Improvements in the Construction of Machines for Pressing Bricks and other Substances.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1894-Accepted, 7th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Machines for Pressing Bricks
and other Substances.
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 chiefly to machines for pressing clay or other substances in
their dry or semi-dry state and is especially adapted to the manufacture of bricks or
other blocks requiring a considerable amount of pressure, in order to cause the
particles to adhere to each other.
In order to carry out the object of my invention, I construct two side frames and
place them parallel to each other, and between the said frames I fix a table at a
suitable height from the ground, containing the mould or moulds in which the
material is pressed into bricks or other blocks. Above the mould table I place a
strong beam or press-head, (hereinafter called the top press-head) fitted to slide
easily between guides in the frames. To the top press-head I fix the top plungers,
made accurately to fit the moulds in the table. Below the mould table I also place
a beam or press-head (hereinafter called the bottom press-head) supported by a
strong vertical rod situated on each side of the frame, and provided with an
elongated slot to receive the ends of the bottom press-head. The vertical rods are
also provided with slides to guide them in the frames for vertical movement.
the bottom press-head I fix the bottom plungers, which form the bottom of the
moulds in the table.
To
The top and bottom press-heads have a vertical movement toward each other,
imparted to them by means of a strong toggle. The top arm of the said toggle is
mounted on a strong pin passing through the top ends of the vertical rods, and
occupies the whole space between the vertical rods." The bottom arm of the toggle
at its lowest point, is connected to the top press-head and both toggles are connected
together by a central pin which also forms a bearing for an horizontal connecting
rod actuated by a crank on the main driving shaft of the machine.
The action of the crank and connecting rod imparts a reciprocating motion to
the toggle which in turn imparts a downward vertical motion to the top press-head,
due to its connection with the bottom part of the toggle. The downward move-
ment of the top press-head continues until the plungers come in contact with the
material in the moulds, but as soon as pressure is brought to bear on the
material, the bottom press-head due to its connection with the vertical rods, and by
the vertical rods being in connection with the top part of the toggle, imparts an
upward vertical motion to the bottom press-head and plungers and presses the
material from the bottom. As the toggle approaches a straight vertical line, the
top and bottom plungers continue to approach each other thereby compressing
the material between them, both at the top and bottom sides of the mould or
otherwise they press the material to a uniform density throughout.
The material is fed into the machine through a suitable hopper between the
frames and communicating with a travelling feed box which moves from underneath
the hopper to a position directly over the moulds.
This motion is obtained by means of a cam bolted on to the main driving whee!.
The said cam consists of a plate with a deep groove into which is fitted a runner,
carried by a lever or arm fixed to an horizontal cross shaft. To the said shaft is
also fixed other two levers or arms one on each side, and connected at their bottom
ends to connecting rods attached to each side of the feed box. As the cam
revolves it imparts a given travel to the feed box. By making the cam of suitable

page_text: shape the feed box is made to move backward and forward, and if required to dwell
a certain time at each end of its stroke, both over the moulds and under the feed
box. The said feed box is timed to reach the inside edge of the moulds as the top
plungers reach their topmost position, and whilst the plungers are in this position,
it passes over them at the same time pushing the delivered brick forward to the
front of the table. The feed box remains in its position over the moulds until
the plungers as hereinafter described reach their bottom position. This enables
the material held in the feed box being delivered in the mould. The feed box
consists of a rectangular bottomless box, the bottom of the box being formed by
the table on which it slides. After the bricks have been pressed in the mould due
to the approaching of the top and bottom plungers. The whole of the parts forming
the press and consisting of the top and bottom press-heads and plungers, vertical rods
and toggle are lifted bodily up until the bottom plungers reach the level of the
table top. To effect this I fix two heavy levers on a rocking shaft, and place the
said shaft in bearings between the frames. One of the levers is provided at the
back end with a large runner placed in contact with a cam fixed on the main driving
shaft and both levers are connected at their front ends to the vertical rods. As
the cam revolves it actuates the lever carrying the runner which in turn actuates
the cross shaft giving a simultaneous rocking motion to both levers. The runner is
suitably mounted on a stud in the lever provided with wearing or renewable rings,
and the rocking shaft is placed on suitable adjustable bearings. The bearings are
made to project from the inside of the frame, and the cross shaft is made shorter
than the distance between the frames, so that on the shaft being lifted out it can
be withdrawn bodily without removing any of the levers. The front end of the
levers are forked and provided with a sliding die fitted with renewable rings and
mounted on studs projecting out from the vertical rods. Opposite the bearing for
the rocking shaft holes are made in the frames for the purpose of inserting adjustable
packings, under the said bearings when required.
The lowering of the parts forming the press until the bottom plungers have
reached their lowest position is effected by the cam actuating the lifting levers
being shaped at a convenient part of its periphery to allow the runner in contact
with the cam being raised and the front end of the lifting levers being lowered until
the press reaches its lowest position.
In raising the brick in the mould to its topmost position after being pressed, I
consider it is of great importance that the pressure due to the weight of the top
press-head and plungers, should be allowed to remain on the brick until its top edge
is raised in the mould within say "from the top of the mould. In order to obtain
this result I set the cam actuating the lifting levers in a position for commencing
to lift the parts forming the press, before the last pressure due to the back
stroke of the toggle has been given, and by the time the said pressure has been
given, the brick has been raised to the position above stated. At this point
the toggle passes the straight line it occupies when giving the full pressure,
and at once begins to withdraw the top press-head, from the top surface of
the brick, which continues to rise until it reaches its topmost position ready for
being removed by the incoming feed box. In order to ensure a given quantity of
material for the size of the brick required, being fed into the moulds, the bottom
plungers are made adjustable independent of the bottom press-head. This is
obtained by constructing the said plungers with a long slot, through which a
rectangular or other shaped bar is passed with the ends turned down to receive the
die. This bar is carried on levers which are fixed on to a cross shaft, and are
forked at the ends to receive the dies on the ends of the bar. In the centre of the
shaft and between the two levers another lever is fixed with a forked end carrying a
nut into which is screwed a vertical spindle carried by a bracket and hand wheel for
adjusting purposes. The cross shaft carrying the levers is made shorter than the
distance between the frames, and brackets are let on to each end of the shaft which
fit on to facings projecting inside the trames and to which facings the brackets
carrying the shaft are bolted. This enables the shaft and levers to be removed

page_text: without disturbing any other part of the machine. The bottom plungers rest in
suitable cushions or springs, to prevent any pressure being put on the adjustable
parts of the apparatus. As soon as pressure is put on the plungers give way on
their cushions or springs until they come in contact with the bottom press-head,
which is directly under the bottom plungers, and therefore the pressure is taken on
the bottom press-head thereby relieving the rectangular cross bar and other adjust-
able parts. The slot is made sufficiently long in the bottom plunger to allow the
bottom press-head to be lifted until the plungers reach the top of the mould.
The main frames of the machine are constructed for easy access to all working
parts. The front part of the said frames are fitted with removable bars, to which
adjust-screws are fitted for adjusting the slides appertaining to the vertical rods and
the top press-head. Both the vertical rods and the top press-head are provided
with an independent adjusting slide for taking up the wear, and by removing the
bars in front of the frames the slides can be taken out, and also the vertical lifting
rods without disturbing the main frames of the machine. The heating of the top
plungers is effected by constructing a hollow chamber in the top press-head, and holes
from this chamber are made corresponding to one or more holes in the top plungers.
The chamber in the top press-head communicates at one side with the steam supply
and at the other with an exhaust pipe. The top plungers are made hollow down to
the plunger plate, so as to admit sufficient steam and contain sufficient heating
surface to keep the plunger plates at the required heat. The heating of the
plungers is effected either by making the plunger plate bollow or by providing
hollow plungers which communicate with a suitable steam service for providing the
necessary heat. The machine is driven by strong gearing, worked either from a
pulley shaft or driven direct from the engine. The pulley for driving the machine
is provided with a suitable & powerful toggle clutch and a powerful brake,
consisting of a drum provided with a wrot iron strap connected to the frame at one
end & to a hand lever at the other. The lever being placed in a convenient position
for being manipulated, by the attendant working the machine.
In order to be able to make bricks of different thicknesses I allow the slots in
the frame of sufficient length to allow for adjustable packing being placed under
the bottom press-head, so that the distance between the bottom press-head and the
bottom plunger, may be made to suit the lift required by the said plungers.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1893.
WILLIAM JOHNSON,
Applicant.
Improvements in the Construction of Machines for Pressing Bricks
and other Substances.
1, 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 chiefly to machines for pressing clay and other
substances in their dry or semi-dry state, and is especially adapted to the
manufacture of bricks or other blocks requiring a considerable amount of pressure,
in order to cause the particles to adhere to each other.
In order to more fully describe my invention reference is made to the accompany-
ing drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and section through the centre of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a general plan of the machine.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the plunger adjusting arrangement.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the adjusting lever and spring.

page_text: Fig. 5 is a side view of the machine shewing the combination of clutch and
brake arrangement.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of the bottom part of the vertical rods and bottom
press-head.
Fig. 7 is a side view of the connecting rod shewing the modification in the
bearing.
In order to carry out the object of my invention I construct two side
frames (A, A) and place them parallel to each other, and between the said frames
I fix a table (B, B) made in sections at a suitable height from the ground, the
central part containing the mould or moulds (C) in which the material is pressed
into bricks or other blocks. Above the mould table I place a strong beam or
press-head (D) hereinafter called the top press-head, fitted to slide easily between
the guides (E) in the frames. To the top press-head I fix the top plungers (F)
made accurately to fit the moulds in the table. Below the mould table I also place
a beam or press-head (G) (hereinafter called the bottom press-head) supported by
strong vertical rods (H, H) situated on each side of the frame and provided with
an elongated slot (1) Fig. 6, to receive the ends of the bottom press-head. The
vertical rods are also provided with slides (¹) to guide them in the frames for
vertical movement. The bottom plungers (J) rest on the bottom press-head
during the time the brick is pressed, but are also supported from an independent
source as hereinafter described.
The top and bottom press-heads have a vertical movement toward each other
imparted to them by means of the strong toggles (K & L). The top arm (K) of
the toggle is mounted on a strong pin (M) passing through the top ends of the
vertical rods, (H,H), and occupies the whole space between the vertical rods.
The bottom arm (L) of the toggle at its lowest point is connected to the top press-
head by means of the pin (N) and both arms of the toggle are connected together
by a central pin (O) which also forms a bearing for the horizontal connecting
rod (P) actuated by a crank (Q) on the main driving shaft of the machine. The
action of the crank and connecting rod imparts a reciprocating motion to the toggle
which in turn imparts a downward vertical motion to the top press-head, due to its
connection with the bottom part of the toggle. The downward movement of the
top press-head continues until the top plungers come in contact with the material
in the moulds but as soon as pressure is brought to bear on the material the bottom
press-head, due to its connection with the vertical rods, and by the vertical rods
being in connection with the top part of the toggle, imparts an upward vertical
motion to the bottom press-head and plungers, and presses the material from the
bottom. As the toggle approaches a straight vertical line, the top and bottom
plungers continue to approach each other aud press the material between them
uniformly at the top and bottom of the mould making the brick of equal density
throughout.
The material is fed into the machine through a suitable hopper (R) Figs. 1 & 2,
placed between the frames and communicating with a travelling feed box (S) which
is actuated by the cams (T, T) one bolted on the main driving wheel (U) and the
other keyed on to the opposite end of the crank shaft (Q). The cams (T, T)
consist of a plate with a deep groove, into which is fitted a runner (V) carried by
a stud (W) fixed to a lever (X) on the horizontal shaft (Y). To the shaft (Y)
there are also fixed the levers (Z, Z) connected at their bottom ends to the
connecting rods (A', A') the said rods being connected at their front ends to the
feed box (S) by means of the bolts (C¹, C¹).
As the cams (T, T) revolve they impart through their connections a given travel
to the feed box (S). By constructing the said cams to a suitable shape, the feed
box is made to move forward and backward, or dwell a certain time at any
convenient point of its travel. The cams (T, T) are set relatively with the other
moving parts of the press to reach the inner edge of the moulds C at the same time
as the bottom plungers (J) reach their topmost position and deliver the brick on a
level with the table.

page_text: The top and bottom plungers, pressing heads, toggles, and vertical rods forming
the press proper, nove vertically between the frames independent of the action
imparted by the crank to the toggle. To effect this lifting movement I fix two
strong levers (D', D¹) on a rocking shaft (E') and place the said shaft in the
adjustable bearings (G', G') between the main frames. The levers (D¹, D¹) are
both provided at the back end with the large runners (H', H¹) mounted on the
studs (I', I') which are provided with the antifriction rings (J', J¹). The large
runners (H', H¹) are placed in contact with the cams (K', K¹) keyed on to the
crank shaft and so shaped as to give the required movement to the levers (D', D¹).
The front end of the levers (D', D¹) are forked and provided with the sliding
dies (L', L) fitted with renewable rings (M, M) and mounted on the studs (N', N¹)
projecting out from the vertical rods (H, H). The cams (K1, K¹) being in contact
with the runners (H', H¹) when revolving with the crank shaft, depress the back
ends of the levers (D', D¹) during a given portion of their revolution, and there-
fore raise the front ends which are connected with the vertical rods (H, H) and
impart to them and their connections an upward vertical movement between the
frames. The cams (K', K¹) are formed so as to raise the vertical rods to their top
position and also lower them to their lowest position during one revolution. The
weight of the vertical rods suspended from the front end of the levers always keeps
the runners (H', H') in contact with the cams (K', K¹).
In order to ensure a given quantity of material for the size of the brick required
being fed into the inoulds the bottom plungers are made adjustable independent of
the bottom press-head (G). To provide for this adjustment the bottom plungers
are constructed with an elongated slot (01) made suitable to receive a rectangular
adjusting bar (P¹) Figs. 1, 3, & 4, which passes through and projects beyond the
plungers at each side. The part of the adjusting bar projecting beyond the
plungers is turned down to a suitable diameter, and supported by the back ends of
the levers (Q) fulcrumed loosely on to the shaft (R) and at their front ends
connected to the vertical rods (S¹, S') each fitted with a spiral spring (T¹) enclosed
in a cylindrical box (U) and resting on the washer (V). The shaft (R) is also
provided with a fixed lever (W¹) keyed on or otherwise secured to the shaft. The
front end of the said lever is forked and fitted with a cylindrical nut (✗¹) made to
receive a screwed spindle (Y) mounted in the bearings (Z') and fitted at the
bottom end with a hand wheel (a). The whole of the adjusting apparatus is
supported by the bracket (b) fixed between the main frames by suitable bolts or
screws. The central boss of the levers (Q1) which are fulcrumed loosely on to the
shaft (R) is cut away at the point (c) to a certain depth allowing oue balf of the
diameter of the boss to project beyond the other half and rest against a pin (d)
fixed into the shaft (R). The adjusting apparatus is operated by the hand wheel,
which, through the screwed spindle (Y) actuates the fixed lever (W¹) and the
shaft (R). If the hand wheel is operated so as to cause the shaft (R') to move in
the direction of the arrow, Fig. 4, then the fixed pins (d) which are fixed on the
bottom side of the shaft (R) will come in contact with the projecting part of the
bosses at (c) and throw the levers (Q) in a downward direction at the back end,
and in an upward direction at the front end, and as the back end of the levers
supports the adjusting bar (P) upon which the bottom plungers rest, the said
plungers will occupy a lower position thereby giving more depth in the mould (C).
If on the other hand the depth of mould requires to be reduced, the hand wheel on
been moved in the opposite direction throws the fixed pin (d) away from the
projections on the bosses at (c), and allows the springs fitted to the rods (S', S')
to come into action and depress the front end of the levers (Q) and thereby lift
the adjusting bar and bottom plungers to a higher position in the moulds. When
pressure is put on the bottom plungers from the pressing parts above, the springs
fitted to the front end of the levers (Q') yield and make allowance for the adjusting
bar (P) being depressed until the bottom plungers come in contact with the
bottom press-head.
The top and bottom plungers are fitted with steam chambers (e & f) respectively,

page_text: :
for heating purposes, each chamber communicating with a main chamber (4)
formed in the top press-head (D), this main chamber communicating with a
suitable pipe from the boiler or other steam supply. The steam from the top
plungers passes out into an outlet branch pipe (i) communicating by means of a
flexible pipe (j) to a second inlet branch pipe (k) fixed to the bottom plungers.
From the pipe (k) the steam is distributed into each of the bottom plungers, and
from the outlet branch pipe (1) to the drain pipe (m). By this method of steam
heating arrangement, a continual flow of steam is passing through all the plungers
from one single main pipe.
The machine driving gear is provided with a combined clutch and brake
arrangement consisting of a pulley (n) Figs. 2 & 5 running loose on the shaft (p)
in connection with a friction clutch (o) keyed on the shaft (p) and a brake pulley
or disc (9) also keyed on the shaft (p). The combination of stopping and starting
inotion is actuated by the screwed spindles (s & t), the former having connection
with the brake and the latter with the friction clutch.
The spindle (s) appertaining to the brake is screwed at one end for receiving a
nut (u) fitted to a lever (v) connected by a rod (w) to a brake strap (x) suitably
hinged on the stud (y) fitted to the main frame of the machine. The centre part
of the lever (v) is mounted on a stud (2) also fixed to the main frame. The
spindle (t) appertaining to the clutch is screwed to receive the nut (a') fitted into
the lever () fixed to the shaft (e¹) mounted in the bearing (d) fixed to the
foundation (e). The opposite end of the shaft (c) is provided with a forked
lever (f) suitably made for operating the sliding sleeve (g) appertaining to the
friction clutch. The spindle (s) is fitted with the hand wheel (4) conveniently
placed near the attendant minding the machine. By turning the hand wheel (1)
in one direction the spindle (s) operates to release the brake and at the same time
through the wheels (1 & j¹) operates to put the friction clutch into contact with
the revolving pulley (n) thereby starting the machine.
Also by turning the hand wheel in the opposite direction the brake is operated
to come in contact with the brake pulley (9), and at the same time operates to
withdraw the friction clutch, thereby bringing the machine to a sudden standstill.
The spindles (s & t) are supported by the bearing brackets (k, & m¹) fixed to
suitable places on the frames (A) and foundation (e¹). The friction clutch is of
any suitable construction. The driving wheels Figs. 1 & 2 consist of a pinion (n)
keyed on to the shaft (p) gearing into a wheel (o¹) keyed to the countershaft (p').
On the same countershaft a pinion (9) is also keyed gearing into the main driving
wheel (U) keyed to the crank shaft (Q). The shafts (p & p¹) are suitably
mounted in bearings fixed to, or forming part of the foundation bed (e¹).
The main frames of the machine are constructed for easy access to all working
parts. The front of the said frames are fitted with renewable bars (1) Figs. 1 & 2,
to which suitable adjusting screws are fitted for adjusting and taking up the wear
due to the sliding motion of the vertical rods (H, H). The top press-head is also
provided with the adjusting slides (t¹) Fig. 2 for taking up the wear due to the
sliding motions of the top press-head.
In order to describe the action of the machine when working reference is made
to Fig. 1 which represents the wheel (U) revolving in the direction of the arrow.
The feed box (S) is under the hopper, with its front edge flush with the inner edge
of the mould, or slightly in advance of its extreme backward position. The
vertical rods and bottom plungers occupy their highest position due to the cams (K¹)
on the crank shaft, having depressed the runners on the back of the lifting levers to
.their lowest position. The toggles occupy an intermediate position due to the
position of the crank pin. As the wheel revolves in the direction of the arrow, the
feed box actuated by the cams advances to a position directly over the moulds,
pushing the pressed bricks to the front of the table. The vertical rods and bottom
plungers reaching their bottom positions by the time the feed box has reached its
extreme forward position. The feed box and vertical rods remain stationary for a
.short time in this position, whilst the crank pin and toggles continue to approach

page_text: their most forward position holding the top press-head and plungers above the top-
of the feed box. Before the toggles reach their most forward position the fee!
box actuated by the cams (T T) commences its return stroke & gets clear of the-
top plungers before they descend below the height of the feed box. The feed box
having reached its extreme backward travel remains stationary, under the hopper
until the toggles actuated by the connecting rod and crank assume a straight line,
and put the full pressure on the bricks. During the operation of pressing the
bricks the vertical rods remain in their lowest position, but as soon as the full
pressure on the bricks has been given, the cams (K¹, K¹) come into action and
raise the vertical rods and bottom plungers to the level of the top of the mould.
At the same time the feed box has again reached its position shown in Fig. 1 and
is ready for pushing the bricks forward to the front of the table. The above
operation of feeding the material into the mould, pressing the material into bricks
or other blocks, and of removing the finished bricks to the front of the table is.
performed at each revolution of the crank shaft. When the toggles are in a
straight line one with the other the full pressure is then on the material in the
moulds, and owing to the position of the crank pin being in a horizontal line at
right angles or thereabouts to the line of the toggles, the pressure is not perceptibly
removed from the bricks until the crank pin has travelled through an angle of
say 10 or more degrees. This is an advantage in some classes of material and
when necessary I propose modifying the construction of the connecting rod (P)
Fig. 7 so as to obtain a greater or more prolonged rest. This I propose effecting-
by elongating the bearing (u) either at the front or back of the connecting rod so-
that when the crank is returning to deflect the toggles, and thereby raise the top.
plungers, the connecting rod will move a certain distance (y) before the end (w) of
the elongated slot comes in contact with the toggle or crank pin.
The required thickness of the bricks can be adjusted by means of suitable.
packings (1) Fig. 6 being inserted under the bottom press-head (G) in the
elongated slots (I). By inserting thicker or thinner packings the distance between
the top and bottom plungers when the toggles are in a straight line with the
vertical rods (H), can be made more or less thereby regulating the thickness of
bricks as required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said.
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts forming a complete:
toggle press for pressing bricks and other blocks, substantially as herein described.
and illustrated.
Second. The construction of vertical rods in a toggle press fitted with a bottom
beam or press-head supported in elongated slots at the bottom of the said rods,.
whereby the bottom press-head can be adjusted to a higher or lower position as
required, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Third. The construction of guides or slides fitted to the frames of a toggle press,.
whereby the vertical rods and top press-head can be adjusted and guided in their
movements, the one independent of the other, substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
Fourth. The construction of bottom plungers provided with an elongated slot for
receiving an adjusting bar, for purposes of adjustment, substantially as herein
described and illustrated.
Filth. The arrangement and combination of all parts forming the complete
adjusting apparatus for adjusting the bottom plungers, substantially as herein
described and illustrated.
Sixth. The arrangement and combination of all parts in connection with a clutch
and brake, forming the starting and stopping gear in a toggle press, substantially
as herein described and illustrated.
Seventh. The modification in the construction of a connecting rod whereby the

page_text: extreme pressure on the material in the moulds of a toggle press, due to the
straightening of the toggles can be prolonged beyond the usual time, substantially
as herein described and illustrated.
Eighth. The arrangement and combination of steam chambers, with steam
branch pipes, and connections for distributing steam into each of the top and bottom
plungers, from one single steam pipe, substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
Dated this the 21st dow of Mow 1904
WILLIAM JOHNSON,
Applicant.