Abstract: A concrete block molding machine has a vibratible mold box incorporating at least one molding cavity for a cement mixture which is to be densified in the cavity. A continuously driven shaft assembly mounts an eccentric fixed portion and a circumferentially adjustable balancing mass. The shaft assembly has a cylinder with a piston therein, connected to the mass to produce rotary motion of the mass relative to the fixed eccentric portion. A spring of predetermined rate opposes this. The pressure of the fluid introduced is varied to change the amplitude of the vibration imparted during each cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling products such as bagged particulate material, into a multi-tiered stack upon a pallet, is designed to substantially eliminate relative movement between the articles and article supporting surfaces of the apparatus during the stacking operation. The articles are arranged into a tier upon an air table and then transferred to an elevator consisting of spaced parallel rollers. The elevator is then raised to a location above a set of retractable tines which are then projected beneath the elevator into the spaces between the rollers to receive the tier of articles as the elevator is lowered. The elevator then brings a second tier of articles to a location just below the extended tines which are then retracted to drop the tier supported on the tines onto the tier supported on the elevator, which is then raised above the tines. The tines are then reinserted beneath the elevator to receive the two stacked tiers and this cycle is repeated until the stack is complete.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling products such as bagged particulate material, into a multi-tiered stack upon a pallet, is designed to substantially eliminate relative movement between the articles and article supporting surfaces of the apparatus during the stacking operation. The articles are arranged into a tier upon an air table, then transferred to an elevator consisting of spaced parallel rollers. The elevator is then raised to a location above a set of retractable tines which are then projected beneath the elevator into the spaces between the rollers to receive the tier of articles as the elevator is lowered. The elevator then brings a second tier of articles to a location just below the extended tines which are then retracted to drop the tier supported on the tines onto the tier supported on the elevator, which is then raised above the tines. The tines are then reinserted beneath the elevator to receive the two stacked tiers and this cycle is repeated until the stack is complete.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring articles, such as concrete blocks, from a conveyor to a curing kiln and return comprise a carriage movable along a path leading from the block conveyor to any selected one of a number of curing kilns. The carriage supports a rotary turntable on which is mounted a transfer vehicle provided with article supporting forks that are vertically movable so as to shift articles off and onto the block conveyor, deposit the articles within the kiln, and retrieve the articles from the kiln. The transfer vehicle is movable horizontally relatively to the turntable to enable the article supporting forks to overlie the block conveyor, and the transfer vehicle also is movable horizontally relatively to the turntable and carriage into and out of the selected kiln.

Abstract: A method of producing concrete articles comprises reclaiming a portion of the heat energy from the kiln atmosphere during the curing of the concrete articles, and then utilizing the reclaimed heat energy to pre-heat mixing water used to form other concrete articles, or to add to boiler feed water used to generate low pressure steam, or both. In the case where two or more kilns are operated simultaneously at staggered curing cycles, the high temperature kiln atmosphere from the kiln undergoing cool down is intermixed with the low temperature kiln atmosphere from the kiln undergoing heat up thereby reclaiming heat energy from one kiln and using it in the other kiln thereby reducing the total energy consumption required for curing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring articles, such as concrete blocks, from a conveyor to a curing kiln and return comprise a carriage movable along a path leading from the block conveyor to any selected one of a number of curing kilns. The carriage supports a rotary turntable on which is mounted a transfer vehicle provided with article supporting forks that are vertically movable so as to shift articles off and onto the block conveyor, deposit the articles within the kiln, and retrieve the articles from the kiln. the transfer vehicle is movable horizontally relatively to the turntable to enable the article supporting forks to overlie the block conveyor, and the transfer vehicle also is movable horizontally relatively to the turntable and carriage into and out of the selected kiln.

Abstract: Machinery and methods for making concrete blocks includes an open top and open bottom mold supported on a machine's frame when the mold is at rest. A pallet support beneath the mold is movable upwardly by means of a pallet lifter frame to clamp a pallet against the bottom of the mold. Upward movement of the pallet support is accompanied by upward movement of the mold off the frame to enable vibration of the mold without the generation of noise between the mold and the frame. A stripper head is supported above the mold for entry into the latter during vibration of the mold to assist in compacting moldable material within the mold. The stripper head is carried by a movable frame the movements of which are controlled by a cam and an interconnecting linkage, and the stripper head is vertically movable relative to the frame. Inflatable/deflatable cushions or absorbers are interposed between the stripper head and the stripper head frame to minimize noise.

Abstract: A mechanical vibrator assembly adapted to be attached to a device to be vibrated and wherein a shaft has a first weight system eccentrically fixed to the shaft, and a second axially displaced balancing weight system rotatable on the shaft. Stop surfaces limit rotation of the second weight system to approximately 180.degree., from a counterbalancing position substantially 180.degree. removed from the first weight system to a shaft vibrating position just short of circumferential alignment with the first weight system. A motor drives the shaft in a direction of rotation such that a slackening of speed removes the second weight system to the 180.degree. removed balanced position.

Abstract: Fluent material such as mixed concrete to be molded into blocks is contained with a supply hopper for discharge of a predetermined quantity of such material to a mold. The hopper has a discharge opening at one side thereof, rather than at its bottom, so that material discharged from the hopper exits along a substantially horizontal path for reception in a mold supported adjacent the discharge opening. A partition is movable through material in the hopper to divide the contents thereof into upper and lower portions, the upper portion of which is supported on the partition and the lower portion of which is pushed through the hopper's discharge opening by a pusher blade carried by the partition.

Abstract: Apparatus for suppressing noise generated by a concrete or the like block making machine having a vibratable open bottom mold against the bottom of which the pallet is clamped to close the mold and provide a support for the molded block. The pallet support and the mold are sandwiched between yieldable, compressible, opposed force applying members which clamp the pallet to the mold and maintain the mold in a state of suspension during its vibration. The clamping of the pallet to the mold and the suspension of the mold greatly minimize noise generated by vibration of the mold.

Abstract: An improved concrete product making machine having a product forming mold with a cavity for receiving cementitious material; support surfaces such as pallets on which the formed products are supported; a transfer device by which "green" products or blocks are removed on their pallets from the vicinity of the mold; a block height gauging device downstream of the mold, for gauging the height of the products by gauging the distance from the top surfaces of the pallets to the top surfaces of the products; and mechanism for indicating deviations from predetermined limits to enable corrections to be made and making them.

Abstract: A concrete product making machine having a product forming mold with a cavity for receiving cementitious material; support surfaces such as pallets on which the formed products are supported; a transfer device by which "green" products or blocks are removed on their pallets from the vicinity of the mold; a block height gauging device, downstream of the mold, for gauging the height of the products by gauging the distance from the top surfaces of the pallets to the top surfaces of the products; and mechanism controlling the volume of material delivered to the mold accordingly.

Abstract: A concrete product making machine having a product forming mold with a cavity for receiving cementitious material; support surfaces such as pallets on which the formed products are supported; a transfer device by which "green" products or blocks are removed on their pallets from the vicinity of the mold; and a block height gauging device, downstream of the mold, for gauging the height of the products by gauging the distance from the top surfaces of the pallets to the top surfaces of the products.