Abstract: A pallet transportation apparatus including a pallet support array supported on a pallet transportation chassis for reciprocal motion and comprising pallet supporters that receive and support pallets. A mast assembly is fixed to the chassis and includes guides that support and guide the pallet support array through a reciprocal lifting and lowering motion, causing the pallet support array to lift and lower pallets. A prime mover moves the pallet support array through its reciprocal lifting and lowering motion, and a motion control system schedules the reciprocal lifting and lowering motion of the pallet support array.

Abstract: A hybrid vibration assembly for a concrete products machine. The assembly may include a vibration frame positioned to carry at least a portion of a mold, a stationary frame carrying the vibration frame, knocker bars supportable on the stationary frame for vertical adjustment relative to the stationary frame, and a motor connected to a vibrator mounted on the vibration frame. The assembly may also include a mechanical frame/mold clamp that alternately couples the vibration frame to the mold and decouples the vibration frame from the mold.

Abstract: A deflection impedance device is provided for a stripper head plate of a concrete product machine mold assembly. The device may comprise a spacer having an axial thickness generally equal to a desired spacing between an upper surface of a stripper head plate of a mold assembly stripper head, and a lower surface of a mold head adapter plate of a concrete product machine. A magnetic element may be used to retain the spacer on the stripper head plate upper surface where it will brace the stripper head plate against the mold head adapter plate to limit or prevent upward bowing that might otherwise result from forces imparted by concrete product being formed within the mold assembly.

Abstract: A pallet transportation apparatus including a pallet support array supported on a pallet transportation chassis for reciprocal motion and comprising pallet supporters that receive and support pallets. A mast assembly is fixed to the chassis and includes guides that support and guide the pallet support array through a reciprocal lifting and lowering motion, causing the pallet support array to lift and lower pallets. A prime mover moves the pallet support array through its reciprocal lifting and lowering motion, and a motion control system schedules the reciprocal lifting and lowering motion of the pallet support array.

Abstract: Concrete product machine apron gap adjustment by actuating a gapper mechanism to set a desired gap between a reciprocally-movable apron plate and an interchangeably installable mold assembly installed in a concrete products machine. The gapper mechanism sets a desired gap between the machine apron plate and the mold assembly by injecting an index amount of hydraulic fluid into fluid communication with the rod side of a primary apron plate positioning cylinder, causing the machine's apron plate to retreat a desired gap distance away from an engaged position against the mold assembly.

Abstract: A device for supporting stripper head on a mold box of a concrete product machine mold assembly. The device includes a set of attachment hardware that connects a stand-off leg to a stripper head plate to support the stripper head with the stripper head plungers disposed in respective protected positions within respective plunger receptacles of the mold box. The hardware set comprises a ferrous metal portion configured to be carried by the stripper head plate and a magnetic portion carried by the stand-off leg in a position to magnetically engage the ferrous metal portion and allow for removable attachment of the stand-off leg to the stripper head plate when the ferrous metal portion is carried by the stripper head plate.

Abstract: Concrete product machine apron gap adjustment by actuating a gapper mechanism to set a desired gap between a reciprocally-movable apron plate and an interchangeably installable mold assembly installed in a concrete products machine. The gapper mechanism sets a desired gap between the machine apron plate and the mold assembly by injecting an index amount of hydraulic fluid into fluid communication with the rod side of a primary apron plate positioning cylinder, causing the machine's apron plate to retreat a desired gap distance away from an engaged position against the mold assembly.

Abstract: A device for supporting stripper head on a mold box of a concrete product machine mold assembly. The device includes a set of attachment hardware that connects a stand-off leg to a stripper head plate to support the stripper head with the stripper head plungers disposed in respective protected positions within respective plunger receptacles of the mold box. The hardware set comprises a ferrous metal portion configured to be carried by the stripper head plate and a magnetic portion carried by the stand-off leg in a position to magnetically engage the ferrous metal portion and allow for removable attachment of the stand-off leg to the stripper head plate when the ferrous metal portion is carried by the stripper head plate.

Abstract: A deflection impedance device is provided for a stripper head plate of a concrete product machine mold assembly. The device may comprise a spacer having an axial thickness generally equal to a desired spacing between an upper surface of a stripper head plate of a mold assembly stripper head, and a lower surface of a mold head adapter plate of a concrete product machine. A magnetic element may be used to retain the spacer on the stripper head plate upper surface where it will brace the stripper head plate against the mold head adapter plate to limit or prevent upward bowing that might otherwise result from forces imparted by concrete product being formed within the mold assembly.

Abstract: A concrete product machine comprising a vibrator assembly and a mold assembly. The vibrator assembly includes a vibrator shaft supported for rotation by a vibrator bearing set carried by a vibrator bearing housing. The mold assembly is carried by the vibrator assembly and includes a concrete product mold carried by a mold support member. The mold support member is carried by the vibrator bearing housing. A mold assembly support joint comprises first and second support surfaces of the vibrator bearing housing engaging respective first and second support surfaces of the mold support member in a tapered fit.

Abstract: A concrete product machine comprising a vibrator assembly and a mold assembly. The vibrator assembly includes a vibrator shaft supported for rotation by a vibrator bearing set carried by a vibrator bearing housing. The mold assembly is carried by the vibrator assembly and includes a concrete product mold carried by a mold support member. The mold support member is carried by the vibrator bearing housing. A mold assembly support joint comprises first and second support surfaces of the vibrator bearing housing engaging respective first and second support surfaces of the mold support member in a tapered fit.

Abstract: A vibration drive assembly comprising two rotary servo motors and an electronic motor controller electrically coupled to the servo motors and configured to regulate the motors and operate them in synchronism with one another at a predetermined rotational speed. Two articulated drive trains are connectable between the servo motors and mold assembly vibrator shafts of a concrete product molding machine and are configured to mechanically transmit rotational motion from the servo motors to the vibrator shafts when the mold assembly is in an elevated vibration position with the vibrator shaft axes coaxially aligned with rotational servo motor axes. The drive trains remain connected between the servo motors and vibrator shafts when the mold assembly is in a rest position below the vibration position, with the vibrator shaft axes axially mis-aligned with respect to the servo motor axes.

Abstract: A vibration drive assembly comprising two rotary servo motors and an electronic motor controller electrically coupled to the servo motors and configured to regulate the motors and operate them in synchronism with one another at a predetermined rotational speed. Two articulated drive trains are connectable between the servo motors and mold assembly vibrator shafts of a concrete product molding machine and are configured to mechanically transmit rotational motion from the servo motors to the vibrator shafts when the mold assembly is in an elevated vibration position with the vibrator shaft axes coaxially aligned with rotational servo motor axes. The drive trains remain connected between the servo motors and vibrator shafts when the mold assembly is in a rest position below the vibration position, with the vibrator shaft axes axially mis-aligned with respect to the servo motor axes.