IMPROVEMENTS IN BRICK MAKING MACHINERY
Year: 1883

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Philip Middleton Justice of 55 Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRICK MAKING MACHINERY communicated to him
from abroad by Cyrus Chambers junior of the City of Philadelphia, State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Philip Middleton Justice at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th April 1883.
PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRICK MAKING
MACHINERY a communication to me from abroad by Cyrus Chambers junior of
the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania United States of America
"
This invention relates to improvements in that class of brick making Machines
in which the clay is successively tempered in a case, forced out therefrom in a
continuous bar through a forming die, sanded upon emerging from the die, cut into
proper lengths by a severing mechanism and finally delivered upon an endless
off-bearing belt
The improvements hereinafter described relate more especially to the machines
described in the specification Numbered 3769 of 1878, and their main object is to
perfect many of the details of construction, tending to make the apparatus more
durable, convenient and efficient without affecting the essential principles or general
mode of operation. I shall now proceed to describe the continuous operation of
making ordinary bricks by the improved machinery, beginning with the clay fed to
the crushing rolls and ending with the bricks delivered upon the off-bearing belt
referring as the description proceeds to the construction functions and advantages
of the several improvements, and describing certain devices for use under special
conditions or for special purposes.
The clay as taken from the bank is fed into a shoot or opening in a platform in
which opening is a pair of adjustable crushing rolls above a moving endless belt
which is supported by transverse rollers in a frame and passes over a pulley at one
end of the frame and a driving pulley at the other. These crushing rolls are

page_text: conical, so as to work the stones or other hard or unyielding obstructions which
may be in the clay, to the rear where they escape through an inclined shoot as
hereinafter described The crushed clay falls from between the rolls upon the said
moving belt hereinafter termed the elevator and is carried by the latter into the
inlet pipe of the tempering case or into a mixing pit which will be hereinafter
particularly described
Although the elevator may extend in any required direction, or be inclined at
any suitable angle from the inlet pipe (or the mixing pit) it is preferred for reasons
hereinafter explained to locate the same with relation to the off bearing belt on
the frame. It is also preferred to locate the said crushing rolls just above the lower
end of the elevator but they may be placed elsewhere. The clay which has ontered
the case is tempered and carried forward to the expressing screw by means of a
series of spirally arranged knives adjustably secured to the revolving pugging
shaft, which shaft is driven through intermediate gearing from the main shaft
which carries the driving belt pulley A proper consistency is first given to the
clay if its condition require it-by adding more or less water thereto by means of a
suitable sprinkling device such as will be described further on The mass of tempered
clay is forced by the expressing screw into the former die, whence it issues in a
continuous bar whose cross section is that of the bricks to be made The sliding of
the surface of the clay upon its course to and from the die is facilitated by means
of heat from steam which passes by way of a pipe through a chamber between the
screw case and its removeable lining and, also through a chamber in the case of
the former die by way of a second pipe. The former die is secured within its
casing by bolt hooks whence it may readily be removed and another substituted
whenever required The case is hinged to the screw case so as to swing horizontally
upon a bolt and is held closed by means of a bolt which swings upon a safety pin
(which will break when the strain of the moving body of clay becomes too great)
and engages with a slotted eye on the former die case. In specification No 3769
of 1878 one wall of the steam chamber next the former die is shown constituted
by the side of the latter the joint being made tight by means of lead caulking.
The defect in that construction is in that this steam joint between the junction of
the former die and its casing must be broken whenever a new die is to be inserted
This is obviated by confining the steam chamber wholly within the walls of the
casing. The improvement in the former die consists in making the top and bottom
of the said die convex and its sides straight or more or less concave instead of, as
heretofore making the sides of the same convex
This new form is deemed a great improvement upon the old ones, as the body of
clay which is retarded in the middle by the convexity of the former die at top and
bottom is better spread out laterally and the clay more forcibly packed in the
corners than was the case when the sides of the former die were convex. The bar
of clay from the die issues directly into the sand box which is hinged for convenience
of opening instead of being bolted as heretofore, on to lugs projecting from the
case and is held shut to the case by a hook latch The sand scrapers are held in
a vertically swung frame hinged to the sand box This scraper frame is latched by
a lateral spring hook on the upper hinge of sand box whereby although holding
the scrapers in position under usual conditions it yields and opens, when the bar of
clay issues from the die unduly enlarged by reason of the clay being too wet The
sand hopper of the sand box is provided with a slide valve whereby the flow of
sand from the hopper through the holes may be regulated by means of a pivoted
hand lever whose lower end connects with said valve The holes are preferably
located to the sides of the path of the bar of clay so that when the machine is
started, or when the sand is about run out the sides and bottom of the clay bar
will always receive sufficient sand A longitudinally grooved roller is placed
transversely in the bottom of the sand box Over this roller whose grooves are
constantly filled with sand supplied from the box, the bar of clay passes as it is
forced from the dio
It is made swelling in the middle to correspond with the curve given to the bar

page_text: by the die which latter is usually made slightly convex at top and bottom A part
of the journal frame (in the boxes of which, the journal of a roller runs) is made to
cover the vertically slotted openings in the case through which the shaft of the
roller enters the case The two parts of the frame are bolted together forming a
bow whereby a single screw will serve to make the necessary adjustment and keep
the boxes of the said roller always in line and cause it to run freely. The bar of
clay with the surplus sand removed therefrom by the flexible scrapers emerges
from the sand box and slides onto a plate which plate may be adjusted vertically
or obliquely by means of screws.
In order to allow the sand box to be swung open when necessary the projecting
end of this plate is cut off obliquely to correspond with the angle of an adjacent
end of a plate
The bar of clay slides to said adjacent plate thence to the endless cut off chain.
On its way it is held to its course by an adjustable guide attached to the sand
apron and further on, on the opposite side, by a flange of the cap and by an
adjustable curved elastic guide secured to said cap whose office is to deflect the
moving bar towards the vertical flange of the cut off chain
The latter passes over a pulley journalled at one end of the chain stand and a
second pulley at the other end
The chain is supported by rollers which turn upon studs, bolted to the frame
and the slack of the chain is sustained by pulleys. The links of chain are held
laterally in place by means of a cap which laps over their edges They are turned
up at right angles forming a flange on the side next the spiral cut off blade so as
to support and guide the bar of clay on the side Each of these links is provided
with a transverse slit at about two thirds the distance from the rear end of the
link. Such distance apart of the slits, or in effect-the length of each link-
must always equal the length of the bricks to be cut off by the spiral blade as
hereinafter described Thus far, the general construction and arrangement of the
cut off chain and its connections are substantially as described in the Specification
No 3769 of 1878 The improvements I have made therein will now be set forth
I make a groove in the angle of each link, on the sido next the cut off blade;
the purpose of which groove is to prevent the corner of the clay bar from sticking
in the corner of the link and thereby "ragging" the edge of the brick and
marring its appearance, as has heretoforo frequently been the case
This groove,
for reasons which will be obvious when the operation of the cut off is understood.
does not extend quite to the slits The faces of the links upon which the bar of
clay rests are also raised slightly toward the slit for the purpose of securing a firmn
resistance to the cut of the blade and to prevent the bricks from bulging up in
the middle by reason of the depression of the ends of the same by the cut off,
owing to the fact that the accumulation of sand, or other unevenness, upon the
underside of the bar of clay did not permit the latter, at all times to rest directly
upon the chain
Another improvement in the latter consists in making a lateral projection on
each link extending from the forward side of the slits for the purpose of giving a
greater purchase and wearing surface to the side of the slits, against which the
spiral blade presses in propelling the chain as hereinafter explained
The forward chain-carrier pulley is vertically adjustable by means of screws in
connection with a slot in the frame The rear pulley is also vertically adjustable
by means of a screw It is also horizontally adjustable by means of a second
screw, the frame being suitably slotted therefor. Such vertical and horizontal
adjustability is required when the brick machine is intended to turn out bricks of
different lengths, for when the length of the bricks is to be changed the links
must be changed to suit Consequently it is plain that the said horizontal
adjustment is necessary and the vertical adjustment is required so that the level or
height of the chain relatively, may be preserved With the shortest links the
pulleys should be elevated the highest and with the largest ones depressed the lowest
The pulleys which support the slack of the cut off chain, are given a suitablo

page_text: form or outline, their width being of course about and within, that of the links
of chain between the flanges on each side thereof The outer corner, that next the
flange of the chain of the pulleys is taken off so that it will clear and avoid
packing any clay that may chance to stick in the corner of the link There is a
break in the periphery of each pulley where the same does not come into contact
with the chain The object of this interval is to avoid a difficulty which has
caused some annoyance, and that is, the working of the sand and dirt which is
deposited by that part of the links which bears the bar of clay upon the pulleys
over upon that portion of the latter which is directly beneath the part of the
chain which slides under the cap In which case the sand or grit causes the link
and cap to wear rapidly away The chain is also protected from cuttings of clay
carried through slits by the cut off blade as hereinafter described by means of an
inclined apron which is hinged or otherwise secured to the chain stand
Chain carrier pulleys are provided with a bevel flange on the outer side-the
links having a corresponding bevel-to take the side thrust of an angular wire-
brush which is hinged on a shaft in the bars of the frame The function of this
brush is to clear the links of the chain from any clay that may adhere to them
It is held up to its work by an adjustable weight attached to a lever on a shaft
and is located at the end of the cut off chain stand beneath an inclined dust apron
which serves to shield the links of chain from sand falling from the bar of clay just
after leaving the sand box This apron is adjustably secured to the end of frame
by means of screws or bolts working in slots in the latter so that it may be shifted
longitudinally as required Its top bears also a plate which is of steel and is
fastened to the flat part of the apron with screws To it is also secured the
adjustable side guide previously referred to Thus the sand-apron with the said
plate and guide attached thereto may be shifted to suit any adjustment of tho
chain carrier pulley inade necessary by the lengthening or shortening of the chain
or otherwise. The construction of the cut off chain and its connections as improved
having been described I shall now proceed to describe the device and its operation
whereby the bar of clay moving forward upon the chain is severed into bricks.
As described in the before referred to specification No 3769 of 1878, this consists
in the main of a broad sided spiral blade made up of conjoined sections of tempered
sheet steel clasped between two adjustable clamps which are supported by a spider
upon a shaft The blade is placed a little to one side of the chain so that its
drawing cut will tend to draw the clay bar towards the angle of the chain Its
spiral pitch is adjusted to the length of the bricks to be made; that is to say; so as
to correspond with the distance between the slits by means of bolts and nuts
operating clamps The blade has three full spiral turns. the first two of which
gradually increase in width from the forward or leading end, so that, as it revolves
the blade shall gradually enter more deeply into until it severs the bar of clay
The third turn prevents the partially severed bar from yielding under the strain of
the cut and separating before the blade completes the division thereof One of the
head plates of the drum which carries the clamping frame is held to the shaft
between two friction plates which are adjustably keyed to said shaft and have
between them a leather friction-washer The bub of the opposite head is loose and
free to rotate upon the shaft This device is designed to drive the cut off blade by
friction so that the latter shall not break should it, owing to a nail or other
obstruction become jammed in the slits of the links of the cut off chain; for in
such case the shaft and the gearing through which it is given will continue to
revolve thereby avoiding the possible breakage of the machine by reason of a
sudden stoppage The described general construction and attachment of the cut off
blade are similar to those of the machine previously described in said prior
specification The improvements thereon which I have made are, that instead of
brazing the ends of the blade sections together as heretofore I join them with a
V groove for economy in cost and more convenient removal of any section which
may become worn or damaged also to facilitate the clamping and insertion of the
blade

page_text: Also instead of securing the spiral blade clamps by means of the separate set or
jam screws in combination with plain bars connecting the heads of the drum as
heretofore The clamps are mounted upon a series of threaded through bolts and
the necessary adjustments-made by means of nuts upon the latter I also add
projections on the inside of the lugs of the clamps through which lugs the through
bolts pass in order to secure leverage and insure a proper bite of the opposing
clamps upon the blade sections When the blade having been properly set is
caused to rotate towards the chain it will successively enter the slits of the links
of the latter, and advance the chain; and that the moving bar of clay must be
divided into bricks of equal length (being the distance between said slits) and that
the bricks will travel with and upon the chain As the clay bar, whilst it controls
according to its driven speed the movement of the spiral blade it cannot of itself,
rotate the latter The blade must therefore be driven by suitable independent
mechanism at a speed having as nearly as possible a certain uniform relation to
that of the bar issuing from the die of the machine But as owing to the variations
in the consistency and quality of the clay and from other causes, the bar issues
with varying speed, some sensitive compensatory expedient must be used whereby
the speed of the cut off blade shall be regulated by that of the bar of clay. Such
a device or system of devices is fully described in said prior specification. In
order however to aid to a clear comprehension of the improvements which I have
made in certain parts of the regulating mechanism I shall describe the same in
connection with my improvements
•
The forward end of the shaft that nearest the cut off blade runs in a box with
an universal joint, upon the summit of a column which projects from a hollow
standard supported by a transverse rock-shaft Said colunin is adjustable vertically
by means of nuts working on the threaded part of the former Its lower end rests
in a notch in the end of a lever which is pivoted and is counterpoised by a weight
gunged so as to nearly balance the gravity of the end of the shaft and the cut off
blado with its attachments
By this means the force required to raise the shaft &c is reduced to a little
more than that required to sever the bar of clay, so that when the blade strikes
a stone or other unyielding object in the clay which it cannot displace the blade
rides up over it lifting the shaft and column The rear or driving end of the shaft
runs in a box with a ball and socket joint upon the end of an upright lever (to
which said box is adjustably secured) which is supported by a rock shaft on the
main frame of the machine. The rock shaft carries a very short lever or arm
which engages with a washer bearing against the end plate of the female portion
of a cone clutch which is loose upon the main driving shaft of the machine and by
its movement increases or permits a diminution of the friction of the clutch cones
The male cone is driven positively by the main shaft An adjusting key passing
through the shaft and a slot in the hub of the male cone takes the thrust of the
latter The improvement upon this part of the machine consists in employing in
connection with this key an adjusting screw or bolt which being secured in the
shaft also serves to keep the key firmly in place A spring is introduced between
the male and female cones of the clutch in order to quicken their separation The
female clutch is provided with a gear which meshes into and drives a gear on the
end of a shaft which carries the fly wheel In lieu of the chain or band whereby
motion was transmitted to the blade shaft as in the prior specification before
referred to, an improved mode of connection is substituted which is a train of
gears on suitable shafts The idler gear meshes into the teeth of gear on the shaft
which bears the fly-wheel The blade shaft is not parallel with the main shaft
(or with the bar of clay) and the faces of the gears upon the latter Therefore in
order to smoothly transmit motion from gear to gear the middle shaft which bears
the idler is inclined and the face of the idler is some what conical and its teeth
placed obliquely thereon The journal boxes of the shafts are supported by a
pedestal which is bolted to the main frame. Owing to the different pitch given to
the cut off blade, according to the length of bricks which it may be set to make
"

page_text: and as the blade must always cut the bar of clay at right angles, the inclination
of the shaft with its gear must be altered accordingly At the same time it is
necessary to shift the idler to suit the changed angle of the shaft. This is
accomplished as follows, the box of the idler shaft is made vertically and circularly
adjustable upon the pedestal by means of a bolt which passes through a slot in
a lug of the box Thus the position of the idler may be readily regulated. or
another of different diameter be substituted and adjusted when it is desired to
alter the relative speed of the shaft In the prior specification the regulating hand
lever was connected by a lever system with the rock shaft which sustains the
hollow standard which carries a column and the blade shaft This lever and its
connections I have removed and substituted another lever but applied in an
adjusting boss on the before mentioned transverse rock shaft which shaft carries
the short arm impinging against the washer of the friction cone Said lever is
regulated by a weight instead of by a spring as heretofore, which may be shifted
along the lever to the position desired. Having described the construction of all
the essential or important elements of chain and the cut off blade and their
connections and relative arrangement thereof I shall now proceed to explain their
modus operandi
If the bar of clay issued from the die at all times with uniform speed all
regulating devices could be dispensed with and the cut off blade be driven
positively and directly from the main driving shaft, but such evenness of flow
of the clay cannot be practically sustained: When the bar travels relatively
faster than the blade is running it presses against the latter moving it forward-
the oscillating movement being permitted by reason of the manner in which the
shaft is supported as has been described This results in moving the lever which
vibrates the arin and causes the cones of the clutch to hug more closely; the speed
of the fly wheel is thereby increased, and consequently through the intermediate
gears, that of the blade. Should the latter run too fast for the clay bar it will
by its reaction against the clay, screw itself back to a certain extent and thereby
relieve the pressure of the cone clutch and thus its rotation be retarded by the
diminished speed of the fly wheel shaft, the blade, in this way operating as an
automatic regulator much more sensitively than that described in the specification
No 3769 of 1878, This automatic regulating system, although practically perfect
under normal or usual conditions is not however, in all cases, sufficiently quick
owing to the vis-inertiae of the fly wheel and other parts Therefore it is provided
that this sometime deficiency shall be made up by the operator in charge of the
machine working the lever which as previously described acts upon the clutch
When he depresses the lever the faces of the clutch are brought more closely
together and the speed of the fly-wheel and the cut off blade are increased The
bricks cut off from the bar of clay by the blade are propelled forward upon the
chain on to an adjustable plate which is secured to the chain frame thence to the
off bearing belt which passes over a pulley journalled in a bracket at the end of
the chain frame, and which belt is always driven faster than the greatest speed
at which the bar of clay issues from the die of the machine, thus separating the
bricks for the convenience of handling by the off bearers. The off bearing belt is
kept to its path by means of two side guide-pulleys pivoted on an adjustable plate
which is secured to the front of the bracket. The lower front and rear corners
of the bricks made by the machines heretofore constructed by me have been
frequently marred by being dragged and torn in passing on to the off bearing
belt This defect has given some difficulty. I have however remedied the same
in the following manner The plate upon which the bricks slide from the cut off
chain and the pulley is placed so that its belt will come a little below the said
plate.
As the bricks advance, each successively overhangs the plate it being lifted a
little by the link as it rides up over the pulley-until the link drops when the
brick is left upon the plate whence it is forced by the advancing bricks until its
centre of gravity is beyond the forward edge of the plate when tipping forward it

page_text: comes into contact with the off bearing belt directly over the pulley and instantly
partakes of the motion of the belt before the front edge of the brick comes into
contact with the latter For some distance in advance of the pulley the usual
supporting rollers in the belt-frame are removed.
This allows the slack of the belt to sag down away from said pulley A double
incline is employed to support that part of the belt when the machine is stopped
and the bricks allowed to accumulate, owing to the stoppage of the belt a little
before that of the cut off Otherwise the general construction and arrangement of
the off bearing frame and belt and their connections are the same as heretofore I
have however added an improved tightener pulley and frame for the off bearing
belt It consists of a pulley, journalled in a rigid bowed frame which is provided
with guide flanges whose distance apart is equal to that of the beams of the frame
It is secured to the under side of the latter by means of screws which pass through
longitudinal slots The rear part of the pulley frame projects below the belt frame,
serving as a support for a scraper which is adjustably secured thereto by means of
bolts passed through the slots The cross bar at the front of the frame has an eye
for the reception of the tension regulating bolt which is also passed through an
eye in a transverse bar which is screwed to the frame
By screwing up a nut on the end of the bolt, the belt which passes around the
pulleys of the system may be tightened at will. It is obvious that by the described
construction, the tightener pulley may always be readily kept in line and the
scraper in the same relative position therewith which would not be the case if
the shaft of the pulley were journalled in independent boxes one at each side of
the belt frame
The stretch of belt is supported by a pulley journalled in a rigid bowed frame
secured to the lower beams of the belt frame by screws A scraper for said pulley-
is also adjustably secured to the frame of the latter As herein before stated it is
preferred to arrange the clay elevator belt as follows, The frame which carries
the elevator is placed near to, and in a vertical plane parallel with the frame which
bears the off bearing belt, and its lower extremity is carried below and beyond the
end of the frame A grated screen secured just below the end of the latter, extends
obliquely to the side of the elevator frame above its belt By this arrangement any
imperfect bricks which the off bearers shall not see fit to take off are carried
forward until they fall upon the screen, and thence upon the elevator belt to again
pass through the machine Sometimes it is desirable to temper the clay more than
once by the machine This it is clear may readily be done any number of times
continuously with the described arrangement It is preferred to provide the screen
with holes or slots so that the sand knocked off by the falling bricks will drop
through and may be used again The devices which I employ in connection with
my brick machine for mixing clay, coal dust, sand &c and carrying the mixture
to the mouth of the inlet pipe of the tempering case of the machine as also the
devices for wetting the clay, so as to bring it to the proper consistency are as
follows. The mixing apparatus consists of a circular pit into which the clay &c is
deposited and curved arms fixed to the square shoulder of a vertical shaft. The
latter is rotated by suitable gears driven from a pulley The mixing arms lie close
to the bottom of the pit. they are preferably bevelled on the front side so that they
will slide beneath the clay &c and lift the same to fall over again; which aids in
more thoroughly mixing the material The curvature of the arms and the direction
of their rotation cause them to carry the clay &c in towards the pipe which leads
into the tempering case of the machine The clay may be delivered into the
mixing pit by means of the elevator belt or it may be dumped directly into the
pit; or the crushing rolls which as previously described were located above
the lower end of the elevator may be placed at one side of and just above the
mixing pit, the clay being crushed by passing between them before falling into
the pit
In the latter case an opening is made in the side of the pit through which the
stones cast upon the inclined shoot by reason of the enlarged diameter of the conical

page_text: rolls at that end escape outside the pit The means for sprinkling the clay &c with
water consist of a supply pipe which gives directly into the inlet of the machine;
also a pipe extending over to the side of the mixing pit which pipe is provided
with a series of small holes for the escape of the water It extends horizontally
from the shaft which has a chamber therein, connecting with the supply pipe
This connection is made by means of an ordinary stuffing box. As the shaft
rotates. the water issuing from the holes in the pipe will be sprinkled over the
clay in the pit It is sometimes advisable to use either one only and sometimes
both together of these wetting devices The pipes are preferably carried below
the floor to which the mixing pit is secured to that of the brick machine and
are provided with cocks near the latter so as to be convenient to the person in
charge of the machine, one of whose duties is to observe and correct the con-
sistency of the clay as it issues from the machine and to increase or lessen the
supply of water if and as circumstances may require It is sometimes necessary
or desirable to screen the clay on its way to the die of the machine
This is the case when it contains an unusual quantity of stones or when it is
necessary to free it entirely of stones as for example, in making drain tiles with
dies. In this case a screen is secured obliquely across the die within the chamber
of a case which is binged to the screw case of the machine The clay forced by
the screw into the said chamber passes on through the grated screen to the die,
but the stones, or other hard obstructions larger than the meshes or slots of the
machine are forced up by reason of the obliquity of the latter to the upper part
of the chamber whence they may be taken out from time to time, as may be
necessary, by removing the cover. This cover or lid being hinged to the case
and provided with a bolt hook on the opposite side it may be readily thrown
back and again secured after the stones which have accumulated have been
removed
In another form and arrangement of such a stone screen and chamber used in
connection with my machine the screw projects into the stone chamber and the
screen is hinged to the former die case across the former die The screen may
consist of a spiral whose turn is in the direction of rotation of the expressing
screw The stones which may be in the clay coming into contact with the
screen are gradually worked around and outside the spiral by the action of the
screw to the periphery of the chamber whence they may be removed when
necessary after the bolt is loosed and the former die case is swung open upon
its hinge

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Philip Middleton Justice in the Great Soal Patent Office on the
8th October 1883.
PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents IMPROVEMENTS IN. BRICK MAKING
MACHINERY A communication to me from abroad by Cyrus Chambers junior of
the City of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania United States of America
This invention relates to improvements in that class of brick making machines
in which the clay is successfully tempered in a case, forced out therefrom in a
continuous bar through a forming die, sanded upon emerging from the die, cut into
proper lengths by a severing mechanism, and finally delivered upon an endless off
bearing belt. The improvements hereinafter described relate more especially to the
machines described in the specification Numbered 3769 of 1878 and their main
object is to perfect many of the details of construction tending to make the
apparatus more durable, convenient and efficient without affecting the essential
principles and general mode of operation I shall now proceed to describe the
continuous operation of making ordinary bricks by the improved machinery
beginning with the clayfed to the crushing rolls and ending with the bricks
delivered upon the off bearing belt referring as the description proceeds, to the
construction, functions and advantages of the several improvements and describing
certain devices for use under special conditions or for special purposes, reference
being made through this specification to the accompanying drawings which form
part of it and in which
Figure 1 is a plan of the improved machine. Figure 2 is a rear elevation on an
enlarged scale of the improved former die M Figure 3 is a horizontal section
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Figure 5 is a vertical
transverse section on line e. f of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view (as on line
e.fFigure 3) shewing a die whose sides are curved outward instead of being straight
as in Figure 5; Figure 6 is a top view (partly in section) of the former die casing
and adjacent part of the screw-case; Figure 7 is a front elevation of the sand box;
Figure 8 is a vertical section of the same on line a. b of Fig 7; Figure 9 is a top
view of the cut off chain stand with the chain removed Figure 10 is a side elevation
(partly in section) of the same with the chain in position Figure 10 illustrates by
side elevation the system or arrangement of the cut off chain, plate and off bearing
belt whereby the bricks are carried on from the former to the latter; Figure 11 is
a sectional view on line a. b Figure 10, looking toward the front of the chain
stand; Figure 12 is a top view of three connected links of the chain; Figure 13
is an enlarged plan view of a section of the chain Figure 14 is a side elevation of
part of the severing blade and sections of one of the links of the chain and
supporting roller; Figure 15 is a transverse section of the blade in a slit of the
chain and shewing also the mode of clamping the blade Figure 16 is a section of
the blade showing the mode of juncture of its segments Figures 17. 18 and 19 are
details of the clutch and blade driving gear and blade frame (Fig 19) shewing the
pitch lines of the gear system; Figure 20 is a plan view of the blade shaft driving
gear disconnected from the clutch Figure 21 is a side elevation of the same
shewing the adjustable connection of the idler gear box to the pedestal and also
indicating two different adjustments of the same Figure 22 is a detail of
adjustable pulley and its frame for the off bearing belt Figure 23 is a longitudinal
vertical section of part of the off bearing frame shewing the arrangement of the off
bearing belt and the adjustable pulley Fig 22; Figure 24 is a side elevation

page_text: shewing the general arrangement of my machinery with the clay elevator and the
crushing, mixing, and water sprinkling devices; Figure 25 is a plan of the same
Figure 26 is an enlarged medial vertical section of the mixing pit Figs 24 and 25
and mixing devices, shewing the sprinkling apparatus and also the conical clay
crushing rolls at the side of the pit. Figure 27 is a view looking into the
mixing pit the vertical shaft which carries the curved mixing arms being cut off
and the sprinkling devices removed; Figure 28 is a cross section of one of the
mixing arms on the line a. b. Fig 27. Figures 29. 30. 31. and 32 represent a die
and case provided with a form of stone screen to be used in connection with the
machine Figures 33 and 34 represent another form of stone screen in connection
with the machine
The clay as taken from the bank is fed into a shoot or opening Figs 24 and 25
in a platform 2 in which opening are a pair of adjustable crushing rolls 3. above a
moving endless belt F which is supported by transverso rollers x in a frame F¹³
and passes over a pulley 4 at one end of the frame and a driving pulley 5 at the
other These crushing rolls are conical as shown so as to work the stones or other
bard or unyielding obstructions which may be in the clay to the rear where they
escape through an inclined shoot as hereinafter described in referring to the
figures The crushed clay falls from between the rolls upon the said moving belt,
hereinafter termed the Elevator and is carried by the latter into the inlet pipe I of
the tempering case C or into a mixing pit P³ which will be hereinafter particularly
described
Although the elevator may extend in any required direction or be inclined at any
suitable angle from the inlet pipe (or the mixing pit) I prefer for reasons herein-
after explained to locate the same with relation to the off bearing belt on the
frame A¹ as shewn in Figures 24 and 25 I also prefer to locate the said crushing
rolls as shown in those figures, that is, just above the lower end of the elevator,
but they may be placed elsewhere as for example as in Figures 26 and 27 and
hereinafter described
The clay which has entered case C Figure 1 is tempered and carried forward to
the expressing screw S by means of a series of spirally arranged knives K adjust-
ably secured to the revolving pugging shaft, which shaft is driven through
intermediate gearing from the main shaft W which carries the driving belt
pulley WA proper consistency is first given to the clay if its condition require
it, by adding more or less water thereto by means of a suitable sprinkling device
such as will be described further on The mass of tempered clay is forced by
screw S into the former die M whence it issues in a continuous bar whose cross
section is that of the bricks to be made The sliding of the surface of the clay upon
its course to and from the die M is facilitated by means of heat from steam which
passes by way of a pipe P7 through a chamber E between the screw case E and its
removeable lining E and also through a chamber G in the case M of the former
die by way of a second pipe P8 Figure 6 The former die M is secured within its
casing by the bolt hooks M² Figs 2 and 6 whence it may readily be removed and
another substituted whenever required The case M' is hinged to a screw-case E so
as to swing horizontally upon a bolt J and is held closed by means of a bolt K³
which swings upon a safety pin m (which will break when the strain of the moving
body of clay becomes too great) and engages with a slotted eye in the former die
case. In specification 3769 of 1878 one wall of the steam chamber G next the
former die is shown constituted by the side of the latter the joint being made tight
by means of lead caulking The defect in that construction is in that this steam
joint between the junction of the former die and its casing must be broken
whenever a new die is to be inserted. This is obviated by confining the steam
chamber G wholly within the walls of the casing M¹ as clearly shown in Figure 6
The former die is given the improved interior conformation seen in Figures 2. 3. 4. 5
and 5 The improvement consists in making the top and bottom of the former die
convex and its sides straight or more or less concave instead of as heretofore
making the sides of the same convex This new form I deem a great improve-

page_text: The
ment upon the old ones, as the body of clay which is retarded in the middle by the
convexity of the former die at top and bottom is better spread out laterally and
the clay more forcibly packed in the corners than was the case when the sides of
the former die were convex. The bar of clay from die M issues directly into the
sand box L Figures 1. 6. 7 and 8 which is hinged for convenience of opening
instead of being bolted as heretofore on to lugs projecting from case M¹
at L and is held shut to the case by the hook latch L³ Figure 6 The
sand scrapers e c¹ are held in a vertically swung frame L³ hinged to
the sand box at 6 Figs 7 and 8 This seraper frame L' is latched
by a lateral spring hook L³ on the upper hinge of box L whereby although holding
the scrapers in position under usual conditions, it yields and opens when the bar of
clay issues from the die unduly enlarged by reason of the clay being too wet.
sand hopper L of sand box L Figs 6. 7 and 8 is provided with a slide valve L'
whereby the flow of sand from the hopper through the holes L' may be regulated
by means of a pivoted hand lever L whose lower end connects with said valve
Holes L' are preferably located to the sides of the path of the bar of clay so that
when the machine is started or when the sand is about run out the sides and
bottom of the clay bar will always receive sufficient sand A longitudinally
grooved roller is placed transversely in the bottom of sand box L as shown in
cross section in Figure 8 and by the dotted lines in Figure 7. Over this roller
whose grooves are constantly filled with sand supplied from the box L the bar of
clay passes as it is forced from the die M It is made swelling in the middle to
correspond with the curve given to the bar by the die which latter is usually made
slightly convex at top and bottom as seen in Figure 2 A part of the journal
frame (in the boxes 7 of which journal 8 of a roller h runs) is made to cover the
vertically slotted openings 9 (indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 8) in the
case L through which the shaft of the roller enters the case. The two parts of
frame h' are bolted together, forming a bow as seen in Figure 7 whereby a single
screw will serve to make the necessary adjustments and keep the boxes of the
said roller always in line and cause it to run freely. The bar of clay with the
surplus saud removed therefrom by the flexible scrapers e. e¹ emerges from the sand
box and slides onto a plate L' Figs 6. 7 and 8 which plate may be adjusted
vertically or obliquely by means of screws and as shown in Figs 7 and 8, more
clearly in the latter In order to allow the sand box to be swung open when
necessary, the projecting end of this plate is cut off obliquely to correspond with
the angle of the adjacent end of a plate L which is practically an extension or
continuation of the plate L' The bar of clay slides on from plate L' to said adjacent
plate L thence to the endless cut off chain N Figs 1. 9 and 10. On its way it is
held to its course by an adjustable guide a attached to the sand apron a. a. and
further on, on the opposite side, by a flange f of the cap t and by an adjustable
curved elastic guide a secured to said capt whose office is to deflect the moving bar
towards the vertical flange f¹ of the cut off chain N The latter passes over a
pulley CC journalled at one end of the chain stand C³ and a second pulley CC at
the other end Figs 9 and 10. Chain N is supported by rollers B which turn upon
studs b bolted to the frame C2 and the slack of the chain is sustained by pulleys B¹⁰
The links n of chain N are held laterally in place by means of a capt Fig 11 which
laps over their edges. They are turned up at right angles forming a flange f¹ on
the side next the spiral cut off blade so as to support and guide the bar of clay on
the side Each of these links is provided with a transverse slit p at about two
thirds. the distance from the rear end of the link Such distance apart of the slits,
or in effect the length of each link must always equal the length of the bricks to
be cut off by the spiral blade Q as hereinafter described Thus far the general
construction and arrangement of the cut off chain and its connections are substan-
tially as described in the specification N° 3769 of 1878. The improvements made
therein will now be set forth. I make a groove g¹ Figs 11. 13 and 14 in the angle
of each link on the side next the cut off blade, the purpose of which groove is to
prevent the corner of the clay bar from sticking in the corner of the link and

page_text: 66
thereby ragging" the edge of the brick and marring its appearance, as has here-
tofore frequently been the case This groove for reasons which will be obvious
when the operation of the cut off is understood does not extend quite to the slits p
as shown
The faces of the links upon which the bar of clay rests are also raised
slightly toward slits p as indicated in Figs 10. 13 and 15 for the purpose of
securing a firm resistance to the cut of the blade and to prevent the bricks from
bulging up in the middle by reason of the depression of the ends of the same by the
cut off; owing to the fact that the accumulation of sand or other unevenness
upon the under side of the bar of clay did not permit the latter at all times to rest
directly upon the chain. Another improvement in the latter consists in making a
lateral projection n¹ on each link extending from the forward side of slits p for
the purpose of giving a greater purchase and wearing surface to the side of the
slits, against which the spiral blade presses in propelling the chain as hereinafter
explained The forward chain carrier pulley C C is vertically adjustable by means
of screws 15 Figs 10 and 11 in connection with a slot 16 in the frame C The rear
pulley C C is also vertically adjustable by means of a screw 17 Fig 10 It is also
horizontally adjustable by means of a second screw 18 Figs 9 and 10 the frame C³
being suitably slotted therefor Such vertical and horizontal adjustability is
required when the brick machine is intended to turn out bricks of different
lengths, for when the length of the bricks is to be changed, the links n must be
changed to suit Consequently it is plain that the said horizontal adjustment is
necessary and the vertical adjustment is required so that the level or height of the
chain relatively may be preserved With the shortest links the pulleys should be
elevated the highest and with the longest ones depressed the lowest. The
pulleys B10 which support the slack of the cut off chain are given a suitable form
or outline shown in Figure 11 their width being of course about and within that
of the links of chain N between the flanges on each side thereof The outer
corner, that next the flange f¹ of the chain of the pulleys is taken off as shown so
that it will clear and avoid packing any clay that may chance to stick in the
corner of the link It will also be observed that there is a break x. x in the
periphery of each pulley B10 where the same does not come into contact with the
chain The object of this interval is to avoid a difficulty which has caused some
annoyance and that is, the working of the sand and dirt which is deposited by
that part of the links which bears the bar of clay upon the pulleys over upon that
portion of the latter which is directly beneath the part of the chain which slides
under the cap t In which case the sand or grit causes the link and cap to wear
rapidly away The chain N is also protected fron cuttings of clay carried through
slits p by the cut off blade Q as hereinafter described by means of an inclined
apron Figs 10 and 11 which is hinged or otherwise secured to the chain stand
¿¹
Chain carrier pulleys C C and CC' are provided with a bevel flange e² on the outer
side, the links n having a corresponding bevel to take the side thrust of an angular
wire brush b b which is hinged on a shaft bb' in the bars of the frame C The
function of this brush is to clear the links of chain N from any clay that may
adhere to them It is held up to its work by an adjustable weight 6 6s on a
lever b b on shaft b b¹ and is located at the end of the cut off chain stand C³
beneath an inclined dust apron a. a. Figs 1. 9 and 10 which serves to shield the
links of chain N from sand falling from the bar of clay just after leaving the sand
box L. This apron is adjustably secured to the end of frame C² by means of screws
or bolts working in slots 18 in the latter so that it may be shifted longitudinally
as required. Its top bears also a plate L¹ which is of steel and is fastened to the
flat part of the apron with screws To it is also secured the adjustable side guide a
previously referred to. Thus it will be seen that the sand apron with the said
plate and guide attached thereto may be shifted to suit any adjustment of the
chain carrier pulley C C¹ made necessary by the lengthening or shortening of
chain N or otherwise The construction of the cut off chain and its connections as
improved having been described I shall now proceed to describe the device and its
operation whereby the bar of clay moving forward upon the chain N is

page_text: sovered into bricks As described in the before referred to Specification N° 3769
of 1878 this consists in the main of a broad sided spiral blale Q made up
of conjoined sections of tempered sheet steel clasped between two adjustab le
clamps R which are supported by a spider upon a shaft X. The blade is
placed a little to one side of chain N so that its drawing cut will tend to draw
the claybar towards the angle of the chain Its spiral pitch is adjusted to
the length of the bricks to be made; that is to say so as to correspond with the
distance between the slits p by means of bolts and nuts operating clamps R
The blade has three full spiral turns the first two of which gradually increase
in width from the forward or leading end so that as it revolves the blade shall
The third turn
gradually enter more deeply into until it severs the bar of clay
prevents the partially severed bar from yielding under the strain of the cut and
One of the head
separating before the blade completes the division thereof
plates R' of the drum which carries the clamping frame is held to the shaft X
Figs 17 and 18 between two friction plates V₁ V³ which are adjustably keyed to
said shaft and have between them a leather friction washer. The hub of the
opposite head R³ is loose and free to rotate upon the shaft. This device is designed
to drive the cut off blade by friction, so that the latter shall not break, should it,
owing to a nail or other obstruction, become jammed in the slits p of the links of
the cut off chain for in such case the shaft and the gearing through which it is
given will continue to revolve thereby avoiding the possible breakage of the machine
by reason of a sudden stoppage
The described general construction and attachment of the cut off blade are
similar to those of the machine previously described in said prior specification
The improvements thereon which I have made are that instead of brazing the ends
of the blade sections together as heretofore I join them with a V groove as shown
in Figures 14 and 16 for economy in cost and more convenient removal of any
section which may become worn or damaged also to facilitate the clamping and
insertion of the blade. Also instead of securing the spiral blade clamps R by
means of the separate set or jam screws in combination with plain bars connecting
the heads of the drum as heretofore, I mount these clamps upon a series of threaded
through bolts. U Figs 1. 14. 15. and 17 and make the necessary adjustments by
means of nuts q' upon the latter as shown in Figs 1 and 15 I also add projections r¹
Figs 14 and 15 on the inside of the lugs of the clamps R through which lugs the
through bolts U pass in order to secure leverage and insure a proper bite of the
opposing clamps upon the blade sections It is obvious that when the blade Q
having been properly set is caused to rotate towards the chain N it will successively
enter the slits p of the links of the latter and will advance the chain and that the
moving bar of clay must be divided into bricks of equal length (being the distance
between said slits) and that the bricks will travel with and upon the chain. As
the clay bar whilst it controls according to its driven speed the movement of the
spiral blade it cannot of itself rotate the latter The blade must therefore be driven
by suitable independent mechanism at a speed having as nearly as possible a
certain uniform relation to that of the bar issuing from the die of the machine.
But as owing to the variations in the consistency and quality of the clay and from
other causes, the bar issues with varying speed some sensitive compensatory
expedient must be used whereby the speed of the cut off blade shall be regulated
by that of the bar of clay Such a device or system of devices is fully described in
said prior specification In order however to aid to a clear comprehension of the
improvements which I have made in certain parts of the regulating mechanism I
shall describe the same in connection with my improvements.
The forward end
of the shaft x, that nearest the cut off blade runs in a box Y with an universal
joint upon the summit of a column Z which projects from a hollow standard K¹
supported by a transverse rock shaft A³ Said column Z is adjustable vertically by
means of nuts n working on the threaded part of the former as shown Its lower
end rests in a notch n³ in the end of a lever T¹ which is pivoted at p and is
counterpoised by a weight u¹ guaged so as to nearly balance the gravity of the

page_text: end of the shaft X and the cut off blade Q with its attachments By this means
the force required to raise the shaft &c is reduced to a little more than that required
to sever the bar of clay so that when the blade strikes a stone or other unyielding
object in the clay which it cannot displace, the blade rides up over it lifting the
shaft and column Z The rear or driving end of shaft X runs in a box C³ with a
ball and socket joint upon the end of an upright lever D₁ (to which said
box C³ is adjustably secured) which is supported by a rock shaft B¹ on the main
frame of the machine The rock shaft B carries a very short lever or arm D
which engages with a washer D³ bearing against the end plate of the female portion
of a cone clutch V which is loose upon the main driving shaft W of the machine,
and by its movement (ie. arm D³) increases or permits a diminution of the friction
of the clutch cones. The male cone E³ is driven positively by the main shaft W. An
adjusting key ff as clearly seen in Figs 1 and 17 passing through the shaft W
and a slot in the hub of the male cone Es takes the thrust of the latter The
improvement upon this part of the machine consists in employing in connection
with this key ffan adjusting screw or bolt y which being secured in the shaft W
also serves to keep the key firmly in place A spring e. e Fig 18 is introduced
between the male and female cones of the clutch in order to quicken their
separation The female clutch V is provided with a gear K2 which meshes into
and drives a gear J2 on the end of a shaft 12 which carries the fly wheel H³ In
lieu of the chain or band whereby motion was transmitted to the blade shaft X
as in the prior specification before referred to I substitute an improved mode of
connection which is a train of gears K K³ 'and M³ on suitable shafts 13 13 and X
respectively Figs 1. 17. 18 and 19. The idler gear K' on shaft I³ meshes into the
teeth of gear K on the shaft 12 which bears the flywheel H' on the other
As seon
in Figs 1. 17. and 20 the blade shaft X is not parallel with the main shaft W (or
with the bar of clay) and the faces of the gears upon the latter Therefore in
order to smoothly transmit motion from gear K' through K' to M³ the middle
shaft Is which bears the idler K' is inclined both to 12 and shaft X and the face of
the idler is somewhat conical and its teeth placed obliquely thereon. The journal
boxes of shafts 12 and 13 are supported by a pedestal P which is bolted to the
main frame A A as seen in Figures 1. 20 and 21 Owing to the different pitch
given to the cut off blade Q according to the length of bricks which it may be set
to make, and as the blade must always cut the bar of clay at right angles, the
inclination of the shaft X with its gear M³ must be altered accordingly At the
same time it is necessary to shift the idler K5 to suit the changed angle of the
shaft X. This is accomplished as follows; the box P³ of the idler shaft 1³ is made
vertically and circularly adjustable upon the pedestal P2 by means of bolt 10
Fig 21 which passes through a slot 11 in a lug 12 of the box. Thus the position
of the idler may readily be regulated or another of different diameter be substituted
and adjusted when it is desired to alter the relative speed of the shaft X. Two
different adjustments of the same idler are indicated by the broken lines in
Figure 21 In my prior specification the regulating hand lever (J¹ hereinafter
referred to) was connected by a lever system with the rock shaft which sustains
the hollow standard K' which carries column Z and the blade shaft ✗ This lever
and its connections I have removed and substituted another lever J' Figs 1. 17
and 18 but applied in an adjusting boss on the before mentioned transverse rock
sbaft B which shaft carries the short arm D³ impinging against the washer D³ of
the friction cone Said lever J is regulated by a weight winstead of by a spring
as heretofore, which may be shifted along the lever to the position desired
Having described the construction of all the essential or important elements of
chain N and the cut off blade Q and their connections and relative arrangement
thereof I shall now proceed to explain their modus operandi. If the bar of clay
issued from die M at all times with uniform speed all regulating devices could be
dispensed with and the cut off blade be driven positively and directly from the
main driving shaft; but such evenness of flow of the clay cannot be practically
sustained When the bar travels relatively faster than the blade is running it

page_text: presses against the latter moving it forward, the oscillating movement being
permitted by reason of the manner in which shaft X is supported, as has been
described This results in moving the lever D' which vibrates the arm D³
and causes the cones of clutch V to hug more closely; the speed of the fly-
wheel H is thereby increased and consequently through the intermediate gears,
that of blade Q Should the latter run too fast for the claybar; it will by its
reaction against the clay screw itself back to a certain extent and thereby
relieve the pressure of the cone clutch and thus its rotation be retarded
by the diminished speed of the flywheel shaft; the blade in this way operating as
an automatic regulator much more sensitively than that described in the specifi-
cation Nº 3769 of 1878 This automatic regulating system although practically
perfect under normal or usual conditions is not however in all cases sufficiently
quick owing to the vis-inertiae of the flywheel and other parts Therefore it is
provided that this sometimes deficiency shall be made up by the operator in
charge of the machine working the lever J' which as previously described acts
upon the clutch V. When he depresses the lever, the faces of the clutch are
brought more closely together and the speed of the fly wheel and the cut off blade
are increased The bricks cut off from the bar of clay by the blade Q are propelled
forward upon the chain N on to an adjustable plate d which is secured to the
chain frame, thence to the off bearing belt O B Figs 1. 9. 10 and 10 which passes
over a pulley d³ journalled in a bracket d d at the end of the chain frame and
which belt is always driven faster than the greatest speed at which the bar of clay
issues from the die of the machine, thus separating the bricks for the convenience
of handling by the off bearers The off bearing belt is kept to its path by means
of two side guide pulleys & d² pivoted on an adjustable plate & d' which is secured
to the front of the bracket d d The lower front and rear corners of the bricks
made by the machines heretofore constructed by me have been frequently marred
by being dragged and torn in passing on to the off bearing belt. This defect has
given me some difficulty, I have however remedied the same in the following
manner reference being now had especially to the illustration Figure 104 The
plato d upon which the bricks slide from the cut off chain and the pulley d³ is
placed so that its belt O B will come a little below the said plate. As the bricks
advance each successively overhangs the plate d, it being lifted a little by the link
as it rides up over the pulley C C until the link drops when the brick is left upon
the plate whence it is forced by the advancing bricks until its centre of gravity is
beyond the forward edge of the plate d' when tipping forward, it comes into
contact with the off bearing belt directly over the pulley d³ and instantly partakes
of the motion of the belt before the front edge of the brick comes into contact
with the latter It will be observed that for some distance in advance of the
pulley d³ the usual supporting rollers in the belt frame have been removed This
allows the stack of the belt to sag down away from pulley d³ The double incline
gg Figs 10 and 23 is employed to support that part of the belt when the machine
is stopped and the bricks allowed to accumulate owing to the stoppage of the belt,
a little before that of the cut off Otherwise the general construction and arrange-
ment of the off bearing frame and belt and their connections are the same as
heretofore I have however added an improved tightener pulley and frame for
the off bearing belt which is clearly shewn in Figures 22 and 23 It consists of a
pulley h. h3 journalled in a rigid bowed frame F which is provided with guide
flanges c Fig 23 whose distance apart is equal to that of the beams of frame A+
It is secured to the under side of the latter by means of screws 8' which pass
through longitudinal slots & Fig 22 The rear part of the pulley frame projects
below the belt fraine, serving as a support for a scraper O which is adjustably
secured thereto by means of bolts passed through the slots 83. The cross bar at
the front of the frame F has an eye for the reception of the tension regulating
bolt which is also passed through an eye in a transverse bar T' which is
screwed to the frame A By screwing up the nut n³ on the end of the bolt i i,

page_text: the belt O B which passes around the pulley h. h³ and other pulley W W of the
system, may be tightened at will It is obvious that by the described construction
the tightener pulley may always be readily kept in line and the scraper in the
same relative position therewith which would not be the case if the shaft of the
pulley were journalled in independent boxes, one at each side of the belt framo.
The stretch of belt between the pulley W W is supported by a pulley jj journalled
in a rigid bowed frame similar to frame F and secured to the lower beams of the
belt frame by screws A scraper O¹ for said pulley jj is also adjustably secured to
the frame of the latter in the same manner as scraper O is secured to frame F.
As herein before stated it is preferred to arrange the clay elevator belt as shown in
Figures 24 and 25. This is as follows, the frame F³ which carries the elevator F
is placed near to and in a vertical plane parallel with the frame A' which bears
the off bearing belt, and its lower extremity is carried below and beyond the end
of frame A as shown in said figures A grated screen S' secured just below the
end of the latter extends obliquely to the side of the elevator frame above its belt
By this arrangement any imperfect bricks which the off bearers shall not see fit to
take off are carried forward until they fall upon the screen and thence upon the
clevator belt to again pass through the machine Sometimes it is desirable to
temper the clay more than once by the machine This it is clear may readily be
done any number of times continuously with the described arrangement It is
preferred to provide the screen S¹ with holes. or slots as shewn so that the sand
knocked off by the falling bricks will drop through and may be used again
Figure 26 which is a vertical section (on line c. d Figure 27) and Figure 27
which is a plan representing a device which I employ in connection with my brick.
machine for mixing clay coal dust, sand &c and carrying the mixture to the mouth
of the inlet pipe of the tempering case of the machine. They also shew devices
for wetting the clay so as to bring it to the proper consistency The mixing
apparatus consists of a circular pit P into which the clay &c is deposited and
curved arms C fixed to the square shoulder g³ of a vertical shaft A10 The latter
is rotated in the direction of the arrow Fig 27 by suitable gears driven from a
pulley W The mixing arms Ca lie close to the bottom of the pit, they are
preferably bevelled on the front side as shown in Figs 27 and 28 the latter being
a section on line a. b Fig 27 so that they will slide beneath the clay &c and lift
the same to fall over again which aids in more thoroughly mixing the material
The curvature of the arms C and the direction of their rotation cause them to
carry the clay &c in towards the pipe I which leads into the tempering case C' of
the machine The clay may be delivered into the mixing pit by means of tho
elevator belt arranged as shewn in Figs 24 and 25 or it may be dumped directly
into the pit; or the crushing rolls 3 which as previously described were located
above the lower end of the elevator may be placed at one side of and just above
the mixing pit as shown in the Figures 26 and 27 the clay being crushed by
passing between them before falling into the pit. In the latter case an opening
o. o is made in the side of the pit through which the stones cast upon the inclined
shoot by reason of the enlarged diameter of the conical rolls at that end, escape
outside the pit. The means for sprinkling the clay &c with water consist of a
supply pipe A Fig 26 which gives directly into the inlet I of the machine Also
a pipe A¹ extending over to the side of the mixing pit, which pipe is provided
with a series of small holes for the escape of the water. It extends horizontally
from the shaft A10 which has a chamber therein connecting with the supply
pipe A This connection is made by means of an ordinary stuffing box It is
obvious that as the shaft A rotates the water issuing from the holes in the
pipe A will be sprinkled over the clay in the pit
It is sometimes advisable to use either one only and sometimes both together of
these wetting devices Pipes A" and A¹³ are preferably carried below the floor to
which the mixing pit is secured to that of the brick machine and are provided
with cocks c 8. near the latter so as to be convenient to the person in charge of

page_text: the machine one of whose duties is to observe and correct the consistency of the
clay as it issues from the machine and to increase or lessen the supply of water if
and as circumstances may require
It is sometimes necessary or desirable to screen the clay on its way to the die
of the machine. This is the case when it contains an unusual quantity of stones
or when it is necessary to free it entirely of stones, as for example in making
drain tiles with dies such as are shown in Figs 29. 30. 31 and 32. Fig 29 is a
plan with the cover removed showing one form and arrangement of such a screen
in connection with my machine. Fig 30 is a vertical section and Figure 31 a front
view looking towards the die M
It will be seen by Figure 30 that a screen So is secured obliquely across the die
within the chamber Co of a case M which is hinged to the screw case E Figure 29
of the machine The clay forced by the screw into the said chamber passes on
through the grated screen So to the die M but the stones or other hard obstructions
larger than the meshes or slots of the screen, are forced up by reason of the
obliquity of the latter to the upper part of chamber Co whence they may be
taken out from time to time as may be necessary by removing the cover Ge This
cover or lid being hinged to the case M° at J" as shown and provided with a bolt
hook 6º on the opposite side Fig 31 it may be readily thrown back and again
secured after the stones which have accumulated have been removed Figures 33
and 34 represent another form and arrangement of such a stone screen and
chamber used in connected with my machine Figure 33 is a horizontal sectional
view showing the end of the screw case E, the screw S, its end projecting into the
stone chamber C® and the screen S is hinged to the former die case M' across the
former die M. Fig 34 is a rear elevation of the screen, the former die case to
which it is hinged being removed from the screw case. The screen consists of a
spiral as shown whose turn is in the direction of rotation of the expressing screw S
The stones which may be in the clay coming into contact with the screen are
gradually worked around and outside the spiral by the action of the screw to the
periphery of the chamber C whence they may be removed when necessary after
the bolt K³ is loosed and the former die case M is swung open upon its hinge
Having thus described the improvements in Brick making machinery as communi-
cated to me by my foreign correspondent What I claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore respectively
set forth and shown, is as follows
1st The former die M. having its top and bottom convex and its sides straight
or concave
2. In combination with the former die M the casing M₁ having the steam
chamber entirely within the same so as to avoid breaking the steam joint when
the die is removed
3. The combination with the casing M¹ and the former die M of the "bolt
hooks M²
4. The combination of the sand box L with the case M³ when said box is hinged
to said case
5. The combination with the sand box L of the scrapers e e³ secured to the
swinging frame L' hinged to the sand box
G. The combination with the sand box provided with the openings L³ of the
slide valve L and actuating lever Le
7. In combination with the sand box the longitudinally grooved adjustable
roller h.
8 The combination with the sand box having the described slotted openings of
the bowed journal frame h¹ and adjusting screw h³
•
9. In combination with the sand box the plate L' adjustably secured thereto
10. The chain protecting dust apron a. a located at the end of the chain frame
11. In combination with the chain N the inclined protecting apron ¿¹
12. The vibrating brush b b in combination with the chain N..
"

page_text: 13. In combination with chain N, the carrier pulleys C. C and C. C' adjustably
secured to the chain frame C' by means of the screws and slots as shown whereby
the described vertical and horizontal adjustments may be independently effected
14. In combination with the off bearing belt O. B the side guide pulleys & d'
pivoted on the adjustable plate d ď¹
15 In combination with the cut off blade, the links n of chain N having their
faces raised towards slits p
16. In combination with the cut off blade the links n when provided with the
projections n¹
17. In combination with the cut off blade the links n when provided with the
corner grooves g¹
18. In combination with chain N and pulleys CC and CC the return supporting
pulleys B10 provided with the interval xx in the face of the same
19. In combination with chain N and pulleys C. C and C C₁ the pulleys B¹º
provided with the off set Z'
20. The spiral cut off blade made up of segments whose contiguous edges are
respectively provided with V shaped tongues and grooves.
21 In combination with the spiral cut off blade Q composed of segments joined
together by a V shaped fitting, the clamps R
22. In combination with the blade clamps R and drums R' R' upon shaft X the
threaded through bolts U provided with nuts q³
23. The clamp R provided with the projections in combination with the
bolts U and nuts g¹
24 In combination with the friction clutch flywheel H and shaft X carrying
the cut off blade, the gear system K*, K³ and M³
25. The combination with the gears K' and M³, the idler K with its shaft
inclined to and between the axes of the shafts K' and M³ and having a conical face
provided with oblique teeth
26. The combination with key ff on shaft W and the clutch mechanism of the
adjusting screw y
27. In combination with the cut off blade, its shaft X, and the clutch and
connecting gears, the adjustably weighted regulating hand lever J
28. The combination of the rigid bowed and flanged frame F carrying pulley h. h³
rotating in a plane at right angles to the plane of said frame together with the
separate transverse bar T and the tightener bolt i i
29. The combination with the pulley frame of a scraper 0 secured thereto
whereby when the former is adjusted, the relative position of the scraper to the
pulley will remain unchanged
30. The elevator belt arranged as shown with relation to the off bearing belt
whereby the material carried over the end of the off bearing belt will be delivered
onto the elevator and returned by the latter to or near the inlet pipe of the brick
machine.
31. The combination of the mixing pit provided with an opening leading into
the case C and the curved arms C lying in said pit and secured to a vertical shaft
mechanism in the relative direction indicated by the arrow in Fig 27 whereby the
material will be carried in towards the inlet pipe
32. In combination with the mixing pit and the curved arms C secured to the
vertical shaft A10 the sprinkling pipe A" extending from said shaft over and above
the pit connected with a water supply pipe A¹³
33. The screen Se located within an enlarged chamber C between the die and
the clay expressing mechanism whereby the stones or other obstructions are worked
outwardly to the sides of said chamber beyond the path of the moving body of
clay.
34. The chain N, plate d' and the off bearing belt OB and its pulley d³ when

page_text: combined and successively arranged in relation with each other in the mannor
specified whereby the front and rear lower corners of the bricks are protected from
injury
In Witness whereof I the said Philip Middleton Justice have hereunto set my
hand and seal this sixth day of October in the year of Our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three
Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of
HENRY B HATCHWELL
55 Chancery Lane
London WC
PHILIP M. JUSTICE (LS.)