US2844091A - Brick package forming machine construction - Google Patents

Description

July 22, 1958 c. M. sHAFER ET AL 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FoRMINC MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1o. 1953 5 sheets-sheet 1 July 22, 1958 c. M. sHAFER E1- AL I 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. l0, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll . @WAC ATT RZWYAS July 22, 1958 C. M. SHAFER ET AL 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMINC MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1C, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IOO ganan? ATTORNEYS July 22,1958 'Q M. @AFER mu 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. l0, 1953 5 Sheecs-Sheecl 4 ATTPN'EYS July z2, 195sv c. M. SHAFER ET AL 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. lO, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 58 CwrLonMShafez;

ganada? 6 ATToRNEYs United States Patent O BRICK PACKAGE FORll/IING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION 13 Claims. (Cl. 10U- 25) Our invention relates to improvements in the devices used in forming brick packages and more specically to a blick package forming machine upon which brick packages can be easily and conveniently formed. And even more specically, it relates to a brick package forming machine on which the packages are formed in a tilted position, horizontally strapped in the tilted position, then rotated to normal position for final vertical strapping and removal from the machine.

Until very recent times, the brick industry has done vall brick handling by hand means. The bricks have been unloaded from the kilns onto movable pallets or wheelbarrows and thereby transported to either railroad cars or trucks, It was then necessay to load the bricks by hand onto the nailroad car or truck so that they may bek shipped to their destination. Once arriving at their destination, it was again necessary to unload them by hand and in the case of railroad cars reload them on trucks to be shipped to the supplier or to the construction job.

In recent years, the brick industry has become interested in shipping the bricks in small package pallet form. By this method, the bricks have been loaded, as previously, from the kiln onto movable pallets or wheelbarrows and moved to the shipping area in the brickyard. There they have been built into packages of appoximately 200 to 250 bricks, bound by steel straps or some other means, and thereafter moved by fork lift trucks or other means to railroad cars or trucks for transportation.

Many problems have confronted the brick industry in the development and use of brick packages. One of the most obvious problems, of course, is that the bricks must first be removed from the kiln and later rehandled to form them into the brick packages. Another problem is that when the packages are formed, in order to produce a tight package which will withstand the rough shipping which such articles receive, particles of baked clay called crumbs, which break from the edges and the holes in the brick, must be removed. n

Another problem is that bricks, having-no resiliency, are very dicult to form into a tight package. Still another and very basic problem is that the packaging operation is normally very slow and expensive and requires several men to build each package.

Still another problem is that when the package has once been formed, it is very dicult to thread the metal strapping in place and, once in place, to bind it,

To this time, most of the brick packages have been built on special flat pallets of various designs from which the package, after forming' and binding, can be lifted. These are some times provided with various guides and the like to aid in placing the brick into the package form as well as threading the `strapping underneath the package.

It still remains a problem, however, of arranging each row of bricks in proper place and alignment, cleaning away the crumbs, and in getting -a tight package properly strapped.

ICC

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a brick passage forming machlne which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior constructions.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a brick package forming machine upon which the packaging operation can be done conveniently, quickly and economically by one man. Y

It is a further object of the present mventron to provide a brick package forming machine which can be loaded in the kiln and thereafter removed for the final strapping operation of the package so that it is only necessary to handle the bricks by hand once after they are burned.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a brick package forming machine upon which the brick package is formed and the particles of baked clay or crumbs are automatically removed.

Another object of the present invention isto provide a brick package forming machine upon which Athe bricks nest by gravity, thus forming a tight and compact pack- -age which will withtstand considerable abuse in trans,- portation. l

Still another object of the present invention4 is to provide a brick package forming machine which automatically guides the steel strapping, lfor binding the package, into its proper place, and upon `which the strapping can be conveniently bound to the proper tenslon.l

Finally it is an object of the present invention to provide a brick package forming machine on which each layer of bricks is guided into its proper place so that no problem of aligning' is encountered by the workmen.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and subcombinations comprising 'the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following generalstatement, a preferred embodiment of which-illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles--is set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings' and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the `appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the improved brick package forming machine construction constituting the present invention may be stated as including a base carriage member and a cradle member hingedly attached to the base carriage member and so adapted that it may be selectively 'p01 sitioned in a tilting position.

More specifically, the improved brick package forming machine construction includes a horizontal base ,carriage member with movable means therebeneath consisting preferably of three Wheels mounted beneath thebase carriage member, two at the rear portion and a single swivel wheel mounted at the front portion, a handle projecting from the front of the base carriage member,y a cradle member hingedly connected to the base carriage member so that it may be selectively positioned in a tilted position, adjustable stop means on the, base carriage member to limit and support the cradle in tilting position, a safety means in the base carriage to positively hold the cradle in tilted position, guide means on the cradle to assist in positioning bricks for forming the brick package, a safety or `aligning gate on the cradle member hingedly connected to the cradle member, latch means on the cradle member to latch the safety gate in closed position, means on the cradle member and on the safety gate through which steel straps may be threaded to encircle and bind the package both vertically and horizontally, means `on the cradle connected to means on the base carriage to safely and slowly return the loaded cradle from tilting position to normal position, and cushion means on the base carriage member to automatically move the cradle member out of engagement with ythe 3 brick package when the brick package is being removed from the machine by the forks of `a fork lift truck or by other means.

By Way of example, an embodiment of the improved tilting construction of the presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a front and side perspective view of the entire machine empty;

Fig. 2, a back and side perspective view of the entire machine empty;

Fig. 3 a side elevation of the entire machine in normal unloaded position;

Fig.V 4, a plan view of the oase of the cradle with the cradleand safety gate separate from the base carriage of the machine;

Fig. 5, a plan View of the back of the cradle with the cradle and safety gate separate from the base carriage of the machine;

Fig. 6, a front, fragmentary, sectional view of the base portion of the cradle looking in the direction of the arrows 6 6, Fig. 4;

Fig. 7, a side, fragmentary, sectional view of the base portion of the cradle looking in the direction of arrows 7 7, Fig. 4;

Fig. 8, a top, fragmentary, sectional view of the back of the cradle looking in the direction of the arrows 8 8, Fig. 5;

Fig. 9, a top, fragmentary, sectional View of the back of the cradle looking in the direction of the arrows 9 9, Fig. 5;

Fig. l0, a front, fragmentary view of the cradle showing the safety gate latching mechanism.

Fig. 1l, a side, fragmentary, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 11-11, Fig. 10;

Fig. 1'2, a side elevation of the entire machine in loading position;

Fig. 13, a perspective view of a finished brick package showing the runner layers and the package layers above;

Fig. 14, a plan view of the first, third and fifth layers of brick as arranged in the brick package.

Fig. 15, a plan view of the second layer of brick as arranged in the brick package;

Fig. 16, a plan view of the fourth layer of brick as arranged in the brick package;

Fig. 17, a side, fragmentary, sectional View of the machine loaded with a brick package ready for the rst strapping operatiom the section being taken through one of the outer runners of the lpackage looking towards the center of the package.

Fig. 18, a side, fragmentary, sectional view of the ma-v chine loaded with a brick package ready for the rst strapping operation, the section being taken through the center runner of the package;

Fig. 19, a front, fragmentary, sectional view taken in the location of line 19-19, Fig. 18, and looking in the direction of arrows 19 19, but showing the left-hand side of the machine and package and the safety gate;

Fig. 20, a side view of a completed package being lifted olf the machine by the forks of a fork lift truck; the package, cradle and part of the base carriage in section taken between one of the outside runners and the center runner looking toward the center runner, and the rest of the base carriage in elevation.

It should be understood from the onset that the particular brick package described herein, and for which this particular brick package forming machine is designed, is not claimed as a part of this invention. lt should be further understood that v this particular brick package formingV machinel is designed for this particular brick package merely because the applicants are now using this package, and that the guides on the machine may very easily VbeV adapted to'use the machine for building many other design brick packages, and for other sizes of brick or other products.

The improved brick package forming machine construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 includes a base carriage member generally indicated at 1, and a cradle member generally indicated at 2 Vhingedly connected to the base carriage member. The entire machine is made from a rigid material, preferably steel or some such metal.

The frame of the base carriage member is made up of at strip steel with the sides and front being one continuous strip. The side members 3 of the base carriage extend from the rear of the machine the length of the machine into arcuate front corners and thence across the front to form front member 4. Side members 3 are joined at the rear of the machine by back member 4a which is parallel to front member 4. Cross member 5 is also flat strip steel and is atixed perpendicular to and between side members 3 and parallel to front member 4. Angle cross member 6 is also ai-lixed between side members 3, parallel to front member 4, and is a measured distance to the rear of cross member 5.

Rear wheels 7 are mounted on a rear axle 8 which is xedly mounted to the underside of the base carriage by means of triangular shaped downwardly extending wheel mounting lugs 9. The front swivel wheel 10 is mounted to the underside of plate 11, by means of downwardly extending front wheel lugs 12 and plate 13. The horizontal plate 11 is affixed between the front member 4 of the base carriage and the strip steel cross member 5 of the base carriage. Rear wheels 7 and front wheel 10 are of any standard type, preferably having a solid rubber tread.

The front wheel mounting lugs are mounted to a separate horizontal plate member 1,3 and it is through this plate member 13 that the front wheel mounting lugs 12 are mounted to plate 11 by means of the screw 14. It is by this mounting means that the front wheel is permitted to swivel.

On the front vertical edge portions of front wheel mounting lugs 12 are aixed the flat, horizontally extending handle lugs 15. The handle, generally indicated at 16, is preferably made from steel tubing and consists of front handle portion 17, handle extension portion 18, and handle connecting portion 19. Handle connecting portion 19 is pivotally mounted to the handle lugs 15 by connecting pinv 20.

In the rear portion of base carriage member 1 are mounted two downwardly extending oil or air cylinder mounting `lugs generally indicated at 21. The oil or air cylinder mounting lugs are mounted parallel to side members 3 and-are parallel to each other. A They are made up of a vertical side portion 22 which extends downwardly a lmeasured distance into an arcuate bottom edge portion 23 andthen extends forwardly in an inward arcuate edge portion 23. They are fastened at their rear portions on the back member 4a of the base carriage i and are fastened at their front portions on the angle cross member 6 of the base carriage 1.

ln the lowermost portion of the mounting lugs a measured distance above the arcuate bottom portion 23 are mounting holes 25. An oil or -air cylinder, preferably oil, isgenerally indicated at 26 and is mounted -below the frame of the base carriage 1 and attached at its rear portion through rear mounting ring 27 to the downwardly extending air cylinder mounting lugs 21 by means of connecting pin 28 through holes Z5.

The oil cylinder 26 Ais made up of a casing portion Z9 and connecting rod and plunger 30. At the rear end of the oil cylinder 26 is cap 31which has mounted on its back face the rear mounting ring 27 and on its side face is connected one end of bypass tube portion 32. The other end of by-pass tube portion 32 is connected to bypass valve 33, and to the other side of by-pass` valve 33 is connected one end of 'by-pass tube portion 34. The' other end of yby-pass tube portion 34 connects through the side of cylinder casing 29 near the forward end.

Oil cylinder 26 is of standard type and is so designed that, when the connecting rod and plunger 30 are extended, the oil in the front portion of the cylinder flows freely through by-pass tube portion 32, by-pass valve 33 and by-pass tube portion 34 into the rear portion of the cylinder and below the connecting rod and plunger 30. Thus the connecting rod and plunger 30 can be pulled into extended position with Very little resistance resulting from the oil in the cylinder. However, when the connecting rod and plunger 30 are forced inwardly, the by-pass valve 33 closes, stopping any oil passage through by-pass tube portion 32 or by-pass tube portion 34, and the oil must flow through a measured size orifice in the plunger of the air cylinder. Thus, the connecting rod and plunger 30 can only be pushed into their inward position at a predetermined speed determined by the size of the orifice in the plunger.

On the outer end of connecting rod and plunger 30 is aixed connecting portion 35 which is provided with a measured size slot 36. Through slot 36 is engaged connecting pin 37 which in turn engages the holes 38 (Fig. 5) in the two cradle connecting lugs 39. The upper ends of cradle connecting lugs 39 are affixed to the bottom portion of the cradle member 2.

On the forward portion of the base carriage member 1 are mounted two cushion members generally indicated at 40, one of which is attached to each of the side members 3.

The cushion members each consist of a spring containing member 41 and a helical spring member 42. The spring retaining member 41 is merely a piece of tube partially closed at its lower end and welded at its one side to side member 3, with its open end extending upwardly and its sides being at a slightly tilted angle. Into the open end of spring retaining member 41 is inserted the bottom end of helical spring 42 which eX- tends into the spring retaining member 41 and above the spring retaining member a measured distance.

In the rear portion of the base carriagey member 1 are atlxed two cradle positioning screws, generally indicated at 43. These cradle positioning screws consist of a mounting portion 44, a nut portion 45 and a screw portion 46. They are `aiiixed to the sides of rear wheel mounting lugs 9 in such a way that the cradle positioning screw assembly is in upwardly extending tilted position.

The mounting portion 44 has a threaded hole through its center running its entire length. Screw portion 46 is selectively engaged in the threaded hole in the mounting portion 44, and the nut portion 45 is selectively screwed down on the top end of the mounting portion 44. Thus screw portion 46 can be screwed into the mounting portion 44 so that the desired length of screwed portion 46 extends, and then by tightening nut portion 45 down on to the top of the mounting portion 44, the

6 ber 3. At the upper end of the arcuate, upwardly extending portion 50 is formed a notched cutout 55 which may selectively engage Iavsmall square piece of steel plate a, welded to the side of the cradle member 2,v

when the cradle member is in a tilted position.

On the outside of the side members 3 of the base carriage, and in direct alignment with the angle cross member 6, are afiixed side cradle mounting lugs 56, one ybeing mounted on the outside of each of the side mem- 'bers 3 and extending upwardly. On the top side of angle cross member 6 are mounted two upwardly extending center cradle mounting lugs 57 a measured distance from the side members 3 and a measured distance apart. Through each of the side cradle mounting lugs and center cradle mounting lugs is formed a measured sized hole through which is extended the cradle mounting screw 58. The cradle mounting screw 58 yalso engages in holes through the cradle member 2.

The cradle member 2 consists of a base portion generally indicated at 59 and a back portion generally indicated at 60. The cradle base portion 59 is made up of three downturned channel members 61, 62 and 63 (Fig. 6). To the top side of channelmember 63, and extending parallel to its length, is an angle member 64 running the complete length of channel member 63. The angle member 64 is mounted so that one of its legs is in a parallel plane to and abuts the top face of the channel member 63 and the other leg of the angle extends vertically upward.

Closely abutting angle 64, and parallel to it, is mounted small downturned channel mem-ber 65. The lower edges of small channel member 65 rest on and are aflixed to the topface of channel `member 63 and small channel member 65 extends the length of channel member 63 to within a measured distance of its rearmost end. A measured distance from small channel member 65, and in the same position and parallel to small channel member 65, is mounted small downturned channel member 66, which also is aiixed to the top side of channel member 63 and extends its length to within a measured distance of its rearmost end. Thus, ybetween the side edges of small channel member 65 and small channel member 66 is formed slot 67 which is closed at the bottom side by channel member 63 and open at its top side.

In a plane parallel to the top face of middle channel member 62, aflixed to the top face but overhanging the left side of the middle channel member 62, is angle member 68. On the overhanging end of the abutting leg of angle 68 is the other leg extending vertically upward. Angle 68 runs parallel and the complete length l of middle channel member 62.

screw portion 46 is lheld'rigidly in place at any desiredv extended length.

On theV right side of the base carriage member 1, and abutting side member 3,is mounted a safety foot lever generally indicated at 47. The safety foot lever 47 consists of a horizontal forwardly extending portion 4S, foot pad 49 and arcuate, upwardly extending portion 50. The foot pad 49 is mounted at the forwardmost end of horizontal portion 48 and is also mounted so that its .largest face is in a horizontal position. On the horizontal forwardly extending portion 48, a measured distance from its forward end, is formedhole 51. A helical spring 51a is attached to the side member 3 at its top end and into hole 51 at its bottom end.

In the arcuate, upwardly extending portion 50 is formed hole 52 through which is placed connecting screw 53, which in turn connects through a downwardly leX- tending lug 54 axed to the underside of the side mem- Closely abutting angle member 68, and also running parallel to and the lengthof middle channel member 62, extending to within a measured distance of the rear end of the middle channel member 62 is downturned small channel member 69, the lower ledges of which are channel member 70 is formed a slot 71, which is vclosed at its bottom side by the top face of middle channel member 62 and is open at its top side.

To each of the vertically downwardly extending legs of middle channel member 62, in its rear portion and extending a measured distance from its rearmost end, are aixed the two cradle connecting lugs 39. In face View (Fig. 6) they are afl'ixedv to the lower edges of middle channel member- 62 and extend vertically downward a measured distance, at which point they angle inwardly as well as downwardly towards each other a measured distance, and then extend vertically downward again, a measured distance, apart. In side view the two cradle connecting lugs 39-extend downwardly and backwardly in an arcuate pattern to their lower end. It is between the bottom ends of cradle connecting lugs 39 that holes 38 are formed and through which connecting pin 37 engages the connecting portion 35 ofthe air cylinder 26.

To the top side of right channel member 61 and running parallel thereto is affixed lsmall downturned channel member 72. Small channel member 72 is in a plane parallel to the top face of channel member 61 and runs the length to within a measured distance of the rearmost end of channel member 61. The left edge of small channel member 72 is in direct vertical alignment with the left edgeof right channel member 61.

Running parallel to small channel member 72, but a measured distance from it, is small channel member 73, which also abuts the top face of channel member 61 and extends its length to within a measured distance of its rearmost end. Thus, between the side edges of small channel member 72 and small channel member 73, is formed another slot 74 which is closed at its bottom side by the top face of channel member 61 and is open at its top side.

Abutting the right edge of small channel member 73 with one leg extending vertically upward directly abutting the right edge thereof and the other leg in a plane parallel to the top face of channel member61 and abutting the top face thereof is angle member 75, which runs parallel to and the complete length of channel member 61.

On the right vertical edge of channel member 61 is aixed a safety handle member generally indicated at 76, made preferably from solid steel rod, one end being axed a measured distance from the front end of channel member 61 and the other end being affixed a measured distance from the rear end of channel member 61. Safety handle member 76 is made up of a horizontally extending member 77 which extends to the right a measured distance into an arcuate corner and thereafter into a horizontal, rearwardly extending portion 78 which extends longitudinally of channel member 61. The rearwardly extending member 78 runs to within a measured distance of the rear end of channel member 61 into an arcuate corner and thereafter extends into inwardly extending portion 79, the end of which abuts the right side of channel member 61. A

At the front end of channel member 63 and channel member 62 is aflixed the horizontal, forwardly extending safety handle member generally indicated at 8l). The left side of safety handle member 8@ is aiiixed to the inside face of the right hand downwardly extending portion of channel member 63, being axed thereto a measured distance vfrom the bottom edge of channel member 63. 81 of safety handle member 80 extends forward from the front end of channel member 63 a measured distance, and thence through an arcuate corner into horizontal rightwardly extending portion 82. Portion 82 extends rightwardly to an arcuate corner which is in alignment with the inside edge of the left-hand downwardly extending portion of channel member 62. Extending rearwardly from the arcuate corner and into and abutting the inside edge of the left-hand, downwardly extending portion of channel member 62 is portion 83 of the safety handle 80, where it is there affixed.

Identical to safety handle member 80, but extending between the right-hand side of channel member 62 and the left-hand side of channel member 61, is safety handle member 84. Safety handle member 84 is affixed to the channel members 61 and 62 in the same manner as safety handle member 80 is axed to channel members 62 and 63 and extends forward in the same manner and is the same size and shape.

Between the neighboring edge faces of channel mem- The horizontal forwardly extending portion bers 62 and 63 is axed a fork deflecting plate 85. Fork deecting plate 85 starts atthet front edges and in the lowermost corner of channel members 62 and 63 and is angled backwardly and upwardly a measured distance and ends at the top edges of channel members 62 and 63. Thus the left edge of fork deecting plate 85 abuts the right-hand edge face of channel member 63 and the right side edge of fork deilectng plate 85 abuts the lefthand edge face of channel member 62. Fork deecting plate 85a is identical to and in the same position as fork deiiecting pate 85 but is between the neighboring edge faces of channel members 61 and 62, that is, the righthand edge face of channel member 62 and the left-hand edge face of channel member 61.

Mounted on the underside of the horizontal portion of channel member 62, of the cradle base portion 59, is horizontal, rearwardly extending tube member 147. Horizontal tube member 147 is in alignment with the front end of channel member .62 and extends rearwardly along the underside of channel member 62 a measured distance. In the rear portion of channel member 62 a measured distance from its rear end and affixed so as to span between the inside edges of the downwardly extending leg portions of channel member 62 is a plate 148.

Selectively received through tube 147 is a telescoping lifting bar 149. Telescoping lifting bar 149 may be selectively placed in telescoped position so that its rearmost end abuts the plate 148 in the rear of the channel member 62 or may be extended a measured distance forwardly beyond the front edge of channel member 62. Lifting bar 149 has a pin 149a through and a measured distance from its rearmost end. Once the lifting bar 149 is assembled through tube 147 and the pin 149a is put in place, the lifting bar 149 may never be extended so that its rearmost end is beyond the rearmost end of tube 147.

The back portion 60 of the cradle member 2 is made up of vertical angle members 86, 87, 88, 89, and 91 (Figs. 8 and 9). Between the right-hand edge of vertical angle member 86 and the left-hand edge of vertical angle member 87 is formed slot 92. Between the right-hand edge of vertical angle member 88 and the left-hand edge of vertical angle member 89 is formed slot 93. And between the right-hand edge of vertical angle member 90 and the left-hand edge of vertical angle member 91 is formed slot 94.

One leg of the vertical angle member 86 extends rearwardly a measured distance and make up the left-hand edge portion of the back portion 60 of the cradle member 2. The other leg of the vertical angle member 86 extends transversely to the right a measured distance up to and forms the left-hand edge of slot 92. Making up the right-hand edge of slot 92 and extending transversely to the right a measured distance is one leg of vertical angle member 87, the otherleg of which extends rearwardly a measured distance.

The transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 86 and 87 are perpendicularly affixed at their lower ends to the top face of channel member 63 of the cradle base portion 59. The rearwardly extending leg portions of vertical angle members 86 and 87 are afxed the top surface of channel member 63.

A measured distance to the right of vertical angle member 87, and in alignment therewith, is the rearwardly extending leg portion of vertical angle member 88 extending rearwardly a measured distance. The other leg portion of vertical angle member 88 extends transversely to the right to and forming the left-hand edge of slot 93. At and forming the right-hand edge of slot 93 is the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 89, which extends transversely to the right a measured distance and there the other leg portion of vertical angle member 89 extends a measured distance rearwardly.

The transverse legs of Vertical angle members 88 and 89 are affixed perpendicularly to the top face of the channel member 62 of the cradle base portion 59. Thev rearwardly extending leg portions of vertical angle members 88 and 89 are aixed to the top surface of channel portion of vertical angle member 90 extends transversely' to the right a measured distance up to and forming the left-hand edge of slot 94. Starting at and forming the right-hand edge of slot 94, and extending transversely to the right a measured distance, is the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 91. The other leg portion of vertical angle member 91 extends rearwardly a measured distance and makes up the right-hand edge portion of the back portion 6070i the cradle member 2.

The transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 90 and 91 are perpendicularly aflixed at their lowermost ends to the top face of channel member 61 of the cradle base portion 59. The rearwardly extending leg portions of vertical angle members 90 and 91 are aixed to the top surface of channel member 61.

' On the front faces of the transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91 are aixed horizontal transverse at strip members generally indicated at 95, 96, and 103 and horizontal transverse channel members generally indicated at 97 and 98.

Horizontal flat strip member 95 is a measured distance from and in a plane parallel to the plane of the top faces of channel members 61, 62 and 63 and is affixed perpendicularly to the front faces of the transverse leg portions f vertical angle members 86, 87, 89, 90 and 91.

Horizontal transverse at strip member 95 extends from the left-hand edge of the cradle back portion 60 transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 92, from the right-hand edge of slot 92 transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 93, from the right-hand edge 0f slot 93 transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 94, and from the right-hand edge of slot 94 to the right-hand edge of the cradle back portion 60. The horizontal transverse at strip member 95 is the same height and width throughout.

The horizontal, transverse channel member 97 is made up of channel portions 99, 100, 101 and 102 and is afiixed parallel to and a measured distance above horizontal flat strip member 95. Channel portion 99 is affixed `so that its leg portions extend perpendicular to the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 86. In top View (Fig. 8) the leg portions of channel portion 99 extend forwardly a measured distance from'the vertical angle member 86 and are that height for a measured distance from the left-hand edge of cradle back portion 60 to within a measured distance of slot 92, and then extend a measured distance further from vertical angle member 86 and at that height to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 92.

Channel portion 100 extends from the right-hand edge of slot 92 to the left-hand edge of slot 93. The leg portions are the same height throughout their length. The bottom leg portion of channel portion 100 extends perpendicular to the transverse face portions of vertical angle members 87 and 88 a measured distance. The top leg portion of channel portion 100 extends at an upward angle a measured degree oi' of a line perpendicular to the transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 87 and 88 and extends at said upward angle for a measured distance.

Channel portion 101extends from the right-hand edge of slot 93 to the left-hand edge of slot 94.v It is atlixed to the transverse leg portions of Vertical angle members 89 and 90 so that the lower leg portion of channel portion 101 extends perpendicular to the transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 89 and 90.

The upper leg portion of channel portion 101 is angled upwardly a measured degree from a line perpendicular to the transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 89 and 90, and extends at said upward angle for a measured distance.

In top view the leg portions of channel portion 101 extend forwardly a measured distance and are at that height from the right-hand edge of slot 93 to within a measured distance of the left-hand edge of slot 94 and then extend forwardly a lesser measured distance and are at that height to the left-hand edge of slot 94.

Channel portion 102 is aflixed to the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 91 so that its leg portions extend perpendicular to the front face of the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 91. In top view, the leg portions of channel portion 102 extend forwardlya measured distance and are at that height from the rightfhand edge of slot 94 to within a measured distance of the right-hand edge of cradle back portion 60, and then extend forwardly a lesser measured distance and are at that height to the right-hand edge of cradle back portion 60.

The horizontal fiat strip member 96 is atiixed parallel to and a measured distance above horizontal transverse channel member 97. It is aixed perpendicularly to the front faces of the transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 86, 87, 88, 89, and 91.

Horizontal transverse flat member 96 extends from the le'ftahand edge of the cradle back portion 60 ltransversely to (the right to the left-hand edge of slot 92, from the lright-l'rand edge of -slot 92 transversely to the righ-t to the left-hand edge of slot 93, from the right-hand edge of slot 93 transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 94 and Kfrom the right-hand edge of slot 94 transversely to the right to rthe right-hand edge of the cradle back portion 60;

The horizontal transverse llat strip member 96 is the same height and width throughout. The horizontal, transverse channel member `98 is affixed parallel lto and a measured distance above horizontal ilat strip member '96 and Iis made up of channel portions 104, 105, 106 and 107. v

lChannel portion'104 of horizontal transverse channel member 98 is affixed so that 'its leg portions extend perpendicular to the Itransverse leg portion of vertical angle member 86. yIn top view (Fig. 9) the leg portions of channel portion `104 extend `forwardly a measured `distance from the vertical angle member 86, and are lat that height for a measured distance from the left-hand edge of cradle 'back portion 60 to within a measured distance of slot 92, `and then extend a measured distance `further Afrom vertical angle member I86 fand at th'a't height to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 92.

' yChannel portion 105 extends from the right-hand edge of slot 92 to the left-hand edge o'f slot l93. It is affixed to the transverse leg portions of vertical angle Amembers 87 and 88 so that 'the lower lleg portion of channel portion10`5 extends perpendicular to the transverse leg portions of vertical ' angle members 87 and 88. The upper leg portion ofrchannel portion 105 is angled rupwardly a measured degree from a 'line perpendicular to the transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 87 and 88, and extends at said upward angle lfor a measured distance. 'In top view the 'leg portions of channel portion 105 extend forwardly a measured distance and are at that height lfrom the right-hand edge of slot 92 to 'within a measured distance of the 'left-hand edge of slot 93 and then extend forwardly a greater measured `distance and are that height to the left-hand edge of slot 93.

yChannel portion 106 extends from the right-'hand edge of `sloft 93 to the 'left-hand edge of lslot 94. The leg portions Iare the same height `throughout ltheir Ilength. The `bottom leg portion of channel portion 106 extends perpendicular to the transverse face portions of vertical `angle members 89 and "90 a measured distance. The top leg portion of channel portion y106 extends at an upward 11 angle a measured Ldegree oi of a line perpendicular to the transverse leg portions `of vertical angle members 89 and 90 and extends at said upward rangle *for a measured distance.

Channel portion 107 is athxed to the transverse leg portion oft vertical angle member 91 so that its leg portions extend perpendicular Ito the front `face of the transverse 'leg portion 4of vertical `angle member 91. In `top view the leg portions of `channel portion 107 extend forwardly a measured distance and are at that height from the right-hand edge `of slot 94 to within a measured distance yof the right-hand edge of cradle back portion 60, and then extend forwardly a lesser lmeasured distance and 'are at `that height to the right-hand edge of `cradle back portion 60.

Horizontal, at strip member 103 `is aixed parallel to and a measured distance above horizontal transverse channel member 9S. It is aixed perpendicularly to the front `faces of the `transverse leg portions of vertical angle members S6, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91.

Horizontal `transverse flat strip member 103 extends from 'the left-hand edge of the cradle back portion 60 transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 92, from the right-hand edge of slot 92 transversely lto the right to the left-'hand edge of slot 93, from the right-hand edge `of slot 93 `transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 94 and itrom the right-hand edge of slot 94 transversely to the right to 'the right-hand edge of the cradle back portion 60. The horizontal transverse at strip member 103 is the same height and width throughout.

Atixed to lthe uppermost ends of vertical angle members S6, S7, 88, 89, 90 and 91, and mak-ing yup 'the top edge of the cradle back portion 60, is transverse angle member 108, the one leg of transverse angle mem-ber 108 abuts the upper horizontal edges of vertical angle members S6, 87, 88, 89, 90 and l91 yand the other leg extends vertically downward and abuts the rearmost edges of the backwardly extending leg portions of vertical angle members 86, S7, 88, 89, 90 and 91.

Vertical strap threading guides, generally indicated at 109, 1110, land 111, `are affixed at their top ends to the underside `of the `horizontal leg portion of transverse angle member 103 and extend vertically downward and are aixed at ltheir lowermost ends lto lthe upper lfaces of the t horizontal 'portions -of channel members 61, l62, and 63 of the 'cradle base portion 59.

In side view ('Fig. 3) the side portions of vertical strap threading guides 109, 110 and 111 are a measured width at .their uppermost ends, the back 4edge angling tbackwardly and downwardly for a `measured distance and then Aarcua'tely inwardly `to meet the 'top faces of channel members 61, 6?. and 63, the front edge extending directly vertically "downward to meet the top faces of channel members 61, 62 `and "63.

In cross section (Fig. 8) the vertical strap threading guides 109, 110 and `111 are U-shaped at Yany given section. The side portions are abutted at theirrear edges by the back portions and also joined thereby. The front edges of the side portions abut the back :faces of the transverse portions of vertical angle members 86, 87, `88, 89, `90 and 91 and meet lthe edges of slots 92, 93 and 94. Thus are formed box-like structures Ito the rear and enclosing slots '92, 93 and 94, having parallel side portions and an |arcuate downwardly curved back portion.

At the lower rear corner of cradle member 2, their rear vertical sides abutting cradle back portion 60, and their lower horizontal sides abutting cradle base portion 59, are aixed runner guide ' plates 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117. f

Runner guide plate 112 is mounted with its lower horizontal edge abutting the "top horizontal face of 'channel member AC3 and its rear vertical face abuttingI the front face of the transverse leg portion of vertical 'angle member 86. Its right edge is lin direct alignment with the 12 left edge of slot 92. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear vertical edge Iof small channel member 65.

Runner guide plate 113-is mounted `with vits lower horizontal edge abutting the top horizont-al lface of channel member `63 and its rear vertical lface abutting the front yface of the transverse leg portion lof vertical :angle member 87. Its left edge is in direct alignment with the right edge `of slot 92. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear vertical edge of small channel member 66.

Runner guide plate 114 is mounted with its lower horizontal edge abutting the'top horizontal face of channel member 62 and its rear vertical face abutting the front face of the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 88. Its right edge is a measured distance from the left edge of slot 93. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear vertical edge of small channel member 69.

Runner guide plate 115 is mounted with its lower horizontal edge abutting the top horizontal face of channel member 62, and its rear vertical face abutting the front face of the transverse leg portion of vertical angle mem ber 89. Its left edge is a measured distance from the right edge of slot 93. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear vertical edge of small channel member '70.

Runner guide plate 116 is mounted with its lower horizontal edge abutting the top horizontal face of channel member 61 and its rear vertical face abutting the front 'face of the transverseleg portion of vertical angle member 90. Its right edge is in direct alignment with the left edge of slot 94. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear vertical edge of small channel member 72.

Runner guide plate 117 is mounted with its lower horizontal edge abutting the top horizontal face of channel member 61 and its rear vertical face abutting the front face of the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 91. Its left edge is in direct alignment with the right edge of slot 94. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear vertical edge of small channel member 73.

In side view (Figs. 3 and 7) runner guide plates 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117 are a measured width at their bottom portion; the back edges extending directly vertically upward t0 the tops, the front edges extending directly vertically upward for a measured distance and then angled a measured degree upwardly and forwardly for a measured distance and then extending directly vertically upward for a measured distance to their tops. In side view, runner guide plates 112, 113, 116, 117 are of equal measured width and runner guide plates 114 and 115 are of greater equal measured widths.

In the back, lower corner of cradle member 2, through the side leg portions of channel members 61, 62 and 63 of the cradle base portion 59, a measured distance from their rearmost ends, and through the backwardly extending leg portions of vertical angle members S6, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91 of the cradle back portion 60, a measured distance from their lowermost ends, are formed measured size holes to receive cradle mounting screw 58 which also is engaged through holes in the side cradle mounting lugs 56 and the center cradle mounting lugs 57. This forms a hinged connection between cradle member 2 and base carriage member 1, which permits the cradle member 2 to be selectively placed in a tilted position.

Hingedly connected to the left vertical side of the cradle back portion 60, and when in a closed position abutting cradle back portion 60 and cradle base portion 59, is a safety gate generally indicated at 118. The safety gate 118 is made up of a front Vertical side member 119, a rear vertical side member 120, a bottom horizontal strip member 121, a bottom horizontal threading strap guide 122, a middle horizontal strip member 123, a top horizontal threading guide 124 and a top horizontal strip member 125;

The front vertical side member 119 is mounted with its widest face forward' and extends from the top front corner of the safety gate` 118- directly vertically downward to the lowermost edge of the left downwardly extending leg portion of channel member 63 of the cradle base portion 59. At the lower end of front vertical side member 119, on its right-hand side, is a notched cut-out a measured distance horizontally in from the right edge of front Vertical side member 119 and then extending directly vertically downward to the bottom edge of front vertical side member 119. The cut-out is such that when the safety gate 118 is in a closed position, the front vertical side member 119Awill receive the left side and a portion of the top of channel member 63, of the cradle base portion 59.

Rear vertical side member 120' is affixed parallel to front vertical side member 119 and is also positioned so that its widest face is forward. It extends at its top end to and abutting the underside of top horizontal strip member 125 and at its bottom to and abutting the top side of bottom horizontal strip member 121.

Bottom horizontal strip member 121 is in a horizontal plane a measured distance above the horizontal plane of the top side of channel member 63 of the cradle base portion 59. It is a'xed so that it is abutting and perpendicular to the rear face of front Vertical side member 119 and extends rearwardly a measured distance beyond the lower edge of rear vertical side member 120. p

The bottom horizontal strap threading guide 122 is in a plane parallel to and a measured distance above the plane of the bottom horizontal strip member 121. Bottom horizontal strap threading guide 122 abuts and is axed to front vertical side member 119 at its front end and abuts and is afxed to the rear vertical side member 120 at its back end.

Middle horizontal strip member 123 is in a plane parallel to, and a measured distance above, the plane of the bottom horizontal strap threading guide 122.` It abuts, and is aixed to, the front vertical side member 119 at its front end and abuts, and is axed to, the rear vertical side member 120 at its back end.

Top horizontal strap threading guide 124 is in a plane parallel to, and a measured distance above, the plane of the middle horizontal strip member 123. It abuts, and is aflxed to, the front vertical 'side member 119 at its front end and abuts, and is axed to, the rear vertical side member 120 at its back end.

Top horizontal strip member 125 is in a plane parallel to, and a measured distance above, the plane of the top horizontal strap threading guide 124. It abuts and is aixed to the top yedge of front vertical side member 119 yand extends horizontally rearwardly a measured distance beyond the top edge of rear vertical side member 120.

Bottom horizontal strip member 121, bottom horizontal strap threading guide 122, middle horizontal strip member 123, top horizontal strap threading guide 124 and top horizontal strip member 125 all have a notched cut-out extending from their rearmost ends a measured distance forwardly on their right-hand edges so that when the safety gate 118 is in a closed position, the notched cutouts will receive the sides and a portion of the front edges of the left-hand ends of horizontal transverse at strip member 95, horizontal transverse flat strip member 96, horizontal transverse channel member 97, horizontal .transverse channel member 98 and horizontal transverse at strip member 103 of the cradle back portion 60.

In top view, the horizontal strap threading guides 122 and 124 are similar to the vertical strip threading guides 109, 110 and 111 of the cradle back portion 60. That is, their top and bottom'side portions are a measured width at their forwardmost ends with the left-hand edge angling to the'left and rearwardly for a measured distance and then arcuately to the right to meet the inside edge of rear 'vertical side member 120, and the right-hand edge extend- 'ing directly horizontally rearwardly.

In cross section, the horizontal strap threading guides 122 and 124 are also U-shaped at any given section. The top and bottom portions are abutted `at their left-hand edges by the vertical side portions and also joined thereby. Thus, there are formed box-like structures closed at their left-hand side and opened to their right-hand side.

Mounted on the left-hand outside surface of the backwardly extending leg portion of vertical angle member 86, of the cradle back portion 60, are safety gate connecting lugs 126 and 127. Safety gate connecting lugs 126 and 127 are axed to the vertical angle member 86 and extend horizontally to the left a measured distance. Safety gate connecting lug 126 is axed a measured distance above and in a plane parallel to the plane of the top surface of the cradle base portion 59. Safety gate connecting lug 127 is atiixed in a plane parallel to the safety gate connecting lug 126 and a measured distance below the uppermost edge of cradle back portion 60. In top view (Figs. 8 and 9) the safety gate connecting lugs 126 and 127 have 'straight back and right side edges with the left -side edges extending forwardly into an arcuate left front corner and then into a straight front edge.

Formed through the central portion of safety gate connecting lugs 126 and 127 and through the rearmost extendingportions of bottom horizontal strip member 121 and top horizontal strip member 125 of the safety gate 118,

are vertical holes to receive the vertical connecting pin` 128. The rearwardly extending portion of top horizontal strip member 125 of the safety gate 118 extends above with its lower horizontal surface abutting the upper horizontal surface of safety gate connecting lug 127 and the rearwardly extending portion of bottom horizontal strip member 121 of the safety gate 118 extends below and its upperhorizontal surface abuts the lower horizontal surface of safety gate connecting lug 126. Thus is formed a hinged connection between safety gate 118 and the cradle back portion 60.

The rearmost extending portions of bottom horizontal strip member 121 and top horizontal strip member 125 of the safety gate 118 are cut at an angle starting at a point a measured distance from their rearmost ends and angled to the left and rearwardly to their rearmost ends to form angle surfaces 129 and 130 (Figs. 4, 8 and 9). These angled surfaces 129 and 130 are formed in such a way that when safety gate 118 is opened to the left it can only be opened a measured amount until angled surfaces 129 and 130 engage the left-hand outside surface of the rearwardly extending leg portion of vertical angle member 86 of the cradle back portion 6l).l Thus, this permits the safety gate 118 only to be opened a predetermined distance.

On the front vertical surface of front vertical side member 119 of the safety gate 118 and in its lower portion a measured distance from its lowerm-ost edge and a meas ured distance in from its left-hand edge is mounted a safety gate latch generally indicated at 131 (Figs. l0 and l1). In front view safety gate latch 131 has a horizontal top edge with arcuate left and right-hand edges. Its lower edge downward and to the right a measured degree into an arcuate portion and then angles upwardly a measured degree into hook portion 132. It is mounted on the front vertical side member 119 of the safety gate 118 by a connecting screw 133 which exten'ds through a hole a measured distance to the right of the left-hand edge and above the lower edge of safety gate latch 131.

ln the left-hand side of safety gate latch 131 a measured distance from the left-hand side and a measured distance from the top and bott-om sides is formed a hole 134. Through hole 134 is connected the lower end of a helical spring 135. The other end of the helical spring 135 is received through a cotter key 136 which in turn is received through a hole 137 in the front vertical side member 119 of the safety gate 118. Hole 137 is a measured distance above the lowermost end and a measured distance in froml the left-hand side of front vertical side member 119 of the safety gate 118.

Aixe'd to the right-hand surface of the left-hand downwardly extending leg portion of channel member 63 of the cradle base portion 59 and abutting the underside of the horizontal portion :of channel member 63 of the cradle base portion 59 is a horizontal forwardly extending latching pin 138. Latching pin 138 extends forward a measured distance beyond the forwardmost end of channel member 63 and is received by the hook portion 132 of the safety gate latch 131 when the safety gate 118 is in the closed position.

This reception of the latching pin 138 in the hook portion 132 of the safety gate latch 131 is permitted by the right arcuate side portion of the safety gate latch 131 riding up ou latching pin 138 causing the safety gate latch to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction around connecting screw 133 and the helical spring 135 to extend. When the latching pin 138 is in alignment with the hook portion 132 of the safety gate latoh 131, the helical spring 135 forces the hook portion 132 of the safety gate latch 131 to receive the latching pin 138 by pulling upwardly and forcing the safety gate latch 131 to pivot around the connecting screw 133 in a clockwise direction.

Also on the front vertical face of front vertical side member 119 of the safety gate 118 and extending forwardly a measured distance is stop pin 139. Stop pin 139 is affixed a measured distance above the lowermost end of front vertical side member 119 and a measured distance in from its left-hand side so that it abuts the horizontal top edge of safety gate latch 131 when the latch 131 is in a horizontal position. This limits the distance that the helical spring 135 can pivot the safety gate latch 131 around the connecting screw 133 and makes it so that the right-hand arcuate edge of safety gate latch 131 is always in a position to ride on the latching pin 138, and also so that safety gate latch 131 can never pivot far enough in the clockwise :direction so that latching pin 138 would be above the top horizontal edge of safety gate latch 131.

ln the right-hand portion, a measured distance from the top horizontal edge and a measured distance in from the right-hand arcuate edge of safety gate latch 131, is Unlatching` pin 146. Unlatching pin 140 is received through a hole in the safety gate latch 131 and extends horizontally forwardly a measured distance.

Mounted on the right-hand surface of the left-hand downwardly extending leg portion of channel member 63- of the cradle base portion 59 is an automatic safety gate unlatching bar generally indicated at 141. Unlatching bar 141 is pivotally aixed by means of a mounting screw 142 which is received in a hole formed in mounting plate 143. Mounting plate 143 is in turn affixed to the righthand surface of the downwardly extending leg portion of channel member 63. The mounting screw 142 is received through a hole in the Unlatching bar 141 a measured distance from its rearmost end. Mounting plate 143 is mounted a measured distance from the front end of channel member 63 and its lower edge is in alignment with the lowermost edge of channel member 63.

in side view (Fig. 1l) the Unlatching bar 141 has a straight forwardly and rearwardly extending portion 144 which terminates at its rearmost end in an upwardly extending portion 145, and at its forwardmost end in an Unlatching portion 146. The forwardly extending rear portion 145 normally abuts the underside of the horizontal portion of the channel member 63 at its top edge I and thus limits the downward movement of the unlatching portion 146 by limiting the amount the unlatching bar 141 can pivot in a counter-clockwise direction around mounting crew 142.

When the cradle member 2 is selectively tilted so that the cradle base portion 59 is in a horizontal position, the underside of the straight portion 144 of the Unlatching bar 141 strikes against the front member 4 of the base carriage member 1, and forces the Unlatching bar 141 to be pivoted -around mounting screw 142 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1l). As the unlatching bar 141 pivots in a clockwise direction,y the unlatching portion 146 strikes the Unlatching pin in the safety gate latch 131, forcing the safety gate latch 131 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction around connecting screw 133 (Fig. 10). The latching pin 138 is then disengaged from the hook portion 132 of the safety gate latch 131 so that the safetyy gate 118 can be selectively moved in a left-hand direction.

It will now be necessary to describe the construction of thel brick package, a perspective View of which is shown in Fig. 13, which, as was before stated, is not claimed as a part of this invention but is` -merely shown to more clearly describe the workings of the various parts of the brick packageforming machine comprising the present invention.

Referring to Figure 13, the brick package, generally indicated at 15G', is made up of three brick runner strips 151, 152, and 153 underneath which are three corrugated cardboard strips 154, and 156 and over which are tive layers of bricks generally indicated at 157, 158, 159, and 161 which layers are separated by sheets of chipboard 170. The brick package 150 may be held together by horizontal straps 162 which extend horizontally around layers 158V and 160 of the package and cover side corrugated cardboard strips 163, 164, and 166. On the upper front and rear corners of the fifth layer 161 of bricks are front and rear corrugated cardboard strips 167 and 168. Over these are vertical straps 169 which go under the brick runner strips 151, 152 and 153 and around the brick package 150. Between the rst and second layers of bricks, the second and third layers of bricks, the third and fourth layers of bricks, and the fourth and fifth layers of bricks are sheets of chipboard indicated at 170.

The entire brick package 150 is made up of bricks standing on their narrowest, longest faces ywith the exception that the runner strips 151, 152 and 153 are made up of bricks laying on their widest, longest faces. The left side brick runner strip 151 extends from front to rear and is made up of three bricks laid end to end. Runner strip 151 is a measured distance to the right of the left-hand edge of the first layer of bricks 157.

The center runner strip 152 is made up of six bricks with their longest, narrowest faces abutting each other and their ends extending to the right and to the left center runner strip 152 is centrally located between the left and right-hand edges of the first layer of bricks 157.

Right-hand runner strip 153 is identical to the left-hand runner strip 151 and is set in a measured distance from the right-hand edge of the tirst layer of bricks 157.

The first layer of bricks 157 is made up of four rows of ten bricks as shown in Fig. 14. Each row is assembled so that the bricksl arev abutting each other on their widest, longest faces, and the bricks of each row abut the bricks of the next row at their ends.

The second layervof bricks 158 is made up of three rows of ten bricks each sitting in the same position as 1n row 1 (Fig. 15 On the left-hand side of these three rows of bricks is one row of three bricks set end to end, with this row extending a measured distance in front of and behind the other three rows. On the right-hand s1de are two rows of three bricks each laid end to end. These also extend a measured distance beyond the other three rows at the front and at the rear.

The third layer of bricks 159 is identical to the first layer of bricks 157 (Fig. 14).

The fourth layer of bricks 160 is identical to the second layer of bricks 158 with the exception that the single row of three bricks laid end to end is on the right-hand s1de and the double row of three bricks laid end to end 1s on the left-hand side (Fig. 16).

The top or fifth layer of bricks 161 is identical tothe first layer of bricks '157 and the third layer of bricks 159 (Fig. 14).

Chipboard is used between each of the layers of brlcks 157, 158, 159, 1450 and 161 so that there is something cmpressible between the layers of brick to .allow the steel straps 162 and 169 to tightlyy fasten and securely bind the package. It also serves to take up any unevenness of the bricks and helps prevent them from sliding on or damaging each other during transportation.

It is also frequently desirable to place a sheet of corrugated cardboard over the brick runner strips 151, 152 and 153 before assembling the rst layer of bricks 157 thereabove. This may serve to better tie the package together.

Operation of the improved brick package forming machine can best be shown by describing step by step thev actual procedure followed in the building of a brick package. In the beginning the cradle member 2 is in a slightly tilted position las shown in Fig. 3, held there by the helical springs 42 which are retained in the spring retaining members 41 of the base carriage member 1.

Firstly, the telescoping lifting bar 149 is placed'in its extended position and, using this as a lever arm, the cradle member 2 is placed in Ia tilted position slightly beyond center to the rear, so that the tops of the cradle positioning screws 43 are resting against back sides of the rearwardly extending leg portions of the vertical angle members 86 and 91 of the cradle back portion 60. Since the cradle member y2 is beyond center to the rear, the force of gravity holds it in the tilted position against the cradle positioning screws 43. The safety gate 118 is in a closed position so that the hook portion 132 of the safety gate latch 131 is engaged over the latching pin 138. The telescoping liftingbar 149 is then placed in its retracted position.

As the cradle member 2 is raised to a tilted position, the cradle connecting lugs 39, which are attached to the channel member 62 of the cradle baserportion 59, force the connecting rod and plunger 30 of the oil cylinder 26 toward its extended position. v As the connecting rod and plunger 30 is forced into extended position, the oil in the front part of the cylinder l26 is forced through by-pass` tube portion 34, by-pass valve 33 4and by-pass tube portion 32, into the back part `of the cylinder 26 and below the connecting rod and plunger 30. p

Also, as the connecting rod and plunger 30 are extended, the connecting pin 37 is forced to the front part of the slot 36 in the connecting portion 35 of the connecting rod, and the oil cylinder 26 pivots around the connecting pin 28 in the mounting holes 25 connecting the rear mounting ring 27 of the oil cylinder 26 to thev oil cylinder mounting lugs 21 on the base carriage member 1. Because the by-pases valve 33 is open for oil to freely pass in this direction, the ycylinder 26 oers very little resistance to the cradle member 2 being placed in a tilted position.

When the cradle member 2 is in tilited position as shown in Fig. 12, the helical spring 51a forces the safety foot lever 47 to rotate slightly in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 12) around connecting screw 53.k 'Ihis causes the notched cut-out 55 in the arcuate upwardly extending portion 50 of the foot lever 47 to be received over the square piece of steel plate 55a which is aixed to the side of the crade member 2. Thus the cradle member 2 is safely held in a tilted position.

The workman then places the corrugated cardboard strips 154, 155 and 156 in place. from a measured distance beyond the front edge of cradle base portion 59, the length of cradle base portion 59, to the lower front edges of the runner guide plates 112, 113, 114, 115, `116 and 117. They then extend a measured distance up the front vertical faces of the runner guide plates as can best be seen in Figs. 17 and 18. The corrugated cardboard strips 154, 155 and 156 lay flat against the top horizontal portions of small channel members 65, 66, 69, 70, 72,and 73 of the channel members 63, 62 and 61 of the cradle base portion 59.

In width, the corrugated cardboard strip 154 extends from the right-hand side of the vertically extending leg These strips extendv bricks sitting on their longest, narrowest faces and of the angle 64 on the channel member 63 to theright to the right-hand edge of small channel memberr 66 on the channel member 63. In width, the corrugated cardboard strip extends from the righthand side of the forwardly extending leg portion of the angle member l68 on the channel member62 and vextends to the right a measured distance to the right of the right-hand edge of channel member 62.- The corrugated cardboardstrip 156, in width, extends from the leftha'nd` edge-of the vertically extendingleg portion of angle member 75 on the channel member 61 to the left to the left-handfedge of small channel member 72 on the channel memberwl.

The three bricks of brick runner strip 151 are placed so that their left edges abut the vertically extending leg portion of angle 64 of the channel member 63 and so.v that their bottom faces are laying .on ythe corrugated cardboard strip 154 which in turn lays'on small channelv members 65 and 66. 'Ihe rear edge voi: the rearmost brick abuts the forwardmost edgeofthe runner guide plates 112 and 113 (Fig. 17).

The center brick runner strip 152 is placed so that the left-hand` ends of its six bricks abut the` right- handv 69 and 70 on the channel member 62. The rearmost. edge of the rearmost brick abuts the forwardmost verti-l.- Y cal edge of the runnervguide plates 114 and1*15 (Fig.

The rright-hand brick runner strpissis sneed 'Se rthat the right-hand edges ofthe three bricks abut the vertically extending leg portionof angle 75. yThe bottom` faces of the brick lay on the corrugated cardboard strip 156 which in turn lays on rthe top of the small channel members 472 and l73 of the channel member 61. The rearmost edge of the rearmost brick abuts ,the frontmost vertical edgev of the runnerl guide plates .116 andv1717. (Fig. 17). 1 v Y" On top of the brick 157 consists of four rows of tenfbricks .each with the their widest, longest faces towards the front.I

The back faces' of the rearmost bricks of eachvof vthe four rows abuts-'the forwardmost edge of horizontal transverse ilat strip member 95 of the `cradle backpor tion 60 (Fig. 17) and theleft-hand edge of the left-hand row of bricks abuts the right-hand edge of the bottom horizontal strip member 121 of the safety gate 118 (Fig.

19.) It can be seen that, by starting to buildtheiirst layer of bricks 157 from the left-hand rear corner and using the bottom horizontal strip member 121k of the safe7 ty gate 118 and the horizontal transverse flat strip member 95 of the cradle back portion 60 as guides, the'rst layer of bricks 157 can be very speedily-and accuratelyas- I sembled.

Next, one of the sheets of vchipboard is placed on. top of the first layer ofbricks `157 as canqbe seen in Figs. 17, 18 and 19. Side corrugated cardboard vstrip?v 163` is also put in place, with its left-hand side abutting the right-hand edge of bottom horizontal strap threadingy guide v122 and with its lrearmost end `extending rear wardly` to the front left-hand edge of channel portion 99 of the horizontal transverse channel member 97 and. then to the right a measured distance in the notched cutout that is thereA formed.

the top of the sheet of chipboard and abutting-the right.-

(Figs. 8, 13 and 19). On

hand face of side corrugated cardboard strip 163 is built the second layer of bricks 158 as shown in Fig. l5. Y, As can be seen in Fig. 15, the second layer of bricks,

158 is made up of a left-hand row of three ybrickslaid runner strips 151,. 152 is built the first layer of-bricks157, as shown -inFig. 14. As can be seen in Fig. 14 the first layer of bricks v1.9 rear and their longest, widestfaces to the sides. T o thef'right' of the left-hand rowof'thieexbricksare three rows of ten4 brick-s each, withy thef bricks sittingjon :their longest; narrowest' Afacesiand theirlongest; widest-'faces tothe frontand-rear.V On the "right-hand side vof the second'layer of bricks 158faretwo'rowsV of three bricks each'inthe samecposition as Athe row Vof three bricks on the leftehand side;

The -secondrlayerof bricks 158 is `also built starting with the'left-handtrow offthree bricks'. The iirst brick put inplaceis thebrick inthe leftfrearfcorner, andrit is placed so'thatA its rearmost end abuts the forwardrnost extending edges ofchannel `portion,99of the horizontal transverse channel member'97 :of the cradle back vportion 60-=and so that its left-handyedge abuts the right-hand` edge-of side Vcorrugatedtcardboard strip 163'which abuts the-b`ottom horizontal.' strap threading guide 122 of the safety'-gate"118' The front twobricks of the left-hand rowof the second layer ofbricks- 158 are placed in front and abutting the'rst brick'and sotthat their left-hand edges also abut the `right-handedge off side corrugated cardboard'4 strip 163"which abuts` the bottomV horizontal strap threading guide122`of the safetygate 1181'(Fig. 19,).

The three rows" of vten bricks'each are then placed tightly against" the'left-hand row of 'three bricks so that the rearmostf'bricks of these threerows abut the forwardmost edges ofchannel portions 100 and 101 ,of the horizontal transverse channel rmember 97 of ,the cradle b'ack'portion"60. The two right-hand rows of three bricks each arelthen placed tightly against the rightand edge of; the right-'handmow 'of ten bricks with' the back edgesofthe rearmostbricks yabutting the` cut-out in 4thl'exglztt. end` of'channel portion -101 of the horizontal transversechannel'member 97' and the forwardmost extending .edges .of channel portion` 102 ofthe horizontal transverseA channel member 97(Figs. 17'and 18).

Ontop ofthe completedsecond klayer of bricks 158 is placed'I another sheet of chipboard 170"(Figs. 17, 18 and 19). On top of .the sheet of chipboard is .built the third layer of bricksk 159, the thirdlayer of bricks 159 beingA identical to the .iirstlayer .ofbricks167g as shown in Fig.

14.' It is built, astheirst two layers were built, starting..

with the' rearmost brick" in the left-hand row. The 'lefthand edges nof the bricks in the thirdllayer abut the righthandcdge of :the middle horizontal strip member 123 of thejsafety'gate 118; andthe rearmost bricks' abut the forwardmost Vstripl member 96 'of the cradle back'portion 60l (Figs. y17 land`18).l i

On top of the third layer of ',bricks159 is placed another sheet1of chipboard 170." Also,side'corrugated cardboard ystripg164 is put in place with its left=hand side abuttingv the right-hand edge ofitophorizontal strap: threading t guide 124,',and with tsrearmost end 'extending rearwardly` to the frontleft-hand'edge'of channel portion 104 of the horizontal transverse channel'member; 98and then to the right aimeasured distancev into vthe notched"A cut-out that isv there kformed in thev leftendof channel portion104 (Figs.,8, 13 and 19). On top of the sheet of chipboard and abutting the right-hand faceof side corrugatedcardboardrstrip` 164 is built the fourthlayer lof bricks 160 asy shown inFig; 16.

Asican be seen in Fig;v 16 the fourth layer of bricks 160 is justthe reverse ofthe second layer of bricks 158. That is, the fourth layer of bricks'160 consists of two rows'ofthree bricks on its right-hand fside. The-fourth layer is lbuilt up,A as the'otherl layers were, starting with the rearmostbrick in the left-hand row.

The first brick is placed so that its rearmost end abuts the forwardrnost'-extendingI edges ofchannel portion 104 ofthe horizontaltransversechannel member 98 of the cradle portion 60, and sothat its left-hand edge abuts the, right-hand edge of side vcorrugated cardboardl strip 164 which abuts the top horizontal strap threading guide 124 ofthe safetygate 118. The fronttwo bricks ofthe left-hand row of the fourth layer of bricks 160 are placed inl frontV andI Iabutting the rstbrick so that theirV left? handedges also abut the right-handedge of side corrugated cardboardr strip164 which abuts' the, topy horizontal strap threadingV guide 124 ofV the safety gate 118 (Fig. 19).

The second row` of threev bricks is` placed tightly up against the'rst rowof three bricks so that the rearmost end of its rearmost brick abuts-the notched'cut out in the left end of channel portion 105.` Three rows of ten bricks'each are then placed tightly against the rst two left-hand rows of three bricks eachrso that their back faces of their rearrnost bricks abut`the'forward extend# ing Aedges of channel portions and 106 of channel member 98 -of the cradle back portion 60.` The right# hand row of three bricks is then placed tightly against the three rows of ten bricks eachso that the rearmost' end of the rearmost brick'abuts the forwardmost `extendingedges of channel portion 107 lof the channel member 98.

Another sheetof chipboard 170 is placed on'top'of thefourth layer'of bricks 160. On top of the sheet yof chipboard is placed the'fth layer of bricks 161. The fifth layer of bricks 161 is identical to the third layerof bricks 159 and the-lirst layer of bricks 157. That is, it consists of foury rows of ten bricks each as shown in` Fig. 14.

Thisv layer of bricks is again'built from the' left rearL corner with the back face ofthe rearmost brick of the left-hand rowlabuttingl theforwardmost edge of horizontal transverse fiat strip member 103 of the cradle backV Next, the'side corrugated cardboard strip 165 isrplaced` so that its rearmost end is inserted between the back edge of the rearmost brick in the right-'hand row of the second layer' of lbricks 158'- and the back edge of theY notched cut-out'l formed in the-channelportion 102 of the channel member`97 of the cradle back'portion 60.` The' side corrugated cardboard strip 165 is then bent so thatit extends forwardly and abuts the right-hand edge ofthe second layerof bricks 158; Side corrugated cardboardv strip 166-`is similarly, placed around the right-hand edge of theffourth` layerof 4bricks 160, so that its rearrnost edgeextends between the back face of the rearmost brick in the righthand row and the back edge of the notched cut-out in-channel portion 107 of the channel member 93 inthe cradle back portionl60, and so that'it extends forwardlyeand abuts the right-hand'edge of the fourthlayer of bricks 160.l

and the arcuate left-hand edges of strap threading guides 122 and 124-causesthe strapsto go-around the-left-hand sides'of the second layerY of bricks158 and thefourthlayerofl bricks andvpass between theforwardly extending leggportions of channel members 97 and 98 of the cradle back portion'60c The ends ofthe strap ultimately end up, after having circled the left sides and therearsides of thesecondand fourthlayers of bricks 158 and 160, protrudingfrom'the rear vright-handcorner of the brick packaging machine.` 1

Theworkman then lgraspsathese protruding ends of the straps and continues to circle them around the right-hand sidesl and the front sides of 'the second layer of bricks 158 of the fourth layer of bricks 160 and on thefront# facefof vvthe second andfourth layersl fof bricks joins the ammi that the cradle base portion 59 is in a horizontalv` plane.

This is accomplished by the workman placing his foot on the foot pad 49 of the safety foot lever 47 and causing the safety foot lever 47 to rotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 12),'thereby extending helical spring 51a and causing the notched cut-out 55 in the arcuate upwardly extending portion 50 of the safety foot lever 47 to be disengaged from the steel plate 55a on the cradle base portion 59. He then grasps thev safety handle members 76, 80 or S4 or the telescoping lifting bar 149 and forces the cradle member 2 to rotate in a -clockwise directionl (Fig. 12). As the loaded cradle member 2 rotates past center the weight of the bricks forces the cradle base portion 59 downwardly.

This downward motion is resisted by the oil cylinder 29 which allows the cradle member 2 to slowly move to normal position. Only slow downward motion of the cradlemember 2 is allowed since by-pass valve 33 of the voil cylinder 29 is closed for oil moving to the front of the cylinder and no oil passes through by-pass tube portion 32 or by-pass tube portion 34, but rather all oil moving to `the front part of air cylinder 29 must pass through 'a small orice in the plunger of the cylinder.

- As the cradle member 2 approaches normal position, the cradle base portion 59 engages the top `ends of helical springs 42, which are heldin the spring retaining members 41 of the base carriage member 1, and causes vthese lhelical springs 42 to compress. Also, as the cradle member 2 approaches normal position, the bottom edge of the unlatching bar 141 strikes the topk edge of the front :member 4 of the base carriage 1 and forces the unlatch- .ing barv141 to rotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. ll).

This causes the unlatching portion 146 ofk the unlatch- I'ing bar 141 to strike the unlatching pin 140 in the safety ,gate latch 131 and thereby forces the safety gate latch 131 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. l0) ,l

extending helical spring 135 and causing the hooked portion 132 to disengage the latching pin 138. Once the cradle 2 is completely returned to normal position, so -that the cradle base member 59, is horizontal, the safety gate 118 can be swung to the left away from the brick package. v

Next, the workman places the front corner corrugated y'cardboard strip 167 over the. top front edge of the fth layer of bricks 161 and the rear corner corrugated cardboard strip 168 over the top rear corner of the fth layer -of bricks 161, as seen in Fig. 13. He then is ready to place vertical straps 169 vertically around the bric package.

The three vertical strapsv 169 are started at the top back corner of the brick package and fed into the top vof slots 92, 93 and 94 of the cradle back portion; 60. vAs vertical straps 169 are fed into these slots 92, 93 and '94, they protrude into vertical strap threading guides 109, 110 and 111. y l

Because of the box-like arcuate back edge structure of the vertical strap threading guides 109, 110 and 111, as the vertical straps 169 are fed into them, the straps .are forced downwardly around the back` of the brick -package and thence forwardly at the bottom of lthe brick package into slots 67, 71 and 74 formed on the channel members 63, 62 and 61 between the small channel members 65, 66, 69, 70, 72' and 73 of the cradle base portion 59. The vertical straps 169 proceed forwardly through 4the slots 67, 71 and .74 and end up protruding from the front bottom :edge ofthe brick package.

The workman then grasps these protruding ends and Yplates and 85a.

vcompressed position, force continues to circle the vertical straps 169 around the front ksteel straps 169 causes the ends of the corrugated cardboard strips 154, and 156, under the brick runner strips 151, 152 and 153to be bent upwardly around the front and rear corners of brick runner strips 151, 152' and 153. v

The brick package is now ready for removal from the brick package forming machine by means of a fork lift truck or the like. The forks of a fork lift truck are inserted between the brick runner strips 151 yand 152 and between the brick runner strips 152 and 153.v As the forks of the lift ytruck are inserted at these points under the brick package, they will be between channel members 61 and 62 and between channel members 62 and 63 of the cradle base portion 59, and the ends of the forks will strike lthe topv surface ofthe fork deflectng Because of the angled .positionof the fork deflectng plates 85 and 85a the' forks of the fork lift truck will be forced upwardly into their proper position under the first layer of bricks .157 and between the channel members 61 and 62 and 63. f

The purpose of this procedure is so that the fork lift truck operator may always keep *the forks low enough to strike the fork deflectng plates 85 and 85a rather than trying to accurately gauge the fork height in the spaces between the brick runner strips. By followingthis procedure there is no danger of theforks striking the front bottom corner of the lfirst layer of bracks 157 and thereby seriously damagingthe package. i.

Once the forks of the fork lift truck have ,been inserted into place, the package may be lifted .directlyvvertically `upward, as can be seen in Fig. 20. As the package is lifted vertically upward and part ofthe weight of the brick package is lifted from the cradle member 23, the helical springs 42 in the spring retaining membersv 41 of the base carriage member 1, which have been -in .a the cradle member 2 toagain begin to tilt. v

This tilting action of cradle member 2 and also the upwardly angled position of the top `forwardly extending leg portions of channel members 97 and 98 of the cradle back portion 60 allows the back of the brick package to` clear the cradle back portion 60 so thatl noneof :the bricks or the horizontal straps 162 are damaged. Also, because of the configuration of runner guide plates 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117, the back upwardly yextending ends of the corrugated cardboard strips 154, 155,.and 156 under the brick runner strips 151, 152 and 153 are able to.slide past the front surface of.the. runner guide plates 112, 113, 11.4,` .115, 116 and117 and therefore are not torn or damaged. Since the safety gate 118 has been swung to the -left .away from the brick package from the time the cradle member 2 had been returned tonormal position, the safety gate k118 doesnot vin any way hinder the removal of the brick package from the brick package forming machine.v

After the brick package has been removed from the brick package forming machine it may be moved either into storage or on to transportation means. yAlso, after the brick package has been removed from the brick package forming machine, thefbrick package forming machine is ready for another package to be formed thereon. The safety `'gate 118 is swung to the right until itsbottom` portion abuts the channel member 63 of the cradle base portion 59 and the safety gate latch 131 automatically latches over latching pin 138, holding the safety gate.118

v23* safety gate 118 because after the brickpackage was removed from the jbrickpackage forming machine and the Acradle member 2' returned lto its slightly vtilted position,

the unlatching portion 146 was no longer in Contact with unlatching pin 140.

It can be seen from the above description thatthe brick package forming machine herein disclosed is one upon which the brick packaging operation can be done conveniently, quickly and economically'by one man due to the unique guides for placing the bricks in their proper place in ythe'brick package and also for vguiding the various steel straps around the brick package. Itis also apparent that by use of this brick package vforming machine with the tilted cradle position for loading, the bricks nest l'against each other and in place by their own force o 'r' gravity and `thereby form a tight brick package.

Further, here is presented a Abrick package forming machine having movable means so that the machine can ybe taken directly into thebrick kilnand there loadedl to eliminate double vhandling of the bricks. And as the bricks are loaded on the brick package forming machine, because ofthe unique tilted position of the cradle, the bricks are essentially clean of any particles of baked to the 'exact `details of the construction shown.

- Having now described the invention, the construction, operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful construction and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in the appended claims.

A'What we claim is:

l. Abrick package forming machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member, cooperating hinge means on said-base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, a vertical side gate having an inner face, said gate being hingedly connected to said cradle member, and

guide means on said side gate partially extending goutward from the inner face of said side gate serving as guides for positioning `each layer kof bricks in a particular `lateral position in a brick package being formed.

l2. A brick package forming machine including a base v,carriage member, a cradle member having a ,horizontal ybase portion with an upper side and a vertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage'and cradle ymembers hingedly connecting said cradle member-to said base carriage member, a side gate having an inner'face, said gate being hingedly connected -to said cradle member, guide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base -portion and voutward from the front face of said vertical cradle back portionserving as guides for positioning bricks in their proper place in a brick package being formed, -and guide means partially extending outward from the inner face of said side gate `serving as Vguides for'positioning each'layer of bricks in a particular lateralposition ina brick package being formed.

3. Amachine upon which bricks are formed into a package bound by straps, said machine including a base vcarriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal baser-portion and a vertical 'back portion, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage'and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said'base carriage member, a side gate hingedly connected to said cradle member, strap guide means on said cradle member vertical back portion and said side gate to guide horizontalstraps around the brick Ypackageincluding arcuately formed box-like strap guides `on at least one of said portion and gate for guiding straps across said one of said portion and gate and then in an arcuate path into thestrap guides on the other of said portion and gate.

4. A machine upon vwhich bricks are formed into a package bound by straps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion and a vertical back portion, cooperating hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, strap guide means on said cradle member horizontal base portion and Vertical back portion to guide vertical straps around the brick package including arcuately formed box-like strap guides on at least one of said hinge4 means on said base carriage and cradle members ,portions for guiding strap-s across said one portion and then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other o f said portions, a side gate hingedly Aconnected to said cradle membenand strap guide means on said cradle member vertical back portion and said side gate to guide horizontal straps around the brick package including arcuately formed box-like strap guides onat `leastone of said portion and gate for guiding straps across said one of said portion and gate and then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portion and gate.

5. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion with an upper side and a vertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage membenguide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from the front `tace of said vertical cradle back portion serving as guides for positioning bricks in their proper place, and cushion means constructed to automatically tilt said cradle member from normal position to a slightly tilted position as the brick package is being lifted from the brick package forming machine so that said guide means on said cradle member is out of engagement with the brick package.

L6. A machine upon which bricks are formed into a package bound by straps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion with an-upper side and a vertical back portion with a Afront face, cooperating hinge means on s aid base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, a side gate having an inner face, said gate being hingedly connected to said cradle member, guide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outwardfrorn the front face of said vertical cradle back portion serving as guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, guide means partially extending outward from the inner face of said side gate serving as guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, and strap guide means on said cradle member vertical back portionand said side gate to guide horizontal straps around the brick package including arcuately formed box-like strap guides on yat least one of said portion and gate for guiding straps across said one of said portion and gate and then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portion and gate.

7. A machine upon which bricks are formed into a package hound by straps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion with an upper side and a vertical back portion with a front face, `cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base vcarriage member, a side gate -having aninner face, said gate being hingedly connected to said cradle membengnide means extending outward from the upper side of usaid horizontal cradle Atially extending outward from the inner face of said side gate serving as guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, strap guide means on said cradle member horidontal base portion and vertical back portion to guide vertical straps around the brick package including arcuately formed box-like strap` guides on at least one of said portions for guiding straps across said one portion and then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portions, and strap guide means on said cradle member vertical back portion and said side gate to guide horizontal straps around the brick package including arcuately formed box-like strap guides on at least one of said vportion and gate for guiding straps across said one of said portion and gate and then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portion and gate.

8. A machine upon which bricks are formed into a package bound by straps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion with an upper face and a vertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, a side gate having an inner face, said gate being hingedly connected to said cradle member, guide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from the front face of said vertical cradle back portion serving as guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, guide means partially extending outward from the inner face of said side gate serving as guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, strap guide means on said cradle member horizontal base portion and vertical back portion to guide vertical straps around the brick package including arcuately formed box-like strap guides on at least one of said portions for guiding straps across said one portion and then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portions, strap guide means on said cradle member vertical back portion and said side gate to guide horizontal straps around the brick package including arcuately formed box-like strap guides on at least one of said portion and gate for guiding straps across said one of said portion or said gate and then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portion and gate, means positively holding said cradle member in the tilted position, cylinder means engaged with said cradle member and said base carriage member vconstructed to slowly and safely return said cradle member from tilted position to normal position, cushion means automatically tilting said cradle member as the brick package is being lifted from the brick package forming machine so that said guide means on said cradle member back portion is out of engagement with the brick package, adjustable stop means to position said cradle member in the tilted position, latch means `latching said side gate in its closed position, automatic unlatching means to unlatch the side gate automatically when the cradle member is returned to normal position including an unlatching bar pivotally mounted on one of said cradle member and base carriage member engaged by the other of said members and engaging the latch means during said return movement of said cradle member, a telescoping lifting member on said cradle member, and fork dellecting plates on said cradle member.

9. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion and a vertical back portion, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, the cradle member being movable between a normal position in which the cradle base portion extends generally horizontally and a tilted loading position in which said base portion is angled from horizontal, a side gate hingedly connected to the cradle member and movable between an open and closed position, latch means for securely retaining the side gate in closed position, and unlatching means for automatically unlatching said latch means when the cradle member is moved from its tilted loading position to its normal position.

l0. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portionA and a vertical back portion, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, the `cradle member being movable between a normal position in which the cradle base portion extends gener-y ally horizontally and a tilted loading position in which said base portion is angled from horizontal, selectively releasable means for securely retaining said cradle member in said tilted loading position, a side gate hingedly connected to the cradle member and movable between an open and closed position, latch means for securely retaining the side gate in closed position, and unlatching means for automatically unlatching said latch means when the cradle member is moved from its tilted loading position to its normal position.

11. A brick package for-ming machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion `with an upper side and a vertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, the cradle member being movable between a normal position in which the cradle base portion extends generally horizontally and a tilted loading position in which said base portion is angled from horizontal, selectively releasable means for securely retaining said cradle member in said tilted loading position, guide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from the front face of said vertical cradle back portion serving as guides for positioning bricks in their proper place, and cushion means constructed to automatically tilt said cradle member from normal position to a slightly tilted position as the brick package is being lifted from the forming machine so that said guide means on said cradle member is out of engagement with the brick package.

l2. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion With an upper side and a vertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriage member, the cradle member being movable between a normal position in which the cradle base portion extends generally horizontally and a tilted loading position in which said base portion is angled from horizontal, guide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from the front face of said vertical cradle back portion serving as guides for positioning bricks in their proper place, a side gate hingedly connected to the cradle member and movable between an open and closed position, latch means for securely retaining the side gate in closed position, unlatching means for automatically unlatching said latch means when the cradle member is moved from its tilted loading position to its normal position, and cushion means constructed to automatically tilt said cradle member from normal position to -a slightly tilted position as the brick package is being lifted from the forming machine so that said guide means on said cradle member is out of engagement with the brick package.

13. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, a cradle member having a horizontal base portion with an upper side and -a vertical back portion. with a front face, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and lcradle members hingedly connecting said-*cradlemem'ber to said base carriage member, the

cradle member beingmovable between a normal position in'which the cradle base portion extends generally horizontally and a tilted loading position in which said base portion is angled from horizontal, selectively releasable means for securely retaining said'cradle member in said tiltedloading position, guide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from the front face of said vertical cradle backportion serving as guides for positioning bricks in theirlproper place, -a side gate hingedly connected to the cradle member and movable between au open and closed position, latch means for securely retaining the side gate in closed position, unlatching means for automatically unlatching said latch means lwhen the cradle member is movedfrom its tilted loading position toits normal position, and cushion means constructed to 28 automatically tilt said cradle. member. from normal .posif tion to a slightly tiltedposition as the 'brick package is being liftedfrom 'the forming machine so thatsaid guide means 4on said cradle member is out of engagement with the brick package..

References Cited in the ile of thisp-atent UNITED -STATESV PATENTS 1,119,685 Crum Dec. 1, 1914 1,121,658" Pe'neld Dec. 22, 1914 1,626,933" Hawkins May 3, 1927 1,769,452 Murray July 1, 1930 1,777,694 Halteman Oct. 7, 1930 2,160,303 Card May 30, 1939 2,287,056 Owens .lune 23, 1942. 2,522,588 Sutherland Sept. 19, 1950l 2,616,361 Friesner Nov. 4, 1952 2,658,630 Melin Nov. 10, 1953 2,664,813' Rose Jan. 5, 1954

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