Improvements in the Construction of Automatic Cutting Off Tables for Bricks.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Automatic Cutting Off Tables
for Bricks.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSON Engineer Castleton Foundry, Leeds, in the County of
York, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the construction of an automatic or power
driven cutting off table for bricks, whereby a certain number and size of bricks
can be cut from a column of clay issuing from a pugmill or other such like
machine, and also be delivered at one side of the machine ready for removal,
and at the same time the table brought into position for recommencing cutting
operations.
The cutting off tables as used for cutting bricks off by hand, consists of two
arms (to be named hereinafter the cutting arms) fitted with the usual cutting wires
and boards for supporting and guiding the column of clay. The cutting arms
travel on runners or in slides, in a direction at right angles to the column of clay,
the runners being mounted on studs, fixed to a lower framework and the lower
framework is mounted on wheels which run on rails in the same direction as the
issuing column of clay does from the pugmill. This twofold movement allows the
bricks to be cut off at the same time as the table is moving along with the column
of clay. The whole of the framework consisting of the cutting arms and lower
framework or carriage is supported on a suitable foundation fixed to the ground
or floor.
The table is operated automatically by a ratchet wheel or other device fixed to
a suitable driving shaft, placed under the table, and engaging a pawl fixed on a
pin passing through two loose disc plates, placed on each side of the ratchet
wheel. One of the loose disc plates is provided with a long boss on the end of
which is formed a bevil wheel geared to another bevil wheel mounted on a vertical
shaft. On the same vertical shaft is also mounted a crank for operating the cutting
arm, and a cam for operating the lower carriage. The crank is connected to the
cutting arms by means of a connecting rod from the crankpin to a pin in a cross
bar bolted to each cutting arın. The cam for operating the lower carriage engages
a runner fixed to the framework, the cam being suitably shaped for carrying the
table forward and back again in one revolution.
The whole of the gearing actuating the cutting off table is operated by the
ratchet wheel fixed to the driving shaft, which is continually in motion. But the
pin passing through the pawl engaging the ratchet wheel is fitted at the outside
with a disengaging lever, which at a set point of the revolution disengages the
pawl from the ratchet wheel, by coming in contact with a stop bar fixed to the
lower carriage and thereby bringing the whole of the cutting table to a stand-still.
The stop bar is only in a position for disengaging the ratchet pawl when the
lower carriage is in its extreme backward position. The lower carriage is set in
motion when the column of clay has travelled a certain distance along the table,
and by coming in contact with a distance bracket pushes the lower carriage a
certain distance forward and carries the stop bar out of the way of the disengaging
lever, allowing the pawl to engage the revolving ratchet wheel.
The general action of the table is as follows:-The column of clay issuing from
the pugmill travels along the table until it reaches the distance bracket, and by
pushing the lower carriage forward removes the stop bar away from the disengaging

page_text: lever, and sets the disc plates and bevil wheels in motion, which also set the crank
and cam in motion. The crank is in a suitable position for allowing the cutting
arms to commence cutting through the column of clay. In the meantime the cam
is revolving but is not imparting any motion to the lower carriage whilst the wires
are passing through the clay, but as soon as the cutting operation is over, and the
wires are clear of the column, then the cam actuates the lower carriage, and throws
it to its extreme forward position. The crank during the action of the cam is
passing through an arc about the dead point, and therefore is imparting very little
movement to the cutting arms, which keep clear of the column of clay until the
lower carriage is in its forward position. Whilst in this position the cutting off
wires are well in front of the column of clay, and are enabled to cross the column
without coming in contact with it. As soon as the wires are far enough back to
be out of the way of the column, the cam throws the lower carriage back to its
extreme back position, and here the stop bar is just in time to disengage the
ratchet wheel pawl, and bring the machine to a standstill. The table remains in
this position until the column of clay travels forward to the distance bracket for
restarting cutting operations.
It is a very important matter in the satisfactory working of an automatic cutting
off table for bricks, that the column of clay should not set the table in motion until
the column has reached its proper destination, namely of coming in contact with
the distance bracket.
In order to ensure this condition of things, I construct the distance bracket with
an inner sliding block which is free to move inside the bracket, the said bracket
being fixed to the framework of the lower carriage. The outer end of the sliding
block is connected to a rod attached to a catch lever, which falls into a suitable
notch, when the lower carriage reaches its extreme backward position. The front
end of the sliding block projects about inch or more in front of the distance
bracket, so as to enable the column of clay to come in contact with the sliding
block, and whilst pushing it flush with the distance bracket it also disengages the
catch lever and allows the lower carriage to be moved forward and set the table in
motion. The sliding block is brought to its former position by a spring or weight
acting on the sliding block or rod.
Without this precaution of keeping the table positively still until the column
reaches the distance bracket, the friction of the column acting on the table has a
tendency to start the lower carriage before its proper time and cut the column
irregularly or otherwise spoil the efficiency of the table.
As a modification of the above device for keeping the table in one position I may
make use of an endless belt on which the column is made to travel and at a
certain point of the travel, the said belt disengages the catch lever and sets the
table free to move.
Dated this 4th day of October 1895.
WILLIAM JOHNSON,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Automatic Cutting Off Tables
for Bricks.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSON, Engineer, Castleton Foundry, Armley, Leeds, in the
County of York, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the construction of an automatic or power
driven cutting off table for bricks, whereby a certain number and size of bricks

page_text: Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same.
Figs. 4 & 5 are enlarged views of the ratchet wheel and disc plates.
Figs. 6, 7 & 8 are three views of the distance bracket and other parts appertaining
to same.
My invention as illustrated on Figs. 1, 2, & 3, has two cutting arms (A, A),
fitted with the usual wire frames, and is mounted on the guide studs (B, B), which
are fixed to a lower framework or carriage (C). The lower carriage is mounted
on the wheels (D), which run on the rails (E), in the same direction as the
column of clay travels. The cutting arms also carry the table (F), on which the
column travels, and the tray (G) on which the bricks are delivered.
The lower carriage is provided with a longitudinal frame (H), fitted with a
distance bracket (I), Figs. 6, 7 & 8, mounted on hinges, and the column of clay
must as hereinafter described first reach this distance bracket, before cutting
operation takes place.
The cutting arms are operated by the rod (J) connected to the crank (K), which
is keyed on to the boss appertaining to the cam (L), and the bevel wheel (M).
The bevel wheel and cam are cast in one and run loose on the vertical spindle (N)
The bevel
fitted to a suitable bridge (O), bolted to each side of the frame.
wheel (M) is driven by the bevel pinion (P), which is connected with a ratchet
wheel arrangement (Q), shewn in Figs. 4 & 5. The ratchet wheel arrangement
consists of the wheel (Q) Figs. 4 & 5 keyed on to the longitudinal shaft (R). On
each side of the ratchet wheel is mounted a disc plate (S) one running loose on the
boss (T) appertaining to the ratchet wheel, and the other on the shaft (R), the
latter being provided with a long sleeve or boss on the end of which is formed
the bevel pinion (P). The disc plates are fitted with a catch bar (V), fixed
between the two beams (W, W) and let into the slot (X, X) for the purpose of
guiding the same. The beams (W, W) are fitted at the other end with a stud (Y)
carrying a runner (Z) in the centre, and are suitably shaped in the middle for
clearing the shaft (R), and the sleeve appertaining to one of the disc plates.
When the ratchet wheel which is continually revolving is in action it engages the
catch bar (V) and thereby imparts a revolving motion to the disc plates (S) which
also impart by meaus of the bevel pinion (P) a revolving motion to the cam (L)
and crank (K).
The runner (Z) disengages the catch bar (V) at the end of each revolution of
the disc plates. This is effected by placing a suitable stop plate (A¹) on the frame
on the lower carriage (C), so as to come in contact with the runner (Z), when
approaching the end of its revolution, and press the beams (W, W) back sufficiently
to allow the catch bar (V) to clear the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

page_text: The disc plates are set in motion by removing the stop plate (A¹) away from the
runner (Z), and the spring (B1) acting on the catch bar (V) throws the same within
range of the teeth of the revolving ratchet wheel, and thereby sets the mechanism
appertaining to the cutting off table in motion.
The various operations of the cutting off table, are performed as follows. The
column of clay issuing from the pugmill is received on the table (F), and travels
along the table until it reaches the distance bracket (I) and by pushing the lower
carriage (C) forward removes the stop bar (A¹) away from the disengaging
runner (Z), and sets the disc plates and bevil wheel in motion, which also actuate
the crank (K) and cam (L). The crank is in a suitable position for allowing the
cutting arms to commence cutting through the column of clay. In the meantime the
cam is revolving but it is not imparting any motion to the lower carriage (C) during
the time the wires are passing through the clay, but as soon as the cutting operation is
over the cam (L) engages the runner (C¹) fixed to the lower carriage by means of
the bridge (D) and throws it to its extreme forward position. Whilst in this
position the cutting off wires are well in front of the column of clay and are
enabled to pass in front of it on their return stroke without coming in contact
with it.
As soon as the wires are far enough back to enable the column of clay to pass
clear of them the cam (L) engages the runner (F) fixed in the same way as the
runner (C¹) and throws the lower carriage to its extreme backward position. At
the same time the stop bar (A¹) comes into a position for acting on the runner (Z)
and disengages the catch bar (V) from the ratchet wheel, thereby bringing the
mechanism actuating the table to a standstill, until the column reaches the
distance bracket (I) again to set the mechanism in motion, and repeat the cutting
operation.
During the cutting operation the table (F) passes under the column to the other
side of it, and the tray (G) takes its place, and receives the cut bricks which
remain on the tray until the cutting arms return back to their starting point.
The tray and bricks are then removed and another tray put in their place.
It is a very important matter in the satisfactory working of an automatic cutting
off table for bricks, that the column of clay should not set the table in motion by
rubbing on the table (F) until it has reached its proper destination, namely of
coming in contact with the distance bracket (I). In order to ensure this condition
of things the distance bracket is provided with a sliding block (G) Figs. 6, 7 & 8,
having a forked end which engages the top arm of the crank lever (H'). This
lever is mounted on a fixed pin (T¹) fitted in the bracket (J'). The bottom
arm (K) is constructed to drop in the slot (L') as soon as the table reaches its
extreme backward position, and remains there until the column reaches the sliding
block (G) and thereby acting on the bell crank lever disengages the arm (K')
from the slot (L') and allows the table or lower carriage to move forward. The
slot (L) is cut in the bar (01) which is always stationary, being fixed to the
foundation frame (P") of the machine. The sliding block (1) projects about
or more out of the bracket (I), in order to allow for the said block to travel a
sufficient distance to disengage the bell crank lever arm (K') from the notch bar
before it comes in contact with the distance bracket (I). The block (G¹) is
brought back to its position as occupied before the column reaches it, by the
spring (Q) connected at one end to the lower carriage, and the other end to the
bell crank lever (H'). The distance bracket (I) is connected to the longitudinal
board (H) by means of a suitable hinge (S) Fig. 8, in order to enable the bracket
to be swung to one side and let the column pass, in the case of any temporary
repairs being needed to the wire frame. For the same purpose the top arm of
the bell crank lever (H) is made in two parts, and jointed by the pin (T) to enable
it to be easily thrown over out of the way of the column of clay. The distance
bracket (1) is prevented from moving on its hinge by the bolt (U) which is made
to drop into the bracket (VI).

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, I declare that what I claim is.
First. The general arrangement and construction of an automatic cutting off
table for bricks, actuated in its cutting operations by a combination of mechanism,
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Second. The combination of ratchet wheel, disc plates, and beams, fitted with
catch bar and runner, for starting and stopping the mechanism in an automatic
cutting off table for bricks, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Third. In an automatic cutting off table for bricks the combination of crank (K)
and cam (L) for actuating the cutting arms (A, A) and carriage (C), substantially
as herein described and illustrated.
Fourth. In an automatic cutting off table for bricks the distance bracket (I)
and sliding block (G¹) in connection with the bell crank lever (H¹) and notch
bar (0) for preventing the mechanism being set in motion before the column of
clay reaches its proper destination, substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
Dated this 2nd day of July 1896.
WILLIAM JOHNSON,
Applicant.