Abstract: An inverter/stacker for use in the manufacture of brick is disclosed in which two gripper frames are provided. Each gripper frame operates to grip slugs at a gripping position and to stack slugs at a stacking position in which the slugs are deposited on other slugs to form pairs of slugs, with one resting on the other. During the transfer, the slugs may be inverted for face-setting or stacked without facing. During each complete cycle of operation, each gripper frame grips transfers and stacks slugs so that higher outputs can be obtained without operating the inverter/stacker at high cyclic rates. In the illustrated embodiment, four slugs are stacked during each cycle of operation.

Abstract: A brick setting machine is disclosed which is operable to face set, stack without inverting or flat set. The machine is also operable to laterally space each brick from the next adjacent brick so that the faces and edges of the brick can be separately textured. The stacking, face setting and flat setting of the brick is performed by a plurality of elongated trays or turners which are operable to simultaneously rotate substantial numbers of brick through 90.degree. so that they rest on their sides and then when stacking or face setting is required to rotate adjacent rows of brick through an additional 90.degree. to form pairs of vertically aligned brick one resting on the other. The stacking is provided without gripping the brick so as to avoid damage to the brick.

Abstract: A brick setting machine is disclosed which is operable to face set, stack without inverting or flat set. The machine is also operable to laterally space each brick from the next adjacent brick so that the faces and edges of the brick can be separately textured. The stacking, face setting and flat setting of the brick are performed by a plurality of elongated trays or turners which are operable to simultaneously rotate substantial numbers of brick through 90.degree. so that they rest on their sides and then when stacking or face setting is required to rotate adjacent rows of brick through an additional 90.degree. to form pairs of vertically aligned brick one resting on the other. The stacking is provided without gripping the brick so as to avoid damage to the brick.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking brick in packages suitable for shipping or handling is disclosed. Such package is provided with two spaced voids adapted to receive the fork of a lift mechanism for handling the package. Arrays of rows of superposed pairs of brick are received at a setdown position and are conveyed to a transfer position where they are assembled in grids for stacking. A void row grid is formed by removing as a unit the upper layer of selected rows of brick to form a first void and such upper layer is subsequently inserted between adjacent superposed pairs of brick at another location to form a grid having a full lower layer and an upper layer having spaced voids therein. The void row grid is transferred to the stack by gripping the lower full layer thereof.

Abstract: A brick making machine in which brick material is extruded through a narrow die into a column which is then cut into bricks. Material handling apparatus then stacks the bricks in vertical columns on a pallet.

Abstract: Bricks are continuously received in double-layer courses, which courses are shifted one at a time onto a receiving plate whereupon a gripper apparatus is activated to grip the opposite sides of the course and retain the course as the receiving plate is removed from beneath the course. A platform is elevated to engage or cause the bricks already deposited thereon to engage the lower surface of the course being held by the gripper apparatus whereupon the gripper apparatus is deactivated. The elevator lowers and the receiving plate is returned to its initial position. During selected course transfers a tyne tray apparatus cooperates with the gripper apparatus to form tyne openings in selected layers. The gripping apparatus itself includes a first set of longer outer gripper plates which are adapted to grip entire courses at times and a plurality of shorter, inner grippers which cooperate with the outer gripper plates or with other inner grippers to grip partial courses after the tyne bricks have been removed.

Abstract: Bricks are continuously received in double-layer courses, which courses are shifted one at a time onto a receiving plate whereupon a gripper apparatus is activated to grip the opposite sides of the course and retain the course as the receiving plate is removed from beneath the course. A platform is elevated to engage or cause the bricks already deposited thereon to engage the lower surface of the course being held by the gripper apparatus whereupon the gripper apparatus is deactivated. The elevator lowers and the receiving plate is returned to its initial position. During selected course transfers a tyne tray apparatus cooperates with the gripper apparatus to form tyne openings in selected layers. The gripping apparatus itself includes a first set of longer outer gripper plates which are adapted to grip entire courses at times and a plurality of shorter, inner grippers which cooperate with the outer gripper plates or with other inner grippers to grip partial courses after the tyne bricks have been removed.

Abstract: Brick courses are successively lifted and transferred from a kiln car onto the receiving end of a marshalling table with the longitudinal dimension of bricks extending transversely of the table. A push mechanism pushes against the cut surface of the bricks and moves the bricks longitudinally of the table toward the discharge end thereof, urging the bricks against an upstanding wall of a movable, marshalling carriage. The carriage slides from a first position beneath the discharge end of the marshalling table to a second position beyond the discharge end in response to the pressure exerted by the push mechanism. When a prescribed number of bricks have been pushed against the upstanding wall and the movable carriage moved to its second position, the push mechanism is deactivated and a clamp engages and holds the bricks remaining on the marshalling table. The marshalling carriage is then moved an additional distance to space the bricks thereon from the bricks remaining on the marshalling table.