Abstract: An apparatus and a method for treating the surfaces and edges of a block to mimic the appearance of natural stone. The apparatus and method can treat up to four sides of a block, can be adjusted to provide varying degrees of surface and edge treatment, and useful in high volume block production equipment. Blocks are produced having a natural, weathered appearance without the damage, breakage, dust, or expense associated with conventional splitting and tumbling methods.

Abstract: A method for treating the surfaces and edges of a block to mimic the appearance of natural stone. The apparatus and method can treat up to four sides of a block, can be adjusted to provide varying degrees of surface and edge treatment, and useful in high volume block production equipment. Blocks are produced having a natural, weathered appearance without the damage, breakage, dust, or expense associated with conventional splitting and tumbling methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for treating the surfaces and edges of a block to mimic the appearance of natural stone. The apparatus and method can treat up to four sides of a block, can be adjusted to provide varying degrees of surface and edge treatment, and useful in high volume block production equipment. Blocks are produced having a natural, weathered appearance without the damage, breakage, dust, or expense associated with conventional splitting and tumbling methods.

Abstract: A clamping guide including clamps, a clamp actuator and alignment guides where the alignment guides are coupled to and actuated with the clamps. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of clamps and alignment guides are positioned on opposite sides of a power conveyor so that a procession of product, such as blocks, passes between the clamps and between the alignment guides. Each alignment guide is coupled to a corresponding clamp with a linkage. The linkage is configured so that as the clamps close against a portion of the procession on the conveyor, the alignment guides engage another portion of the procession upstream from the clamps to align product between the guides. In another preferred embodiment, the linkage couples the alignment guides to the clamps so that when the clamps are partially or fully withdrawn from the procession, the alignment guides are closer to the procession than the clamps, thereby preventing product from contacting and twisting on edges of the clamps.

Abstract: A concrete block splitter including an anti-backdrive holding blade, a rigid cutting table, and a lower cutting blade. The present invention provides a masonry splitter that splits blocks or bricks starting from the bottom side of the block, which typically includes the most dense material, so that a resultant fracture propagates along a uniform plane through the block. The anti-backdrive holding blade firmly clamps the block onto the rigid table during a splitting operation in such a manner that the blade does not move relative to the rigid table. Accordingly, during a splitting operation, the block is prevented from moving and the blade is prevented from deflecting. The cutting blade contacts the bottom surface of the block with sufficient force to propagate a fracture through the block. In the preferred embodiment, the splitter is mounted on self-powered wheels for easy installation and removal from an automated block production line.

Abstract: Masonry blocks conveyed in side-facing-side relation toward a cubing station for assembling into multi-tiered stacks are fed to a prepositioning station where the blocks are separated into groups of three and the trailing two blocks in each group are reoriented 90.degree. into a so-called tie pattern with the other block. The two trailing blocks remain in parallel relation and extend lengthwisely in the direction of conveyance. The tie-patterned groupings are fed to a patterning station where they are relatively repositioned as necessary into the arrangement predetermined by the particular tier pattern being assembled. Once properly oriented, the block groups are transferred to the cubing station.