Improvements in Brick and Tile Cutting Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brick and Tile Cutting Machines.
I, JOHN THOMPSON, of Bucyrus, in the County of Crawford and State of
Ohio, United States of America, Mechanical Superintendent, 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 machines especially designed for the manufacture of
bricks and tiles, and in which the slab of clay is delivered from its machine to the
cutting table.
The essential objects of the present invention are to provide an improved meaus
for imparting a reciprocating movement to the cutting table whereby the clay
delivered to said table is severed into determined sizes at each reciprocation of the
cutting frame; to provide an improved mechanism for delivering the slab of clay
from the clay-machine to the cutting table; to provide the slab carrying frame,
instead of the reciprocating cutting frame, with a slidable clutch device, fulcrumed
lever, latch and connections, whereby the power devices for operating the slab
carrying belt or apron are alternately thrown into and out of operative connection
with the mechanism for operating the reciprocating cutting frame; to provide a
continuous guide board, i.e., one in which the opposing sides which guide the
column or slab of clay are each formed of a single piece having slits or slots for the
passage of the cutting wires, and in which said sides are secured to a platen so that
they may be adjusted towards and from each other to correspond with the diameter
of the column or slab of clay which is designed to pass between and be guided by
said sides.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, which clearly illustrate my present
improvements,
Figure 1, is a perspective view of a brick and tile cutting machine embodying my
invention.
Figure 2, is an enlarged part sectional view and part elevation of the clutch
mechanism, for disconnecting the power devices of the slab-carrying table or
frame with the cutting frame, for intermittently operating the latter.
Figure 3, is a plan view of Fig. 2.
Figure 4, is a cross sectional view on the line x-x of Fig. 2.
Figure 5, is a perspective view of the continuous guide board with its platen.
Figure 6, is a cross sectional view of the same showing the platen, and a means
for suspending the cutting wires.
Figure 7, is a detail showing a side view of one of the continuous sides or
guideswalls of the guide board.
Figure 8, is a top plan view of the same.
Figures 9 to 20 inclusive are details to be hereinafter referred to.
In the said drawings, A represents a supporting frame of suitable design,
strength and mechanical construction, and designed to constitute the slab-carrying
table or frame. At the front end of this table is mounted a drum 2 and at the
opposite end of said table is mounted a second drum 3, one of these drums or the
drums 2* 3* being so proportioned or of such diameter that one revolution about
its axis will approximately equal the length of the column or slab of clay to be fed
to the cutting table, and then subjected to the action of the cutting wires.
Around the end drums passes the carrying apron or belt B. C is a shaft mounted
in hangers 5 and carrying at one end a pulley 6, from which a band 7 extends to
and around a similar pulley 8 on a shaft C¹ mounted in hangers 9.

page_text: In the lower portion of the frame is a transverse shaft 11 provided with a crank
arm and roll.11* which is designed to be forced into contact with the fold of the
band 7 to serve as a tightener therefor in the usual manner; the mechanism for
operating this tightener comprising a lever 12 on the opposite end of the shaft 11
having a pawl 13 adapted to engage the teeth of a rack 14, whereby the lever is
held in position after being adjusted and the desired tension is given the band.
Ordinarily the weight and movement of the slab or column of clay, are sufficient
to move the rollers and operate the connecting mechanism; but to insure a positive
movement and prevent the slab from slipping on the carrying apron, I extend the
shaft C and provide the same with a bevel-face gear 16, which meshes with a bevel
pinion 17 on the power shaft 17*, which may be operated from any well known
source.
Between or within suitable brackets 18, on the side of the table A, is mounted
to slide a bar 19, which is connected. by means of a rod or pitman 20, with a wrist.
pin or crank 21, on the axis of one of the drums, preferably the forward drum 2.
The connection may be a direct and fixed one, or it may be adjustable by making
the crank with a series of holes 22, into which a removable pin 23, is designed to
be fitted to limit or regulate the reciprocation or stroke of the bar 19. The
outer end of the pitman is also, preferably, formed with an elongated slot or
opening 24, in which the wrist pin 23, works whereby the bar 19 will remain at
rest for a short period of duration at the end of each reciprocation. The inner
end of the reciprocating bar 19, is connected by an adjustable connection having a
limited amount of play, with an arm or projection 25, from the cutting table
frame D. This connection is herein shown as consisting of separated nuts 26 on
each side of the arm or projection 25, and threaded on the bar, but any other form
of adjustable connection will answer the same purpose, therefore I do not desire
to limit myself to any particular form of adjustable connection between the
reciprocating bar and cutting table frame.
The connection of the bar with the crank on the axis of the drum is such that
the bar will be reciprocated, a distance say about equal to one half the diameter
of the drum, and said bar is designed to stand at rest between the engagements
of the crank pin with the end walls of the slot or elongated opening in the
connecting pitman; the movements of the bar being arranged to take place and
be maintained at the time and for the time that the cutting table is being moved
in the respective reciprocations across the column or slab of clay on the platen of
the cutting table to be hereinafter described.
On the stationary frame E is mounted a shaft 26*, which carries a long pinion 27,
or other connection, and a loose gear or wheel 28; and on the shaft 29, of the
reciprocating cutting table frame D, is a gear wheel 30 which is adapted to mesh
with and slide along the pinion 27 while the said frame is partaking of the
reciprocations imparted to it by the rod 19. The shaft 29 also has secured to it a
disk or wheel 31, or its equivalent crank arm, from which a rod or pitman 32
extends to and is connected with the frame of the cutting table in any well
known and desired manner, so as to reciprocate said table transversely across the
column of clay.
The table or cutting frame F is composed of end frames 33 joined by a
connecting bar 34, which may be slotted to receive the cutting wires 35 which
are held at opposite ends by hooks 36, 37, see Fig. 6, and are adjusted by a
screw and thumb nut or other well known connection whereby their tension may
be regulated.
Between the end frames 33 the guide boards G are secured, these boards, in the
present instance consisting of two spaced members H each formed of a continuous
or integral piece, and are separated from each other to form a guide for the
column or slab of clay as it is received from the apron or belt, first passing
through or between rollers 34*, at the entrance end if desired. The members of
the guide boards (by which I mean each continuous side or wall of the guide
channel) are provided with slots or slits 36× for the passage of the wires 35, and

page_text: their base bars 37* are secured to a platen I composed of a plate forming a table
or support for the bottom of the column or slab of clay. This plate or platen 1,
is, by preference, formed of one piece with slits or slots 38 to be aligned with those
in the sides of the guide boards, so that the cutting wires may traverse said slits
or slots; or this platen may be composed of a number of individual plates slightly
separated to form said slits.
This guide board is made of solid integral sides for the reason that when they
are made of sections or pieces bolted to the platen or bottom they have to be
independently fitted in place; and the constant jarring of the cutting frame may,
in time, loosen the bolts which secure the sections and cause the latter to turn
slightly upon them so as to break the continuity of the sides of the channel for the
slab of clay, and close the slits between the section thus moved and the adjoining
one so as to prevent the entrance of the corresponding cutting wire. Not only
is this liable to happen, but the side of the columu or slab of clay would also be
made irregular at the point where it made contact with the affected section.
All of these objectionable features are avoided and the construction and cost of
manufacture greatly simplified and cheapened by the form of guide board I shown
in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 in which the entire sides are made of one piece, and the
platen or bottom also made of one piece.
The ends of the base portions of the sides of the guide board are preferably
provided with elongated slots 39 through which the bolts pass to secure said sides
to the platen. This construction enables me to adjust the distance between the
opposing guide boards or sides to increase or decrease the width of the channel for
the slab or column of clay to correspond with the diameter or size of the die in
the clay machine through which the clay is expressed and delivered to the apron
or belt.
I will now describe a means for transmitting the movement of the power shaft
to the mechanism for reciprocating the cutting table transversely at stated
periods.
The mechanism I prefer to use for accomplishing my purpose is shown in
Figures 2, 3 and 4 and in detailed Figures 9 to 15 inclusive and which I shall now
describe. The shaft 26, which carries the long pinion 27 and loose gear 28, also
carries a sleeve 40, which is rigidly fixed to it, and is provided with an extension 40*
having a bore 41 in which is seated a slidable bolt 42, also preferably internally
bored or recessed to receive a spring 43, (but said spring may be exterior of the
bolt if desired) which is confined in place by a cap plate 44, or other desired
means, on the outer face of the sleeve. On the face of the continuously rotating
loose gear 28 is a plate or disk 45 provided with a series of holes 46, see Fig. 12,
or if preferred these holes may be formed directly in the gear itself, or a series of
lugs or other abutments may be employed as a well known equivalent for the
holes. The bolt 42 has a head 47 extending at right angles to the body and is to
be seated in a recess or opening 48 leading from the bore in the sleeve in which the
bolt is seated. A yoke 49 bolted to the stationary frame or to the standards
which support the boxes or bearings for the shaft 26, has fulcrumed to one of its
arms a lever 50, one end of which carries a small antifriction roller 51, while the
opposite end extends through and is guided and braced within the slotted or
bifurcated opposite end or arm of the yoke, said opposite end of the lever being
connected with a spring 52 secured to the yoke or other convenient place.
The lever 50 is also provided with an inclined plane or wedge portion 53 and
limiting lug 54; and the reciprocating bar 19, of the apron carrying frame carries
a plate or casting 55 to which is pivotally hung a latch 56 having a straight and
inclined or curved face respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10.
From this description and arrangement of parts, it will be seen that on the
forward stroke of the reciprocating bar 19, the cutting table frame is operated so
that it will move with the moving column or slab of clay. Near the beginning of
this movement of the bar 19, the curved or inclined face of the latch 56 will
engage the roller on the end of the lever 50 and the lever will be depressed at said

page_text: end and will be caused to swing about its fulcrum so that its opposite end will be
raised against the force of the spring. When this occurs, the inclined plane or
wedge 53 will be slightly above the head of the bolt 42 and directly over a space
provided between the said head and one of the walls of the recess 48 of that
portion of the sleeve which projects from its hub and has the bore for the bolt. In
this position the bolt is projected inward so that it is in operative connection with
the continuously rotating gear 28, therefore the shaft 26 is set in motion and the
wire cutting frame is operated transversely simultaneously and synchronously with
the longitudinal movement of the carrying frame and with the movement of the
slab or column of clay. Just as soon as the curved or inclined face of the latch 56
escapes the end of the lever 50, the spring 52 draws the lever down and causes the
wedge or inclined portion 53 thereof to enter between the head of the bolt and the
wall of the recess 48 and thereby withdraw the bolt from the gear 28 and break
the connection between the same and the shaft 26. This shaft then ceases to
revolve and the wire cutting carriage ceases its transverse travel, it having,
however, traversed the column or slab of clay and severed it during the rotation of
the said shaft 26. In the event of the sleeve 40 "sticking" so that it may be
inclined to rotate slightly after the bolt is released from the gear 26, I employ the
lug 54 which, when the lever 50 is drawn down by the spring 52, will pass below
the upper corner or angle of the extension from the hub of the sleeve 40 so as to
hold said sleeve from further rotation.
On the projection or arm of the reciprocating frame D is pivotally hung a
latch 60, see Figs. 16 and 17, with a toe piece 61, adapted to engage a projection 62
on the apron carrying frame; and on the reciprocating har 19 is a projection 63
carrying a roller adapted to engage the free end of the latch 60 to raise its toe out
of contact with the projection 62 when the bar 19 commences its forward
movement, whereby the frame D is permitted to partake of the same speed, or
approximately so, as the moving column of clay.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is:
1st. In a brick and tile cutting machine, a guide for the column or slab of clay
consisting of a plurality of opposing sides or walls each of which is continuous and
integral throughout its length, and is provided with slits or slots for the passage of
cutting devices.
2nd. In a brick and tile cutting machine, a guide for the column or slab of clay,
consisting of a plurality of opposing sides or walls each of which is of a single
continuous piece having slots or openings for the passage of cutting devices, and a
platen forming a bottom for the guide.
3rd. In a brick and tile cutting machine, a guide for the column or slab of clay,
consisting of opposing parallel walls each formed as an integral whole, and jointly
forming a guide or channel, each of said walls having a base with slots whereby
either one or both of the walls may be adjusted to increase or decrease the width
of the channel between them, and each wall having slits for the passage of the
cutting devices.
4th. In a brick and tile cutting machine, a guide for the column or slab of clay
consisting of a plurality of opposing sides or walls each formed of an integral whole
and slotted transversely for the passage of cutting devices, said sides being
adjustably mounted so that either one or both may be moved laterally with
relation to. the opposing wall to regulate the width of the channel between them
with relation to the width of the slab or column of clay to pass through the same.
5th. In a brick and tile cutting machine, a guide for the slab or column of clay,
formed of opposing sides each consisting of a single casting having a vertical
wall slotted at intervals for the passage of the cutting devices, and a base flange
having transverse slots at its ends, a platen forming a bottom for the guide and
bolts whereby the independent continuous sides are adjustably secured so that

page_text: they may be moved towards and from each other to regulate the distance between
the walls.
6th. In a brick and tile cutting machine, a guide for the slab of clay composed
of parallel opposing sides and a bottom, each of said sides and also the bottom
being composed of a single structure slotted coincidently for the passage of cutting
devices for severing the clay into lengths.
7th. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination, with the apron
carrying frame, the apron and means for operating the same, and a longitudinally
movable cutting table frame, of a reciprocating bar one end of which is adjustably
connected with the cutting table frame while the opposite portion is adjustably
connected with one of the drums around which the apron passes. .
8th. A brick and tile cutting machine having an apron carrying frame and a
reciprocating cutting table frame, means for driving the apron and reciprocating
the cutting table frame, and means for moving the cutting appliances transversely
during the longitudinal reciprocations of the cutting table frame and the feed
of the slab of clay comprising a stationary shaft with long fixed pinion and loose
continuously rotating gear, a slidable clutch between said shaft and gear for
giving motion to the former, and means operated by the reciprocating rod for
withdrawing the clutch to disconnect said shaft and gear.
9th. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination, of an apron carrying
frame, a reciprocating cutting table frame, a means for connecting the cutting table
frame with the mechanism for operating the apron, a shaft and means interposed
between the same and the cutting table frame for moving the latter transversely, a
gear or wheel loose on said shaft and continuously rotatable by power from the
drive shaft, a sleeve fixed on the shaft of the loose gear or wheel, a slidable spring-
actuated clutch device carried by the sleeve and adapted to lock it to the gear to
rotate the shaft, a lever having means engaging said device to normally hold it
retracted to disconnect the gear with its shaft, and means for periodically with-
drawing. the lever from its contact with the clutch device to enable it to connect
the gear with the shaft.
10th. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination, with an apron or
belt, a reciprocating cutting table frame, means for operating the apron and a
connection between the power devices for operating the apron and said recipro-.
cating frame, of a shaft having a long fixed gear, a loose gear or wheel also on
said shaft and continuously rotatable by power derived from a power shaft, a sleeve
fixed on said gear shaft, a spring-actuated bolt mounted in said sleeve and adapted
to engage the loose gear, a lever fulcrumed contiguous to the sleeve having one
end in the path of a driver from the apron actuating mechanism and its opposite
portion connected with a spring, and an inclined plane or wedge portion on the
lever adapted to be forced into contact with the bolt to withdraw the same and
release the continuously rotatable gear from its engagement with the gear shaft.
Dated this 8th day of January 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.