Improvements in Sectional Molds for Building and Paving Blocks.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sectional Molds for Building and Paving Blocks.
I, GEORGE MAXWELL GRAHAM, of No. 169 Jackson Street, Chicago, Cook
County, State of Illinois, United States of America, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement: -
This invention relates to that type of sectional molds for concrete or like plastic
materials, that are adapted to unfold after the molding or compressing operation, to
admit of the ready removal of the molded articles.
The object of the present improvement being to afford a simple, durable and
convenient sectional mold formation for use in the manufacture of building or
paving blocks, and in which are embodied the features of a simple and accurate
holding of the mold sections or walls in proper position during the compressing
operation, an automatic folding apart of said mold sections or walls, after the
compressing operation, to admit of the ready and convenient removal of the
finished block, and an automatic folding together of the same, after the finished
block is removed, and prior to the refilling of the mold for a subsequent compressing
operation.
I attain such objects by the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated
in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1, is a vertical sectional elevation illustrating my improved sectional
mold formation, and its connections; in a position prior to a compressing
operation;
Figure 2, a similar view of the parts in position after the final compression of the
block;
Figure 3, a similar view illustrating the same in an unfolded condition to admit of
the removal of the finished or compressed block; and
Figure 4, a horizontal section at line x-x.
Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts in the different views.
My present improvement is more especially adapted for use in connection with
that type of presses in which a series of molds are carried upon a rotary table, that
is intermittently operated to bring the molds, successively under the charger or
filler, then to the compressing plungers, and finally to the discharging table or
point for the finished block. I do not however, limit my present invention to such
special application, and it may be used with but little if any modification, in con-
nection with a press having a reciprocating or other form of movable mold without
departing from the spirit of my present invention.
Referring to the drawings, 1, represents a rotary mold table, and 2, the mold
housing forming a part thereof or separately secured thereto, and having an
upwardly flaring cavity to receive the tapering outer surface of the sectional mold
proper, which in the construction shown in the drawing consists of a lower
rectangular frame portion 3, to which the four independent side pieces or walls 4 of
the mold, are hinged at their lower ends by suitable hinges or joints 5, so as to
swing outwardly, as shown.
The tapering formation above described is formed upon the outer surface of these
mold wall sections, 4, so that they will tend to wedge within the flaring cavity of the
one piece mold housing 2, so as to assume and retain against pressure, the required
form of mold cavity.
At their upper ends the mold wall sections 4, are provided with flanges or rims 6,
that limit their descent in the mold housing 2.
7, is the upper mold plunger and 8 the lower mold plunger to which reciprocating
motion to compress the charge of material in the mold cavity, is imparted by any

page_text: usual and suitable mechanism. The lower mold plunger 2, in the present invention,
is capable of a limited independent movement with relation to the mold proper by
means of its top and bottom flanges 9 and 10, and the inturned flanges 11, on the
lower mold frame 3, as shown, such independent motion being equal to the amount
of travel of the lower plunger in effecting a compression of the lower part of
the charge within the mold, and such amount of travel will take place wholly
within the mold frame 3, as shown. Other well known equivalent means may be
substituted for the above described flanges to limit the independent movement
of the lower mold plunger without departing from the spirit of this part of my
invention.
In the present invention the subsequent motion of the lower mold plunger 8, will
carry with it the mold proper 3, 4, up out of the stationary mold housing 2, so that
the sectional walls 4, will be capable of swinging apart leaving the compressed
block wholly supported by the lower mold plunger, either directly, or through an
interposed palette 12, in a condition ready for easy and convenient removal.
In the practical carrying out of my invention, it is immaterial whether the
mold housing 2, remains stationary while the mold proper 3, 4, moves vertically.
as heretofore described and as illustrated in the drawings, or whether the mold
plunger remains stationary while the mold housing 2, is moved vertically from
engagement therewith, the same results' accruing from either mode of operation.
The space in the mold in which the upper mold plunger 7 has movement is
left plane, and may he provided with wear plates 13 if so desired, and the lower
frame 3 may be similarly provided if so desired. The space in the mold between
the limit of inward travel of the mold plungers 7 and 8, is provided with removable
liners or sections 14, the face of which is formed of any required configuration,
so as to produce the desired form of block, the liners being ribbed or tongued on
their backs so as to afford a firm and convenient means for securing them to their
respective mold sections or walls 4.
The vertical joints at the corners of the sectional mold may be of any ordinary
or usual form, preferably the bevelled form illustrated in Figure 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ·
1. The combination of the mold housing 2, the lower mold. frame 3, and the
vertical walls or sections 4 pivoted thereto and provided with flanges or rims 6
at their upper ends, as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The combination of the mold housing 2, the lower mold frame 3, and the
vertical walls or sections 4 pivoted thereto and provided with flanges or rims 6,
and removable facings or linings 14, as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination of the mold housing 2, the lower mold frame 3 and the
vertical walls or sections 4 pivoted thereto and provided with flanges or rims 6,
removable facings or linings 14, and wear plates 13, as and for the purpose set
forth.
4. The combination of the mold housings 2, vertical walls or sections 4, and the
lower mold frame 3 connected to the sections 4 by hinges or pivots, with the
lower mold plunger and means for confining or limiting its vertical movement
independent of the mold, substantially as herein described.
5. The combination of the mold housing 2, vertical walls or sections 4, and the
lower mold frame 3 connected to the sections 4 by hinges or pivots, and provided
with inturned flange 11, with the lower mold plunger 8 provided with top and
bottom flanges 9 and 10, as described and for the purpose set forth.
Dated thio Olot der of Merch 1902
R. HADDAN,
Herbert Haddan & Co., 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, Loudon,
Agent for Applicant.