Untitled record

June 4, 1935.

F. J. STRAUB

2,003,702

CONCRETE BLOCK MAKING APPARATUS

Sheets-Sheet 1

Filed Sept. 5, 1933

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June 4, 1935.

F. J. STRAUB

2,003,702

CONCRETE BLOCK MAKING APPARATUS

Filed Sept. 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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ATTORNEY.

Patented June 4, 1935

2,003,702

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,003,702 CONCRETE BLOCK MAKING APPARATUS Francis J. Straub, New Kensington, Pa.

Application September 5, 1933, Serial No. 688,113 5 Claims. (Cl. 25—41)

My invention is an improvement in the art of manufacturing concrete building blocks or the like in which a unit is formed in an open top and bottom, mold, with or without transverse core openings.

The invention consists in the means for forming the block in the mold initially, and then moving it with the mold to another location, with final ejection and removal.

Specifically, the operation comprises the following steps:

(a) Filling the mold and tamping the aggregate around the cores while the mold is supported on a fixed base;

(b) Withdrawing the cores downwardly through the base;

(c) Shifting the mold and formed block free of the cores laterally over a flush supporting plate onto a pallet on a depressible platform under the ejecting means;

(d) Lowering the ejecting plate onto the top of the formed block in the mold;

(e) Slightly compressing the top of the block within the mold;

(/) Ejection of the block downward through the mold by the ejecting plate with corresponding lowering of the pallet and its platform;

(&lt;z) Removal of the block on its supporting pallet; and (M Return, of the platform to initial position and placement thereon of another pallet.

In the meantime, the mold has been shifted to its initial position for reception and tamping of aggregate as before.

While the invention may be utilized in various embodiments of operating means, and may be changed or modified in detail construction, one preferred form is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a general plan view showing the mold in receiving and tamping position, and the laterally located compressor and ejector;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line H—tt of Fig. 1, showing the cores lowered;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line III—III of Fig. 1, showing the mold and its contained block in position below the ejector;

Fig. 4 is a similar detail view showing the ejector plate just prior to its initial compressing action;

Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 3, showing the block ejected downwardly from the mold onto the depressed pallet and its platform.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the filling and tamping position of the mold and B is the top compressing and ejecting position. The mold 2 is of usual construction, having an open top and bottom and rectangular side and end walls, preferably with terminal surrounding top and bottom flanges. 5

It will be understood that the mold in location A is in suitable relation to the usual reciprocable charging hopper 3 for supply of aggregate and below the customary tamps 4, adapted to compress the aggregate within the mold and around 10: the cores 5. '

The mold is provided with an endwise extension 6 having a journalled terminal 7 engaging a stud 8 for horizontal support and swinging movement. The mold is provided with a handle or 15; other suitable element 9 by which it may be swung around on its journal bearing from position A to position B.

Cores 5, which may be of any suitable number, are connected at their bases with a supporting ²⁰plate or frame IG actuated by vertically reciprocable framework, as a post or posts 1 i, for upward movement through the open bottom of the mold box and with their upper ends flush with the top surface thereof, and lowering for clear- ²⁵ance.

In operation, the cores when raised extend through suitable openings in a fixed supporting base plate 12 upon which the mold 2 is rigidly supported, whereby to provide the usual trans- ³⁰verse core openings from top to bottom. When lowered, the tops of the cores are exactly flush with or slightly below the upper surface of base i 2, allowing for the lateral movement of the mold thereover. ³⁵

At the ejecting position B, I provide a vertically adjustable platform 13 for reception of a supporting pallet 14, the upper surface of which is cn the same horizontal plane as the upper sur- ₄₀face of the mold supporting base 12, when platform ! 3 is at its uppermost position, as in Fig. 2.

Between positions A and B is interposed an arc-shaped flat smooth top supporting platform or trackway 15, the terminal edges and top sur- 45 face of which make accurate contact with platform 12 and pallet 14, whereby the tamped block and its mold may be moved laterally on pivotal mounting 8 from one position to the other.

Platform i3 is supported in any suitable man- 50 ner, as by vertically adjustable posts 16 extending through a fixed supporting frame 17, the posts having abutments 18 for accurately limiting upward movement of the platform and its pallet with accurate arrest of such upward movement ⁶⁵

2.003.702 when the surface of the pallet is flush with the surface of platform 15.

The supporting framework of platform 13 is automatically elevated by any suitable means, as counterweights 19, connected by cables 29 running over sheaves 2 i and attached to the platform posts, as at 22. A holding latch 23 is pivoted to platform 13, at 24, adapted to ride over and engage a holding stud 25 on frame Π to temporarily hold the platform in lowered position when depressed by the ejector. Upon releasing latch 23, the platform will automatically rise to the limit of its upward movement or until arrested by abutment collars !8.

The ejecting apparatus, operative at station B, is located above the platform 13 and its pallet 14, with ample intervening space for reception of mold 2 when swung around to such position.

The ejecting apparatus consists of a properly guided vertically movable cross head 26 actuated by suitable means, as a pitman 27, the cross head being engaged by oppositely located vertical guides 28 of suitable construction, whereby to maintain the ejecting mechanism in operative alinement with the mold and its contents when supported on pallet 14. Head 26 is provided with a pressing and ejecting plate 29 of the full interior area of the mold, connected with head 26 by struts or framing 30.

Depending from head 26 at each end are pairs of thrust rods 31, the lower terminals of which when the ejector is at its uppermost position, are slightly above the upper surface of the mold for clearance in placing the mold in position, as in Fig. 2.

Rods 31 when the mold is so placed are in registering relation with suitable guides or openings in the mold, which may conveniently be in the form of tubes or pipes 32. The function of such rods is to effect depression of platform 13 and its pallet 14 in connection with the ejection of the formed block from the mold by plate 29.

It is desirable however, prior to the commencement of the ejecting movement of the block, to first slightly compress its upper surface say to the extent of one quarter inch more or less.

By so doing, the upper surface of the block is densified and smoothed, in addition to the usual smoothing action of hopper 3 in sliding backwardly over the filled mold. Such surface densiflcation and smoothing is effected just prior to the contact of the terminals of rods 31 with the pallet 14.

Thus, Fig. 4 shows the plate 2 9 on the upper surface of the block, flush with the top of the mold, and with the terminal of rod 31 out of contact with the pallet for a distance equalling the desired amount of top compression. Further downward movement of plate 29 thereafter effects downward discharge of the formed block from the mold with simultaneous lowering of the pallet and platform 13, until the latter arrive at their lowermost position, whereupon the latch 23 engages stud 25, temporarily holding the platform in lowered position, as in Fig. 5.

Thereupon, elevation of head 26 withdraws rods 3i from engagement with the mold upwardly to the raised position in Fig. 2, allowing for reverse swinging movement of the empty mold to its initial position. The formed block may be removed on its pallet 14 for drying or storage, a fresh pallet is placed on the platform, latch 23 is released and platform 13 automatically resumes its initial receiving position for the next charge.

While ordinarily the counterweights 19 will ef fectively resist the preliminary slight compression of the top of the block under pressure of the ejector, it may be desirable under some circumstances to positively arrest platform 13 in its upper position, in opposition to such prelimin- 5 ary surface pressure.

In such case, temporary supporting means may be utilized, as adjustable stops 33, which may be thrust underneath the platform and withdrawn for clearance, by any suitable actuating mecha- 10 nism.

It will be understood that the entire construction is to be accurately located and mounted on suitable supporting means, as a frame or foundation, whereby to maintain the three trackway 15 elements 12, 15 and the adjustable pallet 14 in exact horizontal alinement with each other to successfully effect the lateral shifting of the block in transit from position A to position B.

By such movement over the surface of base 12 20 and platform 15 the lower face of the block is effectively trowelled, imparting to it a smooth finished surface and compensating for any undesirable irregularities. In addition to the smooth surface on the top of the block, by plate 29, the 25 sides and ends of the block are also further finished and smoothed by their downward ejection through the mold, so that the block as a whole is provided on all of its exterior surfaces with approximately smooth finished faces. 30

Likewise the inner core surfaces are smoothed to an extent by downward withdrawal of the cores prior to the lateral shifting.

While the annular swinging movement of the mold is conductive to easy starting off from the 35 surface of base 12 and movement over the surface of trackway plate 15, and onto pallet 14, the two stations A and B may be located in alinement, with a straight connecting trackway. Also, if desired one or a plurality of such stations may be 40· arranged around a common center, with suitable rest periods, as in turntable construction.

It will be understood of course that in making solid blocks, the cores may be dispensed with, the operation otherwise being as above described. 45^:

The mechanism above described is capable of use in rapid continuous commercial manufacture of concrete building blocks or other similar units, in a highly satisfactory and efficient manner, and with a resulting high grade product. 50^;

It avoids the usual complications present in many machines now in common use of forming and ejecting the block at the same location or operating station.

The speed of operation is increased by enabling 55' the user to resume filling and tamping during the time that the finished block is being removed.

The apparatus is comparatively simple, cheap to construct, not liable to get out of order, and capable of long continued use with but slight wear, 60 repair or replacement.

The resulting block likewise is a highly finished product having the qualities and advantages above pointed out.