US3589495A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brick making machine
Assignee: PEARNE & LACY MACHINE COMPANY INC A CORPOF NC
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Filing: 1969-08-18
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An automated brick hacker is disclosed which includes an inverter stacker operable to position one elongated cut or uncut slug of unfired brick material on a subsequent cut or uncut slug. In one embodiment, an inverter is pivoted for movement between a position aligned with an off-bearing belt and an inverted position over the belt. A pusher operates to slide alternate slugs from the off-bearing belt onto the inverter. Vacuum means grip the slug while it is inverted and positioned over the subsequent slug on the off-bearing belt. In another embodiment, an inverter stacker is provided which is operable to grip lateral sides of a slug along its length and raise the slug for positioning on a subsequent slug with or without inversion. A pusher drivingly engages the rearward end of a cut slug for movement into the inverter and spaces adjacent slugs without creating spaces between bricks in the slug. A pneumatic gripper is provided to gently, but securely, grip a plurality of bricks for transfer from one location to another.
Inventors
- 👤 Florentin J Pearne
- 👤 Frank S Pearne
- 👤 Frederick G Robson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:59
CPC Classifications
B; B28; B28B; B28B11/00; B28B11/14; B28B11/16; B65; B65G; B65G57/00; B65G57/02; B65G57/16; B65G57/20; B65G57/22; B65G57/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A machine for handling slugs of unfired brick material comprising conveyor means operable to sequentially move elongated slugs to a stacking position, gripper means operable to grip substantially the entire length of a first slug delivered to said stacking position by said conveyor means and to position said gripped slug over a subsequent slug at said stacking position, said gripping means being operable to release said gripped slug onto said subsequent slug forming a stack of two slugs in vertical alignment, said gripper means including a gripper assembly and a supporting frame, said gripper assembly being rotatable with respect to said supporting frame to turn a gripped slug through substantially 180* before positioning such slug on said subsequent slug, said conveyor means operating to move said stack of slugs out of said stacking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A machine for handling slugs of unfired brick material comprising conveyor means operable to sequentially move elongated slugs to a stacking position, gripper means operable to grip substantially the entire length of a first slug delivered to said stacking position by said conveyor means and to position said gripped slug over a subsequent slug at said stacking position, said gripping means being operable to release said gripped slug onto said subsequent slug forming a stack of two slugs in vertical alignment, said gripper means including a gripper assembly and a supporting frame, said gripper assembly being rotatable with respect to said supporting frame to turn a gripped slug through substantially 180* before positioning such slug on said subsequent slug, said conveyor means operating to move said stack of slugs out of said stacking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slug includes a plurality of abutting unfired bricks, and said gripper is operable to individually grip each brick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said conveyor means is operable to receive abutting slugs and to separate said slugs before delivering them to said stacking position without separating the bricks within said slugs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said conveyor means includes a pusher operable to drivingly engage the rearward end of a slug and to push said engaged slug away from a subsequent slug to provide spacing therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said slug is provided with a scrap piece at its rearward end and said pusher drivingly engages said scrap piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pusher includes projections pressed laterally into said scrap piece to provide said driving connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said conveyor means includes stack moving means operable to engage the rearward end of a stack and to push said stack out of said stacking position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said conveyor means includes a powered conveyor and said stack moving means moves said stack onto said powered conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said gripper means is operable to turn said first slug through substantially 180* before positioning it on said subsequent slug.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said gripper means includes a gripper assembly, and a supporting frame, said gripper assembly being rotatable with respect to said supporting frame to turn a gripped slug through substantially 180* before positioning such slug on said subsequent slug.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripper means is operable to turn said first slug through substantially 180* before positioning it on said subsequent slug.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripper assembly includes opposed gripping surfaces movable toward and away from each other to grip lateral sides of said slug.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein at least one of said gripping surfaces is provided by an inflatable tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein said supporting frame includes a pair of spaced arms pivoted for movement about an axis substantially aligned with the upper surface of a slug in said stacking position, and said gripper assembly is pivotally mounted on said arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said grippEr assembly includes vacuum gripping means to grip said slug.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said vacuum gripping means is a plate pivotally mounted for rotation through substantially 180* from a first position aligned with and beside said conveyor means and a second inverted position over said conveyor means, and said gripper means includes transfer means for moving a slug from said conveyor means onto said plate while said plate is in said first position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
An inverter for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to transport elongated rectangular cross section slugs to an inverter position, an inverter element pivoted for movement between a first position in horizontal alignment with said conveyor and a second position inverted over said conveyor, a pusher operable to laterally move a first slug from said conveyor to said element while said element is in said first position, gripping means on said element operable to grip said first slug while said element moves to said second position, a slug supported by said element being spaced above said conveyor, a distance at least equal to twice the height of said slugs when said element is in said second position, said gripping means releasing said first slug onto a second slug supported by said conveyor when said inverter element is in said second position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
142 words
An inverter for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to transport elongated rectangular cross section slugs to an inverter position, an inverter element pivoted for movement between a first position in horizontal alignment with said conveyor and a second position inverted over said conveyor, a pusher operable to laterally move a first slug from said conveyor to said element while said element is in said first position, gripping means on said element operable to grip said first slug while said element moves to said second position, a slug supported by said element being spaced above said conveyor, a distance at least equal to twice the height of said slugs when said element is in said second position, said gripping means releasing said first slug onto a second slug supported by said conveyor when said inverter element is in said second position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
An inverter for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to transport elongated rectangular cross section slugs to an inverter position, an inverter plate pivoted for movement between a first position in horizontal alignment with said conveyor and a second position inverted over said conveyor, a means operable to move a first slug from said conveyor to said plate while said plate is in said first position, vacuum means in said plate operable to grip said first slug while said plate moves to said second position, said plate being spaced above said conveyor a distance at least equal to twice the height of said slugs when in said second position, said vacuum means releasing said first slug onto a second slug supported by said conveyor when said inverter plate is in said second position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
134 words
An inverter for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to transport elongated rectangular cross section slugs to an inverter position, an inverter plate pivoted for movement between a first position in horizontal alignment with said conveyor and a second position inverted over said conveyor, a means operable to move a first slug from said conveyor to said plate while said plate is in said first position, vacuum means in said plate operable to grip said first slug while said plate moves to said second position, said plate being spaced above said conveyor a distance at least equal to twice the height of said slugs when in said second position, said vacuum means releasing said first slug onto a second slug supported by said conveyor when said inverter plate is in said second position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
157 words
An inverter for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to transport elongated rectangular cross section slugs to an inverter position, an inverter plate pivoted for movement between a first position in horizontal alignment with said conveyor and a second position inverted over said conveyor, a retractable gate operable to engage and stop a slug on said conveyor opposite said plate, a pusher operable to laterally move a first slug stopped by said gate from said conveyor to said plate while said plate is in said first position, vacuum means in said plate operable to grip a slug while said plate moves to said second position, said plate being spaced above said conveyor a distance at least equal to twice the height of said slug when in said second position, said vacuum means releasing said first slug onto a second slug supported by said conveyor against said gate when said inverter plate is in said second position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
157 words
An inverter for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to transport elongated rectangular cross section slugs to an inverter position, an inverter plate pivoted for movement between a first position in horizontal alignment with said conveyor and a second position inverted over said conveyor, a retractable gate operable to engage and stop a slug on said conveyor opposite said plate, a pusher operable to laterally move a first slug stopped by said gate from said conveyor to said plate while said plate is in said first position, vacuum means in said plate operable to grip a slug while said plate moves to said second position, said plate being spaced above said conveyor a distance at least equal to twice the height of said slug when in said second position, said vacuum means releasing said first slug onto a second slug supported by said conveyor against said gate when said inverter plate is in said second position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
A slug inverter and stacker for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to carry elongated rectangular cross section slugs to a stacking position, means to move a first slug to a position adjacent said stacking position, vacuum gripping means operable to grip said first slug adjacent said stacking position and move said first slug to an inverted position over a second slug on said conveyor, said vacuum gripping means thereafter releasing said first slug onto said second slug.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
79 words
A slug inverter and stacker for a brick hacker comprising a conveyor operable to carry elongated rectangular cross section slugs to a stacking position, means to move a first slug to a position adjacent said stacking position, vacuum gripping means operable to grip said first slug adjacent said stacking position and move said first slug to an inverted position over a second slug on said conveyor, said vacuum gripping means thereafter releasing said first slug onto said second slug.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripper assembly is selectively operable to position a gripped slug on a subsequent slug without turning said slug through 180*.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |