Improvements in Machinery for Making and Pressing Bricks and in Moulds therefor, and in Olay Mixing or Grinding Pans employed therein.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 6th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Making and Pressing Bricks and in
Moulds therefor, and in Olay Mixing or Grinding Pans employed
therein.
1
I, THOMAS CONSTANTINE FAWCETT, of Whitehouse Engineering Works,
Leeds, in the County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
-
My invention has reference to the manufacture of bricks from plastic or semi-
plastic clay or other material.
"
I
In constructing and combining a machine for the above named purpose according
to the first part of my invention, I employ an open ended revolving cylinder,
having any suitable number of dies formed crosswise and lengthwise therein, and
which are open at each end. This revolving cylinder is subdivided into as many
divisions as is thought desirable. One or more stationary segment plates are fixed
in such a position as to enter the space between each die, at that place or places
where the clay is being forced into the moulds, and also at that place where the
clay is being pressed, but the dies are carried (by the revolving cylinder) passed
the segment plates where the brick is being forced from the mould or die by moving
bottom plates. Instead of employing a revolving moulding cylinder, I may employ
a flat plate divided and subdivided into as many dies or moulds as desirable, and
left with open sides or ends for the purpose of forming a series of bricks at one
operation. Above or at a suitable angle to the revolving cylinder, or above or at
a suitable angle to the flat plate, I place a pug-mill, which may or may not be
provided with a hopper above it. The pug-mill has preferably an intermittant
motion imparted to it, but it may be continuous, and it forces the clay into the dies
each time they are presented to the pug-mill. The mould cylinder, has an
intermittant motion and it presents one of the dies or moulds or a series of dies or
moulds, just filled with clay by the pug-mill, to a horizontal rammer, which gives
the clay an additional squeeze. This rammer is preferably operated by toggle-
jointed levers, so arranged that two squeezes of the rammer are imparted to the
bricks, for one revolution of the shaft, which operates the said toggle-joints. The
squeezing end of this rammer may be formed so as to indent the brick, and it may
be made with an aperture, through which surperfluous clay may pass. The brick
is forced out of the moulds by a moveable bottom plate, or by an instrument which
pushes the brick out of the open-ended dies, under a presser, which imparts to the
brick its final squeeze, after which it may be taken away by an endless travelling
apron, or otherwise, as thought, desirable. The intermittant motion of the pug-
mill, is governed by a clutch of suitable construction, easily engaged and disengaged
from positive driving apparatus. When using the flat plate, (with its moulding
dies) it is also placed intermittantly under the pug-mill to receive the clay, after
which, it is withdrawn and pressed, and the bricks are pushed off the plate sideways
in opposite directions by a suitable form of pusher, and preferably they are pushed
off the narrow way of the brick so as to lessen the stroke of the pusher. The
moulds or dies in this plate may have loose bottoms, for the purpose of assisting in
the delivery of the bricks.
Instead of employing a pug-mill to force the clay into the moulds of the
revolving cylinder, I may employ a vertical plunger or piston, arranged above the
revolving cylinder or flat moulding plate, for the purpose of pushing the clay into
the moulds and giving to the clay therein its first squeezing operation. In the
hopper, I may employ one or more rollers, or revolving wipers, or a pug mixer, for
assisting the clay down the hopper, to place it within reach of the reciprocating

page_text: piston, which piston is operated by levers, cams, cranks or other mechanical
devices.
My improvements in clay mixing and revolving grinding pans, consist in
forming the grinding pan bottom with a central opening, through which the ground
substances are pushed by fixed scrapers, and are received by a revolving or
stationary plate and carried away. By employing an opening in the centre of the
grinding pan, the materials are ground mixed and crushed near the outer diameter of
the pan, consequently have an increased surface on which to be ground, than is the
case when ground in the centre of the pan and pushed through a grate at the outer
diameter of the pan as at present. In this revolving grinding, pan I employ
special scrapers, operated by worm and wheel or other suitable gearing, for the
purpose of adjusting their angles to regulate the delivery of the ground clay, and
this adjustment of the scrapers can be effected whilst the pan is revolving, by
which means, the clay is distributed over a larger area. The scrapers may be.
adjusted all together, or singly, or in pairs, which is performed by the workman"
operating one or more hand wheels.
Dated this 5th day of May 1909
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Making and Pressing Bricks and in
Moulds therefor, and in Clay Mixing or Grinding Pans employed
therein.
I, THOMAS CONSTANTINE FAWCETT, of Whitehouse Engineering Works,
Leeds, in the County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the manufacture of fire or other form of brick
from a plastic or semi-plastic clay or other like material in a quick and expeditious
manner and in large quantities.
The machine constructed according to my invention has also combined with it
mechanism to press the brick after it has left the mould. Appliances are also
employed for the purpose of removing the brick from the mould, and appliances
are also used for forcing the clay into the mould and for grinding and mixing the
clay.
In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now make reference
to the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 is front elevation partly in section of a brick making and pressing machine
having my improvements applied to it, and
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same also partly in section.
1 represents the framework of the machine, and 2 an intermittently revolving
moulding cylinder mounted in bearings or pedestals 3, such cylinder having four
openings or dies 4, for the reception of the clay from which the brick has to be
made. This cylinder is revolved intermittently so that it remains stationary for a
short period to permit the clay to be inserted into the dies and also to permit the
newly formed brick to be removed. The intermittent rotary motion is obtained
through the medium of a ratchet wheel 5 fixed on the end of the axle 6 of the
moulding cylinder 2. A pawl 8 connected eccentrically to the driving wheel 9 is
arranged to push the ratchet wheel forward a tooth for each revolution of the said
driving wheel.
The clay is contained in a hopper 10 and it is removed therefrom and forced
into one of the moulds of the revolving cylinder by means of a reciprocating
rammer 11, such rammer being operated intermittently by the toggle-jointed
levers 12 operated by crank shaft 13 which also drives the driving wheel.

page_text: These toggle-jointed lever arms 12 are so timed as to force the rammer against
the clay as each succeeding mould is presented to the said rammer, the pressing of
the brick taking place during the time the cylinder 2 is stationary. The connecting
arm 14 of the toggle-jointed levers is of such a length as to carry the toggle-
jointed levers 12 slightly below a horizontal line so that on the upward or return
movement of the connecting arm, the rammer is made to give the brick another.
squeeze by which means the brick is pressed twice for one revolution of the shaft
during the temporary stoppage or dwell of the moulding cylinder 2.
The openings or dies 4 of the moulding cylinder 2 are made with both ends open,
the width of the cylinder being equal to the length or width of the brick and
these moulds are made open ended so as to permit the brick to be pushed out
end wise onto the table 15 or onto a travelling apron. The means I employ for
pushing the bricks endwise out of their openings or dies consists of a pusher 16
connected to one end of a rocking lever arm 17 such lever arm being provided
with a few bevel wheel shaped teeth gearing with the segment of a bevel wheel 18
the upper end of which is connected to a connecting rod 20 which on being moved
backward and forwards upon the fulcrum 21 causes the lever arm 17 to rock or
oscillate upon the vertical stud 22 whereby an intermittent motion is given to the
pusher 16 which forces the brick out of the die. The toothed segment 18 as
already stated is 'connected to the rod 20 the opposite end of which carries a
bowl 23 working within a cam groove 24 formed at the back of the driving wheel 9,
such cam groove moving the segment 18 in one direction, whilst the opposite
movement is obtained from the weight 25 fixed on an arm 26 also connected to the
toothed segment 18.
:
To prevent the brick being forced laterally out of the dies 4 of the open ended...
cylinder 2 during the time the rammer 11 is forcing the clay into the die, the
cylinder 2 is made to revolve between two side plates 27 shewn in plan view Figs. 3
and 4, the said plates 27 being connected to the framework of the machine..
These side plates are pressed with a suitable pressure against the sides or cheeks!
of the revolving cylinder 2, the pressure thereon being regulated by the adjusting
screws 28. By employing an open ended cylinder for moulding bricks I avoid
the sharp corners which are formed when the cylinder is not open ended; conse-
quently the brick is more easily removed and the corners thereof are less acute.
After the brick has been pushed end wise out of the mould, the pusher 16 is
arranged to push the brick underneath a reciprocating top pressing rammer 29 for..
the purpose of imparting to the brick its final squeeze and finishing shape. The
top presser is operated by toggle-jointed levers 30 like those. already described
with reference to the rammer 11.
These toggle-jointed levers are operated by connecting rod 31 and crank 32 from
the crank shaft 13 and the said toggles are arranged to go past a vertical line so
as to give the brick two squeezes in addition to those already received when the..
clay is in the moulding cylinder.
710
In moulding boxes of ordinary construction, openings or apertures are, made
therein for the escape of superfluous clay but I employ, instead thereof, apparatus;:
consisting of an inner yielding. piston 33 working within the brick pressing:
mould 34 the top of which piston shapes a portion of the bottom of the brick whilst,.
the second piston 35 is used for shaping or forming 'the outer edges of the bottom
of the said brick. The bottom of the yielding piston 33 rests upon one end of the',
lever 36 working on a fulcrum 37, the opposite end of such lever 36 being provided:
with india rubber, spiral or other form of spring cushion 38 the tension of which
is made. adjustable by lock nuts 39 on the rod 40 fixed to the framework at 41.
therefore when the top pressing rammer 29 has reached the extent of its down- .
ward stroke and there is more clay in the mould than the size of the brick is
intended to be made, instead of such superfluous clay working through apertures as
formerly, the inner piston 33 will yield through the medium of the springs 38
whereby the superfluous clay is put into the brick, but as soon as the pressure of
the topi presser 29 is removed from the top of the brick, the inuer piston 33 through:

page_text: the medium of the lever 36 and springs 38 is made to assume or go back to its
normal position again. After the brick has been thus pressed it is raised from the
mould together with pistons 33 and 35 by the lever 42 which is operated by
connecting rod 43 driven from a crank (not shewn) on the shaft 13.
Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a plastic brick making
and pressing machine like that already described, except that within the hopper
I introduce a pug-mill consisting of an intermittently revolving vertical shaft 44
provided with wings or vanes 45 for the purpose of forcing the clay into the
moulds as they are presented thereto. I prefer to cause this vertical shaft to
revolve intermittently so that when the plain surface of the mould is passing
underneath the bottom of the said shaft, the clay within the hopper is not forced
against the dead surface, I therefore cause the spindle to revolve only when one
of the dies is underneath the hopper 10. The mechanism I employ for imparting
intermittent motion to the vertical shaft 44 is shewn more clearly in Fig. 6
where 46 is half of a clutch fastened to a sleeve or long boss secured to the bevel
wheel 47 which is driven positively and continuously by bevel wheel 48 on the
driving shaft 49. On the vertical shaft 44 is another half clutch 50 placed loosely
on the said shaft, but working in a groove or key bed formed therein. This
clutch 50 is raised up and down at the proper time so as to cause the shaft 44 to
be driven, by means of the weighted lever 51 working upon the fulcrum 52, raised
or lifted by a cam 53 on the shaft 13. The clutch 50 is kept clear of the driving
clutch 46 by means of the cam 53 on the shaft 13 but when the cam 53 is not
supporting the lever 51 the weight 54 thereon lifts the clutch 50 into gear with the
driving clutch 46 whereby intermittent motion is given to the vertical shaft 44 for
forcing the clay from the hopper into the moulds of the cylinder 2.
Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively end and side elevations partly in section of my
improved plastic brick making machine but in this case the machine is compounded,
that is to say, there are two intermittently revolving moulding cylinders 2, each of
which has a pug-mill 44 employed in connection with them consisting of a revolving
vertical shaft 44 with wipers as already described and although I only shew two
revolving moulding cylinders, it is evident that there may be three or more arranged
side by side. In connection with these revolving shafts 44 I also employ a clay
mixer shewn at 55 in Fig. 8 and plan Fig. 9. This clay mixer 55 is composed of
a shaft 56 placed in an oblique position having wipers or blades 57 thereon which
are caused to revolve by bevel gearing 58 for the purpose of mixing the clay
before it enters into the hopper 10. The clay is forced into the moulds of the
cylinder by the pug-mill and it is pressed by the rammer 11 operated by toggle
joints 30 as previously explained.
The moulding cylinder is made with open ends similar to those previously
mentioned but instead of the brick which is shewn at 59 being pushed out sideways,
it is removed by the bottom plate 60 or base of the die, which is moveable for the
purpose. The bottom of the dies are indicated at 60 attached to horizontal bars 61
which are connected together by the parts marked 62. Between the two moulding
cylinders and at each side thereof, there are cam plates 63 which serve to prevent
the clay from being forced out of the open ended dies on being thrust in by the
pug-mill, but these plates are of cam like shape on the underside so that as the
moulding cylinder revolves the horizontal bars 61 pass underneath the cam
plates 63 in doing which the base of the die 60 which occupies the position shewn
at 60 is forced downward so as to present an empty die 4 under the pug-mill, but
when the bottom plate is lowered the opposite or opposing end is also lowered in
doing which the brick within the die is ejected dropping onto the endless travelling
apron, and this goes on intermittently as the bricks are formed.
Instead of employing a revolving moulding cylinder 2, 1 employ a flat moulding
plate having dies or openings therein shewn in plan view Fig. 10 and elevation
Fig. 11 where 64 is a plate provided with moulds 4 the length and width of a
brick. This moulding plate is pushed under the pug-mill 44 and clay forced
therein and it is then withdrawn from underneath the pug-mill and the bricks

page_text: pushed out of the mould_endwise by the pusher 16 as. described and shewn with
regard to Figs. 1 to 6.. Fig. 12 shews another form of moulding plate but in this
case the moulds 4 are shewn the narrow way of the brick so that the stroke of the
pusher 16 is shorter than would be the case if the brick was pushed the direction
of its length as shewn in Figs. 10 and 11, but the dies 4 may be provided' with
moveable bottom plates 65 and the bricks lifted from the dies and removed from
the under pug-mill.
The mechanism for lifting the bottom plates 65 will consist of the moving piston
marked 33 and illustrated in Fig. 1.
My improvements in clay mixing and revolving grinding pans consist in forming
the grinding pan bottom with a central opening through which the ground sub-
stances are pushed by fixed scrapers, and are received by a revolving or stationary
plate and carried away...
This part of my invention is shewn in plan view Fig. 14 and sectional elevation
Fig. 15 66 represents the grinding pan mounted upon vertical shaft 67 by which
it is made to revolve.
The grinding pan bottom shewn at 68 is made with a central opening 69 through
which the ground materials drop onto a dish or plate 70. On the underside of the
revolving pan there is fixed one or more scrapers 71 which as the pan revolves
causes the scrapers to carry the ground substances around the plate 70 until they
arrive at an opening 72 in the bottom of the said plate through which the ground
substances fall on the ground or into a receptacle placed to receive them.
73 repre-
sents the crushing rollers and 74 fixed scrapers for carrying the substances around
in the bottom of the pan, the fixed scraper 75 being specially employed for gathering
the ground substances and causing them to drop through the aperture 69. The
material to be ground, mixed, and crushed is fed to the grinding pan near its outer
diameter, consequently they have the largest surface on which to be crushed, but
gradually the substances are worked towards the centre of the pan until they drop
through the aperture 69. In this revolving grinding pan the scrapers 74 and 75
may be operated by worm and wheel or other suitable gearing for the purpose of
adjusting their angles to regulate the delivery of the ground material and this
adjustment of the scrapers could be effected whilst the pan was revolving by which
means the material would be distributed over a large area of the pan.
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. In machinery for making and pressing bricks having revolving or
stationary dies open at the ends the combination therewith of segment plates 63
for purposes and in manner described.
Secondly. In machinery for making and pressing bricks having revolving or
stationary dies open at the ends and of segment plates 63 the combination therewith
of a pug-mill and hopper as shewn and described.
Thirdly. In machinery for making and pressing bricks the combination therewith
of flat moulding dies as illustrated in Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the accompanying
drawings.
Fourthly. In a brick making machine the combination of an intermittently
revolving moulding cylinder 2 having open ends together with the pusher 16
operated by toothed segment 18 and cam 24 on shaft 13 and an intermittent
rammer 11 operated by toggle-jointed levers 12 and connecting rod 14 the latter of
which causes the toggle-joints to give two squeezes for one revolution of the
shaft 13 as described and shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Fifthly. In a brick making machine, the use of a presser 29 moved up and down
by toggle-jointed levers 30 and connecting rod 31 the latter of which is of such a
length as to cause the presser to impart two squeezes to the brick for one revolution
of the shaft 13 in combination with the inner piston 33 and outer piston 35, the
said piston 33 yielding to pressure of clay (when forced into the die) through the

page_text: medium of lever 36 and cushion 38 together: with lever 42 for lifting both pistons 33
and 35 when removing the brick from the die 34 all as described and shewn in
Figs. 5 and 6.
Sixthly. In a brick making machine, the combination of two or more intermit-
tently revolving moulding cylinders having moving bottom plates 60 for ejecting
the brick together with the pusher 11 toggle-jointed levers 12 connecting rod 14
pug-mill 44 clay mixer 55 all operated in the manner herein described and shewn
in Figs. 7, 8, and 9.
Seventhly. In clay mixing and revolving grinding pans, the formation of a
central opening 69 through which the materials drop onto a receiving plate 70 in
combination with the scraper 71 as described and shewn in Figs. 14 and 15.
Dated this 4th day of February 1893.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.