Stone working – Splitting – shearing – and punching
Reexamination Certificate
2003-02-20
2004-12-07
Nguyen, George (Department: 3723)
Stone working
Splitting, shearing, and punching
C125S024000, C125S041000, C125S012000, C125S016040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06827073
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to masonry blocks. More particularly, the present invention relates to tool for creating roughened facings on retaining wall blocks when the blocks are being cleaved or split.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The manufacture of masonry blocks has been known for many years. Originally produced by casting individual blocks in single molds, advances in technology have led to production techniques that are able to produce multiple blocks not only from a mold matrix, but also from a single mold in which individual blocks are formed by splitting the molded block along a predetermined plane or planes, as the case may be. Production of multiple blocks from a single mold is preferred because the mold itself is simpler to design and build, fewer parts are required, and the blocks so produced are symmetrical, which facilitates later assembly into structures. Moreover, the blocks so produced have aesthetically pleasing split facings that are evocative of quarrying techniques and old world craftsmanship.
Sometimes, the aforementioned blocks are further processed by mechanically working the facings of the blocks so that they appear weathered and old. This can be achieved by tumbling, by mechanical working with flails or hammermills, or by providing additional hand dressing, for example. As one may imagine, such steps add to the total production time and expense. Moreover, additional machinery and training is usually required, which is usually factored into the cost of the finished product.
Thus, there is a need for tool that is able to produce a masonry block with a “weathered” facing. There is also a need for a tool that reduces the number of steps that are used to produce weathered facings on masonry blocks. There is yet a need for a block splitting tool that is easy to manufacture, assemble, repair, and reconfigure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a tool for splitting a large block of material into a plurality of smaller blocks having predetermined dimensions. A preferred embodiment of the tool comprises a plurality of splitter segments, each having a material working or splitting edge. The splitter segments are affixed to a suitable support so that their working edges form a generally continuous and corrugated splitting blade. With this embodiment, the splitter or splitting blade is able to form blocks that have roughened or weathered facings; however, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible.
Another preferred embodiment of the tool comprises a plurality of removable and/or positionable splitter segments, each of which is provided with a material working edge. The splitter segments are attached to a suitable support and arranged so that the working edges of the splitter segments form a substantially continuous splitting blade. Preferably, the working edges of the splitter segments are positioned with respect to each other so that the resultant splitting blade is generally corrugated rather than linear.
The tool may be mounted on a movable crosshead of a conventional block splitter such that movement of the splitting blade is substantially perpendicular to a block to be split. A second tool having a second splitting blade may also be used, and it too may be mounted on a conventional, movable crosshead such that the second splitting blade is in opposing relation to the splitting blade of the first tool, and the motion of the crossheads define a working plane. Preferably, the first and second splitting blades are mirror images of each other, though this need not be necessarily so.
An object of the present invention is to provide a tool for splitting a larger block of material into a plurality of smaller blocks.
Another object of the invention is to simplify the process of producing weathered or roughened facings in masonry blocks.
Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of parts needed to produce weathered facings in masonry blocks.
A feature of the present invention is that the tool comprises a plurality of smaller segments that are positioned together in a side-by-side and substantially continuous relation.
Another feature of the present invention is that the segments of the tool are removably positionable.
An advantage of the invention is that the tool may be easily reconfigured by repositioning the segments relative to each other.
Another advantage of the invention is that the tool may be used with existing machinery without modifications or adaptors.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views.
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Moore, Hansen & Sumner
Nguyen George
LandOfFree
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