Patent GB-933341-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to the handling of bricks and similar building units
Inventor: EDEN JOSEPH FOLKARD
IPC: B62B1/22
Filed: 1958-05-22
Abstract: 933,341. Stacking. COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. Aug. 21, 1959 [May 22, 1958], No. 16474/58. Drawings to Specification. Class 94(1). [Also in Group XXXII] An apparatus for producing a stack of bricks comprises a releasable support for one row of bricks received from a source of supply, a second support to receive the row of bricks released by the releasable support, and then to descend a corresponding amount so that after the requisite number of operations the desired assembly is set up on this second support, and a ram which discharges the assembly on to a third support on which a band can be secured around the package. The whole row of bricks may be grabbed from a conveyer and transferred to the releasable support. Preferably a conveyer is provided in alignment with the releasable support so that the bricks are fed directly on to it. The conveyer may be hand or mechanically driven in the latter case it has means for interrupting its drive. The releasable support may comprise two lengths of angle iron set each with one wall vertical and one wall horizontal, the two horizontal walls facing inwardly and serving to support the bricks. These angle irons may move horizontally, or be pivoted on longitudinal axes near their upper edges so that they can be swung outwards to disengage their horizontal limbs from the bricks and allow each row of bricks to fall. Preferably the angle irons are set so that they slope upwardly at an angle of 15-18 degrees towards the ends where the bricks enter to facilitate the movement of the bricks and their compaction in the row. Their horizontal limbs may also be provided with rollers to facilitate the movement of the bricks along them. The bricks on the conveyer are prevented from running forward when the angle irons are moved to release the row of bricks, by means of projections on the vertical limbs of the angle irons at the entry end, these projections being shaped either to grip the leading brick on the conveyer, or to enter between this leading brick and the last brick on the angle irons. The second support is guided to move downwardly in the direction perpendicular to the row of bricks. It may be supported by brackets having rollers running on either side of two uprights which conveniently accommodate between them the ram for discharging the package. The second support is controlled to move in steps each equal to the depth of one row of bricks. When the first row of bricks arrives it is just below the angle irons so that the first row falls directly upon it. When the angle irons return to the receiving position the second support descends by the thickness of one row so as to be in a position to receive the second row on top of the first and so on. A first form of mechanism for this purpose comprises ratchet teeth and a double pawl constituting an escapement. Each time the pawl rocks the second support is caused to descend the requisite distance. The opening of the angle irons may be effected by a spring catch or by aid of a switch actuated when the row of bricks is in position on the angle irons while the actuation of the pawl may take place when the angle irons swing back to their original position. In the second form of mechanism a stepped rack on the second support co-operates with a stop the position of which is controlled by a snail cam. At each cycle the snail cam is stepped on by a ratchet wheel and pawl to allow the second support to descend by the length of one step. The pawl may be moved to step on the ratchet wheel from a crank disc which is also linked to the angle irons to release the row of bricks at the proper time. In either form of mechanism the second support may be counterbalanced by a cable and counterweight so that when empty it rises but when loaded with one or more rows of bricks it descends if permitted. Power of movement in either direction may be used. When the second support gets to its lowest position it initiates the movement of a ram which pushes the whole assembly of the bricks out on to the third support, which is in the form of a V- shaped trough having channels to permit the passage of the steel band, which, after being passed round the assembly is tightened and joined either automatically or by hand. The trough accommodates several assemblies and the ram pushes them all forward each time it operates. With either form of mechanism the second support may actuate in its lowest position of switch by which the movement of the ram is controlled. In the second form the cam shaft may exercise the control by means of further cams and instead of acting through a switch and electrical means these cams may directly control hydraulic valves for the ram. After the ram has returned to its starting position the second support is returned to its original position. In the first form the pawl is withdrawn to permit this. This may be effected on a fixed time cycle for motor operated electric contacts which may also trigger the automatic device for securing the steel band where such is used. In the second form of mechanism the crank may rotate continuously at a slow speed timed to agree with the feed movement of the bricks or contacts actuated by the second support may come into action once the first row of bricks has been delivered. There may be a second pair of clamps operated by cams on the cam shaft to prevent bricks being fed on to the angle irons while the ram is in operation. If necessary mechanical or electrical interlocks may be provided to prevent the angle irons from opening afresh until the second support is returned to its original position. The V-shaped trough may be lined with rollers or wheels to reduce friction when the ram pushes the assembly along it and it may be twisted along its length so that at the delivery end the packs are delivered in an upright position. Instead of being twisted the trough may be fitted with a swinging portion to bring the packs into an upright position at the delivery end. Specifications 853,508, 853,509, 853,510, 933,342 and 933,343 are referred to.