Certain Improvements in or connected with Machines for Pressing or Moulding Earthenware Pipes, Bricks, and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 10th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Certain Improvements in or connected with Machines for Pressing
or Moulding Earthenware Pipes, Bricks, and the like.
I, EDWARD BURKILL BROOKE, of Thorpe House, Almondbury, Huddersfield,
Yorkshire, Fire Brick Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
"
This invention refers to machines for pressing or moulding pipes, bricks, and the
like, and consists in the method of and means for enabling dies or moulds of
different sizes to be more easily and expeditiously removed from or attached to the
machine, thereby effecting a considerable saving of time and labour in making a
"bells
change from one size of die or mould to another. The metal cores or
corresponding to the several sizes of dies are also easily secured to or removed
from the machine. At present the dies are secured to the clay cylinder by a
number of bolts which have to be unscrewed before they can be removed from
the machine, and where the dies are of a large size, the labour entailed in their
removal from or attachment to the machine by the present method is very heavy,
whilst considerable time is lost in making the change.
According to my invention, I avoid these objections by employing a suitable
form of die-holder or bed, which I hinge to one side of the clay cylinder, the said
die-holder having annular and concentric steps, rings, grooves, or recesses formed
on the sides of the central opening. The die or mould is made in one piece and is
provided with a flange, on the underside of which I form corresponding concentric
steps, rings, or the like, which are opposite and adapted to fit into or against the
steps or rings in the die holder. The flanges on the dies or moulds and the steps
or rings thereon are all of the same diameters, so that the same hinged die holder
will answer for each die, but the internal diameters or capacities of the dies or
moulds are various according to the various sizes of pipes, bricks, and the like to
be manufactured.
By the means described, any size of die or mould may be inserted into the die
holder which is allowed to hang down whilst this is done, and when the die has
been secured to the die holder by two or more screws, clamps, or catches, such
holder is lifted up and made fast to the clay cylinder by two or more bolts or by
other suitable mechanical contrivances. When the bolts are unscrewed or
loosened, or the holder otherwise unfastened, it will swing open by its own weight,
and permit of another change of die or mould being made; this being easily and
quickly effected in consequence of having only the weight of the die to lift.
Instead of employing a hinged die holder, I may employ a die holder
made in two or more pieces, one or both of which are capable of being
slided laterally, or to and from each other, by means of a suitable arrange-
ment of levers, the inner sides of the said sections being grooved, fluted,
serrated, or provided with teeth or steps, corresponding with similar teeth,
steps, grooves, or serrations formed on the outer and upper portion of the die.
When inserting the die into the holder, the sections thereof are withdrawn from
each other sufficiently to allow the upper toothed portion of the die to be placed
in position, when the sections are caused to move towards each other so as to fit
tightly against the die, the teeth on which enter the corresponding grooves or
recesses in the die holder, the said sections being thereupon secured by clamps,
catches, or other like means. Suitable shoulders may be formed on the parts to
prevent movement of the die in any direction, and such die may be further secured
by sorews or similar devices. The dies in this case, as in that previously set
forth, are of like diameters on the outer upper ends; the inner diameters alone

page_text: being of various sizes. By this arrangement, the die holder, instead of having to
be swung open to enable the die to be removed, is simply slided laterally to release
the die.
I prefer that the bridge from which the core or "bell" is suspended shall have
three or more arches or spaces, and be made a fixture in the machine; the said
"bell" being secured to a spindle, wedged or otherwise fastened to the centre of
the bridge. The spindle is tapped with a screw thread and provided with an
adjusting nut or nuts so that the "bell" may be readily removed and a larger or
smaller one substituted and adjusted upon a change of die being made, such bell
being made secure by a lock nut or nuts, or by short tubes or collars placed
between the bell and the bridge.
As according to my invention the dies or moulds are made in one casting,
instead of in halves as at present, I adopt other means than those at present used
for securing the balance table thereto, whilst the pipes, bricks, or the like are
being pressed or moulded, such means consisting of projecting inclined surfaces
cast on two or more sides of the said die or mould, with which inclined surfaces
engage corresponding fingers or projections connected to the table.
When operated by handle or lever, the further the opposing surfaces are
forced, the tighter and more secure is the joint made; or bent fingers may be cast
or fixed to the underside of the die or mould, and studs secured to the balance
table, so that on the latter being partially rotated, the studs are caused to engage
with the bent fingers, and thereby secure the table to the die or mould.
Dated this 12th day of June 1891.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax and Huddersfield, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Certain Improvements in or connected with Machines for Pressing
or Moulding Earthenware Pipes, Bricks, and the like.
I, EDWARD BURKILL BROOKE of Thorpe House, Almondbury, Huddersfield,
Yorkshire, Fire Brick Manufacturer 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 refers to machines for pressing or moulding pipes, bricks and
the like, and consists in the method of and means for enabling dies or moulds of
different sizes to be more easily and expeditiously removed from or attached to
the machine, thereby effecting a considerable saving of time and labour in making
a change from one size of die or mould to another. The metal cores or
" bells
corresponding to the several sizes of dies are also easily secured to or removed
from the machine.
At present the dies are secured to the clay cylinder by a number of bolts which
have to be unscrewed before the dies can be removed from the machine, and each
die having its own die-holder, the labour entailed in their removal from, or attach-
ment to, the machine is very heavy, and causes a considerable loss of time.
According to my invention I employ a suitable form of die-holder or bed which
is hinged to one side of a plate bolted to the clay cylinder, the said die-holder
having a central opening, in the sides of which steps, grooves, or recesses are
formed. The die or mould is made in one piece and is provided with flanges or
shoulders corresponding to and adapted to fit into the steps, grooves or recesses in
the die-holder. The said flanges or shoulders on each die are of the same
diameters so that the same die-holder will answer for several dies whose internal
diameters or dimensions and shapes however vary according to the articles to be
made.
The die-holder may be made in two or more pieces capable of being slided away
from or towards each other to admit of removal or insertion of dies.

page_text: that shewn in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is plan view of the underside of a die-holder made in two pieces or
halves; Fig. 4 being section of same on line a. b. shewing the die secured between
the two parts.
Fig. 5 is sectional elevation of clay cylinder shewing the die-holder as con-
structed in three pieces, together with the means for sliding said pieces to or from
each other and the construction of die for use therewith.
Fig. 5 is end view of part of same.
Fig. 6 is plan taken on line c. d. of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a detail of balance table.
Figs. 8 and 9 are geometrical views of dies of the construction shewn in Figs. 5
and 6.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout.
Referring to Fig. 1 A represents the clay cylinder into which clay is placed and
afterwards squeezed or forced down into the die B by the piston C in the usual
way. The piston is shewn at its lowest stroke. D is a plate bolted to the bottom
flange of the clay cylinder and is provided centrally with an opening e; E is the
die-holder hinged at f to the plate D said die-holder having a central opening, and
a recess or socket g formed in the sides thereof.
This central opening and the recess or socket may be round or angular according
to the articles to be made, but it will be understood that a circular opening and
socket will answer for any internal shape of die providing the shoulder or flange
thereon is also circular and of corresponding diameter to the recess or socket, and
reversely.
The die B is provided at its upper end and on the outside thereof with a
flange adapted to fit into the socket or recess y of the die-holder.
The inner portion of the die B is covered with a lining i of brass, which, when
worn, can be removed and a new one inserted, and is used to preserve the die.
To secure the die in the machine, the die-holder E is allowed to hang or depend
from its hinge so that the die may be passed through the central opening and the
flange thereon made to engage with the corresponding sides of the socket or
recess g, whereupon the die-holder is raised up to the cylinder and made secure
against the plate D by bolts and nuts k'. The inner projecting portion of the
plate D forms a shoulder against which the die abuts and prevents upward
displacement thereof.
The various shapes and sizes of dies employed in connection with the machine
are all of the same outer diameters or dimensions where they engage with the die-
holder, and the opening in said die-holder is made large enough to receive the
largest die used with the machine.
In Fig. 2 the die-holder E is provided with two recesses or steps g. g' into which
fit corresponding steps or flanges . formed on the outer upper portion of the
die B, the mode of insertion of the die and of securing it and the die-holder
to the cylinder being the same as previously explained.
In Fig. 3 I shew my improvements applied to a dic-holder constructed in
halves E. E' which are moved laterally to or from each other by the arrangement
of levers and connecting rod F. The sides of the die-holder E. E' are
bevilled and slide in the bevilled ways m of the plate D. When drawn together
the parts E. E' are secured by bent pins m' which engage with lugs or
projections m² on the said parts. The two parts or halves E. E' are grooved or
recessed as shewn at g in Fig. 4 and the die B is provided with a corresponding
| flange h which is adapted to fit therein.

page_text: When inserting the die, the two halves E. E¹ of the die-holder are slided apart
sufficiently to allow the flange or shoulder to pass between them, whereupon
they are drawn together again and made secure by the pins m' thereby also
securing the die B to the machine. As in the constructions already described, so
in this arrangement, the external diameters or dimensions of the dies are the same,
and the internal diameters or dimensions limited only by the size of the recess or
groove g in the die-holder, and, therefore, any internal size or shape of dic within
that limit can be secured therein.
In Figs. 5 and 6 I shew a die-holder constructed in three parts or sections and
the modified construction of die for use in connection therewith. This construction
of die-holder and die possesses greater advantages than the constructions
previously described and is the one I prefer to use.
The plate D bolted to the underside of the clay cylinder as before described, is
cast with thickened extensions having holes or openings n' formed therein
slightly larger in diameter than the screws p which pass therethrough. The
extremities of said openings n¹ are enlarged to receive the square nuts n² (see also
end view Fig. 5A) secured therein by set screws n³, said nuts having internal screw
threads engaging with the threads on screws p which, by this means, are capable of
being screwed outwards or inwards.
The outer ends of the screws p have square heads p' on which keys are placed
to operate said screws, whilst the opposite ends thereof are adapted to fit into
sockets formed in the blocks or sections forming the die-holder, in which they are
made secure by set screws 1. The sides of these blocks or sections r are bevilled
or dovetailed and engage with the sides of corresponding bevilled or dovetailed
grooves & in the thickened extensions n, said grooves forming ways in which the
blocks are capable of sliding endwise. The ends of the blocks rare inclined or
wedge shaped an are adapted to engage with a corresponding and opposing
inclined shoulder on the outer upper end of the die B which is secured in position
by means of said blocks or sections being screwed tightly against the inclined
shoulder. The projecting portions of the plate D form a shoulder and prevent
upward movement of the dic.
Although the construction of die-holder last described is on similar lines to
those previously described, it possesses greater advantages, that is to say; the outer
diameters or dimensions of the shoulders need not all be alike, but may vary
within the limits of movement of the sections or blocks r, the angle of the incline
of shoulder however, being the same in all cases; and further, should the article
made be found to be thicker on one side than the other by reason of the die and
core not being exactly central with each other, or the die is otherwise required to
be adjusted laterally, such adjustment is effected by sliding one or two of the
blocks or sections outwards and the remaining block or blocks inwards so as to
move the die laterally the distance required.
When changing one die for another, if the diameters of the shoulders are
alike, it is only necessary to operate one of the blocks r so as to remove it clear of
the shoulder h when the die can be withdrawn from the remaining blocks and a
fresh die substituted.
"
I prefer that the "bridge" from which the "bell core G is suspended shall
have three arches or spans t secured to the cylinder A. by bolts t', the said "bell
core" being screwed onto the lower end of the spindle H and made secure thereon
by nut u, said spindle being screwed into the centre of the "bridge." The "bell
core is easily removed when one of a larger or smaller size is required.
"
In Figs. 5 and 7 are shewn the means for securing the balance table to the die
whilst pressure is applied to squeeze the clay into said die. v represents a bent finger
(of which there are three) secured to the table K and w are inclined projections
cast on the die B. When the balance table rises up to the die, the attendant,
by means of a handle secured to table K, guides the fingers between the
projections w and when the table abuts against the die, he turns it partly around
whereby the fingers v engage with the upper inclined surfaces of the projections w

page_text: and a tight joint is therefore made. The hollow cap L on table K forms the
internal socket of the pipe as is well understood.
Figs. 8 and 9 are geometrical views of the construction of die shewn in Figs. 5
and 6, the former shewing a pipe die, and the latter an angular or brick die.
By the means and method above set forth, various sizes of dies-by which I
mean the internal capacities and shapes of dies-may be used in conjunction with
one and the same die-holder which is therefore, not to remove from the machine
on a change of die being made, thus saving a considerable amount of time and
labour in making such changes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
Firstly. The combination, with a pipe and brick making machine, of the die-
holder E having a groove or grooves, recesses, or steps formed around the central
opening therein with which is or are adapted to engage corresponding shoulders
or flanges on the outer sides of the die B in the manner and for the purposes sub-
stantially as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. In a brick or pipe making machine the combination, with a die-
holder having a groove or grooves, recesses or steps formed around the central
opening therein, of a die having corresponding shoulders or flanges on its outer
upper side adapted to fit into and engage with said grooves, recesses or steps
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Thirdly. The combination, with a pipe and brick making machine, of a die-
holder comprising three sections or blocks capable of being slided end wise in
dovetailed grooves in the plate D by means of screws working through nuts
secured in plate D, said sections or blocks having inclined or wedge shaped ends
adapted to fit against corresponding opposing inclined shoulders formed on the dies
in the manner and for the purposes substantially as herein shewn and described.
Fourthly. The combination, with a die-holder comprising three sections or
blocks capable of being slided end wise in dovetailed grooves in plate D by means
of screws working through nuts secured in plate D, said sections or blocks having
inclined or wedge shaped ends, of inclined shoulders or flanges formed on outer
sides of the dies with which the said blocks are adapted to engage and secure the
dies to the machine, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 9th day of December 1891.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents for the Applicant.