Patent ID: 6540502
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B28B

Abstract:
In a brick molding apparatus, the improvement comprising a mechanical drive assembly for indexing in predetermined incremental movements a mold adapted to receive and shape clay slugs into green bricks, said drive assembly comprising:a conveyor for carrying the mold in the brick molding apparatus; a drive gear mounted on a drive shaft and defining a plurality of circumferentially-spaced teeth and radially-extending slots, said drive shaft being operatively connected to said conveyor; a drive lug adapted for movement into and out of a selected one of said plurality of slots formed in said drive gear; a drive-lug actuator for moving said drive lug into and out of the selected slot of said drive gear, said drive-lug actuator comprising a cylinder assembly including an extendable and retractable piston connected to said drive lug; and a gear actuator adapted for moving said drive lug in a rotational direction relative to said drive shaft, such that when said drive lug is positioned in the selected slot of said drive gear, said gear actuator causes rotation of said drive gear and drive shaft thereby indexing said conveyor and mold.