Brick dehacker

An apparatus for varying the number of rows of brick and number of brick in a row of brick courses removed from a kiln car and for selectively combining and alternating courses of brick removed from at least two kiln cars in preparation for stacking and straping, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first grouping means having a receiving end and a discharge end and means for accumulating and moving a predetermined number of rows of brick from said courses of brick removed from said first kiln car and deposited on said receiving end towards said discharge end;
• (b) a second grouping means having a receiving end and a discharge end located transversely to the discharge end of said first grouping means and means for accumulating and moving a predetermined number of brick in said predetermined rows of brick received from said first grouping means and deposited on said receiving end towards said discharge end;
• (c) a third grouping means having a receiving end and a discharge end and means for accumulating and moving a predetermined number of rows of brick from said courses of brick removed from said second kiln car and deposited on said receiving end towards said discharge end;
• (d) a fourth grouping means having a receiving end and a discharge end located transversely to the discharge end of said third grouping means and means for accumulating and moving a predetermined number of brick in said predetermined rows of brick received from said first grouping means and deposited on said receiving end towards said discharge end;
• (e) blending means for selectively combining and alternating courses of brick removed from said first and second kiln cars located between said second and fourth grouping means, said blending means including:
• (i) a first split table having a stop along one edge for accumulating and moving a predetermined number of brick arranged in at least one row removed from said second grouping means;
• (ii) a second split table having a stop along one edge for accumulating and moving a predetermined number of brick arranged in at least one row removed from said fourth grouping means, wherein the stops of said first and second split tables are generally parallel and aligned with respect to one another;
• and
• (ii) a discharge pusher assembly located transversely to said first and second split tables for selectively discharging brick from said first split table, said second split table, and said first and second split tables, wherein said discharge pusher assembly includes:
• a frame;
• a fluid operated cylinder attached at one end to said frame;
• and a plate attached to the other end of said cylinder, wherein said plate includes at least one aperture which may be selectively opened to permit said plate to pass over said stops located along one edge of each of said split tables;
• and
• (f) conveying means located adjacent to said means for selectively combining and alternating courses of brick removed from said first and second kiln cars for receiving said courses of brick and conveying said courses of brick to a stacking and strapping station.