Year: 1867

page_text: Figure 1 is an end elevation of my improved machine; Figure 2 is a
transverse vertical section of the same; Figure 3 is a horizontal section on
the line x, x, of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section
taken on the line y, y, of Figure 1. Like letters indicate the same parts in
each of the Figures.
A represents the metallic end pieces of a strong frame bolted firmly at the
top and bottom to the wooden beams B. The base of the framework B¹
projects to the rear, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and has attached to it a
series of columns or posts C, which support the hopper H, and also the
grinding apparatus. A strong plate O having a series of cells or moulds J of
the proper size to form the bricks is secured horizontally between the end
plates A of the frame, as shown in Figure 2; directly over this plate O is
located a vertically moving bed piece I, which has a series of plungers
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, projecting vertically from its lower face, as shown
in Figure 4; these plungers are of proper size to fill the moulds J. A
bridle is attached to this block I at each end, which bridle passes up over a
cam secured to the shaft D, and this cam as it revolves raises the block I
and holds the plungers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, suspended above the moulds J,
as shown in the left-hand part of Figure 4, there being sufficient space
between the bottom of the plungers and the top of the moulds to permit a
charger or drawer G to slide in between them, as herein-after explained. The

page_text: charger G is shown in that position in the same part of Figure 4. A serie;
of cams m, also secured to the shaft D, are arranged to press upon the block I
to force it down, thereby forcing the plungers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, into the
moulds J, as shown in the right-hand portion of Figure 4, friction rollers e
5 being located in the block I for the cams m to work on.
Underneath the
moulds is a plate L, having a series of projecting vertical followers 11, 21, 31,
41, 51, 6, 7, 8¹. These followers are of proper size, and so arranged as to
enter the moulds J from the under side, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. This
plate L is supported at each end by a bridle, frame, or rods i passing over and
0 resting on a cam u, which as it revolves elevates the plate L and causes the
followers to enter the moulds and come up flush with the upper surface
thereof, for the purpose of pushing the bricks out of the moulds J after they
have been pressed by the plungers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Directly in the rear
of and level with the top of the moulds J is located a hopper d (Figure 2),
into which the clay falls after having been ground, as herein-after explained.
The charger G rests under the hopper d upon the rear portion of the plate O,
and is arranged to slide back and forth over the top of the moulds J and under
the hopper d; this charger G is provided with an opening g of sufficient
size to cover all the moulds, and of equal width to the same. When the
charger G is under the hopper d, as shown in Figure 2, this opening g will
become filled with clay, which when the charger is moved forward will fall
through the open bottom of the charger into the moulds J. There is also an
opening h in the front part of the charger G for the reception of lubricating
material. To give the necessary reciprocating motion to the charger G a bevel
wheel p is attached to the end of the shaft D, as shown in Figure 4, which
gears into a similar wheel p¹ on the vertical shaft P, at the lower end of which
two bevel wheels t and t¹ impart motion to the horizontal shaft x, Figures 2
and 3, on which are secured cam wheels N, N, as shown. In the rear of the
main portion of the machine the rocking shafts R and R¹ are arranged as
shown in Figure 3, and an arm is secured to the end of these shafts, as
shown more clearly in Figure 2. These arms have secured to them a stud or
pin v, which works in the groove in the periphery of the cam wheels N, by
which a rocking motion is imparted to the rocking shafts R and R', and as
these are connected by the arms f and rods y to the chargers G it will be
seen that the latter are made to slide back and forth at the proper times when
the rocking shafts are operated by the cam wheels N. The shape of these is
such as to time the movements of the chargers accurately with the move-
nents of the plungers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The arms are slotted to allow
he studs v to be adjusted to give a greater or less movement to the chargers

page_text: as may be desired. It will also be observed that the plate L is attached to the
rods i by means of nuts o, so that by turning the latter the height of the
followers 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, can be adjusted as desired in order to
ensure the raising of the bricks entirely out of the moulds, and thus prevent
their being broken or injured when moved forward by the charger G.
The grinding apparatus consists of rollers placed horizontally side by side in
pairs, those in each pair being so geared that one shall revolve much more
rapidly than the other.
In the Drawings I have represented two such pairs of rollers, though it is
obvious that more may be used if necessary. The rollers a¹ are shown as the
rapidly revolving ones, the gearing being arranged to produce this result. The
clay being placed in the hopper H is ground by the rollers a, a¹, and is con-
ducted thence by the inclined board or apron b to the hopper d and charger G,
whence it is conveyed to the moulds J by the charger as it moves forward. In
order to thoroughly pulverize the clay and prevent it from passing to the
moulds in the condition of flakes or scales I propose also to arrange under-
neath the grinding rolls a picker, which consists of a toothed cylinder K¹ and
a concave or breast piece O¹, similar to those used in threshing machines, as
shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. As the ground clay falls from the grinding
rolls it will pass between the cylinder K¹ and its concave piece, where it will
be thoroughly pulverized and rendered fine, like meal; in this condition it is
delivered by the sliding charger G to the moulds J. I do not deem this last
device as absolutely essential, as I find that the machine operates successfully
without it, but with certain kinds of clay it may be necessary. Motion being
imparted to the machine through the medium of the wheels T, U, V, Y,
and Z, the operation is as follows:-Suppose the machine to be set as shown
in Figure 4, the first operation is the withdrawal of the charger G from over
the moulds J which it has first supplied with clay; the plungers 1, 2, 3, 4,
6, 7, 8, then descend, being forced down by the cams m, and press the clay
in the moulds, immediately after which both the plungers above and the
followers below begin to ascend, the former being raised by the cams / and
the latter by the cams u, their upward motion continuing until the bricks are
raised entirely out of the moulds J, at which instant the charger G comes
forward, moving the pressed bricks out from under the plungers on to the
boards placed to receive them; the lower followers descend at the same time
to open the moulds for the reception of the clay brought forward by the
ebarger G; the latter lubricates the onds of the plungers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
at the same time, and also sweeps off the surplus clay, if any, in its returu
movement. The right and left Land part of the machine, as shown in

page_text: Figure 4, are duplicates of each other, there being two sets of moulds, plungers,
fallowers, chargers, and other devices, the cams on shaft D and the wheels N
being so arranged as to cause the two parts to work alternately. By these
means I construct a machine which is very compact, powerful, and rapid in
5 its operation, and not liable to get out of order.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be conveniently and
advantageously carried into practice, I claim,-
First, the combination of the series of grinding rollers a, a¹, (so geared that
one of each pair shall revolve faster than the other) with the hopper d and
the charger G, arranged to operate as shown and described.
Second, the charger G, provided with the chamber g and the lubricating
reservoir h, arranged to operate in connection with the hopper d, substantially
as set forth.
Third, the plungers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, arranged to operate in combination
with the moulds J and the followers 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, when the said
followers and plungers are operated by the cams l, m, and u, as shown and
described.
Fourth, the arrangement of the cam wheels N and the accompanying
mechanism for operating the charger G as set forth.
Fifth, the the means substantially as shown for adjusting the height of
the plate L and its followers.
Sixth, adjusting the movements of the charger G by means of the slotte l
arm r and pin v, substantially as shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
GEORGE HASELTINE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.