US784470A - Brick-press. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAR. '7, 1905.

E. D. CHURCH.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.1. 1904.

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Wmv/esse@ No. 784,470. PATENTED MAR. '7, 1905. E. D. CHURCH.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1904.

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.Patented March 7, 1905.

PATENT FFICE.

EDGAR D. CHURCH, OF SAGINAIV, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN SANDSTONE BRICK MACHINERY CO., OF SAGINAIV, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

BFilCK-PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,470, dated March 7, 1905. Application filed March l, 1904. Serial No. 196,087.

To all whom, '1125 may concern:

Be it known that'I, EDGAR D. CHURCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saginaw, in the county of Saginaw and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brick-Presses, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to machines for molding and pressing' bricks of that type comprising a rotary table or mold-carrier having a circular series of `moldcavities therein and plungers in said cavities which are adapted to be reciprocated thereon to successively receive the plastic material, compress it, and extract the compressed brick.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction, comprising the means employed for cleaning the plungers after each operation from adhering portions of the plastic material; further, the means for supporting the plunger-s; further, the means of adjusting the rotary table to maintain the same in proper relation with the compression head or abutment, and, further, in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure l is a sectional side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plunger-cleaning mechanism. Fig. 3 is a cross-section thereof. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the rotary table, showing the adjustable support therefor. Fig. 5 is a cross-section through one of the moldcavities in the table. Fig. 6 is a modified construction of the plunger-cleaning apparatus, and Fig'. 7 is a side elevation of parts shown in Fig. A.

A is a suitable bed or base. Bis the rotary table mounted thereon, being' journaled upon a vertically-extending pin or pivot C. This pivot is preferably formed by a bolt D, hav-` ing its nut E in a. recess in the bottom of the base and extending upward therefrom, being surrounded by a bushing E, which forms the journal or pivot for the table B. The upper end of the pin C passes through one end of a yoke Cr, the opposite end of which is secured to a column H, rising from the bed A in rear of the table B. The upper end of the bolt D is threaded and has engaged therewith the nut I, which when tightened will firmly clamp the bushing E between the yoke and the bed A.

The yoke Cr has secured to its under face the plate J, against which the plastic material in the molds is compressed. These molds K are arranged in circular series around the table B and are adapted to be successively registered with the plate J in the intermittent rotation of the table. Each of the mold-cavities K has arranged therein a plunger L, which at its upper end is preferably provided with a hardened face-platea and at its lower end carries the antifriction-roll M, adapted to travel on an annular cam-track N upon the base A. Thus in the rotation of the table the plungers will be raised or lowered in the mold-cavities in accordance with the shape of the camtrack N.

At one point in the bed the cam-track N is interrupted and in place thereof is arranged a vertically-movable plate O. This plate is raised and lowered by a lever l), which is fulcrumed in bearings in the bed and supports the plate O, preferably through the medium of an interposed roller Q. The lever I) is actuated by a link R, connecting it with an eccentric S upon the shaft T, said shaft being rotated through the medium of the pinion U and gear-wheel V, the latter being' secured to the d rive-shaft IV. These gears are supported upon a suitable framework mounted upon the base A.

rith the machine as thus far described in operation the table B is rotated intermittently by suitable actuating mechanism, such as the ratchet-lever X, connected to a crank Y on the shaft T by the rod Z. These parts are indicated by dotted lines in Fig'. l and are so arranged that in each rotation of the shaft T the table B will be given a partial rotation, so as to successively register the mold-cavities with the compression-plate J. At the same time the rotation of the shaft T will, through the medium of the eccentric S and rod R, actuate the lever I), and the timing is such that during the interval when the table B is stationary the lever P will raise the plate O. This plate being directly beneath one of the plungers will press the latter upward, thereby compressing' the plastic material in the moldcavity against the compression-plate J, which latter has its lower face ush with the upper face of the carrier B. In the further movement of the mechanism the table will be again partially rotated, which will carry the moldcavity having the pressed brick therein out of registration with the plate O and compressionplate J after which an incline in the camtrack N will raise the plunger and move the compressed brick out of the mold-cavity. Before the mold-cavity is again registered with the plate O and compression-plate J it passes beneath a hopper or receptacle for the plastic material, such as A', and is filled with material for another brick.

Heretofore in the continuous operation of the machine as just described certain difficulties have arisen which have interfered with the -successful operation. One yof these difficulties is due to the tendency for a portion of the plastic material pressed into the brick to adhere to the upper face ofthe plunger. Thus when the brick is removed (preferably by hand) if this adhering material remains upon the plunger in the second operation a greater quantity will adhere, with the result that after a few operations the shape of the bricks formed is imperfect, the lower face being' rough. This diliiculty is avoided by my plunger-cleaning mechanism, which is constructed as follows: L is a brush whicn is arranged above the table Bat a point in advance of the hopper A. This brush is operated by mechanism so that during the interval of rest of the table it will rub over the upper ,face c of the plunger L. As shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, this isaccomplished by connecting the brush Z1 with a head c, which is slidingly secured in horiZontally-extending guides in a head d, the latter being slidingly secured in vertical guides of a stationary head or supporting-bracket e. The head Z is connected to one end of a lever f, fulcrumed upon a stationary pin g. /t is a rod engaging with the opposite end of the lever f and itself connected to an eccentric@I upon a rotary shaft j'. This shaft is journaled in suitable bearings preferably secured to the yoke Gr and is revolved through the medium of a suitable drive conneetion, such as the pulley t on the shaft j', connected by the belt Z with a pulley m upon the shaft W. The eccentric t' is also connected by a link a with a lever 0, which is fulcrumed at p, and with its lower end engages a slotted bearing` in the brush I). W'ith the construction just described the rotation of the shaft j will cause a reciprocating movement to be imparted to the levers f and o. 'Ihe former will vertically reciprocate the head d, and the latter will horizontally recipment of the rod L being more than suficient Y to press the brush against the plunger.

Then the machine is operated with the cleaning attachment above described, any adhering material on the upper face of the plungers will be removed by the operation of the brush and as this brush always brushes in one direction and is moved independent from -the movement of the table the plungers will not only be thoroughly cleaned, but the brush itself will be kept clean. It is not, however, absolutely necessary yto employ a reciprocating brush, as shown, and, if desired, in place thereof a rotary brush may be used, as illustrated in Fig. 6, in which a revoluble brush b/ is arranged above the table across the path of the plungers, said brush being constantly rotated through suitable gearing f1', connecting it with the rotating shaft j. l/Vith this construction whenever the plungers are ca used to travel past the brush it will clean them during movement by the rotary brushing.

Another difficulty encountered in machines as heretofore constructed is due to the rubbing of the lower faces of the plungers over the plate O when in registration therewith. Dur- IOO ing the travel of the plungers around the track N they are supported on the antifriction-roll M; but when the plungers are lifted by the movement of the lever P and'plate O it is necessary that they should positively contact with said plate, so as to transmit the great pressure necessary for the compression of the brick. Thus, as shown, the lower end of the plunger is bifurcated and the antifriction-roll M is arranged between the furcations at thereof, the latter forming the bearings with which the plate O contacts during the compression movement. In previous constructions the plungers after passing out of engagement with the track N rest directly upon the plate O and are slid across said plate during thel subsequent movement of the table until the roll M` again engages the track N. During the sliding movement the lower end of the plungers and the plate are subjected to wear, which is greatly increased by the presence of sand upon the plate, so that in the course of time the bearing-surfaces will be uneven, and this will interfere with the accuracy of the work.

In the present construction the plungers when above the plate O and during the movement of thetable B are suspended so as to be slightly out of contact with said plate and IIO only bear against the latter when it is raised by the movement of the lever P. As shown` this is accomplished by forming recesses upon opposite sides of the plunger and arranging projecting'lugs u, which are bolted or otherwise secured to the under side of the table and eng'ag'e with the recesses z5. Thus the shoulders f/f at the upper ends of the recesses twill be supported upon the lug's a and will suspend the plungers L out of contact with the plate O.

It is essential to the accurate operation of the machine that the lower face of the compression-plate J be maintained Hush with the upper face ot' the table containing' the mold-'cavities. This may be accomplished by arrang'- ing' the bearing' ze on the bed which supports the table B at a suitable elevation; but after the machine hasbeen in operation the wearing et' this bearing and the contacting face of the table will permit the latter to be slightly lowered, with the result that it is separated from the compression-plate J. To overcome this dificulty, l have arranged an adjustable bearing' for the table B, which, as shown, com-V prises the members fr and 1/, arranged between the bearing 'en and the table B. These members :rf and z/ have oppositely-inclined meeting' faces and are held from rotary movement in relation to each other b v a tongue-and-g'roove eng'agement 'l' he lower member ru is also held from rotation by guides in' on the bearing' fw and is centrally slotted at m to permit ot' lateral adjustment in relation to the bolt D.

.Suitable adjusting' means is provided, such as the screw-threaded stud zu, passing' through an apertured lug :lf3 at the outer end ot' the member :1f and engaging' with the adjusting'- nuts if* on opposite sides ot' said lug. By means ot' this construction whenever it is desired to take np the wear the nuts fc* may be adjusted, which will move the member af in relation to the member 1/ and slig'htly raise the table.

lVhat I claim my invention is 1. ln a brick-machine the combination with a rotary table having mold-cavities therein, ot' an elongated work member having a bearingplate intermediate at its ends, plungers arranged t'or vertical reciprocation within said cavities, and means for depositing' plastic material in said cavities to be compressed by said plungers against said bearing-plate, of means for cleaning' the ends ot' said plung'ers comprisinga brush and mechanism t'or moving' the same over the surface of the plung'ers while in registration therewith.

2. lu a brick-machine,the combination with a rotary table having a mold-cavity therein, a stationary plate above the cavity, ar annular cam-track having' a cut-away portion, a plung'er adapted to be reciprocated within said cavity, a reciprocatory plate arranged within said cut-away portion ot' the track, means for i track and the reciprocatory plate, and a cleaning device `for the plunger spaced Vfrom said reciprocatory plate.

3. In a brick-machine the combination with a rotary table having'a series of mold-cavities therein, plung'ers adapted for reciprocation in said cavities, a hopper for depositing' the plastic material on said table to till said cavities and a compression-plate against which said material is compressed in the subsequent movement of said plungers, otl means for cleaning' the compression-faces ot' said plungers comprising' a brush normally arranged above the table and adapted to cross the path ot' the plung'ers in advance of said hopper, and mechanism for actuating' said brush to bring the same into contact with the plungers to brush the material in one direction from ofi' the face of said plungers when in registration therewith.

4. In a brick-machine, the combination with a rotary table having a series ot' mold-cavities therein, plung'ers adapted for reciprocation in said cavities, and means for depositing' the plas- -tic material in said cavities to be compressed by said plunger, of a cleaning device for said plung'ers, comprising' a brush arranged above the table, and mechanism 'for reciprocating said brush across said plungers with its bristles in contact therewith when moving' in one direction, and withdrawn `from the contact when moving' in the opposite direction.

ln a brick-press the combination with a rotary table having' a series ot' mold-cavities therein, plungers adapted for reciprocation in said cavities, means t'or depositing the plastic material in said cavities to be compressed by said plung'ers, ot' a cleaning' device for said plungers, comprising a brush, a head having' horizontal guides for slidingly securing said brush, vertical guides in which said head is sliding'ly secured, a pair ot' levers for respectively oscillating said head and brush in vertical and horizontal direction, actuating-rods for said levers and an eccentric to which said rods are connected whereby horizontal and vertical reciprocation is imparted to the brush.

6. .ln a brick-machine the combination with a rotary table having a mold-cavity therein, a plunger adapted for reciprocation in said cavity, an antifriction-roll on said plunger, and a track over which said antit'riction-roll is adapted to travel in the rotation otl said table, of a vertically-movable platearrang'ed in an interruption ot' said track and adapted to bear against the under tace of said plunger during its upward movement, a lug'secnred to said table, and projecting' into a recess in said plunger, and a shoulder formed at the upper end ot' said recess adapted to rest upon said lug, and support said plunger out ot' contact with said vertically-movable plate when the latter is in its depressed position.

7. In a brick-press the combination with a successively registering said plunger with said I rotary table having' a mold-cavity, a plunger TOO in said cavity adapted for'reciprocation, and a stationary compression-plate Hush with the upper face of said table, of a vertically-adinstable wedge-shaped bearing for said rotary table, whereby it may be maintained in contact with said compression-plate.

8. In a brick-press the combination with a rotary table having a mold-cavity therein, a plunger adapted for reciprocation in said moldcavity, and a stationary compression-plate above said table, and flush with the upper face thereof, of an annular bearing for supporting` said rotary table, and a wedge-shaped member for vertically adjusting said bearing.

9. In a brick-press, the combination with a rotary table having a mold-cavity therein, a plunger adapted for reciprocation in said cavity, and a stationary compression-plate above said table, and flush with the upper face thereof, of a pin on which said table is journaled, an annular bearing surrounding said pin and forining the support for said table, and means engaging said bearing for vertically adjusting the same.

10. In a brick-press the combination with a Y rotary table having mold-cavities therein, a plunger adapted for reciprocation in said cavity, and a stationary compression-plate having' its lower face iiush with the upper face of said table, of a pin .forminga journal for said rotary table, an annular bearing surrounding said pin formed of two members having parallel opposite faces and oppositely-inclined meeting faces one of said members being adjustable laterally in relation to the other to vertically adjust said table. y

1l. In a brick-press the combination with a rotary table having mold-cavities, a plunger adapted for reciprocation in said cavity, and a compression-plate having its lower face flush with the upper face of said table,y of a pin on which said table is journaled and an annular bearing surrounding said pin comprising the members .fu and 1/ having parallel opposite faces and oppositely-inclined.meeting faces, the member x being slotted for lateral adjustment on said pin and havinga tongue-groove engagement with the member i/ and means for adjusting the member laterally to vertically adjust said rotary table.

l2.' In a brick-machine, a stationary bear-A ing-plate, a rotary recessed table therebelow,

a cam-track having a cut-away portion, a vertically-reciprocatory plate within said cutaway portion, a plunger traveling over said track and adapted to be reciprocated within said recess by said reciprocatory plate, but normally spaced above the latter when in line therewith.

13. In a brick-machine, a stationary bear ing-plate, a rotary recessed table therebelow, a cam-track having a cut-away portion, a vertically-reciprocatory -plate within said cutaway portion, a plunger traveling over said track and adapted to be reciprocated within said recess by said reciprocatory plate, and means on the table for limiting the downward movement of the plunger and normally spacing the latter from said reciprocatory plate when in line therewith.

14. In a brick-press, the combination with a bed having a series of mold-cavities therein, plungers adapted for reciprocation in said cavities, means for depositing the plastic material in said cavities to be compressed by said plungers, of a cleaning device for said plungers, comprising a brush, a head having horizontal guides for slidingly securing said brush, vertical guides in which said head is slidinglysecured, and means for respectively oscillating said head and brush in vertical and horizontal direction.

15. In a brick-machine, the combination with a bed having a series of mold-cavities therein, plungers adapted for reciprocation in said cavities, means for depositing the plastic material in said cavities to be compressed by said plungers, of a cleaning device for said plungers, comprising a brush, a head having horizontal guides for slidingly securing said brush, vertical guides in which said head is slidingly secured, a pair of levers for respectively oscillating said head and brushin vertical and horizontal direction, and means associated with said levers whereby horizontal and vertical reciprocation is imparted to the brush.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR D. CHURCH.

I/Vitnesses:

C. MAY EXCELL, TERESA MALoNE.

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