe lower end of said frame in.positio n to enter side by side between the bricks, and'grip'ping jaws pivotally supported ..below' said laterally ex-,

tending arms adapted to gripv the bricks between them. v

17 A machine of the character described, comprising shaped. and adapted to receive and carry a pile of bricks, said pile being a series of bricks wide and high, laterally extending arms'carried, by the lower end of said frame 'adapted' to enter among the bricks without.

a. vertically disposed framedisturbing the-piled formation, gripping l cut away arm, gripping jaws pivotally conv jaws pivotally supported below said later nected to the lower ends'of said links, pivots. ally extending arms in position to grip the carried by the inner endsof said gripping bricks of the adjacent widthwise series, and jaws and passing through horizontal elon- 25 5 'means for Simultaneously 'operating said gated slots, arms rigidly secured to said gripping jaws. I pivots and having bifurcated upper ends, 18. A machine 0 the character described, a horizontally arranged rod passin through com rising a vertically disposed frame, latsaidbifurcated arms, stops carrier i by said eral y extending arms'carried by the lower rod, coil springs 'on' the-rods between the 30 10 end of said frame, ripping jaws linked to sto s and the bifurcated ends of the arms,

the outer end of said arms and having their an a pivoted operating lever connected to inner ends journaled in elongated horizontal .said rod whereby thefgri ping jaws are $1- slots, 0 erating arms carried by the journals -multane'ously moved an .given' the same of sai gripping jaws,- an operating lever, gripping pressure.

5 and a spring connectionhetween said lever In testimony whereof I- haveaflixed my and oppratinlg arm? h d bed signature, in presence of two witnesses. 19. mac ine o t e c aracter escri com rising a vertically disposed frame, rlat WILLIAM FRANCIS" eral y extending arms carried thereby, each g alternate arm having its lower edge cut away, alink carried by the-outer end of the Witnesses:

M. A. FINLEY, CHAS. A. MITCHELL.

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