Besser Industries, Inc.

Thomas R Salts

Apparatus for assembling articles into a multilayer stack wherein each layer consists of a plurality of articles, includes an improved form of stripping gate and clamping means for transversely compacting the individual layers. An improved control system automatically runs various drive motors selectively at fast or slow speeds to enable reduced cycle times to be achieved while movable members are moved at relatively slow speed when approaching a stop.

Article stacking apparatus

Method and apparatus for assemblying concrete block or other non-fragile block-like articles into multi-tiered stacks or 'cubes'. Individual tiers of blocks are formed and cyclically fed in succession onto a stationary work table. An elevating frame carries a clamp assembly operable to compressively grip an individual tier on the work table from opposite sides of the tier. When an individual tier on a work table is thus clamped, the elevating frame is raised to elevate the gripped tier about the work table to a height such that another tier can be fed onto the work table in underlying relationship to the gripped tier. The elevated tier is then lowered by the elevating frame until the gripped tier is supported upon the tier now located on the work table. At this point, the clamp assembly is released and the elevating frame is fully lowered so that the clamp assembly can now be applied to grip the lower tier supported upon the work table. The elevating frame is then again elevated, now carrying two tiers one supported on the other, and a third tier is fed onto the table for a repetition of the process. The apparatus also includes support tines on the elevating frame which are projected into underlying relationship with the lowermost tier at the time this tier is engaged by the clamp assembly. The tines are vertically movable between rollers which form the work table surface and are withdrawn from beneath the lowermost tier in an initial stage of the elevating frame lowering process. In normal operation, the tines do not supportingly engage the blocks, but do provide a safety support system.

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Roanoke, IL, United States of America

Thomas R Salts