IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BRICKS
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Tomkins at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 27th July 1876.
GEORGE TOMKINS, of Aberdare, in the County of Glamorgan. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BRICKS."
The object of this Invention is the making of bricks by machinery hereafter
described so that they may be more expeditiously formed, made, and delivered.
In carrying out my Invention I adopt substantially the following general
arrangements:-
On a suitable framing is mounted a plate or other suitable arrangement. This
plate is formed on the upper surface thereof with divisions to the width of the
brick. These divisions rise from and are secured to said plate by any convenient
means. To one side or end of the said plate is hinged another plate which is formed
50 as to admit of going between the divisions before described. At right angles to
this latter plate, and also hinged to the plate carrying the divisions, is a frame the
width of the said first-mentioned plate. On this frame cutters or pieces of inetal
are attached, said cutters being mounted to the exact length of the brick. In this
arrangement when the bricks are to be formed the three plates before described are
in such a position that the frame carrying the divisions with the cutters represents
in each division the exact form of the brick. The clay is then brought and spread
over the divisions, and, if desired, a roller is used for pressing in the clay. When
this is done the cutters are raised and the bricks are then in position to be delivered
on to suitable board or slide, and same are delivered by the plate that is placed
between the divisions on the plate, although I prefer to place after the cutters are
withdrawn a board or plate over the top of the bricks, and this serves as a stand
for the bricks when they are discharged from between the divisions.
Or if preferred the plate with divisions before described may be formed with
divisions on both sides thereof. In this case the plate which is between the divisions
is double. The cutters are placed as before described. By this arrangement a
double action is secured, as by the act of filling in the clay and forming the brick
on the upper side those that have been formed and turned to the under side are
discharged.
In making what are termed stack bricks the divisions are formed on trays, which
when placed together form a circle, the divisions being concentric with the centre.

page_text: Through the centre of the table a spindle passes, and around this spindle slides a
ferrule to which are attached the cutters, said cutters having an action similar to
that of an umbrella frame. The clay in this case is filled into the divisions and the
cutters are then brought down between the divisions cutting the bricks to their
proper size. The bricks on said trays are then withdrawn, and same when the 5
bricks are discharged are replaced and the operation is repeated.
Or the plato with divisions is fixed and suitable sliding frames are placed under
the divisions so that the bricks as formed are withdrawn on said sliding frames,
which are replaced for further operation.
In some cases I can dispense with the plate formed with divisions and instead 1
thereof use a plain plate or bed with ledges or grooves formed at the edges. The
clay is spread over the plate and then to secure an even surface a plate cut into
divisions is placed over the clay. A roller with cutters formed thereon to the
width of the brick is then run between the divisions in the plate resting on the
clay, cutting the clay to the width of the bricks. Another roller with cutters I
formed thereon to the length of the brick is then run over the clay and this cuts
the clay into the form of the bricks.