Improvements in and relating to Pottery Moulding Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Pottery Moulding Machines.
We, FREDERICK HURBERT WEEKS, Manufacturer of Pottery, of 906, East Market
Street, and CHARLES DARIUS WEEKS, Superintendent of Factory, of 1293, East
Market Street, both in the City of Akron, in the County of Summit and State of
Ohio, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine;
Figure 2 is a vertical section thereof;
Figure 3 a detail view, in vertical section on an enlarged scale, through the
jolly showing in full and dotted lines, different positions of the shaping or form-
ing roll;
Figure 4 is a plan thereof.
Figure 5 is a detail view in cross section, showing the means for mounting the
edge-forming wheel, and for adjusting the plate which supports the vessel forming
roll;
Figure 6 a like view showing the means for supporting the knife or trimming
tool;
Figure is a horizontal section through the arm that supports the various
forming devices;
Figure 8 is a detail view in perspective of the plate which supports the vessel-
forming roll;
Figure 9 is a detail view, in perspective, of the sleeve and arms for supporting
the forming device and holding the same in operating position; and
Figure 10 is a detail view of the means for adjustably supporting the vessel-
forming roll.
Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.
The object of our invention is to provide certain improvements in pottery
molding machines whereby they may be enabled to do more efficient, better and
cheaper work, and to these ends, said invention-
Consists in the machine and the parts thereof having the construction substan-
tially as hereinafter specified.
In the carrying of the invention into practice there is employed a frame A
having horizontal arms a and a which journal a vertical shaft B, upon the upper
end of which is mounted a mold or form preferably of iron. Upon the shaft B
are fast and loose pulleys 6 and 6.
The mold or form shown being designed for the making of a cylindrical shaped
vessel, has the form of a hollow cylinder C, with a flat bottom D that is fastened
at its center to the shaft B, a hub or sleeve d on the underside of the bottom,
shrunk on the shaft, making the connection a rigid one. The cylinder C and
bottom D are detachably connected together, by bolts or screws E and E, which
pass through said bottom into an annular flange c at the lower edge of the cylinder.
Prine 8/1

page_text: The bottom is rebated to form an annular shoulder d¹ that is engaged by a similar
shoulder c on the flange c, the object of such construction being to enable the
ready centering of the cylinder on the bottom D. By making the cylinder and
bottom detachable, forms of varying size and interior shape can be used by simply
substituting a cylinder of one size or shape for one of a different size or shape.
For the manufacture of vessels having ears or handles, the interior of the mold
or form is provided at diametrically opposite points with two openings extending
from the top downward, into each of which is placed a removable block in
whose bottom edge is formed a cavity e³, which, with a portion of the surface of
the bottom of the opening, forms the mold for a handle or ear.
The blocks may
be made removable in any desired way, but preferably each is hinged at one
side so as to swing outward from the mold; leaving a clear space for the ear or
handle to pass through. Each block has a sliding, spring latch. or bolt for
fastening it in position. The provision of the mold with these removable blocks
enables the formation of vessels with ears or other projections, and avoids the
necessity of the separate formation of the ears, and their attachment to the vessel,
as has been the practice.
The clay or material to be operated on, does not rest upon and receive its exterior
shape from the bottom D, but rests upon and takes its external shape from a plate
or table within the mold or form, resting loosely upon a cap or disk g on the
upper end of a longitudinally movable rod G that passes through an axial opening
in the shaft B, and has its lower end carried to à point below the floor or other
resting place of the machine. The rod is made capable of being raised and
lowered to enable the plate or table F to be raised for the removal of the finished
vessel from the form, and to receive the material for making a. vessel, and to be
lowered in position for a shaping operation. Any suitable means may be em-
ployed for giving the rod these movements, but that shown is simple and efficient,
consisting of a block H on the top of which the rod rests, which is slidably mounted
on a vertical guide bar I and has a wheel h on one side over which passes a cord
or rope J, one end of which is fastened to some fixed point, and the other to a
windlass K. By means of the latter the rod may be raised, carrying the table F,
while gravity will cause its descent, when it is free to descend.
For causing the clay to take the form desired, there is employed a former con-
sisting of a roll L of wood or other material, that is attached at its upper end
to a radial arm M upon the lower end of a shaft N, the axis of the roller being
so inclined relative to the axis of said shaft, and to a plane radial to said shaft,
passing through the roller axis at the upper end of the roller, that its operative
position relative to the mold or form is at the beginning of a forming operation
with its lower end at, or substantially at, the center thereof and inclining upward
and outward towards the side thereof, and also rearward with reference to the
direction of revolution of said form. Or, the position of the roll may be described
as such that its upper and lower ends are respectively intersected by two planes
radial to the axis of the shaft N, and not by one plane passing diametrically
through the latter, and with the lower end in advance of the upper
end as the roll is revolved by the shaft N.
roll
The surface of the
is convexly curved longitudinally. On the upper
shaft N is a hand wheel
end of the
by which it may be revolved. The roll is
journaled on a shaft O, to which it is secured by means of a cap plate P, fastened
to its lower end by a screw, which plate engages a shoulder on the interior of the
roll, and by the cap having a shank screwed or otherwise secured in an opening
in the lower end of the roll.
n
The shaft N is located eccentric to but in an area, that is circumscribed by the
walls of the mold, so that the curved path traveled by the roll is a circle wholly
within the mold, and of a diameter that reaches from the central part thereof to
the wall save for a distance equal to the thickness of the wall of the pottery article.
Said shaft is journaled in a bearing Q on a plate R that is attached to a horizontal
arm S that projects radially from the upper end of a sleeve s mounted on a round

page_text: column or standard T, so as to being capable of being moved vertically and swung
horizontally. The column or standard is secured at its lower end to the top of
the frame A, by being placed in a vertical opening therein, and clamped by a
bolt a', the frame being slit vertically, to enable it to be gripped upon the
standard.
On the rear side of the plate R, at the center of the bearing Q, is a stud r that
projects into a horizontal slot si in the arm S, and also passing through the plate
and through said slot are two bolts U and V, the former being nearer the stud r
than the latter. The bolt V has an eccentric parte that engages the opening in the
plate R, and, hence, by rotating the bolt, the plate can be swung on the stud r
as a center to change the angle at which the shaft stands, and vary the relation
of the roll to the mold. The end of the bolt V is squared to permit the application
of a wrench to rotate it. The diameter of the bolt U is, as indicated in Figure 2,
sufficiently less than the width of the slots to allow the described movement of
the plate R. A reference to Figure 2 will make it plain how the angle of the
shaft N can be changed by rocking the plate R, as described. A bolt W. tapped
through the outer end of the arm S and abutting against the stud provides
means for the close adjustment of the roll towards the side of the mold.
For compacting and giving a smooth surface to the upper edge of the vessel,
a wheel or roller X, having its periphery given the desired configuration, is
journaled at the lower end of a vertical rod a, which is secured at its upper end
by a set screw within a vertical opening in a bracket Y that is pivoted to the
arm S, so that it may be swung horizontally. The bracket Y is bifurcated and
one member rests upon and is pivoted to an upper horizontal flange on the arm S
and the other member rests upon and is pivoted to a lower horizontal flange on
said arm.
One of said pivots is a screw or bolt y which serves to clamp or hold
the bracket in position. It will be seen that the roller can be adjusted vertically
and horizontally to adapt it for vessels of varying height and diameter. To
supplement the action of the roller, a knife Z is provided, that is placed so as
to remove any clay which may be squeezed over the top edge of the cylinder C
between it and the lowermost point reached by the roller. The knife is supported
on the lower end of a vertical bar A¹ that is attached to a clamp B' which is secured
to the bar S, by being passed through the slot s and having lugs to engage the
bar on one side, and by the engagement of the bar A¹ with the other side of the
bar S. The bar A' and the clamp are held in place by the set screw (which
presses the bar A¹ against the side of the bar S. The position of the knife can
be varied by adjusting the bar A¹ vertically.
The purpose of making the arm S vertically and horizontally movable, is the
usual one, to permit the taking of the forming tool and its support out of the way
to give access to the mold or form, and the arm and attached parts are suitably
counterbalanced so that they can be readily raised and lowered. The arm, when
in its lowered position with the roll L in proper position relative to the mold is
securely held from swinging horizontally, by means of a radial arm at the
lower end of the sleeves, placed preferably at an angle of 90° from the arm S,
that at its outer end engages a vertical bar D', that is attached at its lower end
to the outer end of a radial arm E extending from a split sleeve e which is
clamped to the column T. A horizontal offset or shoulder near the bottom of
the bar D, under which the arm C¹, is moved, prevents any accidental upward
movement of the latter and the parts connected therewith. Parallel with the
bar D is a second vertical bar F, which extends to a higher point than the other
and higher than it is necessary to lift the arm S2 to remove the roll from the
mold. In returning the roll to the mold, it is swung until the arm C¹ strikes the
portion of the bar Fabove the bar D', and then the parts are moved downward,
the arm S2 passing down between the two bars, until its lower side strikes the
base piece to which both bars are attached, and the lower end of the sleeves strikes
the top of the sleeve e.

page_text: For producing an ornamented or figured surface on the exterior of the vessel
being made, the mold or form is lined with lace, embossed rubber, lincrusta, or
other figured material. As shown at G, Figure 4, the markings of which are
faithfully reproduced in the clay. For producing colored effects, colors can be
applied, by a roller, or otherwise, to the relief surfaces of the lining, which will
be imparted to the corresponding depressed surfaces formed in the vessel. Of
course, instead of using an embossed or figured lining, a mold can be used having
its surface figured or cut into a desired design.
When it is desired to work without a lining for the mold, whether plain or
embossed, this can be done, and the clay be prevented from adhering to the mold
by heating the latter either all of the time the machine is in use or only when
the vessel is to be removed. Gas, steam or other heating medium may be
employed. For illustration, there is shown in Figure 2 a steam jacket H¹ enclos-
ing the cylinder C, provided with pipes h¹ and for the inlet and outlet of steam.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The arm S being raised and
turned to one side to remove the roll L from the mold or form, the rod G is raised
to position to receive the mass or bat of clay to be worked, which is placed at the
center of the table F. The rod, with the table is then lowered, and the roll L
by the swinging and lowering of the arm S, is placed in the mold, with its lower
end in the bat of clay. The mold being revolved by power applied to the shaft B,
in the direction indicated by the arrow Figure 4, and the roll carrying shaft N
being revolved in the same direction, by the hand wheel n, the clay by reason of
the peculiar arrangement of the roll, is gradually forced outward, first forming
the bottom of the vessel, and then, pressed against the side wall of the mold,
gradually producing the wall of the vessel, working from the bottom upward. By
its revolution with the shaft N, the surface of the roll, at points successively
further and further along travels parallel with the bottom and the side of the
mold. Owing to the angle at which the roll stands, buf a small part of the clay
at a time is being pressed with the finishing or final pressure against the mold,
and hence, the full power is exerted to the best possible advantage. The tendency
of the roll, from the friction of the interposed mass of clay, is, by the revolution
of the mold, to move outwards towards the wall of the latter, revolving on the
shaft N, and this tendency is of material aid in the operation of the machine;
and but for the fact that the work can be done faster by revolving the roll by the
hand wheel n, no such manipulation need be provided for, because once started,.
the roll would complete its work without intervention. With this machine,
coarse clay, clays ground only half as fine as ordinary-and stiff clays can be
perfectly and uniformly worked, and the work he rapidly, and well done.
The vessel being finished, the revolution of the mold is stopped, the roll lifted
and turned out of the way, and the rod G raised to lift the table to the top of
the mold to permit the vessel, by means of said table, to be removed from the
machine.
Besides being adapted for forming different sized vessels by changing the
cylinder C, the same cylinder can be used for vessels of less diameter by placing
slats or staves within it of the required thickness, two staves, at diametrically
opposite points being cut in two and formed to make ears, such provision being
similar to that for the same purpose before described. Vessels of different height
can be made by placing blocks beneath the cap or disk g, and by correspondingly
raising the sleeve e on the column T which limits the descent of the sleeve S and
the roll L.
By adjusting the plate R to place the shaft N at an angle to the axis of the
mold, the formation of the bottom of the vessel can be varied, so that the upper
or inner surface will incline in greater or less degree, from its center, either upward
or downward towards the side."
Of course, by changing the form of the mold, and the shape of the roll, the form
of the vessel to be made, can be varied at will.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is-
1. The combination of a form or mold, and a shaping tool mounted to revolve
bodily around an eccentric axis that is not exterior to the mold, and held at an
incline so that its ends are intersected by different planes radial to said axis,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. The combination of a form or mold, and a shaping tool mounted to revolve
bodily around an eccentric axis that is not exterior to the mold, and so held
that a line passing through it from end to end is inclined relative to said axis,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. The combination of a form or mold, and a shaping tool mounted to revolve
bodily around an excentric axis that is not exterior to the mold and so held that
a line passing through it from end to end is inclined relative to said axis with
its ends located so they are intersected by different planes radial to such axis,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. The combination of a form or mold, a shaping tool, and an eccentric axis
for said tool around which it travels during a forming operation, said tool being
supported so that a line passing from end to end of it stands at an incline relative
to such axis with one end in advance of the other as the tool revolves on such
axis, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. The combination of rotatable form or mold, a shaping tool, a shaft by which
the tool is revolved during a forming operation and connections between the tool
and shaft, which eccentrically support the latter from the former at an incline
which places one end of the roll in advance of the other as the tool is revolved
by said shaft. substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. The combination of a rotatable form or mold, a rotary shaping roll, a shaft
journalling the same, a second shaft, by which the roll is revolved during a form-
ing operation, and a crank or eccentric connection between the two shafts, the
roll-journalling shaft being held at an incline which places one end of the roll
in advance of the other end, as the roll is carried by said second shaft, substan-
tially as and for the purpose described.
7. The combination of a form or mold, an inclined shaping tool, a shaft from
which the latter is eccentrically supported, by means of which said tool is caused
to travel in a curved path, and an adjustable support for said shaft, whereby the
inclination of the tool may be varied, substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. The combination of a form or mold comprising a bottom and sides, a shaping
roll. a shaft eccentric to the mold, but within the area of the walls thereof, and
a roll-supporting part connected to said shaft, from which the roll extends at an
incline to the shaft axis, with its inner or lower end free, and in advance of the
other end, as the roll is revolved by the shaft, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
9. The combination of a form or mold, a tool for causing the material to conform
to the mold, an arm carrying said tool, a wheel or roller for forming the edge of
the vessel to be made, and a support for said wheel, pivoted to said arm on an
axis parallel with the mold axis, substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. The combination of a form or mold, a tool for causing the material to take
the form of the mold. a wheel or roller to form the edge of the vessel to be made.
and trimming tool in position to act on the latter at a point where the roller and
mold co-operate, substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. The combination of a form or mold shaped to form projections, having for
each projection-forming part a hinged block or piece, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
12. The combination of a mold or form, a shaping tool, an arm carrying the
latter, a support on which the arm is mounted for movement in line with the
mold, and for rotary movement, an arm on said support, and a stop har having

page_text: portions that engage the side, and overhang the said second-named arm to hold
it from movement, substantially as and for the purpose described.
13. The combination of the form or mold, a shaping tool, a pivoted plate hold-
ing the latter, a support for said plate, and a bolt having an eccentric portion,
connecting the plate to the support, substantially as and for the purpose described.
14. The combination of the form or mold, a tool to co-operate therewith, an
arm or support, a bar for said tool, a clamp engaging the bar, and a screw that
holds both clamp and bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.
15. The combination of a mold or form, a shaping tool, an arm carrying the
latter, a support on which the arm is mounted for movement in line with the mold
and for rotary movement, an arm on said support and two parallel stop bars, one
of which is longer than the other to engage said second-named arm, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
Dated the 20th day of December 1898
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.