APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ROUGHING SURFACE OF CONCRETE CASTING BLOCKS

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to casted concrete block manufacturing and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for roughing blocks to give them a worn or rough appearance.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The concrete block casting industry is well developed and is highly automated in its process operations for manufacturing conventional rectangular concrete blocks and the like. The casted blocks have a geometrically uniform rectangular prism configuration in which the surfaces thereof are substantially planar with adjacent surfaces delimited by sharp edges.

[0003] It has been known to treat the concrete blocks in order to get a more natural rough look. As authentic stone blocks are known to have rounded edges and irregular shaped surfaces, systems have been provided in order to produce such effect on casted concrete blocks. However, the equipment used in order to treat these blocks has been incompatible with the fully automated handling equipment used in the other operations of the concrete block producing process. Substantial amount of manual labor and high costs are inherent with the presently used block roughing systems.

[0004] For instance, a known method consists in disposing the casted blocks in large tumbling drums. These tumbling drums are rotated about their longitudinal axis in order for the concrete blocks to tumble therein and to collide in order to get damaged. This method, although producing a generally satisfying look, entails substantial costs due to unrepairable damages to concrete blocks. Some blocks are damaged to a point where they may no longer be used and are thus thrown away or recycled. Also, some concrete block patterns may contain blocks of different sizes and these must be sorted and assembled, which is very time consuming. Also, if a particular one of the blocks in pattern is destroyed more than other blocks, then often the other blocks are no longer useful as a ratio of blocks must be kept. By its nature, the tumbling drum requires frequent repairs. Furthermore, the personnel used for these purposes must deal with a noisy environment due to the tumbling action, and injuries are frequent due to the hazardous operations and handling required thereby. It is difficult to maintain a stable labour force for this work.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,133,915, issued on July 28, 1992 to Metten et al., discloses a surface upon which a plurality of concrete blocks are disposed in a spaced apart relationship. A roller brush translates over the surface of concrete blocks in a reciprocating manner, thereby stripping and roughing the surface of the concrete blocks. Although this method provides substantial advantages over the tumbling drum method described above, it requires that the concrete blocks are spaced apart in order for the sharp edges thereof to be treated. Otherwise, only the top surface would be abraded. Furthermore, the brush type roller provides a relatively uniform abrasion of the concrete blocks, which is not a desired result for use with paving blocks. Finally, as the concrete blocks are spaced apart, the brush can only strike them at a certain velocity in order not to displace them. If they are displaced, they may end up in abutment with one another, whereby only the top surfaces will be abraded, leaving the sharp edges of the block intact. These blocks are usually treated before the concrete is cured. This patent could not provide the desired result of producing an irregular roughened appearance to concrete blocks.

[0006] Referring now to U.S. Patent 4,147,491, there is described an apparatus for forming simulated old brick. The apparatus consists in slitting a slug of soft clay to form rectangular bricks. These bricks are projected in ultimate sequence under rolls which have opposed textured peripheral flanges whereby to impart a repetitive shape into the clay to simulate an old brick. This shape is only imparted along the opposed longitudinal,edges on one side of the soft clay bricks. The bricks are tilted under associated rolls and the reason for alternate rolls being tilted is to accommodate the impressing rollers.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] It is a feature of the present invention to provide a concrete block roughing apparatus and method which substantially overcomes the disadvantages of the above mentioned prior art.

[0008] According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for roughing at least one of surfaces and edges of solid concrete casted blocks. The apparatus comprises a block support surface having at least two surface sections. At least a first roughing device having a plurality of impacting elements thereon is provided for roughing concrete blocks. Conveying means is provided for displacing concrete blocks over the surface sections. The apparatus is characterized in that the surface sections have a straight front edge and a rear end edge disposed parallel to one another and extending across the width of a travel path of a plurality of the blocks being conveyed in side-by-side relationship. A first of the surface sections has the rear end edge thereof disposed above an adjacent front end edge of a second of the said surface sections to create a ledge for projecting a leading edge portion of concrete blocks conveyed over the first surface section. The first roughing device is disposed a predetermined distance above the block support surfaces and generally above the rear end of the first surface section for roughing concrete casted blocks in a non-uniform fashion as a projecting leading edge portion of each of the casted concrete blocks as they are conveyed over the rear end. The casted blocks are tilted when reaching a predetermined position over the ledge to fall on a second of the two surface sections at the straight front edge thereof.

[0009] According to a further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for roughing portions of solid concrete casted blocks. The method is characterized by the steps of conveying a plurality of concrete casted blocks by conveying means with the blocks disposed in side-by-side aligned relationship over a block support surface disposed parallel to one another. At least a section of the support surface is inclined to create a ledge at the rear end edge extending across a panel path of the plurality of concrete casted blocks in side-by-side relationship for projecting a leading edge of the concrete blocks conveyed over the ledge. At least a roughing device is provided and has a plurality of impacting elements thereon and disposed a predetermined distance above the block support surface forwardly of the rear end edge. The leading edge portion of the concrete blocks which are in side-by-side relationship are impacted by the roughing device as they are projected over the ledge by the conveying means. The blocks are tilted when reaching a predetermined position over the ledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated by examples thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for roughing concrete blocks in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of slanted support panels and a roughing tool in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an embodiment of the roughing tool;

Fig. 4 is a simplified schematic top plan view of a series of apparatuses for roughing concrete blocks;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of another embodiment of the apparatus for roughing concrete blocks of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of still another embodiment of the apparatus for roughing concrete blocks of the present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] According to the drawings and, more particularly to Fig. 1, an apparatus for roughing concrete blocks (i.e. bricks, paving stones, wall retaining blocks, masonry stones) is generally shown at 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a table 11 having a top surface 12, a front end 13, a rear end 14 and lateral sides 15 and 16. The top surface 12 is defined by rectangular panels 17, 18, 19 and 20. It is observed that the rectangular panel 17 is at the front end 13 of the table 11, whereas the rectangular panel 20 is at the rear end 14 thereof.

[0012] The rectangular panels 17, 18 and 19 are each secured to the table 11 in a slanted or inclined position with respect to the horizontal, such that each of the rectangular panels 17 and 18 has its front side edge lower than its rear side edge. Rectangular panel 19 is flat on the table for reasons which will be described later. Consequently, as seen in Fig. 1, a rear side edge 17R of the rectangular panel 17 is vertically offset with respect to adjacent front side edge 18F of the rectangular panel 18, such as to be above it to create a ledge L. It is pointed out that there is a similar relation between the front side and rear side edges of the rectangular panels 18 and 19. It is also pointed out that the rectangular panel 20 is substantially horizontal and in a co-planar relationship with the rectangular panel 19. Its rear side edge 20R represents the rear end 14 of the table 11. Also, the present invention is not restricted to four rectangular panels as fewer or more rectangular panels could form the table 11. Furthermore, the successive rectangular panels being cascaded could each have been in a horizontal position rather than in a slanted position, with a decrease in vertical positioning from the front end 14 of the table 11 to the rear end 15 thereof, such as to, again, have a cascading relation between the rectangular panels.

[0013] Support posts 25A and 25B project upwardly from the lateral sides 15 and 16, respectively, of the table 11 on opposed sides of the junction of the rectangular panels 17 and 18. Similar support posts 26A and 26B, and 27A and 27B are upwardly extending at opposed sides of the junctions of the rectangular panels 18 and 19, and of the rectangular panels 19 and 20, respectively.

[0014] Each of the support posts has at a top end thereof a throughbore having a journal bearing therein (not shown). The support posts 25A and 25B support a roughing tool 30 through their journal bearings. The roughing tool 30 is comprised of a pair of disks 31A and 31B removably linked by support bars 32. A drive shaft 33A is secured to the disk 31A, whereas the other disk 31B is connected to an idle and free to rotate shaft (not shown) journaled at the top end of the support post 25A. A plurality of chain link sections 34 are secured to the support bars 32, and are comprised of at least two interconnected loop chain links. The support bars 32 extend through an end loop of each chain link section 34. By rotating the roughing tool 30 on its longitudinal axis, the chain link sections 34 will impact predetermined areas of concrete blocks C disposed on the table 11, as will be described later. The roughing tool 30 is rotated by a motor M1 connected to the drive shaft 33A by a belt B1 and pulley P1 assembly. The motor M1 may consist a variable speed electric motor.

[0015] Generally identical roughing tools 40 and 50 are journaled between the support posts 26A and 26B, and 27A and 27B, respectively. The roughing tools 40 and 50 comprise the same elements as the roughing tool 30. Therefore, the roughing tools 40 and 50 will not be described. However, when referring to Fig. 1, like elements will be related by having like last digits. For instance, the disks 31A and 31B for the roughing tool 30 are generally identical to the disks 41A and 41B of the roughing tool 40. Similarly, the disks 51A and 51B of the roughing tool 50 are generally identical to the disks 31A of the 31B of the roughing tool 30. However, for clarity purposes, the motors and belt/pulley assemblies driving the roughing tools 40 and 50 are not shown.

[0016] The slanted or inclined positioning of the rectangular panels 17 and 18, whereby they are cascaded, allows for given portions of the concrete blocks C disposed on the top surface 12 of the table 11 to be exposed to the chain link sections 34 and 44 of the roughing tools 30 and 40, respectively, during their travel over the panels and specifically over the ledges. As best seen in Fig. 2, the configuration of the rectangular panel 17 with respect to panel 18 allows for only an edge C' of a concrete block C to be exposed for being impacted by the chain link sections 34 as it is conveyed by the conveyor bars 65 over the ledge L. As a bottom face of the concrete block C is projected over the ledge L, the block C will tilt down and fall on the rectangular panel 18, and its top surface will avoid the chain link sections 34. As the concrete block C further advances on the table 11, contact with the chain link sections 34 is still avoided until it is projected again on the next ledge. The roughing tools 30, 40 and 50 may be positioned strategically with respect to the table 11 in order for predetermined portions of the concrete blocks C to be abraded.

[0017] Consequently, the slanted configuration of the rectangular panels 17 and 18 allows for only the exposed edge portions of the concrete blocks C to be roughened. In the embodiment shown, three roughing tools are provided in order to treat the concrete blocks C disposed thereon for various effects. The roughing tool 30 is positioned to strike the exposed edges C' of the concrete blocks C such as to do a rough treating thereof and remove bigger chunks of material. The roughing tool 40 is positioned such as to treat the edges of the blocks C to a smoother finishing. As can be seen, rectangular panel 19 is flat and the roughing tool 50 is positioned to abrade the top surface C'' of the blocks C.

[0018] The roughing tools 30, 40 and 50 are driven by a variable speed motor (not shown) and may thus be rotated to various speeds in order to impact the concrete blocks C at various forces. They can also be independently driven. As seen in Fig. 3, a bolt B and nuts N have been added to an end chain link of a chain link section 34 such as to provide a random pattern on the concrete blocks C upon same being struck.

[0019] Returning now to Fig. 1, the apparatus 10 is provided with a conveyor 60 to displace the concrete blocks C over the panels 17, 18, 19 and 20. The conveyor 60 comprises a pair of chain loops 61A and 61B adjacent the lateral sides 15 and 16, respectively, of the table 11. The chain loop 61A is operatingly held about a pair of sprockets 62F and 62R, with the sprocket 62R being driven by a motor M2 and a belt B2 and pulley P2 assembly. The chain loop 61B is disposed about a sprocket 63F and the driven sprocket 63R, the latter being connected to an opposed end of an axle 64 upon which is secured the sprocket 62R. The chain loops 61A and 61B are linked by a plurality of bars 65 which are equidistantly spaced. The bars 65 come in contact with the concrete blocks C disposed on the top surface 12 of the table 11 such as to displace the concrete blocks C from the front end 13 to the rear end 14 thereof. It is noted that the motor M2 may be of various speeds in order to provide various velocities to the blocks moving forward.

[0020] As shown in the schematic representation of Fig. 4, a plurality of apparatuses for roughing concrete blocks or tables in accordance with the present invention may be provided in series in order to treat the various edge surfaces and top surfaces of the concrete blocks C. Concrete blocks C are initially loaded onto apparatus 10A such as to have first lateral side edges thereof treated by roughing tools 30A (rougher edge finish) and 40A (smoother edge finish). For clarity purposes, elements of an apparatus have been affixed a like letter (for instance, roughing tool 30A of apparatus 10A). The concrete blocks C are then transferred to a transfer table 100A, where a push bar 101A will load the concrete blocks C to apparatus 10B. It is pointed out that the front side edges of the concrete blocks C will now be treated as a consequence of the apparatus 10B being perpendicular to the apparatus 10A.

[0021] The concrete blocks C will then move onward to the apparatuses 10C and 10D through the transfer tables 100B and 100C, respectively, so as to be treated on all side edges. A third roughing tool 50D is provided on the apparatus 10D to treat the top surface of the concrete blocks C. This operation only requires to be achieved once as all side edges of the concrete blocks C share the same top surface. The concrete blocks can be loaded on to a stack of concrete blocks (not shown) by transfer table 100D at an end of the series of apparatuses. It is observed that a plurality of concrete blocks C are treated at a same time on the series of apparatuses, whereby this configuration advantageously allows for a continuous output of treated concrete blocks.

[0022] The panels forming the block support surface of the apparatuses may be solid. It has also been thought to provide a grid surface, as shown at G for one of the panels of apparatus 10B in Fig. 4, so that concrete particles resulting from the concrete blocks being treated fall through the grid surface G to the floor, thereby not accumulating on the top surface of the panels.

[0023] Referring to Fig. 5, a further embodiment of the apparatus 10 is shown, wherein the concrete blocks C will be abraded from a roughing tool 60, similar to the roughing tools 30, 40 and 50 described above, but disposed underneath the top surface 12, herein shown below rectangular panels 17 and 18. The rectangular panels 17 and 18 in this embodiment are shown further spread apart by a gap G2, as well as being offset by ledge L, to allow for the bottom trailing edges of concrete blocks C to drop in the gap G2 to be exposed to the abrading chain link sections 64 of the roughing tool 60 to be abraded thereby. Guides (not shown) are provided such that the bars 65 and the chain loops 61A and 61B avoid the chain link sections 64 of the roughing tool 60 when moving across the gap G2.

[0024] Referring to Fig. 6, the roughing tool 60 is depicted once more underneath the top surface 12 of the roughing apparatus 10, yet the rectangular panels 17 and 18 are not offset by the ledge L, whereby the concrete blocks driven across the gap G will have their bottom trailing surfaces exposed to be abraded by the chain link sections 64' of the roughing tool 60'.

[0025] Having the roughing tool 60 below the top surface 12 ensures that the chips or the dust resulting from the abrading action on the concrete blocks C will not accumulate on the top surface 12 of the apparatus 10. The roughing tool below the top surface 12 are used in combination with roughing tools disposed above the top surface 12 of the apparatus 10, as described above, whereby two opposed sides and edges of the concrete blocks C are abraded on the same apparatus.

[0026] It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) for roughing at least one of surfaces and edges (C') of solid concrete casted blocks (C), comprising a block support surface (12) having at least two surface sections (17,18,19,20), at least a first roughing device (30,40,50) having a plurality of impacting elements (34,44,54) thereon for roughing concrete blocks (C), conveying means (60) for displacing concrete blocks (C) over said surface sections (17,18,19,20), characterized in that:

said surface sections have a straight front edge (18F) and a rear end edge (17R) disposed parallel to one another and extending across the width of a travel path of a plurality of said blocks being conveyed in side-by-side relationship;

a first (17,18,19) of said surface sections (17,18,19,20) has said rear end edge (17R,18R,19R) thereof disposed above an adjacent front end edge (18F,19F,20F) of a second (18,19,20) of said surface sections (17,18,19,20) to create a ledge (L) for projecting a leading edge portion (C') of concrete blocks (C) conveyed over said first surface section (17,18,19);

said first roughing device (30,40,50) is disposed a predetermined distance above said block support surfaces and generally above said rear end (17R,18R,19R) of said first surface section (17,18,19) for roughing concrete casted blocks in a non-uniform fashion as a projecting leading edge portion (C') of each said casted concrete block (C) as they are conveyed over said rear end (17R,18R,19R); and

said casted blocks (C) are tilted when reaching a predetermined position over said ledge (L) to fall on a second of said two surface sections at said straight front edge thereof.

2. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 1, characterized in that said surface sections (17,18,19,20) are also separated by a gap (G2), said apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) having at least a further roughing device (60,60') having a plurality of elements (64,64') thereon for roughing concrete blocks (C), said further roughing device (60,60') being disposed generally below said rear end edge (17,18,19) of said first surface section for abrading a trailing end portion (C') of each said concrete block (C) falling in said gap (G2). upon leaving said first surface section (17,18,19).

3. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 2, characterized in that said apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) comprises further surface sections (18,19,20), said further surface sections (18,19,20) being generally coplanar and separated by a further gap (G2), said apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) having at least a still further roughing device (60,60') with a plurality of elements (64,64') thereon for roughing concrete blocks (C), said still further roughing device (60,60') being disposed generally below said further gap (G2) between said surface sections for abrading a bottom surface (C') of each said concrete block (C) being displaced over said gap (G2).

4. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 1, characterized in that said surface sections (17,18,19,20) are inclined such that said rear ead edge (17R,18R,19R) of said first surface section (17,18,19) is above said front end edge (18F,19F,20F) of said subsequent second surface section (18,19,20).

5. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 4, characterized in that said block support surface (12) is constituted of inclined solid panels. whereby said surface sections (17,18,19,20) are top surfaces of said inclined panels.

6. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 4, characterized in that each said surface section (17,18,19,20) is constituted of an inclined grid panel (G), so that concrete particles fall therethrough.

7. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 1, characterized in that said conveying means (60) is in abutment engagement (65) with said concrete blocks (C) to slide said concrete blocks (C) over said block support surface (12) from said front end edge to said rear end edge thereof.

8. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 1, wherein said roughing device (30,40,50) is an elongated impact rotor, said rotor being supported horizontally and having a drive shaft (33A,43A,53A) at one end thereof, a motor (M1) being connected to said drive shaft (33A,43A,53A) to impart axial rotation to said rotor about a central longitudinal axis thereof, and said plurality of impacting elements (34,44,54) being secured along a working section of said rotor, said impacting elements (34,44,54) being flexible and constructed of material having a hardness greater than hardness of said concrete blocks (C), said impacting elements (34,44,54) being dimensioned to abrade or chip said concrete blocks (C) when impacted thereon by rotation of said drive shaft (33A,43A,53A).

9. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 8, wherein said motor (M1) is a variable speed. electric motor.

10. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 8, wherein said impacting elements (34,44,54) of said roughing device (30,40,50) are chain link sections.

11. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 10, wherein said chain link sections are secured to one or more support bars (32,42,52) connected between a pair of bar attachment disks (31A,31B,41A,41B,51A,51B), said drive shaft (33A,43A,53A) being secured to one (31A,41A,51A) of said disks (31A,31B,41A,41B,51A,51B), the other (31B,41B,51B) of said disks (31A,31B,41A,41B,51A,51B) having an idle shaft connected thereto.

12. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 11, wherein said chain link sections have at least two interconnected loop chain links, each said support bars (32,42,52) extending through an end loop of a plurality of chain link sections, said support bars (32,42,52) being removably connected to said bar attachment disks (31A,31B,41A,41B,51A,51B).

13. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 12, wherein at least one free end loop of said plurality of chain link sections has an impacting device (B,N) secured thereto.

14. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 13, wherein said impacting device is a bolt (B) and nut (N) assembly.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveying means (60) is a pushing conveying means for pushing a plurality of casted blocks (C) with the blocks disposed side-by-side in at least two rows of blocks in contact with one another; said casted blocks (C) of a first of said at least two rows, when falling on said second surface section (18), exposing said projecting leading (C') transverse edge portion of trailing concrete casted blocks of a second of said at least two rows for being abraded by said roughing device (30,40,50) as it is being projected over said rear end edge (17R).

16. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 7, wherein said conveying (60) means has a pair of motor driven chains (61A,61B) interconnected by a plurality of spaced push bars (65), said chains (61A,61B) being disposed on opposed sides (15,16) of said table (11) such that said push bars (65) push the concrete blocks (C) from a front end (13) of said table (11) to a rear end (14) thereof.

17. The apparatus (10,10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 167, wherein said chains (61A,61B) are trained about driven and idle sprockets (62F,62R,63R) which are motor driven by a variable speed motor (M2).

18. A concrete casted blocks roughing line comprising at least two apparatuses (10A,10B,10C,10D) according to claim 1, characterized in that a first one (10A) of said apparatuses (10A,10B,10C,10D) is placed upstream of at least a second one (10B) of said apparatuses (10A,10B,10C,10D), whereby concrete blocks (C) transferred from said first one (10A) of said apparatuses (10A,10B,10C,10D) to said second one (10B) of said apparatuses (10A,10B,10C,10D) are positioned so as to have side edges (C') unabraded on said first one (10A) of said apparatuses (10A,10B,10C,10D) abraded on said second one (10B) of said apparatuses (10A,10B,10C,10D).

19. The concrete casted blocks roughing line according to claim 18, characterized in that subsequent apparatuses (10B,10C,10D) are in a generally perpendicular relation with respect to one another so as to have unabraded side edges abraded on a downstream one of said subsequent apparatuses (10B,10C,10D).

20. A method for roughing portions (C',C") of solid concrete casted blocks (c) characterized by the steps of:

(i) conveying a plurality of concrete casted blocks (C) by conveying means (6) with said blocks disposed in side-by-side aligned relationship over a block support surface (12) (17R) disposed parallel to one another, at least a section of said support surface being inclined to create a ledge (L) at said rear end edge extending across a panel path of said plurality of concrete casted blocks in side-by-side relationship for projecting a leading edge portion (C') of said concrete blocks conveyed over said ledge;

(ii) providing at least a roughing device (30,40,50) having a plurality of impacting elements (34,44,54) thereon and disposed a predetermined distance above said block support surface forwardly of said rear end edge (17R) ; and

(iii) impacting said leading edge portions (C') of said concrete blocks (C) in side-by-side relationship by said roughing device (30,40,50) as they are projected over said ledge (L) by said conveying means (60), said blocks being tilted when reaching a predetermined position over said ledge (L).

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said step (i) includes said block support surface (17,18,19,20) having a gap (G2) at said ledge (L) for exposing a bottom trailing edge portion (C') of each said concrete block (C) in said gap (G2), wherein said step (ii) includes providing at least another roughing device (60,60'). having a plurality of impacting elements (64,64') thereon and disposed at a predetermined position below said gap (G2), and wherein step (iii) includes impacting said bottom trailing edge portion (C') of said concrete blocks (C) as they fall in said gap (G2) by said conveying means (60).

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of block support surfaces (17,18,19,20) are provided in series, said concrete blocks (C) having untreated edge portions (C') placed in a leading position when transferred between subsequent block support surfaces (17,18,19,20), the steps (i), (ii) and (iii) being repeated over each said block support surface (17,18,19,20) to treat all edge portions (C') of each said concrete blocks (C).

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of treating a top surface (C') of each said concrete block (C) by a further roughing device (40,50)

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) zum Grobschleifen von wenigstens einer der Oberflächen und Kanten (C') massiver gegossener Betonsteine (C), mit einer Steinauflagefläche (12) mit mindestens zwei Flächenabschnitten (17, 18, 19, 20), mit mindestens einer ersten Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (30, 40, 50) mit einer Vielzahl von Schlagelementen (34, 44, 54) zum Grobschleifen von Betonsteinen (C), einem Transportmittel (60) zum Verschieben von Betonsteinen (C) über die genannten Flächenabschnitten (17, 18, 19, 20), dadurch gekennzeichnet,
   dass die genannten Flächenabschnitte eine gerade Vorderkante (18F) und eine hintere Endkante (17R) aufweisen, die parallel zueinander angeordnet sind und sich über die gesamte Breite einer Bewegungsbahn einer Vielzahl der genannten Steine erstreckt, wobei diese nebeneinander bewegt werden;
   dass ein erster (17, 18, 19) der genannten Flächenabschnitte (17, 18, 19, 20) eine solche genannte hintere Endkante (17R, 18R, 19R) aufweist, die über einer benachbarten Vorderkante (18F, 19F, 20F) eines zweiten Flächenabschnitts (18, 19, 20) der genannten Flächenabschnitte (17, 18, 19, 20) zum Bilden einer Stufe (L) angebracht ist, so dass jeweils eine vordere Kantenstelle (C') der Betonsteine (C) hervorsteht, die über den genannten ersten Flächenabschnitt (17, 18, 19) transportiert werden;
   dass die genannte erste Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (30, 40, 50) in einem vorbestimmten Abstand über den genannten Steinauflageflächen und im Allgemeinen über dem genannten hinteren Ende (17R, 18R, 19R) des genannten ersten Flächenabschnitts (17, 18, 19) angeordnet ist, um gegossene Betonsteinen auf eine nicht einheitliche Weise an einer hervorstehenden vorderen Kantenstelle (C') jedes der genannten gegossenen Betonsteine (C) grobzuschleifen, sobald sie über das genannte hintere Ende (17R, 18R, 19R) transportiert werden;
   dass die Betonsteine (C) gekippt werden, sobald sie eine vorbestimmte Position auf der Stufe (L) erreichen, und dadurch auf einen zweiten Flächenabschnitt der genannten zwei Flächenabschnitte an der genannten geraden vorderkante derselben fallen.

2. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten Flächenabschnitte (17, 18, 19, 20) außerdem durch einen Spalt (G2) getrennt sind, wobei die genannte Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) mindestens eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (60, 60') hat, die eine vielzahl von Elementen (64, 64') darauf zum Grobschleifen von Betonsteinen (C) aufweist, wobei die genannte weitere Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (60, 60') im Allgemeinen unter der genannten hinteren Endkante (17, 18, 19) des genannten ersten Flächenabschnitts zum Abschleifen einer hinteren Kantenstelle (C') jedes der genannten Betonsteine (C) angebracht ist, die in den genannten Spalt (G2) fallen, nachdem sie den genannten ersten Flächenabschnitt (17, 18, 19) verlassen haben.

3. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) weitere Flächenabschnitte (18, 19, 20) aufweist, wobei die genannten weiteren Flächenabschnitte (18, 19, 20) im Allgemeinen koplanar angeordnet sind und durch einen weiteren Spalt (G2) getrennt sind, wobei die genannte Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) zumindest noch eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (60, 60') mit einer Vielzahl von Elementen (64, 64') darauf zum Grobschleifen von Betonsteinen (C) aufweist, wobei die noch weitere vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (60, 60') im Allgemeinen unter dem genannten weiteren Spalt (G2) zwischen den genannten Flächenabschnitten zum Abschleifen einer Bodenfläche (C') jedes der genannten Betonsteine (C)angebracht ist, der über diesen Spalt (G2) verschoben wird.

4. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten Flächenabschnitte (17, 18, 19, 20) geneigt angeordnet sind, so dass die genannte hintere Endkante (17R, 18R, 19R) des genannten ersten Flächenabschnitts (17, 18, 19) sich über der genannten vorderen Endkante (18F, 19F, 20F) des genannten folgenden zweiten Flächenabschnitte (18, 19, 20) befindet.

5. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Steinauflagefläche (12) aus massiven schräggestellten Platten besteht, wobei die genannten Flächenabschnitte (17, 18, 19, 20) die Oberseiten der genannten schräggestellten Platten sind.

6. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder der genannten Flächenabschnitte (17, 18, 19, 20) aus einer schräggestellten Gitterplatte (G) besteht, durch die Betonpartikel hindurch fallen können.

7. vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte Transportmittel (60) sich im stoßeingriff (65) mit den genannten Betonsteinen (C) befinden, um die genannten Betonsteinen (C) über die genannte Steinauflagefläche (12) von der genannten vorderen Endkante zur genannten hinteren Endkante derselben zu schieben.

8. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (30, 40, 50) ein langgestreckter Schlagrotor ist, wobei der genannte Rotor horizontal gelagert ist und eine Antriebswelle (33A, 43A, 53A) an einem seiner Enden aufweist, wobei ein Antriebsmittel (M1) mit der genannten Antriebswelle (33A, 43A, 53A) verbunden ist, um den Rotor um seine zentrale Längsachse in Rotation zu versetzen und eine Vielzahl von Schlagelementen (34, 44, 54) entlang des Arbeitsbereichs des genannten Rotors befestigt sind, wobei die Schlagelemente (34, 44, 54) biegbar und aus einem Material hergestellt sind, das härter ist als die genannten Betonsteine (C), wobei die genannten Schlagelemente (34, 44, 54) so ausgelegt sind, dass sie zum Abschleifen oder Absplittern der genannten Betonsteine (c) in der Lage sind, wenn sie aufgrund der Rotation der genannten Antriebswelle (33A, 43A, 53A) darauf aufschlagen.

9. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 8, wobei das genannte Antriebsmittel (M1) ein elektrisches Antriebsmittel mit verstellbarer Drehzahl ist.

10. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 8, wobei die genannten Schlagelemente (34, 44, 54) der vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (30, 40, 50) aus Kettengliedern bestehende Abschnitte sind.

11. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 10, wobei die genannten aus Kettengliedern bestehenden Abschnitte an einer oder mehreren Haltestangen (32, 42, 52) angebracht sind, die zwischen einem Paar von Stangenbefestigungsscheiben (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B) befestigt sind, wobei die genannte Antriebswelle (33A, 43A, 53A) mit einer (31A, 41A, 51A) der genannten Scheiben (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B) verbunden ist und die andere (33B, 41B, 51B) der genannten Scheiben (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B) eine damit verbundene Freilaufachse aufweist.

12. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 11, wobei die genannten aus Kettengliedern bestehenden Abschnitte mindestens zwei miteinander verbundene Kettenringglieder aufweisen, wobei die genannten Haltestangen (32, 42, 52) sich durch einen Endring einer vielzahl von aus Kettengliedern bestehenden Abschnitten erstrecken, wobei die genannten Haltestangen (32, 42, 52) entfernbar mit den genannten Stangenbefestigungsscheiben (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B) verbunden sind.

13. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 12, wobei mindestens ein freier Endring der Vielzahl von aus Kettengliedern bestehenden Abschnitten ein daran befestigtes Schlagstück (B, N) aufweist.

14. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 13, wobei das genannte Schlagstück aus der Verbindung eines Bolzens (B) mit einer Mutter (N) besteht.

15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das genannte Transportmittel (60) ein Schiebetranaportmittel zum Schieben einer Vielzahl von gegossenen Steinen (C) ist, wobei die Steine nebeneinander in mindestens zwei Reihen, die miteinander Kontakt haben, angeordnet sind; wobei die genannten gegossenen Steine (C) der ersten der genannten mindestens zwei Reihen, sobald sie auf den zweiten Flächenabschnitt (18) fallen, die genannte hervorstehende vordere (C') querverlaufende Kantenstelle der nachfolgenden gegossenen Betonsteinen einer zweiten der genannten mindestens zwei Reihen zum Abschleifen durch die genannte Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (30, 40, 50) freigeben, wenn diese beim Transport über die genannte hintere Endkante (17R) hinausgeschoben wird.

16. vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 7, wobei das genannte Transportmittel (60) ein Paar von einem Antriebsmittel angetriebenen Ketten. (61A, 61B) aufweist, die durch eine Vielzahl von in Abstand angeordneten Schiebestangen (65) miteinander verbunden sind, wobei die genannten Ketten (61A, 61B) auf entgegengesetzten Seiten (15, 16) des genannten Tisches (11) angeordnet sind, so dass die genannten Schiebestangen (65) die Betonsteine (C) von einem vorderen Ende (13) des genannten Tisches (11) zu einem hinteren Ende (14) desselben schieben.

17. Vorrichtung (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 16, wobei die genannten Ketten (61A, 61B) über angetriebene und freilaufende Kettenräder (62F, 62R, 63R) aufgezogen werden, die von einem Antriebsmittel (M2) mit verstellbarer Drehzahl angetrieben werden.

18. Fertigungsstraße zum Grobschleifen von gegossenen Betonsteinen, die mindestens zwei Vorrichtungen (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) nach Anspruch 1 aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine erste (10A) der genannten Vorrichtungen (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) in Bearbeitungsrichtung vor mindestens einer zweiten (10B) der genannten Vorrichtungen (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) angeordnet ist, wobei Betonsteine (C), die von der genannten ersten (10A) der genannten Vorrichtungen (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) zu der genannten zweiten (10B) der genannten Vorrichtungen (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) übergeben werden, so positioniert werden, dass die genannte erste (10A) der genannten Vorrichtungen (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) die Seitenkanten (C') nicht abschleift und die genannte zweite (10B) der genannten vorrichtungen (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) diese abschleift.

19. Fertigungsstraße zum Grobschleifen von gegossenen Betonsteinen nach Anspruch 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass aufeinanderfolgende Vorrichtungen (10B, 10C, 10D) sich im Allgemeinen senkrecht zueinander befinden, so dass noch nicht abgeschliffene Seitenkanten beim Durchlauf durch eine der genannten aufeinanderfolgenden Vorrichtungen (10B, 10C, 10D) abgeschliffen werden.

20. Verfahren zum Grobschleifen von Stellen (C', C'') an massiven gegossenen Betonsteinen (C), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es folgende Schritte aufweist:

(i) den Transport einer Vielzahl von gegossenen Betonsteinen (C) mittels eines Transportmittels (6), wobei die genannten Steine nebeneinander und parallel zueinander ausgerichtet auf einer Steinauflagefläche (12) angeordnet sind, wobei mindestens ein Bereich der genannten Auflagefläche zum Bilden einer Stufe (L) an der genannten hinteren Endkante geneigt verläuft, die sich über eine auf den Platten verlaufende Bewegungsbahn der genannten Vielzahl von nebeneinander angeordneten gegossenen Betonsteinen erstreckt, damit die vordere Kantenstelle (C') der genannten Betonsteine (C), die über die Stufe transportiert werden, hervorstehen;

(ii) Zurverfügungstellen mindestens einer Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (30, 40, 50) mit einer Vielzahl von Schlagelementen (34, 44, 54) aufweist, wobei sie in einem vorbestimmten Abstand über der genannten Steinauflagefläche vor der genannten hinteren Endkante (17R) angeordnet ist;

(iii) Aufschlagen durch die Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (30, 40, 50) auf die vorderen Kantenstellen (C') der genannten Betonsteine (C), die nebeneinander angeordnet sind, wenn das Transportmittel (60) die Steine über die Stufe (L) hinausgeschoben hat, wobei die genannten Steine gekippt werden, sobald sie eine vorbestimmte Position auf der genannten Stufe (L) erreicht haben.

21. Verfahren nach Anspruch 20, wobei der genannte Schritt (i) beinhaltet, dass die genannte Steinauflagefläche (17, 18, 19, 20) einen Spalt (G2) an der Stufe (L) zum Freilegen einer unteren hinteren Kantenstelle (C') jedes der genannten Betonsteine (C) in dem Spalt (G2) aufweist, wobei der genannte Schritt (ii) mindestens das Vorsehen einer weiteren Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (60, 60') mit einer Vielzahl von Schlagelementen (64, 64') beinhaltet, wobei diese an einer vorbestimmten Position unterhalb des Spalts (G2) angeordnet ist, und wobei der genannte Schritt (iii) das Aufschlagen auf die untere hintere Kantenstelle (C') der genannten Betonsteine (C) beinhaltet, sobald diese in den Spalt (G2) mittels des Transportmittels (60) fallen.

22. Verfahren nach Anspruch 20, wobei eine Vielzahl von Steinauflageflächen (17, 18, 19, 20) in Serien bereitstehen, wobei die genannten Betonsteine (C) unbearbeitete Kantenstellen (C') an einer vorauslaufenden Position haben, wenn sie zwischen aufeinanderfolgenden Steinauflageflächen (17, 18, 19, 20) übergeben werden, wobei die Schritte (i), (ii) und (iii) auf jeder der genannten Steinauflageflächen (17, 18, 19, 20) wiederholt werden, um alle Kantenstellen (C') jedes der genannten Betonsteine (C) zu bearbeiten.

23. Verfahren nach Anspruch 22, das weiterhin einen Schritt des Bearbeitens einer oberen Fläche (C') jedes der genannten Betonsteine (C) mittels einer weiteren Vorrichtung zum Grobschleifen (40,50) beinhaltet.

Revendications

1. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) pour rendre irréguliers l'un au moins des surfaces et bords (C') de blocs de béton (C) coulés et pleins, ledit appareil comprenant une surface (12) de support de blocs ayant au moins deux sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20), au moins un premier dispositif entameur (30, 40, 50) ayant, sur lui, une pluralité d'éléments d'impact (34, 44, 54) pour rendre irréguliers des blocs de béton (C), un moyen de transport (60) pour déplacer les blocs de béton (C) sur lesdites sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20), caractérisé en ce que :

lesdites sections de surface présentent un bord avant rectiligne (18F) et un bord d'extrémité arrière (17R) disposés parallèlement l'un à l'autre et s'étendant d'un côté à l'autre de la largeur d'une voie suivie par une pluralité desdits blocs transportés côte à côte ;

une première (17, 18, 19) desdites sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20) a ledit bord d'extrémité arrière (17R, 18R, 19R) disposé au-dessus d'un bord d'extrémité avant (18F, 19F, 20F), adjacent, d'une seconde (18, 19, 20) desdites sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20) pour créer un rebord (L) afin de projeter une portion de bord d'attaque (C') des blocs de béton (C) transportés sur ladite première section de surface (17, 18, 19) ;

ledit premier dispositif entameur (30, 40, 50) est disposé à une distance prédéterminée au-dessus desdites surfaces de support de blocs, et généralement au-dessus de ladite extrémité arrière (17R, 18R, 19R) de ladite première section de surface (17, 18, 19), pour entamer, d'une manière non uniforme, des blocs de béton coulés, tels qu'une portion de bord d'attaque projetée (C') appartenant à chacun desdits blocs de béton coulés (C), tandis qu'ils sont transportés par-dessus de ladite extrémité arrière (17R, 18R, 19R) ; et

lesdits blocs coulés (C) basculent quand ils atteignent une position prédéterminée au-dessus dudit rebord (L) pour tomber sur une seconde desdites deux sections de surface au niveau dudit bord avant rectiligne de celle-ci.

2. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdites sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20) sont également séparées par un espace (G2), ledit appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) ayant au moins un autre dispositif entameur (60, 60') présentant, sur lui, une pluralité d'éléments (64, 64') pour rendre irréguliers des blocs de béton (C), ledit autre dispositif entameur (60, 60') étant disposé généralement au-dessous dudit bord d'extrémité arrière (17, 18, 19) de ladite première section de surface pour abraser une portion d'extrémité de fuite (C') de chacun desdits blocs de béton (C) tombant dans ledit espace (G2) quand ils quittent ladite première section de surface (17, 18, 19).

3. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) comprend d'autres sections de surface (18, 19, 20), lesdites autres sections de surface (18, 19, 20) étant généralement sur le même plan et séparées par un autre espace (G2), ledit appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) ayant au moins encore un autre dispositif entameur (60, 60') ayant, sur lui, une pluralité d'éléments (64, 64') pour rendre irréguliers des blocs de béton (C), ledit encore un autre dispositif entameur (60, 60') étant disposé généralement au-dessous dudit autre espace (G2) entre lesdites sections de surface pour abraser une surface inférieure (C') de chacun desdits blocs de béton (C) déplacés au-dessus dudit espace (G2).

4. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdites sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20) sont inclinées de telle sorte que ledit bord d'extrémité arrière (17R, 18R, 19R) de ladite première section de surface (17, 18, 19) est situé au-dessus dudit bord d'extrémité avant (18F, 19F, 20F) de ladite seconde section de surface (18, 19, 20) ultérieure.

5. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite surface de support de blocs (12) est constituée de panneaux pleins inclinés, grâce à quoi lesdites sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20) sont des surfaces supérieures desdits panneaux inclinés.

6. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que chacune desdites sections de surface (17, 18, 19, 20) est constituée d'un panneau incliné en grille (G), de telle sorte que les particules de béton tombent au travers.

7. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de transport (60) vient en butée (65) contre lesdits blocs de béton (C) pour faire glisser lesdits blocs de béton (C) sur ladite surface de support de blocs (12) depuis ledit bord d'extrémité avant vers ledit bord d'extrémité arrière de ladite surface.

8. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit dispositif entameur (30, 40, 50) est un rotor d'impact, allongé, ledit rotor étant supporté horizontalement et ayant un arbre d'entraînement (33A, 43A, 53A) au niveau d'une de ses extrémités, un moteur (M1) étant relié audit arbre d'entraînement (33A, 43A, 53A) pour impartir une rotation axiale audit rotor autour de son axe longitudinal central, et ladite pluralité d'éléments d'impact (34, 44, 54) étant fixée le long d'une section de travail dudit rotor, lesdits éléments d'impact (34, 44, 54) étant flexibles et construits à partir d'un matériau ayant une dureté supérieure à la dureté desdits blocs de béton (C), lesdits éléments d'impact (34, 44, 54) étant dimensionnés pour abraser ou ébrécher lesdits blocs de béton (C) lorsqu'ils viennent les heurter, par rotation dudit arbre d'entraînement (33A, 43A, 53A).

9. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 8, dans lequel ledit moteur (M1) est un moteur électrique à vitesse variable.

10. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 8, dans lequel lesdits éléments d'impact (34, 44, 54) dudit dispositif entameur (30, 40, 50) sont des sections de maillons de chaîne.

11. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel lesdites sections de maillons de chaîne sont fixées à une ou plusieurs barres support (32, 42, 52) reliées entre une paire de disques de fixation de barre (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B), ledit arbre d'entraînement (33A, 43A, 53A) étant fixé à l'un (31A, 41A, 51A) desdits disques (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B), l'autre (31B, 41B, 51B) desdits disques (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B) ayant un arbre fou qui lui est relié.

12. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel lesdites sections de maillons de chaîne ont au moins deux maillons de chaîne en boucle, reliés, chacune desdites barres support (32, 42, 52) s'étendant au travers d'une boucle d'extrémité d'une pluralité de sections de maillons de chaîne, lesdites barres support (32, 42, 52) étant reliées de façon amovible auxdits disques de fixation de barre (31A, 31B, 41A, 41B, 51A, 51B).

13. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel au moins une boucle d'extrémité libre de ladite pluralité de sections de maillons de chaîne comporte un dispositif d'impact (B, N) qui lui est fixé.

14. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 13, dans lequel ledit dispositif d'impact est un ensemble vis (B) et écrou (N).

15. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit moyen de transport (60) est un moyen poussoir de transport pour pousser une pluralité de blocs coulés (C) avec les blocs disposés côte à côte selon au moins deux rangées de blocs en contact les uns avec les autres ; lesdits blocs coulés (C) d'une première desdites au moins deux rangées, quand ils tombent sur ladite seconde section de surface (18), exposant ladite portion de bord d'attaque transversale projetée (C') des blocs de béton coulés, de fuite, d'une seconde desdites au moins deux rangées pour qu'ils soient abrasés par ledit dispositif entameur (30, 40, 50) tandis qu'il est projeté sur ledit bord d'extrémité arrière (17R).

16. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ledit moyen de transport (60) comporte une paire de chaînes mues par un moteur (61A, 61B) et interconnectées par une pluralité de barres de poussée espacées (65), lesdites chaînes (61A, 61B) étant disposées sur des côtés opposés (15, 16) de ladite table (11) de telle sorte que lesdites barres de poussée (65) poussent les blocs de béton (C) depuis une extrémité avant (13) de ladite table (11) vers une extrémité arrière (14) de celle-ci.

17. Appareil (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 16, dans lequel lesdites chaînes (61A, 61B) sont entraînées autour de pignons entraînés et fous (62F, 62R, 63R) qui sont entraînés par un moteur à vitesse variable (M2).

18. Ligne pour rendre irréguliers des blocs de béton coulés comprenant au moins deux appareils (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'un premier (10A) desdits appareils (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) est placé en amont d'au moins un second (10B) desdits appareils (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D), grâce à quoi des blocs de béton (C) transférés depuis ledit premier (10A) desdits appareils (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) vers ledit second (10B) desdits appareils (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) sont positionnés de telle sorte qu'ils ont des bords latéraux (C'), non abrasés sur ledit premier (10A) desdits appareils (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D), abrasés sur ledit second (10B) desdits appareils (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D).

19. Ligne pour rendre irréguliers des blocs de béton coulés selon la revendication 18, caractérisée en ce que les appareils ultérieurs (10B, 10C, 10D) sont en relation généralement perpendiculaire les uns par rapport aux autres de telle sorte que des bords latéraux non abrasés desdits blocs soient abrasés sur l'un, aval, desdits appareils ultérieurs (10B, 10C, 10D).

20. Procédé pour rendre irréguliers des portions (C', C") de blocs de béton coulés et pleins (C), caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes :

(i) le transport d'une pluralité de blocs de béton coulés (C) par un moyen de transport (6) avec lesdits blocs disposés selon une relation, alignée côté à côte sur une surface de support de blocs (12) (17R), et disposés parallèlement les uns aux autres, au moins une section de ladite surface de support étant inclinée pour créer un rebord (L) au niveau dudit bord d'extrémité arrière s'étendant d'un côté à l'autre d'une voie, formée de panneaux, suivie par ladite pluralité de blocs de béton coulés, disposés côte à côte, pour projeter une portion de bord d'attaque (C') desdits blocs de béton transportés par-dessus ledit rebord ;

(ii) la fourniture d'au moins un dispositif entameur (30, 40, 50) ayant, sur lui, une pluralité d'éléments d'impact (34, 44, 54), disposés à une distance prédéterminée au-dessus de ladite surface de support de blocs, en avant dudit bord d'extrémité arrière (17R) ; et

(iii) le fait de heurter lesdites portions de bord d'attaque (C') desdits blocs de béton (C), disposés côte à côte, avec ledit dispositif entameur (30, 40, 50) tandis qu'elles sont projetées au-dessus dudit rebord (L) par ledit moyen de transport (60), lesdits blocs basculant quand ils atteignent une position prédéterminée sur ledit rebord (L).

21. Procédé selon la revendication 20, dans lequel ladite étape (i) comprend le fait que ladite surface de support de blocs (17, 18, 19, 20) présente un espace (G2) au niveau dudit rebord (L) pour exposer une portion inférieure de bord de fuite (C') de chacun desdits blocs de béton (C) dans ledit espace (G2), ladite étape (ii) comprend la fourniture d'au moins un autre dispositif entameur (60, 60') ayant, sur lui, une pluralité d'éléments d'impact (64, 64') disposés au niveau d'une position prédéterminée au-dessous dudit espace (G2), et l'étape (iii) comprend le fait de heurter ladite portion inférieure de bord de fuite (C') desdits blocs de béton (C) tandis que ledit moyen de transport (60) les fait tomber dans ledit espace (G2).

22. Procédé selon la revendication 20, dans lequel une pluralité de surfaces de support de blocs (17, 18, 19, 20) est fournie en série, lesdits blocs de béton (C) ayant des portions de bord non traitées (C') placées dans une position d'attaque quand ils sont transférés entre des surfaces de support de bloc ultérieures (17, 18, 19, 20), les étapes (i), (ii) et (iii) étant répétées sur chacune desdites surfaces de support de blocs (17, 18, 19, 20) pour traiter toutes les portions de bord (C') de chacun desdits blocs de béton (C).

23. Procédé selon la revendication 22, comprenant, en outre, l'étape de traitement d'une surface supérieure (C') de chacun desdits blocs de béton (C) par un autre dispositif entameur (40, 50).

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