IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS." A communication
from abroad by Casper Shrom Bigler, John Bayard McPherson, and
Lyman de Huff Gilbert, all of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of
America.
.
Sealed the 19th April 1876, and dated the 1st March 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st March 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANU-
FACTURING BRICKS." A communication from abroad by Casper Sbrom Bigler,
John Bayard McPherson, and Lyman de Huff Gilbert, all of Harrisburg, Penn-
sylvania, United States of America.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machinery for the manufacture
of bricks, and consists in the devices herein-after specified.
The object of the said Invention is the production of a machine which will
rapidly and properly mould and deliver bricks.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embracing certain of the elements of
this Invention; Figure 2 is a similar view from the opposite side of same; Figure
3 is a vertical transverse section of same; Figure 4 is a plan of same.
Figure 5 is a detached view of the presser plate and planing knife.
Figure 6 is a detached view of a part of the mixing shaft.
Figure 7 is a similar view of the planing knife.
Figure S is a side elevation partly in section of the elevating and crushing
mechanism.
- Figure 9 is a view of the roller support of the mould table.

page_text: Figure 13 is a glass plunger, or one having its sides and top or either thereof
faced with glass.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a brick pressing device; Figure 15 is a central
vertical longitudinal section of same; Figure 16 is an end view partly in section
of same.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the plunger.
Figure 18 is a sectional view of the oiling mechanism.
A in the accompanying Drawings represents a platform to which is secured an
auxiliary platform a having the vertical frame B which sustains the shaft b pro-
vided at each end with gear wheels C, properly constructed to engage a chain
gearing. The shaft b has at one extremity a crank wheel c through which motion
is communicated to the shaft.
Upon the shaft b, midway between the sides of the frame B, is rigidly secured
the worm D, which engages the gear wheel d, rigidly secured to the upper end
of the vertical shaft E, which is sustained by the bearings e, attached to the
frame B. This shaft E is sustained by the bearings e, as to its upper parts, its lower
extremity resting upon a block in the centre of the bottom of the conical hopper F,
the shaft occupying the vertical axial centre of the hopper, and being provided on
that part, below the edge of the hopper, with the mixing knives f, arranged at
right angles to the shaft, the length of the knives decreasing from top to bottom so
that their operation will effect to as great an extent as possible the contents of the
hopper.
The knives being drawn to an edge will operate not only to mix but also to press
the clay down on the lower knives more rapidly than the imoulds can be filled, thus
the moulds are abundantly supplied with clay."
The object of having the hopper conical is to contract the pressure of the material
in it into as small a space as possible. The hopper is properly secured in a vertical
position against the frame B, its bottom being a single plate, with an aperture
properly placed for the egress of the clay.
Below the centre of the frame, and properly secured by a central pivot at G, is
placed the mould table g, having the moulds H of proper size to form the brick,
and placed as nearly as possible to the edge of the upper surface of the table; these
moulds being so placed that as the wheel revolves they pass under and are filled by
the material escaping through the aperture in the bottom of the hopper.
The bottom of the mould H consists of a loose plate h set in the recess, and
moveable therein by means of a traveling wheel I secured upon its lower
extremity.
At a suitable place opposite the lower edge of the mould table are provided the
inclined ways I, so arranged that as the mould table revolves the traveling wheels I
shall ascend and descend the ways, thereby elevating the upper surface of the loose
plate to the level of this upper surface of the mould table. Now when the
traveling wheels I are in contact with the auxiliary platform a the plate is below
the upper surface of the mould table a distance equal to the thickness of a brick,
and as the recess is filled by clay in passing under the hopper, and as the apex
of the ways is sufficient to elevate the plate to tlie level of the upper surface
of the moulded table, it is obvious that a moulded brick will be gradually discharged
from the recesses as the wheels I ascend the ways, and that the plates h will de-
scend, allowing the mould to be refilled after passing the apex, which is placed in
the longitudinal central plane of the device.
Secured to one side of the frame, and arranged so as to nearly impinge the upper
surface of the mould table, is provided the presser plate K; provided with the plane
, which is adjustable laterally, vertically, and in respect to its degree of inclination
by means of the angular slots n¹, and set screws p¹, shown and placed so that its
edge shall sweep that portion of the circumference of the mould table occupied
by the moulds.
To the rear of the presser plate is secured the vertical standard R¹, the upper
end of which passes through the ear, secured on the lower cross bar of the frame,

page_text: the upper end of the standard being threaded and provided with the nuts ¹, by
the operation of which the relation of the presser plate to the mould may be
regulated. The purpose of this part of the Invention is to press the brick into the
mould as well as to smooth its upper surface. The edge of the mould table g
is provided with the angular recess L, for the purpose herein-after specified, and is
geared and suitably arranged to engage the worm I, rigidly secured at the centre of
the driving shaft, and working in bearings at each end, near one of which it is
provided with the friction wheel M, which co-operates with a larger friction wheel
m, upon the driving shaft N, mounted in bearings at each end, and provided with
gear wheels suitable to operate a chain gearing, whereby these gear wheels are con-
nected with the gear wheels c at each end of the shaft b.
One extremity of the shaft X' is provided with a gear wheel n, about which passes
a chain belt connecting it with a suitable gear wheel upon the end of the shaft O,
working in bearings upon the opposite side of the machine. Adjacent and in
front of the shaft last named is provided the rest table P, supported upon each
side by standards, and having at its centre a concave section p, the rest table being
so arranged that the concavity comes in close relation to the vertical wall of the
recess L in the edge of the mould table; and, further, so that the centre of the
concavity is in the vertical central longitudinal plane of the machine.
To the lower cross bar connecting the sides of the frame B is secured the plate Q,
adjustable vertically by means of the slots q, and set screws R, for the purpose of
adjusting the height of the sweeping belt herein-after described, in relation to the
upper face of the mould table g, so that the sweeps on the belt will properly clear
the table g, and have a full bearing upon the edge of the moulded brick.
At each end of the plate Qare provided the pendant arms r, the lower extremities
of which receive as bearings the ends of the roller S, over which passes the endless
sweeping belt H¹, provided at proper intervals with the vertical sweeps s, all so
arranged that as the belt H operates the sweeps 8 shall come in contact with the
moulded brick the instant that the plate h becomes flush with the upper surface of
the mould table, thus the operation of the sweep will remove the brick from the
nould table to the rest table almost instantly, vastly reducing the rasping operation
caused by moving the brick in one direction over a surface moving in another, this
rasping operation being determined the instant the brick is swept upon the rest
table. The other side of the sweeping belt H¹ passes over and is operated by the
recessed roller T, mounted at the centre of the shaft t, which operates in bearings
upon the standards U, secured to the platform A, one end of the shaft t being pro-
vided with a gear wheel u, of suitable construction to operate the chain belt, and
of superior size to the similarly constructed gear wheel V, secured on the end of
the shaft O, which works in bearings in properly placed standards W, and is
provided immediately below the sweeping belt H with the roller w, over which
passes the endless conveying belt X, the upper surface of which passes in close rela-
tion to and upon a level with the centre of the rest.table, the other end of the belt
being suspended by the roller shaft a, mounted upon bearings in the standards Y.
It is obvious that as the gear wheel which operates the sweeping belt H is larger
than that which drives the conveying belt, the motion of the former belt will be
less rapid than the motion of the latter, thus the moulded bricks are moved
gradually from the mould table to the rest table, thence on to the conveying belt,
which moving rapidly conveys them off, avoiding the danger of contact with the
sweeps. The sweeping belt may be provided with any number of sweeps desired.
The purpose of using the friction rollers M, m, is to more perfectly control the
operation of the device, so that when the clay in the hopper is stiff the movement
of the mould table may be slackened when the moulds will be allowed more time
to fill.
It is obvious that a lever or other analogous means may be employed to effect
this result.
The shaft carrying the outer friction wheel may be provided with a feather, so
that the wheel may be moved into or out of gear as desired. For the double

page_text: purpose of grinding and delivering the clay to the hopper, I provide a device such
as is shown in Figure 8, which consists of a hopper A, sustained in any suitable
manner above the crushing rollers B", which are journalled in a frame and operate
a proper distance above the elevating or delivering belt D". In the present instance
four rollers are employed, but it is plain that they may be increased or lessened in
number as desired.
The delivery belt D¹¹ is provided with the buckets d¹¹, and is placed in an
inclined position, its lower end being below the rollers B", and its upper end passing
above the outer edge of the hopper F and running over the rollers E and F,
which are properly placed to carry the belt Du into the position stated. Thus the
clay thrown into the hopper A¹ descends upon the rollers B" and is ground between
them, and thence falls upon the belt D", which conveys it upward and delivers it
into the hopper F upon the machine. To prevent the mould table tilting at its
edges I provide a device similar to that shown at Figure 9. This consists of a
bed H secured below the mould table and having two bearings I11, one of which
is longer thau the other, so as to give the shaft L₁ such inclination that the portion
of the inclined friction roller M, which comes in contact with the lower surface
of the mould table, shall be parallel therewith.
The rollers M, placed at proper intervals, effectually prevent any tilting of the
table and serve to preserve it in a horizontal position. The purpose of using a
roller of the shape shewn, a. truncated cone, is to prevent in a degree the lateral
movement of the table, though it is obvious that other forms as cylinders, balls,
dishes, or other configurations, having circular peripheries may be successfully
employed.
I also employ a new variety of moulds for the manufacture of bricks, dispensing
with the old materials, steel, or metal. I employ glass with excellent results as it
will not wear so readily as metal, will preserve its form very well, and is far less
expensive. This mould may be used in any device for moulding bricks, and any
portion of the machinery that comes in contact with the clay in the process of
formation or expulsion from the mould.
It is plain that this part of the Invention may be applied with great benefit to
all devices, whether hand or machine, for moulding, pressing, or finishing bricks.
In the accompanying Drawings,
-
Figure 10 shows a plain mould, having a central concavity in the form of a
brick.
•
The hand mould, Figure 11, may be either made of solid glass or the recess A
may be lined with that material.
The lining of glass, Figure 12, is intended to fill the recess or mould H in the
table.
The plunger, Figure 13, is made of solid glass, or faced therewith upon its top
and sides or either thereof, as desired.
For the purpose of repressing the brick after it has been moulded I use the device
shown at Figures 14, 15, and 16, which may be described as follows:-A¹ are
tracks of any suitable dimensions upon which moves the mould table B¹, being
sustained on the tracks by suitably shaped guide slots working thereon, or the
table may work on rollers or in any other suitable manner, so as to give it a direct
even movement on the tracks. A toothed rack D1 placed upon one side of the table,
engaging a cog gear wheel driven by a shaft, being the means of impelling the
table in the present instance, though many other mechanisms may be used, or the
table operated by hand. Placed in this mould table at any desired location are the
mould recesses E¹, in which operate the plungers X', the lower portions of which
are suitably conformed or provided with wheels or otherwise appropriately con-
structed to move upon the track F¹, which trackis laid in the present instance
midway between the tracks A¹, and is provided witira depression H. The
dimensions of this track are such that when the plungers or their wheels are in
contact with it the upper surfaces of the plungers are flush with the upper surface
of the table, but when the plungers are in the centre of the depression their upper.

page_text: surfaces are below the upper surface of the mould table a distance equal to the
thickness of a brick. At a suitable distance beyond the depression there is secured
above the mould table a presser plate 1', having its lower surface in close relation
to the upper surface of the mould table, and between the moulds or otherwise
suitably placed is provided a brush L' which sweeps the surface of the presser
plate as the mould table is moved.
It is plain that any number of tracks F1 may be used and that they may be
provided with depressions Has desired, presser plates being appropriately placed
opposite the top of the plungers, as above described.
In operating the device the moulded brick is either placed directly on the top:
of the plunger, or in the mould recess when the plunger is in the depression.
When the table is advanced the plunger rises and the brick is firmly compressed
between the presser plate and the top of the plunger, and after passing beyond the
presser plate the plunger rises to the level of the upper surface of the mould table
when the brick may be removed.
It is obvious that this device may be used also for making bricks if a hopper be:
suspended to deliver the clay into the mould recess when the plunger has reached
the middle point of the depression.
As in the operation of moving the mould table if wheels be employed on the
plungers the wheels and axles are inclined to become very much worn, I have pro-
vided a novel means of oiling them, as shown at Figure 18. I construct the shaft
hollow, closing it at each end, leaving an orifice M opposite the wheel, or I con-
struct it hollow only as far as the orifice aforesaid. Near one end of the axle I
provide another orifice N', and through the side wall of the plunger I make a
transverse aperture P¹, the mouth of which coincides with the position occupied by:
the orifice N¹. Into the aperture P¹ I pour any lubricator which passes into the
centre of the axle, and there escaping through the orifice M¹ effectually relieves the
friction.
The movement of the worm and gear wheels causes the mixing shaft to be
rotated in the hopper, wherein the proper material is now deposited being therein
suitably mixed. The operation communicates motion through the shaft and wormi
to the mould table. The clay descending through the aperture in the base of the
hopper enters into the recesses in the mould table and is therein carried around,
that portion of the clay above the level of the table being smoothed off by the
plane. Then the plate at the bottom of the recess begins to be elevated as
its wheel comes in contact with the ascending way, the brick gradually emerging
from the mould, the bottom of which is flush with the top of the mould table when.
the mould is under the sweeping belt, which, revolving one of the sweeps, comes in
contact with the brick, moving it from the mould table to the rest table and
thence on to the conveying belt which rapidly delivers it at the opposite side of the
machine.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood, that I claim,-
First. The presser plate K provided with the planing knife k, which is made:
adjustable vertically, laterally, and in respect to its degree of inclination to the face
of the mould table, as above specified.
Second. An adjustable presser plate, provided with a planing knife.
Third. The combination of an endless sweeping belt with an adjustable roller
serving to tighten the belt and adjust it in relation to the mould table, as above
set forth.
Fourth. The combination of an endless sweeping belt, mould table, and rest table,.
as above set forth.
Fifth. The rest table, for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The combination of a movable mould table with a stationary rest table.
Seventh. The mould table, provided with the annular recess L, in combination
with the most ball D
1

page_text: Eighth. The combination of a sweeping belt; mould table, rest table, and con-
veying belt, as above specified.
Ninth. The combination of the recessed mould table g, worm b, shaft X', friction
wheels M, m, chain belt m¹, gear wheels J, C, shaft b, worin D, and wheel il, as
above specified.
Tenth. The auxiliary shaft N provided with the friction wheel m, in combi-
nation with worm shaft X¹, friction wheel M, and mould table g, for the purpose
specified.
Eleventh. An endless sweeping belt provided with one or more sweeps for the
purpose of reinoving the brick from the mould table, as above set forth:
Twelfth. The combination of a mould table operating horizontally with an endless
belt, for the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination of an endless sweeping belt, provided with one or
more sweeps with an endless conveying belt, as above set forth
Fourteenth. The cone-shaped hopper provided with the shaft E and conforming
mixing knives, as above specified.
Fifteenth. A cone-shaped hopper having an aperture in its bottom plate in com-
bination with a movable mould table, as above specified.
Sixteenth. A cone-shaped hopper having an aperture in its bottom plate, and
provided with a shaft E carrying the conforming mixing knives ƒ in combination
with a movable mould table..
Seventeenth. A brick machine in which the speed of the mould table is regulated
by means of friction wheels on the driving shaft.
Eighteenth. A brick machine, in which the moulds pass directly under a coincident
aperture in the bottom of the hopper.
Nineteenth. A brick machine, in which the speed of the mould table may be
adapted to the nature of the material in the hopper.
Twentieth. A brick machine employing a sweepnig and conveying belt moving at
different rates of speed:
Twenty-first. A brick machine in which the device that removes the brick from
the mould table touches the brick on but one edge.
Twenty-second. A brick machine having a stationary table between the sweeping
belt and mould table.
Twenty-third. The mould table recessed, as shewn, to bring the moulds in close
relation to the edge of the table.
Twenty-fourth. The delivery belt D" in combination with the rollers B", as set
forth.
Twenty-fifth. A combined crushing and elevating device for feeding clay to the
hopper of a brick machine:
Twenty-sixth. A mould table of a brick machine, the edges of which are sustained
by friction rollers.
Twenty-seventh: A truncated cone-shaped roller, as above specified and for the
purpose set forth.
Twenty-eighth. A brick mould formed of glass, porcelain, or other analogous
materials.
Twenty-ninth. A glass or other analogous surface employed upon that portion of
a brick machine, press, or mould, wherein the clay is formed in whole or in part
into the shape of a brick or wherein the brick is finished.
Thirtieth: A track or tracks upon which the mould or plunger moves, provided
with elevations and depressions to raise and lower the plunger as desired.
Thirty-first. A rectangular shaped table provided with moulds, placed crosswise
or lengthwise:
Thirty-second. A presser plate co-operating with the plunger, as above specified.
Thirty-third. The worm gearing for operating the mixing shaft as above
specified.
Thirty-fourth. A brush or sweep made of any suitable materials for the purpose
of cleaning the presser plate.

page_text: Thirty-fifth. In a brick machine a cone or speed pulley for regulating the move-
ment of the driving shaft by friction.
Thirty-sixth. The axle of the plunger of a brick machine made hollow in whole
or in part, and provided with an inlet and an outlet orifice in combination with
an aperture through the plunger, by means of which combination the axle may be
lubricated as above specified.
In witness whereof I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
ROWLAND G. BROWN,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)