IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PERFORATED CYLINDERS OR BLOCKS OF TERRA-COTTA AND SIMILAR MATERIAL, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PERFORATED CYLINDERS OR
BLOCKS OF TERRA-COTTA AND SIMILAR MATERIAL, AND IN MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communication from abroad by Augustus
Reeve, of Camden, New Jersey, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd May 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
PERFORATED CYLINDERS OR BLOCKS OF TERRA-COTTA AND SIMILAR MATERIAL,
AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communication from abroad
by Augustus Reeve, of Camden, New Jersey, United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improved method of and means or apparatus for
forming and compressing at one operation cylinders or blocks of terra cotta and
similar material with numerous longitudinal perforations throughout the same; as
hereinafter fully set forth.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the machine or apparatus embodying the said
Invention, and
At the base of
Figure 2 is a bottom or underside view of a portion thereof.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the blocks or cylinders.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in the several Figures.
A represents a hopper, and B the die chamber below the same.
the said hopper or at the top of the chamber B is suspended a spider or open
frame C, from the underside of the arms or spokes of which depend a number of
dies D, D, which are tapering at their upper portions and cylindrical at their
lower portions. These dies are grouped, arranged, or disposed relatively to the
number and the location of the perforations or bores required in the block, and are
all located within the chamber B.
The clay or earth to be treated is placed in the hopper A and forced into the
chamber B by the action of the plunger head or follower of the said hopper so as to
fill the said chamber and form or close around the dies D. As the pressure is
continued on the mass in the hopper the portion in the chamber B is forced out at

page_text: the bottom thereof and assumes the form of the said bottom, the perforations or
bores produced by the dies being preserved. When the proper length of the
moulded block is ejected or has emerged it is cut off and dried or burned or
otherwise treated as occasion requires.
It will be understood that I form blocks each of which has numerous openings
or bores extending longitudinally entirely through the same, the moulding of the
block and the formation of the said numerous openings or bores being accomplished
at one time or operation, and the blocks as completed are uniform, the openings or
bores being coincident with each other. Furthermore, when the clay or earth
enters the chamber B it flows or closes around the dies, and the latter reducing
the space through which such clay or earth is forced the mass is compressed during
the moulding operation so that the blocks are made compact and their durability is
increased.
To suspend the spider C from the chamber B I form directly on the inner face of
the latter and near the top thereof a shoulder or rectangular recess a into which
the circumferential ring of the spider is fitted; the said shoulder extends beneath
the said ring, whose inner circumference is bevelled to accord or form a flush joint
with the inclined side of the chamber, whereby no obstruction is presented to the
descent of the clay or earth by the said ring. The exterior surface of the chamber
around the said shoulder may be swelled out for strengthening purposes.
As a support for the spider the central die is pierced vertically, and through it is
passed a bolt D' which is suspended from a spider or arms E or other bearing cast
with, secured to, or, supported within the hopper A, the head or the nut of the said
bolt resting against a shoulder at the bottom of the said die. By this provision
the spider C is sustained at its centre, and as its rim or circumference is supported
on the shoulder a the said spider is well adapted to endure the strain during the
formation and compression of the block.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The above described method of forming blocks of terra cotta and similar
material with numerous longitudinal perforations or bores throughout them,
consisting in forcing a mass of clay or earth into and through a tapering chamber
having numerous hole forining dies within it, whereby the clay or earth closes
around the said dies, and forms when ejected a block moulded with numerous
openings and compressed at one operation, the said block being afterwards cut into
lengths and finished.
Second. The spider or open frame C provided with numerous depending dies D
all inclosed in a tapering die-chamber, substantially as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Third. The die-supporting spider suspended from the shoulder a on the inner walls
of the die-chamber, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The die supporting spider having its circumferential rim bevelled to
accord with the inclined side of the tapering die-chamber, substantially as above
set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The die supporting spider sustained centrally by a bolt or bolts D' from
the hopper, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
WM. ROBT. LAKE.. (L.S.)