Apparatus for and Methods of Cleaning Paving Setts or like Blocks.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 29.h Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Lelt, 25th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for and Methods of Cleaning Paving Setts or like
Blocks.
We, ARTHUR ANNESLEY VOYSEY, of 36, Dale Street, Liverpool, and
101, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C., Electrical Engineer, and HAROLD.
HERON HOSACK, of Formby, Lancashire, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
According to this invention paving setts or bricks or other blocks are cleaned by
mechanically operated tools, such tools being worked by steam, gas, petroleum or
other motor, or by hand.
In one form of apparatus the tools may consist of a plurality of hammers, picks,
or the like, and adapted to revolve or oscillate and strike off any substances
adhering to the setts or blocks. In another arrangement, mechanically operated
knives or slicing devices may be employed.
In operation, whichever of the kinds of removing means be employed, the setts
or other blocks are either moved up to the tools, or, conversely, the tools are moved
up to the setts or blocks.
In case the setts or blocks are moved up to the tools, the moving may be done
by a mechanical pushing or pressing mechanism suitably operated; and a series of
setts or blocks may thus be fed up to the tools in succession and cleaned. In one
arrangement this mechanism is so adapted that the setts or blocks can be placed
in position to be operated upon by hand. In another arrangement they may be
fed or supplied down a shoot, gutter, or other guiding means, and delivered
seriatim to the cleaners.
In one arrangement wherein rotating tools are employed, such tools may be so
disposed, at different points, as to clean the sett or block on four of its sides. This
is preferably done simultaneously, but it may be done successively. In the case in
which the slicing means of removing the adhering matters is employed, the slicers
or blades may be similarly disposed on the machine as to clean the sett or block in
one operation, the four sides being cleaned at once, or successively, as in the rotatory
machine.
In some cases, such as those wherein the setts or blocks are only cleaned on one,
or say two sides, thereof, it may be held in any suitable clamping or holding device
while it is being operated upon; but even in such a case the type of machine above
described, for cleaning, say, four sides, may be employed.
The machinery may be arranged horizontally (or at an inclination), or vertically,
as may be deemed desirable or convenient.
This machinery may be constructed in the form of a self-contained apparatus and
worked by its own motor; or by hand, as the case may be; or it may be combined
with or adapted to be operated by a steam roller, traction engine, street breaker,
or other motor used in or about the repairs of streets or roads, or other jobs.
This invention may be carried out, and the parts arranged, combined, and
disposed in various ways according to requirements, to the various conditions under
which it would be employed, and to the different kinds of setts or blocks to which
it would be applied.
In some cases such as in the cleaning of setts of pitch or tar, the tools may pass
through water or other liquid, or (and) scraping or other devices used in connection
therewith to remove matters that may stick to them.
Dated this 28th day of January 1891.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for and Methods of Cleaning Paving Setts or like
Blocks.
We, ARTHUR ANNESLEY VOYSEY, of 36, Dale Street, Liverpool, and
101, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C., Electrical Engineer, and HAROLD
HERON HOSACK, of Formby, Lancashire, 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 :-
According to this invention, paving setts or bricks or other blocks are cleaned by
mechanically operated tools, such tools being worked by steam, gas, petroleum or
other motor, or by hand.
In one form of apparatus, the tools may consist of a plurality of hammers, picks,
or the like, and adapted to revolve or oscillate and strike off any. substances
adhering to the setts or blocks. In another arrangement, mechanically operated
knives or slicing devices may be employed.
In operation, whichever of the kinds of removing means be employed, the setts
or other blocks are either moved up to the tools, or, conversely, the tools are moved
up to the setts of blocks, or both may move.
In case the setts or blocks are moved up to the tools, the moving may be done
by a mechanical pushing or pressing mechanism suitably operated; and a series of
setts or blocks may thus be fed up to the tools in succession and cleaned. In one
arrangement, this mechanism is so adapted that the setts or blocks can be placed
in position to be operated upon by hand. In another arrangement they may
be fed or supplied down a shoot, gutter, or other guiding means, and delivered
seriatim to the cleaners.
In one arrangement wherein rotating tools are employed, such tools may be so
disposed, at different points, as to clean the set or block on four of its sides. This
is preferably done simultaneously, but it may be done successively. In the case in
which the slicing means of removing the adhering matters is employed, the slicers
or blades may be similarly disposed on the machine as to clean the sett or block in
one operation, the four sides being cleaned at once, or successively, as in the rotary
machine.
In some cases, such as those wherein the setts or blocks are only cleaned on one, or
say two sides, thereof, it may be held in any suitable clamping or holding device
while it is being operated upon; but even in such a case the type of machine above
described, for cleaning, say, four sides, may be employed.
The machinery may be arranged horizontally (or at an inclination), or vertically,
as may be deemed desirable or convenient.
This machinery may be constructed in the form of a self-contained apparatus and
worked by its own motor; or by hand, as the case may be; or it may be combined
with or adapted to be operated by a steam roller, traction engine, street breaker,
or other motor used in or about the repairs of streets or roads, or other jobs.
In some cases such as in the cleaning of setts of pitch or tar, the tools may pass
through water or other liquid, or (and) scraping or other devices used in connection
therewith to remove matters that may stick to them.
In the drawings which serve to illustrate our invention, we shew two examples
of apparatus for cleaning paving setts, bricks, and other like blocks, under our said
invention.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation; and
Figure 2 a front view of one of said apparatus ;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the other apparatus ;
Figure 4 is a plan of same;
Figure 5 is a cross section at the line X. X. Figure 3; and
Figure 6 is a detail of the apparatus.

page_text: The apparatus shewn in Figures 1 and 2 is of the rotary kind, that is to say, the
tools by which the adhering matters are removed from the blocks, revolve.
The machine, as shown, is adapted to be driven by hand, but by providing
suitable pulleys, it may equally well be operated by "power."
The machine comprises the following parts:-An upper rotary tool a consisting
of a plurality of armed tools of the form shewn; a rotary tool b, also consisting of
a plurality of armed tools of the form shewn; a shaft on which the tool a is fixed,
said shaft being mounted in bearings d, d'; a shaft e on which the tool is fixed and
mounted in bearings e; side frames by which the bearings d, d, e, are carried; a
transverse frame constituting a table upon and over which the blocks to be
cleaned are moved, and which is supported adjustably on the side frames f; and a
sliding carrier fitted to and sliding on the table frame h, and driven from the
shaft through gearing presently described.
The mechanism for operating the different parts, comprises, a hand-wheel j;
shaft mounted in the bearings 2; bevelled gearing by which the shaft c is
rotated; mitre gearing for operating the shaft c; worm & on the shaft c; worm
wheel fixed on a shaft and meshing with k, and by which the carrier i is
moved to and fro upon the table, through the crank and connecting rod l.
The setts or blocks designated are kept in position, that is to say, onto the
tools a and b, by rollers m, mounted on springs m³, fixed to the frame h; and they
are put in position, that is placed within or between the arms of the carrier i,
when the carrier is at one end of its stroke, the operator standing in a convenient
position in front of the machine. To protect the feeder, a shield n is provided in
front and covers the working parts.
The gearing comprising the wheels k, k³, and g, as well as the bearings e¹, d', are
protected from falling dirt or matters removed from the blocks by the plate o,
which runs from side to side of the machine, and covers such wheels and bearings,
as shewn.
In operation, upon revolving the wheel j, the tools a and b are rotated through
the gearing above described, whilst the carrier i through the worm gear k, k', and
the crank and connecting rod 1, P, is moved to and fro upon the table or frame h, the
movement of the tools, that is the revolutions thereof, being much greater per unit
of time than the revolution of the crank 1, and the strokes of the carrier.
The action of the tools upon the sett or block is, that as it, the block, is moved
across the revolving points of the tools, along the table h, the adhering pitch and
stones, cement, mortar, or other adhering matter is cut or chipped off at the side and
one edge. To clean the other side and edge it is necessary that the block be
removed and reversed, and again put in the machine.
The tools project through the table, as shewn in the drawings, to such an extent
as may be necessary, that is according to the thickness of matter to be removed
from the block, and this amount under this invention, is rendered variable by
fitting the table by flanges h to the side frames f, and by fastening these flanges
and frames by bolts and nuts, the holes through which the bolts pass (that is the
holes in the flanges or the frame, or both) being slotted as shewn in Figure 1 in
dotted lines, and designated 2.
The tools a, as above stated, consist of armed discs (which are clearly seen in
Figure 2) fixed upon their shafts by sliding them on endwise, and fixing them by a
nut a'. To cause them to rotate with the shaft, a feather may be provided thereon,
or the shaft made of polygonal form, or other suitable means. This construction
provides for easy and quick removal, and replacing of tools, or tool discs, when
from any cause they require it.
The apparatus illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, is constructed and adapted
to be operated by a "power" motor, and the setts or blocks are adapted to be fed
to it down a shoot and discharged therefrom automatically.
In this machine, the blocks 2 (shewn in dotted lines) are held between clamps
having, say, three points thereon, and supported upon the arms or arm brackets",

page_text: said brackets being mounted upon the carrier i, which, in this case, consists of a rod
or staff as shewn. These clamps are moved to and fro so as to grip or clasp a sett
or block, and release it, automatically, at the right moments; this being done by
means presently explained. The carrier shaft is mounted in bearings 3 mounted
and fixed upon the frame or table h, and has its to and fro longitudinal movement
imparted to it by an internally threaded revolving nut & fixed upon the interior
of one of the mitre wheels 3, the boss of which revolves in the bearing ³, the
thread of the said nut meshing with the threaded part of the carrier shaft i.
The nut is adapted to be rotated first in one direction, and then in the other, and
thus the shaft receives its to and fro or reciprocating longitudinal movement.
The reversal of motion of the wheel and nut is effected by the provision on
the driving shaft of the bevel wheel and clutch mechanism shewn, the clutch
of which is operated from the carrier bracket . This reversing mechanism and
its mode of operation is as follows:-
Two of the bevel wheels of the mechanism, designated pp', are mounted loosely
upon the driving shaft, whilst the third,, is fixed or mounted upon a spindle in
the frame. The wheel p forms part of or is made with or connected to the
driving pulley, and thus always revolves in one direction, whilst the wheel p' will,
through the wheel ², revolve in the opposite direction. The clutch is adapted
to be moved to and fro on the shaft j', and causes such shaft to revolve when it is
revolved, by ordinary keys or feathers g', it being provided with the ordinary
projections on each end (corresponding projections being provided on the inside
faces of the wheels pp) to engage either with the wheel p or pl.
The clutch is operated through the left hand bracket i, through its extended
portion and boss 3 (which slides upon fixed bar & supported at its ends from the
bracket bearings as shewn); the movable rod r; and bell crank lever s; that is
to say, the boss of the bracket arm strikes the horizontally projecting portions pl
of the rod at the end of each stroke, and moves them a certain distance; and the
pendent part of the rod being connected with one end of the bell crank levers,
said lever is caused to be moved first in one direction and then in the other, the
other end of said bell crank being in gear with the clutch 7.
The rod serves mainly to prevent the brackets from rotating upon their
carrier i, and guide them; but it also serves to steady and guide the projecting
parts of the reversing rod r, the ends of which are supported in and pass through
the upper part of the bracket bearings h². As will be seen, one of the projecting
parts or bosses is provided with a handle 3, by which the reversal of motion-
or stopping of the carrier can be effected by hand, at will.
The clamps are supported from the bracket arms by universal joint con-
nections By this construction the three pointed feet of the clamps
will
always bear upon the surface of the sett or block equally, no matter how irregular
its surface. In this manner the sett or block will be firmly held between the two
clamps, and rigidly moved through or past the tools of the machine.
These clamps are adapted to be automatically moved apart at the end of
the stroke at which the block or sett having been cleaned is discharged from
the machine. This operation is effected by a cam on the end of the screw
shaft, which, as the outer end of said shaft nears the supporting bracket h², comes
in contact with a corresponding cam 1, on the boss of the wheel k, and is thereby
rotated. The effect of this rotation is that the carrier shaft i is rotated, and the
left hand bracket being mounted upon a screwed portion of said shaft, as shewn,
is caused to travel away from the other bracket and so withdraw one of the
clamps. This action takes place when the block or sett 2 is over the aperture u
in the table h, so that it falls automatically away from the machine.
At the end of the stroke of the carrier i, at which the setts or blocks are taken
in by the machine, and clamped by the clamps, said clamps will be in their
separated position and ready to receive the block. Then to clamp them, the
wheel is revolved in the opposite direction to that in which it was revolved when

page_text: the block is automatically discharged, and the clamps thereby brought together.
onto the surface of the block. The shoot down which the blocks are delivered to
the machine is shewn in dotted lines in Figures 4 and 6, and is designated v.
The tools in this machine are fixed tools, that is, they do not revolve as those
set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Nevertheless, the tools shewn in
Figures 1 and 2, may be applied to this machine and adapted to be revolved.
C,
The tools a which are used. to move the adhering matter from the sides of the
block having the greatest area are fixed or mounted on a spindle or shaft and
are adapted to have a certain amount of movement thereon; whilst the tools bare
similarly mounted upon a vertical spindle or shaft e. These tools are made of a
number of cuiters of the form shewn, substantially as those described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 are; and they are supported at their ends nearest the
point, by a frame w, having a back plate e supported on it, by stud bolts and
nuts w², springs we being interposed between the backs of the tools a and b, and the
plate, whereby a small amount of "give" is afforded to the tools, and breakages,
owing to their points coming in contact with abnormal projecting portions upon
the block surface or abnormally hard pieces adhering to said surfaces, are
prevented.
The surface of the table behind the tools, stands above or within that part in
front of the tools. This construction is provided in order that the cleaned portion
of the sett or block should be borne by the surface of the table soon after the
adhering matters are removed therefrom, as possible.
The points, of the tools a and respectively, are arranged angularly in
relation to the sett or block, that is, the surface of the sett or block being cleaned,
in the manner shewn in the drawing; that is to say, at such an angle that the
adhering matters will be best removed by.
It will be seen that the tools constitute a number of picks or hammers in the
case of the machine illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, whilst in Figures 3 to 6 they
constitute a number of slicing devices or knives.
Although in the machines illustrated, two tools are provided and adapted to
clean two sides of a sett or block, four tools adapted to clean four sides of a block
or sett may be adapted and used in machines according to this invention.
In some cases, the tools, when of the moving kind, may revolve partly in water,
or other liquid, contained in a vessel placed about the tools; or, in this kind of
machine, or in others, water or other liquid may be delivered onto the tools from a
pipe or pipes or liquid containing vessel, in such a manner, that the points of the
tools are, as far as possible, made wet. By this means, the removal of the adhering
matter, such for instance as pitch or tar, is facilitated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, it is to be understood that
we do not limit ourselves to the particular disposition, combination, and construction
of parts herein set forth with reference to figures of the drawings, but that we
hold ourselves at liberty to make such changes and alterations, and modifications,
and adopt equivalents, as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of our invention;
and we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The herein described method of cleaning paving setts, bricks, or other blocks,
by supplying said blocks to a machine having tools adapted to operate upon
adhering matter on said setts or blocks, said tools being rotated or equivalently
moved, or fixed, and the sett, brick, or block moved over the tools, or the tools
moved over the sett, brick, or block, or both, and the sett, brick or block
subsequently discharged or removed from the machine; for the purposes set
forth.
2. The mode or method of cleaning paving setts, bricks, or blocks, substantially
as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2, that is to say, delivering a sett,
brick, or block to a carrier by hand; moving said sett, brick or block over tools

page_text: by which the adhering matters are removed; and then removing said sett, brick,
or block.
3. The mode or method of cleaning paving setts, bricks, or blocks, substantially
as set forth with reference to Figures 3 to 6, that is to say, delivering a sett, brick,
or block to a machine by hand, or automatically; clamping said sett, brick, or
block then moving said sett, brick, or block past or over tools, by which the
adhering matters are removed; and then releasing and discharging said` sett,
brick, or block.
4. Apparatus for cleaning setts, bricks, or blocks, comprising rotary tools set in
or on a frame or base, and adapted to operate upon the setts, bricks, or blocks
substantially in the manner herein set forthi.
5. Apparatus for cleaning setts, bricks, or blocks, comprising tools mounted and
fixed in or on a frame or base, and means or a device adapted to move the sett,
brick, or block, past or over said tools; substantially in the manner set forth.
6. In apparatus for cleaning setts, bricks, or blocks, the construction of the
tools carrier means or mode of keeping said setts, bricks, or blocks, up to the
tools and the means for operating said parts, set forth with reference to Figures 1
and 2 of the drawings also the particular disposition and arrangement of said
parts as herein described with reference to and shewn in said figures.
7. In apparatus for cleaning setts, bricks, or blocks, the construction of the
tools; devices or means for moving the sett, brick or block; means or devices for
holding same means for reversing the motion of the sett, brick, or block carrier,
set forth with reference to Figures 3 to 6: also the particular arrangements and
combinations of said parts as lierein described with reference to and shewn in said
figures.
8. In apparatus for cleaning setts, bricks, or blocks, wherein the sett, brick, or
block is moved past fixed or stationary tools, providing means such as described by
which "give" is afforded to said tools; for the purposes set forth.
Datad this 90th dow of Natahon, 1801
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Patent Agents.