CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING BRICKS, TILES, AND OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF BRICK EARTH
Year: 1835

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
JONES, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Builder and Brickmaker,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Tenth day of August, in the sixth year of His reign, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Edward Jones, His especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Edward Jones, my executors, adñors, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Edward Jones, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during
the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING
BRICKS, TILES, AND OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF BRICK EARTH;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Edward Jones, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, referenco being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Edward Jones, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and the

page_text: manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer-
tained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thercon
(that is to say)—
Fig. 1 is a section, and Fig. 2 a plan, of one arrangement of machinery
constructed and combined according to my Invention. a, a, being a series of
moulds affixed to or cast with a circular framing b, b. The under portion
of the framing b, b, is cast with bovelled teeth, and consequently forms a
circular rack or wheel, and is capable of being driven round by means of
the toothed wheel c affixed on the main or driving shaft d, the main or
driving shaft & being actuated by any suitable power by the intervention of
proper millwork. The framing 6 which carries the moulds a, a, turns on a
centre or pivot at the point e, the bearing thereof being supported by
masonry, as is clearly shown in the Drawing, and the framing is also sup-
ported at the outer circumference by wheels or friction rollers f, which run
on the circular plain 9, by which the machine is kept to the horizontal
position. The moulds a, a, shewn are quadrangular boxes or frames, having
within each of them a piston, by which the bricks or other articles depending
on the shape of the mould when formed or moulded are forced from the
moulds, and may be removed by hand and conveyed to the drying ground.
h, h, is a circular inclined track on which the friction rollers at the ends of
the piston rods i travel, by which means the piston in the mould which is
about to be filled with brick earth is at the lowest part of the inclined circular
track, which allows of the piston descending to its lowest position in the
mould to which it belongs, and immediately the mould is filled with brick
earth it proceeds onwards, its piston being gradually raised together with
pallate and brick or other articles formed therein till that particular mould
arrives at the highest part of the inclined track; the brick, tile, or other
article will then be raised out of the mould, and such is the process of
working in each of the moulds during the time that the machine is revolving.
A workman or boy stands at the point j to remove the bricks, &c. from the
moulds as fast as they arrive at that part of the machine. k is a roller,
which is to be supported and carried by a suitable framing in such manner
that the brick earth in the moulds as they become filled is pressed down and
made even on the upper surfaces. 1 is the section of the hopper, which is
intended to be connected to an ordinary pugmill, by which means a constant
supply will be kept to the moulds as they progressively come round to be
filled, or the moulds may be filled by hand, and by a spade or shovel, and the
roller will press the brick earth even on the upper surface. In addition to

page_text: the roller there is to be a strike or straight edge for removing any superfluous
brick hearth which may be forced over the edges of the mould; this will be
readily applied, it being omitted in the Drawing to prevent complexity. It
should now be stated that the only features of novelty which constitute my
improvements in this machine consist in having the inclined track h to work
a series of moulds; and, secondly, having the pallets or small boards by which
the bricks, tiles, or other articles are removed after they are moulded, formed
in such manner that they will drop within the moulds a, a, and lie at the
bottom thereof in order to receive the brick earth when it is forced into the
moulds. u, u, are pallets, one to each of the two moulds, which are shown
in Figure 1; they lie on the upper surface of the pistons, and are forced up
together with the bricks, tiles, or other articles, as the piston rods pro-
gressively ride up the inclined track, as before described. In order to work
this machine a boy or boys will stand just beyond where the bricks, tiles, or
other articles are delivered, and as fast as an empty mould comes to them
they will scrape and, if necessary, wash it out, then place within it a pallet or
small board which has been sanded.
Having thus described the nature of the first part of my Invention, and
the manner of arranging or combining the various mechanical parts for
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that the same may
be varied without departing from the main object of my Invention, that of
arranging a series of moulds when worked by means of an inclined track, and
in such manner that bricks, tiles, or other articles made of brick earth may
be capable of being formed in a mould with pallets or boards laid within the
moulds and constituting the bottoms thereof, the bricks, &c. being removed
from out of the moulds with the pallets or boards under them, as above
described. I do not therefore confine myself to the precise arrangement of the
machine here shewn, though it is the best with which I am acquainted for
the purpose.
Figure 3 shows a front view, and Figure 4 a transverse section, of the
machine constructed according to the second part of my improvements.
A, A, being the framing of the machine; its construction will be evident by
an examination of the Drawing; B, B, B, B, are four bars affixed to the
framing A, two at the front and the other at the back of the machine; C, C,
are a series of quadrangular moulds which are affixed to and carried by the
framing D, which framing has projecting slides E, which are capable of
moving up and down on the standard F at each end of the machine. The
standards F are securely fixed, and may be said to form part of the main
framing of the machine; G, G, are rods which are affixed to the frame I)

page_text: Qis
which carries the moulds. These rods G, G, pass through openings or guides
at each end of the machine in order to keep them vertical and in the position
shown in the Drawing. On the lower ends of the rods G, G, are friction
rollers which rest on the levers O. These levers each move on a fulcrum
at their respective ends of the machine, as is shown at P, Figure 4.
the main shaft of the machine, there being two cranks formed thereon at
R, R. The object of these cranks is to raise and lower the piston frame,
hereafter described. S, S, are two arms with friction rollers at their ends, as
are shewn in the Drawing; they come under and raise and lower the lovers
O, and consequently tho moulds, the arms S, S, being affixed to the main
shaft Q, and move therewith. T, T, are two connecting rods, one end of each
of which is connected to the piston frame, and the other ends thereof to the
cranks R, R, there being a slot in each of those ends of the connecting rods
where they are applied to the cranks, in order to allow of play, that the cranks
may move a short distance at proper intervals without raising or depressing
the piston frame; or the same may be accomplished with suitable excentrics
or cams affixed to the main shaft and working in proper openings formed in
the connecting rods, as is well understood by engineers and mechanics. V is
what may be called the piston frame before mentioned, to which the rods V
of the pistons are all affixed, as is most clearly indicated by the Drawing.
This frame V has slides at each end, which move along the same standards
as the mould frame before described; the piston frame and the mould frame
are thereby kept to each other. The main shaft turns in suitable bearings, as
is shown, and the machine is supported by masonry, all which will be readily
understood by inspecting the Drawing. U is a toothed or cog wheel affixed
to the main shaft, and the machine receives a slow movement by means of the
pinion W on the shaft W, which is driven by a steam engine or other first
mover. X are a number of pallets or small boards having bricks thereon;
these pallets are placed on the board Y which is supported on the bed of the
machine. Through each of the pallets is formed an opening Z, and such
is the case in the board Y, by which the superfluous brick earth is forced
through in the act of pressing the brick earth into the moulds. a are blades
or knives which lie in grooves in the board Y, and are pushed forward when
a fresh board Y is being forced into the machine to drive out the board Y
which has the bricks, tiles, or other articles thereon, the knives a being
forced first over the holes Z and thus cut off the protruding brick earth.
Having thus described the manner of combining the various parts of the
machinery necessary for carrying the second part of my Invention into effect,
I will describe the manner of working. The same workmen are kept con-

page_text: stantly supplied with lumps of brick earth, which, when the moulds are down
on the pallets and the pistons elevated, they put into the moulds. The
continued motion of the machine brings the pistons down on the brick carth,
and press the same into the moulds, the moulds then are raised up, and
afterwards by the working of the machine the pistons (which are continued
on the surface of the bricks and hold them down whilst the moulds are passing
away) rise and leave the bricks, tiles, or other articles on their respective
pallets; the workmen then place a fresh board on the front bars B, and
force out the one in the machine, by which means the knives a or other
suitable instruments are driven forwards and cut off the protruding clay.
The workman places fresh pallets on to the board Y last put into the
machine, and the bricks, tiles, and other articles which are on the first
board Y are to be removed to be dried; this board Y may then be brought
round to the front of the machine and be again ready for use, and thero
being several of such boards Y to each machine, one being always ready
on the bars B to be forced into the machine. It will be evident that
in place of having the moulds to rise, they may, by suitable arrange-
ments, be made to descend below the bricks, &c.; in this case, in place
of the boards Y, stationary blocks to receive the pallets must be fixed to the
bed of the machine; and these blocks must be shaped in such manner as to
allow of the moulds passing over them, and then it will be desirable to use the
first part of my improvements, that of having the pallets within the moulds at
the time of moulding the bricks; or, in case of working with exceedingly
stiff brick earth, the pallets may be dispensed with. I would have it under-
stood, that what I claim as this second part of my Invention is, the arrange-
ment of a mould or series of moulds for making bricks or tiles and other
articles as above described, whereby the bricks, &c., are held down by the
piston or pistons during the time that the moulds are passing off or being
raised up for the purpose of delivering the bricks or tiles, &c., therefrom,
the pallets or blocks on which the bricks or tiles, &c., are made remaining
stationary so long as the operation of moulding is being performed; and also,
I claim the moulding of bricks, tiles, and other articles in such manner that
they are moulded on and carried away by the same pallets or boards which
lie at the bottom of or under the mounds as described; and 1 do also claim
the making a hole through the pallets or pistons, or any suitable part of the
mould by which the superfluous brick earth can escape, leaving the brick or
tile of the proper thickness, and also the descending of the moulds, leaving the
bricks or tiles, &c., on the pallets or on the blocks, as above described. From
the foregoing description it will be evident other articles than bricks and tiles

page_text: may be formed, such, for instance, as the sides for fire-places, provided the
mould be suitably formed for that purpose.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention, which relates more
particularly to the making of kiln tiles for drying grain or malt, though the
same description of machine may be used (without uprights with conical points)
for making other descriptions of tiles, or for making of bricks, or blocks, or
slabs, provided the mould be properly shaped. Figure 5 shews a side section
of a machine combined according to the third part of my improvement, and
Figure 6 a plan thereof; a, a, being a quadrangular mould, having fixed
within it a serious of uprights having conical points formed thereon, as is shewn
in the Drawing; this mould is capable of moving on four standards b, b, the
mould being affixed by a moveable joint to the rod c, which rod is by a moveable
joint connected to the lever d, the lever d moving on a fulcrum at c; on to
the standards b is affixed the quadrangular board or metal plate f which is
within the mould; and g is the pallet lying within the mould and on the
board or metal plate f. The pallet g, and the metal plate f, having
holes in order to admit of the uprights in the mould passing through
them. In using this machine the workman places within the mould a
lump of brick earth sufficient to fill it; he presses the same into all
parts of the mould, and by a strike or straight edge he removes all super-
fluous brick earth and makes the upper surface smooth; he then forces
the handle and catch h in towards the mould, by which it is released from
the standard i, the nature of which is clearly shewn in the Drawing; ho
then depresses the handle, by which means the mould is caused to descend and
leave the tile on the pallet, by which it may be removed to be dried. I would
have it understood that there may be a series of such descending moulds
combined into a machine in place of only using one mould in each machine.
I claim the combination of the mould a with a fixed and stationary plate f,
together with the uprights with points, such mould being capable of being
withdrawn from the tile or other article formed thereon by descending there-
from, leaving the tile or other article on the pallet.
And in conclusion I would remark, that in all the machines herein described
it will be necessary from time to time to scrape and wash the moulds and to
sand them, as is the case in brick making by hand.
And, fourthly, my Invention relates to making chimney pots by means of
moulds constructed as shewn at Figs. 7 and 8; Fig. 7 being a section, and
Fig. 8 a plan, of the mould having the brick earth therein. In order to uso
this description of mould, it is put together by sliding the sides on to the
bottom and in the grooves in the top frame, and placing thereon the hoops,

page_text: as shown in the Drawing; and the brick earth (in four slabs or other con-
venient number) is put into the mould so formed; the piston is then forced
down, by which the parts of clay or brick earth will be blended together and
shaped properly, giving all parts suitable thicknesses, the superfluous brick
earth passing away by means of the holes a, a; the piston is then removed
and will carry away any clay which has passed into the holes a, a; the sides
of the moulds are then slided away off from the bottom and from the frame
at top, which, with the hoops, keep the parts of the mould together, the hoops
being folding hoops and kept together by joints and keys. What I claim in
this part of my Invention is the is the removal of one or more sides of the
mould, and leaving the chimney pot, brick, tile, or other article moulded ready
to be removed; and this description of mould, that is to say, a mould having
the property of permitting the sliding away of a side or sides thereof, will be
found necessary in any moulded sided brick or chimney jambs.
In conclusion, I would wish it to be understood, I do not claim any of the
parts separately or combined as are herein described, other than are particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed as my Invention or improvements.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Jones, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
EDWARD (L.S.) JONES.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Tenth day of February, in
the year of our Lord 1836, the aforesaid Edward Jones came before our
said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.