Improvements in or relating to Machines for the Manufacture of Roofing or Flooring Tiles and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1899
1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines for the Manufacture of
Roofing or Flooring Tiles and the like.
I. GEORGE WILLIAM WINN, of Nostell Colliery, Wakefield, in the County of
York, Colliery Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to machinery for the manufacture of roofing or flooring
tiles and the like, more especially to that class of machinery known as tile bat
makers in which the clay is forced out from between rollers in a continuous
sheet or strip. With machines of this type it has been hitherto customary to
cut off the "bats" or lengths of clay, either by a hand cutter or by knives
mounted transversely upon the periphery of a rotating wheel or drum arranged
above the strip of clay. With the former arrangement the output was limited
to the capacity of the cutter, while with the knives on the rotating wheel it has
been found that owing to the oblique manner in which the knife enters and leaves
the clay it makes a ragged edge which causes waste and an unsatisfactory product.
The object of this invention is to construct an improved machine in which the
tiles are cut smoothly and accurately and delivered in such a rapid manner that
it is possible to obtain an output considerably larger than with machines of the
types at present known.
According to this invention the cutting knives are carried upon endless chains,
bands, or the like which pass over wheels or drums arranged above the table
along which the strip of clay moves when it leaves the rollers. The chains are
arranged parallel to each other and the knives adjusted so that they lie at right
angles to the path of the clay beneath them. The wheels over which the chains
pass are so adjusted that in place of each knife striking the clay directly it comes
on, or near the underside of the rotating chains, the knife does not touch the
clay until it lies in a vertical or approximately vertical plane. When the knife
has reached this position owing to the chains being arranged slightly at an angle
to the strip of clay, as the chains continue to move the knife is brought nearer
to the clay until it strikes it and cuts through the strip, the knife and clay
travelling along together. When the cut is complete the knife leaves the clay
and passes round with the chains over the wheels or rollers, which conduct it
hack again ready for another cut. At the end of the table upon which the clay
is cut I arrange a travelling band which is caused to move at a speed slightly
greater than that at which the clay is travelling. As soon as the piece of clay
which has been separated by the knife gets on to this travelling band it is drawn
away from the rest of the strip. this separation occurring just at the moment when
the knife is being lifted out of the clay; thus any risk of the edge being damaged
by the knife, as it rises. is obviated.
Any convenient number of knives may he carried by the chains, the knives
being spaced at a distance apart corresponding to the length of the tile or bat
which is to be cut off. The travelling knives are rotated preferably by the clay,

page_text: which receives motion from the rollers from under which it is forced; this motion
is imparted to the chains carrying the knives by the latter, the length of the
chain being such in relation to the space between the knives that there is always
one knife at least more or less in the clay, and in the act of cutting. In some
cases, however, it is desirable to rotate the knives positively in which case a
convenient arrangement is to provide a pulley upon the axle of one of the wheels
carrying the chains, and connect this pulley by a band with another pulley which
is driven from the clay pressing rollers by friction, or otherwise, as found con-
venient. Preferably with this arrangement of band and friction pulley, it is
advisable to arrange the driving gear so that the knives will move slightly faster
than the clay. Thus when the knife has struck the clay the chains are held and
the band, or, if suitably constructed, one of the pulleys slips, this effectually
preventing any risk of buckling the clay owing to the knives moving at a slower
rate than the clay.
The wheels over which the chains pass may either be provided with flats. corre-
sponding to the links of the chain, a convenient shape for these wheels being
hexagonal, or the wheels may be provided with teeth which engage with the links
of the chain after the manner of ordinary chain gearing, or plain circular wheels
may be employed if curved links are used to form the cliains, preferably, however,
flat links are employed with either hexagonal or toothed wheels, as mentioned
above. Preferably a pair of chains is employed to carry the knives, but a greater
number of chains may be used if desired. The knives may be mounted upon the
chains in any desired manner, but a convenient way is to provide certain of the
links, to which the knives are to be attached, with flanges or brackets on the sides
facing each other. The brackets of the pair of chains may be connected together
by strips upon which the knives may be secured in some suitable manner, or the
knives may themselves constitute the connection between the chains, being attached
at their ends to the flanges on the links. The pin at each end of each knife
carrying link is extended and carries a roller, there being therefore four rollers
adjacent to each knife, two at each end. Guide plates or bars are so situated at
the sides of the chains that when the rollers come in contact with them the knives
are guided and held steadily against pressure in an upward direction when they
strike the clay. Bars are preferably arranged beneath the rollers also to prevent
sagging of the chain both when cutting and when the knives are returning on
the top.
Owing to the chain being at an angle to the surface of the clay, if the knives
are mounted on the chains truly at right angles to the path of the chains, each
knife will strike the clay and cut it at a slight angle; to overcome this the knives
may either be set slightly at an angle to the chains, or the guide rollers in front
of each knife may be made slightly smaller than the rollers which are behind
the knife, the effect being when the rollers come against the guide surfaces to
give the knife a slight tilt forwards, the tilt being sufficient to cause it to enter
the clay at right angles to the surface of the latter. The guide bars may con-
veniently be carried upon side plates held in position in some suitable manner.
The chain carrying wheels rotate in bearings preferably mounted in such a
manner that they may be adjusted so as to enable the knives to be adjusted in
accordance with the thickness of the clay which has to be cut, and also to allow
of the angle at which the chains run to be altered. Such an adjustable mounting
may be as follows: I construct a trough shaped casting with side flanges the
trough being of such a width that the flanges will lie on either side of, and
approximately on a level with the surface of the cutting table, the trough being
beneath this table. Upon either side of the table and projecting laterally I
arrange swivelling bolts or trunnions from which the trough is suspended by bolts
passing through the latter from beneath, and through holes in the trunnions.
About the centre of the trough at each end I pass a bolt through in an upward
direction in such a manner that its extremity will butt against the under side of
the table, these bolts or set screws being such that by adjusting them the trough

page_text: can be tilted about the trunnions. The latter carries on either side of each end
slotted plates through which bolts can be passed for the purpose of clamping the
trough when adjusted to the outting table. The bearings of the chain carrying
wheels are mounted upon the flanges at the sides of the adjustable trough, and it
will then be seen that the latter is so arranged that its angle, and consequently the
angle of the chain relative to the surface of the clay, may be altered, and also
by screwing up or down the bolts by which the trough is suspended from the
trunnions, the distance of the cutters above the table may be regulated according
to the thickness of the clay to be operated upon.
The links of the knife-carrying chains are preferably made long so as to make
the wearing points as few as possible. A convenient number of knives for each
pair of chains is four when manufacturing ordinary roofing tiles, but when shorter
tiles are being made more knives may be used.
The power or hand presses for pressing the tile bats are conveniently placed
upon either side of the endless band which removes the bats from the cutter.
In place of employing chains it is to be understood that bands or belts of
leather, wire, or other material may be employed to carry the knives, preferably,
however, some means of adjustment to take up the slack of the bands or chains
is provided in the case of the chains this may be by means of some links whose
length is adjustable.
In place of arranging the shafts of the wheels carrying the chains so that the
chains pass straight from wheel to wheel at an angle to the surface of the cutting
table, the chains may be guided by the rollers above described in such a manner
that the knives pass downwards at an angle, and thence move in a parallel manner
over the surface of the cutting table, this arrangement being accomplished by
means of suitable guiding bars for the rollers.
It is to be understood that a cutter of the above described type may be employed
for cutting any type of clay goods formed from a continuous strip or "clot" of
clay. The details of construction and materials employed may be varied to suit
requirements without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Dated this 14th day of June 1899.
Improvements in or relating to Machines for the Manufacture of
Roofing or Flooring Tiles and the like.
I. GEORGE WILLIAM WINN, of Nostell Colliery, Wakefield, in the County: of
York, Colliery Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to machinery for the manufacture of roofing or flooring
tiles and the like, more especially to that class of machinery known as tile bat
makers in which the clay is forced out from between rollers in a continuous
sheet or strip. With machines of this type it has been hitherto customary to
cut off the bats" or lengths of clay, either by a hand cutter or by knives
mounted transversely upon the periphery of a rotating wheel or drum arranged
above the strip of clay. With the former arrangement the output was limited
to the capacity of the cutter, while with the knives on the rotating wheel it has

page_text: been found that owing to the oblique manner in which the knife enters and leaves
the clay it makes a ragged edge which causes waste and an unsatisfactory product.
The object of this invention is to construct an improved machine in which the
tiles are cut smoothly and accurately and delivered in such a rapid manner that
it is possible to obtain an output considerably larger than with machines of the
types at present known.
According to this invention the cutting knives are carried upon endless chains,
bands, or the like which pass over wheels or drums arranged above the table
along which the strip of clay moves when it leaves the rollers. The chains are
arranged parallel to each other and the knives adjusted so that they lie at right
angles across the path of the clay beneath them. The wheels over which the chains
pass are so adjusted that in place of each knife striking the clay directly it comes
on, or near the underside of the rotating chains, the knife does not touch the
clay until it lies in a vertical or approximately vertical plane. When the knife
has reached this position owing to the chains being arranged slightly at an angle
to the strip of clay, as the chains continue to move the knife is brought nearer
to the clay until it strikes it and cuts through the strip, the knife and clay
travelling along together. When the cut is complete the knife leaves the clay
and passes round with the chains over the wheels or rollers, which conduct it
hack again ready for another cut. At the end of the table upon which the clay
is cut I arrange a travelling band which is caused to move at a speed slightly
greater than that at which the clay is travelling. As soon as the piece of clay
which has been separated by the knife gets on to this-travelling band it is drawn
away from the rest of the strip, this separation occurring just at the moment when
the knife is being lifted out of the clay; thus any risk of the edge being damaged
by the knife, as it rises, is obviated.
:
Any convenient number of knives may be carried by the chains, the knives
being spaced at a distance apart corresponding to the length of the tile or bat
which is to be cut off. The travelling knives are rotated preferably by the clay,
which receives motion from the rollers from under which it is forced; this motion
is imparted to the chains carrying the knives by the latter, the length of the
chain being such in relation to the space between the knives that there is always
one knife at least more or less in the clay, and in the act of cutting. In some
cases, however, it is desirable to rotate the knives positively in which case a
convenient arrangement is to provide a pulley upon the axle of one of the wheels
carrying the chains, and connect this pulley by a band with another pulley which
is driven from the clay pressing rollers by friction, or otherwise, as found con-
venient. Preferably with this arrangement of band and friction pulley, it is
advisable to arrange the driving gear so that the knives will move slightly faster
than the clay. Thus when the knife has struck the clay the chains are held and
the band, or, if suitably constructed, one of the pulleys slips, this effectually
preventing any risk of buckling the clay owing to the knives imoving at a slower
rate than the clay.
The wheels over which the chains pass may either be provided with flats corre-
sponding to the links of the chain, a convenient shape for these wheels being
hexagonal, or the wheels may be provided with teeth which engage with the links
of the chain after the manner of ordinary chain gearing, or plain circular wheels
may be employed if curved links are used to form the chains, preferably, however,
flat links are employed with either hexagonal or toothed wheels, as mentioned
above. Preferably a pair of chains is employed to carry the knives, but a greater
number of chains may be used if desired. The knives may be mounted upon the
chains in any desired manner, but a convenient way is to provide certain of the
links, to which the knives are to be attached, with flanges or brackets on the sides
facing each other. The brackets of the pair of chains may be connected together
by strips upon which the knives may be secured in some suitable manner, or the
knives may themselves constitute the connection between the chains, being attached
at their ends to the flanges on the links. The pin at each end of each knife

page_text: carrying link is extended and carries a roller, there being therefore four rollers
adjacent to each knife, two at each end. Guide plates or bars are so situated at
the sides of the chains that when the rollers come in contact with them the knives
are guided and held steadily against pressure in an upward direction when they
strike the clay. Bars are preferably arranged beneath the rollers also to prevent
sagging of the chain both when cutting and when the knives are returning on
the top.
Owing to the chain being at an angle to the surface of the clay, if the knives
are mounted on the chains truly at right angles to the path of the chains, each
knife will strike the clay and cut it at a slight angle; to overcome this the knives
may either be set slightly at an angle to the chains, or the guide rollers in front
of each knife may be made slightly smaller than the rollers which are behind
the knife, the effect being when the rollers come against the guide surfaces to
give the knife a slight tilt forwards, the tilt being sufficient to cause it to enter
the clay at right angles to the surface of the latter. The guide bars may con-
veniently be carried upon side plates held in position in some suitable manner.
The chain carrying wheels rotate in bearings preferably mounted in such a
manner that they may be adjusted so as to enable the knives to be adjusted in
accordance with the thickness of the clay which has to be cut, and also to allow
of the angle at which the chains run to be altered. Such an adjustable mounting
may be as follows:-I construct a trough shaped casting with side flanges the
trough being of such a width that the flanges will lie on either side of, and
approximately on a level with the surface of the cutting table, the trough being
beneath this table. Upon either side of the table and projecting laterally i
arrange swivelling bolts or trunnions from which the trough is suspended by bolts
passing through the latter from beneath, and through holes in the trunnions.
About the centre of the trough at each end I pass a bolt through in an upward
direction in such a manner that its extremity will butt against the under side of
the table, these bolts or set screws being such that by adjusting them the trough
can be tilted about the trunnions. The trough carries on either side of each end
slotted plates through which bolts can be passed for the purpose of clamping the
trough when adjusted to the cutting table. The bearings of the chain carrying
wheels are mounted upon the flanges at the sides of the adjustable trough, and it
will then be seen that the latter is so arranged that its angle, and consequently the
angle of the chain relative to the surface of the clay, may be altered, and also
by screwing up or down the bolts by which the trough is suspended from the
trunnions, the distance of the cutters above the table may be regulated according
to the thickness of the clay to be operated upon.
The links of the knife-carrying chains are preferably made long so as to make
the wearing points as few as possible. A convenient number of knives for each
pair of chains is four when manufacturing ordinary roofing tiles, but when shorter
tiles are being made more knives may be used.
The power or hand presses for pressing the tile bats are conveniently placed
upon either side of the endless band which removes the bats from the cutter.
In place of employing chains it is to be understood that bands or belts of
leather, wire or other material may be employed to carry the knives, preferably,
however, some means of adjustment to take up the slack of the bands or chains
is provided in the case of the chains this may be by means of some links whose
length is adjustable.
In place of arranging the shafts of the wheels carrying the chains so that the
chains pass straight from wheel to wheel at an angle to the surface of the cutting
table, the chains may be guided by the rollers above described in such a manner
that the knives pass downwards at an angle, and thence move in a parallel manner
over the surface of the cutting table, this arrangement being accomplished by
means of suitable guiding bars for the rollers.
It is to be understood that a cutter of the above described type may be employed
for cutting any type of elay goods formed from a continuous strip or "clot" of

page_text: clay. The details of construction and materials employed may be varied to suit
requirements without departing from the spirit of the invention.
to.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is an elevation of a machine constructed according to this invention,
Figure 2 is a plan of the machine shown in Figure 1,
Figure 3 is an end view of that machine,
Figure 4 is an elevation partly in section,
Figure 5 is a plan, and
Figure 6 a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 of a detail hereinafter referred
Figure 7 is a diagram.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
In the machine a fixed table A is provided along which a strip or clot" B of
clay is caused to travel in the direction of the arrow on Figure 1. A pair of
chain wheels C is mounted on each side of the table A in bearings D and an endless
chain E passes round each pair of wheels. The distance of the chain wheels C
above the table A. is such that the two wheels below which the travelling strip of
clay first passes are further from it than the other two wheels. Thus the lower
run of each chain and the clay will move in converging paths.
A trough or the like F is arranged to embrace the table A and is preferably
provided with flanges F which extend up approximately to a level with the
table A. The bearings D for the chain wheels C are mounted upon the flanges F¹
and the two pairs of chain wheels and bearings are arranged opposite each other,
the two wheels on each side being at an equal distance apart.
The chains E are parallel with one another and are formed of curved links
An equal number
whose curvature corresponds with that of the chain wheels C.
of these links E¹ on each chain are provided with flanges or brackets E on the
sides facing each other, each flanged link of one chain being arranged opposite a
similar link of the other. Cross pieces G are connected to opposite flanged links
and knives H are secured to the cross pieces G by means of bolts or the like H'
Jassing through holes or slots in the knives and cross-pieces. If desired, the
knives H may be secured directly to the flanges E2 without the use of the cross
pieces G.
The pins of the flanged or knife-carrying links E' are extended and carry
rollers E. Guide plates or bars K are situated adjacent to each of the chains E
and are arranged at the same angle with the fixed table A as the path of the lower
run of the chains. The guides K are bolted or otherwise secured to side plates D¹
which are fixed to the bearings D. The rollers Et are adapted to come into contact
with the guide bars K, and the knives are thereby guided and held steadily against
pressure in an upward direction as they strike and cut the clay. The lower run
of each chain may also be provided with a supporting guide, bar or plate K¹
and a similar one may be provided for the upper runs to prevent sagging.
The endless chains E carrying the parting knives H derive their motion directly
by contact with the moving strip of clay which carries the knives along with
it as it is being cut by them; in this case there must be at least three knives so as
to ensure one being always in contact with the clay.
The knives H are caused to enter the clay B at right angles to its surface, in
order to obtain a clean cut, by arranging them with a forward tilt; the angle
of this tilt with the chain corresponds with the angle the latter makes with the
path of the clay.
The clay B, passing along the table A in the direction indicated by the arrow
in Figure 1, will not be touched by the knives till they are at right angles with
its surface, that is, at or about the point X on Figure 1. From this point the clay
and knives travel together, but owing to their converging paths, the operating
knife will have passed vertically through the clay by the time the point Y is
reached. In order to prevent the knife, in its upward path round the wheels C
from damaging the edge of the tile just cut from the slab or clot B, a conveyor L

page_text: is provided travelling at a higher speed than the clay; the conveyor is designed
to remove the cut tile from the table A at or about the moment at which the knife
completes the separation or before the knife commences to rise. The distance
between the point of completion of cut and the conveyor is not less than the length
of the tiles cut and the distance between the conveyor and the point at which the
knives rise is not greater than such length.
The distance apart of the knives H on the chains E depends upon the length of
tile to be cut; preferably each knife is at an equal distance from its neighbour.
The number of knives and their distance apart may be varied with the aid of
interchangeable links used for the chains E. Such links may be of varying lengths
if formed of the same curvature as the wheels C.
The machine may be used for cutting different thicknesses of clay by varying
the angle of inclination of the paths of the knives and clay; a convenient manner
of effecting this is to make the bearings D for the wheels C adjustable in relation
to the fixed table A. For this purpose (Figures 4, 5 and 6) lateral trunnions A¹
arc secured to the sides of the table A between it and the vertical sides of the
trough F. Filling pieces or nuts M are situated within the hollow trunnions A¹
and are rotatable in relation thereto; each of the nuts M is provided with a screw-
threaded hole at right angles to its axis. Elongated holes or slots A³ are made
through the trunnions A¹ through which holes pass bolts N hereinafter referred
to. The trouch F is suspended from the trunnions A¹ by means of bolts N
passing through it on each side and engaging with the screw-threaded holes in the
nuts M through the slots A2 in the trunnions A. At about the centre of each end
of the trough F bolts or set screws F2 are provided which abut against the lower
surface of the table A. By adjusting the set screws F2 the relative angular position
of the table A and trough F can be varied about the axis of the trunnions A¹
and nuts M, and. by means of the bolts N the vertical distance between the table
and trough can be adjusted. As the knife-carrying chains E are mounted upon
the trough Fit follows that by the adjustment of the latter both the angular and
vertical position of the path of the knives can be varied in relation to the table.
Means are provided for adjusting the forward tilt of the knives H on the chains E
so that the angle of the tilt may be made approximately equal to the angle of the
path of the knives with the table A; thus the knives H will enter the clay at
right angles to its surface.
Transverse bolts F³ are provided at each end of the trough F passing through
slots F in the latter and through holes in the table; by means of these bolts F³
the trough can be locked to the table.
In Figure 7 which is a diagram showing the general arrangement of machinery
for the manufacture of tiles, O is the machine for producing the slab or "clot"
of clay B. E is one of the knife-carrying chains and L is the conveyor moving
at a higher speed than that of the clay B. After the tiles have been cut off the
slab of clay B they are carried by the conveyor L to the usual presses P which are
preferably arranged in pairs one on each side of the conveyor. The conveyor is
driven by any convenient means such as by a belt from the slab producer O. If
the slab or clot"
"of clay is not strong enough to drive the cutting knives H,
they may be driven from the slab producer 0 preferably slightly faster than the
clay, the construction being such as to allow the chain or knife carrier to he
retarded by the clay when a knife engages the latter, whilst the driving-gear is
continuously endeavouring to accelerate it. By this provision the clay is kept
taut," that is to say sufficient tension is put upon it to prevent it from buckling.
The speed of the clay is varied according to the number of presses in use this
may conveniently be done by the employment of a step cone pulley.
66
By the use of machinery constructed according to this invention a large increase
in the production of tiles is obtained over the amount made when the hand-cutter
was used; moreover the tiles are cut more evenly and with less waste than by the
hand-cutter.

page_text: 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:-
1. A tile machine of the kind described in which the knives operating in the
manner described to cut the clay cleanly at right angles to its surface are driven
by contact with the moving clay.
2. In a tile machine of the kind described one or more knives: moving in an
endless path round two axes of which one is further from the clay than the other
for the purpose described.
3. In a tile machine of the kind described one or more knives moving in
path converging towards that of the clay and arranged to enter it at approximately
right angles to its surface substantially as described.
4. In a tile machine of the kind described the combination with an endless
chain arranged at an angle with the path of the clay of knives secured to the
chain at an angle thereto for the purpose described.
5. In a tile machine of the kind described the combination with one or more
knives moving in a path converging towards that of the clay of a conveyor
travelling at a higher speed than the clay for the purpose described with or without
presses for the cut tiles.
I
6. In a tile machine of the kind described the combination with a knife such
as H carried upon one or more endless chains such as E of guides such as K K
at an angle with the path of the clay substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. In a tile machine of the kind described an endless chain or knife-carrier-and
driving mechanism therefor, so constructed that slip of the chain relatively to that
mechanism is obtainable for the purpose described.
i
8. In a tile machine of the kind described the combination with a fixed table of
an endless chain passing round wheels which are mounted on bearings adjustable
in relation to the fixed table for the purposes described.
1
9. In a tile machine of the kind described the combination with a fixed table
having trunnions of a trough such as F suspended from the trunnions and carry-
ing bearings for two or more chain wheels one or more knife-carrying chains such
as E passing round the chain wheels and means for adjusting the relative angular
and vertical positions of the trough and table substantially as described.
10. In a tile machine of the kind described the combination with a fixed table
having lateral trunnions slotted as at A2 and nuts such as M within them of a
trough such as F suspended by bolts engaging with the nuts substantially as
described.
11. The complete tile making apparatus substantially as described or illustrated
in Figures 1 2 3 4 5 and 6 or in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of March 1900
1 f
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.