IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN MOULDING ARTIFICIAL STONE FOR BUILDING PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Carrington Sellars, of Birkenhead, in the County
of Chester, Manufacturing Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN MOULDING ARTIFICIAL STONE
FOR BUILDING PURPOSES,"
Sealed the 25th June 1878, and dated the 27th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Carrington Sellars at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th December 1877.
JOHN CARRINGTON SELLARS, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Manu-
facturing Chemist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES TO BE USED
IN MOULDING ARTIFICIAL STONE FOR BUILDING PURPOSES."
This Invention relates, principally, to improvements in and on the apparatus or
appliances for which I obtained Her Majesty's British Letters Patent, No. 1279, of
the year 1876, and consists,-
First. As regards the general construction and arrangement of a moulding press;
such press is constructed with a split or double table on which the mould rests, so
that the said table can be adjusted to various widths of blocks, and at the same time
allow the length of the block to be varied. Transverse or longitudinal arched
bearers are fitted beneath the said table to give sufficient strength thereto, and the
dies and overhead gear are supported on four columns for increased strength, and to
allow of greater freedom in handling the blocks. The guide rods which direct the
motion of the ejecting prongs are lengthened to form the catches by which the said
prongs are raised, and a foot or hand lever is attached to such catch rods to enable
the prongs to be released and lowered at any desired time.
Second. As regards the construction of dies to enable several forms or shapes of
blocks to be formed; the said dies are forined (a) in several pieces, attached to
the carrier in any convenient manner, say, by bolts and nuts, grooves and projec-
tions, or otherwise, so that one or more pieces may be removed from or added to
such die, and the form or shape thereof varied at pleasure; (b), with sides which
.

page_text: may be moved nearer or further apart by means of a screw or like appliance, end
pieces being fitted in to suit the width, or vice versa; (c), of a carrying plate with
a number of holes in which pieces may be secured at pleasure to form a die (d),
with loose pieces attached to studs or their equivalents. The said dies may receive
an upward and downward motion by means of steam or fluid pressure.
Third. As regards moulds; moulds are constructed with loose side and end pieces,
which rest on the foundation ring carrying the moulded block, so that the said side
and end pieces will be delivered with the moulded block, and may then be removed.
By this means designs may be impressed on the sides and ends of blocks.
Fourth. As regards cores; in order that blocks may be roughly formed into shape
before being placed in the mould I construct or fit the core in the mould so that it
shall be removable after each block has been formed, and may he ejected at the
bottom or top of the mould. The said core is then used as a support around which
to place concrete or like material to be moulded, which said concrete or like
material and core are placed in the mould together. Several cores are used, one
being in the mould whilst the others are having concrete placed around them.
As regards removing the finished blocks from the press; the ejecting rods and
appliances are so arranged that the block and foundation rings are raised some
distance above the top of the mould. A taking-off box running on inclined or like
tramway is provided so that the said box after passing beneath the finished block
rises as it travels onward and lifts the block from off the top of the ejecting prongs.
The foundation ring is also constructed with recesses into which lifting pieces fit so
as to lift the finished block from off the said ring. Clamping pieces are also pro-
vided which fit over the sides of the freshly formed blocks so as to keep them in
shape.
As regards preparing the material for moulding; feed boxes are employed
between which and a core or cores the concrete or like material is filled and
ramined. The core or cores and box are connected together by catches in any con-
venient manner until the box and contents are placed over the mould, the catches
are then released, and the core or cores and material slide into the mould. If it is
desired to face the block with special material the said feed box is provided with
sliding sides and ends, or either of them, and special material is placed on the side
and end pieces, or either of them, in thin layers before they are placed in position.
As regards filling the said feed boxes with concrete to the required height; an
adjustable openwork or grated cover is provided which is placed in position when
the box is nearly filled, and through which concrete or like material is filled into
the said box. The position of the grating shows when the box has been filled to
the required height.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Carrington Sellars in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th June 1878.
JOHN CARRINGTON SELLARS, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Manu-
facturing Chemist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES TO BE USED
IN MOULDING ARTIFICIAL STONE FOR BUILDING PURPOSES."
This Invention relates, principally, to improvements in and on the apparatus or
appliances for which I obtained Her Majesty's British Letters Patent, No. 1279, of
the year 1876, and consists,-
First. As regards the general construction and arrangement of a moulding press;
such press is constructed with a split or double table on which the mould rests, so
that the said table can be adjusted to various widths of blocks, and at the same
time allow the length of the block to be varied. Transverse or longitudinal arched
bearers are fitted beneath the said table to give sufficient strength thereto, and the
dies and overhead gear are supported on four columns for increased strength, and
to allow of greater freedom in handling the blocks. The guide rods which direct
the motion of the ejecting prongs are lengthened to form the catches by which the
said prongs are raised, and a foot or hand lever is attached to such catch rods to
enable the prongs to be released and lowered at any desired time.
Second. As regards the construction or dies to enable several forms or shapes of
blocks to be formed; the said dies are formed (a) in several pieces, attached to the
carrier in any convenient manner, say, by bolts and nuts, grooves and projections,
or otherwise, so that one or more pieces may be removed from or added to such die,
and the forms or shape thereof varied at pleasure; (b), with sides which may be
moved nearer or further apart by means of a screw or like appliance, end pieces
being fitted in to suit the width, or vice versa; (c), of a carrying plate with a
number of holes in which pieces may be secured at pleasure to form a die (d),
with loose pieces attached to studs or their equivalents. The said dies may receive
an upward and downward motion by means of steain or fluid pressure.
Third. As regards moulds; moulds are constructed with loose side and end pieces
which rest on the foundation ring carrying the moulded block, so that the said side
and end pieces will be delivered with the moulded block, and may then be removed.
By this means designs may be impressed on the sides and ends of blocks.
Fourth. As regards cores; in order that blocks may be roughly formed into
shape before being placed in the mould I construct or fit the core in the mould so
that it shall be reuiovable after each block has been formed, and may be ejected at
the bottom or top of the mould. The said core is then used as a support around
which to place concrete or like material to be moulded, which said concrete or like
material and core are placed in the mould together. Several cores are used, one
being in the mould whilst the others are having concrete placed around them.
As regards removing the finished blocks from the press; the ejecting rods and
appliances are so arranged that the block and foundation rings are raised some distance
above the top of the mould. A taking-off box running on inclined or like tramway
is provided, so that the said box after passing beneath the finished block rises as it
travels onward and lifts the block from off the top of the ejecting prongs. The
foundation ring is also constructed with recesses, into which lifting pieces fit, so as
to lift the finished block from off the said ring. Clamping pieces are also provided
which fit over the sides of the freshly formed blocks so as to keep them in shape.
As regards preparing the material for inoulding; feed boxes are employed between
which and a core or cores the concrete or like material is filled and rammed. The
core or cores and box are connected together by catches in any convenient manner
until the box and contents are placed over the mould, the catches are then released,
and the core or cores and material slide into the mould. If it is desired to face the
block with special material the said feed box is provided with sliding sides and

page_text: ends, or either of them, and special material is placed on the side and end pieces, or
either of them, in thin layers, before they are placed in position.
As regards filling the said feed boxes with concrete to the required height; an
adjustable open work or grated cover is provided, which is placed in position when
the box is nearly filled, and through which concrete or like material is filled into
the said box. The position of the grating shows when the box has been filled to
the required height.
Under the First Part of my Invention.-As regards the general construction of a
moulding press; Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan view, partly in section,
and Fig. 3 a transverse section of a moulding press. In this press a split or double
tablo 1 is employed, on which the mould 2 rests. The pieces 1 of which the table
is formed are free to be moved Interally on the supports 3, so that the width between
the pieces may be made to suit any size of block. 5 are longitudinal strengthening
pieces cast or fitted beneath the table 1 to support the same, and rest on transverse
arched bearers 6; 7 are four columns on which the dies and overhead gear are
supported; 8 are rods which guide the ejecting prongs 9. The ejecting prongs 9
are attached to the bearing pieces 10, which are free to slide laterally on the end
pieces 11 so as to allow the prongs to be adjusted to eject different sizes of blocks.
The end pieces il are connected to the guide rods 8. The guide rods 8 are hinged
at 12 to the rods 13, which are provided with catches 14 to fit over the pieces 15
in the sliding head 16, so as to cause the raising of the said prongs when the head
and die noves upwards. 17 is a treadle which works the connections 18 so as to
release the catches 14 when it is depressed and allow the ejecting prongs to fall;
19 are hand levers, which are attached to the catch rods 13 and work over the
fulcrum pieces 20 so as to release the said catch rods when desired. Either the
treadle or hand levers, or both, may be used on a press.
Under the Second Part.-As regards the construction of dies; Figs. 1 and 3
illustrate the first modification. Here the pieces 21 can be caused to slide in the
grooves 22 so as to form a die of any desired size, and are secured therein by the
bolt and nut 23.
Fig. 4 is a side view and Fig. 5 a cross section of a die constructed under the
second modification. Here the side pieces 24 may be moved nearer to and further
from each other by the right and left handed screws 25. 26 are end pieces to
complete the die.
constructed under
Fig. 6 shows an underneath view of a die carrier and die
the third modification. Here the die carrier is formed with holes 27, in which
pieces 28 fit to form a die.
Fig. 8 shows a view of a die constructed under the fourth modification. Orna-
inental pieces 29, free to move on the studs 30, are employed.
Under the Third Part.-As regards moulds; Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a mould with
loose side and end pieces 31, which rest on the foundation ring 32, so that the said
side and end pieces will be ejected from the mould 2 with the block. By this
means designs may be impressed upon the sides and ends of blocks.
Under the Fourth Part. -As regards cores; Fig. 3 illustrates the one way in which
a core is fitted so as to be ejected from the top of the mould. 33 is the core, which
rests on the sliding piece 34, and is maintained in position by the pin 35. When
the core block and foundation ring are lifted above the top of the mould the whole
may be removed and replaced by another core surrounded by loose material to
be compressed. If desired the core might be removed from the bottom of the
mould.
In Figs. 9 and 10 the ejecting prongs raise the foundation ring and block
sufficiently above the top of the mould to allow of the taking-off box 36 sliding
along the guides 37 until the projections 38 are under the foundation ring; the box
and block are then removed together.
Fig. 11 shows a foundation ring forined with recesses, into which lifting pieces 39
fit, so that the block can be moved as desired.

page_text: Fig. 12 shows clamping pieces to fit around a newly formed block and keep it in
shape whilst handling or until hardened.
Fig. 13 is an end view, Fig. 14 a transverse section, and Fig. 15 a side section of
a feed box, in which the box and core are connected together by catches 40 until
the box and its contents are placed over the mould, where it is adjusted in position
by the pieces 41, which fit into the recesses 42 in the guides 37. The catches are
then released, and the foundation ring, core, and contents of the box fall into the
mould. 43 are sliding side pieces, which are employed when it is desired to form a
block with fine material at the surface. The sides of the box are made to open on
hinges so that the fine material can be placed thereon, the loose pieces 43 are then
placed in position, the rest of the space filled with coarse material, and the pieces 43
withdrawn.
Fig. 16 shows a feed box provided with a grating, through which the material is
filled into the box. The said grating serves to show the height to which the
material is to be filled.
Having now described and illustrated my Invention in such manner that others
will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim, the various improve-
ments in moulding presses, dies, moulds, and cores, substantially as set forth under
the first, second, third, and fourth heads, for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Carrington Sellars, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JAMES JOHNSON,
Patent Office,
Clayton Square,
Liverpool.
Witness.
JN°. C. SELLARS. (L.S.)