Patent GB-189921823-A (GB)
Title: Machine or Apparatus for Laying Bricks for Buildings.
Inventor: KNIGHT JOHN HENRY
Filed: 1899-11-01
Granted: 1900-10-27
Abstract: 21,823. Knight, J. H. Nov. 1. Walls.-Fig. 2 shows a bricklaying machine D adapted to travel along a rack C at the top of a girder or beam B, which is secured to perforated standards by pins or bolts. The bricks are fed by hand to rotary flexible arms F, which force them into position under a pressing-roller R on a winch shaft which carries a pinion adapted to gear with the rack. The rotary arms are driven from the winch spindle by a friction clutch and an endless chain H. A straight-edge or guide-bar fastened to the beam bears against one side of the wall, and the roller R is flanged at the other side of the wall, or a separate guide-roller may be provided to keep the bricks in line. The mortar or grouting is applied to the upper surface of the bricks on the return motion of the machine by a hopper. The beam is connected by chains to counterweights, and is raised after each course of brickwork has been laid. At the window and door apertures, dummy bricks of wood or hollow metal are laid in place by the machine, and are afterwards removed. Gongs or bells on the beam indicate when these dummy bricks are to be substituted for ordinary bricks. To facilitate the removal of the dummy bricks, they may be divided, or made telescopic, and are shortened by turning coupling-screws, or removing bolts. In a modification, the roller is carried by a pivoted arm so that it can be lowered below the beam for the purpose of laying foundation or ground courses, and is driven from the winch shaft by toothed gearing carried by the pivoted arm. In this arrangement, the roller can be raised instead of the beam, which may be raised after every second, third, or other course has been laid. Instead of the above arrangement, the machine may be mounted on an inverted rack for beginning work at the ground level. A light platform may be constructed alongside the beam, or the machine may carry a small stage or platform. Instead of the rack-and-pinion mechanism, the machine may be moved by a longitudinal screw. In another arrangement, a travelling tower is mounted on rails on the ground at the side of the wall, and carries an endless-chain elevator and rollers for pressing the bricks into position on the mortar. The bricks are transferred from the shelves of the elevator to the wall by a crank arm fixed on a vertical shaft which is rocked by a cam on the axle of the rack pinion. In place of the roller or rollers, the bricks may be pressed into place by a plunger operated by compressed air, steam, or hydraulic power. Fig. 17 shows an electric arrangement for making the machine selfacting. A contact-maker d is moved by a screw c over metal balls b in a recessed metal plate a, and a brick is supplied by an endless band, hopper, or shoot each time an electric circuit is completed through a ball. At a window or door space, the balls are omitted. Instead of the balls, pegs may be used, or the design may be punched out in cardboard or sheet metal as is done in patterns for weaving in looms. In place of electrical apparatus, compressed air may be used, or an arrangement of cords and wires as in weaving.