Abstract: A clamp device has a pair of clamping members that are reciprocally movable between clamping and unclamping positions so as to respectively clamp and unclamp objects therebetween. One or both of these of clamping members includes a plurality of separate and movable gripping members extending therefrom for engaging objects during clamping. When clamping an object, these gripping members are moved away from the clamping member that they extend from to a position defined by these gripping members abutting the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the appearance of a surface-texture of cementitious blocks. The apparatus comprises a container, a movement imparting device and at least one block-immobilizing device. The container comprises block-receiving areas for receiving blocks. The movement imparting device imparts a movement to the container. The block-immobilizing device immobilizes the blocks on a given block-receiving area the during movement of the container. When introducing an impacting material in the container and imparting a movement to the container, the impacting material is caused to so impact the cementitious blocks as to modify the appearance of the surface texture thereof so as to artificially age these blocks. A vacuum device and a clamping device are also disclosed as block-immobilizing devices. Also disclosed herein is a method for modifying the appearance of a surface-texture of cementitious blocks so as to artificially age these blocks.

Abstract: There is described a dumping device for use in a system for tumbling products, such as concrete blocks, bricks, paving stones or the like loaded in successive layers on a pallet. The dumping device comprise a pallet receiving structure pivotally mounted on a fixed frame, the structure including a tilting and a movable floor that receives the pallet with the layers of products thereon. The structure is first tilted to a predetermined angle corresponding to a product unloading position; thereafter, the floor is pushed intermittently so that the layers are unloaded in succession layer by layer onto a product conveying station and, thereafter, to a tumbler. Sensors are provided to indicate the presence or absence of the products at the conveying station and to give a signal to intermittently actuate the floor.