US Patent 7708005 Apparatus and method for splitting masonry materials

An apparatus for splitting masonry material which includes a frame and table vertically moveable in the frame, the table also having an attached lower blade, for supporting masonry material thereon to be split. An upper blade is positioned in the frame over the table in alignment with the lower blade. A hydraulic jack with an extendable ram is also supported in the frame below the table and is actuated by an actuating lever to thereby raise the table and lower blade combination to engage masonry material supported thereon between the upper and lower blades for splitting. A mechanism for quickly raising the table with its attached lower blade and the ram of the hydraulic jack for initial fast engagement of the upper and lower blades with the masonry material to be split is provided upon initial actuation of the actuating lever.