TITLE

Concrete Block Edges and Surface Treatment Machine

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to concrete block aging machines. More specifically, the present invention concerns a concrete block edges and surface treatment machine.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many apparatuses and methods are known for roughing the surfaces and edges of concrete blocks in order to provide a natural or so-called antique look to yield paving blocks.

[0003] However, a problem arises with hollow blocks, such as masonry blocks or retaining wall blocks. The impact required to yield the desired look on their edges is either not sufficient to yield the desire aged look on the surface, or causes too many blocks to break during the impact on the surface.

[0004] Also, no known method and apparatuses from the prior art allows a more realistic aged look, i.e. by roughing more the edges than the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] In the appended drawings:

[0006] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a concrete block edges and surface treatment machine according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 2 is a back perspective view of the machine from

Figure 1 ;

[0008] Figure 3 is a front elevation of the machine from Figure 1 , illustrated with two concrete blocks before treatments on the feeding assembly;

[0009] Figure 4 is an isolated view of the concrete block dual magazine of the machine from Figure 1 ; the magazine being illustrated including a concrete block before treatment;

[0010] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a concrete block edges and surface treatment machine according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention; illustrating the machine with concrete blocks inserted in its magazine;

[0011] Figures 6 to 8, 12 to 14, and 18 to 25 are perspective views of the machine form Figure 1 , illustrating the operation thereof;

[0012] Figures 9 to 11 and 15 to 17 are close-up views of the lower portion of the impacting assembly and of the top portion of the concrete block dual magazine, illustrating the abrading process during operation of the machine form Figure 1 ;

[0013] Figure 26 is an isolated view of the concrete block dual magazine of the machine from Figure 1 ; the magazine being illustrated including a smaller concrete block than the one illustrated in Figure 4;

[0014] Figure 27 is a front perspective view similar to Figure 6, illustrating the machine with the concrete block from Figure 26;

[0015] Figures 28A-28B are schematic isolated views of impacting assemblies according to respectively second and third illustrated embodiment of this specific aspect of the present invention; the impacting assemblies being adapted for and illustrated with respectively an angled face block and a setback face block;

[0016] Figure 29 is a top plan partially schematic view of a concrete block aging production line including a concrete block edges and surface treatment machine according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 30 is a front perspective view of the concrete block edges and surface treatment machine from Figure 29, illustrated with two concrete blocks before treatment on the feeding conveyor of the production line from Figure 29;

[0018] Figure 31 is a back perspective view of the machine from

Figure 30;

[0019] Figure 32 is an isolated perspective view of a magazine assembly of the machine from Figure 30;

[0020] Figure 33 is a side elevation partially sectional view of the machine from Figure 30, illustrated with the feeding conveyor and the feeding assembly from the line from Figure 29;

[0021] Figures 34 to 40 are side elevation partially sectional view similar to Figure 33, illustrating the operation of the machine from Figure 30;

[0022] Figures 41 to 45 are isolated perspective views similar to

Figure 32 of the magazine from Figure 32, illustrated the operation thereof;

[0023] Figure 46 is a perspective view of an impacting sub-assembly according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] Figure 47 is a bottom plan view of the sub-assembly from

Figure 46.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a concrete block edges and surface treatment machine comprising:

[0026] a frame;

[0027] a concrete block magazine mounted to the frame for receiving at least one concrete block for treatment; the concrete block magazine defining an axis and having at least one block-receiving opening along the axis from which an exposed side of the at least one concrete block is to extend during the treatment; and

[0028] an impacting assembly mounted to the frame; the impacting assembly including impacting elements; the concrete block magazine and the impacting assembly being so mounted to the frame relatively to each other as to allow a movement of the impacting elements relatively to the concrete block magazine along a path which causes the impacting elements to impact on the exposed side of the at least one concrete block when the impacting elements and the exposed side intersect course during the movement; the path being such that the impacting elements vary their impact on different portion of the exposed side.

[0029] A cording to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a concrete block edges and surface treatment machine comprising:

[0030] a concrete block magazine assembly for receiving at least one concrete block for treatment; the concrete block magazine assembly defining an axis and having at least one block-receiving opening along the axis from which an exposed side of the at least one concrete block is to extend during the treatment; and

[0031] an impacting assembly including impacting elements; the impacting assembly being so mounted to concrete block magazine assembly as to allow a movement of the impacting elements relatively to the concrete block magazine along a path which causes the impacting elements to impact on the exposed side of the at least one concrete block when the impacting elements and the exposed side intersect course during the movement; the path being such that the impacting elements vary their impact on different portion of the exposed side.

[0032] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for aging a surface and edges of a concrete block comprising:

[0033] providing impacting elements;

[0034] receiving the concrete block; the concrete block defining a first axis perpendicular to the surface thereof to age;

[0035] moving the concrete block and the impacting elements relatively to each other along a path which causes the impacting elements to repeatedly impact on the surface and surrounding edges when the impacting elements and the concrete block intersect course during the movement; the path being such that the impacting elements vary an intensity of their impact from the center of the surface to two of the edges.

[0036] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non restrictive description of illustrated embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] A concrete block edges and surface treatment machine 10 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Since the purpose of the machine 10 is to provide an aged appearance to the block of concrete, the machine 10 will also be referred to herein as a concrete block aging machine 10.

[0038] Of course, as will become more apparent upon reading the following description, the machine 10 allows further aging the corners on the

exposed side of a block since these corners are included on the exposed edges.

[0039] Figures 1 to 3 illustrates the machine 10 adjacent a concrete block feeding conveyor 12 and is provided with a block-discharging mechanism 14.

[0040] The concrete block aging machine 10 comprises a frame 16, a concrete block dual magazine 18 rotatably mounted to the frame 16 and an impacting assembly 20 mounted to the frame 16 above the magazine 18 and having a plurality of impacting elements 22.

[0041] The feeding conveyor 12 includes adjustable guiding ramps 15 for forcing incoming concrete blocks 31-31 ' towards the magazine 18. Since a feeding conveyor is believed to be well known in the art, it will not be described herein in more detail. It is to be noted that any other feeding mechanism, including manual feedings can be used to insert untreated or partially treated concrete blocks in cases where more than one side of a block is to be aged, into the magazine 18.

[0042] Turning now briefly to Figure 4, as will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the magazine defines an axis 21 and includes two opposite block-receiving openings 34 along the axis 21.

[0043] As will become apparent upon reading the following description, the magazine 18 is configured so that when a concrete block 31 or 31 ' is received in each of the block-receiving openings 34, one of its side is exposed for treatment.

[0044] The magazine 18 and the impacting assembly 20 are mounted to the frame relatively to each other so as to allow a movement of the impacting elements 22 relatively to the magazine 18 along an arc of circle having the axis 21 as the radius (see 35 on Figure 10) so that the impacting elements 22 impact on the exposed side of the block 31 when the impacting elements 22 and exposed side intersect course during the circumferential movement.

[0045] According to the first illustrated embodiment, following the loading of a block 31 in the magazine 18, the machine 10 is so configured that the magazine 18 moves the block (and more specifically its exposed surface 77 and edges 79) along a circumferential trajectory while the impacting assembly 20 reciprocates impacting elements 22 radially to the arc of circle defined by the trajectory of the block (see Figure 9). Since exposed edges 79 extend radially beyond the adjacent surface at the level of the impacting assemblies 22, they receive a greater impacting force than the surface and are therefore more abraded. More precisely, the circumferential trajectory of the exposed side of a block 31 causes the exposed side to be aged increasingly from the center to the edge 79 and corners. Since the resulting block is more randomly abraded on its corners and edges, this results in aged concrete blocks having a subjectively more realistic look than concrete blocks obtained from aging machine from the prior art.

[0046] The machine 10 will now be described in more detail.

[0047] The frame 16 includes a first rectangular portion 24 acting as a base and a second upright portion 26 extending from the first portion 24 perpendicularly therefrom. The first rectangular portion 24 further allows receiving the block-discharging mechanism 14.

[0048] The upright portion 26 includes two side plates 28, each including an elongated aperture 30 for adjustably mounting the concrete block dual magazine 18 longitudinally along the height of the side plates 28. The reason for adjusting the position of the magazine 18 relatively to the impacting assembly will be explained furtherin.

[0049] The frame 16 can take other configuration allowing receiving and supporting the concrete block dual magazine 18 and the impacting assembly 20 and positioning one relative to the other. The impacting assembly 20 and the concrete block magazine 18 can also be alternatively directly mounted to each other.

[0050] The concrete block dual magazine 18 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4, which shows the magazine 18 with a concrete block 31 therein.

[0051] The magazine 18 is in the form of a generally rectangular box 32 having two opposite open end sides 34, defining the two block-receiving openings. The openings 34 are positioned along the axis 21.

[0052] The magazine 18 further includes two side plates 36, distanced by opposite pairs of slotted plates 38 and 38'. The slotted plates 38 and 38' are slidably mounted to both side plates therebetween via fasteners 40, removably mounted in elongated parallel apertures 42-42' in the side plates 36. Securing the slotted plates 38 and 38' to the side plates 36 via respective elongated apertures 42 and 42' allows varying the gap between each respective pair of slotted plates 38 and 38' and therefore allows adapting the magazine 18 for different concrete block thickness.

[0053] The magazine 18 is also provided with two rectangular stop bars 44 and 44', each slidably mounted to both side plates 36 therebetween for defining a mechanical stop. The stop bar 44, together with the pair of slotted plates 38 and side plates 36, define a first block receiving compartment. The stop bar 44', together with the pair of slotted plates 38' and side plates 36 define a second block receiving compartment.

[0054] The stop bars 44 and 44' extend through complementary elongated apertures 46 and 46' provided in both side plates 36. Each bar 44 or 44' is adjustably mounted to the side plates 36 through their longitudinal end via respective threaded rods 48 which is secured to the side plate 36. A pair of nuts 50 is used to secure the bar 44 or 44' at the appropriate position along the respective elongated aperture 46 or 46' depending on the width of the block 31 (and identical block 31 ') to be treated, for reasons which will be explain hereinbelow in more detail. As will also be explained hereinbelow, the position of the bars 44 and 44' will also vary accordingly to the thickness of the block 31.

[0055] The slotted plates 38 and 38' are provided with a plurality of slots 52 (five (5) per plate in the illustrated example) to allow a puller 78 direct access to the block 31 for their removal as will be described hereinbelow in more detail. The number, configuration and size of the slots 52 may of course vary.

[0056] The magazine 18 is pivotally mounted to the two side plates

28 of the frame 16 via a transversal shaft 54 to which are secured both side plates 36 of the magazine 18. The shaft 54 is mounted to both side plates 28 of the frame 16 via mounting assemblies 56. More specifically, the shaft 54 is movably secured in the elongated aperture 30 and its distance from the

impacting assemblies 22 can be modified by positioning the mounting assemblies 56 at the appropriate position.

[0057] As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, such position of the shaft 54 can be modified to compensate for the thickness of the block 31 to treat so that the lower slotted plates 38 and 38' remains generally leveled with the block-discharging mechanism 14 when the magazine is positioned generally horizontal in a loading/unloading position. The positions of the bars 44 and 44' are further modified so that the circumferential course of the exposed edges 79 is positioned at a same location relative to the impacting elements 22 for similar abrading effect (see Figure 9 for example).

[0058] According to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention (see Figure 5), the machine 10 can be provided with tools for the precise measuring of the displacement of the shaft 54. Such measuring tools can be for example in the form of a small calibrated rod 57 secured to one of the mounting assemblies 56 and slidably mounted in a cursor 59 secured to the corresponding side plate 28 of the frame 16.

[0059] Alternatively, two shafts (not shown) mounted to the side plates 36 of the magazine 18 can be used instead of the single shaft 54 to mount the magazine 18 to the frame 16.

[0060] A magazine actuator 58 is provided to pivot the magazine 18.

More specifically, the magazine actuator 58 imparts a stepped rotation of the magazine 18 wherein it is controlled to pause every 180-degree to allow rejecting the treated block and to allow receiving a new one for treatment. The actuator 58 includes a motor 60 and a belt and wheel arrangement 62 operatively coupling one end of the shaft 54 to the motor 60. The magazine actuator 58 is secured to the frame 16.

[0061] The magazine actuator 58 may take any form allowing revolving the magazine 18 at the appropriate speed to yield adequate block aging depending for example on the nature of the impacting assemblies assembly 20.

[0062] Even though the magazine 18 has been described with mechanisms allowing adapting the magazine to blocks of different sizes, a magazine provided with compartments having fixed dimension can of course also be conceived according to the present invention.

[0063] Returning to Figures 1 to 3 and 9, the impacting assembly 20 will now be described in further detail.

[0064] The impacting assembly 20 includes a pair of generally rectangular beams 63 mounted between two end brackets 65 (only one shown) so that the two beams 63 are generally parallel, each pair of beams 63 defining an impacting sub-assembly. A plurality of impacting elements 22 are loosely received on each beam 63. Each impacting element 22 is in the form of a rectangular ring provided with an impacting head 62 integrally secured to its lower side. The impacting head 62 has a rectangular cross-section.

[0065] The inner periphery of each impacting element 22 is greater than the outer periphery of the beams 63, yielding a loose mounting of the rings 22 about its respective beam 63. Moreover, the impacting elements 22 are not so tightly mounted onto the beam 63 as to prevent translation therealong. Indeed, the number and configuration of the impacting elements 22 are chosen so as to allow a minimum longitudinal course of the impacting elements 22 along the beam 63. This last characteristic of the impacting assembly 20, in addition to the facts that the impacting head 62 has a relatively wide surface and that each impacting element 22 is freely mounted about a respective beam

63 provides for a relatively smooth and a broad impact of the impacting elements 22 on the blocks 31 and 31 '. The rectangular beams 63 are covered with UHMW plastic plates secured to the beam via bolts or other fastening means. These plates aim at reducing both friction and noise during operation. The beams 63 can be covered with another resilient material such as rubber or another polymeric material.

[0066] In addition to the non rigid broad impact provided by the impacting assembly 20, which provides a random/"antique" look to the blocks, the impacting assembly 20 is configured for easy replacement of substitution parts, including the impacting elements 22.

[0067] The impacting assembly 20 further includes a drive assembly 60 for driving the impacting elements 22 and more specifically for causing a reciprocating movement thereof towards and away the magazine 18.

[0068] The drive assembly 60 includes a drive shaft 72 rotatably mounted to a drive assembly mounting frame 69 secured to the main frame 16 on top thereof. Two camshafts 68 are provided to couple the longitudinal ends of a drive shaft 72 to the end brackets 65 via a pivot rod 71.

[0069] The drive shaft 72 is driven by a motor 64, which is coupled thereto via a wheel and pulley arrangement 66.

[0070] Of course, other drive assembly can be used to impart a reciprocating movement on the impacting elements 22. The configuration and size of the impacting elements 22 can also differ depending on the expected result and overall configuration of the machine 10 as will be described hereinbelow.

[0071] Also, the impacting assembly 20 can be modified so as to include a single row of impacting assemblies 22.

[0072] With reference to Figures 2 and 14, the block-discharging mechanism 14 includes a platform 74 secured to a base 76 which is mounted to the frame 16 adjacent the magazine 18 so that the platform 74 is generally leveled with the lower slotted plates 38 and 38' of the dual magazine 18 when the magazine 18 is positioned in a loading/unloading position. The slidably mounting of the magazine 18 to the frame 16 in the elongated slots 30 allows to maintain the lower slotted plates 38 and 38' slightly higher to the unloading platform 74 to ease the unloading of blocks 31-31 '.

[0073] A retractable puller rack 78 is slidably mounted to the base under the platform 74 for movement towards and away the magazine 18. More specifically, the puller rack 78 is in the form of a rectangular frame 80 provided with upwardly protruding fingers 82 at its distal end. The frame 80 is mounted to the base 76 via respective sliding elements in the form of rollers (not shown) and rails 84. An actuator 86 allows controlling the reciprocating movement of the puller 78.

[0074] The proximate side of the platform 74 is provided with grooves 73 (see Figure 18) configured and positioned for complementary receiving the fingers 82 of the block-discharging mechanism 14.

[0075] The sliding elements can of course take other forms. Also, other mechanism can be used to move the retractable puller rack 78.

[0076] The operation of the concrete block edges and surfaces treatment machine 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 6 to 25.

[0077] Previously to its operation, the machine 10 is adjusted for the dimension of the blocks 31-31' to age. More specifically, and returning briefly to Figure 4, the gap between both pairs of slotted plates 38 and 38' of the dual magazine 18 are adapted for the thickness of the blocks 31-31', so that both resulting open end sides 34 of the box 32 are configured to receive blocks 31- 31' in a snuggly manner.

[0078] The shaft 54 of the magazine is moved along apertures 30 so that the lower slotted plates 38 and 38' are leveled with the platform 74 of the block-discharging mechanism 14.

[0079] Finally, to ensure that the edges 79 and adjacent corners will be correctly positioned relatively to the impacting elements 22 during rotation of the magazine 18, the rectangular stop bars 44 and 44' are positioned to adjust the distance between the top edges 79 and surface 81 of the block 31-31 ' to achieve the desired aging effect when the block 31 is impacted by the impacting elements 22 during the rotation of the magazine 18. As explained, hereinabove, a desired abrading effect can be obtained by providing adjustments which will bring the exposed edges 79 at a known distance from the impacting elements 22.

[0080] The conveyor 12 is then energized so that untreated or partially treated blocks of concrete 31-31 ' are moved towards the concrete block dual magazine 18 which is then in a block-receiving position as illustrated in Figure 6. The movement of the blocks 31-31 ' onto the conveyor 12 then forces the first block 31 into the magazine 18 (Figure 7).The upwardly protruding fingers 82 of the puller 78 are simultaneously retracted, pulling in their movement any previously treated block onto the platform 74 of the block- discharging mechanism 14.

[0081] The rotation of the magazine 18 then begins after this dual loading/unloading operation has been executed (see Figure 8). It is to be noted that during rotation of the dual magazine 18, the conveyor 12 is stopped, the operation of the conveyor being synchronized with the operation of the block- discharging mechanism 14.

[0082] The actual aging of the exposed edges 79 and surfaces 81 of the block 31 will now be described in further detail with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

[0083] As the first exposed edge 79 and adjacent corners of the block is radially positioned under the impacting elements 22 during the rotation of the magazine 18 (see Figure 9), the exposed edge 79 is randomly abraded by the impacting elements 22 (see Figure 10).

[0084] Since the magazine 18 continues to rotate about the axis defined by its shaft 54, the exposed surface 81 of the block 31 is then next gradually positioned under the loosely impacting elements 22 (see Figure 12) and therefore randomly abraded thereby (see Figure 11). It is reminded that the circumferential course of the exposed edges 79 and surface 81 causes the surface 81 to be impacted gradually less aggressively from the first edge 79 to the center of the surface 81 and then more aggressively from the center to the second edge 79.

[0085] As illustrated in Figure 13 and 14, the rectangular frame 80 of the puller 78, which was retracted during the abrading/aging process (see Figure 13) then extends while the dual magazine continues its rotational movement, bringing the then treated block 31 towards the block-discharging mechanism 14.

[0086] Of course, as illustrated in Figures 15-17, the further rotation of the dual magazine 18 causes the random abrasion of the following exposed edge 79, thereby completing the actual aging process following the gradually increasing abrasion of the surface from the center of the exposed side to the second exposed edge 79.

[0087] It has been found that this gradually increasing abrading by the impacting elements is particularly interesting when the block to treat is hollow, such as a masonry block or a retaining wall block, (see Figure 28B), since less impacting force onto the center of the face allows preventing breakage of the block during treatment.

[0088] It is important to note that since the edges 79 are radially positioned nearer the impacting elements 22 than the surface 81 , the edges 79 are more abraded, yielding a concrete block 31 having a more realistic aged appearance than aged blocks from the prior art.

[0089] The concrete block dual magazine 18 then continues its rotation towards the block-discharging mechanism 14 which has its block- receiving frame extended and ready to pull the treated block 31 from the magazine 18 (see Figure 18).

[0090] The rotation of the magazine 18 is stopped when the magazine is in a horizontal loading/unloading position (see Figure 19) similar to the one described with reference to Figure 7.

[0091] While in this position, the next block 31' on the conveyor 12 is pushed into the second compartment of the dual magazine 18 (see Figure 20).

The first block of concrete 31 is simultaneously pulled on the platform 74 of the block-discharging mechanism 14 by the puller 78 (see arrow 83 on Figure 21).

[0092] The magazine actuator 58 is then further energized to rotate the magazine 18 for treating the second block 31' (see Figures 22 and 23).

[0093] The second block 31' is then discharged onto the platform 74 of the block-discharging mechanism 14 as previously described (see Figures 24 and 25) while any further block (not shown) on the conveyor 12 is loaded into the opposite compartment of the dual magazine 18.

[0094] It is to be noted that a discharged conveyor (not shown) can be provided to receive the treated block downstream from the block- discharging mechanism 14.

[0095] As explained hereinabove and as will now be exemplified with reference to Figures 26 and 27, the concrete block dual magazine 18 is both adapted and mounted to the frame 16 to receive concrete blocks of different sizes.

[0096] Figure 26 shows an isolated view of the dual magazine similar to Figure 4 but including a smaller block 87.

[0097] To adjust the magazine 18 for such a smaller block 87, the pair of slotted plates 38 and 38' of the dual magazine 18 are brought closer together so that the resulting respective end opening 34 can receive a block 87 in a snugly manner.

[0098] The rectangular stop bars 44 and 44' and the shaft 54 are then positioned to yield a desired abrasion of the exposed edges 89 with less abrasion of the exposed surface 91.

[0099] It is to be noted that other means than the puller 78 can be used to extract blocks from the magazine after treatment.

[00100] The feeding conveyor 12 can also be adapted to receive a retractable puller rack similarly to the block-discharging mechanism 14.

[00101] As illustrated from Figures 28A-28C, the impacting assembly

20 can be modified to treat concrete blocks having different geometries. For example, the length or position of the impacting elements relatively to the axle 54 of the magazine 18 may vary along the width of the magazine 18 according to the geometry of the blocks to age.

[00102] A concrete block aging production line 100 including a concrete block edges and surface treatment machine 102 according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 29.

[00103] The production line 100 comprises a splitter 104 for splitting in two double casted concrete blocks (not shown) incoming from the molding process, a first conveyor 106 for bringing the concrete blocks 101 to the aging machine 102, a feeding device 108 for taking a block from the conveyor 106 and feeding it to the aging machine 102, a second conveyor 110 for receiving the block after the aging treatment by the machine 102 and a cuber 112 downstream from the second conveyor for 110 for receiving the aged blocks from the second conveyor 110 and for creating a pallet therefrom.

[00104] Of course, when the incoming blocks are single no splitter is required.

[00105] As illustrated in Figure 29, the production line 100 or the aging machine 102 can further be equipped with a scrap conveyor 114 positioned adjacent the machine 102 for collecting abrasion scrap (not shown) resulting from the aging process.

[00106] Since splitters, conveyors and cubers are believed to be well- known in the art, and for concision purposes, they will not be described furtherin. Furthermore, these components of the production line 100 are only illustrated as an illustrated context of the aging machine 102, which can also be used in other contexts or applications.

[00107] With reference to Figures 30, 31 and 33, the aging machine

102 will now be described in more details.

[00108] The concrete block aging machine 102 comprises a frame

116, two concrete block dual magazines 118 and 118' rotatably mounted to the frame 116 and two impacting assemblies 120 mounted to the frame 116, each one above a respective magazine 118 and 118' and having a plurality of impacting elements 22. The machine 102 further comprises a double puller 122 for removing treated blocks 101 '-101 " out of the magazines 118-118'.

[00109] As will become more apparent upon reading the following description, the concrete block aging machine 102 is similar to the machine 10 with the following differences:

• The machine 102 allows sequentially treating two opposite

sides of a block 101 ;

• The dual magazines 118 and 118' operates as claws that close on the blocks 101 fed thereto;

• An independent feeding device 108 is provided to feed the first of the two dual magazines 118; and

• Each impacting assembly 120 includes two impacting sub- assemblies 121.

[00110] Other differences between the machines 102 and the machine 10 will become more apparent upon reading the following description. As already mentioned, since the general operation of the machine 102 and its components are similar to those of the machine 10, the emphasis will be put mainly on the differences between these two machines.

[00111] The frame 116 includes rectangular beams 124 assembled together to form a generally cubic shape assembly which allows mounting the components 118, 118' and 120 and operatively positioning them relatively to one another as will be described hereinbelow in more detail.

[00112] The lower portion of the frame 116 includes two longer beams 126 which extend beyond the machine 102 for receiving the feeding device 108 adjacent the machine 102.

[00113] Four rollers 128 (only two shown) provided with conventional braking mechanism are mounted to the beam 126, allowing the machine 102 to be selectively moved along tracks 130. According to a further illustrative

embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the frame 116 does not include rollers and sits firmly on the floor.

[00114] The frame 116 is not limited to the illustrated configuration and can take other form allowing to operatively position the components of the machine 102 relatively to each other.

[00115] The feeding assembly 108 can either be seen as being part of the machine 102 or as an independent machine. The feeding assembly 108 includes a feeding conveyor 12, as described with reference to the machine 10, and a push bar assembly 132.

[00116] It is to be noted that the feeding conveyor 12 includes two facing movable plates 134, together defining a block gripper, in addition to the adjustable guiding ramps 15, which allows immobilizing the next block 101 which will be treated while two other blocks 101 are being processed by the machine 102.

[00117] The push bar assembly 132 includes an extensible table 136 and a retractable push bar mechanism 138, both secured to a secondary frame 139.

[00118] The extensible table 136 includes a fixed portion 137 adjacent the first magazine 118 and a movable portion 140 mounted to the fixed portion 137 so as to be selectively movable towards and away therefrom using a known table actuator mechanism 142.

[00119] The retractable push bar mechanism 138 includes a push bar

(not shown) transversally mounted over the table 136 so as to be movable from

the proximate end thereof, adjacent to the feeding conveyor 12, to the distal end thereof, adjacent the first block magazine 118. The push bar mechanism 138 is further made retractable via its mounted to the secondary frame 139. More specifically, the push bar is both pivotally telescopically mounted at both its longitudinal ends to the frame 139 via a hydraulic cylinder 144 which is pivotably mounted to the frame 139.

[00120] In operation of the feeding assembly 108, the block gripper

134 releases the first block 101 in line onto the conveyor 12 which then advances onto the movable portion 140 of the extensible table 136. The movable portion 140 then moves towards the fixed portion 138. The push bar, which was then retracted under the table 136, is actuated so as to be positioned at the proximate end of the table 136, and is the moved from that position to the distal end of the table 136, thereby pushing the block 101 which was positioned on the table 136 in the first magazine 118. The movable portion of the table 140 and the push bar then return to their original position, ready for another cycle.

[00121] The dual magazine 118 and 118' will now be described in more detail with references to Figures 32 and 33. Since the two magazine 118 and 118' are identical and only differ by their emplacement in the machine 100 and by the positioning of optional shim blocks 174, and for concision purposes, only the magazine 118 will be described herein.

[00122] The magazine 118 includes two facing pairs of first and second slotted plates 148-150, the two facing pairs together defining a pair of opposite grippers 152 or jaws.

[00123] Each pair of first and second slotted plates 148-150 are assembled together so as to lie on a common plane and are slidably mounted

to two parallel shafts 154 so as to reciprocate therealong perpendicularly therefrom.

[00124] Truss-shaped elements 156 interconnect the first and second slotted plates 148-150 and a bridge-like element 158 positioned between the two plates 148-150 is used to interconnect the two trusses 156 and to slidably mount the first and second plates 148-150 to the two shafts 154.

[00125] A hydraulic cylinder 160, located between both grippers 152 is coupled to both bridges 152 to actuate the reciprocal movement of the magazine between an open position (see Figure 33) to a close or gripping position (see Figure 34).

[00126] The magazine 118 is further pivotally mounted to the frame

116 via a transversal shaft 162 secured to both shafts 154 perpendicularly therefrom. The rotation of the magazine 118 about the rotational axis 161 defined by the transversal shaft 162 is provided by a magazine actuator, in the form of a conventional rotational drive 164 including a motor (see Figures 30- 31). The magazine actuator 164 may take any other form allowing revolving the magazine 118 or 118' at the appropriate speed to yield adequate aging of the block depending for example on the nature of the impacting assemblies 120.

[00127] The first plate 148 includes a plurality of elongated slots 166

(five (5) per plate in the illustrated example) extending from the proximate end 168 thereof generally along its width. The purpose of the slots 166 is to allow passage for the fingers 171 of the double puller 122 (see Figure 33 for example) as will be explained hereinbelow in more detail. They further allow for the evacuation of the debris caused by the aging process and for weight reduction of the magazine 118.

[00128] The first plate 148 further includes small apertures 170, which are intending to receive fasteners 172 for securing shim blocks 174. The thickness of the shim blocks corresponds to the height of the protrusion 103 on the block 101.

[00129] Indeed shim blocks 174 can be used when the blocks 101 include protruding portions, such as is the case for blocks 101. The shim blocks allow bringing stability to the block 101 in the magazine 118. Such shim elements are of course not used when the blocks to treat are generally flat.

[00130] It is to be noted that on the magazine 118' the shim blocks

174 are positioned on the slotted plates 150 since the block 101' is to be received therein upside down.

[00131] The second plate 150 also includes elongated slots 176 extending generally along the width of the plate 150. These slots allow for scrap evacuation and for weight reduction of the magazine 118.

[00132] The number, configuration and size of the slots 166 and 176 may of course differ than those according to this third illustrative embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 32. The plate 150 further includes a mechanical stop 178 for correctly positioning the block 101 in the magazine 118, relatively to the rotational axis 161 , when it is pushed by the feeding assembly 108.

[00133] Indeed, as it has been described hereinabove, since the position of the shaft 162 and therefore of the rotational axis 161 is fixed relatively to the position of the impacting surface 163 of the impacting elements 22, more or less abrasion can be obtained on the exposed surface 180 and edges 182 by varying the position of these exposed surface and edges

relatively to the impacting surface 163. This can be obtained by varying the position of the mechanical stop 178, knowing the length of the block 101.

[00134] More specifically, the mechanical stop 178 is in the form of a small rectangular-shaped rod extending generally along the width of the plate 150, i.e. parallel to the rotational axis 161 , and being slidably mounted thereto at both its longitudinal ends in two small cylindrical rods 184. The two rods 184 are mounted to the plate 150 along two side edges thereof via mounting brackets 186. The position of the mechanical stop 178 can be fixed using conventional bolts 188.

[00135] It is to be noted that neither the first slotted plates 148 nor the second slotted plates 150 are facing each other. They are rather both positioned on opposite sides of the shafts 154 so as to yield a symmetrical magazine under a 180-degrees rotation.

[00136] The magazines 118-118' are configured so that when they are opened, the first pairs of slotted plates 148-150 remain level with the table 136 of the feeding mechanism 108. When the magazines 118-118' open or close, both the first and second pairs of slotted plates move along their respective shafts 154.

[00137] The magazine can of course take other configuration allowing to receive block using, for example, a gripping effect and to pivot the received block along a circumferential trajectory relatively to the impacting elements, which causes the edges of the exposed side of the block to be more abraded than the exposed surface.

[00138] For example, the means for mounting shim elements 174 and the nature of the shim elements 174 may differ than those illustrated. Also, the number and configuration of the slots 166 allowing the fingers of the puller to pull the block 101 out of the magazine can be adapted to the nature of the puller.

[00139] Alternatively, the slotted plates 150 can be slot-free.

[00140] The double puller 122 according to the third illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 31 , 34 and 35.

[00141] The double puller 122 comprises first and second bars 190-

192, each providing with a series of upwardly extending fingers 171. The bars 190-192 are secured to a rack 196, which is mounted to the frame 116 under the two magazines 118-118' via respective sliding elements 198.

[00142] The double puller 122 is so configured as to be movable between a retracted position, where the extending fingers 171 protrude from the slots 166 of both slotted plates 148 adjacent their closed ends, to an extended position where the fingers 171 are positioned beyond their open ends. A hydraulic cylinder 194 mounted between the frame 124 and the rack 196 is used to move the rack 196 and therefore the double puller 122 between the retracted and extended positions.

[00143] Turning now briefly to Figure 37 and 38, the operation of the double puller 122 will now be described. The double puller 122 is synchronized with the operation of the feeding assembly 108 and of the magazines 118-118 so that when partially aged blocks 101' are released from the first and second

magazines 118-118' (only one block shown), the double puller 122 is moved from its extended position to its retracted position shown in Figure 37 and then pushes the blocks 101' from the first magazine 118 to the second magazine 118' by returning to its extending position (see Figure 38) and by pushing any block in the second magazine 118' out of it.

[00144] The two impacting assemblies 120 are identical. Since they are also very similar in both structure and function to the impacting assembly 20, they will not be described herein in more detail. However, as mentioned hereinabove, it is to be noted that each impacting assembly 120, includes two impacting sub-assemblies 121.

[00145] With reference to Figure 31 , the two impacting assemblies

120 are assembled together via two beams 123 which are removably mounted to the frame 116 via L-shaped brackets and acme rods 125. Shim plates 127 can be used between the beams 123 and the L-shaped brackets to adjust the relative distance between the impacting assemblies 120 and the rotatable shaft 162 so as to yield the desired aging look.

[00146] The overall operation of the machine 102 will now be described with reference to Figures 33 to 45.

[00147] Prior to operation of the machine 102, the positions of the mechanical stops 178 of both magazines 118-118' and of the impacting assemblies 120 are adjusted for the geometry of the blocks 101 to treat. Also, in cases where the blocks include protrusion such as the blocks 101 , shim elements 174 are mounted to the plates 148.

[00148] As illustrated in Figure 33, untreated or partially treated blocks 101 conning from the feeding conveyor 12 are fed one at a time in a synchronized manner to the first dual magazine 118 by the feeding assembly 108. The first and second dual magazines 118-118' are then in their open configuration as also illustrated in Figure 41. The double puller 122 is then fully extended.

[00149] Turning now to Figure 34, the first and second magazines

118-118' move from their open configuration to their close configuration and close onto the blocks 101 (and 101' in cases of the magazine 118' as will be described hereinbelow).

[00150] The first side of the block 101 is abraded as described with reference to the operation of the machine 10 as the magazines 118-118' tilt from 180-degrees from their initial positions shown in Figure 34 to the intermediary positions shown in Figure 36.

[00151] Figures 35, 39 and 42 illustrates the position of the magazines 118-118' on top of their course, after the first edge and corners of the first exposed side 200 of the block 101 have been abraded. Figure 42 is an isolated view of the two magazines 118-118', with the double puller assembly 122, illustrated without blocks. One can see in Figure 42 that the double puller 122 is still fully extended.

[00152] After the tilting of 180-degrees of the two magazines 118-

118', the first exposed side 200 of the block 101 is abraded as desired. The block 101 will now be referred to as 101 ' since it will next be handled by the magazine 118'.

[00153] With reference now to Figures 36 and 40, while the magazine

118-118' are still in a raised position relatively to the feeding assembly 108, the double puller 122 is moved from its extended position to its retracted position, which is illustrated in Figure 36, 40 and 43.

[00154] The two magazine assemblies 118-118' are brought back to their initial position, i.e. leveled with the feeding assembly 108 and then they open (see Figure 37). While in this position, since the double puller 122 is still in its retracted position, the fingers 171 of the puller 122 engage in the slots of the plates 148 and are located upstream from the block 101 ' (and any block within the magazine 118').

[00155] With reference to Figures 38 and 45, the puller 122 is then moved form its retracted position to its extended position, thereby pushing the blocks 101 ' from the magazine 118 to the magazine 118' for treating the side 200' thereof opposite the side 200 and also pushing any fully treated block 101 " (not shown on Figures 38 and 45) out of the magazine 118' and onto the conveyor 110 (see Figure 29).

[00156] Of course, the above-described cycle of the aging process is repeated for any number of blocks desired.

[00157] Turning now to Figure 46 and 47, an impacting sub-assembly

202 according to a second embodiment of a secondary object of the present invention will now be described briefly.

[00158] It is to be noted that the impacting sub-assembly 202 is more specifically intended to be used with retaining wall blocks or other types of hollow blocks.

[00159] The impacting sub-assembly 202 comprises a plurality of piston-like impacting elements 206 loosely mounted to an elongated H-shaped beam 206 along its length for reciprocal movement therein perpendicularly therefrom.

[00160] The impacting sub-assembly 202 includes mounting brackets

208 secured at the longitudinal ends thereof using fasteners 210 for mounting the sub-assembly 202 to an impacting assembly as described hereinabove for example. Other fastening means can also be used. The mounting brackets 208 can also be made integral.

[00161] Each impacting element 204 includes and impacting head

212 secured to a small rod 214, each received in an aperture 216 provided in the beam 206. The ends of the rods 214 opposite the one including the impacting head 212 includes UHMW plastic rings 218 secured to the rods 214 via fasteners or soldered ring 220. These UHMW rings 218 aim at reducing both friction and noise during operation. A similar ring 222 is provided adjacent each impacting head 212 for similar reasons. The rings 218 or 222 can be covered with another resilient material such as rubber or another polymeric material.

[00162] As can be seen from Figure 47, the impacting elements 204 are mounted to the beam 206 so as to be unaligned longitudinally. This arrangement has been found to provide a particularly realistic look.

[00163] More specifically, diagonally aligning the impacting elements

204 so as to yield a 70-degrees angle between them on one side and a 55- degrees angle on the other side, as illustrated in Figure 47, has been found to yield a very realistic aging, providing proper adjustment of the relative distance

between the impacting elements 204and the exposed side of the block during impact.

[00164] Moreover, as can also be seen from Figure 47, a longitudinal a gap of 1.80 com between the centers of adjacent impacting elements 204 from the center row and the top or bottom row has also been found to yield a a particularly realistic look after a single pass.

[00165] The impacting elements 204 can be positioned according to other configurations. They can also take other form without departing from the spirit and nature of the present invention.

[00166] Even though this has not been illustrated or described, providing dual magazines 118-118' is advantageous since it allows beginning a new aging cycle more frequently. Indeed, as soon as a one of the two grippers 152 is free to receive release a block 101' or 101", the other gripper 152 is ready to receive a block 101 or 101' for treatment from the block-feeding assembly 108 or from the other magazine respectively.

[00167] The feeding device 108, the two magazine 118 and the double puller 122 are hydraulically operated. For that purpose, a hydraulic power unit 224 (see on Figures 29 and 30) is provided adjacent the machine 102 for connected and powering these components.

[00168] An aging machine according to the present invention is of course not limited to hydraulically operated components and can also include pneumatically operated components for example.

[00169] Also, the feeding device 108, the two magazine 118, the impacting assemblies 120 and the double puller 122 are all connected to a controller (not shown) so as to be controlled therefrom. More specifically, their operations are synchronized by the controller.

[00170] Even though the concrete block edges and surface treatment machine according to the present invention has been described with the concrete block magazine pivotally mounted to the frame so as to move the exposed edges and surface of the blocks during treatment along an arc of circle while the impacting elements remain generally at a same position along said arc of circle, it is believed to be within the reach of a person skilled in the art to use the above teaching to conceive a similar machine where it is the impacting elements which are pivotally mounted to the frame so as to move along the arc of circle while the exposed surface and edges remained immobilized during such movement.

[00171] Also, even though the present invention has been illustrated with reference to illustrated embodiments where the relative movement of the impacting elements with the concrete block magazine defines an arc of circle, any other relative movements yielding less intense impact near the center of the face of the block than near the corners thereof can also be produce. Examples of such movement include half of a hyperbola, a slope, etc.

[00172] The concrete block magazine can take other forms allowing receiving one ore more block and for exposing at least one side thereof during treatment. Also, the present invention is not limited to a magazine having two compartments.

[00173] The impacting assemblies are not limited to those illustrated hereinabove. For example, the impacting assemblies can include one or a

plurality oscillating hammers. Also, bush hammers provided with side movements can be used to abrade the blocks. Rotating chains configured so that their free ends impact the exposed sides, corners and edges of the blocks can also be used.

[00174] A machine according to a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated) can be provided with any combination of features of the machines 10 and 102.

[00175] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of illustrated embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention, as defined in the appended claims.