Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method of producing a concrete block having a front face, a rear face, an upper face, a lower face, and a pair of opposed side faces. The method includes providing a mold assembly having a plurality of liner plates that together form a mold cavity having an open top and an open bottom, wherein at least a first liner plate is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position with a gear drive assembly, and wherein the first liner plate is angled such that when the first liner plate is in the extended position the bottom of the mold cavity is narrower than the top by a predetermined distance. The first liner plate is moved to the extended position, a pallet is positioned below the mold to close the bottom of the mold cavity, dry cast concrete is placed in the mold cavity via the open top, a shoe assembly is positioned into the mold cavity via the open top, and the dry cast concrete is compacted to form a pre-cured concrete block with the rear face resting on the pallet, the front face contacting the shoe assembly, and one side face of the pair of opposed side faces contacting the first liner plate. The first liner plate is moved to the retracted position such that the bottom of the mold cavity is narrower than the top by the predetermined distance and at least as wide as the top when first liner plate is in the extended position, the pre-cured concrete block is expelled from the mold cavity and cured.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim