Improved Spacing Mechanism applicable for Use with Brick-cutting Machinery and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 4th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 14th June, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Spacing Mechanism applicable for Use with Brick-cutting
Machinery and the like.
I, ROBERT DAVIS WORKMAN, of No. 8, Upper Crescent, Belfast, Ireland, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an attachment to wire cutting tables for the manu-
facture of bricks or other articles from a plastic compound of any kind whereby
the freshly cut bricks or blocks are spaced evenly apart on the receiving board
or palate.
My invention is especially applicable to that class of brick or tile making
machinery, in which there is delivered from the pug mill a band or column of
clay of a breadth and height corresponding to the length and width of a brick
or tile, and this column of material is cut into sections of the requisite thickness
by wires interposed in its course. The back board of the table impels the cut-
off sections on to a board or palate, which can then be removed or caused. to
travel to the drying apparatus. In this machinery as at present constructed,
the separate bricks or tiles are divided from one another by no greater space than
the thickness of the cutting-wire, which is insufficient in practice to allow them
to dry properly, and to keep them from adhering together. To obviate this
drawback it is customary to space the cut bricks or tiles by hand so as to leave
a larger interstice between each separate brick, but this involves considerable
expense for labour. By my improved mechanism I produce the same effect by
mechanical means and interpose a suitable interval between each brick or the
like as it lies upon the supporting board, entirely obviating the necessity of
hand labour in moving and placing the same.
My apparatus may be constructed in various modifications within certain limits
in order to adapt it to the special mechanism with which it is designed to work,
or to the special material of which the bricks, tiles, blocks or other forms are
composed. shall describe the apparatus by way of example in the form in
which I prefer to apply it to an ordinary clay brick making machine. In this
machine the arrangements for delivery of the plastic material and for impelling
the same against the cutting wires are of the well known kind. The special
apparatus provided is operated by a connection (by means of suitable gearing)
with the gearing which operates the cutting-off table, which puts the apparatus
in motion, the said gearing being controlled by a ratchet or other device. In
front of the wires of the cutting-off table are arranged a series of iron plates,
each aperture between the wires having its corresponding plate. These plates
slip over the surface of the ordinary supporting boards or carriers for the bricks,
and they pass through slots cut in a block interposed between the mechanism
and the bricks, which prevents the said bricks from travelling back when the
said plates are withdrawn as hereinafter described. Each of these plates is con-
nected to a rod or tube. In the apparatus described these tubes are arranged
one within another and each one shorter than the other by the width of a brick,

page_text: in such manner that the innermost tube is the longest and is connected to the
furthest plate, and so on until the-plate nearest the controlling mechanism is
connected to the widest and shortest tube. These tubes are controlled in their
position by a stepped cone applied to one end of the collection of tubes, whereby
when the apparatus is operated the plates are caused to move apart, the one from
the other by the amount of each step or difference of the mandril or cone con-
necting with the aforesaid tubes.
An empty table-board or pallet having been placed on the cutting-off table,
the lever which controls the mechanism is first pushed over into the extreme
position in which the tubes are brought into such a position that the plates are
in their closest position, and at the same time the said plates are pushed forward
until they occupy the space close up to the wires, consequently the freshly cut
bricks are deposited upon them.
The reversal of the mechanism actuating the table causes, by means of the
gearing connected with the cone aforesaid, the tubes to move one over the other
and consequently the plates connected with them to separate one from the other
until the required interval between each plate and consequently between each
brick is obtained. The continued motion of the lever causes it to strike against
a projection which withdraws the plates from beneath the bricks, which are
prevented following the plates in their backward motion by the stopping har
already mentioned. The bricks are consequently deposited at the required in-
terval apart upon the carrying board or the like and can then be removed in
any desired manner. A fresh board is brought in place the lever is reversed
and the plates brought into their original position close to the wires and the
operation repeated.
My invention is obviously capable of being combined with apparatus for con-
tinuous removal of the bricks as well as for use for the ordinary carrying boards
as herein before described.
Improved Spacing Mechanism applicable for Use with Brick-cutting
Machinery and the like.
I, ROBERT DAVIS WORKMAN, of No. 8, Upper Crescent, Belfast, Ireland, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to an attachment to wire cutting tables for the manu-
facture of bricks or other articles from a plastic compound of any kind whereby
the freshly cut bricks or blocks are spaced evenly or unevenly apart as may be
desired on the receiving board, pallet or frame.
My invention is specially applicable to that class of brick or tile making
machinery, in which there is delivered from the pug mill a band or column of
clay of a breadth and height corresponding to the length and width of a brick
or tile, and this column of material is cut into sections of the requisite thickness
by wires interposed in its course. The back board of the table impels the cut-
off sections through these wires on to
a board pallet or frame which
can then be removed or caused to travel to the drying apparatus,

page_text: In this machinery as at present constructed, the separate bricks
or tiles are divided from one another by no greater space than the
thickness of the cutting wire, which is insuflicient in practice to allow them
to dry properly, and to keep them from adhering together. To obviate this
drawback it is customary to space the cut bricks or tiles by hand so as to leave
a larger interstice between each separate brick, but this involves considerable
expense for labour. By my improved mechanism I produce the same effect by
mechanical means and interpose a suitable interval between each brick or the
like as it lies upon the receiving board, entirely obviating the necessity of
hand labour in moving and placing the same.
My apparatus may be constructed in various modifications within certain limits
in order to adapt it to the special mechanism with which it is designed to work,
or to the special material of which the bricks, tiles, blocks or other forms are
composed. I shall describe the apparatus by way of example in the form in
which I prefer to apply it to an ordinary clay brick making machine. In this
machine the arrangements for delivery of the plastic material and for impelling
the same against the cutting wires are of the well known kind. The special
apparatus provided is operated by a connection (by means of suitable gearing)
with the gearing which operates the cutting-off table, which puts the apparatus
in motion, the said gearing being controlled by a ratchet or other device. In front
of the wires of the cutting-off table are arranged a series of plates of suitable material,
each aperture between the wires having its corresponding plate. These plates
or carriers
slip over the surface of the ordinary receiving boards
slot
in
slots cut
or
for the bricks, and they pass through
the bricks,
mechanism and
are
or
between the
il
a
block
bar interposed
which prevents the said bricks from travelling back when the said plates
withdrawn as hereinafter described. Each of these plates is con-
nected to a rod or tube. In the apparatus described these tubes are arranged
one within another and each one shorter than the other by the width of a brick,
in such manner that the innermost tube is the longest and is connected to the
furthest plate, and so on until the plate nearest the controlling mechanism is
connected to the widest and shortest tube. These tubes are controlled in their
position by a stepped cone applied to one end of the collection of tubes, whereby
when the apparatus is operated the plates are caused to move apart, the one from
the other by the amount of each step or difference of the mandril or cone con-
necting with the aforesaid tubes.
An empty table-board pallet or frame having been placed on the cutting-off table,
the lever which controls the mechanism is first pushed over into the extreme
position in which the tubes are brought into such a position that the plates are
in their closest position, and at the same time the said plates are pushed forward
until they occupy the space close up to the wires, consequently the freshly cut
bricks are deposited upon them.
The reversal of the mechanism actuating the table causes, by means of the
gearing connected with the cone aforesaid, the tubes to move one over the other
and consequently the plates connected with them to separate one from the other
until the required interval between each plate and consequently between each
brick is obtained. The continued motion of the lever causes it to strike against
a projection which withdraws the plates from beneath the bricks, which are
prevented following the plates in their backward motion by the- stopping bar
already mentioned. The bricks are consequently deposited at the required in-
terval apart upon the carrying board or the like and can then be removed in
any desired manner. A fresh board is brought in place the lever is reversed
and the plates brought into their original position close to the wires and the
operation repeated..
In order to more fully describe my invention I have illustrated the same as
applied to brick making machinery in the accompanying diagrams, in which

page_text: Figures 1, and 3 shew plan views of the apparatus at different stages of the
operation, whilst
Figures 4, 5, and 6 are diagrammatic elevations and partial sections illustrat-
ing the arrangement of the mechanism preferred.
In these drawings, A indicates the lever operating the ratchet mechanism,
B represents the block of clay, and B and 132 the sections thereof forming
separate bricks. C indicates the concentric tubes, E is the shaft of the ratchet
lever and wheel, F the ratchet wheel, G the tooth or catch engaging therewith.
H the lever actuating the cutting mechanism, J the stepped cone which operates
the movement of the concentric tubes, and which is made fast on the innermost
tube. The cone J has a step for each tube and such step is of diameter equal to
its respective tube and the differences in length of the steps are proportionate
to the desired spaces between the bricks (Figure 1). Ka fixed bar preventing the
cut bricks from following the motion of the plates when these are withdrawn.
M is the back board which pushes the web of clay through the wires, thus
cutting the same into sections. N is the shaft operating the cutting table.
P indicates the reciprocating plates which receive the cut bricks. Q represents
the pallet frame or board on to which the spaced bricks are delivered by the
withdrawal of the plates. R is a wheel connected by belting or gearing with
the ratchet wheel F. S represents a portion of the sliding frame which serves
as a bearing for the support of the concentric tubes C. T indicates the brick
cutting table. Vindicates bell cranks operated by the lever A. W indicates
the cutting wires, X indicates the bearing in which the outermost of the tubes C
is held fast, Y indicates the bearing in which the innermost of the tubes C can
slide freely, Z indicates a sliding rod fastened to the innermost tube close to Y.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-
The man in charge pushes over the lever H to the shaft N, with which the
bar M is connected by means of upright bars (not shewn), or in any other con-
venient manner. This causes the bar M to advance and force the web of clay B
against the cutting wires W. This motion is illustrated in course of progress
in Figures 1 and 4, and as completed in Figures 2 and 5. When the bar M
abuts against the wires W the bricks which have been cut by the said wires are
deposited upon plates P in the position shewn in Figures 2 and 5. The other
lever A shewn on the drawings is moved to and fro by the action of the lever H
by means of the cross belt pulley revolving over the respective pulleys R and F,
but obviously in the opposite direction. Two bars A¹ on the pulley shaft
participate in the motion of A and pass up through slots a in the frame S.
Thus when the lever H is moved from the position shewn in Figure 5 into the
position shewn in Figure 6 the lever A and bars A¹ move in the opposite direc-
tion and thereby extend the guide frame, S. The pulley F possesses a ratchet
But this pawl can
wheel with which engages a pawl attached to the lever A.
be raised at any time by taking hold of the spring handle of the top of the
lever, and the lever be thereby released and pushed back into the position shewn
in Figures 1 and 4. The bars A' pass through slots a in the guide frame S, as
aforesaid, and consequently when they are pushed outward by the action of the
ratchet wheel they push before them the said frame. Moreover the bars A¹
pass through slots in the ends of the bell cranks V as shewn in Figure 1. Con-
sequently, they cause these bell cranks to follow their motion and thereby to move
in and out the bar Z which controls the motion of the cone J, causing the said
cone J to move longitudinally in the direction from X to Y and thereby causing
the steps of the said cone successively to bear against the ends of the tubes C,
moving them and the plates P respectively attached thereto and carrying the
bricks in a similar direction according to the size of the steps on the cone J.
The said bricks are thus spaced with regard to one another to the requisite
extent. The pivots of the bell cranks V are affixed to brackets rigidly attached
to the outer framework of the machine, and not shewn in the drawing,
Figure 1, for sake of clearness.

page_text: As the lever A approaches its final outward position it bears against a portion
of the sliding frame S and pushes this, and with it the concentric tubes C away
from the cutting table, and into the position shewn in Figures 3 and 6. In
consequence of the interposing bar K the bricks B are unable to follow this
motion of the plates P', and they consequently are left behind by the said plates,
and fall upon the carrying board Q placed beneath. The operation is thus
completed and the spaced bricks delivered on to the carrying-board, pallet or
frame which can be lifted and carried away, and another frame put in its place
for the next operation.
Obviously in place of removable frames an endless band, or other convenient
carrying device having periodic motion might be substituted.
When the bricks B and the carrying board Q have been removed and another
board substituted the operator grips the handle of the ratchet lever A, thereby
releasing the ratchet, and pushes it back to its original position. This motion
returns the tubes C and their plates l' to the initial position ready for the de-
livery of a fresh lot of cut bricks.
Although I have described the plates l' as being severally attached to a number
of concentric tubes, as shewn diagrammatically in the drawing, yet they may
obviously equally well be connected to a series of parallel bars or rods operated
in a like manner, or the plates may be made so as to slide freely on a rod or
tube and to be actuated by a bar similar to the bar %, but having teeth or cogs
or cams on it at suitable intervals, so as to push the plates along the bar on which
they slide, into their respective positions.
In the arrangement illustrated the concentric tubes slide one within another
longitudinally; the first and shortest tube is fixed in the bearing X whilst the
innermost and smallest tube slides freely in the bearing Y. The piece J repre-
sents a stepped cone or series of cams attached to the end nearest to the bearing X,
and if this be moved in or out it causes each of the tubes to move correspond-
ingly. By substituting another piece J having larger or smaller steps, the rela-
tive spacing of the tubes and plates may be altered as may be desirable. The
sliding rod Z serves to steady and guide the innermost tube to which it is attached
as shewn in the drawing.
My device may be actuated by hand as above described, or it may be driven
by mechanical means, or by steam or any other power, by connecting the levers
to a prime mover of any kind. Moreover the position of the axle E, and the
arrangement for connecting the wheel to the wheel R may be of any convenient
kind, and it is not necessary that my device be connected to the cutting table at
all as it may be actuated separately either by hand or mechanically by any other
power.
The arrangement for cutting the clay or plastic material by means of wires is
a well known device, and I make no claim for the described device as far as the
same relates to the cutting of the bricks, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. Improved spacing apparatus for bricks or block machines in which a mass
of plastic substance having been divided into sections by pressure against cutting
wires or otherwise, each individual block is received upon a separate movable
plate, said plates having a duplex motion, both in the direction to and from the
cutting apparatus and laterally from and towards one another.
2. In an apparatus such as set forth in Claim 1, actuating the movable plates
by attaching each plate severally to one of a series of concentric tubes con-
structed and operating substantially as set forth.
3. In an apparatus such as set forth in Claim 1 actuating the movable plates
by a series of parallel rods constructed and operating substantially as set forth.
4. In an apparatus such as set forth in Claim 1, actuating the movable plates

page_text: sliding freely laterally on a rod or tube, by means of a bar having spaced teeth
cogs or cams controlling the said plates substantially as described.
5. In an apparatus such as set forth in Claim 1, means for separating and
withdrawing the separated and spaced plates carrying the bricks, beyond a stop
bar, causing the spaced bricks to fall upon a subjacent frame, removing the said
frame, removing the said frame with the spaced bricks and replacing it by
another, or by a fresh space on an endless band or the like, and finally causing
the plates to return to their initial position, substantially as described.
6. The apparatus for spacing bricks and the like constructed and operating
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Taded the 1st day of March 1899
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant: