IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRESSING OR MOULDING BRICKS, TILES, OR OTHER BLOCKS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Adrien Bonneville, of the British and Foreign
Patent Offices, 38, Porchester Terrace, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex, and 24, Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, in the Empire of
France, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR PRESSING OR MOULDING BRICKS, TILES, OR OTHER BLOCKS."-A com-
munication from John North, residing at New York City, in the State
of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 5th May 1868, and dated the 12th November 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henri Adrien Bonneville
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th November 1867.
I, HENRI ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices,
88, Porchester Terrace, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, and 24, Rue
du Mont Thabor, Paris, in the Empire of France, Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR PRESSING OR MOULDING BRICKS, TILES, OR OTHER BLOCKS," a communication
from John North, a person resident at New York City, in the State of New
York, United States of America, to be as follows:--
The improvements communicated to me embraced in the present Invention
relate to that class of machines for the pressing or moulding of bricks, tiles,
or other blocks from clay or other material or materials in which a wheel or
other frame is arranged to move in a circular plaue, and is provided with a
mould or a series of moulds in or around its periphery or edge or circum-
ference. And this Invention consists,-
First. In hanging or suspending the mould made of a ring or annular
shape upon a series of rollers at suitable points around the inner periphery

page_text: or circumference of the wheel to maintain it in position, while at the same
time it is free to be revolved for bringing the moulds around and in its
periphery or edge in regular order and succession in position for being filled
with the clay or other material used in the hopper.
Second. In so constructing the mould wheel or frame, and connecting it
with the driving power or shaft employed, as to have an intermittent rotary
motion in combination with a follower or plunger or plungers so arranged
within the hopper containing the clay or other material, that when the said
mould wheel is stationary or at rest such plunger or plungers will be then
moved forward and towards the same, carrying the clay along with it and
into the mould or moulds of the wheel then in position therefore, when, as
the wheel moves forward, the pressure of such plunger or plungers therein
will be released.
Third. In the combination with a mould wheel or frame arranged to have
an intermittent rotary motion, and adapted for baving its moulds filled with
clay in a similar manner to that herein-above stated as constituting the
second feature of the present improvements, or in any other suitable manner,
of a frame so disposed about the wheel and connected with the driving shaft
or power used that when the wheel is stationary or at rest it will receive such
operation as to cause a pressure through the plunger or plungers of the
mould or moulds then in position or line therewith to be exerted on the clay
in the moulds in one direction, while being confined in another direction
by the said frame, and thus compressing the clay, forming it into more
perfect and compact bricks, tiles, or other blocks, according to the peculiar
shape of the moulds, but as the wheel moves forward again will be released
and freed therefrom, the amount of pressure exerted by said pressure frame,.
as above stated, being susceptible of adjustment at pleasure.
Fourth. In the combination with a mould wheel or frame arranged to have
an intermittent rotary motion of a suitable device or devices for clearing the
bricks from the moulds of the wheel as such moulds in regular order and
succession are brought around thereto after having been filled with the clay,
or such clay compressed therein, which clearing device or devices are so
arranged and connected with the driving mechanism or power as to have the
necessary and proper movement, and at the time the wheel is stationary
or at rest, the bricks are thus cleared from the moulds, falling upon any
suitable table or other surface properly located therefore, or, as in this
Invention, upon an endless band or apron, which forms another and the next
part of the present improvement.
Fifth. In combining with a mould wheel or frame that is arranged to

page_text: have an intermittent rotary motion, and is provided with a device or devices
for clearing the bricks from their moulds when the wheel is stationary, as
such moulds are brought around thereto, of an endless belt or apron for
securing such bricks as they are so cleared from the moulds for conveying
them from the machine or to any desired locality, when such belt or apron is
arranged to have an intermittent motion, and so connected with the driving
mechanism as to be at rest when the mould wheel is stationary, but to be
moved as such wheel moves, whereby a clear surface or part of the apron is
always presented to receive the bricks from the wheel, and by proper adjust-
ment of the driving mechanism the necessary forward movement of the belt
enabled to be secured for the deposit of the bricks in close order and position
upon the same.
Sixth. So arranging the brushes for clearing or cleaning the mould wheel
or frame of a machine for pressing bricks from dust when such wheel has an
intermittent rotary motion, and for oiling the surface of the wheel so cleared
as to have an intermittent rotary motion in connection with that of the
wheel; these brushes being so disposed as to act upon the mould wheel at a
point or points between that at which the bricks moulded are discharged or
cleared therefrom and that at which the moulds are filled with clay, and for
the cleaning brush to act at or point in advance of that of the oil brush so as
to have a clear surface on the wheel thereof.
Seventh. In arranging for action upon the periphery or edge of the
wheel wherein the moulds are located a device for scraping the edge of such
wheel as it passes forward from the hopper containing the clay, and to deliver
the clay so scraped off back again in the hopper.
Eight. So securing the moulds within the mould wheel as to be susceptible
of attachment therein or removal therefrom, as desired, for repairs or the
insertion of new ones.
These improvements are represented in the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1
of which is a side elevation of the machine, and Fig. 2 an elevation of the
same, but with such side supporting frame removed, and the mould wheel
and other parts in vertical section. B is the frame; D, the driving shaft;
E, pulley connecting the same with the motive power; E, pinion gearing in
with the wheel F; F, main connecting wheel; H, connecting rod of
eccentric; I, crank arm; J, rocker shaft, transmitting motion to all the parts
of the machine and receiving the same from the motive power by the
wheel F and the connecting rod H; K, mould wheel; L, rollers supporting
the same; O, moulds; R, followers or plungers; S, rods of the same;
U, recesses in wheel K; V, pawls entering the recesses U to produce the

page_text: intermittent rotary motion of the wheel K; W, handle on the main shaft;
X, hopper; Z, plunger of the hopper; A³, connecting rod fixed to the crank
arm I, and imparting an intermittent movement to the plunger; B, C,
frame inside the mould wheel pressing the clay on the opposite of the plunger
of the hopper Z; G³, levers connected with the main shaft J by the descending
arm I³, and imparting motion to the frame B³, C; K³, little frame suspended
to the crank arm of shaft J; L, cross bars of the same carrying the rods M³ ;
M2, rods pushing the plunger R to discharge the moulded bricks; N³, endless
cloth or apron; P³, rollers supporting the same; Q, R, S, T, U, pinion,
dented wheels, shafts, pawls, and arms connected with the crank arms I and
to the main shaft J, and transmitting motion to the endless cloth N* ;
V*, brush cleaning the endless cloth; X³, brush cleaning the mould wheel
and receiving the motion from the arms Y2 and S3 and the wheel R2;
B³, oiling brush; C³, oil reservoir; D³, expansion arms of the arms Y trans-
mitting motion to the brush B.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henri Adrien Bouneville in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 7th May 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRI
ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices, 38, Porchester
Terrace, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, and 24, Rue du Mont
Thabor, Paris, in the Empire of France, Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Henri Adrien Bonneville, Her special license that I, the said Henri Adrien
Bonneville, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Henri Adrien Bonneville, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINES FOR PRESSING OR MOULDING BRICKS, TILES, OR OTHER BLOCKS,"
a communication from John North, a person resident at New York City, in
the State of New York, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, my executors or adminis-

page_text: trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
aud immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The improvements communicated to me embraced in the present Invention
relate to that class of machines for the pressing or moulding of bricks, tiles,
or other blocks from clay or other material or materials in which a wheel or
other frame is arranged to move in a circular plane, and is provided with a
mould or a series of moulds in or around its periphery or edge or circumference.
And this Invention consists,―
First. In hanging or suspending the mould made of a ring or annular shape
upon a series of rollers at suitable points around the inner periphery or
circumference of the wheel to maintain it in position, while at the same time
it is free to be revolved for hauging the moulds around and in its periphery
or edge in regular order and succession in position for being filled with the
clay or other material used in the hopper.
Second. In so constructing the mould wheel or frame, and connecting it
with the driving power or shuft employed, as to have an intermittent rotary
motion in combination with a follower or plunger or plungers so arranged
within the hopper containing the clay or other material, that when the said
mould wheel is stationary or at est such plunger or plungers will be then
inoved forward and towards the same, carrying the clay along with it and
into the mould or moulds of the wheel then in position therefore, when, as the
wheel moves forward, the pressure of such plunger or plungers therein will be
released.
Third. In the combination with a mould wheel or frame arranged to have
an intermittent rotary motion, and adapted for having its moulds filled with
clay in a similar manner to that herein-above stated as constituting the
second feature of the present improvements, or in any other suitable manner,
of a frame so disposed about the wheel and connected with the driving shaft
or power used that when the wheel is stationary or at rest it will receive such
operation as to cause a pressure through the plunger or plungers of the
mould or moulds then in position or line therewith to be exerted on the clay
in the moulds in one direction, while being confined in another direction by

page_text: the said frame, and thus compres-ing the clay or other material, forming it
into more perfect and compact bricks, tiles, or other blocks, according to the
peculiar shape of the moulds, but as the wheel moves forward again will be
released and freed therefrom, the amount of pressure exerted by said pressure
frame, as above stated, being susceptible of adjustment at pleasure.
Fourth. In the combination with a mould wheel or frame arranged to have
an intermittent rotary motion of a suitable device or devices for clearing the
bricks or other material from the moulds of the wheel as such moulds in
regular order and succession are brought around thereto after having been
filled with the clay or other material, or such clay compressed therein, which
clearing device or devices are so arranged and connected with the driving
mechanism or power as to have the necessary and proper movement, and at
the time the wheel is stationary or at rest the bricks are thus cleared from the
moulds, falling upon any suitable table or other surface properly located
therefore, or, as in this Invention, upon an endless band or apron, which forms
another and the next part of the present improvement.
Fifth. In combining with a mould wheel or frame that is arranged to have
an intermittent rotary motion, and is provided with a device or devices for
clearing the bricks from their moulds when the wheel is stationary, as such
moulds are brought around thereto, of an endless belt or apron for securing
such bricks as they are so cleared from the moulds for conveying them from
the machine or to any desired locality, when such belt or apron is arranged to
bave an intermittent motion, and so connected with the driving mechanism as
to be at rest when the mould wheel is stationary, but to be moved as such
wheel moves, whereby a clear surface or part of the apron is always presented
to receive the bricks from the wheel, and by proper adjustment of the driving
mechanism the necessary forward movement of the belt enabled to be secured
for the deposit of the bricks in close order and position upon the same.
Sixth. So arranging the brushes for clearing or cleaning the mould wheel
or frame of a machine for pressing bricks from dust when such wheel has an
intermittent rotary motion, and for oiling the surface of the wheel as to
have an intermittent rotary motion in connection with that of the wheel;
these brushes being so disposed as to act upon the mould wheel at a point or
points between that at which the bricks moulded are discharged or cleared
therefrom and that at which the moulds are filled with clay, and for the
cleaning brush to act at a point in advance of that of the oil brush, so as to
have a clean surface on the wheel thereof.
Seventh. In arranging for action upon the periphery or edge of the wheel
wherein the moulds are located a device for scraping the edge of the wheel as

page_text: it passes forward from the hopper containing the clay and to deliver the clay
so scraped off back again in the hopper.
Eighth. So securing the moulds within the mould wheel as to be susceptible
of attachment therein or removal therefrom, as desired, for repairs or the
insertion of new ones.
In the accompanying Plate of Drawings my improvements in machines for
pressing or moulding bricks, tiles, or other blocks from clay or other material
or materials are illustrated; Figure 1 being a side elevation of a machine
for such purpose made according thereto; Figure 2 another elevation of the
same, and from the same side as that in Figure 1, but with such side
supporting frame removed, and the mould wheel and other parts in vertical
section; Figure 3, a plan or top view; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, detail views to
be herein-after referred to.
B in the Drawings represents the supporting frameworks of the machine,
which in the present instance consists of two parallel upright side frames of
suitable form for carrying the working parts, and braced or connected
together by cross beams or bars C at proper points. D, the driving shaft,
baving a pulley E, with which to connect it with the driving power employed.
This shaft D is arranged to turn in bearings at one end of the side frames B,
across from one to the other of which it extends, and outside of such frames
at each end is provided with a similar wheel E, that are arranged to engage
with the large gear wheels F on the outer ends of a transverse horizontal shaft G
hung in suitable bearings of the side frames B, across from one to the other of
which it extends, these gear wheels F being upon the outside of the frames B.
HI, pitman rods hung by one end to the face of the gear wheels F
eccentrically therewith, and one to each wheel, and at the other to the outer
ends of crank arms I that are fixed to a transverse horizontal shaft J hung in
bearings of the side frames B, and extending across from one to the other of
the same. Through the shaft J the several parts of the machine, that is, the
mould wheel, follower in clay hopper, presser frame, travelling apron or belt,
mould clearers, cleaning and oiling brushes, are operated as and by means of
connections to be herein-after and below described. K, & wheel or frame
made of an annular or ring shape, and supported in an upright or vertical
position between the side frames B upon a series of rollers L arranged at
suitable points thereof, and for bearing upon the inside periphery or edge M
of the wheel, these rollers in the present instance being eight in number,
from upon each side, and by means of shoulders of the wheel's inner edge M
preventing any lateral or side motion of the wheel if turned around
upon the
rollers L in a vertical plane. This wheel around its periphery or edge is

page_text: provided with a series of moulds O at suitable and equal distances apart, the
size and particular shape and number of which will depend upon circum-
stances, in the present instance it is shown as being adapted to receive
sixty-four moulds in sixteen sections of four each. These sections extend
across the width of the wheel or frame, and are inserted in the frame or
wheel and there secured by screws Q or other fastening devices, so as
to be susceptible of removal therefrom, for being repaired or new ones
substituted therefore, and each mould of the series provided with a separate
and distinct plunger or follower R, that by a stem S on their inner sides
project through holes T in the wheel or frame towards the centre of
the same.
This frame K upon its inner edge or periphery is provided at
regular and equal distances apart with a series of semicircular recesses or
notches U, with which as the shaft J herein-before referred to is rocked
by the revolution of the driving shaft D through the connecting parts above
described, a pawl V in regular order engages and thus causes the wheel
to be carried around with an intermittent motion in the direction represented
by the arrow in the Drawings, this pawl V being hung to the outer end of a
crank arm W on the rocker shaft J in suitable position therefore. ✗, the
hopper or box in which the clay or other material is placed from which
bricks or other objects are to be moulded or pressed. This hopper X is
located to one side of the mould wheel or frame, and is supported upon a
platform Y of the said frames B. Z, a follower or plunger arranged to move
in hopper X in a direction or line towards the periphery of the mould wheel,
and thus to press forward and into such moulds of the same as may be in
position therefore the clay contained in the hopper. To this follower Z at its
outer end two connecting rods A³ are hung, one upon each side, and such rods
at their other ends to the inside faces of the crank arms I, herein-before
referred to on shaft J, whereby as such shaft J is rocked or made to vibrate
from side to side the said follower will be moved into and out of the hopper
either more or less, according as the connecting parts may be adjusted, thus
carrying and forcing the clay into the moulds in position therefore in its
forward movement.
B³, a frame consisting of two side parallel bars C joined together at each
end by cross pieces D2 and D³, the one D³ being round, and the other D³
flat and smooth upon its inside surface or face E. This frame B' is arranged
between the side frames B outside of the wheel K in a horizontal plane resting
by its side bars C and end piece D³ upon friction rollers F' hung to the
inside of the side frames B at suitable points therefore, and by its end bars D'
extending across the wheel K within the open centre of the same, and by its

page_text: end piece Ds across the wheel upon the outer periphery, whereon at times,
as will be herein-after explained, it is brought to bear. G', toggle levers
jointed together at one end and arranged between the side bars C' of the
fraine B to the cross bars D³, of which the outer end of one of such levers G³
is hung with the outer end of the lever G* hung to cross bar H³ arranged to
slide upon the side bars C, and in position to come to a bearing upon the
inside of the mould wheel at a point opposite to where the cross bars D³ of
the frame B bears upon the outside. 13, an arm hung to joint of toggle
levers G, and extending down therefrom to the outer end of a crank arm J*
of the rocker shaft J, to which it is hung. By means of the connection above
described, between the toggle lever G and the rocker shaft J, as such shaft
vibrates forward and backward, the said toggle levers will be either brought to
a straight position, or in other words in the same line with each other, or
nearly so, or brought to a position either more or less angular from the joint to
the outer ends, as the case may be, and according to the adjustment of the
parts, and thus in the one case bring or cause the slide bar H* and cross piece
Ds of the frame B' to close upon the wheel, and in the other to open there-
from, as is obvious. K', a small frame suspended from the crank arms herein-
before referred to of rocket shaft J, and carrying by its cross piece L³ a series
of stems or rods M³, corresponding in number to that of the moulds in the
section of the mould wheels, and at distances apart corresponding to the holes
at the inner ends of such moulds, through which the stems to these plungers
play. These stems M³ extend downward through guide holes of a cross piece
O fixed in the framework between the side frames B thereof, and are to
operate in connection with the moulds of wheel for clearing them of the bricks
moulded or pressed therein. N³, an endless belt or apron arranged below the
mould wheel K, and for travelling in horizontal plane, and in a direction
from under the wheel to the outside of the framework A at one end. This
apron N' at each end passes over and around a roller P bung in suitable
bearings of the side frames B, across from one to the other of which
they extend. Q, pinion wheels on the ends of the inner roller P', with
which pinion wheels Q³ engage similar gear wheels R', upon the ends of
a transverse horizontal shaft S, hung in bearings of the side frames B', and
extending across from one to the other of the same. T, pawls arranged
to engage with the gear wheels R³ just above referred to, which pawls are
hung to the arms Us, turning at one end upon the shafts S* carrying such
wheels R, and at their other or upper ends connected with the crank arms I
of the rocker shaft J upon the inside face of the same. By this connection
as the shaft J vibrates or moves forward and backward the pawls in the one

page_text: a
instance are made to revolve the gear wheels R, and in the other instance to
pass freely backward over their teeth, thereby, as is obvious, producing or
giving an intermittent forward movement to the endless apron. V, a brush
fixed to a cross piece W between the two side frames B', and in position to
brush the surface of the endless apron as it passes around and under such
cross piece. ✗³, cylindrical brush hung in and between the outer ends to
arms Y' suspended from the shafts S* carrying the gear wheels R³, through
which the endless apron is driven, which arms Y at their outer ends are
supported upon bent coiled springs of the side frames B suitably located to
hold the said brush upon and against the face of the mould frame or wheel as
such wheel is revolved. A³, gear wheels on outer ends of shaft carrying
brush just above referred to, and arranged to gear into the driving gears
R for the endless apron. By these gears As the brush is driven, and with
an intermittent rotary motion, as is obvious. B³, a cylindrical brush arranged
by its shaft to revolve or turn within an oil reservoir Cs that is fixed
between the two extension arms D³ of the two arms Y³, causing the cylinder
brush X herein-before referred to; this brush B', by its shaft being suspended
and turning in the upper ends of such extension arms D, turning upon the
main arms, and their movement being limited by stops thereof suitably
located to prevent the upsetting or overturning of the oil reservoir C³. E,
gear wheels or shafts of brush B³, and interlocking with gear wheels A to the
shaft of the other brush X³, by and through the means of which gear wheels
E' such brush B³ is rotated with an intermittent motion, as is obvious, thus
oiling the mould wheel, in contact with which it is arranged to revolve. F³,
a board or plate suspended from upper end of clay hopper box, into which it
extends, bearing by its edge G³ against the face of the mould wheel, from
which it scrapes the clay as the wheel passes from the hopper, throwing it
back into the same. H³, weights applied to the arms I of the scraper board,
and serving to hold the said scraper against the face of the mould wheel or
frame.
Having thus in detail explained the construction and arrangement of the
several parts composing my improvements in machines for moulding and
pressing bricks or other objects, and the manner in which they are connected
together, I will now proceed to describe how and in what manner they
operate together to produce the moulding and pressing of the clay and
other effects necessary for making it into bricks or tiles, and so forth, as the
case may be.
Having first supplied the clay or other material of which the bricks or tiles
are to be made to the hopper, by then turning the driving shaft of the machine,

page_text: motion will be imparted to the working parts thereof, so that the clay within
the hopper, or which from time to time is supplied thereto in any suitable
manner, by hand or otherwise, will be carried and forced out of the hopper
through the motion of its follower into the moulds of the wheel then opposite
thereto, driving along the plungers of such moulds with it, when the said
follower having reached the limit of its forward movement, the wheel, that
while such filling of its moulds was taking place was stationary, is then revolved
sufficiently to bring its next series or section of moulds to the hopper; when
again stopping, such moulds are then filled by the action of the follower in
the hopper, as above described, and another set or series of moulds brought to
the hopper, and so on, as long as the wheel may be revolved, the several
sections or series of the moulds being filled with clay from the same.
As oue
section of the moulds to the mould wheel is being filled with clay by the action
of the follower in the hopper, as above described and simultaneously therewith,
the clay in another section or series previously filled from the hopper is being
acted upon by the presser frame B' through the straightening out of the
toggle levers G hung thereto, and such clay thereby compressed into a more
compact and solid shape. This action of the presser frame on the clay is
through the plungers of the moulds, which are caused by the abutment and
pressure against the same of the slide to the pressure frame that is then brought
against the periphery or face of the mould wheel, when before the mould
wheel is again moved forward this pressure frame is relieved and freed there-
from; the arrangement of its operating parts being such that when adjusted it
will be so operated, the advantages of which are obvious. At the same time
this filling of one section of the moulds with clay, and the compression of the
the clay within another section is taking place, as above explained, the bricks
or blocks thus found, but within another section of the moulds, are being
discharged or cleared therefrom by the action of the parts provided for such
purpose, as has been herein-before described, and delivered to the endless
travelling apron arranged for their reception within the machine, the clearer
being withdrawn from the mould wheel however before it is again moved
around. As the mould wheel is revolved the clearing and oiling brushes
provided therefore are rotated, and the travelling apron moved, but they are all
stationary when the wheel is at rest, at which time, as before described, the
filling of the moulds with clay, the compression of the clay within the moulds,
and its discharge therefrom in a form corresponding thereto, all take place.
From the above description of the relative operation of the several parts to
the machine embraced in the present Invention it is plainly apparent that
while the mould wheel is to be turned there is no pressure upon the same or

page_text: upon the clay within the moulds, but the wheel is perfectly free and relieved,
the advantages of which in the saving of wear, friction, and power are self-
manifest without any further explanation.
That furthermore, the arrangement of mechanism for driving the parts to
fill the moulds, to compress the clay therein, and discharge it therefrom, is
such as to be susceptible of being constructed in many ways for ready and
easy adjustment to suit clays of different consistencies, and for moulding and
pressing bricks into a form more or less compact or firm, as may be desired.
That furthermore, while every motion is positive, they are produced in such
manner as to always insure the formation of perfect bricks or blocks, and to
ensure their being discharged from the moulds with all of their faces or sides
free from being nipped or otherwise bruised or injured.
That furthermore, by the arrangement of the brushes for brusbing the
travelling apron and the face of the mould wheel, and for oiling the face of
the latter, they can be always kept clean and clear from dust or dirt or other
substances which tend to detract from the quality of the bricks produced
in the machine.
In order to guard against the possibility of the bricks adhering to the
plungers of the moulds when such plungers are forced out to discharge the
bricks therefrom upon the endless apron N2, a rail or cross piece W2, herein-
before referred to as carrying the brush V2, by means of which the endless
apron is brushed, is so located as to form an abutment for such bricks as the
wheel is turned, and thus to knock them off as it were from the plungers to
the moulds if adherring thereto upon the endless apron. By the operation the
clearers in the moulds their plungers are brought out to the face of the wheel,
where they remain until by the action of the follower in the hopper they are
forced back into the moulds, but only as the clay presses them forward; by
this means there is no possibility of an air cushion being formed within the
mould between its clay and its follower, the advantage of which is self-manifest
when the compression of the clay takes place, the only air that is within the
moulds, if any, being that which may be contained or be lodged in the clay
itself as it is mixed. As the plungers to the moulds of the wheel are forced
in with the clay by the forward movement of the follower in the hopper, they
abut against the end bar D of the toggle lever G³, and are thus limited in
their movement; this surface of the cross bars D* being made eccentric, as
shown in Figure 7, and arranged for adjustment and for being set by means
of a set screw or otherwise.
Having thus described my improvements, what I claim and desire to have
secured to me by Letters Patent is,―

page_text: First. A mould wheel or frame made of an annular or ring shape, and
suspended upon rollers, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Second. A mould wheel or frame when constructed and arranged to have
an intermittent rotary motion in combination with a follower or plunger or
plungers of a hopper or its equivalent, when the latter is arranged for
operation with regard to the former, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Third. In combination with the above, so arranging and operating a frame
about the mould wheel as to exert a pressure upon the clay within its moulds,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with a mould wheel or frame arranged to have
an intermittent rotary motion of a device or devices for clearing the moulds,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination with a mould wheel or frame arranged to have an
intermittent rotary motion of an endless travelling apron or belt, substantially
as described for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. A machine for pressing or moulding bricks, in which are combined
a mould wheel or frame, a follower for filling the moulds, a presser frame, a
mould clearer, and an endless travelling apron or its equivalent, substantially
as described.
Seventh. The combination with the mould wheel or frame of a brush for
brushing its moulding face, or a brush for oiling the same, or both, when
arranged for operation in connection therewith, substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination with the mould wheel or frame of a scraper or
scrapers for scraping the same, substantially as specified.
Ninth. The moulds to the wheels or frame when secured therein so as to be
susceptible of attachment and detachment at pleasure, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of April, in the year of our
Lord Eighteen hundred and sixty-eight.
H. BONNEVILLE. (L.B.)