US3570563A - Ice cubing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An ice cubing machine designed to produce ice cubes from large blocks of ice stacked within a carriage which is made to move in a reciprocating motion beneath a rotating gang of saws. Upon initial movement of the carriage, the blocks are moved upwardly a distance equal to the size of the cubes desired. The ice is then scored in one direction as the carriage first moves under the saws, and in another direction perpendicular to the first as the carriage is rotated and returns for movement again under the saws. A horizontally rotating cutting blade severs the cubes which have been scored at the end of the carriage return movement. Before the carriage again begins movement beneath the gang saws, the stacked blocks are made to move upwards to repeat the cubing cycle.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Thomas Frank Hall 504 Downing St., New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 32069 [2]] Appl. No. 789,189 [22] Filed Jan. 6,1969 [45] Patented Mar. 16, 1971 [54] ICE CUBING MACHINE 7 Claims, 23 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 143/38, 83/41 1, 125/13, 299/15 [51] Int. Cl B27b 5/02 [50] Field ofSearch 143/38.l, 38;83/408,41l (A); 125/12, 13; 299/15 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,107,968 1938 Uline l43/38x 2,299,261 1942 Turner et al. l43/38x 3,368,543 2/1968 Ronzani ABSTRACT: An ice cubing machine designed to produce ice cubes from large blocks of ice stacked within a carriage which is made to move in a reciprocating motion beneath a rotating gang of saws. Upon initial movement of the carriage, the blocks are moved upwardly a distance equal to the size of the' cubes desired. The ice is then scored in one direction as the carriage first moves under the saws, and in another direction perpendicular to the first as the carriage is rotated and returns for movement again under the saws. A horizontally rotating cutting blade severs the cubes which have been scored at the end of the carriage return movement. Before the carriage again begins movement beneath the gang saws, the stacked I blocks are made to move upwards to repeat the cubing cycle.

Patented Marchl6, 1971 3,570,563

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR THOMAS FRANK HALL BY Maw 64 M d/4Z2 ATTORNEYS Patented March 16, 1911 s She ets-Sheet 2 Patented March 16, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 lllllll Patented March 16, 1971 6 Sheetsheet L Patented March 16, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.|2A

Patented March 16, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ICE CUBH IG MACHINE This invention relates generally to a block cutting machine and more particularly to a machine for producing ice cubes from relatively large blocks of ice.

Many of the machines for this purpose fail to satisfy the requirements of safety and efficiency because the hands of the operator are usually exposed to the cutting saws while manually performing various tasks throughout the cubing operation. Although the axis of the saw shafts in many of these machines are stationary during the cutting sequence such devices are usually designed for downward movement of the ice blocks against the rotating saw blades under the force of gravity. Accordingly, the turning and cutoff operations for scoring and severing the cubes are slow and cumbersome. An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an ice cubing machine with increased operational speed, greater economy, and fully automatic after being initially loaded with the ice blocks to be cubed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ice cubing machine wherein the large blocks of ice are passed beneath a gang of rotating saws thereby greatly simplifying the cubing operating over prior art devices.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide an ice cubing machine of the character described wherein a movable carriage is provided for containing stacked blocks of ice which are moved upwardly a distance equal to the desired ice cube size before being scored in two directions by passing beneath a gang of overhead scoring saws.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ice cubing machine of the type described wherein the carriage is made to reciprocate beneath the scoring saws along a horizontal pass and is made to turn 90 degrees at each end of its moving path so that the ice blocks contained within the carriage may be scored in directions perpendicular to each other.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an ice cubing machine as described whereby upward movement of the ice blocks takes place at the start of each ice cubing cycle before the initial scoring operation begins without the need for any manual adjustments or refinements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ice cubing machine which is reliable, easy to operate, simple in its construction and operation, and of relatively few moving parts thereby reducing maintenance time to a minimum.

In summarizing the invention, it will be seen that the ice cubing apparatus according to the instant design comprises a series or gang of scoring saws of the circular type mounted on a single shaft and spaced apart in accordance with the desired dimension of the cubes in both lateral directions, the single shaft being mounted at the top of the apparatus frame approximately equidistant between its ends. At one end of the frame a drive motor is mounted for reciprocating a carriage between the ends of the frame along a horizontal path by means of a pair of endless drive chains. A cutoff saw blade is mounted near the other end of the frame and the carriage, which contains a block or blocks of ice extending upwards therethrough, rests on a pair of rails directly beneath the cutoff saw blade when the apparatus is at rest and before being set into motion. A loading platform near the said other end of the frame facilitates loading of the ice blocks into the carriage. When the drive motor, gang saws, and cutoff blade are actuated, the carriage is made to travel toward the gang saws as its wheels roll along the horizontally disposed rails. Before reaching the scoring blades, the ice block is automatically raised, by means of a ratchet and pawl device on the carriage, an increment equal to the desired ice cube dimension. The carriage then passes beneath the scoring blades for scoring the ice block in one direction. The carriage is thereafter made to turn 180 about its fixed baseplate when it reaches one end of its horizontal travel and, upon returning toward the gang saws, the ice block is scored in a direction at right angles to the first scoring lines thereby giving a second dimension to the ice cubes to be formed. As the carriage continues on its travels toward the said other end of the frame, the cutoff saw blade severs the top of the ice block thereby forming a layer of ice cubes from the block when the carriage completely passes beneath the forward cutting edge of the cutoff blade, it is made to once again turn to the position to which it initially assumed while at rest. Because the drive motor continues to move the endless chains, the carriage once again travels toward the scoring saws and, once again, before being scored in a first direction, the ice blocks are made to incrementally elevate as the level of the ratchet and pawl device is moved as above described for the first cycle of operation.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention, in addition to those aforementioned, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the ice cubing machine showing the carriage while it rests before being loaded with an ice block or blocks, the ice chute being omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus viewed along line 2-2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational view taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the drive means for reciprocating the carriage along a horizontal path;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken at line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the carriage turntable or bearing plate in its position before being turned FIG. 4A is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the turntable after it has been turned 180 at the end of its horizontal travel;

FIG. 5 is a plan view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showing the ice block supporting plate in its relation to the carriage frame;

FIG. 6 is a plan view taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing a slightly movable bar for firmly holding'the ice block within the carriage frame while undergoing its cubing operation;

FIG. 7 is a plan view taken at line 77 of FIG. 2 showing the cutoff saw blade in detail;

FIG. 7A is an end view of the cutoff saw blade unit showing a cutout position for venting snow produced by the blade;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view taken at line 8-8 of FIG. I showing the details of the gang of scoring saws;

FIG. 9 is slightly enlarged view showing the ratchet and pawl device mounted near the bottom end of the carriage for incrementally raising the ice block supporting plate;

FIG. III is a schematic showing of the carriage while at rest just before the cubing operation is begun;

FIG. 11 is a schematic showing of the carriage after the ice block has been incrementally raised and just before passing beneath the gang of scoring saws;

FIG. I2 is a schematic showing the carriage after the ice block has been scored in one direction and the carriage turned 180 as it reaches the forward end of its horizontal travel;

FIG. I3 is a schematic showing the carriage on its return travel toward the gang of scoring saws and in the process of being scored in a direction at right angles to the first scoring direction;

FIG. 14 is a schematic showing the carriage in the process of passing beneath the, cutoff saws showing the cutoff blade severing a top layer from the ice block thereby forming ice cubes;

FIG. 15 is a schematic showing the carriage at the end of the complete cubing cycle and just before the carriage is made to turn 90 to begin another cubing cycle; and

FIGS. 10A and ISA are top plan views of the carriage shown in FIGS. I0 through 15, respectively.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the complete assembly of the ice cubing machine according to the instant design is shown in FIG. I wherein a skeleton frame 20 is provided for the apparatus comprising a pair of top frame members 21, sides 22, and a bottom 23 constructed in a form of angle-irons or any other suitable design. A series or gang of scoring saws 2&5 with its accompanying motor 25 is mounted on the top frame members approximately equidistant between side frame members 22. A carriage drive motor 26 is also mounted on the top frame members 21 at one end of the frame 20, and a motor 28, for driving a cutoff saw blade 27 is mounted on top frame members 21 near the other end of the frame 20.

Other operating components such as, for example, switch box 29 are mounted on the top frame members 21 for powering motors 25, 26 and 28. A carriage, generally indicated by reference numeral 31, is shown at its position of rest in the apparatus frame 20 at a location beneath the cutoff saw blade 27. The carriage 31; comprises a generally boxlike skeleton frame having a pair of uprights 32, 22, shown more clearly in FIG. 5, in angular relation at the forward end of the carriage, and a pair of uprights 34 at the rearward end of the carriage. Also at the forward end of the carriage (see FIG. 2) may be any number of structural members 35, 36. The rearward end of the carriage is entirely open along its entire height so as to allow insertion of the ice block or blocks (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) onto an ice block supporting platform 37. As can be seen, the platform 37 is channel-shaped in cross section having dependent legs 38 along its forward and rearward sides for the purpose of stabilizing the plate within the boxlike carriage structure. Four upright bars 38, square in cross section (FIG. are provided near the corners of plates 32, 33 and at the rearward side of the plates 34 so that the supporting platform 37, having cutouts 39 in the vicinity of the uprights 38, may be stabilized as the supporting plate is raised and lowered within the carriage. The platform 37 is supported longitudinally on a rod member 41 secured at either end to an endless chain 42 provided at both sides of the carriage. Each chain 42 extends about sprocket wheels 45, 46, mounted for rotation on axle bars 47, 48, respectively, between top crossplates 43 and bottom crossplates 44. Fine adjustment screws 40 may also be provided on the uprights 34 for tensioning chains 42 when needed.

A ratchet wheel 49 is secured to the lower axle bar 48, more clearly shown in FIG. 9 of the drawing. Also, a reciprocating lever 51, and an integrally attached pawl device 52, for communicating motion, is pivotally secured about the axle bar 48. A pawl member 53, for preventing backward motion of the ratchet wheel 49 in the normal manner is attached to the bottom crossplate 44 (see FIG. 2). Accordingly, the support platform 37 may be manually raised by moving lever 51 leftward for rotating the ratchet wheel 49 counterclockwise as the pawl member 52 engages with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel. The axle bar 48 is accordingly rotated and the attached supporting platform moved upward. The pawl 52 lies within a tubular support 52a so that a coil spring (not shown) may be provided within the tube for urging the pawl toward the ratchet wheel. The supporting platform 37 may also be lowered manually by pulling up on the pawl 52 thereby allowing the axle bar 48 to rotate clockwise as the force of gravity pulls the platfonn 37 downward.

For the purpose of loading ice blocks into the apparatus, a loading platform 54 is slideably secured to a pair of loading uprights 55 attached to the upright members 22. Also, a cable 56 and a winch handle 57, as shown in FIG. 1, are provided for raising the loading platform 54 from the ground level to the position shown above ground level. Accordingly, heavy ice blocks may be easily slid onto the platform 37 simply by placing them on platform 54 and adjusting the two platforms manually to a common elevation; A platform 58, hinged on platform 54 as at 59, may also be provided to simplify the loading operation. In order to move the platform 58 out of the way after the cubing operation has begun, a pair of arms 61, having longitudinal slots therein, are provided between platforms 54, 58. 7

At the top of the carriage 33, a crossbar 62 is mounted between brackets 63 (see FIG. 6) so that when the ice block extends upwardly through the carriage, as shown in FIG. Ill, it will be held firmly against uprights 33 of the carriage during the entire cubing operation. The crossbar 62 can be moved inwardly by means of a pair of rods 64 each secured at one end to the bar 62. Cables 65, attached to the other end of rods 64, bear against suitable rollers 66. The cables 65 are secured at their other ends to a locking means 67 on the upright 32 capable of being manipulated simply by pulling locking arm 68 downwardly and thereby moving crossbar 62 toward the ice block.

The skeleton frame of the carriage 31 is supported on a bearing plate 69 (see FIG. 2) which is supported by rollers 71 mounted in the conventional manner within a stationary base plate 72. Near the forward end rearward ends of the base plate 72, a pair of wheels 73 are provided so that the carriage may be moved along a horizontal path on a pair of rails 74 secured along the bottom frame members 23. A center pin 75 is secured at one end to the bearing plate 69 through a circular stiffening plate 76 and extends downwardly through the base plate 72, as clearly shown in FIG. 2. A center pin housing 78, having a rotating arm 79, is keyed to the center pin 75 (not shown) so thatupon movement of the rotating arm 79, the bearing plate 69 will accordingly rotate along with the remainder of carriage 31 supported thereon. To the underside of baseplate 72, a hydraulic cylinder 81 having a piston arm 83 is affixed by means of a bracket 82, the cylinder piston arm 83 being pivotally attached at one end to the rotating arm 79. Also, a pump device 84 is mounted to one side of the baseplate 72 and a pump lever 85 is provided on the pump for delivering hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic lines to the cylinder 81 upon movement thereof. It should be noted that hydraulic lines 90 are shown broken away in FIGS. 4, 4A for purposes of clarity. Accordingly, when the lever 85 is moved to its position shown in FIGS. 4A and 12, hydraulic fluid is ported to the cylinder 81 via lines 90, so that piston arm 83 is extended out of the cylinder for rotating arm 79, thereby rotating the supported carriage. In order to move lever 85 in such a manner, a first actuating rod 86 secured to the rearward end of the frame 20 on the upright 22 a distance above the machine floor so that it may depress lever 85 when the carriage is moved to the rearward end of the frame, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 10. Also, an actuating arm 87 is pro- .vided at a similar elevation at the forward end of the frame 20 in the path of lever 51. Therefore, as the carriage 31 is moved past the plate 88, the lever 51 makes contact with rod 89 (see FIG. 11) whereupon the lever 51 and ratchet wheel 49 are moved counterclockwise, by means of pawl 52 in engagement with the ratchet wheel, and the ice block supporting platform 37 is accordingly moved upwards a short distance. The

amount of upward movement depends, of course, upon the degree of ratchet rotation such that, for the desired upward movement of the ice block supporting platform 37, the location of rod 89 may be varied along elongated slot 91 of the plate 88 so that the lever 51 may be rotated throughout any desired arc. A stop bar 92 is provided on upright 32 of the carriage and a coil spring 93 is also provided thereon and attached at one end to the lever arm 51 so that as the carriage passes by the side plate 88, the coil spring 93 will return the lever 51 against stop bar 92.

The carriage 31 is reciprocated on the rails 74 by means of drive motor 26 and an endless chain 94 disposed vertically between the motor Ztiand a sprocket 95 mounted on an axle bar 96 located on one of the rails 74 as cleariy shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Reciprocating movement of the carriage if produced by another endless chain 97 (see FIG. 3) horizontally disposed between the sprocket 95 and a sprocket 98 located on rail 24 toward the rearward end of the frame 20. A pair of chain links 99a, 9% are provided on the chain 97 extending laterally from both sides thereof in contact, respec tively, with legs IbZa, I02b of bracket I01 affixed to the underside of the baseplate 72. Accordingly, as the chain 97 is driven counterclockwise, the carriage is driven leftward toward the rear of the frame 20, as shown in FIG. 3, as chain link 99a bears against its adjacent leg 102a. It should be noted that the presence of two of such links 99a, 99b merely acts to stabilize the links within the legs of bracket Illl because, as clearly shown in FIG. it), after the carriage is moved to its most rearward position, continued movement of the chain W permits links 99a and 9% to change directions whereby link 99;: will now bear against leg 1021; (see FIG. Ill. thereby moving the carriage in a forward direction as shown by the arrow.

As mentioned above, a first set of scoring lines are produced as the ice block I is moved forwardly. The scoring saw 24 for this purpose (see FIG. 8) consists of a series of gang or scoring saws 103 of the circular type mounted on a single shaft I04 and spaced apart by spacers 105 of a dimension equal to the desired dimension of the resulting cubes to be produced.

The cutoff saw blade 27 (see FIG. 7) is mounted on a single shaft 106 for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the scoring blades of shade 104. A plate 107 is provided between the blade 27 and a chute 108 so that, as the cutoff blade rotates in the direction of the arrow (see also FIGS. 16, 14A), the top layer of scored ice cubes will be severed and be thereafter directed toward chute I08. As shown in FIG. 2, an upwardly extending rim I09 is provided on the plate 107 so as to insure that all of the ice cubes 0 be directed toward the chute 108 and into a suitable collecting container or bag.

In order to eliminate or provide a vent for the buildup of snow produced by blade 27 during the cutoff operation, it should be noted that the upstanding rim 109 is cut out or notched as at I10 (FIG. 7A) for allowing the snow to be discharged therethrough as the blade 27 revolves. In this way, the ice cubes are free of any accumulation of snow before being discharged toward chute I198. Also, it should be noted that notch 1110 may be of any desired height less than the height of cubes 0 plus the thickness of blade 27 thereby avoiding the possibility of cubes 0 being discharged before reaching the chute I08.

In order to more fully understand the invention, the steps involved in the ice cubing operation will be explained starting with FIG. 10 wherein an ice block I is shown loaded within the carriage 3i on platform 37 and made to extend upwardly out of the top of the carriage and abutting against the underside of cutoff blade 27. Ice block I may be manually extended to the position of FIG. 10 before commencing the cubing operation or, FIG. 10 may be looked upon as representing a larger ice block than shown which has already been cut into ice cubes as to be hereinafter explained. In any event, the ice block is held firmly within the carriage frame structure by means of crossbar 62 bearing against the rearward side of the ice after the locking lever 68 has been properly manipulated as described earlier. The carriage 31 is brought to the position of FIG. III by actuating the drive motor 26 so that chain link 99a, in bearing against leg 1920 of bracket I02, will have moved the carriage to its initial starting position. It should be noted that the pump lever $5 in this position is directed to the right whereupon the cylinder arm 8 3 is retracted, as shown. Motors 25 and 28 are now actuated for starting rotation of the scoring saw blades and cutoff saw blade, respectively, so that as the carriage is moved toward the scoring blades, as shown in FIG. II, the reciprocating lever SI. on the carriage will make contact with rod 89 and be moved leftward as shown in FIG. II. Accordingly, platform 37 will be incrementally raised upwardly a distance desired for the depth of the ice cube to be produced. As the block I passes beneath the scoring blades I03, a first set of scoring lines are produced and, simultaneously therewith, the coil spring 93, attached to the lever 51, returns the lever to initial position while the ratchet is held from backward movement by pawl 53. Of course, the link 99a, bearing against leg ltl2b is responsible for moving the carriage toward its forward direction, as shown. When the carriage reaches the end of its horizontal path in the forward direction, pump lever 35 is moved into contact with actuating arm $7 whereupon hydraulic fluid is ported by the pump $1: through hydraulic lines 96 and to the cylinder 81 thereby extending the cylinder arm 83 outwardly as shown in FIG. I2. The bearing plate 69 is accordingly rotated as cylinder arm 83 rotates arm 79 throughout an arc of 90 from its position to FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 12, chain links 99a and 9% are moved to a vertically related position within the bracket 101 so as to prevent continued forward motion of the carriage upon contact of arm 87 and lever 85. It should be noted that the carriage in this FIG. is shown after it has been rotated 180 in the direction of the arrow.

Since the carriage 31 has been constructed rectangular in cross section to accommodate a similarly shaped ice block I, the long direction of the carriage is parallel the horizontal path of movement after being turned as in FIG. 12. The carriage is then moved rearwardly beneath the scoring saw blades I03 as the chain link 9% bears against leg 102a, as clearly shown in FIG. 13, whereupon a second set of scoring lines is cut at right angles to the first set (see FIG. 130). As the carriage 31 continues its rearward movement toward cutoff saw blade 27, actuating arm 51 will be on the forward end of the carriage out of interference with side plate 88. Rearward carriage movement brings the scored ice block into contact with the blade 27 which cuts off the top layer of ice block I at the bottom of the scoring lines thereby delivering a quantity of small ice cubes 0 down the chute I08 as-shown in FIG. 14a. After the ice block passes completely through the cutoff blade 27, it will reach its position of FIG. 15 whereupon chain links 99b, 99a are again in a vertically disposed relation thereby preventing further rearward carriage movement. In this position, the pump lever 85 is moved toward a forward direction as it is contacted by actuating arm 86, as clearly shown, thereby allowing hydraulic fluid to return to the pump in a normal manner through hydraulic lines 94). Accordingly, the carriage 31 will again be rotated back to its initial position of FIG. 10 as the cylinder arm 83 is retracted and arm 79 and bearing plate 69 are returned to their position of FIG. 4. The entire cubing operation will thereafter once again commence as above described.

Another refinement. in the instant design resides in the provision of the stabilizing means for the ice cubes as they are being formed by the cutoff blade 27. Such a means consists of a plurality of finger plates III secured at one end to a rod 112 which is mounted on top frame members 21 between its ends as clearly shown in FIG. 7. In this way, further insurance is provided for maintaining the severed ice cubes within plate 107 while being directed toward chute I08. Also, in order to maintain a safe distance of the fingers III above the blade 27, a projection lid is provided on the rod I12 for bearing against a stop member 113 on the top frame 21 as shown in FIG. 7.

It should be recognized that, although a single ice block I has been shown in 'the drawings, any number of smaller ice blocks can be loaded into the carriage and any size ice block can beintroduced into the cubing operation of the instant design depending on the cross-sectional shape of the carriage 3i and the depth of the icecube between the cross bar 62 and the upright 33. It should be also recognized that the sprockets 9% and must be located on one of the rails 74 so that the pump lever 85 and actuating arms 86; and 87 may make contact exactly at both ends of the horizontal path of the carriage.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that an ice cubing machine has been designed which is fully automatic after the ice blocks have been initially loaded within the carriage of the apparatus. Also, such a machine is significantly more reliable than the prior art devices because the scoring blades and cutoff blade are mounted above the ice block which passes thereunder which enhances ease in turning of the ice block and carriage along with other safety advantages which are not present in the gravity type ice block cutting machines.

Gbviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim: 1. A machine for cutting blocks of ice into substantially uniform cubes comprising:

a frame; a carriage supported on said frame, said carriage including; a horizontally disposed baseplate, a bearing plate on said baseplate, bearing means between said base and bearing plates and a center pin on said bearing plate whereby said carriage may be turned relative to said baseplate; means for reciprocating said carriage along a horizontal path within said frame; a pair of rails mounted on said frame parallel to said horizontal path; wheels provided on said carriage for supporting said carriage on said frame; said reciprocating means comprising;

a bracket on said carriage having a pair of spaced-apart legs depending from said carriage perpendicular to said horizontal path,

drive chain means on said frame comprising a first and second sprocket adjacent said rails mounted for rotation about an axis transverse to said horizontal path and being located at one end of said frame and near the other end of said frame, respectively, a first endless chain located about said first and second sprockets,

a drive motor on said frame for driving said chain means, said chain means further comprising a second endless chain located between said drive motor and said second sprocket, and

link means on said chain means positioned between said legs and bearing against one of said legs nearest said one end of said frame for moving said carriage toward said one end, and bearing against the other of said legs for moving said carriage toward the other end of said frame through said drive motor;

means on said carriage for supporting ice blocks therewithin and extending up through the top of said carriage, comprising a third and fourth endless chain and a horizontally disposed lift plate secured at both ends to said third and fourth chains;

cooperating means on both said carriage and said frame for incrementally raising said support means comprismg;

a ratchet wheel on said carriage connected to one end of said third and fourth chains;

a reciprocating lever pivotally mounted on said ratchet wheel;

a pawl for communicating motion secured to said lever,

a pawl for preventing backward motion secured to said carriage, and

a side plate on said frame having an inwardly extending rod mounted thereon whereby said reciprocating lever may be pivoted a certain distance as said rod makes contact therewith when said carriage passes by said side plate, thereby rotating said ratchet wheel a certain degree and lifting said plate, said rod being mounted through a vertical elongated slot in said side plate for permitting adjustment of said rod along said slot, whereby said reciprocating lever may be pivoted a greater distance for rotating said ratchet wheel a greater degree,

a gang of scoring saws on said frame projecting into said horizontal path and mounted above said carriage for rotation about an axis transverse to said horizontal path;

a cutoff saw blade near said one end of said frame, mounted above said carriage for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said horizontal path, and

turning means including,

hydraulic pump means on said plate,

a rotating arm on said center pin, and

hydraulic cylinder means on said baseplate connected to said pump means, said cylinder means having a piston arm which is connected to said rotating arm whereby movement of said piston arm by actuation of said pump turns said center pin and said attached bearing plate, said means turning said carriage about an axis parallel to said cutoff blade axis at each end of said horizontal path whereby the ice block may be scored in one direction, rotate, and be scored in a direction at rignt angles to the said one scoring direction as said carriage passes beneath said scoring blades, and further rotate after said cutoff blade severs the ice thereby forming ice cubes.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein a horizontally disposed actuating arm is provided on said frame at said one and said other end thereof, said pump including a hydraulic lever arm for actuating said pump as said lever arm contacts either of said actuating arms when said carriage is moved to either end of its horizontal path.

' 3. The machine according to claim 2 further including means on said carriage for holding said ice blocks firmly within said carriage.

4. The machine according to claim 3, wherein said holding means comprises a movable rod horizontally mounted to said carriage top, cable means for moving said rod and lock means for locking said rod against said ice blocks.

5. The machine according to claim 3, wherein an ice chute is provided for said cutoff saw blade for directing the ice cubes formed by said cutoff saw blade away from the machine.

6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein means are provided on said frame above said cutoff blade for stabilizing the formed ice cubes on said cutoff blade during the process of being severed.

7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein said stabilizing means comprises a plurality of finger plates pivotally mounted at one end on said frame.

Claims (7)

1. A machine for cutting blocks of ice into substantially uniform cubes comprising: a frame; a carriage supported on said frame, said carriage including; a horizontally disposed baseplate, a bearing plate on said baseplate, bearing means between said base and bearing plates and a center pin on said bearing plate whereby said carriage may be turned relative to said baseplate; means for reciprocating said carriage along a horizontal path within said frame; a pair of rails mounted on said frame parallel to said horizontal path; wheels provided on said carriage for supporting said carriage on said frame; said reciprocating means comprising; a bracket on said carriage having a pair of spaced-apart legs depending from said carriage perpendicular to said horizontal path, drive chain means on said frame comprising a first and second sprocket adjacent said rails mounted for rotation about an axis transverse to said horizontal path and being located at one end of said frame and near the other end of said frame, respectively, a first endless chain located about said first and second sprockets, a drive motor on said frame for driving said chain means, said chain means further comprising a second endless chain located between said drive motor and said second sprocket, and link means on said chain means positioned between said legs and bearing against one of said legs nearest said one end of said frame for moving said carriage toward said one end, and bearing against the other of said legs for moving said carriage toward the other end of said frame through said drive motor; means on said carriage for supporting ice blocks therewithin and extending up through the top of said carriage, comprising a third and fourth endless chain and a horizontally disposed lift plate secured at both ends to said third and fourth chains; cooperating means on both said carriage and said frame for incrementally raising said support means comprising; a ratchet wheel on said carriage connected to one end of said third and fourth chains; a reciprocating lever pivotally mounted on said ratchet wheel; a pawl for communicating motion secured to said lever, a pawl for preventing backward motion secured to said carriage, and a side plate on said frame having an inwardly extending rod mounted thereon whereby said reciprocating lever may be pivoted a certain distance as said rod makes contact therewith when said carriage passes by said side plate, thereby rotating said ratchet wheel a certain degree and lifting said plate, said rod being mounted through a vertical elongated slot in said side plate for permitting adjustment of said rod along said slot, whereby said reciprocating lever may be pivoted a greater distance for rotating said ratchet wheel a greater degree, a gang of scoring saws on said frame projecting into said horizontal path and mounted above said carriage for rotation about an axis transverse to said horizontal path; a cutoff saw blade near said one end of said frame, mounted above said carriage for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said horizontal path, and turning means including, hydraulic pump means on said plate, a rotating arm on said center pin, and hydraulic cylinder means on said baseplate connected to said pump means, said cylinder means having a piston arm which is connected to said rotating arm whereby movement of said piston arm by actuation of said pump turns said center pin and said attached bearing plate, said means turning said carriage 90* about an axis parallel to said cutoff blade axis at each end of said horizontal path whereby the ice block may be scored in one direction, rotate, and be scored in a direction at rignt angles to the said one scoring direction as said carriage passes beneath said scoring blades, and further rotate after said cutoff blade severs the ice thereby forming ice cubes.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein a horizontally disposed actuating arm is provided on said frame at said one and said other end thereof, said pump including a hydraulic lever arm for actuating said pump as said lever arm contacts either of said actuating arms when said carriage is moved to either end of its horizontal path.

3. The machine according to claim 2 further including means on said carriage for holding said ice blocks firmly within said carriage.

4. The machine according to claim 3, wherein said holding means comprIses a movable rod horizontally mounted to said carriage top, cable means for moving said rod and lock means for locking said rod against said ice blocks.

5. The machine according to claim 3, wherein an ice chute is provided for said cutoff saw blade for directing the ice cubes formed by said cutoff saw blade away from the machine.

6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein means are provided on said frame above said cutoff blade for stabilizing the formed ice cubes on said cutoff blade during the process of being severed.

7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein said stabilizing means comprises a plurality of finger plates pivotally mounted at one end on said frame.

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