Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 Apparatus constructed in accordance with the
2 invention is adapted for incorporation in a conventional
3 concrete or the like block molding machine of the kind hav-
4 ing a mold open at its top and bottom and into which mold-
S able material such as concrete may be introduced. To provide
~ a removable bottom for the mold, a pallet conventionally is
7 supported atop a vertically movable palletsupport which is-
8 carried by a vertically reciprocable frame so as to enable
~ the pallet to be held in a position against the bottom of
the mold. The conventional machine also includes a verti-
11 cally movable stripper which compacts the moldable material
12 in the mold and subsequently ejects the compacted material
13 from the mold by moving downwardly through the mold. As
14 the stripper moves downwardly, the pallet support also moves
downwardly so as to maintain its support for the block as it
1~ is ejected from the mold.
17
18 In the manufacture of concrete and the like blocks,
19 it is conventional practice to vibrate the mold following
introduction of the moldable material thereto and prior to
21 the ejection of the molded block. Although numerous attempts
22 heretofore have been made to minimize noise generated as a -
23 result of the vibration of the mold, it has been exceedingly
24 difficult to clamp the pallet sufficiently tightly against
the bottom of the mold to prevent relative movement between
~6 the mold and the pallet during vibration of the mold, there- -:
~7 by resulting in the generation of noise above the level of
~8 that re~uired by some statutes. Moreover, it has been
~ difficult heretofore to prevent some lateral or sidewise
3~ relative movement between the mold and its supporting
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108Z~()8
1 structure, thereby resulting in the generation of additional
2 noise as a consequence of vibration of the mold.
4 Apparatus constructed in accordance with the in-
vention includes a vertically movable pallet support lifting
~ ¦ frame, a vertically movable pallet support, and a lost mo-
7 ¦ tion coupling between the lifting frame and the pallet sup-
8 ¦ port, thereby enabling movement of the lifting frame and
~ ¦ the pallet support relative to one another and relative to
10 1 other components of the machine. The apparatus also includes
11 ¦ a lost motion coupling between the mold and its supporting
12 ¦ structure to enable the mold and the pallet support to move
13 ¦ as an integral unit during vibration of the mold. Each lost
14 ¦ motion coupling includes yieldable, compressible, force
15 ¦ applying means, the two force applying means acting in oppo-
1~ ¦ sition to one another so as to clamp the mold and the pallet
17 ¦ support tightly against one another and provide a cushioned,
18 ¦ floating suspension for the mold and pallet frame during
19 ¦ vibration of the mold so as to minimize greatly noise
20 ¦ generated as a result of mold vibration.
21 1 .
22 ¦ An object of this invention is to provide a yield-
23 ¦ able suspension for a vibratable mold of a block making
~4 ¦ machine to prevent engagement of the mold during its vibra-
25 ¦ tion with the machine frame, thereby avoiding generation of
aB ¦ noise due to movement of the mold during vibrations.
27
~8 ¦ Another object of the invention is to provide for -~
¦ the application of sufficient force between a pallet sup-
~0 ¦ port and the mold to preclude relative movement of the mold
108Z1~8
1 and a pallet during vibration of the mold, thereby avoiding
2 generation of noise due to relative movement between the
3 mold and the pallet during vibration. :~
Other objects and advantages of the invention
6 will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent
7 from the following description when it is considered in
conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying
9 drawings, wherein:
11 Figure 1 is a fragmentary, front elevational
12 view of a typical concrete block making machine fitted with
13 apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,
14 certain parts being broken away for clarity;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic, side elevational
1~ view, partly in section, the section being taken along the
17 line 2-2 of Figure 1;
18 Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken
. along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;
20 Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but il- . .
21 lustrating parts of the apparatus in adjusted positions; and .:
22 Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, but taken
23 along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.
~4
Apparatus constructed in accordance with the in-
~B vention is adapted for use in conjunction with an otherwise
~7 conventional concrete block making machine having a base 1
provided with an upstanding frame, including spaced apart
frame members 2 and 3 having between their upper and lower ~-
~0 ends forwardly projecting arms 4 and 5, respectively. The
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10~(~8
l frame members 2 and 3 are notched to provide throats 6 and
2 7 having flat, horizontal, support surfaces 8 and 9. Span-
3 ning the throats and supported upon the surfaces 8 and 9
4 when at rest is a mold frame 10 on which is supported a
mold member 11 having an open top and an open bottom.
~ The interior of the mold is shaped to correspond to the
7 block (or plurality of blocks) of the kind to be molded.
8 A shroud 12 is carried by the member 10 and surrounds the
9 open top of the mold 11 as is conventional.
ll At opposite ends of the mold frame 10 are se-
12 cured a pair of fore and aft extending base or lower plates
13 13. At the forward end of each plate is fixed a bushing 14.
l4 Parallel to, but spaced above each plate 13, is a corres-
ponding upper plate 15 at the forward end of each of which
l~ is fixed a block 16 from which depends a guide pin 17 which
17 is snugly, but slideably, accommodated in its companion
18 bushing 14.
19 ~: The upper plates 15 are secured to the lower ends
21 of vertical supports 18 which constitute parts of the ma-
22 chine frame and form slideable guides for a stripper frame
23 l9 which is vertically reciprocable by means yet to be
24 described. The frame 19 supports a stripper head 20 which
is of such size and shape as to fit snugly, but slideably,
2B within the mold 11.
~7
~8 The mold frame lO, as stated earlier, normally
rests upon the surfaces 8 and 9 of the throats 6 and 7, but
~0 the mold frame is capable of vertical movement and is guided
1~8Zl(~
1 in such movement by the guide pins 17. Upward movement of
2 the mold frame relative to the stripper frame is opposed
3 by yieldably compressible force applying means 21 com-
4 prising a plurality of gas filled, expansible and contrac-
tile bags 22 interposed between the lower and upper plates
B 14 and 15, respectively. The extent to which the mold
7 frame 10 can move upward relative to the stripper frame
8 is determined by the compressibility of the bags 22 and by
~ the upward force applied to frame 10. For purposes of the
invention, it is sufficient if the mold frame 10 is capable
11 of movement toward the stripper frame a distance of about
12 3/4 inch so as to provide gap G (see Figure 2) of about
13 3/4 inch between the throat surfaces 8 and 9 and the bottom
14 of the frame 10.
: -
lB As is conventional, the mold frame 10 is fitted
17 with motor driven vibrators, diagrammatically shown at 23 ~-
18 in Figures 1 and 3, for the purpose of vibrating the frame
19 10 and the mold 11. The vertical amplitude of vibrating
movement of the mold frame should be less than the height
21 of the gap G so as to avoid engagement between the frame
22 10 and the throat surfaces 8 and 9 during vibration of the
23 frame.
24
As is conventional, the molding machine includes
2B a pallet support 25 comprising an upper plate 26 fitted with
Q7 rubbery pads 27 atop which a metal pallet 28 may be supported `
~8 to form a removable bottom for the mold 11. The upper plate
2~ 26 has a depending skirt 29 within which is accommodated the
upper ends of a pair of downwardly tapering support arms 30.
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1 The upper ends of the arms are fixed to the plate 26 and
2 the lower ends of the arms are welded to a transverse beam
3 31 which spans the frame members 2 and 3 at the front of
4 the machine. The arms 30 and the beam 31 thus are movable
vertically as a unit in a manner and for a purpose presently
~ to be explained.
Straddling the beam 31 is a pallet support lifter
; frame 32 constituting motion transmitting means for the
beam 31 and its associated structure. The lifter frame
11 comprises a pair of spaced apart members 33 joined at their
12 ends by cross members 34 (see Figures 2 and 4). Each member
13 33 has fixed thereto a bar 35 to which is anchored the lower
14 ends of a pair of struts 36, the upper ends of which are
fixed to a horizontal pressure plate 37. The construction
1~ is such that the lifter frame 32 and the pressure plate 37
17 are vertically movable as a unit.
18
19 Fitted atop the pressure plate 37 is yieldably
compressible force applying means 38 comprising a gas filled,
21 expansible and contractile bag 39 encircled at its center
22 by a ring 40. The bag bears at its upper end against the
23 bottom of the pallet support plate 26. The bag 39 thus con-
24 stitutes the support for the transverse beam 31 and, since
2S the bag is compressible, it forms a lost motion coupling
36 between the lifter frame 32 and the pallet support 25 which
27 enables relative vertical movement therebetween.
~8
Relative movement between the beam 31 and the
~0 lifter frame 32 results in relative movement between the
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108Z108
1 pallet support 25 and the pressure plate 37. The extent
2 of downward movement of the pressure plate 37 relative to
3 the pallet support 25 may be regulated by means of a
4 plurality of adjustable positioning screws, two of which
are shown at 41 in Figures 1 and 4, which are threadedly
~ mounted in lugs 42 carried by the support arms 30. The
7 screws 41 are adjustable for the purpose of ensuring a
8 parallel relation between the plane of the mold 11 and the
9 plane of the pallet support plate 26 when the gap G has
been eliminated.
11
12 The vertical movements of the stripper frame 19
13 and the pallet lifter frame 32 are effected by cam controlled
14 conventional drive means illustrated diagrammatically in
Figures 2 and 5. The drive means for the stripper frame
1~ comprises a pair of motor driven cams 43 and 44 which are
17 engageable and disengageable with a pair of followers 45
18 and 46, respectively, journaled at one end of a bell crank
19 47 that is pivoted as at 48 to the machine frame. The op-
posite end of the crank is pivotally connected by linkage
21 49 to the stripper frame 19 to effect vertical movements
22 of the latter according to the contour of the cams.
23
24 The drive means for the pallet lifter frame 32
comprises a motor driven cam 50 in engagement with a fol-
2B lower 51 journaled at one end of a bell crank 52 that is
~7 pivoted to the machine frame at 53. The opposite end of
~8 the crank 52 is connected by linkage 54 to the lifter frame
cross member 34. The contours of the cams are so related
~0 to one another as to effect precise conjoint and relative
108Z10~
1 movement of the stripper frame 19 and the lifter frame 32
2 for a purpose to be explained.
4 As is conventional, the stripper frame 19 and
5 the lifter frame 32 are provided with confronting pairs of ~-
~ adjustable stops 55 and 56 operable to limit relative move-
7 ment of such frames toward one another for the purpose of
8 controlling the height of the block formed in the mold 11.
9 -
When the machine is conditioned for the molding
11 of a block, the parts will occupy the positions illustrated
12 in Figures 1 and 2 in which the stripper frame 19 is ele-
13 vated to permit moldable material to be introduced to the ~:
14 mold 11. A pallet 28 will be supported on the pallet support 2'
and will engage the bottom of the mold 11 to form a re-
1~ movable bottom for the latter. The lifter frame 32 also
17 will be in an elevated position, thereby holding the pres-
18 sure plate 37 at a level above that of the positioning
19 screws 41. .~ .
:
21 Movement of the pressure plate 37 off the screws
22 41 causes an upward force to be applied by the bag 39 to
23 the pallet support 25 so as to cause the plate 26 to clamp :.
~4 the pallet 28 tightly against the mold 11 and lift the mold
frame 10 upwardly off the throat surfaces 8 and 9 to form
26 the gap G. The upward movement of the mold frame 10 causes
~7 the lower plates 13 to move upwardly relative to the fixed
a8 plates 15, thereby effecting compression of the gas filled
bags 22. The bags 22 thus apply a compressive force on the :
~0 mold frame 10 in opposition to the force applied by the ~.
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.,
108Z108
1 bag 39, and the gas content of the respective bags is so
2 selected that the opposing forces are equal, whereby the
5 mold frame 10 is yieldably suspended between the throat :
4 surface 8 and 9 and the upper plate 15.
e The upward movement of the pallet support 25
7 causes corresponding movement of the beam 31 and of the
8 positioning screws 41, but such movement is insufficient
~ to effect reengagement of the screws with the pressure plate
37 because of the opposition force applied on the pallet
11 support 25 via the members 22. There thus will be provided
12 a gap G' between the pressure plate 37 and the screws 41
13 and the height of such gap should be greater than the amp-
14 litude of vertical movement of the mold during the vibration.
:`
1~ During the filling of the mold, the clamping of
17 the pallet 28 to the bottom of the mold, and the lifting
18 of the mold off the throats, the vibrators 23 are operated
19 to vibrate the mold frame, thereby effecting even distri-
bution and compaction of the moldable material throughout
81 the mold.
22
23 During the vibration of the mold frame the
~4 stripper frame 19 is lowered by its drive means so as to
cause the stripper head 20 to enter the mold 11 to the level
26 permitted by the stop members 55 and 56. Upon engagement
~7 of the stop members 55 and 56 vibration of the mold is
~8 discontinued, as is conventional. ~.
~ : ~'
~0 In conventional block molding machinery, it is
108ZlC8
1 customary to strip the molded block from the mold immediately
2 following termination of vibration of the mold by effecting
3 simultaneous downward movement of the stripper head and the
4 pallet support a distance sufficient to enable the molded
block to be pushed through the mold to a level below that
~ of the bottom of the mold. Molded blocks are stripped from
7 the mold 11 of the present construction by movement of the
8 stripper head through the mold, but the force exerted on
~ the pallet support 25 by the bag 39 must be relieved shortly
after the application of stripping force on the molded
11 block from the mold to avoid crumbling of the block. The
12 desired result is achieved by lowering the mold frame 10
13 to eliminate the gap G, thereby relocating the mold frame
14 on the throat surfaces 8 and 9, and by simultaneously eli-
minating the gap G' between the pressure plate 37 and the
1~ screws 41.
17
18 Closing of the gaps G and G' is effected by
19 the driving mechanisms for the stripper frame 19 and the
pallet lifter frame 32. The cams 43 and 44 for controlling
21 the movements of the stripper frame 19 are so contoured that
22 the stripper frame is lowered relatively to the lifter frame
23 32 to a level in which the cooperable stops 55 and 56 en-
24 gage one another, as stated previously. During such move-
ment of the stripper frame the pallet lifter frame 32 remains
~B stationary. The stripper frame driving cam 43 and lifter
~7 frame driving cam 50 are so contoured, however, that,
a8 following engagement of the cooperable stop members 55 and
~0 56, the stripper frame 19 and the lifter frame 32 commence
3~ downward movement to free the molded block in the mold.
. .
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1 Thereafter the cams 43 and 50 drive the stripping frame 19
2 and the lifter frame 32 downwardly and at the same speed,
3 thereby maintaining the relative positions of the stripper
4 frame 19 and the lifter frame 32, but effecting lowering :
of the mold member 10 into seating engagement on the throat
surfaces 8 and 9, so as to eliminate the gap G. Downward
7 movement of the lifter frame 32 will cause the pressure
8 plate 37 to seat on the positioning screws 41, thereby
eliminating the gap G'.
11 Following engagement of the pressure plate 37
12 with the positioning screws 41, further rotation of the cam
13 50 effects further downward movement of the lifter frame 32
14 and such movement of the lifter frame is transmitted to the
beam 31 via the pressure plate 37 and the screws 41 so as
lB to effect simultaneous downward movement of the pallet
17 support 25. Thereafter, the stripper frame 19 and the
18 lifter frame 32 continue to move downwardly at the same
19 rate of speed so as to enable the molded block to be
pushed downwardly through the mold 11 and ejected from
21 the latter. During the ejection of the molded block from
22 the mold 11, the bag 39 is maintained in a compressed state, :.
23 but the engagement between the pressure plate 37 and the
~4 screws 41 prevents upward movement of the pallet support 25
relative to the lifter frame. As a consequence, the pallet
2~ support 25 does not exert any force on the block being
~7 stripped from the mold 11.
~ :'
The disclosed embodiment is representative of a
~0 presently preferred form of the invention, but is intended
108Z:~08
1 to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The
3 ention is defined in the claim:.
0
9 :
22
2B
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