IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING AND OTHERWISE OPERATING UPON METAL, HAY, BRICKS, COTTON, AND VARIOUS OTHER MATERIALS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Hughes
and Son, Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING AND OTHERWISE
OPERATING UPON METAL, HAY, BRICKS, COTTON, AND VARIOUS OTHER
MATERIALS."A communication from abroad by Joseph Notingham
Smith and Henry Belcher Geer, both of Jersey City, United States
of America.
Sealed the 22nd May 1869, and dated the 23rd November 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas Hughes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd November 1868.
I, EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent
Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING AND
OTHERWISE OPERATING UPON METAL, HAY, BRICKS, COTTON, AND VARIOUS OTHER
MATERIALS, a communication to me from abroad by Joseph Notingham

page_text: Smith and Henry Belcher Geer, both of Jersey City, United States of
America, to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to produce a press or other analogous
machine by means of which great force or power may be exerted
with advantage for various purposes, such as for compressing bulky
articles, as hay or cotton; for pressing, drawing, bending, cutting, and
swaging metals; for pressing brick, and for lifting heavy bodies, and for
various other similar purposes.
The fundamental or principal feature of the Invention is an annular
wedge or annular wedges driven by power applied thereto either directly
or by means of suitable gearing. This annular wedge is the instrument
by or through which the power is applied to move or operate the dies,
gate, plunger, or follower of the press, as the case may be, as hercin-after
more fully set forth.
In the application of the annular wedge or wedges to various forms of
machinery various forms and combinations of the said wedges (usually
arranged concentrically) and various subordinate devices which con-
stitute portions of the Invention are employed. These features of the
Invention are illustrated and embodied in a cotton or hay press and a
brick press, both of which are herein-after described and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings.
For a hay, cotton, or other press in which it is necessary that the
follower or plunger should move continuously through a considerable
space I use two double or double-inclined wedges operating upon four
racks or lifting posts and four pawls, the said racks being so arranged in
pairs in relation to the said wedges that each wedge lifts first one of the
said racks in one pair and then one in the other pair alternately,
whereby a continuous motion of the plunger is produced. For a brick
press and for other presses requiring a variable motion I employ
compound wedges, by which such motion is readily attained.
In the Drawings, Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive illustrate two simple forms of
the annular wedges set in or upon suitable frames; Figs. 5 to 16 inclu-
sive represent a hay or cotton press, and Figs. 17 to 22 inclusive represent
a brick press.
In Figs. 1 and 2 the annular wedge A is set upon friction rollers B, B,
which are secured to the frame C, and it is held firmly in position by the
centrcing rollers D, D. This form of the annular wedge is well adapted

page_text: for use where a body is to be raised a certain distance and then suddenly
dropped, as in a power hammer or a drop press. Gearing teeth E arc
formed on its outer edge, by which it may be driven.
In Figs. 3 and 4 the annular wedges A, A, are suspended by means of
the supporting and centreing rollers C, C, and when in operation
reacts against the friction roller B; it is driven by a suitable pinion
working into the teeth on its periphery. This form of the wedge is
useful for forcing the gate of an ordinary drawing or cutting press down-
ward and for like purposes. The gate may be lifted by a spring weight
or other device. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the hay press; Fig. 6, a
horizontal section on the line x, x; Fig. 7, a similar section on the
line y, y; and Fig. 8 is a top view in detail of the lid or cover of the
press box; Fig. 9 is an end view in detail of one of the side doors of
the press box in the position it occupies when drawn up to open the
press; Fig. 11 is a side view in detail of a portion of one pair of the
lifting racks; Fig. 12 is a vertical section of one rack on the line z, z;
and Fig. 13 is a side view in detail of the plunger bar in which the pawls
are set; Fig. 14 is an inside view in detail of the friction bearing
under each wedge at its operating points; and Fig. 15 is a cross section
of the same on the line t, v; Fig. 16 shows the gearing for driving the
wedges. A, A, are the wedges cast in one piece and suported and
held in position by the rollers 1, 1, which are secured to the frame of the
press. These wedges are in two lines or circuits a and b concentric with
cach other, and each line consists of two wedges, having their points and
their heads respectively connected or joined, so that in operating they
lift the body, on which they immediately operate through one-half of
their circuit, and allow it to fall through the other half. The points in
each line are on the same side of the circle as the butts or heads of the
other line. 2 is a strong casting which forms the end of the press
frame, and which supports the stress or strain of the machinery when
operating; 3, 4, 5, and 6 are the lifting posts or racks which project
over and rest upon the wedges; they are provided with friction or roller
bearings, as seen in Fig. 12. The large roller 7 which rests upon the
wedge runs on a train of rollers 8, which travel in an endless circuit
in a groove formed in the head of the rack to receive them, the
pressure being received upon and sustained by the bearing piece 10.
Immediately under the wedges at the points where the rollers 7 rest are
similar roller bearings 11, clearly shewn in Figs. 14 and 15. On the
D

page_text: inner faces of the racks or lifting posts are the rack teeth 12, into which
the pawls 13, 14, 15, and 16 engage alternately in pairs. These pawls
are set in recesses or seats made to recieve them in the plunger bar 17,
and are thrust forward to engage the teeth of the racks by springs, one
of which is seen at 18, Fig. 13. 19 is the press box; its upper end is
formed by four doors 20, 21, 22, and 23, and a lid or cover 24. The
doors are held in place by links or braces 25 provided with rollers at
their outer ends to facilitate the moving of the doors. The inner ends of
these braces are hung or pivoted on the ends of the door bars, and their
outer ends rest against portions of the casting 2 and slide up and down
in ways in the posts 26 in lifting or lowering the doors. The posts are
supported against the lateral pressure of the doors by the end pieces 2.
The cover 24 is hinged or hung at one side in the end pieces 2, and is
locked down by the swinging bolts 28 which pass under projecting
portions 29 of the end pieces 2. A portion 30 of the cover hooks over
upon the end pieces 2 to prevent their spreading upon that side, while
upon the other side the said end pieces are supported by nuts on the
corners 31 of the cover. The side doors are drawn up to fill the press
box or remove a bale by the windlass 38 which winds up the ropes or
chains 39 attached to the braces 25, and when up their lower ends
incline inwards, as seen in Fig. 9, so as to be out of the way, being
held by the projecting stops or dogs 67. When the ropes 39 are
unwound from the windlass the doors descend by their own weight and
occupy their proper positions, as seen in Fig. 1. The top lid or cover is
drawn up by the windlass 40, which draws the bolts 28 and then lifts the
said cover.
On lowering the door and releasing the rope 41 the bolts 28
fall by their own weight into their places and thus lock the cover. The
wedges are driven by the crank 32 (see Fig. 16) operating through the
pinion 33, wheel 34, and bevilled pinion 35, which last meshes into
teeth 36 on the under side of the wedges. These gearing teeth 36 run
between the roller bearings 11. 37 is the floor on which the attendant
stands in operating the press. When the press box 19 is filled with
material ready for pressing and the doors and cover are in place the
wedges are put in motion by an attendant turning the crank 32 and
the racks which are upon the points or the upward incline of the wedges
(as, for example, the racks 3 and 6) begin to rise and the others to
descend. The pawls 13 and 16 being in gear with these racks 3 and 6
and being on opposite sides of the plunger, as seen in Fig. 7, the
plunger rises steadily and evenly carried by these racks until they reach

page_text: the highest points of the wedges, when the pawls 14 and 15 engage with
the teeth on the racks 4 and 5 which now begin to rise while the others
descend and the upward motion of the plunger continues. When the
material in the press box has thus by the upward motion of the plunger
been sufficiently compressed the doors and cover are lifted up out of the
way by the windlass and the bale is covered, tied, and removed. In
order to lower the plunger to its original position the bars 42, 43, 44,
and 45, which are hung to the posts 46 by means of links 47, and which
have during the upward motion of the plunger been kept back out of the
way by a lever 48 connected to them by a stirrup 49 and secured by a
hook or other suitable device, are released. Supposing the racks 3 and 6.
to be at their lowest points, and the racks 4 and 5 at their highest, the
bars 42 and 45 will fall forward and strike the pins 50 and 51 on the
pawls 13 and 10, and by their weight will drive back these pawls and
disengage them from the racks, while the bars 43 and 44 will be caught
by the pins 54 and 55 which project from the racks 4 and 5, and the
pawls 14 and 15 will remain engaged with the said racks which are now
descending and will carry down the plunger. The racks 4 and 5 having
thus descended to their lowest point the pawls 14 and 15 are pushed
back out of the way, and the pawls 13 and 16 are released and springing
out receive the plunger and conduct it downward. During the slow
and continuous descent of the plunger the press box is again filled with
the hay or cotton, which is evenly pressed and tramped down by the
attendants as the plunger descends, so that the hay or cotton is ready to
be compressed as soon as the plunger has reached its lowest point and
the doors and cover have been replaced.
Fig. 17 is the top view of the brick press; Fig. 18, a vertical, section on
the line x, x; Fig. 19, a top view in detail of the surrounding die; and
Fig. 20 is a longitudinal section in detail of a device for oiling the dies;
Fig. 21 is a vertical section showing the parts to the left of the line y', y',
Fig. 17; and Fig. 22 is a top view in detail of the wedges with their
supporting rollers partly shown. The wedges are cast in one piece A, and
are supported on a series of friction rollers 1, 1, which travel continuously
in a circle under the said wedges, and are each hung on a pin which
projects from a hoop or ring which travels with them. Centreing rollers
12, 12, 12, and 13 are secured to the top of the wedges A, and bear
against the circular opening 14 in the cap 15, and thus keep the said
wedges in position. The cap 15 is bolted to the top of a hoop or case 2

page_text: which encloses the wedges. There are two sets of annular wedges in
duplicate which form or are formed on one ring A, each half of said ring
being appropriated to one set. Each half of the principal line or circuit
of wedges is made up of a wedge a, which increases very gradually in
thickness or height, the increase being only about one in eighty, a
wedge which rises more abruptly, the rise being to its length about in
the proportion of 1 to 40, a level portion c, and an abruptly descending
portion g, which completes the half of the circuit. The other half of the
circuit is an exact duplicate of that described. Upon the outer surface
of the wall which is formed by the above principal line of wedges there
are formed in each half of the circuit an abrupt wedge d which increases
in height at the rate of about 4 inches in every 40 inches in its length,
a wedge e which corresponds exactly with and has its working surface in
the same plane as the wedge a and an abruptly descending wedge h.
The half circuit is completed by an open space f, which is of the same
length as the level portion c in the principal line of wedges. 3 is the
bottom plate of the case. In this bottom plate are the bearings of the
driving shaft 4, and on its upper surface is formed the track for the
rollers 1. An enlarged and thickened portion 5 of the plate 3 forms a sill
or bed against which the wedges react in pressing the bricks. Passing
through the sill 5. are two bolts, or pillars. 6 and 7,, which, also pass through
a cap or girt 8 which they hold firmly in place. To the cap. 8. is secured
the upper die plate 9, a spring 10 being interposed between the said die
plate and cap, to prevent breakage. The spring is fitted into a box 11
which slides freely upon the lower part of the girt or cap 8, and also on
the bolts 6 and 7 when the spring 10 is compressed. 16 is the lower die
plate it is supported on a die post 17, which rests upon the principal
line of wedges, a roller 18, being interposed between them. The roller 18
rests against a series of rollers 19. which travel a continuous circuit in a
channel 20 formed in the post, and a piece 21 which is partially em-
bedded in each half of the body of the post receives and sustains the
pressure. The die post 17 travels in and is guided by a box 40 which is
bolted to the under side of the carrier 23. 22 is the surrounding die; it.
is made up of four plates of suitable size, and these plates are put in
the seat made to receive them in the carrier 23, and secured therein
by driving wedges 24 behind them. The inner lower corners of these
four plates are cut away, as shewn in Figs. 18 and 21, in order to permit
the escape of any water or surplus clay which would otherwise prevent
the brick from being compressed to the desired size. The carrier has

page_text: guide pieces 25 at its ends, which slide on the bolts 6 and 7 and hold
the carrier in place; it is operated by the flanged wedges d, e, and g.
For this purpose a piece 26 projects downward from it, and rollers 27
and 28 are secured to this piece 26 in such a position that one of them
travels above and the other below the flanged wedges; the carrier is
still further guided and steadied in its motion by guides 29 which slide
up and down on pins 30 set in the sill 5. On the under side of the
wedge or the ring on which they are formed are gearing teeth 31, into
which the teeth of the pinion 32 which is fixed to the driving shaft 4
mesh; this shaft is driven by the crank wheel 33 operating through the
pinion 34, pinion 35, and wheel 36, the latter being fixed to the shaft 4.
The wings or arms 37 of the box 11 are formed into oil boxes which hold
a supply of oil for oiling the dies of the press. 38 is a stripper
or feed
carriage having its bearings in the elect 39; it passes back and forth
across the table or carrier 23, sliding the pressed brick away from the
die to the edge of the table, and bringing the unpressed bricks one at a
time directly over the lower die ready to be operated upon; this stripper
is operated by the centreing roller 13, which extends upward as high
as the top of the arms 41 and 42, which are connected together by the
link 43, and at each revolution of the wedges moves the said arms, and
through them the bar 44 and stripper to which the bar is connected by
the loop 46 and pin 47 once across the table and once back. The arms
41 and 42 being connected by the link 43 move together. By each of
these motions a pressed brick is carried to the edge of the table and a
fresh impressed brick is brought to the dics; thus two bricks are pressed
at each revolution of the wedges A. The bricks are pressed by an upward
movement of the dies, the surrounding die rising with the table 23
sufficiently high to close around the edges of the brick, while the lower
die rises and applies the requisite pressure. When the table 23 thus
rises, two small axiliary carriers 48 slide forward, one of them carrying
a pressed brick out to the end 49 of the table 23 and depositing it upon
the inclined ways 50, the carrier 48 being lifted for that purpose by the
cam 51, which is operated by the friction of the carrier 48 in sliding over
it. This cam rises immediately on the carrier coming in contact with it,
so that the carrier is at once raised a sufficient height to carry the brick
clear of the ways, and the further motion of the cam is prevented by a
suitable stop. As soon as the carrier starts to return the cam runs back,
allowing the carrier to fall and thus leave the brick on the ways,, from
which it is removed by an attendant. When the carrier returns to its

page_text: first position on the lowering of the bed it slides under and carries the
impressed brick back snugly against the wall or flange 52 on the stripper,
which is exactly in line with the ends of the dies, thus ensuring the
accurate delivery of the brick to the dies. The carriers 48 are operated
by the motion of the table, which is communicated to a yoke 53 hung in
a bearing 54 in the cap 8 through the connecting rod 55 and arm 56,
causing the ends of the yoke to vibrate backwards and forwards. Each
end of the yoke or bow 53 is connected to one of the carriers by means
of arms 57, 57. The oil from the oil boxes is applied to the dies by an
oiler forming the centre partition or prong of the stripper; this oiler is
clearly shown in detail in Figure 20; it consists of a supporting frame 58
having jaws at its ends, being open at the top and having a longitudinal
slot through its bottom in which is placed a large thick wick 62 which
receives and distributes the oil upon the lower die. Sliding freely up
and down in the jaws is a slotted piece 59 which contains another wick
61 for receiving the oil from the wicks 60, 60; these latter are fixed in
slots through the bottoms of the oil boxes. The wick 61 oils the upper
die when passing under it, and when receiving oil from the boxes it is
pressed down against the wick 62 and delivers to it a portion of the oil
which it has received. The springs 63 support the piece 59 at the proper
height and allow it to yield at the proper time to avoid breakage and to
bring the wicks 61 and 62 in contact. The amount of oil fed out through
the wicks 60 is regulated by the weights 64 on the covers 65, which are
raised from the wicks more or less to allow the oil to pass by means of
the cams 66, on which one edge of each of the said covers rest.
The operation of pressing a brick by this machine is as follows:-The
moving parts of the machine being in the position shewn in the Drawings
the forward end of the level portion c of the wedge ring A resting under
the roller 18 and the power being applied, the stripper carries a brick
to its place directly over the lower die, and then the wedges & and d
rapidly carry up the dies, the surrounding die rising about 4 or 5 inches,
and the lower die about an inch or an inch and a half, and slightly
compressing the brick. At this point the wedges a and e, which are
joined and really form but one wedge, lift the two dies together about a
quarter or a half an inch more or less and apply the full required pressure
to the brick. After the highest point of the wedge a, e, has passed under
the bearing rollers the abruptly descending wedges g and pass under
them and allow the dies to. descend. After they have reached their:

page_text: lowest point the stripper operates, carries away the pressed brick and
brings in an unpressed brick to be in like manner operated upon.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 22nd May 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents, 123,
Chancery Lane, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of November, in the year,
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, Her special licence
that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term:
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, usc, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING AND OTHERWISE OPERATING UPON METAL, HAY, BRICKS,
COTTON, AND VARIOUS OTHER MATERIALS," a communication to me from
abroad by Joseph Notingham Smith and Henry Belcher Geer, both of
Jersey City, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent.
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and'

page_text: by the folowing statement and accompanying two Sheets al Drawings
(that is to say) :-
:-
This Invention relates to machines for repressing bricks after they
have been moulded and partially dried or seasoned, the object being
to reduce the said bricks as nearly as possible to an uniform size, shape,
and density to express from them some portion of the remaining
moisture, and to render them more perfect in form and smoother than
when they are merely dried and "burned," without being subjected to
a second pressing.
The first and fundamental feature of the said Invention (which is
applicable to other presses and analogous machinery) consists of an
annular wedge or annular wedges driven by power applied thereto, either
directly or by means of suitable gearing; this simple or compound
annular wedge is the instrument by or through which the power is
applied to the dies of the machine for repressing bricks (or to the gate,
follower, plunger, or other moving part of other presses or machinery, as
the case may be).
In the application of the said annular wedge to various forms of.
machinery I employ various forms and combinations of the said wedges
and various subordinate devices, consisting,-First, of a series of rollers,
wheels, or castors, travelling in an endless circuit concentric with and
immediately below the main operating portion of the annular wedge of
the said brick press, on which rollers the said wedge is supported, as
herein-after set forth, whereby the friction is materially reduced.
Second, in the combination with the said series of rollers on which the
said annular wedge rests of a hoop or ring placed concentrically with
the track on which they are to travel, and furnished with projecting pins
or spindles, on which the said rollers are hung, whereby the said rollers
are kept in place. Third, in supporting the plunger or die post which
carries the lower die of the said press upon a compound friction roller
bearing, consisting of a series of rollers travelling in an endless circuit in
a channel formed in the body of the said die post, against which rollers
the wheel or roller in the foot of the said die post bears. Fourth, of a
die box, surrounding die, or mould, the faces or sides of which consist
of flat plates so formed and arranged that their inner faces may be
ground to a true plane when they become worn, and thus the said die
be restored without enlarging it, the said plates being formed and

page_text: secured together substantially as herein-after set forth. Fifth, of a
suitable opening through the die or between its plates, through which
the surplus water or other material in the brick may escape, which
opening may be made by cutting away the inner lower corners of
the said surrounding die or mould, whereby the bricks are made of an
uniform thickness, while at the same time their corners are left sharp
and true as they come from the press. Sixth, in the combination with.
the said dies of a carriage or stripper for delivering the bricks to and
removing them from the said dies, the said stripper being operated by
the annular wedge by or through suitable devices connecting the said
stripper to a roller or pin attached to and projecting from the annular
wedge. Seventh, in the combination with the said stripper and dies of
auxilliary carriers, which are operated through suitable devices by a bell;
crank or bent lever put in motion by the rise and fall of the surrounding
die; the said auxilliary carriers serve to remove the pressed brick from.
the stripper, and also to ensure the accurate delivery of the unpressed.
brick thereto. Eighth, in the combination with the said dies of an oiler,
or frame containing one or more oiling wicks or brushes, and attached.
to the said stripper, the said oiler being carried between the upper and
lower dies with its wick or wicks in contact with the said dies at each.
lateral movement of the stripper. Ninth, in the combination with the.
said oiler, stripper, and dies, of oil tanks or reservoirs attached to the.
frame of the machine in such a position that the wicks of the said oiler.
shall be put in contact with supply wicks inserted through the bottoms:
of said tanks at each upward motion of the dies, whereby the wicks in
the oiler are kept fully supplied with oil. Tenth, in the combination
with the said tanks of a series of independent feed openings, being closed
with an adjustable stopper, whereby the amount of oil fed to any part of
the said wicks is fully under control. Eleventh, in the combination.
with the upper die of a spring bearing, which allows the said die to..
yield when undue pressure is brought to bear upon it, and thus the
machine is saved from breakage. Twelfth, in the combination with the.
opening through the dics for the escape of surplus material of adjusting
bolts and nuts, by means of which the size of said opening may be
increased or diminished at pleasure to suit the character of the bricks
being pressed, whereby the density of the said bricks is rendered as
nearly uniform as possible.

page_text: Fig. 3, a side elevation of the same, the left-hand portion being shewn
in section on a vertical plane passing through the centre; Fig. 4, a
vertical central section of the right-hand portion of the said machine
taken on the line y, y, Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a top view in detail of the
mould or surrounding dic used in the said machine; and Fig. 6,
a central longitudinal section of the oiler and frame used in the said
machine.
The annular wedge A is enclosed in a light hoop or box B; in the
bottom C of the hoop B the bearings for the driving shaft D are formed;
this bottom piece C is annular in form, flat on its upper surface, and is
secured to the hoop B by the bolts E, E, at one side, and by small bolts
passing through suitable lugs formed on the said hoop and bottom at the
other side. Upon the flat upper surface of this bottom ring is placed a
series of rollers G kept in place by a ring F; from this ring pins or
spindles a project passing loosely through holes in the rollers, keeping
them at the proper distance apart, and preventing their too much
toward the centre. The rollers are kept from running off from the
said pins by a flange or ring H which encircles the track on which the
said rollers are to run, and is secured in place by any suitable means,
as by being fitted snugly against the inner surface of the hoop B. Upon
the series of rollers G the annular wedge A rests and revolves, motion
being imparted to it by the driving shaft D, on which is a beveled
pinion I meshing into corresponding teeth J on or near the under
surface of the annular wedge A. The weight of this wedge and its
downward pressure occasioned by the resistance of the brick to com-
pression are all borne by the series of rollers G, and thus the friction is
much reduced. The driving shaft is driven by the pinion K, which
meshes into the wheel L on the said shaft. The pinion K is keyed to
the hub of the fly wheel M, which turns on a spindle or stationary
shaft N. The spindle N is fastened to the hoop B. Any suitable device
for imparting motion to the fly wheel M and pinion K may be attached
to the hub of the fly wheel at b. A pawl O secured to the hoop B
takes into the teeth of the pinion K and prevents the driving
shaft D from being turned in the. wrong direction. The annular
wedge A has the necessary abrupt lifting inclines c, c, gradual upward
inclines d, d, abruptly descending inclines e, e, and level portions f,f,
for operating the lower dic, and the abrupt lifting inclines g, y,

page_text: gradual upward inclines h, h, abruptly descending inclines i, i, and
dead spaces i, j, for operating the surrounding die twice at cach
revolution of the said wedge A. The relative positions and lengths
of these various portions in the length of the wedge is clearly indicated
in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and is also shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It will
be observed that the gradual upward inclines h and d lie in the same
plane and form one continuous inclined surface. The hoop B has a
circular central opening in its top, in which is fitted a true circular
facing P, against which the centreing rollers k and dog 7 secured to the
top of the wedge A bear, and thus keep the wedge A properly centred
while is revolves. The bolts E pass through the bottom ring C at the
front of the machine, the said ring C being enlarged at that point to
form the resisting or supporting sill Q, which receives and sustains the
downward thrust occasioned by the pressing of the bricks. The bolts E
also pass through a recess or enlarged portion m of the hoop B holding
the ring C and hoop B together between the flanges or beads n and
nuts o, and at the top pass through and sustain the upper resisting girt R
by means of the nuts p, p, and q, q. Between these bolts E and guided
by bearings 6, which partly embrace and slide up and down on the said
bolts, are the lower die S and the surrounding die or mould T. The lower
die is secured to the top of the die post U, which is made in two parts
and bolted together. In the inner faces of these two parts a channel
is formed for a series of rollers 8, which travel in an endless circuit
therein. Bearing against these rollers and supporting the weight and
pressure of the said lower die is a large roller V, which stands or rolls
upon the surface c, d, e, f, of the wedge A. A curved bearing t is let
into the sides of the post U to furnish a bearing or track for the rollers s
and to receive and resist their pressure. By this arrangement of parts it
will be seen that the friction is very much reduced. The die post U is
held in an upright position and prevented from turning by the rect-
angular form of the die S fitting in the surrounding die T and by the
guide piece W, which is itself guided by the table Y in which the
surrounding die T is set or to which it is attached. The table Y is
guided by the guide pieces u, which are cast in one piece with the said
table and extend downwards at right angles with the under side thereof.
To these end pieces strong thick side pieces wo are secured by bolts v.
The inner faces of these sides we are planed or ground to a true plane,
and serve as the side faces of the surrounding dic. The ends are formed
of two thinner plates x, which have their inner faces planed or ground

page_text: to a true plane, and their ends finished parallel and perpendicular to
their faces. The length of these end plates is equal to the width of a
brick, and being placed between the side pieces 10, as seen in Fig. 5, and
the bolts tightened they hold the side pieces at the proper distance
apart, and are themselves partly held in place by the said pieces.
Wedges are driven in between the end pieces u and the plates x to
hold them in place and prevent their spreading apart. It is evident that
the die faces thus formed may be taken apart and ground when worn,
and then be restored to their original and proper position with very little
trouble and expense and without enlarging the die. The inner lower
corners of the face plates w and are cut away at an angle, as seen at a³,
Fig. 4, whereby a narrow opening is left between the lower die and
the surrounding die, through which any surplus of water or other material
contained in the brick may escape while the brick is being pressed, and
the bricks may thus be brought to an uniform thickness. As the
surrounding die passes downward after the brick is pressed it cuts off
any feather or projection left on the brick by reason of this opening, and
thus leaves the corner of the brick sharp and true. The table Y with
the die T and the other devices attached to it is raised and lowered by
the wedge formed by the flange-like projections h, g, and i operating on
the rollers c', which are attached to the descending portion e¹ of the
guide W, which has wings f¹ upon it sliding in grooves ¹ in the casing B
to guide the guid W. The rollers c¹ raise and lower the guide W, and
with it the table Y through or by means of the bolts d, which are
fastened in the end pieces n, and are also secured to the guide W by
nuts. These nuts on the bolts d' furnish a means for regulating the
height to which the die T shall rise, thus controlling the size of the
opening a³, while the lower ends of the bolts a striking the blocks c³
stop the die T in its descent, so that when at their lowest points the
upper surfaces of the dies S and T are always at the same height, and
the bricks may be stripped off without injury. The upper die A¹ is
fastened to the box B¹ secured to the upper girt R by bolts a' passing
loosely through wings or lugs b¹ on said box and entering the girt R,
which allows the said box and the die A' to yield when undue pressure
is applied thereto, and thus prevent the breaking of the machine. D' is
the stripper or carriage which delivers the impressed brick to the dies
and removes the brick which has been pressed. It slides across the top
of the table every time the dies descend to their lowest point, and by
means of its arms g', g', and the central part E', which acts as a third

page_text: arm, carries the bricks with it. It is guides by a rib or flange i', which
works in a slot in a guide piccej bolted to the table Y. The said carriage
or stripper is operated or moved by a dog on the upper surface of the
wedge A, which projects upwards through the facing P sufficiently high
to come in contact with and move the swing pieces F¹ as the said
wedge A revolves. The pieces F are linked together by the connecting
bar G', and thus always move together; they are pivoted by and swing
on the bolts a³. From one of these pieces F¹ a post or stud H¹ projects
upwards and carries a spring arm I', which clasps a pin J' inserted in
the under side of a projecting portion k¹ of the carriage or stripper D';
the stripper is thus moved once to the right and once to the left at each
revolution of the wedge A, and consequently removes and feeds in the
bricks as fast as they can be operated upon by the dies. The unpressed
bricks are fed to the stripper D by hand, and the pressed bricks are
removed from the stripper by the auxilliary carriers K'. These carriers
are operated by the rise and fall of the table through or by means of the
yoke L' and a bent lever or bell crank M' pivotted at and actuated by
the rod N¹,
which is secured to the guide W, and thus rises and falls with
it. It will be seen that by the upward motion of the dies the carriers K¹
are moved so as to carry the pressed brick which has been delivered to
one of them by the stripper D' out to the end of the table, and by the
downward motion of the dies the said carriers are moved back, carrying
with them and pressing snugly up against the flange n¹ of the stripper the
unpressed brick which has been kept by the attendant within the arms
of the stripper. As the carriers K' move out they strike a cam o', which
is hung loosely. on a pin p' in the table y, its upper surface projecting
slightly above the table. This cam o' is so formed that it will revolve
sufficiently to quickly lift the carrier as it advances a little higher than
the inclined ways q', when the projection on the cam strikes the under side
of the table and prevents the further turning of the cam, while the carrier
continues on to the end of its motion. On the return of the carrier the
cam runs back on the ways q¹. The middle arm E' of the stripper D' is
formed into a box or frame open at top and bottom, in which a clamp
or wick holder 1 is placed and supported on springs s¹. The height of
this wick holder may be adjusted within certain limits by means of the
bolts t, which pass through its ends and are screwed into the frame E'.
A flat wick u is fitted into the wick holder, its upper and lower edges
projecting sufficiently to sweep across the faces of the dies S and A' as
the stripper D passes between the said dies. The upper corners of the

page_text: wick holder¹ are rounded off in order that it may yield downward and
pass the die A' as the stripper D' passes between the said dies. The
upper corners of the wick holder are rounded off in order that it
may yield downward and pass the die A¹ without breaking, if it should
come in contact with the said die. Oil for lubricating the said dies
is supplied to the wick n' from boxes or tanks P¹, which are cast with
or secured to the box B¹. In the bottom of each of the tanks P¹ a
line of holes is made and wicks ¹ placed therein. The amount of oil
which is fed out to the wicks o¹ is regulated by adjustable plugs Q',
which pass through the covers of the tanks, and are raised and lowered
by nuts on their upper ends bearing against the tops of the said covers.
These holes are so placed that the wick n' comes in contact with one
line of the wicks o¹ cach time it rises, and thus receives a supply of oil.
As each of the plugs Q' is independent of all the others the amount
of oil fed to any part of the dies may be regulated by raising or
lowering the proper plugs.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The machine being in
motion and the table Y descending a brick is placed by the attendant
near the flange n' and between the middle arms E' of the stripper and the
arm g', which is farthest from the dies. As the table Y approaches its
lowest point one of the arms K¹ carries the brick snugly against the
flange n', thus bringing it exactly in line with the dies. The stripper D¹
then moves across the table, carrying the brick with it, and depositing it
exactly over the lower die S. The dies S and T are now raised, the former
by the incline c on the annular wedge A, and the latter by the incline g,
and the brick brought up or near the die A. At this point the upper
corner of the die S is a little below the upper corner of the bevel at a²,
leaving a slight opening. The inclines d and h next raise the dies S
and T together, and at the same speed pressing the brick against the
die A', the surplus material escaping at a² and the spring C' yielding if
the pressure is too great, at the same time the wick u' comes in contact
with the wick v' and receives a supply of oil. The brick having thus
been pressed the inclines e and i cause or permit the dies S and T to
descend to their lowest position. The dog now comes in contact with
the swing piece F and moves the stripper D' to the other side of the table,
carrying the pressed brick with it, and depositing it upon one of the
carriers K', while at the same time an unpressed brick which has been
placed in the other side of the stripper D¹ is brought to the dies. As the

page_text: Fragnes Improvements tresses.
stripper moves across the table the wick n' oils the faces of the dies S
and T; again rising, the pressed brick is carried by the carriers Kand
deposited on the ways q', from which it is removed by an attendant.
The operation as thus described is repeated in the pressing of each brick,
the machine being designed to press one brick each time tlie table rises,
or two bricks by cach revolution of the wedge A.
Having thus fully described the Invention, I clain,-
'
First. The simple or compound annular wedge A for giving motion the
the dies, gate plunger, or other moving part of powerful machinery, and
especially as applied to a machine for pressing bricks, as set forth.
:
Second. The combinations in a machine for repressing bricks with the
annular wedge A of the series of rollers G, G, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Third. The ring F having pins or spindles a attached to and projecting
from it, the rollers G and the wedge A. combined and arranged sub-
stantially as specified.
Fourth. The combination with the die post U and annular wedge A of
the roller V and rollers s forming a compound friction roller bearing,
substantially as described.
Fifth. The die box or surrounding die T, formed of the platesc, x,
and wo, o, combined and arranged substantially as specified.
Sixth. The opening at a in or through the die for the escape of the
surplus material, substantially as specified.
Seventh. The stripper D' constructed and operated as described in
combination with the annular wedge A and the dies, subtantially as
set forth.
"'
Eighth. The combination with the dies and the stripper Di of the
auxilliary carriers K', constructed and operated substantially as specified.
Ninth. The oiler E' combined with the stripper D' and dies, sub-
stantially as described.
Tenth. The tanks P₁ combined with the oiler E', stripper D' and dies,
substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. The independent feed openings in the tanks P¹ combined
with the plugs Q and wicks y', substantially as specified.
Twelfth. The spring C combined with the die A', substantially as and
for the purpose specified.

page_text: Thirteenth. The combination with the opening a' and the dies S and T
of the bolts d and the adjusting nuts thereon, substantially as and for
the purpose herein-above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of May,
in the year of our Lord 1869.