CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANU- FACTURE OF BRICKS FOR BUILDING PURPOSES, WHICH SAID MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MOULDING OR GIVING FORM TO OTHER MATERIALS REQUIRED TO BE PRESSED INTO SHAPE, SUCH AS MOULDED FUEL AND THE LIKE.
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Rowland William Brownhill, of Walsall, in the
County of Stafford, Manufacturer and General Engineer, for the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF BRICKS FOR BUILDING PURPOSES, WHICH SAID MACHINERY IS
ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MOULDING OR GIVING FORM TO OTHER MATERIALS
REQUIRED TO BE PRESSED INTO SHAPE, SUCH AS MOULDED FUEL AND THE
LIKE.
"
Sealed the 16th May 1876, and dated the 19th November 1875.
-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Rowland William
Brownhill at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 19th November 1875.
I, ROWLAND WILLIAM BROWNHILL, of Walsall, in the County of
Stafford, Manufacturer and General Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS FOR BUILDING PURPOSES, WHICH SAID
MACHINERY IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MOULDING OR GIVING FORM TO OTHER
FOR

page_text: MATERIALS REQUIRED TO BE PRESSED INTO SHAPE, SUCH AS MOULDED FUEL AND
THE LIKE," to be as follows (that is to say) :-
2
My improvements are applicable to machines capable of making
bricks or similar articles from grosser materials than are usually selected
for such purposes, such as colliery refuse, shale, bind-clay, rock, fire-
clay, soft loom, concrete, marl, or any other kinds of material suitable
for brickmaking, as well as for moulding patent fuel from fine dross,
coal, and other carbonaceous matter with or without any previous pre-
paration, grinding, crushing, pugging, disintegrating, screening, or
mixing, either dry, semi-dry, plastic, or any degree between dry and
plastic. To operate on such material my machine consists of a strong
bed plate with two pair of luggs or supports suitably placed for sup-
porting strong cam shafts with a strong carriage cast upon the centre
of the bed to hold the moulding and feeding apparatus, which said
apparatus must be made of sufficient strength to overcome any resistance
offered by the rough stony materials required to be moulded or to be
cut or crushed, so as not to interfere with the working of the machine
and prevent breakage through excess of pressure.
The brick mould is fixed horizontally near the centre of the machine,
and within the said mould I work two pistons, one at each end, which
pistons are attached to strong slide blocks working in slide carriages to
guide their action in. a true horizontal motion. These slide blocks are
each fitted with a strong friction roller, which follows the motion of the
two cams before mentioned, and which slide blocks are also fitted with
balance weights to keep the friction rollers up the cams.
The two cams are made to have the following intermittent action
during each revolution :--Firstly, part of the revolution to remain
stationary with both pistons at rest during the feeding of the machine;
the second motion advances the pistons from the feed apparatus and
partially presses the brick of the material with which the said apparatus
is fed; the third motion completes the operation of pressing; the fourth
motion delivers the brick at the other end of the mould; the fifth
motion is stationary whilst the brick is being taken or delivered by
suitable apparatus; and with the sixth motion both pistons return ready
to receive a fresh feed; this completes one revolution, and being a 3
single brickmaking machine produces one brick. The cams advance
alternately, that is to say, one advances and the other retires, and vice
'

page_text: versâ, so as to take the material of which the brick is being formed
between the two pistons as advanced from the feed apperture whilst
pressing it, which being effected the brick is delivered, and the pistons
retired for a fresh feed.
between the two pistons as advanced from the feed apperture whilst
pressing it, which being effected the brick is delivered, and the pistons
retired for a fresh feed.
I (by preference) make the pistons hollow to admit of their being
heated by steam, or otherwise, to prevent the material adhering to them
whilst at work, and I so arrange the working parts that the machine
shall be self-lubricating.
The manner in which I arrange the feeding of my machine (and
which is an important feature of my Invention) is as follows:-I
arrange for a certain regulated distance between the two pistons so that
the capacity shall make a brick of the size desired.
Over the apperture (which in reality becomes the mould) I fix the
hopper to receive the clay or material from which the bricks are to
be moulded, and which said material falls into the mould, but on
account of the various materials and conditions this machine will use,
I apply a weight acted upon by a cam and lever or other suitable means
to drop upon the top of the material in the hopper just at the moment
the machine is waiting to be fed, and so concussively force the material
into the mould between the two pistons, which then commence their
operation, as herein-before described.
The process of delivering the brick from the machine is effected by
the retiring piston entirely leaving the mould, and thereby becoming
clear of the brick whilst the advancing piston forces the brick out of
the mould for it to drop on an endless travelling band (or other equi-
valent means) working in such proximity that the brick as advanced
from the mould drops on to it. But as the motion of the machine will
be rapid, and a little of the material may be left sticking to the piston
after being under great pressure (for greater security), I work an hori-
zontal pallet advancing at the required moment by a cam to force the
brick off the piston in the direction of the endless band or other means,
the said pallet returning instantly by means of a spring or balance
weight so as to be out of the way of the retiring piston. Brickmaking
machines thus constructed may be provided with balance levers or
springs to one or both of the cam shafts, so as to prevent undue

page_text: straining from the irregular nature of the material upon which the
machine may be operating in the moulding of bricks.
The motive power used may be either water, steam, or otherwise, as
may be most economic and convenient.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.
filed by the said Rowland William Brownhill in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 19th May 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROWLAND
WILLIAM BROWNHILL, of Walsall, in the County of Stafford, Manu-
facturer and General Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Hêrself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Rowland William Brownhill,
Her special license that I, the said Rowland William Brownhill, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Rowland William Brownhill, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS FOR BUILDING PURPOSES, WHICH SAID
MACHINERY 18 ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MOULDING OR GIVING FORM TO OTHER
MATERIALS REQUIRED TO BE PRESSED INTO SHAPE, SUCH AS MOULDED FUEL AND
THE LIKE, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Rowland William Brownhill, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
"

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Rowland William Brownhill, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say :-
My improvements are applicable to machines capable of making
bricks or similar articles from grosser materials than are usually selected
for such purposes, such as colliery refuse, shale, bind-clay, rock, fire-
clay, soft loam, concrete, marl, or any other kind of material suitable
for brickmaking, as well as for moulding patent fuel from fine dross,
coal, and other carbonaceous matter, with or without any previous
preparations by grinding, crushing, pugging, disentegrating, screening,
or mixing, either dry, semi-dry, plastic, or any degree between dry and
plastic. To operate on such material my machine consists of a strong
bed plate with two pairs of luggs or supports, suitably placed for sup-
porting strong cam shafts, with a strong carriage cast upon the centre
of the bed to hold the moulding and feeding apparatus, which said
apparatus must be made of sufficient strength to overcome any resistance
offered by the rough materials required to be moulded, or to be cut or
crushed, so as not to interfere with the working of the machine, and
prevent breakage through excess of pressure.
The brick mould is fixed horizontally near the centre of the machine,
and within the said mould I work two pistons, one at each end, which
pistons are attached to strong slide blocks, working in slide carriages to
guide their action in a true horizontal motion. These slide blocks are
each fitted with a strong friction roller, which follows the motion of the
two cams before mentioned, and which slide blocks are also fitted with
balance weight to keep the friction rollers up to the cams.
These two cams are made to have the following intermittent action
during each revolution :-Firstly, part of the revolution to remain
stationary with both pistons at rest during the feeding of the machine;
the second motion advances the pistons from the feed apparatus, and
partially presses the brick of the material with which the said apparatus ·
is fed; the third motion completes the operation of pressing; the
fourth motion delivers. the brick at the open end of the mould; the
fifth motion is stationary whilst the brick is being taken or delivered by

page_text: suitable apparatus; and with the sixth motion both pistons return
ready to receive a fresh feed. This completes one revolution, and being
a single brickmaking machine produces one brick. The cams advance
alternately, that is to say, one advances and the other retires, and vice
versâ, so as to take the material of which the brick is being formed
between the two pistons as advanced from the feed apperture whilst
pressing it, which being effected the brick is delivered, and the pistons.
retire for a fresh feed.
I (by preference) make the pistons hollow to admit of their being
heated by steam or otherwise to prevent the material adhering to them
whilst at work, and I so arrange the working parts that the machine
shall be self-lubricating.
The manner in which I arrange the feeding of my machine (and
which is an important feature of my Invention) is as follows :-I
arrange for a certain regulated distance between the two pistons so that
the capacity shall make a brick of the size desired.
Over the apperture (which in reality becomes the mould) I fix the
hopper to receive the clay or material from which the bricks are to be
moulded, and which said material falls into the mould, but on account
of the various materials and conditions this machine will use, I apply a 1
weight acted upon by a cam and lever or other suitable means, to drop
upon the top of the material in the hopper just at the moment the
machine is waiting to be fed, and so concussively force the material
into the mould between the two pistons which then commence their
operation, as herein-before described.
The process of delivering the brick from the machine is effected by
the retiring piston entirely leaving the mould, and thereby becoming
clear of the brick, whilst the advancing piston forces the brick out of
the mould for it to drop on an endless travelling band (or other equi-
valent means) working in such proximity that the brick as advanced
from the mould drops on to it. But as the motion of the machine will
be rapid and a little of the material may be left sticking to the piston
after being under great pressure (for greater security) I work an hori-
zontal pallet advancing at the required moment by a cam to force the
brick off the pistons in the direction of the endless band, or other
means, the said pallet returning instantly by means of a spring or
balance weight, so as to be out of the way of the retiring piston. Brick-

page_text: making machines thus constructed may be provided with balance levers
or springs to one or both of the cam shafts, so as to prevent undue
straining from the irregular nature of the material upon which the
machine may be operating in the moulding of brick.
The motive power used may be either water, steam, or otherwise, as
may be most economic and convenient; but in order that I may be
well understood as to the nature of my Invention and the manner in
which the same may be carried into effect, I will describe the Drawings
hereunto annexed, which is arranged for the making of bricks of the
ordinary size for building purposes.
Fig. 1 is a front view of my machine drawn to a scale of one inch to
the foot, the means of feeding and beating the clay down into the
mould is not shown on this view; the guides A, A, for the beater stand
on the top of the hopper D, but is broken off in this Figure for want of
space; B, B, B, represent the front side of the machine, which is a
facsimile of the back side, a lengthway opening being formed in this.
ponderous cast iron frame for two cams to work between; the said cams
are shown separate over their respective positions at Figs. 2 and 3, the
said cams defining their position in relation to the other working parts,
as also side views of the hollow pistons E, F, with the pressers d and e;
Figs. 4 and 5 represent edge views of the cams showing their front axis
and extension on their back axis for receiving two large spur wheels
hereafter referred to, but omitted in this view. The centre of the axis
of the cams, also the axis of the spur wheels (above referred to), are
marked a, a, in these views, as at Figures 2 and 3 a top view of the hollow
pistons E, F, and pressers d and e are shown; the parts C, C, are cylinders
that are cast in parts and bolted down to the bed each side by projecting
flanges, flanges being also formed on their. top edges to which the tops.
are bolted, these cylinders are lined with thick plates of brass or gun
metal planed and trued on their inner surfaces for receiving the hollow
pistons, shown separate in side views with the cams at Figs. 2 and 3,
marked E, F, fitted with large friction rollers principally shown in
dotted lines marked b, b; these rollers work on internal axis, and are
held against the face of their respective cams by suitable springs or
weights as shown in Fig. 1, marked G, G, by means of attached chains
to the projecting bolts a', a', working over pullies, also shown in Fig. 1,

page_text: marked c, c, by which means the hollow pistons E, F, with their pressers
d, e, are retired as the throw of the cams diminish.
The face of the pressers are represented at Fig. 6, which defines the
flat side of the brick to be moulded. The rectangular projecting - panel
will impart a corresponding deflection, and as the face of the presser e
is treated in the same way, each side of the brick when moulded will
have sunken panels formed thereon, but by the same means any other
device may be imparted to the flat sides of the brick made by this
machine; these hollow pistons are made sufficiently thick in substance
to permit of a hole or holes being formed in them, and continued to the
pressers d and e that steam may be conveyed to the latter parts for the
purpose of heating, in order that they may more freely press the
material (of which the bricks are formed) without clogging.
Figs. 4 and 5 as before referred to represent top views of the cams,
shown in the last Figures, marked in each case H, I. These views
define the width of the machine, and the relative position of the wheels
applied to their extended axis, the parallel dotted lines show the
thickness front and back of the cast iron frame.
Fig. 7 represents the reverse side of the machine to Figure 1, with
the large spur wheels (before referred to) marked J and K partly a
broken away for the convenience of space, and with a few of the
working cogs only. The pinion L, which in reality is the working
wheel, works in a strong carriage deriving its motion by the shaft f from
any prime mover, derived from steam, water, or other convenient power;
the arrows denote the directions in which the large wheels work; M is;
a divided standard secured on the top of the hopper, which standard is
repeated on the other side for the beater to work between, the head
part N being steadied by convenient stays secured thereto, the part
marked O which is secured to the standard to form an axis for the
part P which is connected by a swinging joint to the part `Q, which is
keyed on to the square marked g, which is a cross head with a double
lever, one being obscured by the parts P, Q, and connected to the
beater supported by the swinging standard marked R working on the
centre at h, by which means a parallel action is obtained for lifting a
ponderous weight or beater working between the standards shown in a
detached flat view at Fig. 8, the lower part descends into the mould box
marked S to beat down the clay of which the brick is to be made; to

page_text: actuate this beater or weight the arm T secured to the cross head g
terminates with a friction roller, which works on the face of an irregular
spiral flange marked U, U, which may be made of T iron.
The pinion marked k, Figure :1, works on an axis that extend to the
back of the machine, and also forms the axis for the bevelled wheel 1,
Fig. 7, which gears with a bevelled pinion marked m, fixed to the axis
which extends for receiving a fixed pulley, around which an endless
band works marked o, which band works over a corresponding free pulley
in front of the machine, Figure 1, marked p; this band has an inter-
mittent motion imparted to it by the revolving face plate, marked q,
Figure 1, secured on the axis a, as also the axis of the cam H. On this
face plate the pawlr works and acts on the ratchet wheel 8, which being
secured on the axis that carries the cog wheel marked t, which is
supported on the carriage and bracket V, which carriage is secured
to the frame of the machine by screw bolts as at u, u.
The use of the continuous band herein-before referred to) is for the
bricks to fall on as they are ejected out of the mould, but in case the
brick still adheres to the face of the mould that has forced it out, the
band is elevated against the under edge of the brick which has a
tendency of lifting the brick from the face of the mould; this is effected
by the small finger or projecting pin from the axis of the large spur.
wheel K, shown in dotted lines at v, which presses down the long end of
the lever w, which works on a fulcrum at y; this lever is bent up,
terminating with a loose eye through which the shaft n works, so that
as the finger or projecting pin v passes over this lever, it elevates the
pulley that carries the band, and removes the brick just at the moment
it is presented for that purpose, and as the machine with its working
details is exhibited just at the time a brick is delivered, and which brick
is exhibited in end view at x, Figure 1; the projecting pin v, Figure 7, is
just coming into operation to elevate the band O for receiving the brick
as shown.
The mode of supplying the clay to the hopper from whence bricks are
to be made may be varied, but I prefer setting up an auxiliary inclined.
hopper, in which the clay or other material may be emptied from a
wheelbarrow, and from this auxiliary hopper to the hopper proper. I
apply a wood trough, in which a shaft revolves, having a projecting
spiral blade around its periphery, making about one revolution (say)

page_text: every nine inches, more or less, as may be required; the spiral screw
may be set in motion by the action of the machine in any convenient
way, but have found by applying a bevel wheel at the outer end of the
shaft carrying the spiral, and suitable carriages provided for the shaft to
work on, the said bevel wheel may be geared with a corresponding
wheel fixed at the end of the shaft carrying a pulley, around which
pulley a band works in connection with a pulley or projecting flange
applied to the large spur wheel K, as indicated by the dotted circle, the
centre of which is also the centre of the wheel, and we will suppose that
'the material is regularly fed into the auxiliary hopper, and has been
conveyed along by the spiral screw into the hopper proper of the
machine, and that this regulated supply is made continuous with the
working of the machine, which we will now suppose to commence its
operation, which will retire the hollow piston E and presser d, and
simultaneously begin to advance the hollow piston F and presser e, their
action being regulated by the eccentric form of the respective cams H
and I that regulates their motion. At this time the cavity in the
interior of the mould box S will be entirely free for the clay to fall into;
the progress thus made will have moved around the large wheel J
sufficiently to allow the lever T (by which the beater is elevated) to pass
over the end of the spiral elevator, secured on the inside of the wheel J,
and marked U, U, when the lever T will be suddenly relieved, thereby
allowing the beater to drop with a force equivalent to its weight on to
the clay in the hopper, the lower portion of the beater (shown separate
in front view at Figure 8, marked b¹, will drive the clay down into the
die, when the pressers d and e will gradually advance, pressing the clay
solidly together, when the advancing action of the presser d and the
retiring action of the presser e will carry forward the brick out of the
machine, the action of the spiral U, U, gradually coming into action as
the wheel J turns by the contact of the face of the spiral with the
elevating lever T, which again elevates the beater, when the position of
the pawl » comes into operation to give motion to the endless band, and
again brings the projecting pin on the large wheel K to press on the
lever before described for slightly clevating the band on the rear side to
receive the brick from between the advanced pressers.
Referring again to the beater, Figure 8, the lever c' is broken off and
shown in section, but which lever has gudgeons at its end, and is
attached to the beater by two caps & and e¹, which are held on to

page_text: the beater by screw pins; by this means the lever has free action in its
connection; the parts-f¹ and f¹ work in the openings of the standards.
Fig. 9 represents an edge view of the beater with the lever c¹ broken
off, but which if continued forms a rigid connection with the clevating
lever T, Figure 7.
The bottom end of the beater marked b' may be slightly enlarged on
its lower face, for the purpose of clearance when knocking down the
clay or other material of which the brick is being formed, and which
material is by no means arbitrary as to its nature and condition, as
particularly stated in the fore part of this my Specification.
The material I am now using is course marl unground and in a dry
state, so that bricks made by my machine are ready as soon as made
to be taken to the kiln for burning.
Bricks of irregular shape, moulded and pressed by my machine, will
involve an alteration of the parts that give form to such irregular
bricks, and the same observation applies when moulding carbonaceous or
bituminous matter into blocks for fuel or heating purposes; the parts
for giving form to such blocks have only to be adapted in size and shape
to be as readily produced by this machine as ordinary bricks.
Having thus given a general description of my machine for moulding
bricks and other like purposes of various materials and conditions, I
desire it to be understood that I do not purpose limiting myself to the
size, shape, or dimensions of all or any of the parts forming my machine,
or the exact details described, as the same can be modified without
departing from the character and object of my Invention; as for
instance, the means of feeding the machine may be otherwise than
herein described, according to the material or condition of material that
is being used; and again, instead of striking. the material into the die
by the concussive force of a descending weight the same object may be
effected by a rising and descending presser, deriving its motion from a
lever with its accumulating force, or by lateral cranks or eccentrics
timed in their action for pressing the clay at the time required, and
retiring for fresh clay to again fall under it into the mould; but what I'
claim as of my Invention, and desire to protect under these my in part
recited Letters Patent is, the general combination of parts involved in
the various actions and motions of my machine for the object and

page_text: purpose herein fully described and set forth, or any mere modification
thereof, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Rowland William Brownhill, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of May, in
the year of our Lord One 'thousand eight hundred and seventy- &
six.
ROWLAND WILLIAM BROWNHILL. (L.S.)
Witness,
GEORGE GRIFFIN,
Clerk to Mr. J. S. Cockings,
Patentee's Agent,
17, Ann Street,
Bham