AU779733B2 - A cutting machine for brick making - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 550793

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Boral Bricks (NSW) Pty. Ltd.

Nuwarra Road Moorebank New South Wales 2170 Australia Christopher Charles Norris Callow Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower,Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 A Cutting Machine for Brick Making ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country [31] Applic. No(s) AU PQ7839 [32] Application Date 30 May 2000 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- IP Australia Documents received on: 2 9 MAY 2001 Batch No: 5815c A CUTTING MACHINE FOR BRICK MAKING Technical Field The present invention relates to cutting machines for brick making.

Background of the Invention In the manufacture of bricks, a slug is extruded and is delivered to a wire-cutting machine. The slug is moved transversely of its longitudinal length through the wire-cutting machine to slice the slug into individual "green" bricks. The wire-cutting machine includes a frame having top and bottom generally horizontal co-extensive vertically spaced beams between which tensioned wires pass. The wires are generally parallel and horizontally spaced. The wires pass through the slug so that the slug is transversely sliced into individual "green" bricks.

The above mentioned apparatus has the disadvantage that when a slug is delivered to the wire-cutting apparatus, only "green" bricks having planar faces and sharp edges are formed.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage or to provide a useful alternative.

ooo° Summary of the Invention ooooo There is disclosed herein a wire-cutting apparatus for brick manufacturing, the apparatus including: a pair of generally vertically spaced elongated beams held in a substantially parallel, spaced relationship; a plurality of tensioned spaced slug cutting wires attached to and extending between the beams, the wires being located at spaced locations along the beams to cut the slug to form green bricks; and a plurality of blades mounted on one of the beams to form slots in the slug, [R:\LIBTT]02449speci .doc:oon:KEH wherein each blade is associated with, and located approximately adjacent to, a corresponding one of the wires, such that a slot is formed at a corner of each green brick being formed.

Preferably, each of the blades has a passage through which an associated one of the cutting wires passes.

Preferably, the blades are mounted on the beams, with the blades being arranged in pairs, with each pair including a respective one of the blades on each of the beams and between which an associated one of the cutting wires passes.

Preferably, the blades are mounted on the beams, with the blades being arranged in pairs with each pair including a respective one of the blades on each of the beams and between which an associated one of the cutting wires passes.

Preferably, each of the cutting wires has a majr length displaced laterally relative to portions of the wire located between the blades.

Preferably, each of the cutting wires has a major length displaced laterally relative to portions of the wire located between the blades.

Preferably, each of the cutting wires has a major length displaced laterally relative to 0 0 1 portions of the wire located between the blades.

0:04 Brief Description of the Drawings 0 0 A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example 0 only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic front elevation of a wire-cutting apparatus for brick :0o manufacture; Figure 2 is a schematic end elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 sectioned along the line A-A; Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of a blade employed in the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of the blade of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of the blade of Figure 4.

[R:\LIBTTJ02449speci.doc:oon:KEH Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a wire-cutting apparatus used in the manufacture of bricks. More particularly the apparatus 10 cuts a clay slug into individual "green" bricks. The slug would be formed by a clay-extruding machine which would deliver the slug to a conveyor. The slug is moved to a position adjacent the apparatus 10 and is then pushed through the apparatus 10 in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of extension of the slug.

The apparatus 10 has a frame 11 including a pair of upright members 12 between which there extends a pair of parallel generally co-extensive beams 13 and 14 which are vertically 1o spaced. Attached to and extending between the beams 13 and 14 are generally vertical cutting wires 15 arranged at equally horizontally spaced locations along the beams 13 and 14. Each wire has its lower extremity fixed to the beam 13, while mounted on the beam 14 are tensioning apparatus 16 to which the upper end of each wire 15 is attached. The apparatus 16 is operable to tension each wire 15 so as to maintain it taut during formation of the "green" bricks.

o*o* 5: The apparatus 10 further includes delivery plates 17 and 18 along which the slug moves in the direction of the arrow 19 to be cut by the wires 15. The green bricks exit via outlet plates and 21. The plate 21 diverges upwardly relative to the plate 20, while the plate 18 has an inclined entrance portion relative to the plate 17.

°o :The apparatus 16 includes a mounting member 22 which has a longitudinally extending 00.. o slot 23 of transverse cross-section. Mounted on the member 22 is a tension member 24 having a flange 25 with a slot generally perpendicular to the slot 23. A threaded fastener 26 passes through the slot in the flange 25 to enter the slot 23. A head on the threaded fastener 26 enables the threaded fastener 26 to be tensioned to secure the member 24 in position fixed to the member 22. An extremity of the member 22 has fixed to it the upper end of an associated wire 15. Adjustable movement of the member 24 relative to the member 22 enables tensioning of the wire Mounted on the lower beam 13 are lower blades 27 while mounted on the upper beam 14 are upper blades 28. Each of the blades 27 and 28 has a passage 29 through which the associates wire 15 passes. The passages 29 displace the wire 15 laterally relative to a plane passing through the mounting points 30 that attach each wire 15 to the lower beam 13 and the [R:\LIBTT]02449speci.doc:oon:KEH 4 associated tensioning apparatus 16. That is the wire 15 has a major length 36 displaced laterally relative to the wire portions located within the blades 27 and 28.

Each blade 27 and 28 is ofa configuration so as to have a generally planar side wall 32 joined to a shaped side wall 30 by means of a base 31. The base 31 is provided with a leading edge 33 while the side walls 30 and 32 terminate with an inclined face 34. Located between the side walls 30 and 32 is a space 35 through which removed clay passes. Each passage 29 extends diagonally through the side wall The side wall 30 is provided with an arcuate recess 36 which provides an arcuate projection on the side of the "green" brick being formed. The base 31 and the side wall 32 form to a step in the respective comers of the "green" brick being formed.

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Claims (7)

1. A wire-cutting apparatus for brick manufacturing, the apparatus including: a pair of generally vertically spaced elongated beams held in a substantially parallel, spaced relationship; a plurality of tensioned spaced slug cutting wires attached to and extending between the beams, the wires being located at spaced locations along the beams to cut the slug to form green bricks; and a plurality of blades mounted on one of the beams to form slots in the slug, wherein each blade is associated with, and located approximately adjacent to, a corresponding one of the wires, such that a slot is formed at a corner of each green brick being formed. oooo

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the blades has a passage through S which an associated one of the cutting wires passes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are mounted on the beams, with Is the blades being arranged in pairs, with each pair including a respective one of the blades on each of the beams and between which an associated one of the cutting wires passes. 0:.i

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the blades are mounted on the beams, with the blades being arranged in pairs with each pair including a respective one of the blades on each 000. of the beams and between which an associated one of the cutting wires passes.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the cutting wires has a major length displaced laterally relative to portions of the wire located between the blades.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the cutting wires has a major length displaced laterally relative to portions of the wire located between the blades. [R:\LIBTT]02449speci.doc:oon:KEH

7. A wire-cutting apparatus for brick manufacturing, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Dated 9 December 2004 Boral Bricks (NSW) Pty. Ltd. s Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON S S SEeS 4 .5 S S *1 S S S -S C S SC 'CS. I. C Sb* *w C 4. 0 555505 S 4 *5S* S S 5S0 S R\L IBTT]O2449speci .doc:oon: KEH