US2691254A - Tile sizing machine and method - Google Patents

Description

Filed March 16. 1950 Oct. l2, 1954 E. s. RoBBlNs 2,691,254

TILE SIZING MACHINE AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 1

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'nu "6.a '69 INVENTOR. A

Oct. l2, 1954 E. s. RoBBlNs 2,691,254

` TILE sIzING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 16, 1950 v4 Sheets-Sheet 2 so as 27 2e 30 23 23 34 20 11 2 FIG. 3 29 31 l 2s 29 72 HH l 2 l 2 l I", l 31 35 26 32 21 4o?7 34 1 4 73 E a 71 \`2 4440 I.; 7 5 5 6.768 M67 I 381ml `33l 32 o IM E9 ssj HIL I v 69% u. 9 ill. 5 69 i 66 53 69 66 l 37 I A mmvron. E. s. RoaaqNs ATTORNEY Oct. l2, 1954 E. S. ROBBINS TLE SIZING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 16, 1950 FIG. 4

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 as gn Lui igghgglgglg! INVENToR E. s. ROBBINS Oct. l2, 1954 E. s. RoBBlNs 2,691,254

TILE SIZING MACHINE METHOD' Filed March 16, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORQ E. s RoBBlNs ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TILE sIzING MACHINE AND METHOD Edward Stanley Robbins, Tuscumbia, Ala. Application March 16, 1950, Serial No. 150,067 v 15 Claims.

This invention relates to manufacturing and more particularly to a machine or apparatus and process for accurately'squaring and sizing tiles such as those formed of rubber, asphalt, wood, or other composition.

Tiles of the above nature are customarily laid on a fioor or other surface and secured thereto by means of an adhesive applied to the surface, the adjacent edges of the tiles abutting each other Without the presence of adhesive or other filler therebetween. Consequently, it is extremely important that the tiles be accurately sized and lalso that the sides be exactly at right angles to each other in the case of square tiles or that the angles between the sides be all equal in the case of tiles of other configuration.

Such tiles are normally manufactured by cutting the same from a large sheet or web of material, the cutting operation being accomplished by a gang die or by a knife, this cutting of the tiles representing the nal finishing operation and consequently the accuracy of the operation determines the accuracy of the tiles. Tiles produced in this way, even when extreme caution is used, exhibited a very great variation in dimensions of from .01 to .02 of an inch. Such a variation was sufficient to cause unsightly cracks or spaces in the tile covered surface which are, of course, extremely undesirable in view of the fact that these spaces became filled With dirt or other foreign matter and also this resulted in an undesirable covering from the standpoint of appearance.

A variation in dimensions of the magnitude referred to above also resulted in tiles which were not necessarily square or which possessed Variations in the angles between the sides and consequently the labor and care involved in laying the tiles on a surface was materially increased since it was often necessary to try numerous tiles in a given 'place before one which adequately fitted could be found. Such a cut and try or selection method was obviously very time consuming and materially contributed to the cost of installation and consequently any apparatus or process which would result in the economical production of tiles maintaining a size tolerance of as little as plus or minus .001 of an inch and at the same time provide perfectly square tiles or tiles in which the angles between the sides were equal would be an extremely valuable contribution to the art resulting in a material reduction in the cost of installation and providing a more pleasing and effective covering.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention 2 to provide a tile sizing machine in which a large number of tiles in the form of a stack may be placed in the machine and accurately sized and squared, the operation with the exception of inserting and removing the stack being entirely automatic.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tile sizing machine in which a stack of tiles may be accurately sized whereby the variation in dimensions will not exceed a tolerance of plus or minus .001 of an inch.

Y It is a further object of the invention to provide a tile sizing machine in which a stack of tiles may be accurately sized whereby the variation in dia mensions Will not exceed a tolerance of plus or minus .001 of an inch and whereby the angles between the sides of the resulting tiles are equal.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tile sizingmachine which is sufficiently efficient to economically produce accurately sized and squared tiles and in which the entire operation may be conducted and controlled by a single operator.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for accurately sizing and squaring surface covering tiles.

Further objects and advantages `of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the tile sizing machine of this invention showing the operators side of the machine;

Fig.. 2, a rear elevational view of the machine; v Fig. 3, a side elevational 'view showing the turret utilized for carrying the stacks of tiles and the clamping mechanism for retaining the tiles therein;

Fig. 4, a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary perspective View showing the apparatus for .accurately positioning the stacks of tiles on the turret;

Fig. 6, a fragmentary elevational view showing the mechanism for positioning the stack of tiles on the turret and the control means therefor; and,

Fig. 7, a fragmentary View of parts of the machine and showing in detail the control circuits for controlling the operation of the tile stack clamping means and the control means for rotating the turret and for sition when it is at rest.

With continued reference to the drawings, the tile sizing machine of this invention comprises a base or frame l0 which is cut away along the locking the same in polongitudinal center line to accommodate a turret II which is in the nature of a relatively large wheel, the turret being mounted upon a shaft l2 which is journalled in bearings I3 mounted on the frame I0. The shaft I2 is connected to a speed reducing gear box I4 through a coupling l5, power being supplied to the gear box I4 through a shaft I6 carrying pulleys I1 which are engaged by belts i3 driven from a motor I9 mounted on the base I0.

The turret II, as shown in the drawings, comprises two parallel spaced generally circular plates 20 each of which may be provided with radial webs 2I terminating in hubs 22 which serve to securely mount the plates upon the shaft I2. Positioned at equal angular distances around the periphery of the turret II are a plurality of work clamping means 23 each of these clamping means comprising a platen 24 secured to the turret and providing a base for receiving and supporting a stack of tiles to be sized.

Secured to the turret I I by an angle bracket or the like 25 is an upstanding plate 26 which serves to locate and support one edge of the stack of tiles and the stack is securely clamped in position on the platen 24 by a movable pressure plate 21. Pressure plate 21 is pivotally secured by a pin or the like 28 to a rocker arm 29 which is pivotally mounted at 39 on a stand 3| secured to the turret I I.

The rocker arm 29 is operated by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 32 pivotally secured at 33 to the turret Il, the cylinder 32 slidably receiving a piston attached to a connecting rod 34 which in turn is pivotally secured at 35 to the end of rocker arm 29.

Fluid pressure for actuating the connecting rod 34 and clamp 23 is provided through a conduit 36 connected through a rotary joint 31 with the end of shaft I2, which is hollow for at least a portion of its length. Connected to the shaft I2 and communicating with the interior thereof are a plurality of branch conduits 38 leading to solenoid operated valves 39 which control the operation of cylinder 32 and connecting rod 34. The valves 39 are connected to the cylinder 32 through conduits 40 and 4I.

In order to accurately position stacks of tiles in the clamping mechanism 23 there is provided an apparatus best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 which includes a pair of aligning or positioning plates 42 located at each side of the turret Il. Plates 42 are mounted on slides 43 which are slidably secured by guides 44 to a bracket 45 mounted on the base I0. Plates 42 are reciprocated toward and away from each other by connecting rods 46 which are attached to pistons disposed in iiuid pressure cylinders 4T secured at 48 to the base I of the machine. Cylinders 41 are supplied with fluid pressure through conduits 49 and 50 which are connected to solenoid operated valves I from which supply conduits 52 lead to a source of fluid pressure.

The mechanism for accurately sizing and squaring the stack of tiles carried by the clamping mechanism 23 on the turret Il comprises a pair of grinding drums 53 mounted on shafts 54 which extend radially of the turret II and are journalled in bearings 5-5 mounted on spaced parallel rods 56. Shafts 54 carry pulleys 51 which are engaged by belts 58 driven by pulleys 59 mounted on shafts 65 of drive motors 6I.

In order to provide for varying the distance between grinding drums 53 the rods 5G are slidably mounted in brackets 62 secured to the base I0. These brackets are split and are provided 4 with clamping screws 63 which may be conveniently manipulated to securely clamp the rods 56 in adjusted position. In order to provide for sliding movement of the rods 56 they are internally threaded to receive threaded shafts 64 which are rotatably mounted in bearings 65 secured to the base i0. The shafts 64 are provided adjacent the outer ends thereof with worm wheels 66 which are engaged by worms 51 mounted on adjusting shafts 68. 'Shafts 68 are journalled in brackets 69 secured to the base I0 and are provided with hand Wheels 10 which may be conveniently operated to rotate the threaded shafts 64 and thus move the rods 56 and attached grinding drums 53 toward or from each other.

The threaded shafts 64 may be of suiciently small pitch to provide for extremely accurate adjustment of the grinding drums 53, adjustments of less than .001 of an inch being entirely practical. v

If desired, in order to dispose of dust,y grit, and other foreign matter resulting from the grinding operation, there may be provided hoods 'H positioned adjacent each grinding drum 53, which hoods are connected with conduits 'i2 which conduits in turn may be connected to a vacuum air filter system.

The grinding drums 53 may operate continuously during the operation of the machine but the turret is intermittently rotated and the positioning plates 42 are periodically reciprocated and the control mechanism for controlling these operations will now be described.

With particular reference to Fig. 6, the solenoid valves 5I which control operation of the connecte ing rods 46 and aligning plates 42 are controlled by a switch I3 which is normally open land with the switch in this condition and the solenoid valves 5I deenergized fluid pressure will be supplied to cylinders 41 through conduits 56 thereby retracting the aligning plates 42 away from Stack engaging position. Closing of switch 13 energizes valves 5I from a power source 14 and introduces fluid pressure to the cylinder 41 through conduits 49. This operation moves the aligning plates 42 toward each other and theextent of this movement is controlled by limit stops or blocks 'I5 secured to slides 43 in such a position as to abut the guides 44 thus preventing further inward movement of the plates 42. Blocks 'I5 are secured in place on slides 43 by screw threaded fastening means or the like 16 and various sizes of blocks 15 may be provided in orderto accommodate tiles of different dimensions.

The means for controlling the operation of clamps 23 and the rotation of turret I l comprises a normally closed switch 11 `and a normally open switch 18 and the associated circuits. Secured to one side of one of the plates 20 forming the turret il and disposed concentrically with the axis thereof are a plurality of contact elements 19 one of these elements being provided for each of the clamp operating cylinders 32. Each of the elements 19 is provided with two electrically isolated conductor bars which are connected by conductors SI with the adjacent solenoid valve 39. Contact brushes 82 are connected by suitable conductors 83 with switch 'I1 and a source of current 84.

The turret driving motor I9 receives its power from a source of electrical energy 85 which is controlled by switch 'I8 and an automatically operated switch 86 pivotally mounted in the path of movement of an arm 81 secured to the turret I I adjacent each contact element 19. The control circuit for the turret drive motor I9 also includes a solenoid 88 which through an actuating linkage 89 serves to apply or release a brake band 98 disposed about a brake drum 9| xed to the turret mounting shaft |2. Brake band 98 serves to lock the turret in position while stacks of tiles are being placed thereon or being removed therefrom and is releasedduring rotation of the turret Il.

. The operation of theturret drive control .circuit is a sfollows: assuming the turret I I to be at rest the operator closes switch 18 which applies energy through conductor 92 toconductor 93 which is connected to the motor I9. Conductor 93 is also connected to solenoid 98 and closing of the switch 18 will therefore energize this solenoid to -release the brakel band 90 thus permitting rotation of the turret I I in response to operation of the motor I9. The return circuit from solenoid 88 and motor I9 is through conductor 94 to the power source 85'. Automatic switch B6 is provided with a pivoted contact arm 95 connected to conductor 93 and a stationary contact 96 is connected through conductor 91 to power source 85 and one contact of switch 18. With the turret at rest and in the position shown in Fig. '7 the automatic switch 86 is open and the path of flow of electrical energy to the motor I9 and solenoid 88 will be as described above. However immediately after rotation of the turret lI I commences the arm 81 will move out of engagement with the pivoted contact arm 95 allowing switch 86 to close thus completing the circuit between conductor 93 and conductor 91.y Switch 18 may now be opened and the drive motor I9 will continue to operate and the solenoid 88 will continue to be energized holding brake band 98 out of engagement with brake drum 9|, the turret continuing to rotate until the next arm 81 contacts the pivoted contact arm 95 to move the same out of engagement with stationary Contact 96 thus opening the circuit and deenergizing drive motor I9 and solenoid 88. Deenergization of this solenoid applies the brake band 99 to the brake drum 9| and locks the turret I| against further rotation. The cycle may then be repeated by depressing or closing the switch 18.

The operation of the control circuit for the clamp mechanism 23 is as follows: solenoid valve 39 when deenergized operates to introduce fluid pressure to cylinder 32 through conduit 4| which moves the connecting rod 34 outwardly and the pressure plate 21 into engagement with a stack of tiles supported on the platen 24. Thus the I pressure plate 21 will be in clamping position at all positions of the turret except when. the clamp is located at the loading station shown at the left in Fig. '7. The contact bars 8i) oi contact element 19 will engage with brushes 82 and therefore the solenoid valve 39 is energized by the flow of electrical energy from a source of current 84 through normally closed switch 11 and conductors 83 and 8|. This results in the introduction of iluid pressure to cylinder 32 through conduit 49 to move the pressure plate 21 outwardly thus releasing the stack of tiles clamped thereby. The pressure plate 21 is moved inwardly to clamp a new stack of tiles by depressing switch 11 to open the circuit thus deenergizing the solenoid 99 resulting in outward movement of connecting rod 24 to move the pressure plate 21 inwardly toward platen 24. Switch I1 is retained in open position until turret has rotated sufficiently to move contact bars 89 out of contact with brushes 82 at which time switch 11 `may be allowed to close thus conditioning the circuity for automatically opening the next succeeding clamp upon engagement of the associated contact bars with the brushes 82.

The operation of the tile sizing machineis be lieved to bev obvious from the above description but briefly the complete operation thereof is as follows: with the turret II at rest and in the position shown in Figs. 5 and 7 a stack of tiles which may number 36 or any other desirednumber is placed on the upstanding plate 28 and the switch 13 is closed to energize solenoid valves 5| this resulting in movement of the aligning plates 42 vtoward each other to engage and align the edges of the stack of tiles. The blocks 15 are' so proportioned that either of the plates 42 will move sumciently to locate the adjacent edges of the stack of tiles inwardly toward the center line between the grinding drums such that these edges will engage the 'appropriate grinding drums when moved thereby. Since the cylinders 41 are provided with fluid pressure from the same source the pressure exerted by each cylinder will be the same and consequently if one clamping plate 42 for some reason moves faster than the other movement of this plate will be stopped by engagement of the block 15 with the guide 44 and thereafter the opposing plate 42 will continue to move until the pressure exerted by the two plates is equalized. p

Upon completion of the movement of aligning plates 42 toward each other the switch 11 is actuated to open the circuit to solenoid valve 39 thus deenergizing the same and causing the clamp mechanism 23 to operate thereby securely clamping the stack of tiles in position. Upon completion o-f the clamping operation the switch 13 may be opened to deenergize solenoid valves 5| thus returning aligning plates 42 to their original position.

The switch 18 is now closed. to energize the turret drive motor I9 and deenergizes solenoid 88 thereby releasing brake band 99, the motor I9 causing turret I i to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. '7. Rotation of the turret causes the closing of automatic switch 86 and thereafter switch '18 may be released or opened, rotation of the turret I I continuing until the next clamp 23 moves into loading position whereupon automatic switch 83 will be opened deenergizing the motor I9 and solenoid 8B and applying the brake band 99 to lock the turret in position. At the same time brushes 82 will engage contact bars 89 to energize solenoid valve 39 and release clamp 23 whereupon a stack of iinished files thereon may be removed.

During rotation of the turret I a stack of tiles previously placed in one of the clamps will be carried between the grinding drums 53 which will engage the opposite side edges thereof and remove a sunicient amount of material to accurately align these edges. Since the space between the grind# ing drums 53 may be very accurately adjusted the resulting dimensions of the stack of tiles will be within a tolerance of plus or minus .001".

Upon completion of the sizing of one side of the stack of the tiles, when this stack arrives at the loading station L and the clamp is released the stack is removed and turned 90 to position the unfinished edges laterally of the machine whereupon the operation above described is re-` peated and the nal finishing operation on the stack of tiles is carried out.

It will be seen from the above that there has beenV provided by this invention a tile sizing machine which with the exception of placing a stack of tiles thereon and removing the same therefrom is automatical in operation and which results in producing nished tiles at a very rapid rate, which tiles are very accurately dimensioned both as to size and the angular relationship between the sides. There has likewise been provided control circuits which are completely fool-proof and which automatically perform their functions once the cycle of operation has been initiated. Suiicient adjustments have also been provided in the machine to actuate various sizes of tiles and the change from one size to another may be accomplished by merely substituting appropriate size blocks 16 and adjusting kthe distance between the grinding drums 53 by operation of the hand wheels 10.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore this invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings or by that which has been described in the specication but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A tile sizing machine comprising in combination a base, a turret rotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor supported on said base anddrivingly connected to said turret for rotating said turret, a motor control circuit connected to said drive motor, a plurality of work clamps carried by said turret for clamping stacks of tiles thereon and movable past a loading station where tile may be inserted and removed from said work clamps, brake means supported by said base for locking said turret against rotation with one of said work clamps positioned at said loading station, 'stack aligning means adjacent said loading station comprising aligning plates positioned on opposite sides of the path of movement of said clamps and movable toward and away from each other, iluid pressure means supported on said base and connected to said aligning plates for moving said aligning plates toward each other whereby the opposite edges of a stack of tiles disposed in the work clamp positioned at said loading station may be aligned, opposed grinding drums slidably mounted on said base one on each side of said turret, means supported on said base for y adjusting the distance between said grinding drums whereby upon rotation of said turret stacks of tiles carried by said work clamp will pass between said grinding drums to size and square said tiles and means operatively connected to said turret, work clamps, and aligning plates for controlling the rotation of said turret, the operation of said work clamps, and the operation of said aligning plates.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said brake means is operated by a solenoid connected in the turret drive motor control circuit. said circuit including a normally open manually operable switch the closing of which releases said brake and initiates rotation of said turret and an automatic switch connected across said manual switch and operable to short circuit the same after rotation of said turret commences whereby said manual switch may be released and rotation of said turret will continue and means on said turret operable upon each clamp reaching said loading station to open said automatic switch thereby deenergizing the turret drive motor and applying said brake to stop rotation of said turret.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said brake means'is operated by means connected in the'turret drive motor control circuit, said circuit including a normally open manually operable switch the closing of which releases said brake and initiates rotation of said turret and an automatic switch operable after rotation of said turret commences whereby said manual switch may be released and rotation of said turret will continue and means on said turret operable upon each clamp reaching said loading station to open said automatic switch thereby opening said drive motor control circuit and applying said brake to stop rotation of said turret.

4. A machine as dened in claim 1 in which said work clamps are operated by fluid pressure, a solenoid valve for controlling the operation of each work clamp, said valve operating to apply said clamp when said solenoid is deenergized, a plurality of pairs of contacts mounted on said turret each pair being connected to one of said solenoid valves, a pair of brushes positioned to successively engage each pair of contacts as the associated clamp reaches said loading station, a power source including a normally closed switch connected to said brushes whereby upon reaching said loading station said solenoid valve will be energized to release said clamp and upon opening of said switch said solenoid valve will be deenergized to apply said clamp.

5. A machine as defined in claim l in which said work clamps are operated by fluid pressure, a solenoid valve for controlling the operation of each work clamp, a plurality of pairs of contacts mounted on said turret each pair being connected to one of said solenoid valves, a pair of brushes positioned to successively engage each pair of contacts as the associated clamp reaches said loading station, a power source including switch means connected to said brushes whereby upon reaching said loading station said solenoid valve may be operated to release said clamp to permit removal of the iinished stack of tiles and upon positioning of an unnished stack of tiles therein said switch may be actuated to apply said clamp.

6. A machine as dened in claim 1 in which said work clamps are operated by iluid pressure, a solenoid valve for controlling the operation of each work clamp, contacts mounted on said turret for movement therewith, said contacts being connected to said solenoid valves, stationary contacts supported on said base for successively engaging said movable contacts as each work clamp reaches said loading station, a power source including switch means connected to said stationary contacts whereby upon reaching said loading station said solenoid valve may be operated to release said clamp to permit removal of a finished stack of tiles therefrom and upon placing of an unnished stack of tiles in said clamp said switch means may be actuated to apply said clamp.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1 in which stop means for limiting movement of said aligning plates toward each other comprises blocks removably secured to the aligning plate moving mechanism, said blocks engaging a fixed portion of said machine for limiting movement of said aligning plates whereby said blocks may be removed and replaced by different sized blocks to accommodate said machine to tiles or different dimensions.

8. A tile sizing machine comprising in combination a base, a turret rotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor mounted on said base r9' for rotating said turret, plurality of work clamps carried by said turret for clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said''(zlarnps passingthrough a loading station, means supported on said base and efmnegted to Said `turret vfor loosing said turret ,against rotation with one of saidwork clamps positioned atrsaigt loading stationistack aligning means adjacent said. .loading station comprising` aligning plates movable toward and away from each other, stonmeans inthe lpath efnsed aligning means for limiting movement of saidaligning plates toward each other Where- ,by the opposite edges o f a stack of tiles disposed inthe work clamp positioned at said loading station mary-be aligned, opposed grinding slidably mounted on said base, one on each side .of said turret, means adjustably ,conneeting said drums to-said base for adjusting the distance betweensaid grinding drums whereby uponrrotation of said turret stacks offtiles carriedby said Work clamps will pass between said grinding drums to `size and square said tiles and control imeans connected to said motor, turret, work clarnpsfarlfl aligning means for,i10I1tr l1ir1e 'the rotation of said turret, the 'operation of' said Work clamps, and the operation of said aligning plates.

9. A tile sizing machine comprising in combination a base, a turret rotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor mounted on said base for rotating said turret, a plurality of work clamps carried by said turret for clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said clamps passing through a loading station, means supported on said base and connectible to said turret for locking said turret against rotation with one of said work clamps positioned at said loading station, stack aligning means adjacent said loading station comprising aligning plates movable toward and away from each other whereby the opposite edges of a stack of tiles disposed in the Work clamps positioned at said loading station may be aligned, opposed grinding drums slidably mounted on said base one on each side of said turret, means adjustably connecting said drums to said base for adjusting the distance between said grinding drums whereby upon rotation of said turret stacks of tiles carried by said work clamp will pass between said grinding drums to size and square said tiles and control means connected to said motor, turret, work clamps and aligning means for controlling the rotation of said turret, the operation of said work clamps and the operation of said aligning plates.

10. A tile sizing machine comprising in cornbination a base, a turret rotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor supported on said base for rotating said turret, a plurality of work clamps carried by said turret for clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said clamps passing through a loading station upon rotation of said turret, stack aligning means adjacent said loading station whereby the opposite edges of the stack of tiles disposed in the Work clamp positioned at said loading station may bealigned, opposed grinding drums slidably mounted on said base one on each side of said turret, means adjustably connecting said drums for adjusting the distance between said grinding drums whereby upon rotation of said turret stacks of tiles carried by said Work clamps will pass between said grinding drums to size said tiles and control means connected to said turret, work clamps and aligning means for controlling the rotation of said Aturret,

y thev operation of said'work clamps and the lciperation of said aligning means.

1,1.. AA tile sizing machine comprising in combination a base, a turret rotatably mounted on said Ibase, a drive motor supported on said base for rotating said turret, a plurality of work clamps carried by said turret yfor clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said clamp passing through a loading station upon rotation of saidturret, stack aligning meansadjacent said loading station whereby the opposite edges of a'stack of tiles disposed in the work clamp positioned at said loading station may be aligned, opposed grinding means mounted on said base one on each side of said turret, means connecting said grinding means for adjusting the distancer between said grinding means whereby upon rotation of saidturret stacks of tiles ycarried by said work clamps will pass vbetween vsaid grinding means to size said tiles and means control means connected to said turret, work clamps, and aligning means-for contrelling the rotation of said turret, the operationy Qfsaid work clamps and the operation of said aligning means,

12. A tile sizing machine comprising a base, a tile carrying turret mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, an upstanding plate extending substantially radially from the periphery of said turret, a platen extending transversely of said plate, a movable pressure plate mounted on said turret and movable toward and from said platen for clamping tiles between said platen and said pressure plate, aligning means positioned on opposite sides of said turret and mounted on said base for engaging the opposite free edges of tiles held by said platen and pressure plate for properly centering the tiles therebetween, means on the turret to move the pressure plate toward and from the platen, tile sizing means mounted on opposite sides of said turret for engaging and removing excess material from the said opposite free edges of said tiles, and means reacting between the base and the turret for moving said turret relative to said aligning means and said sizing means whereby tiles are accurately sized on their opposite edges, said machine being operable to size all of the edges of said tiles.

13. A method of sizing tile comprising positioning the edges of a stack of tile on a generally horizontal supporting surface of less width than said edge of said tile with the tile surfaces in upstanding position, aligning opposite lateral edges of the stack of tiles While said stack is supported on said generally horizontal surface by the movement of yieldable means engaging said lateral opposite edges by a predetermined limited movement, clamping said stack of tiles by pressure on the exposed faces of the outer tiles to prevent displacement thereof and passing the stack of clamped tiles between laterally disposed sizing means for simultaneously sizing said opposite lateral edges of said stacl; of tiles.

14. A method of sizing tile comprising positioning the edges of a stack lof tile on a generally horizontal supporting surface of less width than said edge of said tile with the tile surfaces in upstanding position, aligning opposite lateral edges of the stack of tiles While said stack is supported on said generally horizontal surface by the movement of yieldable means engaging said lateral opposite edges by a predetermined limited movement, clamping said stack of tiles by pressure on the exposed faces of the outer tiles to prevent displacement thereof and passing the stack Aof clamped tiles between laterally disposed sizing means for simultaneously sizing said opposite lateral edges of said stack of tiles, unclamping said tiles and positioning one of said lateral edges of said stack on said horizontal surface and yieldably engaging the rst mentioned edge of said tile and an edge opposite thereto by a limited movement of yieldable aligning means, clamping said stack of tiles and passing said stack of tiles between sizing means engaging said rst mentioned edge and the edge opposite `thereto, and removing said tiles.

l5. Method of sizing tile comprising placing a stack of tile on edge on a generally horizontal supporting surface, applying yieldable means against the lateral opposite edges of the tile of a predetermined limited amount While the tile is supported on said generally horizontal surface to align the opposite lateral edges of the tile, applying pressure against the exposed faces of the outer tile of the stack to clamp and prevent displacement of the tile and moving the stack of clamped tile between laterally disposed sizing means to simultaneously size opposite lateral edges of the tile.

1 2 References Cited in the le of this patent t `UNITED STATES PATE-:Nrs

Number Name Date 675,940 Ericksony June 11, 1901 691,267 Hill Jan. 14, 1902 961,560 Trautvetter June 14, 1910 1,454,399 Norris May 8, 1923 1,556,995 l Johnson Oct. 13, 1925 1,862,704 Prouty June 14, 1932 1,863,303 Goad g June 14, 1932 1,881,954 Payzant Oct. 11, ,1932 1,924,594 Blood Aug. 29, 1933 1,926,577 Behle Sept. 12, 1933 1,933,640 Schafer Nov. '7, 1933 1,965,020 Young July 3, 1934 1,990,002 Schafer Feb. 5, 1935 1,992,452 Troendly Feb. 26, 1935 2,145,310 Lewis Jan. 31, 1939 2,383,638 Faber Aug. 28, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 41,737 Switzerland Dee. 1, 1907

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