Flute breaker
OwnerJimmie M. Jenkinsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for breaking the flutes from fluted blocks. The apparatus includes breaker head means for engaging opposite surfaces of a block flute and means for rotating the breaker head means to apply rotational forces which break the flute from the block forming decorative surfaces. In order to facilitate the engagement of the fluted blocks with the breaker head an infeed conveyor and block positioning means are provided to move the flutes of fluted blocks into engagement with the breaker head means and to withdraw the block after the flutes have been broken off. Further means are provided to propel the block to a discharge conveyor from which the blocks may be removed and stacked for shipment.
Claims6
Apparatus for developing a decorative surface on a frangible building block having a flute extending at substantially a right angle to and outwardly from said surface of said block by breaking said flute from said block at a location inwardly of the distal end of said flute comprising
- a breaker head including base means mounted for pivotal movement relative to said flute about a pivot located outwardly of and away from said flute, a rigid fulcrum member extending from said base means to a location on one side of said flute adjacent the position of the desired break of said flute, and an anvil member extending from said base to a location adjacent said distal end of said flute and on the opposite side of said flute as said fulcrum member, said fulcrum member and said anvil member being immovable with respect to one another and defining an opening therebetween to receive said flute, the spacing between said fulcrum and anvil members being of a dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of the flute disposed therebetween,
- means urging said flute on said block into a position between said fulcrum and anvil members while not placing absolute restraint against movement of said block in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction said flute extends from said block, and
- means for rotating said breaker head in a direction whereby said fulcrum member contacts said flute adjacent the desired break and said anvil member contacts the distal end of said flute on the side thereof opposite said fulcrum member to exert a breaking force to said flute.
Apparatus for making decorative surfaces on a building block having a plurality of flutes extending outwardly from one surface thereof including:
- a frame;
- breaker head means supported on said frame for engaging each of the flutes on a block;
- means for rotating said breaker head means to apply forces to each of said flutes which means causes portions of each of said flutes to be rotated relative to its plane;
- a conveyor on said frame for moving said block to said breaker head means;
- block positioning means including reciprocatable carriage means on said frame for moving said blocks into said breaker head means upon forward movement of said carriage means and means carried by said carriage means and engaging said block for withdrawing said blocks from said breaker head means upon rearward movement of said carriage means;
- means responsive to movement of a block into said breaker head means for actuating said means for rotating said breaker head means to break said flutes;
- and,
- means responsive to rotation of said breaker head means to withdraw said block from said breaker head means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.