THE MANUFACTURE OF WET-CLAY FLOORING TILES.
The machine shown in Figs. 210 to 219 is the invention of Mr. George Elberg, of Columbus, 0., and is for the manufac ture of flooring tiles in connnection with his process.
He first prepares a thin sheet of clay on paper, which forms the finished surface of the tile-blocks. The second step con sists in the method of cutting up the clay sheets into suitable sizes to make the finished face of the tile ; and the third step consists in the method of combining the clay sheets with a suitable body of clay to be pressed and burned to make the finished tile-blocks.
Fig. 210 is a perspective view of a machine for making the veneered tile surface. Fig. 211 is a central cross-section, showing the relative relation of the rollers shown in Fig. 21o; Fig. 212, a side elevation of a machine designed for the second step of the process ; Fig. 213, a front elevation of the same. Fig. 214 is an enlarged side elevation of the roller-adjusting mechanism, shown in Fig. 212 ; Fig. 215, a broken section on line x x of Fig. 214; Fig. 216, a perspective view, showing de tached parts of the treadle mechanism ; Fig. 217, a plan view of the cutting-dies ; Fig. 218, a longitudinal section of the cutting-dies and follower-board ; and Fig. 219, an elevation of the rack and pinion.
A represents the body or frame of the first machine ; A', the legs on which the parts are supported. The frame of the ma chine may be made of any suitable material, and should be substantially built.
b represents a pinion mounted on a shaft supported in journals on frame A, which is driven by a belt D, running over a pulley on the end of a shaft opposite to pinion b. Pinion b drives the large gear-wheel B, mounted upon the axial shaft of roller c.
h represents a pulley on the same shaft.
f represents a transmitting-pulley, mounted on axial shaft of roller F. This axial shaft of roller F is journaled upon the frame of the machine in any suitable manner.
H represents another transmitting-pulley, journaled to the frame of the machine on an independent shaft. Upon the outer end of the shaft is a transmitting-pinion, not shown in drawings, and meshing with gear B.
ei represents a pulley mounted on the axial shaft of roller e. driven by a belt from pulley H, as shown in Fig. 210.
The paper may be burned off in the kiln, or removed after the tile has been completed and thoroughly dried ready for burning, leaving an excellent finished surface.
When delicate colors are to be used, it is preferable to re move the paper before burning; but in some cases the paper will burn off in the kiln without injury to the color.
The thin sheets of clay formed on paper we believe to be a new article of manufacture. The sheets of clay so prepared are united with an additional body of clay. The preferred pro cess of carrying out this part of the invention is described as the third step.
The object of the machine shown in Figs. 220 to 228 is to press the tile on carrier-plates, which are first oiled ; then the clay or tile blank is placed upon the carrier-plates, passed under an oil-roller, thence carried between dies and into a die box, where it is subjected to pressure to shape and form the tile, then delivered out of the dies by the automatic and intermittent action of the machine driven by power, the motion of the ma chine being imparted by means of an oscillating shaft, from which shaft all parts of the machine primarily take their motion to successively carry out the various steps of the operation.
Fig. 220 is a side elevation of machine for oiling the carrier plates ; Fig. 221, an end elevation of the same. Fig. 222 re presents the carrier-plate. Fig. 223 is a perspective view of the pressing-machine ; Fig. 224, an end elevation of the same ; Fig. 225, a plan view of the reversing-gear ; Fig. 226, a longi tudinal section on line x x, Fig. 224; Fig. 227, a detailed view of one of the outside eccentrics operating the die-arms ; Fig. 228, a detailed view of die-arm with die •emoved.
A, represent the frame of apparatus ; a', an endless car rier traveling over pulleys a a; a', carrier-blocks secured to belt al; B b, a ratchet and pawl ; B', a belt connecting pulley to driving pulley rigidly secured to shaft S.
C is a roller covered with sheep's pelt or other porous sub stance designed to hold oil ; c, the traveling plates, on which is placed the clay. c' are depending legs or hooks engaging with the carrier-blocks a'; c`, angle-irons, which act as ways for plates c. The plates c are placed upon the angle-irons or ways then, by means of the carrier-blocks are carried under roller C, which oils the surface. When they reach the other end of the machine they are taken off by the operator and blanks of clay placed upon them.