IMPROVEMENTS IN A PRESS FOR FORMING CONCRETE AND OTHER PAVING AND BUILDING BLOCKS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Barlow, of 23, Southampton Buildings, London,
W.C., Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN A PRESS FOR
FORMING CONCRETE AND OTHER PAVING AND BUILDING BLOCKS." A com-
munication from abroad by Thomas Cook, of Sing Sing, in the County of
Westchester, and State of New York, in the United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Charles Barlow at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, on the 7th January 1876.
CHARLES BARLOW, of 23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN A PRESS FOR FORMING CONCRETE AND OTHER PAVING AND
BUILDING BLOCKS." A communication to me from abroad by Thomas Cook, of Sing
Sing, in the County of Westchester, and State of New York, in the United States
of America.
My Invention relates to a new and improved press for forming concrete and
other paving and building blocks.
But that my Invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe the
same more in detail by aid of the accompanying Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS,
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) is a side elevation of the press; Figure 2 (Sheet 2) is a
longitudinal section of the same; Figure 3 (Sheet 3) is a top gear view; Figure 4
(Sheet 4) is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line X, X,
Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 5 (Sheet 4) is a similar section taken in the plane of
the line y, y, Figure 2.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever they may
occur.
My Invention has for its object to produce, an improved press for the formation
of paving and other blocks from plastic materials, and consists,-
First. In a plunger and platen mounted upon two parallel rods or bars and
operated by a toggle joint to press the material between them within the mold
[Price 8d.]

page_text: wheel, the resistance to such pressure being offered or taken up by the tensile
strength of the rods.
Secondly. In a mold wheel rotating vertically between the plunger and platen,
so that the pressure upon the material in the molds shall be applied radially from
the centre of the wheel without diametrical strain upon the latter.
Thirdly. In supporting and rotating the mold wheel upon exterior or peripheral
friction rollers, for the purpose of clearing the centre of the wheel to receive the
rotating, pressing, and discharging mechanism, and to adapt the wheel for easy
removal from the frame of the press.
Fourthly. In the means for imparting an intermitting rotation to the mould
wheel, so as to successively present the molds for the action of the feeding device,
the plunger, and the discharger, while such mold wheel shall remain at rest during
the filling, pressing, and discharging operation.
---
Fifthly. In a follower, arranged within the mold wheel and operated from the
countershaft to discharge the pressed blocks outward from the wheel upon the side
opposite the pressing mechanism.
Sixthly. In the means employed for operating the discharger or follower from
the countershaft.
Seventhly. In withdrawing the discharger or follower from the molds by the
positive action of a cam and bell-crank lever.
Eightly. In a release motion, to relieve the pressure of the plunger and platen
and prevent the press from breaking or becoming strained when the movements of
the plunger and platen are varied by a difference in the size of the blocks or the
-pressure of any unyielding substance therein.
Ninthly. In producing the release motion by a weighted lever, connecting the
toggle joint with a link upon the countershaft.
Tenthly. In adapting the weight for adjustment to regulate the pressure of the
plunger and platen.
Eleventhly. In suspending the weighted lever from the toggle joint by means
of a rod, in such a manner as to permit the lever to rise and fall freely when the
press is operated.
Twelfthly. In an elastic cushion applied to the lower end of the suspending rod,
for the purpose of absorbing the shocks of the lever in falling.
Thirteenthly. In the employment of rollers provided with radially reciprocating
blades, for feeding the material into the mold wheel.
Fourteenthly. In adjusting the point of projection and retraction of the feeding
blades with respect to the space between the feed rollers, for the purpose of
regulating the force of the feed into the mold wheel.
Fifteenthly. In adapting the blades for complete retraction within the rollers, for
the purpose of cleaning such blades of adhering material and preventing the clogging
of the feeding devices.
Sixteenthly. In the provision of means for cleaning the faces of the feed roller
and ends of the feed blades.
Seventeenthly. In the construction of the feed hopper to guide the material into
the mold wheel.
:
Eighteenthly. In imparting an intermitting rotary motion to the feed rollers,
for the purpose of feeding the material when the molds are open to the hoppers,
and to prevent the material from being pressed down when the wheel is in
motion.
Ninteenethly. In a rising and falling plate arranged to receive the pressed
blocks from the molds and carry them down to the cooling tank and block
carriers, for the purpose of protecting the edges and corners of the blocks from
injury.
:
Twentyethly. In a carrier having an intermitting reciprocating movement to
receive and carry off the pressed blocks from the rising and falling plate, and at the
same time expose them to a cooling and drying medium.
Twenty-firstly. In discharging a stream of water into the body of the pressing

page_text: plunger to prevent it from adhering to and stripping off the faces of the blocks when
it is retracted from the molds.
And, lastly. My Invention consists in running the mould wheel within a reservoir
of cold water for the purpose of cooling the molds as well as the pressed blocks
contained therein, so that the latter may be discharged without adhering to the
molds.
9
In the accompanying Drawings A is the cast-iron framework of the press formed
with a tank or reservoir B, and C is the mold rim or wheel placed within the
reservoir so as to rest in an upright position upon the flanged roller D, D, arranged
therein. The rollers are spaced apart sufficiently upon their shafts to receive the
mold wheel between the flanges, and prevent it from lateral displacement. This
method of supporting the mould wheel adapts it for easy removal from and applica-
tion to the frame, as circumstances require. E, E, are the parallel tension rods
or bars arranged in a horizontal position upon each side of the machine, so as to
slide freely through the front uprights F, F, of the frame. Their outer ends are
connected by a cross head G, and their inner ends by a cross head H, which
extends through the mold wheel, and is provided with a central plunger I to enter
the molds from the inner side. J is the pressing platen arranged to slide in
guides of the frame outside the mold wheel, and connected to the outer cross
head G by the toggle joint K, which is arranged to incline downwards between the
bars. L is the main driving shaft having its bearings in the front uprights F of the
frame, and geared by the pinion M and wheel N to the steel countershaft O, having
its bearings in the frame beneath the toggle joint. The countershaft is formed
with a central crank, which is connected to the toggle by a link P and an inclined
weighted lever Q in the following manner :-The upper end of the weighted lever
extends beneath the toggle, and is pivoted between two wings R formed upon the
front arm thereof (as shown in Figure 2. The lower end of the link embraces the
crank of the countershaft, and its upper end is pivoted within a recess formed in
the inclined lever. The pivot of the link is vertically in line with the joint of the
toggle, while the pivot of the lever is in rear of or out of line with such joint, as
clearly shown in Figure 2.
When the machine is in operation the throw of the crank shaft reciprocates the
link vertically to alternately straighten and depress the toggle joint to move the
pressing plunger. The weighted lever and link, together with their connections
form the releasing mechanism previously referred to, and whose operation I will
presently describe. S is the cross rock shaft extending through the centre of the
mold wheel, and having its bearings in the frame of the press. It is provided with
a fixed central arm, the ends of which carry the notched moving dogs or pawls T, T.
These dogs occupy an inclined position, and their notched points engage with
shoulders U, U, formed along the edges of the mold wheel to rotate the latter
intermittingly when the rock shaft is operated. This is effected by connecting the
lower arm of a three-armed spider V on the rock shaft with the gear wheel N on
the countershaft by means of a suitable rod, as shown in Figure 1.
W, W, are the feed rollers or wheels arranged a short distance apart above the
mold wheel, and having their bearings in the frame or hopper X. The space between
the rollers, together with the inner parallel sides Y of the hopper, form a throat for
the passage of the material from the hopper to the molds of the mold wheel.
Z, Z, represents a series of radial blades let into the feed roller parallel to each
other, and provided with trunnions upon their ends, which enter cam grooves
formed in the proximate faces of plates A¹, A¹. These plates are cast with suitable
hubs, which enter the sides of the hopper or frame to form journal boxes for the
roller shafts. When the wheels are rotated the cam grooves and trunnions project
the feed blades to feed down the material into the mould wheel, and retract them to
clear the edge of the hopper sides Y. B¹, B¹, are ratchet wheels keyed to the
roller shafts outside the hopper, and C¹, C, are pawl arms mounted loosely upon
the same shafts outside the ratchet wheels, and connected by rods D¹ with the

page_text: upper arms of the spider V. El are weighted pawls pivoted to the outer ends of
the pawl arms, so as to engage with the ratchet wheels and move them inter-
mittingly when the rock shaft is operated. The cam plates are formed with radial
grooves F¹ at suitable points to permit the 'application and removal of the feed
blades, and they are also made adjustable- in their bearings to regulate or change
the points at which the blades shall be projected or withdrawn.
1
The paving blocks contain a large per centage of asphalt, which must be worked
in a heated state, but in this condition it is exceedingly tough and sticky, and is
liable to choke the hopper and stop the feed of the material. The feed blades
prevent this by forcing the material down through the hopper into the moulds, and
are themselves cleaned of the gummy substance by being withdrawn into the
rollers. The faces of the rollers and ends of the blades are cleaned by the upper
edges of the hopper sides Y, which are sharpened for this purpose. Thus the
material is properly fed, and the feeding mechanism cleaned automatically.
The feed is varied in proportion to the richness of the material by adjusting the
cam groove plates as above described. Gis the discharger or follower, arranged
transversely through the mold wheel upon that side of the rock shaft opposite the
plunger so as to slide freely upon two parallel guide rods H¹, secured to the
uprights I, I, of the frame; J¹, J, are two parallel rods connecting the follower
head outside the guide rods with double bell-crank levers Ķ¹, K¹, pivoted to the
press frame near the countershaft. These bell-crank levers are thrown up to move
the follower through the mold wheel in discharging a pressed block by means of
cams L¹, L¹, mounted upon the countershaft, as shown in Figure 1. One of the
double bell-crank levers is provided with an additional arm (as shown in Figure 2)
extending down to or below the axis of the countershaft to receive the action of one
of the cams L and draw back the follower; friction rollers M³, M³, are pivoted to
the bell-crank levers to reduce the friction of the cams.
By employing the double bell-crank levers and cams the discharger is operated
positively in both directions, and all danger of accidents from irregular or uncertain
movements of the parts prevented.
The operation of the machine thus far described is as follows:-Power being
applied to the driving shaft the material to be pressed into blocks is fed into the
molds, as herein-before described, resting upon the shield N¹, which is arranged
within the upper part of the mold wheel to prevent the material from falling
through into the interior. As the countershaft revolves the gear wheel N and its
connecting devices operate the rock shaft and cause the pawls T, T, to rotate the
mould wheel the distance of one mold. This carries the filled mold in line with the
pressing plunger when the rock shaft oscillates in the opposite direction and the
mold wheel ceases to move. The crank of the countershaft then throws up
the link P which straightens the toggle joint and moves the plunger horizontally
into the filled mold; this movement also holds the platen in position at the face of
the wheel to receive the pressure of the plunger against the block. The block
therefore sustains all the horizontal pressure of the plunger and platen, and relieves
the mold wheel of diametrical strain. As the power of the toggle joint is exerted
outward against the cross heads secured to the parallel bars the tensile strength of
the latter sustains the entire force of the pressure upon the blocks. The tension
rods are made large and strong enough to resist the force of the lever, and as the
latter possesses great power any medium interposed between the plunger and platen
is subjected to enormus pressure. When the countershaft is further rotated the
link P pulls down the toggle lever with a positive action and retracts the plunger
from the mold so that the mold wheel may be again rotated the requisite distance
by the moving pawls to present the succeeding filled molds to the action of the
plunger. If the block undergoing pressure is larger than the usual or pre-
determined size, or contains a hard unyielding substance, the movements of the
plunger and toggle joint will be stopped before reaching the limit of their throw,
leaving the toggle bent down and thereby shortening the distance between each

page_text: joint and the crank shaft. This would result in breaking the press but for the
release motion before named, which operates to throw up the weighted lever and
relieve the strain upon the toggle and link.
N¹ is a weight adapted for adjustment upon the lever Q by means of the set
screws O¹ for the purpose of regulating the pressure of the plunger and platen, or in
other words to determine the amount of pressure exerted by the plunger and platen
before being released by the lifting of the lever. Pl is a rod pivoted to the outer
joint of the toggle and extending down through the weighted lever, beneath which
it is provided with an india-rubber or other elastic cushion Q1 which takes up the
shock of the lever in falling and prevents it from jarring or breaking the machine.
When in the operation of the machine the plunger moves into the mould wheel
the cams of the counter shaft throw forward the bell-crank levers K¹ and connecting
rods J to move the discharger into the mold opposite the plunger and discharge its
contents outward through the wheel. As the plunger is withdrawn from the mold
the discharger is retracted by the action of one of the cams L¹ upon the extended
arm of one of the bell-crank levers, as herein-before described.
Instead of employing one of the cams L' for this purpose an additional cam or
the countershaft may be used if desired.
The several operations of filling the moulds, compressing the blocks, and dis-
engaging them from the molds are performed simultaneously, the mold wheel being
turned by the moving pawls to present the molds first to the feeding devices, next
to the pressing plunger, and lastly to the action of the discharger.
The compressed blocks discharged from the mold wheel pass out upon a carrying
plate R mounted upon vertical guide rods T¹ in rear of the mold wheel, and
pivoted by short links U₁ to the inner ends of parallel arms V'. The outer ends of
these arms are pivoted to the frame of the press or to projections therefrom, and
their centres carry friction rollers W. X¹ in a cross shaft having its bearings in
the frame of the press beneath the arms V, and receiving its motion from the main
driving shaft of the machine through the medium of the shafting Y, and beveled
gearing Z, as shown clearly in Figure 3.
The carrying plate is raised on the guide rods T¹ to a level with the bottom of
the mould, from which a pressed block is to be discharged by means of cams A³ on
the cross shaft, which when the shaft revolves come in contact with the friction
rollers W and so lift the carrying plate. The gravity of the latter together with
the weight of the pressed block cause the connecting arms to lower the plate as
the cross shaft continues to revolve, and deposit the block upon a horizontal
carrier B arranged upon a central crank of the cross shaft, and a corresponding
crank on a second cross shaft Cs, also mounted in the frame. Reversed cranks are
álso formed in the two cross shafts upon each side the central cranks, which are
connected with horizontal carriers D2, D3, as shown in Figure 3.
The rotation of the cross shaft raises and lowers the several carriers, causing
them to reciprocate in line with the mold wheel, while the position of the cranks
causes the central carrier B to rise while the outer carriers D2, D3, are both falling,
and vice versa. By this meanes the pressed blocks are moved along intermittingly,
so that they may be exposed to a cooling or drying medium for a considerable time
before being removed from the carriers.
The gradual lowering of the pressed blocks from the mould wheel to the carriers
prevents them from becoming broken or misshapen, which would be the case if
they were allowed to drop suddenly before being cooled or hardened. The carrier
as well as the mold wheel move in reservoirs of cold water for the purpose of
cooling the blocks and molds. A stream of water is also allowed to flow into the body
of the plunger and platen, which I make hollow for the purpose, so that their faces
may be kept cool, and therefore prevented from adhering to the face of the blocks
subjected to their action. The molds may also be cooled by streams of water if
preferred.
Having described my Invention, I wish to have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the exact details shewn and described, as the same may vary

page_text: without departing from the peculiar nature of the said Invention ; but what I do
claim is,-
First. A press for forming paving and building blocks, substantially as herein-
before described and shown in the annexed Drawings.
Second. In a press for forming paving and building blocks, a plunger mounted
upon two parallel rods and a platen arranged between the rods, the two being
operated by a toggle joint to press the material between them, substantially as
described.
Third. In a press for forming paving and building blocks, a plunger and platen
combined with two parallel rods and a toggle joint, in such a manner that the
resistance to the pressure of the plunger and platen shall be wholly sustained by
the tensile strength of the parallel rods, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination with the plunger and platen of a mold wheel rotating
between the two, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The plunger arranged within the mould wheel to act radially from the
centre thereof against the platen at the periphery of the wheel, so that the blocks
shall be compressed within the molds without dimetrical strain upon the wheel,
substantially as described.
Sixth. The mold wheel supported and rotated upon flanged friction rollers,
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
Sevtnth. One or more reciprocating notched pawls arranged within the mold
wheel and operated from the driving mechanism to rotate the wheel intermittingly,
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
Eight. A discharging plunger or follower arranged within the mold wheel to
discharge the pressed blocks outward through the wheel upon the side opposite the
pressing mechanism, substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination of the discharger and plunger to operate simul-
taneously in opposite directions from the centre of the wheel, substantially as
described.
Tenth. The weighted lever and links P combined with the crank shaft and
toggle joint to operate the platen and plunger, substantially as described.
Eleventh. The discharger or follower operated from the countershaft through
the medium of connecting arms J¹, double bell-crank lever K¹, and cams L¹, sub-
stantially as described.
Twelfth. The discharger or follower adapted to be withdrawn from the molds
with a positive action by means of a cam on the countershaft combined with an
arm on one of the bell-crank levers, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. The release motion to relieve the pressure of the plunger and
platen, and prevent the press from breaking when the movements of the plunger
and platen are varied by a difference in the size of the blocks or the presence of
any unyielding substance therein, substantially as described.
Fourteenth. The release motion produced by the weighted lever and connecting
link, pivoted to each other and connected to the toggle joint and countershaft, sub-
stantially as described.
Fifteenth. The weight upon the lifting lever adapted for adjustment to regulate
the pressure of the plunger and platen, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. The weighted lever suspended from the toggle joint by means of the
rod P¹, substantially as described.
Seventeenth. The elastic cushion applied to the lower end of the suspending
rod for the purpose of absorbing the shock of the lever in falling, substantially
as described.
Eighteenth. The feed rollers or wheels provided with radially reciprocating
blades for feeding the material into the mould wheel, substantially as described.
'Nineteenth. Adjusting the point of projection and retraction of the feed blades
with respect to the space between the feed rollers for the purpose of regulating the
force of the feed into the molds, substantially as described."
·
Twenty. The feed blades adapted for complete retraction within the feed

page_text: rollers for the purpose of cleaning the blades of adhering material, substantially as
described.
Twenty-first. The sharpened edges of the hopper sides Y arranged to clear the
peripheries of the feed wheels and ends of the feed blades of adhering material,
substantially as described.
Twenty-second. The feed hopper constructed with the parallel inner faces Y to
form a throat for guiding the material into the mold wheel, substantially as
described.
Twenty-third. The feed rollers having an intermittent rotation for the purpose
of feeding the material when the molds are open to the hopper, and preventing it
from being pressed or packed down when the wheel is in motion, substantially as
described.
Twenty-fourth. The combination of the grooved cam plates with the feed
rollers and reciprocating blades, substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
Twenty-fifth. The grooved cam plates provided with radial slots for the appli-
cation and removal of the feed blades, substantially as described.
Twenty-sixth. The cam plates adapted for adjustment in their bearings, substan-
tially as described and for the purpose specified.
Twenty-seventh. The spider V upon the rock shaft combined with the counter-
shaft, and with the ratchet wheels of the feed rollers, by the means substantially as
described and for the purpose specified.
Twenty-eight. The carrying plate R¹ adapted to receive the pressed blocks from
the mold wheel and deposit them upon a reciprocating carrier in rear of the mold
wheel, substantially as described.
Twenty-ninth. The feed plate operated by the pivoted connecting arms V₁, and
the cams A from the cross shaft X1, substantially as described.
Thirtieth. The carrying plate guided in its vertical movements by the upright
rods T¹, substantially as described.
Thirty-first. The carrier composed of three reciprocating parts B2, D³, D³, operating
as described to feed the pressed blocks intermittingly, substantially as described.
Thirty-second. The combination of the plunger and platen, the discharger, and
the carrier, with the mold wheel, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
Thirty-third. The combination with the mold wheel of the feeding roller and
blades, the plunger and platen, the discharger, the dropping plate, and the carrier,
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
Thirty-fourth. The mold wheel adapted to rotate within a reservoir of water,
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
Thirty-fifth. The carrier adapted to operate within a reservoir of water, substan-
tially as described and for the purposes specified.
Thirty-sixth. The pressing plunger and platen adapted to receive a stream of
water within them to prevent their pressing faces from becoming heated, substan-
tially as described.
Thirty-seventh. A press for forming paving and building blocks which shall
simulaneously receive material into a mould, press a block upon one side, and dis-
charge a block upon the opposite side, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Barlow, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day January 1876.