Abstract: An apparatus and method for dressing marginal areas of externally viewable surfaces of a building block. The apparatus includes at least one chipper having rotational axis and a plurality of outwardly extending teeth randomly disposed thereabout. The chipper is positioned and oriented so that its teeth may effectively work a predetermined marginal area of interest. As the predetermined marginal area of interest and the teeth of the chipper are brought into contact with each other, portions of the marginal area are randomly impacted and fractured to form an erose or jagged surface that resembles hand dressing. The apparatus may also include additional chippers, each having a rotational axis and a plurality of teeth randomly disposed thereabout.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a block-texture-modifying apparatus for modifying the surface texture of blocks. The apparatus comprises a support for supporting blocks thereon, a multi-station block-texture modifier for engaging blocks on the support, and a translational displacer for imparting translational displacement between blocks on the support and the multi-station block-texture-modifier. The multi-station block-texture modifier comprises a pressure-applying station for applying a sustained pressure to blocks engaged thereby, and an impacting station for applying interrupted impact on blocks engaged thereby. The multi-station block-texture modifier modifies the surface texture of blocks on said support during said translational displacement. Also disclosed herein is a method for modifying the surface texture of blocks.

Abstract: A method is described for repairing and consolidating a natural stone block (1), with internal fractures and structural discontinuities, in which around the block (1) a coating (2, 3, 4) is applied that wraps the block (1) below and along a vertical perimeter thereof and is higher than the block (1); the coating (2, 3, 4) is spaced from the block (1) and forms the liquid- and gas-tight housing and allows the resin to flow against the block (1). The containment of hydrostatic resin pressures and the control of resin consumptions are performed by an external formwork composed of the coating (2, 3, 4) and of structures (5) to a platform (11) for supporting and transporting the block (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dressing marginal areas of externally viewable surfaces of a building block. The apparatus includes at least one chipper having rotational axis and a plurality of outwardly extending teeth randomly disposed thereabout. The chipper is positioned and oriented so that its teeth may effectively work a predetermined marginal area of interest. As the predetermined marginal area of interest and the teeth of the chipper are brought into contact with each other, portions of the marginal area are randomly impacted and fractured to form an erose or jagged surface that resembles hand dressing. The apparatus may also include additional chippers, each having a rotational axis and a plurality of teeth randomly disposed thereabout.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the surfaces of building blocks by cutting or grinding away material from the surface to be enhanced. A building block is placed on a conveyer belt which moves the block passed three rotating cutting apparatus each of which is independently powered. Each of the cutting apparatus is independently adjustable in the vertical direction and all three cutting apparatus may be adjusted simultaneously. The system may also be pivoted to allow an enhanced beveled surface to be formed on the building blocks. Also included is a water system for cooling the cutting apparatus and the building block, and an oil system for lubricating the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A process and a device for clearing out joints in masonry is disclosed. The clearing out is effected by producing a groove by high-pressure water jets that are so oriented and guided relative to one another and relative to the desired groove. Further, a groove with a determined cross section of determined width and depth results.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the face of a masonry building block including a frame for supporting a conveyer belt, three cutting tools, rollers for constraining the building block and a water system for spraying the cutting tools and the building block. The cutting tools each have a rotatable horizontally disposed disk containing a plurality of synthetic diamond cutting segments. The disk is mounted to a vertically disposed shaft which in turn is mounted within a housing. There are threads on the outside of the housing which mate with a horizontal plate to allow the disk to be vertically positioned relative to the block. A locking nut is placed around the housing.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning mortar from used bricks and the like comprising a hopper for moving bricks onto a feeding position at one end of a channel, a ram for pushing one brick after another, each brick pushing a series of preceding bricks, from the feeding position along the channel and through gangs of interleaved spur gear assemblies which crumble the brick mortar and then through scrapers which remove the crumbled mortar from the bricks. The spur gear assemblies are biased to accommodate different sizes of bricks and the hopper moves the bricks into feeding position one at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing mortar from used bricks which includes breaker means for breaking and dislodging mortar, penetration means operable to penetrate a layer of mortar, and scraper means for scraping and providing a finished surface on a brick. The breaker means, penetration means and scraper means are mounted on an elongate frame which in turn is mounted adjacent a track having a powered conveyor. The powered conveyor moves a used brick along the track through a cleaning station which includes multiple frames containing mortar-removing means. The apparatus may be incorporated into a machine containing multiple cleaning stations which provides for efficient, rapid cleaning of used brick and provides used brick which is substantially ready to be incorporated into new structures.

Abstract: Apparatus for milling building blocks comprise a first arrangement for milling said blocks at a first side thereof, and a second arrangement for milling said blocks at a second side thereof. Apparatus are located between the mentioned first and second arrangements for accelerating the blocks after their milling at the first side. Apparatus further are located between one of the mentioned first and second arrangements and the accelerating apparatus, for turning the blocks for their milling at a second side thereof by 180.degree. about an axis extending parallel to the direction of transportation of the blocks.

Abstract: Unfinished bricks are placed lengthwise on the inlet end of a first horizontal frame section, and are pushed one after another toward a discharge station at the opposite end of the section by a plurality of spaced flight bars, which are carried by an endless chain that travels beneath an elongate slot in the center of the first frame section. Four separate grinding operations are performed on each brick as it travels toward the discharge station. At the first station opposite sides of the brick are ground to provide the desired brick width; at the second station two parallel slots are ground in its bottom surface; at the third station a radius groove is cut in one side of each of the two bottom slots; and at the fourth station the top of the brick is ground or rounded off at each end.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, applying to the original set mortar adherent to the faces of a used brick components of force so directed as to remove the mortar from the faces. The forces are applied to the mortar on opposite side and edge faces of the brick concurrently so as to relieve the brick from bending stresses. These forces have components directed inwardly of the brick and also in directions along and across the faces of the brick for wedging, shearing, cracking, and abrading the mortar off the faces. The forces are applied as the brick is moved along a predetermined path, and are progressively increased as the brick advances, except at those surface areas at which the mortar to which the forces are applied has been removed or reduced in thickness. The freed mortar passes immediately from the site of application of the removal forces. The original faces of the bricks are not marred or scarred noticeably and the bricks are not chipped or broken, by the applied forces.

Abstract: Blocks are defeathered by a multiplicity of simultaneous blows from below repeated on a line transversely of the path of travel in conveying dried blocks away from drying racks at a block making machine. The blows are delivered by a series of washers hung on a rod and struck upwardly by a squared, powered shaft rotating therebelow.