Improvements in Brick Presses.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 5th May, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brick Presses.
I, THOMAS PARKER, of 57 Colborne Street, in the City of Toronto, in the
County of York, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention relates to Improvements in Brick Presses and the object of the
invention is, first, to provide a simple readily fed and cheaply operated machine
of minimum size and weight and capable of turning out a maximum quantity of
perfectly formed bricks, the plungers being arranged and operated so that there
will be no side strain or thrust upon the main driving shaft and secondly-to provide
a simple and efficient means for the delivery of the bricks from such machine and it
consists essentially-first-of constructing the bed plate of the machine with
horizontal outwardly projecting wings situated diametrically opposite to each other
and having secured to them the moulds in which the pulverized clay is pressed by
horizontal radial plungers arranged in pairs diametrically opposite each other, both
plungers of each pair being operated simultaneously from a double cam secured to
the main shaft of the machine, the plungers being designed to co-act with
compression blocks formed of bricks partially completed and completed, so as
to deliver the bricks at the outer end of the machine, a cut-off plate for the
clay being provided which is also operated from an arm on the main shaft and
the clay being arranged to be fed into the top side of the mould, and-secondly-
of providing an annular turn table which is set eccentrically to the axis of the
main shaft and is rotated at a proper relative speed to the time consumed in com-
pressing one set of bricks, so that each set compressed may be carried to a common
point of delivery, the whole being arranged and constructed in detail as hereinafter
more particularly explained.
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of portion of my machine showing the construction
and means of operation as to one pair of moulds.
Fig. 2, is a perspective sectional view through Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a plan view showing the construction and means of operating each pair
of plungers.
Fig. 4, is a plan view on a smaller scale with feed hoppers removed showing the
construction and means of operating my machine when made with two pairs of
moulds.
Fig. 5, is a detail of the cut-off plate.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.
A, is the bed plate of the machine, which is supported upon any suitable
foundation and is provided with outwardly extending wings, B, upon which are
supported borizontal moulds, C. D, is the main shaft of the machine, which is
vertically journalled in the bed plate A, and has secured to it a bevel gear wheel, E,
which is driven by a gear pinion, F, on the radial shaft, G, to which motion is
communicated through the belt, H, and pulley, I. The shaft, G, is shown broken
away in Fig. 1.
J, is a double cam secured to the main shaft, D, comprised of two gradual rises
from the centre and two quickly receding portions to the centre from the two
greatest radii. The rises and receding portions of the cam correspond exactly.
, are guiding ribs forming part of the cam and extending along the edges of the
receding portions. j', are spring fingers secured to the end of the guiding ribs.
nearest the centre and extending beyond such end as shown. K, are the plungers

page_text: both plungers of each pair being set diametrically opposite each other, so that the
plane passing through the axis of the shaft will pass laterally through the centre of
the plungers of each pair. K¹, are the legs of plungers between which are
journalled at their inner end upon the studs, l, the friction rollers, L. A', A", are
bearing plates, which are attached to or form part of the bed plate, A. The
legs, K¹, move between the plates A', and, A". The plate, A", has inwardly
extending projections, a³, which are designed to receive the lateral pressure from
the legs, K¹, of the plunger as they are being forced outwardly so as to bring the
plunger into the mould. The plane passing through the axis of the shaft will pass
through the axis of the friction rollers of both plungers in each pair. m, are
friction rollers which are designed to pass within the guiding ribs, j, in order to
pull back the plungers after they have compressed the brick.
C', are the sides of the mould, C, which are preferably slightly tapered from the
inner end to the outer end. The upper side of the mould, C, is open and has
secured above it the hopper, M, into which the pulverized clay is fed in any
suitable manner. C", are the parallel sides of the mould which extend, from the
opening into which the pulverized clay is fed, to the outer end of the mould which
is open.
N, is a double arm secured to the main shaft, D, and provided with concentric
ends, n. O, is a cut-off plate which is designed to move in supporting brackets, P,
and, Q, attached to or forming part of the mould box. The plate, O, has metal side
strips, o, secured to the free end of the plate and extending outwardly to a
supplemental plate, O¹, to which the ends of the metal strips are secured. The
lower edges of the metal strips, o, are bevelled from the inside outwardly to a thin
edge. The block, O, is designed to be moved through openings, O", made in the
sides of the metal box immediately above the sides of the mould. The side
strips, o, are of the same thickness as the bottom sides of the hoppers, M, underneath
which they move.
Each of the brackets, P, has a channel, p, as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 3
and 4, and longitudinal perspective section in Fig. 1. The channel, p, is closed in
at the top by a cover plate, . Each bracket Q, has a longitudinal groove, q. The
outer end of each groove is stopped by a bridge, q'.
R, are bell-cranks pivoted at, s, on the top of the standard brackets, S. The
ends of the short arms of the bell-cranks, R, co-act with the concentric ends, n, of
the double arm, N, so as to withdraw the plate, O, and thereby bring the opening
between the strips, o, directly above the mould and beneath the hopper, M.
r, are slots made in the ends of the long arms of the bell-cranks and o', are
pins which extend from the lugs, o", at the outer end of the cut-off plates, O,
into the slots, r. T, are spiral springs connecting the long arms of the
bell-cranks, R, to the upwardly extending plates, A, forming part of the bed
plate, A.
In order to provide for the ejection of the brick after it has been compressed
I provide the following mechanism. U, is a stop block substantially angular in
cross section and provided with a lip, u, at its inner upper end. The stop block, U,
is secured to the spindle u', which is journalled in the brackets, U¹, secured to the
end of the mould box. u", is an arm secured at one end of the spindle, u'. The
arm, u, has connected to it a rod, V, which extends inwardly through a bracket, v,
secured in the side of the mould box. V₁, is a spiral spring extending between the
bracket, v, and a collar, ', on the rod, V. v, is a stop collar secured on the rod, V, to
the inside of the bracket, v, and is designed to limit the outward movement of the rod.
V, Fig. 1, is an enlarged inclined inner end of the rod, V, and, W, is a block with
an inclined face corresponding to the inclined face of the end, V. The bracket, v,
through which the rod, V, passes has a hole sufficiently large to permit of a vertical
movement of the rod at this end. It will now be seen upon the plunger being thrown
outwardly so as to completely compress a brick that upon the full throw being
completed the end, V, will come in contact with the inclined block, W, and ride
upon and pass over it. Immediately upon the plunger being brought back the

page_text: enlarged end, V", will draw upon the rod, V, so as to throw the lip, u, downwardly
and thereby cause the brick which is ejected from the mould to fall into the bottom-
less box, w. The box, w, is provided with a spring side, w¹. When the brick is
caused to drop into the box by the lip, u, the weight of the brick forces the spring
side, w, inwardly gradually in its descent, the pressure of the spring side being
maintained until the top of the brick has passed the bottom of the box, w,
when the brick will drop a slight distance on to the turn table hereinafter
described.
As it is necessary to provide means whereby the amount of clay to be deposited
in the mould may be gauged in order to produce a brick of greater or less degrec
of denseness or hardness I provide a set screw a, provided with a thumb nut, a¹,
which passes through a lug, a", forming part of the upwardly extending bracket A".
The outer end of the set screw, a, is brought against a lug, k, formed on the
plunger, K. By screwing the thumb nut, a', to the right or left the distance
which the inner end of the plunger extends into the mould may be adjusted to a
nicety, so that such end may always assume such position at the commencement and
finish of each stroke.
In order to compensate for this adjustment I have provided as hereinbefore
described the spring fingers, j¹ which extend beyond the end of the ribs, j, the
spring fingers of course being of sufficient strength to overcome the weight of the
plunger, K.
In order to provide for the perforation of the brick, so that it may be more
readily burned I use the following device. X, is a plate, which is secured to the
inner ends of the upwardly extending plates, A¹, and, A". The plate, X, is an
easy fit within the legs, K', of the plungers, so that the said plungers readily pass
outwardly and inwardly. Y, are a series of rods the inner ends of which are
secured in the plate, X. The rods, Y, extend through the plunger, K, through
the mould into the compression blocks, Z. As there are always a number of blocks
within the parallel portion, C", of the mould, C, it will be understood that
the outer ends of the rods, Y, are always supported in exactly the same position.
In starting the machine there will of course be compression blocks placed in the
parallel portion, C" of the mould so that the plunger would have blocks with a
frictional resistance to press against when forming each brick. This is the
principle which I follow out in my invention, the end of the mould being left open
as shown..
.
2, is a turn table, which is arranged eccentric to the main driving shaft, D. The
turn table, 2, passes beneath three of the wings as indicated in Fig. 4, and is
supported in turning upon rollers or wheels, which rest on a circular track, suitable
means being provided for driving the turn table from the motive power. It will
consequently be seen that the bricks from each mould will be deposited upon a
different position on the turn table 2, for instance on reference to Fig. 4, it will be
seen that the brick ejected from the mould on the left hand side of this figure will
be deposited near the outer circumference of the turn table and the brick ejected
from the mould at the right hand side in this case will be deposited upon the turn
table near the inner circumference, the brick delivered from the mould shown at
the top of this figure will be ejected and deposited upon the turn table in the
position near to the innermost brick deposited and the brick of the mould shown
at the bottom of this figure will be ejected and deposited upon the turn table near
the position of depositing of the outermost brick.
As the bricks are deposited it will be seen that the turn table, which of course is
arranged to rotate at a certain ratio to the cam on the main shaft, will as indicated
in Fig. 4, bring the bricks to a common point of delivery namely the stop bar, 3, so
that four bricks may be removed by the attendant of the machine at the same time,
thereby avoiding the attention that would be necessary if such a delivery as my
turn table were not provided.
In the operation of my machine it will be seen that the cam, J, operates on both
plungers of each pair simultaneously, the plungers being thrown into the mould as

page_text: the rises in the cam pass the frictional rollers, L, and out of the mould after the
greatest radius has been reached by the friction rollers, M, passing within guiding
ribs, j. It will be noticed that midway between the receding position and the rise
of the cam there is a short concentric portion during which the cam does not operate
upon the plungers but allows of their resting for a moment during the period that
the plate, O, is being drawn and held out by crank, R, co-acting with the concentric
portion, n, of the double arm, N, so as to bring the open portion of the plate, O,
directly above the top of the mould and thereby give time for the feeding of the
pulverized clay, which passes down into the mould past and around the rods, Y.
Immediately, however, before the rollers are caused to ascend upon the rise of
the cam the short end of the bell-crank, R, has passed the concentric portion n, of
the double arm, N, and the spring, T, has thrown the crank arm inwardly, so as to
throw the plate, O, directly above the top of the mould and completely close it,
thereby completely shutting off the clay and allowing of the perfect pressure of the
brick by the plunger. When the cut-off plate has been thrown outwardly it of
course carries with it the clay in the opening underneath the cover plate, pl, of the
bracket, P, and this clay is thrown back again upon the return of the opening in
the plate, O, directly beneath the feed hopper and such clay passes down into the
mould before the clay from the feed hopper.
It will be seen from this description that as my plungers act in pairs upon
corresponding portions of the cam simultaneously that there is no side strain or
thrust upon the main shaft of the machine as is common in all brick presses of
which I am aware. It will consequently be seen that the shaft operating the
plungers may be made of much less diameter than it otherwise would if there was a
side strain as well as torsion upon the shaft.
It will also be seen that the size of the machine and the parts thereof will be
comparatively small and the manner in which the bricks are fed and delivered very
advantageous both as to rapidity of pressure and delivery.
I find in practice, that after the brick has been compressed and forms a com-
pression block for the next brick that the bricks pass out of the open ended mould
adhering together, but a slight knock completely separates the end brick without in
any way detrimentally affecting the perfect formation of the brick, thus dispensing
with any necessity of closing the end of the mould.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In a brick press the combination with the radial plungers arranged in pairs
horizontally, of a double cam-secured to the vertical driving shaft and arranged to
impart by its rises and receding portions a horizontal reciprocating motion to both
of each pair of plungers simultaneously within the open ended moulds provided with
compression blocks as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a brick press the combination with the radial plungers arranged in pairs
horizontally, of a double cam secured to the vertical driving shaft and arranged to
impart by its rises and receding portious a horizontal reciprocating motion to both
of each pair of plungers simultaneously within the open ended moulds provided
with compression blocks and a feed hopper for each mould leading into the top
side of the mould as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a brick press the combination with the radial plungers arranged in pairs
horizontally, of a double cam secured to the vertical driving shaft and arranged to
impart by its rises and receding portions a horizontal reciprocating motion to both
of each pair of plungers simultaneously within the open ended moulds provided
with compression blocks, and a feed hopper for each mould leading into the top
side of the mould and means whereby the feed is cut off and the fourth side of
each mould completed for the compression of the brick as and for the purpose
specified.
4. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally

page_text: and provided with legs K', in which are journalled the friction rollers, L, and the
moulds also arranged horizontally, fed from the side and provided with open ends,..
of a cam, J, provided with two rises and receding portions and guiding ribs, j, made
on the edge of the receding portion and designed to co-act with the friction rollers, m,.
on the end of each leg, as and for the purpose specified.
5. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally...
and provided with legs K', in which are journalled the friction rollers, L, and
the mouids also arranged horizontally fed from the top side and provided with
open ends, of a cam, J, provided with two rises, receding and concentric portions:
guiding ribs, j, secured to the cam, J, and having inwardly extending spring.
fingers, j, attached thereto, which are designed to bring the leg, K', of each plunger
against the end of the set screw, a, suitably supported in the frame as and for the..
purpose specified.
6. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally,
of a double cam, J, secured to the vertical driving shaft, D, the open ended
moulds, C, designed to receive the ends of the plungers and provided with top
side openings for the feeding of the clay, and the plate, O, for each mould
supported in suitable guides and means whereby a reciprocating lateral movement.
is imparted to the plate through the openings, O", in the mould box, as and for the
purpose specified.
7. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally,.
of a double cam, J, secured to the vertical driving shaft, D, the open ended
moulds, C, designed to receive the ends of the plungers and provided with top side
openings for the feeding of the clay, the plate, Ŏ, for each mould supported in-
suitable guides and the bell-crank, R, one end of which is slotted to receive the
pin, o', and the other end of which is designed to co-act with the concentric end, n,
of the double cam, N, and the spiral spring, T, connecting the long arm of the
bell crank to the frame as and for the purpose specified.
8. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally,.
the double cam, J, secured to the vertical driving shaft, D, the open ended
moulds, C, designed to receive the ends of the plungers, the compression blocks or
bricks, Z, having frictional contact at the side of the mould and the plates, O,
deriving a lateral reciprocating movement, of the stop blocks, U, provided with
lips, u, and means whereby the lips are thrown downwardly as and for the purpose
specified.
9. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally,
the double cam, J, secured to the vertical driving shaft, D, the open ended
moulds, C, designed to receive the ends of the plungers, the compression blocks or
bricks, Z, having frictional contact at the side of the mould and the plates, O,.
deriving a lateral reciprocating movement, of the stop blocks, U, provided with
lips, u, suitably journalled in the brackets, U¹, having arms, u, secured in the end
of the spindle, u', rod, V, having inclined ends, V", bracket, r, spring, V1, and the
inclined block, W, secured to the plunger, K, as and for the purpose specified.
10. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally
and moving within side bearing plates, A¹, A the plate, A, of which has inwardly
extending projections, al, of the double cam, J, open-ended moulds, C, and plate, O,.
arranged as shown and for the purpose specified.
11. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally
and moving within side bearing plates, A¹, A", and the cam, J, operating the
plungers, of the open ended moulds and the rods, Y, secured to the plate, X,.
fastened to the guiding plates, A', A", and passing through the plungers and.
mould into the compression blocks, Z, as and for the purpose specified.
12. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally
and moving within suitable bearing plates and the cam operating the plungers, of
the open ended moulds, the stop blocks, U, supported in suitable bearings and
provided with a lip u, and means for actuating the stop block, and the bottomless.
box, w, provided with spring sides, w', as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 13. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally
and moving within suitable bearing plates and the cam operating the plungers, of
the open ended moulds, stop blocks, U, supported in suitable bearings and provided
with lips, u, and means for actuating the stop blocks, the bottomless boxes, w,
provided with spring sides, w¹, turn table, 2, arranged concentric to the main shaft
and designed to receive the bricks from the bottomless boxes, w, and means for
rotating the turn table, 2, as and for the purpose specified.
14. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally
and moving within suitable bearing plates and the cam operating the plungers, of
the open ended moulds, stop blocks, U, supported in suitable bearings and provided
with lips, u, and means for actuating the stop blocks and the turn table, 2, arranged
eccentric to the main shaft and designed to receive the bricks, and means for
rotating the turn table as and for the purpose specified.
15. The combination with the radial plungers, K, arranged in pairs horizontally
and moving within suitable bearing plates and the cam operating the plungers, of
the open ended moulds, stop blocks, U, supported in suitable bearings and provided
with lips, u, means for actuating the stop blocks and the turn table, 2, arranged
eccentric to the main shaft and designed to receive the bricks from the bottomless
boxes, means for rotating the turn table and the stop bar, 3, extending across the
turn table as and for the purpose specified.
Dated the 17th day of February 1894.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.