IMPROVEMENTS IN BRICK- MAKING MACHINERY
Year: 1884

page_text: I CYRUS CHAMBERS Junior Founder and Machinist of the City and County of
Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania and United States of America do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BRICK-
MAKING MACHINERY and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates generally to that class of brick making machines in
which the clay as taken from its bed is tempered in, and forced out from a case by.
means of suitable mechanism through a die connected to the end of said case, in a
continuous bar whose cross section is equal to that of the bricks to be made the.
said bar of clay being severed into bricks whilst in motion. Machines operating,
upon this general principle are well known in the United States of America and,
elsewhere, and are such as are described in the Specifications of Letters Patent
N° 3769 of 1878 and 1802 of the year 1883.
The general construction and operation of the machines illustrated in the above
are substantially the machine hereinafter to be described with the exception of the.
special mechanism or devices for cutting off the continuously moving bar of clay
into proper brick lengths. The Invention for which I now desire to secure
Letters Patent relates to improvements which will be particularly pointed out in
the details of construction of these machines whereby the operation thereof is
facilitated and certain parts improved. The Invention also relates to a novel.
combination of mechanism differing from that described in the Specifications
above referred to and radically different from any devices for a similar purpose
that I have heretofore known or used, for severing the bar of clay expressed from
the die of the machine, into bricks.
In order to assist to a clear comprehension of the special improvements or
features of Invention and their proper relations, I shall previous to entering upon
a detailed description thereof, explain the general construction and mode of
operation of my improved machinery as an entirety, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings of which
Figure 1 is a general side elevation of the entire machine, the tempering case C,
screw case C and die case C² (Fig. 2) being in section longitudinally.
Figure 2 is a general plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 the various
systems of belts being omitted.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the cross head and thrust plates at the rear end of
the pugging or knife shaft A enlarged.

page_text: Fig. 3.
стат готовитная весло рагу щ view as on the пие а. и.
Figure 5 is a rear end view of the pugging shaft A.
Figure 6 is a front end view of the thrust plate which fits on the rear end of
said shaft.
Figure 7 is a rear end or face view of the thrust plate Fig. 6.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section through the said thrust plate and shaft as
taken on the line a. b. Fig. 6.
Figure 9 is a similar section as on line a. c Fig. 6 with the thrust plate also
fitted on the end of the shaft as in Fig. 8.
Figure 10 is a rear view of the screw case C1 (Figs. 1 and 2) detached showing
its adjustable lining and mode of securing the same in the different positions.
Figure 11 is a front view of the die and die case O2 detached from the screw
case.
Figure 12 is a view of the front face of the screw case.
Figure 13 is a horizontal longitudinal section through the middle of the screw
case and die case hinged thereto.
Figure 14 is a side elevation enlarged, of the wire cut off mechanism, and its
immediate connections.
Figure 15 is a front view looking in the direction of the arrow Fig. 14 of the
cut off mechanism, a section of the cut off belt around the forward pulley (P³)
having been removed.
Figure 16 is a side view of a portion of the cut off mechanism, partly in
longitudinal section.
Figure 17 is a detail of the cut off belt plates D Figs. 1. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18 and
19 to which the wire holding U shaped bows are secured.
Figure 18 is a detail showing the form and arrangement of the independent
roller I Figs. 1. 14 and 18.
Figure 19 is a transverse sectional view looking in the direction of the adjacent
arrow, as on the line a. d Fig. 14, showing the forward cut off belt pulley, scraper and
deflecting wings, and also the guide way for the belt plates D, the other parts
connected or adjacent thereto not being shown in this Figure.
Figure 20 is a front view of the inlet pipe M Figs. 1 and 2 in relation to the
tempering case and the knives upon the shaft A. therein.
Figure 21 is a transverse section of the off bearing belt and its frame as on the
line ae Fig. 1.
Figure 22 is a side elevation of part of the off bearing belt frame the cap piece
thereof being cut off as on the line a. f. Fig. 21.
Figure 23 is a plan view of one of the adjustable bearing strips (Figs. 21
and 22) detached, in which the off bearing belt rollers are journalled. The same
letters of reference designate the same or corresponding parts where they occur in
the several Figures.
The clay as taken from its native bed, or with a suitable quantity of water
mingled therewith according to the consistency required is deposited from a
platform, not shown in the Drawings, into the pipe M leading into the tempering
case of the machine Figs. 1. 2 and 20. Within this case is a central shaft A
the main portion of which inside the case is studded with a series of broad
knives which are arranged spirally around the shaft. They are keyed to the
latter, and are set in a manner so as to advance the body of clay toward the
front end of the case, at the same time intimately mixing or teinpering the
particles of clay.
The forward or free end of said shaft carries a conoidal screw S fixed thereon
and working within a correspondingly tapering case C. In front of this latter
case and the screw S is secured the die d whose breadth and thickness are
identical with the like dimensions of the bricks to be made. The rear end of the
shaft A. has a gear wheel W which through intermediate gearing is driven in the

page_text: proper direction by a belt passing around the pulley P which belt connects with
the motive engine not shown in the Drawings.
At
The immense back strain or thrust caused by the resistance of the mass of clay
to the push of the knives . and the expressing screw, is taken by certain devices
at the rear end of the shaft A contained within a cross head b which latter is
secured to the main frame F of that part of the machine all as will be hereinafter
particularly described. As the clay is shovelled, dumped or otherwise fed into the
tempering case C by way of the inlet pipe M it is continuously and under
enormous pressure forced forward and through the die d in a compact rectangular
bar X thence passing on to the mechanism which shall sever it into bricks of
uniform dimensions. This moving bar of clay is received upon an endless belt B
that runs over pulleys P1 and P' at opposite ends of a supporting frame F¹.
the forward end of this frame is another frame F2 upon which are mounted the
cut off devices, which consist of a series of equidistant wires 7 secured to U shaped
elastic bows U which are in turn secured to an endless belt B₁ that is inclined
forward in the direction of motion of the bar of clay below it. This belt runs
over pulleys P³ and P4 journalled in the last mentioned frame. Said belt, which I
term the "cut off belt" is caused to move forward that is in the direction of the
adjacent arrow. Fig. 14 by a combination of mechanism hereinafter to be
described fully in detail, which mechanism causes the wires to gradually penetrate
the bar of clay X and move along with and diagonally across its path, yet finally
severing the bar into bricks of uniform length. The latter then pass on in
succession in a continuous stream upon an endless belt B2 termed the "off bearing
belt" which is caused to run faster than the preceding belt B upon which the bar
of clay is supported, whereby the bricks are separated some distance from each
other for greater convenience of handling by the "off bearers or workmen whose
duty it is to remove them from the belt and deposit them upon cars or wheel
barrows to be taken to the drying sheds. In proceeding now to describe the
several improvements for which I seek Letters Patent, I shall commence at the
rear end of the machine, and proceed forward seriatim. The first of these in order
relates to the devices herein before alluded to, for receiving the back thrust given
to the shaft A. by reason of the resistance of the clay to the push of the knives k
and the screw S in expressing the clay out through the die of the machine, and
it will be readily understood that this part of the machine should be as perfectly
adapted as may be to receive with minimum friction and wear the enormous.strain.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 and especially to the enlarged Drawings Figs. 3
to 9 both inclusive it will be observed that at the rear of the main frame F upon.
and by which the tempering case and operative parts immediately connected
therewith are sustained and attached, is a cross head b, secured by two bolts b¹ to
said frame. This cross head has a box or cavity b² therein for the reception of the
rear end of the pugging shaft A and the plates b³ and which take the back
thrust. Said box has a lid or cover b and its lower portion forms an oil chamber
for the reception of the lubricant for the shaft and plates. Its rear side is concave
to receive the convex rearward projection of the loose thrust plate 64 which is
prevented from turning by a vertical lug be that enters a groove 67 in the rear of
the box. The other thrust plate b³ is secured to the end of, and turns with the shaft A,
and its plane face is in contact with that of the fixed plate b. I wish it to be
understood that I do not herein claim as new these parts constructed generally as
just described, as they have been previously patented to me in the United States
and elsewhere. The present improvement of this feature of my machine refers
merely to the mode of attaching the plate 63 on to the end of the pugging shaft A
which is as follows. The rear end of the latter has a shoulder 68 and longitudinal
indentations 6, four in number in the present instance. The socketted thrust
plate whose rear face is a true plane surface having the usual oil conveying
grooves 60 is provided with internal lugs 6" corresponding to the indentations 6º
in the end of the shaft so that when said plate is applied to the latter its lugs enter
the indentations 69 until the face of the offset 612 in the front of the socket of the

page_text: plate bears against the shoulder 68 of the shaft. The extreme end of the shaft as
seen in Figs. 8 and 9 should not be permitted to touch the bottom of the socket of
the plate, so that the only bearing surfaces shall be those of the shoulder and the
offset. By this construction the thrust plate 63 is not only obliged to rotate with
the shaft, but the fitting of the former to the latter, in order to ensure the true
running of the plate is greatly facilitated as it is merely necessary to true up in
the lathe the contiguous faces of the shoulder and the offset.
The next feature of improvement to be described-relates to the separate ribbed
lining Qof the screw case C¹ in which the expressing screw S rotates, see Figs. 1.
2. 10. 11. 12 and 13.
Although I have heretofore made the said lining separate from the case, I have
not until now so constructed and adapted the same that it could be shifted around
circularly and secured in a new position in order to present a new surface
underneath the expressing screw, when the surface which has been in use, has
become worn away by reason of the friction and consequent wear from the
attrition of the clay being obviously greater on the lower side.
To accomplish this I provide the rear edge of the said moveable lining with
suitable slots q¹ for the reception of fastening lugs or plates q² which are secured
to the end of the screw case by bolts q³ Figs. 10 and 13. When it is required to
alter the relative position of the lining Q, said bolts are unscrewed whereupon the
lining may be rotated until the two other opposite slots qª are brought around into
coincidence with the lugs q² respectively which are then bolted in place. The next
special improvement relates to the form of the lower end of the pipe M through
which the clay is delivered into the tempering case Figs. 1 and 20. The circle
described by the free ends of the knives / being designedly usually 4 to 6 inches less
in diameter than that of the inner side of the case C there is always left within the
latter a fixed shell or lining of clay indicated by the broken line circle x Fig. 20.
Heretofore this clay lining would gradually build itself up across the mouth or
lower end of the inlet pipe M and thus form an obstruction to the discharge of the
clay into the case. This clay barrier had therefore to be broken away from time
to time by means of a pole thrust down the pipe M.
I now obviate this difficulty by extending the lower extremity of the latter
down into the tempering case close to the sweep of the subjacent knives, and give
to it the curvilinear form shown in Figs. 1 and 20 more clearly in the latter
Figure.
I have sometimes struck this curve upon the same radius as that of the circle
made by the rotating knives below the pipe, but I prefer to cut off the end of the
pipe on the side first reached by the knives in their rotation as shown in Fig. 20.
The object of this preference is to prevent the breaking of the pipe from a large
stone that, if the end of the pipe projected too far down on that side, might be
jammed against the latter by the knives. Besides, the lining of clay is not apt to
build itself up from that side.
By the construction described it will be obvious that the clay lining is cut off
from extending itself up beyond the projecting curved end of the inlet pipe and
thus a heretofore annoyance is escaped.
The next improvement which I shall now proceed to describe fully and in detail,
is the novel mechanism herein before referred to for severing the bar of clay
expressed from the die of the machine, into bricks. Referring to the accom-
panying Drawings, X Figs. 1. 14. 15. and 18 indicates the bar of clay issuing from
the die d (Figs. 1. 2. 13 and 14) of the tempering case of the machine and sustained
upon an endless belt B which travels over and upon a series of transverse rollers
R. and pulleys P¹ P² journalled in and at the ends respectively of a supporting
frame F. Frame F1 is vertically adjustable by means of screws a whereby its rear
end that next the die d may be raised or lowered so as to bring the top surface of
the said belt in line with the bottom of the die whatever the thickness of the latter
may be.
The rollers R are placed sufficiently close together in line so that the belt cannot

page_text: sag down but will be kept in close contact with the bar of clay in order to preserve
as much frictional contact as possible between the belt and the bar, and thus avoid
the slipping of the latter upon the former. The rollers which it will be perceived
(see Fig. 14) are located directly beneath the cut off belt B¹ and which support that
part of the bar of clay being severed into bricks are placed quite closely together,
and are relatively of small diameter so that the distance between the points of
contact with their peripheries with the belt P shall be as little as possible. In
order to cause the latter belt to hug the forward pulley P2 around a large portion
of its periphery (some two thirds thereof) I add a pulley P³ Fig. 14 which is
journalled underneath the frame F1 adjacent to the pulley P2 over which pulley
the belt is conducted, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 14.
The shaft n of the forward pulley P2 carries a pinion W₁ whose teeth engage
with the teeth of a large spur wheel W2. The movement or push of the continuous
bar of clay X upon the belt B rotates the pulley P in the direction of the adjacent
arrow in Fig. 14 whereby motion is imparted to the cut off mechanism proper.
This I shall now proceed to describe. It consists of a pulley P³ fixed to the
shaft n¹ of the large gear W2 directly over, and in line vertically with the path of
the bar of clay; a smaller pulley P₁ some distance from and in line longitudinally.
with pulley P3; and an endless flexible belt B₁ (which I term the cut off belt)
passing over both of said pulleys, upon which belt are mounted a series of cut off
wires preferably of steel, presently to be described. The length of this belt
should in order to make bricks of equal length, as will be quite obvious, be a
multiple of the length of the bricks to be cut off from the bar of clay. The
shaft n which carries the larger pulley P³ and also the gear W² and the shaft n²
of pulley P4 are mounted in bearings in a common frame. F' which I term the cut
off frame whose standards f are secured to the lower frame F1 by means of bolts f¹
passing through slots f2 whereby with the aid of set screws fs the cut off frame
may be adjusted vertically at either or both ends thereof. Such adjustments are
sometimes necessary as explained farther on. It will be observed (see Figs. 1
and 4) that the small pulley P is placed with relation to its fellow P³ so that the
lower or operative side of the cut off belt is inclined towards the forward end of
the clay bar X that is to say in the direction of its movement. Pulley P' is also
journalled in a tightener frame T which is bolted through slots not shown, to the
cut off frame whereby the interval between it, the said pulley, and the pulley P³
may be increased or diminished at pleasure, accordingly as the belt B₁ is to be
lengthened or shortened tightened or loosened. This adjustment of the tightener
frame is effected by means of a screw bolt t one end of which screws into a cross
bar t¹ of the frame T and the other end abuts against a downward projection t³
Figs. 14. 16 and 19. of the cut off frame, resting in a socket t³ in the face of said
projection. Said bolt has a fixed nut t¹ and a jam nut to. To make the required
adjustments of the frame T and its pulley P it is obvious that it is merely
requisite to apply a wrench to the nut t (first loosening the jam nut if necessary)
when the bolt may be turned as desired thereby forcing outwardly the frame T or
permitting it to be drawn inwardly as the case may be. Other equivalent means.
of securing such adjustinents of the pulley P* may be employed. The cut off wires li
are secured to elastic U shaped bows U preferably made of spring steel plate, the
distance between the opposite sides of which respectively is greater than the width
of the bar of clay and of pulley P (see Fig. 15). Said bows are bolted to long and
broad plates D which are in turn secured to the cut off belt B' in a position to
bring the wires parallel, equidistant and at right angles to the sides of the belt and
of the bar of clay; the distance between the wires being exactly equal to the
length of the bricks to be made. These cut off wires are made preferably of strong
steel and are twisted into a loop cat each end as seen in Figs. 18 and 19 so that they
may be readily placed upon, and be held taut by the elastic bows U. Each limb of
the latter terminates in a pin or head p extending from a shoulder p¹ which serves
as a stop to the loops c and thereby prevents the wire from being forcibly displaced
by the back pressure against it when penetrating the bar of clay, yet permits of the

page_text: ready replacement of one wire for another that has become worn out or broken, and
such replacement may in fact be made whilst the machine is in motion. For a purpose
hereinafter appearing, the plates D to which the bows U are attached, are made nearly
as long as the length of the bricks to be made, so that there will be but a small
interval between their adjacent ends. They are also curved so as to conform to the
swell or convexity of the peripheries of the pulleys P³ and P and are secured to
the belt B' at a single point, or rather on a single transverse line so that they will
ride easily over the said pulleys. It will also be seen that the point of attachment
of the bows to these plates is considerably in the rear of the transverse axis of the
plates. The object of this is twofold first to provide for the forward end of said
plates being supported by the guide plates of the cut off frame (as hereinafter
described) next to the pulley P' immediately after plates D have rounded the latter,
for the space between the under side of the pulley and the adjacent ends of the
guide plates is considerable; secondly in order that the rear ends of the plates D by
reason of their comparatively short distance from the point of attachment of the
plates to the cut off belt, may not strike the top of the bar of clay, as said plates
turn to ride up over pulley P³ for it is obvious that the farther the rear ends of
the plates project back of said point of attachment, the greater will be their sweep
in rounding said pulley. The sides of plates D extend beyond the sides of the cut
off belt B, and these side extensions slide freely but closely into and between
lateral guide ways G in the cross pieces g on each side of the frame F³, the same
entering the guide ways immediately after the plates have fully rounded the rear
pulley P. The detachable lower strips or plates g₁ constituting the bottom of said
guide ways are secured to the bars g by means of adjusting screws g². The
plates D have also at each end thereof up-turned flanges d' Figs. 14. 16 and 17
which serve to stiffen the plates but their principal purpose is to retain the
droppings of clay which may fall from the cut off wires, until the plates turn over
the small pulley P and which droppings might otherwise fall down upon the cut
off belt and get underneath the plates D, thus preventing the latter from finding
their proper bearing upon the surface of the belt. I have sometimes employed a
line of small rollers journalled closely together transversely between the inclined
cross pieces g of the cut off frame F2 in lieu of said guide ways, for the plates or
rather the belt under them to bear against in taking the upward strain against the
belt occasioned by the resistance offered by the clay to the passage through it of
the cut off wires. The close guide ways are however much preferable, because of
their preventing the trembling or wobbling of the plates and belt and consequently
the cut off wires which with the aforesaid line of rollers, frequently marred the
smoothness of the cut off, especially in somewhat gritty or stony clays. From the
foregoing description of the several parts and devices it will be readily understood
that as the cut off belt is put in motion by the bar of clay actuating the
gears WW2 and pulley P³ in the manner mentioned, the equidistant cut off wires
thus mounted upon the flexible belt suitably inclined to the bar of clay are
compelled successively to gradually enter and pass through the latter, finally
severing it into bricks. In order that the particular wire which has rounded the
small pulley P shall in all cases begin to enter the bar of clay as soon as, and not
sooner than the plate D has fully rounded said pulley and has found a firm bearing
that end of the cut off frame F2 is made vertically adjustable as stated (in
connection also with the described longitudinal adjustment of the pulley P* with
its frame T) and the vertical adjustability of the other or forward end of frame F¹2
is desirable so that the cut off wires may be brought to a proper position or
elevation with reference to the bar of clay and other parts. The teeth of the
gears W1 W2 are made of unusual length so that they will remain in engagement
at the different adjustments of the frame F2. These gears must also be so
proportioned to each other so as to cause the cut off belt to be driven at a proper
speed with relation to that of the bar of clay, so that the wires will cut squarely
through the latter. As the cut off belt is inclined to the clay bar, the relative
distance that a point on the belt has to move is greater than that of an opposite

page_text: point on the bar, therefore the proportion of the diameters of these gears W₁ W
one to the other must be such as to give just the increased speed to the latter (the
cut off belt) sufficient to compensate for the slower speed of the bar of clay.
This travels as it were, on the base of a right angled triangle whilst the path of
the wires from the time they touch the bar of clay until they emerge .after having
gone through it, is that of the hypothenuse of the triangle. The severance of each
brick is effected, as nearly as the sag or upward curve of the cut off wire caused by
the resistance of the clay will permit, when the wire approaches nearest to the
pulley P2, but the complete severance is secured by locating this pulley (P2)
somewhat to the rear of the vertical from the centre of pulley P³ as shown in
Figs. 1 and 14 whereby the wire is caused to pass through and in fact a short
distance below the bar of clay before it is carried past the vertical. Here the
necessity of making the distance between the limbs of the U shaped bows greater
than the width of the bar of clay and the pulley P2, is apparent. Should the cut
off wires strike a stone or other hard obstacle embedded in the clay, the elasticity
of the shaped bows comes into play and allows the wires to yield to the extra
strain and thus permits them to slide over or around the obstruction and brings
them back to their normal position after the stone has passed on as the bar of clay
perforce advances its free end, nearly severed, is received by and upon an
independent transverse roller I which performs an important function soon to
appear.
It will be seen by looking at Figs. 1 and 14 that this roller is journalled at the
end of the belt frame F'; that it is placed somewhat nearer to the pulley P at the
end of the off-bearing belt frame F³ than to pulley P2 and that it is elevated a
little above the line of the off bearing belt that is to say in the same horizontal
plane with the belt B which receives the bar of clay. Until the end of the clay.
bar is entirely cut off to form a brick, it advances on to roller I its free end
extending over and above the off bearing belt but by reason of the stated relative
position of that roller, at the moment or shortly after the severance of the bar is
completed the centre of gravity of the brick b. b. passes beyond the supporting line
of the roller and the brick tilts over upon the rapidly moving off bearing belt; the
said roller then freely adapting itself to the increased speed acquired by the brick.
In order to prevent the wire, which has just done its work and is moving on its
way to repeat it in its turn, from striking the under side of the brick as the belt
carries the wire on and upwards over the pulley P³, I make the latter of relatively.
large diameter so that the brick will have ample time to get out of the way before
the wire can interfere with it. As the belt quickly turns the wire over the
pulley (P³) it will readily be understood that the wire cannot be struck by the end
of the clay bar behind.
As the periphery of the roller I as illustrated in Fig. 18 is struck by the cut off
wires successively as they begin to turn up over the large pulley P³, I make said
roller tapering as shown, so as to adapt it to the natural or easy curve of the
wires and thereby lessen the tendency of the latter to break which they would
be apt to do, as I have learned from experience, if the roller were straight instead
of curving as shown. It will be observed from the description hereinbefore given
of the cut off mechanism and its connections that I have relied wholly upon the
force or push of the moving bar of clay by its friction upon the belt B, to propel
the cut off belt. I have found however, upon observing the operation of these.
devices with various kinds and consistencies of clays, that this is not reliable under
all circumstances. When the clay is in proper condition, it works admirably, but
when the clay becomes too soft and consequently then issues from the die of the
machine with increased speed and not having then sufficient strength to propel the
cut off mechanism, and cause the same to respond to the accelleration the bar of
clay "upsets" or "buckles up" and thus seriously interferes with the operation of
the cut off. In order to remedy this sometimes defect I provide a device whose
function is to convey a certain amount of power to the belt B auxilliary to that of
the moving bar of clay sufficient to relieve the latter from doing more of the work
.

page_text: of propelling the cut off mechanism than may under any condition of the clay be
beyond its strength. In describing this device which for brevity I shall term the
"compensator" I shall refer to the general elevation of the machine Fig. 1, also
to Figs. 2. 14 and 15, especially Fig. 14. The shaft n of the forward pulley P²
of the belt B is extended beyond the frame in which it is journalled and is
provided with a flanged pulley P' whilst a like extension of the shaft n³ of the
bevel gear w³ Figs. 1 and 2 has in line with pulley P' a pulley Ps also preferably
flanged on each side (although not so shown) so as to retain the slack friction
belt Bs.in place. This last mentioned belt runs over both of said pulleys and also
over or against an idler roller P that is journalled at the forward end of a lever L
which is secured to a stud e pivoted to a bracket e' of the post e² of the frame F'.
This lever bears on its opposite arm a weight o which is adjustable on the latter
by means of a thumb set screw o'. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the shaft n³ of
pulley Ps which shaft I may state in passing, also carries the pulley P10 that drives
the off bearing belt B2, is rotated from the main gearing of the machine, through a
shaft n and bevel gears w³ and w, and the relative diameters of the pulleys are
such that the belt B may be driven at as great or greater speed than that at which
the bar of clay may issue from the die d through the medium of the friction belt
connection. Now it is manifest that as the pressure of the idler Pº against the
belt B³ is increased or diminished according to the position of the weight o upon
the rear arm of the lever L, a corresponding speed is lent to the belt B. The said
weight having been adjusted to suit the general character of the particular clay
being worked so that a sufficient compensatory power is conveyed to the belt B for
the purpose recited usually very little change in the adjustment will be necessary.
In order to keep the face of the cut off belt pulley P³ free of any clay that may
chance to drop upon and adhere to the same I provide a scraper J Figs. 1. 14. 15.
16 and 19 in connection with said pulley. This scraper is mounted adjustably
upon two inclined wings j. j. constituting a part of the cut off frame F the office of
which wings is to deflect the particles of clay which the scraper may remove from
the pulley so that they will fall out beyond the machine. The scraper as shown in
Figs. 15 and 19 is made in the form of a saddle, and is straddled over the apex of
the wings, and is secured in position by a screw h passing through a slot h¹
whereby the scraper may also be properly adjusted against the face of the pulley.
As hereinbefore stated, the bricks that are severed from the bar of clay, pass onto
the rapidly moving off bearing belt B².
This belt runs over the pulley Pe journalled in a forward extension of the
frame F¹ and pulley P at the front end of the off bearing frame F³ (see Figs. 1
and 2) also over the pulleys P12 and the pulley P10 (Fig. 2) upon the shaft n³ that is
driven from shaft n' and the bevel gears w³ and w₁. The rollers which sustain
the off bearing belt B2 are journalled in strips z (Figs. 21. 22 and 23) preferably of
yellow pine wood on each side of the frame F. I now make said bearing strips
adjustable longitudinally in order that new slots therein for the shafts of the
rollers may be shifted to take the place of the old ones when the latter become
worn away, but more especially in order that the roller shafts may be readily
adjusted so that they will always be at right angles to the path of the off bearing
belt. I do this by means of slots vand bolts vl as shown in the plan view Fig. 23
and as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 22. I also make the roller shafts long
enough to nearly touch bracket or corner pieces z¹ on each side of the frame so
that there may be no lateral movement of the rollers, and consequently of the belt.
I make the top or cap pieces a little above the line of the upper surface of the
belt B and project the same inwardly beyond the line of the bearing strips z close
to the ends of the rollers 1. The object of the described construction is twofold.
In the first place it facilitates the operation of "edging" the bricks by the off
bearers, that is the turning of them over side or edge wise upon the cap pieces 23
from the off bearing belt, for greater convenience of handling in loading the bricks
upon the wheel barrows or cars.
22
The inner edge of caps 2ª being close to the belt and their top surfaces elevated

page_text: slightly above the belt, are readily "edged over upon the former, out of the way
of the moving belt and bricks carried thereby as shown in the transverse sectional
view of the off bearing frame Fig. 21 in which b. r. marks the next coming brick
and b. 2 the one just edged upon the cap piece. As the caps 22 project over and
beyond the bearing strips near to the ends of rollers 1, any sand or dirt that may
fall down from the bricks or the belt over the latter, is prevented from getting into
the bearings of the rollers.
I have hereinbefore stated in effect that the cut off wires on the belt B' should
be placed the same distance apart. It is also preferred to have the number of such
wires an even number; for instance 12, as shown in Figs. 1 and 14. The reason for
this preference arises from the fact that the usual length of bricks is practically one
half the length of ordinary drain tiles; and by taking off every other wire and
substituting a suitable hollow or tile die for the solid or brick die d, the machine
is very readily changeable from a brick making to a tile making machine and
vice versa.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st The improvement in the means for fitting the socketted thrust plate on to
the end of the pugging shaft, consisting in providing the latter with a shoulder and
longitudinal indentations, and said thrust plate with a corresponding bearing or
shoulder, and internal lugs adapted to register with and enter said indentations in
the shaft the bearing surfaces being trued up all substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
2nd The screw case lining adapted to be rotated to different positions with relation
to the case and the expressing screw, and provided with means substantially as
shown for securing the same in such different positions substantially as and for the
purpose described.
3rd The combination of the screw case, the rotatable lining having the slots q² and
the fastening lugs q3 substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4th The inlet pipe having its lower extremity extended into the tempering case
in proximity to the circle described by the subjacent knives and of curvilinear
form, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.
5th The improvement in the art of making bricks of clay or other plastic
substance, which consists in forcing the same through a die, in a bar and cutting
the latter into bricks by means of a wire or wires, mounted on an endless belt,
propelled automatically by the pushing force of the said bar, through suitable
intermediate mechanism, to move in the same direction as the bar, and diagonally
across its path, the movement given to the wire or wires with relation to that of
the bar being as described, whereby the latter is intersected transversely at right
angles and is cut off into brick lengths substantially as set forth.
6th The improvement in the art of making bricks of clay or other plastic
material consisting in forcing such material through a suitable die in a continuously
moving bar, or column and simultaneously dividing the same into bricks by means
of a wire or series of wires caused to move with the continuous bar and at the same
time across its path substantially as set forth.
7th In a machine for making bricks of clay or other plastic material, the
following elements, combined and operating substantially as hereinbefore described;
viz.: mechanism for expressing a body of such material through a die in a bar or
column; means for sustaining the latter, and mechanism for severing it into
bricks consisting of one or a series of wires, mounted on an endless belt
substantially as described, caused to move with, and to carry said wire or wires,
across the path of the said bar of clay, whereby the latter is divided into bricks.
8th The combination in a brick making machine, with mechanism for forcing
the clay through a die in a continuously moving bar of means for sustaining and
preserving the same in line with the die, and a device for severing the bar into

page_text: bricks, consisting of a wire or series of wires suitably mounted on an endless
flexible belt arranged and caused to move with, and simultaneously across the path
of the continuous bar, whereby the same is cut off into bricks all constructed,
combined and operating substantially as described.
9th In a brick making machine the combination with means for forcing a
continuous bar of clay through a die, of an endless belt running over pulleys, and
supported in a suitable frame, which belt is located and adapted so as to receive
said bar of clay thereon and be by the latter propelled and mechanism for cutting
off the advancing end of the bar into bricks, consisting of one or a series of wires
suitably mounted over and near the end of the bar on a flexible endless belt
inclined towards the bar of clay and propelled through intermediate connections
by the push or force of the bar impinging upon the first mentioned belt, all
combined, constructed and adapted to operate substantially in the manner and for
the purposes shown and described.
10th The combination with the belt B adapted to receive and sustain the ejected
continuous bar of clay, of the pulley P2, gears WW2 pulleys P3 and P* and the
endless carrier running upon the last mentioned pulleys and having mounted
thereon the cut off wires; whereby the wires are successively carried athwart the
moving bar of clay, and whereby the latter is severed into bricks substantially as
shown and set forth.
11th In that class of brick machines wherein the clay is expressed through a
die in the form of a bar, the combination of a moveable carrier, a series of cut off
wires secured thereto, and held taut by spring controlled devices whereby said
wires are adapted to yield to hard bodies in the clay and then resume their normal
position; together with suitable mechanism for propelling said carrier and causing
the cut off wires to advance, through and sever the bar of clay into bricks
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12th In combination with the endless cut off belt B¹ the U shaped bows secured
thereto and adapted to hold the cut off wires substantially as shown and described.
13th The combination with the endless belt or carrier B¹ of the elastic U shaped
bows secured thereto the said bows being adapted to hold and by their elasticity
keep taut, the cut off wires, yet allow them to yield temporarily to obstructions
substantially as specified.
14th In combination with the belt B¹, the U shaped bows having means
substantially as shown for the ready attachment thereto of the cut off wires, and
for determining and limiting the position of the latter substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
15th In combination with the endless cut off belt and the described wire
holding bows, the rigid plates D substantially as shown and for the purposes
specified.
16th In combination with the endless wire cut off belt or carrier the plates D
- when provided with the upturned flanges d' substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
17th In combination with the bows U, the cut off belt and its pulleys the
plates D when secured to said belt at a single point or transverse line whereby
the belt is at all times permitted to hug closely the said pulleys substantially as
specified.
18th The combination with the cut off belt and its convex faced pulleys P³ P¹
and the Ushaped bows of the plates D having concaved bases to conform to the
shape of said pulleys substantially as and for the purpose specified.
19th In combination with the flexible endless carrier B¹ wire holders U and
pulleys P3 P4, of the plates D when secured to said belt at a single point or
transverse line to the rear of the minor axes of the plates substantially as and
for the purposes specified.
20th In combination with clay expressing and moulding devices the belt B. and
cut off mechanism and frame F with means substantially as shown for adjusting
the said frame vertically for the purpose specified,

page_text: 21st In combination with the endless cut off belt or carrier having plates D
secured thereto, the guide ways G, substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.
22nd The combination with the belt B' pulley P' driving pulley P³ the series of
wires mounted on plates D on said belt in a suitable frame; of the opposed series
of rollers r beneath the belt B all constructed arranged and adapted to operate
substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.
23rd The endless cut off belt or carrier, the plates D, with their sides extending
beyond the edges of said belt, the bows U, and cut off wires mounted thereon, and
the guide ways G all constructed, combined and adapted to operate substantially
as and for the purposes stated.
¿
24th The clay expressing and moulding mechanism, the belt B the cut off
mechanism consisting of a series of wires transversely mounted on an endless belt
or carrier arranged with relation to said belt B. and the moving bar of clay
substantially as shown, and frictional devices substantially as shown for conveying
auxiliary motion to the said belt B, all combined, constructed, and operating
substantially as and for the purposes described.
25th The following elements in combination, to wit; clay expressing and
moulding devices a belt B running over pulleys suitably journalled in a frame and
adapted to receive thereupon the bar of clay issuing from the die of the machine,
a pulley as P on the shaft of one of said belt pulleys a positively driven pulley
as Ps an idler as P on a pivoted adjustably weighted lever as L a slack or friction
belt as B³ running over said last mentioned pulleys together with mechanism for
severing the moving bar of clay into bricks, consisting of a series of wires
mounted on an endless belt, or carrier arranged with relation to the belt B. and
bar of clay thereon as shown, all combined, constructed and adapted to operate
and co-operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
26th In combination with the belt B, its pulleys, P1 and P2 and the endless
belt B' bearing the cat off wires the pulleys P³ and P4 journalled in the vertically
adjustable frame F2 substantially as and for the purposes specified.
27th The combination with the wire cut off belt, and its pulleys arranged as
shown with relation to the belt B, and to the continuous clay bar X, of the
gears W1 W2 proportioned as described whereby the said cut off belt is caused to
advance at a speed having a relation to that of the belt B, that is in effect, the
bar of clay, as set forth whereby the cut off wires are caused to be carried squarely
through the moving clay bar.
28th In combination with the cut off belt and mechanism for driving the same,
and rollers r. and pulley P² of the U shaped wire holders having the distance
between their opposite limbs greater than the width of said rollers and pulley
so as to admit of the cut off wires being carried below the bar of clay as
specified.
29th In combination with the belt B. and the off bearing belt running over
pulleys respectively in suitable frames the independent transfer roller I located
with relation to said belts substantially as and for the purpose described.
30th In combination with the belt B. and cut off mechanism, the independent
roller I having the tapering form shown and for the purpose specified.
31 In a brick machine of the class recited, the following elements in com-
bination; viz. an endless belt or its equivalent for receiving and sustaining the
moving bar of clay issuing from the die of the machine; an endless carrier having
cut off wires suitably mounted thereon and propelled by mechanism substantially
as described; and an off bearing belt caused to travel at a greater surface speed
than that of the carrier and the bar of clay expressed from the die of the machine;
whereby the severed bricks are successively carried away by said off bearing belt
in time to escape the wire that has just severed the brick from said moving bar of
clay; the combination and arrangement being substantially as and for the
purpose described.
32nd The combination with the belt B. and the wires mounted upon the endless
cut off belt running over pulleys above the path of the bar of clay and propelled

page_text: by suitable mechanism, substantially as shown, of the off bearing belt caused to
run faster than said belt B whereby the severed brick is carried away in time to
escape the wire which has just cut it from the said bar, substantially as shown and
described.
33rd The combination of the cut off belt carrying the transverse wires the
pulleys P³ and mechanism for driving the same of the pulley P₁ journalled in the
tightener frame T whereby said pulley (P4) may be adjusted longitudinally,
substantially as and for the purposes stated.
34th The combination with the cut off belt running over pulleys P³ and P
mounted upon the frame F2 of the frame T, sliding upon said frame and having
the pulley P journalled therein, and the adjusting screw t working in said sliding
frame and having its forward end abutting against a projection t2 located between
the said pulleys P³ and P₁ as, and for the purpose specified.
35th The improvement in scrapers for freeing belt pulleys of clay or other
substances, consisting in the combination with said scrapers of deflecting wings
for directing the material scraped from the peripheries of the pulleys so that the
same will fall beyond the belts substantially as described.
36th In combination with the pulley P³ and the deflecting wings j j the
detachable scraper J adjustably mounted on the latter substantially as, and for
the purpose specified.
37th In combination with the cut off belt and its pulleys, the scraper J having
the deflecting wings j j. as and for the purpose stated.
38th In the class of brick machines in which the bar of clay expressed through
a die is severed into bricks by means of a series of wires on an endless moving
carrier, the method of adapting the cut off mechanism for making either bricks or
tiles (in connection with suitable dies) consisting in mounting upon said carrier an
even number of said cut off wires whose distance apart is substantially equal to
the length of ordinary bricks, and removing alternate wires for adapting the cut
off to make tiles; and re-inserting such alternate wires for making bricks,
substantially as set forth.
39th In combination with the off bearing belt, and its frame and rollers the cap
pieces in proximity to the edges of said belt and rollers and having their top
faces elevated slightly above the belt, as and for the purpose specified.
40th In combination with the off bearing belt rollers, the cap pieces ² covering
the journals of the rollers and extending over near to the ends of the latter and
beyond the bearings thereof, as and for the purpose specified.
41st The combination with the off bearing belt rollers, of the cap pieces 22 and
corner pieces 2¹, the ends of the journals of said rollers being nearly in contact
with said corner pieces.
42nd The combination with the rollers of the longitudinally adjustable
bearing strips, cap pieces z³ and corner pieces 21 constructed and arranged as
specified.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of April AD 1884