Improvements in Machinery for Making and Pressing Bricks.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 24th May, 1894-Accepted, 7th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL specification.
Improvements in Machinery for Making and Pressing Bricks.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSON, Engineer Castleton Foundry, Armley, Leeds, in the
County of York, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery for manufacturing "stiff-
plastic" bricks, and to effect this object I construct a machine in which the material
after being crushed or otherwise prepared is thoroughly well mixed, pugged, and
kneaded to the required stiffness, and afterwards shaped to the required shape,
and pressed to the required size, ready for conveyance to the kiln, without
having first to dry the bricks in a drying shed or otherwise prepare them
for the kiln.
To obtain the above result I construct the whole machine on frames fixed to
a substantial bed-plate. At one end of the said framework I fix a horizontal
open-trough or barrel containing one or more shafts, provided with suitable
mixing knives. These shafts are made to run either at equal or differential
speeds, and are mounted in suitable bearings fixed at each end of the mixer
barrel.
The knives are so arranged and pitched that when revolving they not only
mix the material but also carry the same forward to the delivery end of
the mixer.
In close contact with the delivery end of the mixer, and fixed to the main
frames I erect a vertical pug-mill situated for receiving the material delivered from
the mixer. The pug-mill consists of a circular barrel containing a vertical shaft,
provided with pugging knives for kneading & pugging the material to the required
stiffness before reaching the mould. At the bottom end of the pugging shaft a strong
worm or a double winged knife is fixed which presses the clay through a mouth-
piece to the moulding part of the machine. The bottom of the pug-mill is fitted
with a strong hoop or belt, the internal part of which is bevilled to form a channel
of the desired dimensions for guiding the clay into the moulds. The mouth of
this ring is provided with an adjustable slide or door, for varying or equalising
the amount of clay to each mould, and also the pressure upon each brick in the
moulds. Suitable cutters are provided at the mouth of the pug-mill to cut the
bricks off.
The moulding part of the machine consists of a travelling table fixed on anti
friction runners, or a square or V shaped slide, and is provided with one or more moulds
containing a plunger which is free to move up and down in the mould, and which
forms the bottom of the mould. The moulds are also fitted with suitable renewable
liners, and with steam or lubricating arrangements. The table when placed in
position has one or more moulds directly under the mouth-piece of the pug-mill and
the other moulds are either to the right or left of the pug-mill ready for delivering
the brick contained therein. The travelling table has a reciprocating motion
imparted to it by means either of a catch wheel or cam or crank, and a connecting
rod so arranged as to move the table from the pug-mill mouth to the right hand
delivery table, and by the next movement to move the travelling table to the left
hand table, or when the left hand moulds are under the pugmill the right hand
moulds are in position for delivering the bricks on to the right hand table, and
when by the next movement the right hand moulds are under the pug-mill the
left hand moulds are delivering the bricks on to the left hand table. The cornecting
rod which actuates the table works in a slot, to allow the table sufficient rest, for

page_text: ensuring the mould being properly filled. The delivery of the brick is effected by
means of the internal plungers in each mould being actuated by a cam conveniently
worked and timed to suit the motions of the travelling table. It will be seen that
as the bricks are alternately delivered to the right and then to the left hand side
of the machine it will be necessary to have two presses in operation to press the
bricks to the required size and shape. I therefore construct on each side of the
main frames a press provided with a top and bottom plunger, actuated by suitable
toggles for imparting to both the top and bottom side of the bricks a uniform
pressure. The plungers are fixed to press heads or cross heads, working in slides
between the frames. The press is also provided with automatic feeding motion
derived from cams or eccentrics suitably arranged for feeding the bricks from their
position as delivered from the travelling table to the press moulds where they are
pressed and finished ready for taking direct to the kiln. The whole machine is
driven from one main driving shaft, which gears to the several shafts of the
machine by means of strong toothed wheels suitably arranged for obtaining the
necessary speeds and power to manufacture a complete pressed "stiff plastic" brick.
I desire to state here that in some cases I shall cause the bricks to be delivered on
to the table edgeways, and provide a suitable arrangement of mechanism to turn
them flatways before they are pressed. To manufacture a "stiff plastic
for conveyance to the kiln it is not sufficient to place clay into a hopper and force
it into a mould. It is very important that the clay should be properly tempered
and mixed also it must be well kneaded and pugged to obtain sufficient stiffness
before being moulded. For that reason, I propose to construct a machine which
on receiving the ground or crushed clay into the hopper gradually prepares it into
the required stiffness for making a high class "stiff plastic" brick without the
necessity of drying the same before taking to the kiln.
"
brick
For the purpose of adapting my invention to existing machines of the "stiff
plastic" type, I propose constructing the pressing part of the machine separate
from the other part of the machine, when convenient, and fix the press in
connection with any other machine which is not provided with the means of
pressing the bricks.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1893.
WILLIAM JOHNSON,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Making and Pressing Bricks.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSON Engineer Castleton Foundry Armley, Leeds, in the
County of York, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery for manufacturing "stiff
plastic" bricks, and to effect this object I construct a machine in which the
material after being crushed or otherwise prepared is thoroughly well mixed
pugged and kneaded to the required stiffness, and afterwards moulded to the
required shape and pressed to the required size ready for conveyance to the kiln,
without first having to dry the bricks in a drying shed or otherwise prepare them
for the kiln.
In order to more fully describe the improvements in my invention reference is
made to the accompanying drawings:-
1
Fig. 1. is a sectional front elevation through the centre of the travelling table
and pugmill.
Fig. 2. is a general plan of the whole machine.
Fig. 3. is a side elevation of pressing part of the machine.

page_text: Fig. 4. is a plan of the same.
Fig. 5. is part of a side elevation of the machine shewing the arrangement of
travelling table, moulds and mechanism for raising the plungers.
Fig. 6. is a cross section of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7. is a plan of the same.
On a suitable foundation (A) Figs. 1 & 2. I fix the frames (B & C) allowing a
suitable space between the inner sides of the frames for a travelling table (D)
constructed to slide between the facings (E). The front frame (B) is provided
with the projecting feet (F, G & H) for supporting the vertical frames (I, J & K)
appertaining to the press. Above the table (D) I fix a suitable pugmill barrel (L)
supported at the front side from a foot (M) on the frame (J), and at the back from
an elevated foot (N) on the frame (C). The top part of the pugmill barrel
projects in a backward direction and is constructed with a flange (0) suitable for
fixing to the front end of the mixer (P). The mixer (P) is supported on the top
of the bracket (Q) bolted at the bottom on the foundation (A). The whole
framework appertaining to the mixer, pugmill, and presses being thus all contained
on one foundation bed (A).
The mixer (P) is fitted with an horizontal shaft (R) supported at the back end
by the bearing (S), and at the front end by the bearing (T) forming part of the
bracket (U) fixed on the top of the pugmill barrel. The shaft (R) inside the mixer
is of square or round section made suitable to receive the knives or blades (V),
suitably fitted and arranged on the said shaft to form the outline of a screw, in
order that when revolving they both mix and press the material forward towards
the pugmill at the same time. The back of the mixer shaft (R) is turned to
receive a suitable toothed wheel for driving same.
The pugmill barrel is fitted with a vertical shaft (W) supported in the
bearings (X & Y). The bearing (X) consists of a series of brass rings made to fit
a series of grooves or collars forged on the shaft (W), for resisting the upward
thrust of the said shaft. The bearing is also provided with a shaft (Z) suitable for
fixing to the bracket (U). The bearing (Y) forms part of an arched beam or
bracket (A') bolted at the front end to the top of the pugmill barrel, and at the
back on the bracket (U). The shaft (W) inside the pugmill is fitted with the
knives (B) provided with square shanks turned down and screwed at the end for
receiving a nut. The square part of the shank fits into a square hole in the shaft
with the screwed end projecting out at the opposite side and tightened in its place
by a nut. The outline of the knives are arranged to form a screw in order to pug
and at the same time press the material downwards. The bottom end of the
shaft (W) is provided with a double bladed knife (E') and the bottom of the
pugmill barrel is fitted with a strong detachable and adjustable mouth piece (CI),
bevilled to form a channel of the desired dimensions for guiding the clay into the
moulds, and bolted securely to the barrel. The double bladed knife keeps the
mouthpiece constantly full of clay ready for supplying the moulds. The mouth-
piece and pugmill barrel are provided with an escape channel (H) Fig. 1 fitted at
the top end with an adjusting door (13) for relieving the travelling table from any
undue pressure, when the blank space between the moulds is under the pugmill.
The mouthpiece is also provided with a coverplate (K³) projecting inside towards
the centre of the pugmill for purposes hereinafter described. The travelling
table (D) Figs. 5, 6 & 7 is constructed with two pairs of moulds (F¹, G¹ & H¹, I')
fitted with renewable liners (J¹).
Each pair of moulds is fitted with a pair of plungers (K', K¹ & M', M¹) cast
together on one stalk. The bottom part of the plungers are constructed with deep
channels (N) made to fit and ride on the bar (O'). The bar (0¹) is held in place
by the nuts (P) and studs (Q') fixed centrally with the underside of the table (D).
The bar (0) can be raised or lowered by the nuts (P¹) thereby adjusting the
plungers (K, K' & M', M¹) to any required depth in the moulds (F¹, GI & H, 11).
The travelling table (D) has a reciprocating movement imparted to it by the con-
necting rod (R) Figs. 1 & 2 connected to the lever (S¹). The said lever is fixed

page_text: to the shaft (T') which receives a rocking motion due to the lever (U¹), the
lever (U) being actuated through the connecting rod (V¹) by the crank pin (W¹)
fixed to the toothed wheel (X¹).
In order to provide for a longer or shorter travel of the travelling table (D),
the table is constructed with double forked ends (Y', Y'), slotted for receiving the
sliding dies (Z, Z), provided with renewable bushes (a, a) mounted on the pin (6)
which passes through both of the forked ends (Y'), and also through the connecting
rod (R) placed between the forked ends (Y¹). The slots in the forked ends are
sufficiently long to allow the sliding dies to travel a certain distance when necessary,
without moving the table (D). The length of the slot is regulated by the caps (c)
let into the slots and fitted on the studs (d) provided with the adjusting nuts (e) by
which the said caps can be adjusted further in the slots to shorten the movement of
the sliding dies or further out to lengthen the movement as required.
The position of the travelling table in Figs. 1 & 2 is shewn to the extreme left
hand of its travel, and the moulds (H¹ & I) are under the mouth piece of the
pugmill. The plungers (M', M') are in their lowest position for receiving the clay
into the moulds. The moulds (FI, G¹) are in a position in a line with the press,
and the plungers (K', K') have risen to their topmost position and delivered the
brick on a level with the top of the table. The delivery of the brick to the level
of the top of the table is effected by the plungers being lifted from underneath by
the cross-head (f) Figs. 5, 6 & 7 sliding between the guides (g) and connected to
each end of the beam (4). The beam (h) is mounted in the centre on the shaft (i)
resting in the bearings () on each side of the frames (B & C). A rocking motion
is imparted to the beam (h) by the rod (1) connected at the bottom end by the
pin (m) to an intermediate point of the beam. The top end of the rod (1) is
connected to the lower arm of the bell crank lever (o). The top arm of the lever is
fitted with a stud (p) on which is mounted a runner (7) engaging alternately the
catch bars (1) projecting from the table (D). The bell crank lever (o) is suitably
mounted on the pin (s) fixed to the frame (C). The catch bars (r) moving along
with the table (D) come in contact with the top arm of the bell crank lever (o) as
they approach the end of their travel in both directions. Sufficient length of stroke
being allowed to give the bell crank lever the required movement for imparting the
necessary lift to the plungers within the moulds.
The pressing part of the machine consists of two separate presses erected between
the frames (I, J & J, K) Figs. 3 & 4, each constructed of similar or duplicate
parts and therefore the description of one will be sufficient for both.
The table (w) forming also the moulds (x & y) is suitably fixed between the
frames (1 & J) the top being on a level with the top of the table (D), and the
moulds (x & y) are in a line with the moulds (F1, G') appertaining to the table (D).
On the top of the frames (I & J) the pressure crank (2) is mounted in suitable
bearings (a), and by means of the connecting rod (61) gives motion to the press-
head (d) which moves up and down between the adjustable slides (el) suitably fixed
to the frames (I & J). On the underside of the press-head (d) are fixed the
plungers (f) carrying the mould plate (g) fitted to the exact size of the mould.
The plungers (1) are also supplied with steam chambers for heating purposes and
escape holes for relieving the mould from air or surplus material.
The moulds (x & y) are fitted with the bottom plungers (h¹) suspended from the
press-head by means of the rods (¹) which are made adjustable by means of the
nuts (). The bottom plungers (¹) when receiving pressure due to the downward
stroke of the top plungers are at rest on the foundation (k), and do not put any
strain on the rods ('), the said rods only being used for the purpose of lifting the
bottom plungers and the pressed bricks to the top of the table. The depth of the
mould or the thickness of the brick can be regulated by raising or lowering
the foundation (¹) likewise the rods (¹) can be lengthened and shortened by the
nuts (¹).
The feeding of the bricks from the position as delivered from the moulds in the
table (D) to the press moulds, is effected by the automatic feeding arrangement

page_text: An
ɛhown in Figs. 3 & 4, consisting of the eccentric (4) keyed to the crank shaft.
eccentric strap made in two parts is fitted in the ordinary way to the eccentric, one
half of the said strap forms also a rod (m') which is fixed to the top of the lever (n')
by means of the pin (o'). The lever (n') is supported at a convenient distance from
the top on the pins (p) on the bracket (q') and at the bottom is connected by means
of the connecting rod (r) to the feeding shoe (¹). The said feeding shoe is
mounted on the slides (t) which are suitably supported by the brackets (u') from
the table (w). The feeding shoe when in action has a reciprocating motion
imparted to it by means of the lever (n') actuated by the rod or eccentric strap (m³)
in the usual way. The feeding shoe (s¹) is suitably arranged and timed to catch
the bricks at the back end as they are delivered from the moulds (F¹, G¹) in the
table (D) and to push or feed them to the press moulds, where as hereinafter
described the bricks are pressed.
The driving of the whole machine is effected by the fast pulley (1) Figs. 1 & 2
giving motion through the pulley shaft (w) to the bevil pinion (x) gearing into the
bevil wheel (y) which through the shaft (21) gives motion to the spur pinion (A')
gearing into the spur and crank wheel (X¹) keyed on to the shaft (B) and
actuating through its connections of rods and levers the rocking shaft (T¹) for
giving a reciprocating motion to the travelling table (D).
The
The pulley shaft (w) also drives the spur pinion (C) fixed on the opposite end
to the bevil pinion, and gearing into the intermediate wheel (D2) which gears into
the spur wheel (E) keyed on to the horizontal shaft (F2). On one end of the said
shaft the bevil wheel (G').is keyed which gives motion to the pug shaft (W)
through the bevil wheel (H) keyed on to the top end of the pugmill shaft.
presses are driven from the pinion (12) keyed on to the shaft (F) and gearing into
the wheel (J) keyed on to the crank shaft (2) appertaining to the presses. The
mixer is driven from the spur wheel (K) keyed on to the end of the bevil wheel
shaft () and gearing into the wheel (L) keyed on to the back end of the mixer
shaft (R).
The pulley shaft (w') is mounted in suitable bearings (M³ & N') one fixed to the
frame (Q) and the other to the bracket (O). The shaft (B2) on which the crank
wheel (X) is keyed is mounted in bearings (Q³) fixed on the frames (B & C).
The bevil wheel shaft (F) is supported at one end in the bearing (S) fixed to the
plate or bracket (U) on the top of the pugmill barrel. The other end is supported
in the bearing (T) fixed to the frame (U) which is carried and fixed to the
foundation (A) of the machine. The shaft (V) to which the intermediate wheel
is fixed is mounted in the bearings (W & X2) fixed to the bracket (O'). The
said bracket is provided with the feet (Y) resting on the frame (C) and is also
bolted to the outside face of the said frame.
The action or working of the machine is as follows. The material is elevated to
the required height or fed from a platform into the mixer (P) and by the action of
the knives on the shaft (R) is well mixed and at the same time carried forward
by the knives and fed into the pugmill barrel where it is tempered and pugged by the
knives on the vertical pugmill shaft (W) and pressed down into the mouth-
piece (C) and by the double bladed knife (E) pressed into the moulds (F', G¹)
or (H¹, I).
The mould (11) occupies a position directly under the centre of the pugmill, and
the mould (H) in a position beyond the centre of the pugmill, and partly under the
cover of the plate (K'). The said cover plate is regulated to close the mould (H¹)
more or less, in order that the density of the material in both moulds is equalized,
which would not be the case because the mould (H) is the first to enter the mouth
piece under the pugmill and the last to be withdrawn and therefore would be
exposed for a greater length of time to the pressure of the material above. The
said moulds remain stationary under the mouth piece of the pugmill due to the slot
provided in the forked end of the travelling table (D) which allows the crank to
move a certain distance before imparting any movement to the travelling table.
The length of the slot is regulated as hereinbefore described to allow sufficient

page_text: time for the moulds being properly filled. The travelling table then moves with
the charged moulds in a line with the press moulds, and whilst approaching this
osition, the inner projecting catch bar (r) Fig. 7 comes in contact with the
runner (g) on the top arm of the bell crank lever (0) and through its connections
actuates the beam (h) and cross-head (f) to lift the plungers to the top of the table
where they deliver the brick, at the same time as the feeding shoe (s') commences
its stroke toward the press moulds. The feeding shoe now comes in contact with
the delivered bricks and pushes the same forward to the front edge of the press
moulds, where they remain in this position until the next bricks that are fed up
take their place, at the same time pushing them directly over the press moulds.
The bottom plungers (¹) appertaining to the press moulds are timed to reach their
top position in the moulds at the same time as the incoming bricks are fed over the
moulds, thereby pushing the bricks which have been pressed away to the front of
the table, where they are removed by the attendant. As one pair of charged
moulds move away from the mouth piece of the pugmill to be delivered ready for
being fed to the press, the empty pair of moulds move towards the pugmill and reach
their position directly under the mouth piece of the pugmill as the former pair reach
their position in a line with the press. Each stroke of the travelling table (D)
places one pair of moulds in a position for being delivered to the press, and a pair
for being charged by the pugmill.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the moulds appertaining to the travelling
table for forming the bricks edgeway up and the moulds appertaining to the
press for pressing the bricks flatway. This method of forming the bricks one
way and pressing them another way is necessary in special cases. I propose in
iny invention first, to provide for forming and feeding the bricks in the press
edgeway, and to allow the press to crush them and reshape them flatway, thereby
destroying the original shape in which they were formed. Second, to make
provision for forming the bricks edgeway and turning them down flatway before
reaching the press.
In order to effect this I fix two horizontal round rods (A³) Figs. 5 & 6 to
suitable brackets (B³) fixed to the frames (C) or other suitable place. On the
rods (A³) 1 mount the long runners (C³). The said rods and runners occupy a
position above the table sufficiently high to prevent the bricks coming in contact
with them whilst they are delivered from the moulds, and moving with the
travelling table. When the bricks (0³ & P³) are delivered from their moulds, they
will occupy a position relative with the rods as shewn in Fig. 5 and remain in that
position until the travelling table commences to move towards the pugmill, when
the bricks coming in contact with the runners will be thrown over and lay on the
table flatway. In this position they will be kept from moving back with the table
by the stop rods (D') until they are conveyed by the feeding shoe to the press
moulds. When this method of making and pressing bricks is adopted the time
for feeding to the press and the shape of the feeding shoe (s) will have to be
modified to suit requirements. Third, I also provide when necessary for forming
the brick flatway in the moulds appertaining to the travelling table and a suitable
motion for turning the brick entirely over top to bottom as delivered from the said
moulds before being fed to the presses. This method of forming and pressing the
bricks in some materials produces a brick of more uniform density throughout.
When the plungers appertaining to the moulds in the travelling table are receiving
their charge of clay under the pugmill, there is a tendency for the moulds being
imperfectly filled in the bottom corners, due to the density of the clay preventing
it flowing easily in the corners or contracted spaces, unless under considerable
pressure. To overcome this I fit under each plunger a spiral spring (E³) Fig. 6
held in place by the studs (F³ & G³). The spiral spring exerts a constant upward
pressure under the plunger and thereby causes the clay to be well distributed
over all the bottom surface of the mould, thereby filling the said mould uniformly
throughout.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
First. The general arrangement and construction of a combined brickmaking
and pressing machine, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Second. The construction of a travelling table provided with moulds and forked
at the end for receiving an adjustable die or bush, substantially as herein described
and illustrated.
Third. The adjustable horizontal bar fixed under the travelling table of a
combined brickmaking and pressing machine substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
Fourth. The whole and the combination of the parts forming the mechanism.
for raising the plungers to the top of the travelling table in a combined brickmaking
and pressing machine, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Fifth. The method of actuating the bell crank lever by means of catch bar
fixed to the travelling table of a combined brickmaking and pressing machine for
purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Sixth. The use of a spiral spring under the plungers appertaining to the
travelling table of a combined brickmaking and pressing machine substantially as.
herein described and illustrated.
Seventh. The crank wheel, rods, levers and shafts used for imparting motion to.
the travelling table in a combined brickmaking and pressing machine, substantially
as herein described and illustrated.
Eighth. The runners supporting the travelling table in a combined brickmaking
and pressing machine, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Ninth. The rods and runners for throwing over the bricks and the stop rods for
preventing the bricks moving back with the travelling table, in a combined
brickmaking and pressing machine, substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
Tenth. The construction in a combined brickmaking and pressing machine of a.
pugmill and mouth piece with one or more escape channels fitted with one or more
adjusting doors, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Eleventh. The construction in a combined brickmaking and pressing machine of
a mouth piece with a cover plate for purpose substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
Twelfth. The combination of wheels shafts and pulleys for driving and actuating
the various parts forming a combined brickmaking and pressing machine,
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Dated this the 22nd day of May 1894.
WILLIAM JOHNSON,
Applicant.