Improvements in and in connection with Hydraulic Presses and in the Manufacture thereby of Artificial Stone Slabs or the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and in connection with Hydraulic Presses and in
the Manufacture thereby of Artificial Stone Slabs or the like.
I, ALBERT TAYLOR, of Daisy Croft, Hipperholme, near Halifax, in the County
of York, Engineer, WILLIE BROOKE and NEWTON BROOKE, both of Lightcliffe,
near Halifax, in the County of York, and ASPINALL BROOKE, of Hipperholme,
in the County of York, Quarry Owners, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows;
This invention has reference to the construction and operation of a hydraulic
press suitable for use in the manufacture of slabs of artificial stone such for
example as are formed from an aqueous mixture of cement and other suitably
crushed material.
The apparatus comprises a heavy hydraulic press the ram of which moves in
an inverted cylinder so as to exert a downward pressure. The fixed base of the
press may be grooved on its upper surface, but preferably is provided with a
renewable grooved plate secured thereto. On the grooved surface of this plate
(which is somewhat larger than the slab to be formed) there is mounted to
slide longitudinally to and fro a table that is capable of holding two slabs with
the necessary moulds. Near each end of this movable table the plate from
which it is formed, is perforated for an area corresponding to the size of the slab
and upon each perforated portion a mould or box is placed so that when a charged
mould is directly beneath the hydraulic ram the other or empty mould is suffi-
ciently clear of the press to allow of its being charged ready to be slid with the
movable table under the press and directly over the before mentioned grooved
plate. The table may be actuated in any convenient manner, such as by a chain
or chains in connection with other hydraulic rams suitable stop pieces being
provided for regulating the stroke. The moulds or boxes may be made in any
convenient manner, and are adapted to drop onto centering pins on the table;
they are formed somewhat deeper than the thickness of the finished pressed slab
in order to allow of the entry of an upper die as hereinafter described. Between
the mould and the movable perforated table on which it rests one or more
thicknesses of suitable porous material such as felt, facing calico and a finely
perforated sheet of metal may be placed; the felt &c., may be fixed to the table
or otherwise according to circumstances for making the joint so as to prevent
the cement slipping out with the water whilst under pressure.
At the end of the main ram is provided a suitable crosshead with slides that
take onto the press pillars and to this crosshead a removable die is fixed, its

page_text: lower surface being grooved and having secured to it a finely perforated plate
of the exact size of the mould, the perforations of the plate corresponding to the
grooves in the die, so that the liquid pressed from the slab may flow away, it
may be through holes left in the sides of the mould or otherwise. Centrally
with the main ram a smaller ram is provided in the upper part of the press to
work in the opposite direction, this smaller ram is connected by rods to the
lower crosshead for lifting the same, each ram being single acting only, whilst
in the same part of the press two smaller downwardly projecting rams are pro-
vided, for holding the charged mould securely down onto the table and making
a tight joint therewith whilst the die is pressing the material within the mould.
Previous to this being done, and after the mould has been charged whilst away
from under the ram, one or more thickness of material such as felt and a piece
of facing calico secured to say a thin finely perforated sheet of metal that fits
the mould is inserted on the top of the material to be pressed, or the felt may
be secured to the under side of the die. The movable table carries the charged
mould directly and centrally into position, the mould being then clamped
after which the die descends and presses the slab until the water contained
therein escapes through the upper and lower layers of (say) calico. finely per-
forated sheet, felt, and perforated top plate and perforated table. Simultaneously
with this action, self acting catches connect the mould and die together so that
when the water pressure is released from the main ram and holding down rams
and admitted to the upper ram (connected with the die crosshead), the die, box
and pressed slab are raised together from the movable table whereupon the
mould is caught by suitable links or catches and held or suspended thereby.
Whilst thus held or suspended, a suitable bearer board on which the pressed
slab is intended to be delivered is inserted at right angles to the direction of
travel of the movable table. The bearer board is flexibly held against the
under side of the slab which is level with the lower edge of the box, the pres-
sure is again turned onto the main ram, which descends, and forces the pressed
slab from the suspended mould, the bearer board descending therewith. The
slab is afterwards drawn out of the machine and the calico and finely perforated
thin plate removed and washed ready for the next mould. The main ram is
then slightly raised until the first named catches engage with the mould, simul-
taneously the catches or links holding the suspended mould are released, the
mould is then lowered down on to the porous material on the table and released.
The table is then slid along carrying the empty mould away ready for recharg-
ing and simultaneously bringing the charged one into position for pressing.
It will be understood that by this arrangement it is unnecessary to turn over
the slab to remove the perforated plate and carry it to the next mould as hereto-
fore nor is it necessary to employ a crane for taking the mould from the
delivery end of the press to the charging end, the arrangement being such that the
mould is lifted up, the slab placed on a board and removed, and then the mould
is replaced in position on the table. The moulds are filled from alternate ends
of the machine, and the slabs discharged directly beneath the press, the only
manual labour required being that for replacing the thin finely perforated sheet
.with the facing calico attached thereto. I would have it understood that I
may modify the arrangement of catches for use when raising and lowering the
mould and also the means for moving the table by chains I may also use one or
more additional main rams to suit shapes of articles other than slabs it is desired
to press to shape, without departure from the essential features of my invention.
Dated this 10th day of V... 1000

page_text: Improvements in and in connection with Hydraulic Presses and in
the Manufacture thereby of Artificial Stone Slabs or the like.
I, ALBERT TAYLOR, of Daisy Croft, Hipperholme, near Halifax, in the County
of York, Engineer, WILLIE BROOKE and NEWTON BROOKE, both of Lightcliffe,
near Halifax, in the County of York, and ASPINALL BROOKE, of Hipperholme,
in the County of York, Quarry Owners, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described in and by the following statement:
This invention has reference to the construction and operation of a hydraulic
press suitable for use in the manufacture of slabs of artificial stone such for
example as are formed from an aqueous mixture of cement and other suitably
crushed material.
The apparatus comprises a heavy hydraulic press the ram or rams of which
moves or move in one or more inverted cylinders so as to exert a downward
pressure.
The accompanying illustrative drawings show by way of example one form of
hydraulic press with two main rams in accordance with this invention suitable
for use in the manufacture of large slabs of artificial stone which, owing to their
considerable size and weight require special means to enable them to be handled
and removed from the press. Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations partly in section
and at right angles to each other showing respectively the slab under pressure
and also raised up to admit of the insertion of a carrier. Fig. 3 is a plan and
Figs. and 5 sectional plans respectively taken on the lines
, Fig. 1,
and yy Fig. 2. Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged views showing a portion of the
apparatus with a slab under pressure, Fig. 6 being in section with the right hand
taken at right angles to the left hand.
The fixed base A of the press carries pillars B for supporting the press-head C
which in the example shown is provided with two main hydraulic rams D D
and two smaller rams to be hereinafter described. The upper surface of the
base A may be grooved but is preferably provided with a removable grooved
plate F made in two parts secured to the said base so as to leave a longitudinal
space F between the two parts such space being arranged immediately above or
in line with a channel A¹ in the base A in which travels a sliding part G2 to be
hereinafter referred to. The grooves F (Fig. 6) are suitably formed for carry-
ing off the liquid pressed out of the aqueous mixture and are capable of being
readily cleaned. The plate F is made somewhat larger than the largest slab
intended to be pressed and is firmly bolted to the base A by means of screw
threaded bolts with countersunk heads. On the grooved upper surface of the
said plate there is mounted a table G adapted to slide longitudinally to and fro
in the direction of the grooves F and capable of supporting thereupon two
moulds H H. The movable table G, which is conveniently formed of a flat
plate, is perforated near each end with small holes G₁ spaced so as to correspond
with the grooves F in the plate F as shown in Fig. 6, the area of the perforated
portions corresponding substantially with the largest size of moulds. The posi-
tions of the two moulds H H upon the sliding table are such, that when a charged
mould is located directly below the main hydraulic rams, the other or empty
one is sufficiently clear of the press to allow of its being charged ready to be
slidden by means of the movable table G under the rams D D and directly over
the perforated plate F. The table G may be reciprocated in any convenient
manner such as by chains J J connected to a downwardly projecting tongue
piece G³ secured to the under side of the table G and which slides in the space F

page_text: between the two parts of the divided grooved plate F. The other ends of the
chains JJ, pass over multiplying sheaves JJ of the hydraulic cylinders J2 J2.
Or a double ram working in two cylinders horizontally arranged may be employed.
Suitable stop mechanism and table guides (not shown) are provided for guiding
and regulating the travel of the table G which is supported at its outer end by
means of rollers K provided at both sides of the press. The moulds H are advan-
tageously made of cast steel strengthened by ribs and formed with shoulders or
projections H to be engaged by lifting catches L L and holding up catches M.
The moulds are also provided with centering pins H (Fig. 4) adapted to drop
into corresponding holes in the table. The moulds are made somewhat deeper than
the thickness of the finished pressed slab, in order to allow of the insertion of
a perforated renewable plate N which corresponds in size to the internal dimen-
sions of the mould, and is secured advantageously by countersunk set screws
to the grooved lower face of a removable die or plunger N¹ bolted to the lower
side of a crosshead P. The perforations of the plate N are disposed so as to cor-
respond with grooves N2 in the plunger N¹ so that the main body of liquid
pressed from the slab may be enabled to flow away over the upper edge of the
mould H.
Between the mould and the movable perforated table on which it rests, one
or more thicknesses of suitable porous material such as felt, facing calico and
a finely perforated sheet of metal may be placed; the felt, etc., may be fixed to
the table or otherwise according to circumstances for making the joint so as to
prevent the cement slipping out with the water whilst under pressure.
To aid in holding up the middle portion of a slab of large area-i.o., to pre-
vent the middle portion from sagging, the ends of the grooves №2 are closed by
any suitable arrangement of non-return flap, such for example as shown in
Figs. 6 and 7, comprising a strip of pliable rubber supported and carried
between bars R R₁ bolted together as shown. One of the said bars is placed in
a recess in the plunger or die N¹ and is secured therein in any convenient
manner so that the rubber flap can be quickly removed and replaced in cleaning
out the grooves. The two opposite edges of the perforated plate N are suitably
shaped to allow the rubber to form a joint therewith. As the mould, die and
slab are lifted together, the middle of the compressed slab has a tendency to fall
before a board or trolley can be inserted below and held against it through
air being admitted into the grooves through which the liquid escaped, but, by
closing the ends of the grooves as in the manner described so as to retain the
remaining liquid contained therein the fall will be gradual whereby a longer
time is obtained for the insertion of the said board or trolley.
The lower ends of the two rams D D are secured in any convenient manner
to the said crosshead P which is provided with guides P₁ that partly embrace
and slide upon the pillars B. This crosshead is also provided with other
guides 13 through which reciprocate smaller clamping rams Q. Upon the cross-
head P are provided lugs P which carry suitable adjustable joints of the lifting
catches L.
Centrally with the main ram, or, in the example being described, between the
main rams D, D, there is provided on the upper part of the press head C another
hydraulic cylinder and ran S which works in an opposite direction to that of the
main rams, this small ram S is provided with a crosshead S and is connected
by rods SS to the lower crosshead P' for lifting the latter and its attached parts,
all the rams being single acting.
In the presshead C the two smaller downwardly projecting rams QQ previously
referred to are provided for holding the charge mould H securely down onto the
table and making a tight joint therewith whilst the die is pressing the material
in the mould, the lower ends of the rams Q, which are guided through slides P',
being preferably widened as shown so as to distribute the pressure on the two
longer sides of the mould more evenly. Suitable means are provided for pre-
venting the rams Q from rotating.

page_text: After the mould has been charged and previous to its being pressed, one or
more thicknesses of material such as felt and a piece of facing calico that is
secured to a thin finely perforated sheet of metal such as zine is placed on the top of
the material to be pressed, or the felt may be secured to the underside of the
die.
When large heavy slabs are to be pressed and require a special truck or
trolley to convey them from the press a hydraulic lifting ram T is provided which
works in a hollow cylinder formed with the body of the before mentioned cross-
head centrally with the lifting ram S. The crosshead S¹ carries arms $3 hav-
ing chain sheaves S+ S+ for guiding suitable lifting chains which pass
through holes in the presshead C and extend therethrough below which press-
head the chain is formed into two parts or branches as shown by dotted lines
in Fig. 2, the upper ends of the chains being attached to the head of the
ram TV is a trolley or truck mounted on wheels and made of as small height
as possible. It is slightly larger than the size of slab intended to be carried and
has two projecting lifting arms V₁ at each end with which the divided ends
of the lifting chain U engage. The ram T is connected by a flexible pipe or
otherwise with the water supply, and is preferably provided, in order to prevent
accident, with a safety or relief valve (not shown) so that in the event of the
trolley being lifted up and the main rams set in motion without the exhaust
to the small ram T being opened, the chains would not be broken by the excess
of pressure.
The movable table G carries the charged mould H directly and centrally into
position whereupon it is clamped by the two rams Q and water at a moderate
pressure is admitted to the main rams thus causing the die to descend and press
the slab until the liquid contained therein escapes through the upper and lower
layers of say calico, finely perforated zinc plate, felt, and the perforated top
plate and the perforated portion of the table. Simultaneously with this action,
the self acting lifting catches L engage with and connect the mould, die and
crosshead together so that when the water pressure is released from the main
rams and the holding down or clamping rams Q, and pressure liquid ad-
mitted to the lifting ram S connected with the crosshead, the die, mould, and
pressed slab, are raised together from the movable table whereupon the mould
is caught by the holding up links or catches M M (which are suspended from
the press head C) and held or suspended thereby. Whilst thus held or supported-
a suitable bearer board for light slabs, or a trolley V for heavy ones, on which
the pressed slab is intended to be delivered is inserted conveniently at right
angles to the direction of travel of the table G. The trolley V which is mounted
on wheels is run in under the pressed slab as soon as the latter has been raised
sufficiently to admit it, and, whilst the die N', mould H and slab H2 are still
being slowly raised to the above named position, the lifting chains U are hooked
onto the arms of the trolley Vand pressure liquid is admitted to the small
ram T which immediately lifts up and presses the trolley tightly against the under-
side of the pressed slab which is level with the underside of the mould, whereupon
the trolley continues moving upwards with the slab until the mould is caught
in the catches M M. The rams S and T are then stopped, and pressure is again
turned onto the main rams D which descend and force the pressed slab from the
mould and downwards with it the suspended trolley. The pressure fluid acting
on the small ram T is released until the trolley again rests on the table G and
the chains U uncoupled. The slab and trolley can then be drawn out of the
press and the felt, calico, finely perforated plate removed and washed ready for
the next slab. The main rams D are then slightly raised until the lifting
catches L L again engage with the ends of the mould, the holding up catches M M
suspending the mould being simultaneously released; the mould is then lowered
down onto a sheet of porous material such as felt placed on the table and released.
The table G is then slidden along to carry away the empty mould ready for re-

page_text: charging and bring simultaneously a charged mould at the opposite end of the
table into position for pressing.
It will be understood that by this arrangement it is unnecessary to turn over
the slab, (which would be difficult if not impracticable with slabs of large area)
to remove the perforated plate and carry it to the next mould as heretofore, nor
is it necessary to employ a crane for taking the mould from the delivery end of
the press to the charging end, the arrangement being such that the mould is
lifted up, the slab placed on a board or trolley and removed, and then the mould
is replaced in position on the table. The moulds are filled from alternate ends
of the press, and the slabs discharged directly beneath the press, the only
manual labour required being that for replacing the thin finely perforated sheet
with the facing calico attached and the felting. It is to be understood that the
arrangement of catches for raising and lowering the mould and also the means
for moving the table may be modified. Also the use of one or more additional
rams to suit the shapes of articles other than slabs it is desired to press to shape,
also the means for raising and lowering the bearer board or trolley according to
circumstances without departure from the essential features of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A hydraulic press for use in the manufacture of artificial stone slabs or the
like, comprising one or more downwardly acting pressure cylinders having its
ram or their rams connected at the lower end to a crosshead provided with a die
for pressing the slab material into a mould and also with lifting catches adapted
to engage the said mould, holding up catches connected to the stationary press
head and adapted to engage with and hold up the mould when the same has been
raised, and means whereby a trolley or other carrier, placed beneath the partly
raised die, mould and slab can be raised with the latter and lowered together
therewith, the arrangement being such that after a finished slab has been raised
together with the mould, die and trolley or other carrier, a downward pressure
of the main ram or rams will gradually force the slab from the mould and cause
it to descend together with the trolley or other carrier, substantially as described.
2. In a press of the kind herein referred to, the combination of a grooved plate
or surface arranged below the main ram or rams, a perforated table adapted to
reciprocate above the said plate to carry away the empty moulds and bring
freshly charged moulds into pressing position, a pressing die having a grooved
lower surface and a perforated plate provided upon the said grooved lower sur-
face, means for preventing the slab material from being pressed into the perfora-
tions in the said table and plate, and means for holding the charged mould upon
the table, substantially as described for the purpose specified, whether the grooves
in the pressing die are provided or not with non-return flap valves for the pur-
pose set forth.
3. Apparatus constructed, arranged and operating substantially as hereinabove
described with reference to and shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the accompany-
ing drawings for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 16th day of February 1899.
For the Applicants,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.