US 8,133,049 B1Granted

Modular refractory support system

OwnerJames Colman Sullivan, Diana Lea Mausserinventors

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Abstract

A variable modular support system for use in a kiln, as well as a method of constructing such a support system in a kiln, comprises plurality of refractory blocks each having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one transverse recess in either the upper or lower surface, the plurality of refractory blocks comprising a first base refractory block and a second base refractory block spaced from the first refractory block by a variable and selectable distance. Connecting rods extend from the recess of the first base refractory block or a refractory block stacked thereon to the recess of the second base refractory block or a refractory block stacked thereon, the connecting rods forming a rack or shelf located between the first base refractory block and the second base refractory block.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A variable modular support system for use in a kiln comprising:

a plurality of refractory blocks each having an upper surface, a lower surface, opposing generally plain side edges and at least one transverse recess in each of the upper and the lower surfaces between the side edges, the plurality of refractory blocks comprising a first base refractory block and a substantially identical second base refractory block spaced from the first refractory block by a variable and selectable distance;
and
connecting rods extending from the recess of the first base refractory block or a substantially identical refractory block stacked thereon to the recess of the second base refractory block or a substantially identical refractory block stacked thereon, the connecting rods forming a rack or shelf located between the first base refractory block and the second base refractory block, the distance between the transverse recesses on the upper and lower surfaces respectively being of sufficient height to provide a storage space between the connecting rods and to accommodate objects being placed on the connecting rods to provide access thereto for loading and unloading such objects.

A method of stacking objects to be fired in a kiln by placing the objects on a variable modular support system formed in the kiln, the method comprising:

arranging on the floor or base of the kiln a plurality of refractory blocks each having an upper surface, a lower surface, opposing generally plain side edges and at least one transverse recess in each of the upper and the lower surfaces between the side edges, the plurality of refractory blocks comprising a first base refractory block and a substantially identical second base refractory block spaced from the first refractory block by a variable and selectable distance;
and
placing connecting rods which extend from the recess of the first base refractory block or a substantially identical refractory block stacked thereon to the recess of the second base refractory block or a substantially identical refractory block stacked thereon, so that the connecting rods form a rack or shelf located between the first base refractory block and the second base refractory block, and constructing the distance between the transverse recesses on the upper and lower surfaces respectively to be of sufficient height to provide a storage space between the connecting rods and to accommodate objects being placed on the connecting rods to provide access thereto for loading and unloading such objects.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.