IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, BLOCKS, FLUE-COVERS, AND TILES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED .THEREFOR
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Gillespie, of Garnkirk, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Manager Garnkirk Fire-clay Company, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, BLOCKS,
FLUE-COVERS, AND TILES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED
.THEREFOR."
Sealed the 13th March 1866, and dated the 19th September 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Gillespie at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th
September 1865.
I, JAMES GILLESPIE, of Garnkirk, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Manager Garnkirk Fire-clay Company, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, BLOCKS,
FLUE COVERS, AND TILES, AND. IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS, EMPLOYED
THEREFOR," to be as follows, that is to say:
This Invention consists, firstly, in new and improved forms, arrangements,
or constructions of "semi-dry clay brick-making machines," or machines for
the manufacture of bricks, "blocks," flue covers, and tiles automatically by
motive power, from fire-clay or other materials usually employed for the making
of such articles in a nearly dry state, or with little moisture contained therein,
by great pressure or compression; and secondly, in new and improved methods
of forming and constructing the moulds or shaping boxes of the same, but
which is also in part or as a whole equally applicable to nearly all machines
or their moulds now in use for making bricks," blocks," flue covers, and tiles
by the compression of clay or other material used in a partially pulverized
state, into moulds.

page_text: Which improvements under the first part of this Invention the Inventor
believes will when adopted be of great public benefit, from the greater sim-
plicity and a consequent cheapness in the first cost of his improved machines
compared to those now in use for the like purpose, and that the adoption of
those under the second part will result in great public benefit by the
production of better formed bricks, "blocks," flue covers, and tiles, each more
uniform and sound throughout the body, with less expenditure of power
or pressure, and waste from breakage in the firing or kiln-baking than
heretofore.
One modification of these improvements in brick or tile making machines,
forming the first part of this Invention, consists of a vertical shaft (by pre-
ference made hollow in some cases), carrying the usual horizontal "moulding
table" disc, or "ring wheel," with six, eight, or other number of moulding boxes
formed or inserted in it, with or having a single horizontal rocking shaft, from
which all the principal movements for compressing or forming the brick,
discharging it from the moulds when formed, and turning the moulding table
round to the proper distance, and all at the proper time in relation to each
other. This horizontal rocking shaft, which constitutes one of the new
features of this machine, may either be placed above or below the moulding
table in a nearly vertical line over the central line of the ring of moulding
boxes, at the particular part or mould for the time being where the brick is
to be compressed or formed; this shaft is actuated by a long crank through a
connecting rod, which may receive its motion either direct from the piston
rod of a small steam engine or from a crank or eccentric, on any prime
moving or revolving shaft for that purpose respectively. In the case of the
horizontal shaft being placed beneath the moulding table, the plungers or
blocks which work in the moulds are pressed up from below by a powerful
eccentric or cam on the shaft as they come round over it, while over the top
of the mould where the brick or tile is pressed parallel with the shaft, is
erected a strong "thrust beam or lever, which sustains the pressure on the
top side while the brick or tile is being formed, with an iron top plate
between it and the mould or brick. This "thrust beam,
may either be
strongly fixed down to the lower framing supporting the shaft by malleable
iron rods, which together would sustain the top thrust, or it may be made to
move slightly as a lever, that end of it nearest the mould being pulled slightly
down, by the rocking shaft before referred to, through a small but powerful
eccentric or cam, and rod, while the other end is pushed up through or by a
rod and cam upon the same shaft, so that the lever and shaft would jointly
sustain the top thrust in this case. Or when it is desired to give the clay a

page_text: partial depression from the top side of the mould as well as from the under
side, it may be done by making the top plate before-mentioned in the form of
a short plunger, and giving it and the thrust lever a motion to the extent it is
desired to depress the clay or brick. In these arrangements, in which the
lever is moved by and connected to the rocking shaft, the thrust sustained by
it tends to raise the shaft out of its bearings, whilst the force exerted in
pressing up the plunger to form the brick or tile acts in an opposite direction,
and tends to force the shaft down upon its lower bearings, the two strains thus
acting against each other take nearly all strain off the bearings and framing,
leaving the strong rocking shaft, "thrust lever," and straight connecting rods
to sustain the whole strain or pressure. In some cases the thrust lever might
advantageously be made long enough to extend over the centre of the hollow
vertical shaft of the moulding table, in which case a connecting rod might
pass down from the lever through this shaft to an eccentric or cam'on the
rocking shaft below, which would thus actuate the lever to any desired extent
so as to sustain the pressure at the top of the mould or depress the brick from
the top. A vertical sliding block may in some cases be interposed between
the pressing plunger of the mould and the cam or eccentric for raising them,
and when it is employed it is either drawn down by the same, or by another
cam or eccentric fixed close to the former upon the rocking shaft for that
purpose. When the bricks or tiles are formed or compressed by raising the
plungers, the latter are held up (while the moulding table is turned one mould
at a time for the purpose of forming others and discharging the finished ones).
by a short fixed segmental plate below them, or by a catch attached to the
under side of the table near each mould, until they come round over a vertical,
reciprocating rod which is actuated by a long lever fixed on the rocking
shaft, and which pushes the pressing pistons or blocks to the very top of the
moulds and delivers the compressed brick out of the mould ready to be removed
by the attendants or otherwise. When the brick is raised out of the mould it
can be deposited gently from the top surface of the table on to a travelling band
by fixed or moveable light screen. The movement of the moulding table
is effected by the reverse action of the rocking shaft to that which formed and
discharged the brick either through a segmental toothed wheel which actuates
a reciprocating horizontal slide-by rack teeth on its under side, a pall on this slide
acting against the side of notches or projections formed on the periphery of
the moulding table, or instead of the segmental wheel and rack teeth, a
vertical lever on the rocking shaft with a connecting rod attached to it, and
the slide carrying the pall, would in some cases be preferable. As the table
turns round to bring the moulds towards the filling hopper, and carries the.

page_text: pressing pistons or sliding blocks off the top of the vertical rod which raised
them to the top of the moulds, they are brought down by their own weight,
and the reverse action of the same rod and lever which raised them to the
bottom of the mould where they rest on projecting strips of iron attached
beneath for their support.
Although this machine has only been described as "single acting" or
making and discharging bricks or tiles at one side or point of the moulding
table, it is to be understood that it can be made "double acting" by simply
lengthening the rocking shaft so as to carry it across to the opposite side of
the moulding table, and so make and discharge bricks or tiles on that side the
same as on the other by fitting a duplicate set or arrangement of the pressing
cam, "thrust lever," and discharging mechanism on that side of the table, as
before described in relation to the other.
The improvements under the second part or head of this Invention consist
in forming or piercing the sides and ends of the moulds used for making
bricks, "blocks," flue covers, and tiles out of partially pulverized clay or
materials (which contain much air in them) by great pressure, with many
small holes for the purpose of allowing the air to escape while the bricks.
and tiles are being compressed, and the injurious confinement of which in
the body of these, as at present manufactured, causes much bulging, dis-
figuration, and breakage in the after processes of drying and baking them.
One modification or means of practically carrying this into effect consists.
in forming the sides and ends of the moulds of thin metal, plates, by preference
of steel or "case-bardened" iron, these plates being pierced with vertical rows
of sinal lateral holes, each countersunk or bevelled off like a hollow cone on
the back, and left to a nearly fine edge on the face or polished sides of the
plates forming the inner surfaces or sides of the mould. Vertical grooves
are formed at the back of the rows of countersunk holes either in the thin
plates themselves or in the body of the solid metal of the mould before the
plates are inserted and fixed therein. The effect or action of this improved
construction of mould is, that while the clay or brick is being compressed
the air gets freely off, and any small particles of clay which enter the holes
with the air at once tumble out through the large countersunk parts and
vertical grooves at the back, assisted by the pressure of the escaping air and
the motion of the brick itself in making and discharging it, leaving the holes
quite free and open. In some cases it is also preferred to have loose plates
to form the top and bottom surfaces of the bricks and tiles, and to have them
pierced with fine holes largely countersunk towards the back. These plates
being discharged or removed with the bricks and tiles from the mould, and

page_text: having sets of them, these or fresh ones cleaned and dried could be inserted
or dropped automatically one at a time from a vertical filler supplied with
them into the moulds as they come round, the under one just before reaching
the filling hopper and the upper one just after leaving it the top of
upon
the clay. Projections, names, and devices could very judiciously be formed
on the portable soles or covers to the moulds for many purposes, and
as they are removed with the compressed bricks and tiles would easily be
detached from them by hand without injury to the device, which is not
accomplished by the present modes of manufacturing bricks and tiles by
self-acting compressing machines.
Another modification or construction of these improvements in such moulds
consists in forming the four vertical surfaces forming the sides and ends of
the moulds (and which form the sides and ends of the bricks and tiles) of a
solid portable box, by preference of cast steel or other strong homogeneous
metal, open at the top and bottom, and polished and case-hardened on its
inner sides or surfaces. The sides of these portable mould boxes are pierced
with vertical rows of small lateral holes countersunk from the outside (in
the same way as the four plates forming the sides of the mould were described
to be in the former modification), and afterwards well fitted into the moulding
tables or frames so as to withstand the pressure from the inside in forming
or compressing the bricks and tiles, and yet be capable of easy removal and
replacement for.cleaning and repairing the same, which in some constructions
of machines would be required more than others, as where the moulding
tables were placed vertically, which would not admit of the particles of clay
getting so freely away by the grooves for the purpose as when the table was
horizontal, as described in the modifications of machines under the first part.
or head of this Invention.!
Many other good modifications or ways of forming the moulds might be
adopted besides those herein-before described, but what the Inventor con-
siders new under this second part or head of this Invention, and therefor desires
secure, is the piercing of the inner surfaces of the mould for making bricks,
"blocks," flue covers, and tiles, with small holes opening out wide towards
the back, as by.countersinking them, for the free egress of the air contained
in the material or clay used, and any small particles of the said material
which may find its way into the holes in .compressing the same; and also
having portable soles and covers to the moulds pierced in a similar manner,
to the sides of the moulds and for a like purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Gillespie in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
March 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
GILLESPIE, of Garnkirk, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Manager
Garnkirk Fire-clay Company, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Gillespie, Her special licence that I, the. said James Gillespie, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Gillespie, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF BRICKS, BLOCKS, FLUE COVERS AND TILES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said James Gillespie, executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hand and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Gillespie, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention consists, firstly, in new and improved forms, arrange-
ments, or constructions of "semi-dry clay brick-making machines," or
machines for the manufacture of bricks, "blocks," flue covers, or tiles,
automatically by motive power, from fire-clay or other materials usually
employed for the making of such articles in a nearly dry state or with little
moisture contained therein, by great pressure or compression; and, secondly, in
new or improved methods of forming and constructing the moulds or shaping

page_text: "
boxes of the same, but which is also in part or as a whole equally applicable
to nearly all machines or other moulds now in use for making bricks,." blocks
flue covers, and tiles, by the compression of clay or other material used in a
partially pulverized state into moulds; which improvements under the first
part of this Invention I believe will when adopted be of great public benefit,
from the greater simplicity and a consequent cheapness in the first cost of
the improved machines compared to those now in use for the like purpose,
and that the adoption of those under the second part I believe will result in
great public benefit by the production of better formed bricks, "blocks,""
flue covers, and tiles, each more uniform and sound throughout the body,
with less expenditure of power or pressure in making them, and waste from
breakage in the firing or kiln-baking than heretofore.
And in order that my said Invention, and the best manner of performing
the same which I am present aware of, my be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures upon the Sheet of
Drawings which I have hereunto appended for that purpose; the same refer-
ence letters and numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts in all
the Figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a brick-making.
machine constructed in accordance with, illustrative of and embodying
one modification or adaptation of most of the improvements contained in
my said Invention; Figure 2 is a plan of the same machine corresponding to
Figure 1, with part of the framing on the top removed to show the working
parts beneath more clearly; and Figures 3, and 4, are respectively a transverse
vertical section taken on the line 1, 1, in Figure 1, and a transverse elavation
of the, driving end of the same machine corresponding to Figure 1; while
Figures 5 to 18 inclusive are details detached of the same machine, and
other modifications conneccted therewith, which will be herein-after more
fully referred to. In [this modification of my Invention shown in the said
Figures, A is the main vertical and top framing of the machine erected on
and secured to the strong sole or bed plate B, both being firmly screwed
down to a suitable foundation of masonry by long cottered and screw bolts
carry the fixed and working parts of the machine in a portable or self-con-
tained manner. The horizontal disc moulding table C is carried by the
hollow vertical shaft D in bearings formed in brackets attached to the main
frame A, and this table C has a ring or set of eight moulds E formed ver-
tically in it near its outer edge, numbered 1 to 8, in the position shown in
the plan, Figure 2. In some cases the shaft D may be solid, or otherwise the
the table C might be carried and revolve on a solid fixed stationery spindle

page_text: passing through a deep eye in the table or the hollow shaft D, as indicated
by the dotted lines at D'.
The main horizontal rocking shaft F, from which all the principal move-
ments or motions for compressing and discharging the bricks and turning the
table C are derived, and which constitutes one of the important new features
öf this my Invention, is carried in bearing blocks screwed to the sole plate B
in a nearly vertical line below the centre line or shaft of the moulding
table C, and derives its oscillatory motion by preference from an eccentric or
crank on any adjacent prime motion shaft, not shown in the Drawings, by the
strong connecting rod and crank; or lever G and G', at its overhanging free
end, as indicated by the dotted are G in Figure 4: But this oscillatory or
rocking motion of the shaft F and lever 'G' may also be obtained when desired
by attaching and working the connecting rod G to the piston of the reciprocatory
steam or water engine or cylinder, in place of to the eccentric or crank of a
prime mover, as before described. Immediately below the vertical centre
line of the mould box, marked in position E¹; a cam F¹ is keyed upon the
shaft F; which when the lever is reaching the lower part of its downward
motion or stroke raises the sliding block or bolster H fitted with an anti-
friction pulley on its lower end, which rolls on the surface of the cam Fas it
rises and falls in it's vertical slide or guide bracket H¹ bolted to one of the
cross rails of the main frame A. Each mould E is fitted with a pressing
block or plunger E", which as they come round to this position marked E¹
over the sliding block H are raised by it and the cam F', as above stated, 'so
as to compress the clay from the under side of the mould, whilst the down-
ward action of the sliding and pressing block H is 'caused by its own weight
and that of the 'cam or tapet H at the reverse or upward stroke of the lever
and shaft G¹ and F coming in contact with the inclined projection or surface H³
of the sliding bow attached to it for that purpose. The pressure of the clay
from the upper side of the mould is effected by the strong horizontal thrust
beam or levér I, carried or jointed to the strong bracket 1', in a vertical linė
or position over the main shaft F; the bracket I' to which the lever I is
fulcrumed by a pin passing through. both, is strongly bolted down to the top
of one of the standards of the main frame, and by the two strong bolts I*,
which pass down through the stone foundation, and is further secured-and
stayed over the top by the longitudinal rail or bracket A¹ of the main frame
carrying the upper bearing of the shaft D of the moulding table. To the
front end of the beam I, over the mould E¹, in which the brick is being
formed, there is jointed by two links the sliding 'top pressing block or bolster J;
working vertically in the slide or guide bracket J', bolted at the top to the

page_text: cross rail of the main frame. Between the top of the clay or brick being
formed and the bolster J a flat metal plate J' is firmly secured in a portable
manner by screw bolts, or otherwise; but in some cases this plate may have
devices formed on it, and have a portion of it formed like a plunger, so as to
enter any desired distance into the mould. The beam I is forced up at its
rear end, so as to press down the clay from the top of the mould by the
downward action of the front end through the link or connecting rod K and
cam F, by the downward stroke of the rocking shaft and lever F and G',
much in the same way as the sliding block H was described as being raised,
except that it is preferred to have the cam F' somewhat in advance of the
cam F, so as the force and motion through the beam will have nearly com-
pleted the pressure of the clay on the top side of the mould before or about
the time the force and motion exerted through the cam F¹ and bolster H has
begun to press the clay from the under side of the mould. The lower end of
the pressing link or connecting rod K is guided vertically in guides or
slides K', and is fitted with an antifriction pulley, which rolls over the surface
of the cam F, and it and the back end of the beam I are brought or pulled
down by their superior weight over that of the front end of the beam by the
upward or reverse oscillation of the shaft F and lever G¹, and the tapet or
cam K acting on the inclined cam surface of the sliding bow or link K³,
attached to the rod K for that purpose. In place of having the fulcrum of
the beam I fixed, and the strain sustained by the main framing and thurst'
block I, the front end of the beam I might be pulled down by two strong
links or rods, 'one on each side of the beam and shaft F, attached to its
fulcrum or fulcrum block, worked in guides, and attached at the bottom by a
thurst block or cross head below the shaft, fitted with an antifriction pulley
through a cam on 'the main shaft acting on the antifriction pulley for that
purpose; in this case it would be preferable to have the breaing plummer
block B on the different side of the cam F¹ to that shown in Figure 1, or in
the centre, between it and the cam, to be used for pulling down the front end
of the beam I, so that the strain on the shaft and bearings of the plummer
blocks in a downward direction on.the one side in pressing the brick from the
under side would be counterbalanced by the pressure and strain on them in
an upward direction on the other side in pressing the brick on the top side
through the front end of the beam and links, as described; in this case the
friction on the bearings and the greater part of the strain would be sustained
by the beam Land shaft F, transmitted through the said 'links, and the beam
might or might not be pushed up at the back end by the cam F, as shown in
the Drawings, as desired; or in some cases the front end of the beam I might
.

page_text: be made long enough to reach over to the hollow shaft D, and a link made
to pass down through it to a cam on the shaft F below, so as to pull down the
lever to any desired extent, and give the top pressure or depression on the
top side for forming the bricks. The ground granulated clay moistened by a
small regulated quantity of water or steam is fed by preference into the mould
in the position E, so as to fill the mould by a fixed hopper over it, or over a
moveable filling box adjacent thereto, all much in the usual manner in such
machines, and therefore not shown in the Drawings; the motion of the filling
box when such is used takes place while the moulding table C is standing
still for the compression of one brick, and the discharge of a compressed
brick at the moulds respectively marked in the position E and E³, and while
the crank is performing the latter part of its downward stroke, and the
quantity of prepared clay filled into the moulds is regulated by raising the
piston E at E' in them at this part by the plate L as they come round in
the direction of the arrow, and it is inclined at the fore part so as to catch
and raise them, and it can be set and fixed to the rail A² of the framing at
the required height for this purpose.
Another mode of raising the piston E" so as to regulate the depth of the
mould to be filled at this part by a positive action from the main shaft F, is
shown in the detailed end view Figure 5, in which the cam F3 on the main
shaft, acting on the pendent arm of the bell-crank lever L, raises the hori-
zontal arm and flat T-headed rod L jointed to it and working vertically in
a guide attached to the rail A³, so as to raise the piston at the same time
that a lever motion, not shown in the Drawings, is made to move forward
the filling box over the mould by the cam F* on the main shaft; or the box
may be also worked simultaneously with the rising of the piston from a
crank or eccentric on the prime motion shaft, actuating the connecting rod
G of the machine, shown as broken away in Figure 3, or by a lighter local
shaft driven by it at the same velocity. The compressed brick is carried
round by preference with the piston E" resting on the segmental plate M, by
the turning of the moulding table to the position E³, where it is discharged
from the mould while the table is stationery and the crank G¹ is performing
the latter part of its downward stroke by the long lever N keyed on the
shaft F, the point or free end of which takes into a notch formed in the
lower part of the vertical sliding rod N¹, so as to raise it, and the pressing
piston E", brought round over and resting on its flat T-headed piece formed
at the top of the rod for that purpose, until the top of the piston E is on
a level with the top of the moulding table, as shown in the position E³ in
Figures 1 and 3, with the completed brick, and the top and bottom plates

page_text: for drawing of the air from the clay and forming pannels, names, or devices
on the upper and lower sides of the brick, all above the moulding table ready
for removal by the attendant, or by a fixed and moveable screens sometimes
used for this purpose in brick-making machines. The rod N¹ works at the
top in the guide N2, attached to the segmental plate M, supported by the
cross rail A³ of the main frame, and is guided at the bottom by the antifriction
flanged roller N³, carried in a bracket bolted to the sole plate B. The guide
piece N also carries the weight of the rod N when it has been brought back
to its lowest position by the first part of the reverse or upward stroke of the
crank G', which leaves the flat T-head of the rod resting on the guide N³.
When these several operations of filling, pressing, and discharging have been
completed, as described, at the moulds in the positions E', E', and E³, by the
downward action of the crank G', the moulding table C is turned round in
the direction of the arrows to the distance of one mould, so as to bring the
next adjacent moulds into these positions, at the latter part of the upward
stroke of the crank C', by means of the segmental rack wheel O, keyed on
the shaft F, working into the teeth on the under side of the rack O', carried
and sliding on a guide bolted to the standard A* of the main framing, and by
the strong spring pall P hinged to the rear end of the rack O', which takes into
the notches C¹ formed in the edge or periphery of the table C for that purpose,
and which completes an up-and-down motion of the rocking lever and shaft
G and F, thus bringing and leaving a new set of moulds to be operated
upon while the table is at rest and the shaft and lever are making their next
downward stroke, all as above described, every double or down-and-up
stroke or movement of the main rocking lever and shaft. In place of
using the segmental wheel O and toothed rack for turning the table a simple
lever may be employed, jointed at its free end to the sliding bar O', carrying
the pall P, either by a horizontal link or by a pin or bush working in a
vertical slit or slide in the bar O', which would allow of the raidial action of
the lever, or otherwise the pin might be on the
slit or slide made in the free end of the lever O.
bar and the compensating
The improvements under the second part or head of this my said Invention
consists in forming or piercing the sides or ends of the moulds used for making
bricks, blocks, flue covers, and tiles out of partially pulverized clay or
materials (which contain much air in them) by great pressure, with many
small holes for the purpose of allowing the air to escape while the bricks and
tiles are being compressed, and the injurious confinement of which in the body
of these, as at present manufactured, causes much bulging, disfiguration, and
breakage in the after processes of drying and baking them.

page_text: The moulds in this machine, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, are constructed
in accordance with and are illustrative of one modification or means of
practically carrying out the improvements under the second part or head of
this my said Invention; and they are shown more particularly in the several
large sectional and detailed views, Figures 6 to 18 inclusive.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a transverse and longituninal vertical
section of the mould, as shown at E', in Figures 1, 2, and 3, to a larger scale
showing the brick as fully compressed therein; Figures 8 and 9 are respec-
tively a vertical and horizontal section of a portion of an empty mould so as
to show the construction of its sides, and Figure 10 is a back view of one of
the side plates of the mould as detached; Figures 11 and 12, are respectively
a front and back view of the perforated plates detached, for forming the upper
and lower sides of the brick, as shown in the other views, Figures 1, 3, 6,
and 7; Figures 13 and 14 are transverse sections of compressed bricks with
their top and bottom plates for forming and drawing of the air from the upper
and lower sides of the bricks of a slightly different form or modifications from
that shown in the other Figures before named; and Figures 15 and 16, are
plans of bricks corresponding to Figures 18 and 14; Figures 17 and 18 are
respectively a longitudinal and horizontal section of a mould constructed in a
somewhat different manner to that shown in the former Figures.
"The sides and ends of the mould E, are formed of thin metal plates a, by
preference of steel or case hardened iron, pierced with vertic row of small
lateral holes a¹, countersunk or beveled out to a large size at the back, by
preference in the form of a hollow cone, but having a fine edge on the polished
sides of the plates forming the inner sides or surfaces of the moulds; behind
these rows of countersunk holes, vertical grooves or slots are formed all
round in the solid metal of the moulds or table E, and also through the strips
of metal c on the under sides of the moulds for holding up.the pressing pistons
E, when at the bottom of the moulds; and the thin plates a are either
screwed or riveted to the ridges between the groves b, which strengthen them
so as to sustain the pressure of forming the bricks within the moulds. The
effect or action of this improved construction of mould is that while the
granulated clay 'is being compressed, and the whole mass or brick g is getting
moved down and up by the different pressures brought on, and which will be
herein-after more fully explained, the air gets more freely off by the small holes
a, and any small particles of clay which enter the holes at once tumbles out
through the countersunk part, and the grooves b behind assisted by the
escaping air, which thus leaves or keeps the holes quite free and open. Top
and bottom plates & are also employed numeriously pierced with small-holes in

page_text: front, and largely countersunk on the back (Figures 11 and 12,) for carrying
off the air from the centre portion through the upper and lower surface of the
granulated clay or brick g while in the act of being compressed; and as these
plates & are by preference formed with projections on their faces which form
the upper and lower sides of the bricks g enter first, so as to form pannels or
indentations into the centre part or body of the clay where the air is apt to be
confined, the pressure of forming the brick g forces the air off through the small
holes a' into the hollow portion of the plate d, and allows it to escape through
the slots or spaces formed at d¹, in the back and side edges of the plates d, and
out at the vertical sides of the pressing piston E", and top pressing block e, to
the latter of which the top perforated plate d is by preference attached, and
although these plates d and d, e, are here shown as lose and detached
from the lower and upper pressing pistons or block E" and Ja of the machine,
yet they may also in some cases be judiciously attached thereto. At Figures
13 and 14 is shown a modification of the plates d with hollow conical prongs
or stems f, pierced with fine lateral holes, and as the stems project into the
deepest part of the brick g they recieve or draw off the air from it through
the small holes into the cone and hollow part of the back of the plate d, and
out at the side slits d', as in the former modification, while the brick is being
compressed.
Figures 15 and 16 show horizontal views of two bricks g and g', constructed
with these latter plates d, with the perforated hollow stems, with angular and
square sunk pannels respectively.
The action of the machine in using these lower and upper plates d and d, e,
for carrying off the air from the granulated clay and brick g is as follows:
They are kept in extra sets, and as they are discharged and taken away along
with the finished brick at the position Es (Figure 2), as before described, the
pressing piston E descends to the bottom of the mould by their own weight;
as the discharging rod N¹ is brought down by the lever N, and the moulding
table C carries them in succession past this point of the top of the T-head
of the rod N. When at the position E' or E³, a cleaned and dried bottom
plate d is dropted into the bottom of the moulds by hand, or automatically
from a small filler supplied with them in readiness over the mould, and as a
pressing piston E passes the position E6 below the filling box, it is raised
by the plate L, Figure 1, or bell-crank lever and sliding rod L and L²;
Figure 5, so as to measure the proper quantity of clay into the mould for the
particular thickness of brick or tile being. made, and when it has passed this
point by the turning of the table to the position E, the piston E" and clay are
allowed to fall by their own weight about an inch or so, and into the space

page_text: thus left at the top of the mould, one of the top plates and pressing
blocks d, e, is inserted upon the clay, so as to project some distance above the
moulding table C, at the same time the lower pressing piston E" is resting
on the lowest part of the strong inclined plane segmental plate Q, supported
by the cross rail A³ of the main frame, and by standards from the sole plate B.
At a little distance above the moulding table C, and over the inclined plate Q
below it, extended from the position E' to E¹, is placed the strong plate R,
firmly bolted to and held down by the upper part of the main frame, having
an inclined segmental surface on its under side, so that as the table is turned
round the lower piston and plate E" and d of the mould E, are gradually
pressed up by the inclined surface Q, and the top pressing block and plate e
and d are to some extent pressed down by the inclined surface on the under
side of the plate R. This slow and gradual pressure and stopage under it
at the position Es, causes the air to escape through the perforated plates a
and d on all sides of the mould, and as the mould comes near the end of the
inclined surfaces the top block e gets clear of the plate R, and the lower
piston E, partially compressed clay g, and upper pressure e, are all wholly
raised in the mould as they come under the pressing bolster and plate J, J,
and over the pressing bolster or slide H, when, as before mentioned, the cam F
being being in advance of the cam F¹, it causes the fore end of the beam 1 to
give all the top of the compression by forcing the pressure e down flush with the
top of the moulding table C, about the time the pressure on the under side
begins, which giving and relaxing of the various pressures and motions of the
brick in the mould while being compressed is found to materially assist in
expelling the air contained in the mass of granulated clay, and produces more
perfect and uniform bricks than heretofore. Although in this machine
the rocking shaft is by preference placed below the moulding table and
the pressing beam above it, yet these might be reversed, and still retain
the essential improvements, under the first head of this my Invention, of pro-
ducing or deriving all the principal motions of such brick-making machines
from a single rocking shaft and beam for pressing the bricks, blocks, flue
covers, and tiles from both sides of the mould. In place of the moulding
tables being made, as shown, with only eight moulds or divisions, as described,
they might in some cases be made larger, and have a greater number of
moulds or recesses formed in them, and, if desired, the machine made double-
acting, that is, to compress and discharge bricks at the opposite sides of the
moulding table by lengthening the rocking shaft, and adding another pressing
beam and set of cams and discharging mechanism on the other side of the
machines; and in place of making the moulds or recesses in the table the size

page_text: of a brick, as shown, they might be made large, so as to make blocks,
flue covers, and tiles of various sizes by having portable moulds of the desired
sizes inside, but all made outside so as to properly fit the recesses formed in
the moulding table.
:
Another mode of constructing the moulds in accordance with the improve-
ments under the second head of my said Invention is shown in Figures.17
and 18, and consists in making the four vertical sides for forming the sides
and ends of the bricks, blocks, flue covers, and tiles of a solid portable
box a, by preference, of cast steel, or other strong homogeneous metal open
at top and botton, pierced from the outside with vertical rows of small holes
largely countersunk, in the same manner as described in reference to the
seperate side plates a of the former modification; this solid box as being case-
hardened and polished on its four inner surfaces, is carefully fitted and inserted
tight into a portable moulding box or frame h, or, when desired, into the
recess formed in the moulding table C itself, such frames h being, made
with slots.b behind the rows of holes, as in the former modification described;
and is fitted to come out of and into the body of any of the moulding tables
used in such machines in a portable manner for the substition of others of
different sizes.
Although these improvements, under the second head of this my said
Invention have almost exclusively been described and shown as applied to
the particular brick-making machines herein described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings, yet still it will be evident to the practical brick
manufacturer that these improvements in the constructing of moulds for
carrying off the air from the clay or bricks while in the act of being compressed
are also applicable to the moulds of nearly all machines or presses used for
the compression of bricks, blocks, flue covers, and tiles from granulated
clays, whether these machines are worked by hand or motive power.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be performed, I may state that I do not restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have bad occasion to
describe and delineate, as many variations may be made therefrom without
departing from the main or essential features of my said Invention, neither do
I claim the form or arrangements of many of the working and other parts of
brick-making machines, by themselves, which I have thought it necessary to
delineate and refer to, for the purpose of making my Invention properly
understood, except in combination with the new or improved parts forming
the essential features of my Invention; but what I consider to be novel and

page_text: original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of brick-making machines,
substantially in the improved manner herein described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings, or any mere modifications thereof.
Second, the arrangement and construction of machines for the manufacture
of bricks, blocks, flue covers, and tiles from fire-clay or other materials
usually employed for that purpose in a semi-dry, pulverized, or granulated
state by compression from the upper and lower side of the moulds by a
longitudinal rocking shaft and oscillating beam, and from which all the other
principal movements necessary in such machines are derived, substantially in
the improved manner herein described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Third, the arrangement and construction of the moulds in which bricks,
blocks, flue.covers, and tiles are made from semi-dry or granulated clay by
piercing their inner sides or surfaces with very small holes opening out wide
towards the back for the free egress of the air contained in the clay while it
is being pressed or any small particles thereof which might find their way
into the holes, and also the construction and use of plates for carrying off the
air from the clay, and for forming the upper and lower sides of the article
being formed in such moulds with numerous small holes opening out very
wide on the back, all substantially in the improved manner herein described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Gillespie, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness,
W. R. M. THOMSON,
Patent Agent,
JAMES GILLESPIE. (L.S.)
20, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow.