Abstract: A crystal is sliced in a plane parallel to flat, opposed parallel end faces of the crystal. The end faces of the crystal are gripped by a pair of opposed, perforated platens of a pair of vacuum chambers, one of which is translatable relative to the other. A blade cuts the crystal through the desired plane. A spring biases one of the vacuum chambers away from the other vacuum chamber while both of the faces are gripped by the vacuum chambers and the blade is cleaving the crystal. Thereby, a sliced portion of the crystal gripped by one of the vacuum chambers is pulled away from the remainder of the crystal gripped by the second vacuum chamber when the crystal has been cleaved by the blade through the plane.

Abstract: Cellular lightweight concrete slabs are manufactured by cutting horizontally through a block of still plastic cellular concrete mass resting on a support. At each cut a single slice is separated from the lowermost portion of the block or the remainder thereof. After each completed cut the upper remainder of the block is elevated by means of a suction head, in order to expose the recently cut surfaces for a treatment, and then again deposited on top of the slice or slices already resting on the support. Rotary roller means are provided for contributing in the surface treatment.

Abstract: This is an apparatus for removing ties from under railroad track and is specifically concerned with removing ties in one piece and involves removing the high wood from the ties in the area between the rails of the track and on one end thereof so that the tie may be pulled or pushed out the other way.

Abstract: A single operator shake mill having a frame adjoining a workman operating station is provided with a surface for supporting a pre-kerfed shake block. A stop member is inclined upwardly and rearwardly toward the operator station to apply a downward and rearward force on the block whereas a splitting bar at the operator station is pulled through a kerf in the block to split an uppermost shake from the block by the application of a downward and forward pulling force which holds the block tight against the stop member and supporting surface while splitting. A reversible motor rotates sprockets which pull chains connected to the forward end of the splitting bar for providing the pulling force on the splitting bar. The control for this motor is at the operator's station so that the operator is free to set the block in place, split the shakes, and trim and stack the shakes without leaving the operator station. A shake trimming apparatus is also shown.