Field of invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a crushing jaw of a jaw crusher having a retainer
that projects from a mount face of the jaw to prevent a jaw mounted plate falling
downwardly into the crusher during mounting and dismounting procedures.
Background art
[0002] Jaw crusher units typically comprise a fixed jaw and a movable jaw that together
define a crushing zone. A drive mechanism is operative to rock the movable jaw back
and forth in order to crush material within this zone.
[0003] The crushing zone is generally convergent towards its lower discharge end so that
crushable material, fed to an upper and wider end of the zone, is capable of falling
downward under gravity whilst being subject to repeated cycles of crushing movement
in response to the cyclical motion of the movable jaw. The crushed material is then
discharged under gravity through the lower and narrower discharge end onto a conveyor
belt for onward processing or discharge from the crusher unit to a suitable stock
pile.
[0004] Commonly, the frame that supports the fixed jaw is referred to as the front frame
end. The movable jaw is connected to what is typically referred to as a back frame
end via a mechanically actuated link mechanism that serves to control and stabilise
the oscillating movement of the jaw relative to the stationary jaw. Being common to
jaw crushers of this type, crushing plates are removably mounted at both the fixed
and movable jaws and represent wear parts that require replacement following periods
of use. Conventionally, the wear plates are mounted at respective support frames of
the fixed and movable jaws via wedges that abut regions of the crushing plate and
are secured at a rearward projecting side of the jaws via anchorage bolts or the like.
Example jaw crushers are described in
US 2,302,723;
DE 4108517;
WO 00/41812;
WO 02/36262 and
WO 2008/046127.
[0005] Conventional jaw assemblies typically employ an intermediate wear or shim plate positioned
immediately behind the crushing plate and in contact with the jaw mount face. Typically,
these wear or shim plates are held in place between the crushing plate and the jaw
via the primary jaw mounting wedges that clamp the crushing jaw into position. However,
it is a common occurrence for the wear plate to adhere temporarily to the rearward
face of the crushing plate and to be pulled and removed from the jaw mount face when
the crushing plate is lifted during maintenance or replacement procedures. The wear
plate is accordingly susceptible to then falling from the crushing plate downward
into the crushing jaw where it may be difficult to recover and/or cause damage to
the crusher or injure service personnel operating in or below the crushing jaw. Accordingly,
there is a need for improved crushing jaw and assembly that addresses the above problems.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a jaw of a jaw crusher configured
to fasten and lock a wear plate behind the crushing plate so as to prevent the wear
plate accidently falling from the jaw assembly during dismounting of the crushing
plate. It is a further objective to allow a degree of positional adjustment of the
wear plate at the jaw to accommodate different thickness of wear or shim plates and
to allow correct mating of such plates at the jaw mount surface.
[0007] The objectives are achieved by providing at least one retainer extending from the
mount surface of the jaw that firstly does not interfere with the secure mounting
of the crushing plate at the jaw and secondly is effective to prevent complete decoupling
of the intermediate wear plate unintentionally when the crushing plates are interchanged.
In particular, the present retainer advantageously comprises a body portion that is
rigidly and fixed at the jaw so as to extend a fixed distance from the mount face.
The retainer body is configured to be load bearing to provide a means on which to
hang or pin the wear plate at the mount face. Locking of the wear plate at the mount
face is achieved via a retainer head portion that is removably and/or adjustably mounted
at the retainer body via at least one coupling element. The retainer head comprises
at least one region, element, flange or projection that extends beyond a perimeter
of the retainer body so as to overhang the body to be positioned immediately opposed
to a part of the wear plate. Accordingly, the wear plate is prevented from decoupling
beyond the retainer via contact with the enlarged retainer head.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a crushing
jaw of a jaw crusher comprising: a support frame having a mount face for mounting
a crushing plate against which material is crushed when passing through the crusher;
at least one retainer body fixed at the support frame to project from the mount face
to support an intermediate plate intended to be positioned between the mount face
and the crushing plate; characterised by: at least one retainer head extending laterally
from the body such that a part of the head is positioned opposed to the mount face
and; at least one coupling element to removably or adjustably mount the head at the
body such that the head is configured to engage a region of the intermediate plate
and prevent said plate from falling from the support frame.
[0009] Preferably, the at least one retainer body is formed integrally with the support
frame of the jaw. However, the at least one retainer body may be substantially permanently
fixed at the support frame via conventional attachment means including bolts, screws,
pins, locking elements, welding or bonding. Accordingly, and preferably the retainer
body is rigidly mounted at or formed integrally with the support frame.
[0010] Preferably, the at least one retainer body and head are positioned within an upper
half of the support frame closest to an upper end relative to a lower end of the support
frame.
[0011] Optionally, the crushing jaw comprises two retainers extending from the mount face.
A first retainer is positioned within an upper half of the support frame closest to
an upper end and a second retainer is positioned in the lower half of the support
frame closest to a lower end. Each retainer comprises a retainer body and a retainer
head having at least one region that overhangs the retainer body to be positioned
opposed to the intermediate plate.
[0012] Preferably, the mount face comprises a pair of lengthwise edges and respective upper
and lower widthwise edges and the retainer body and head are positioned between the
lengthwise edges. Preferably, the retainer is positioned substantially centrally between
the lengthwise edges.
[0013] Optionally, the part of the head that extends from the body is orientated to extend
upwardly from the body towards the upper edge. Optionally, the head is enlarged relative
to the body such that the head extends downwardly from the body towards the lower
edge. Optionally, the head extends from the body beyond the entire perimeter of the
body including overhanging from the side edges. Optionally, the head extends from
the body from one or both side edges only. Preferably, the head comprises a plate.
Preferably, the plate is substantially planar. Optionally, the plate may comprise
a curved end region or regions wherein the curvature is directed towards the support
frame and/or the retainer body.
[0014] Optionally, the coupling element comprises at least one bolt or screw. Optionally,
the retainer body comprises at least one bore to receive the bolt or screw. Preferably,
the bolt or screw comprises screw threads and the bore comprises corresponding screw
threads. Optionally, the head may be removably or adjustably secured to the body via
twist lock couplings involving at least one pivot pin or may be slidably mounted at
the retainer body via a tongue and groove, a pin and slot or bolt and hole arrangement.
[0015] Preferably, in a plane substantially parallel to the mount face, a cross section
of the head is greater than the cross section of the body such that the part of the
head overhangs the body.
[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a crushing
jaw assembly of a jaw crusher comprising: a crushing jaw as claimed herein; a crushing
plate having a rear face and a crushing face against which material is crushed when
passing through the crusher, the crushing plate mounted at the mount face via the
rear face; an intermediate plate mounted at the mount face and positioned between
the crushing plate and the support frame, the intermediate plate having at least one
aperture through which the at least one retainer body projects; the part of the head
that extends laterally from the body positioned opposed to a face of the intermediate
plate.
[0017] Optionally, the intermediate plate comprises two apertures through which project
two respective retainer bodies.
[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a jaw crusher
comprising a jaw as claimed herein or a jaw assembly as claimed herein.
Brief description of drawings
[0019] A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described, by way
of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a jaw crusher comprising a movable jaw and a fixed
jaw according to a specific implementation of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the movable jaw of figure 1 with the crushing plate
and wear plate removed to illustrate the mount surface from which extends parts of
an upper and a lower retainer according to a specific implementation of the present
invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fixed jaw and upper retainer of figure 2 with
the fully assembled upper retainer extending over a region of a wear plate according
to a specific implementation of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a magnified view of the upper retainer and wear plate of figure 3.
Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention
[0020] Referring to figure 1, a jaw crusher 100 comprises a main frame 102 upon which is
mounted a movable jaw 105 and a substantially fixed jaw 104. The movable jaw 105 is
mounted eccentrically at a rotatable shaft 107 (extending from underneath an end cap
109) and is positioned separated and opposed to fixed jaw 104. The orientation of
fixed jaw 104 and movable jaw 105 relative to one another is convergent along their
respective lengths such that a separation distance between a mount face 111 of fixed
jaw 104 and a corresponding mount face 110 of movable jaw 105 decreases in the downward
lengthwise direction. A crushing plate 113 is removably attached to mount face 111
of fixed jaw 104 and a corresponding crushing plate 114 is removably attached to mount
face 110 of movable jaw 105. Main frame 102 comprises two opposed frame walls 102
that support the front frame end 108, which is aligned substantially perpendicular
to frame walls 102. Side walls 102 extend either side of fixed jaw 104 and movable
jaw 105 to collectively define a crushing zone 103. The opposed fixed 104 and movable
105 jaws are oriented to be inclined relative to one another and are spaced apart
further at their respective upper ends than their lower ends. Accordingly, the crushing
zone 103 is convergent from an upper feed region 115 to a lower discharge region 112.
[0021] A pair of flywheels 101 are mounted either end of shaft 107 at an external facing
side of side frame walls 102 being external to the crushing zone 103. Movable jaw
105 is thereby configured for gyroscopic or eccentric motion with respect of fixed
jaw 104 as flywheels 101 and shaft 107 are rotated via mating between v-belt grooves
at the flywheels 101 and a suitable drive belt (not shown) which in turn is attached
to a drive motor (not shown). This movement of jaw 105 provides the necessary crushing
action for material within zone 103 between the opposed plates 113 and 114. A plurality
of removably mounted side liners 106 are attached to each side frame wall 102 at the
region of crushing zone 103. Movable jaw 105 is supported by a back frame end 116.
In particular, back frame end 116 provides a mount for a mechanically actuated linkage
(not shown) that is coupled to a lower region of movable jaw 105 so as to support
and stabilise the oscillating movement of jaw 105.
[0022] Referring to movable jaw 105 for illustrative purposes, jaw 105 comprises support
frame 118 having an upper end 120 and a lower end 119. Frame 118 terminates at crushing
zone 103 via mount surface 110 being substantially planar. Face 110 is orientated
towards the opposed jaw 104 whilst an opposite face 123 is rearward facing towards
back frame end 116. Crushing plate 114 is mounted at frame 118 via a rearward facing
surface 121 whilst an opposite crushing face 122 is orientated towards zone 103 and
opposed to the corresponding jaw 104. Crushing plate 114 comprises a length and a
width corresponding to a length and a width of mount surface 110. As will be appreciated,
features 119 to 123 are common to both jaws 104, 105. Each crushing plate 113, 114
is held in position at each respective jaw 104, 105 via a lower attachment 126 positioned
towards lower end 119 and a pair of locking wedges 125 positioned towards upper end
120. Wedges 125 are anchored at each frame 108, 118 via attachment bolts 124 that
project rearwardly from each frame rear face 123. As will be appreciated, wedges 125
trap the plates 113, 114 against the respective lower mountings 126.
[0023] Figure 2 illustrates the movable jaw 105 with the crushing plate 114 removed for
illustrated purposes. Mount face 110 comprises a pair of lengthwise edges 201 and
a corresponding pair of widthwise edges 200, 202. Edge 202 is uppermost and positioned
closest to upper end 120 whilst edge 200 is lowermost and is positioned approximately
at lower end 119 of frame 118. According to the specific implementation, jaw 105 comprises
a first upper retainer projecting from mount face 110 being positioned towards upper
end 120 and a second retainer 207 extending from mount face 110 within a lower half
positioned towards lower end 119. Each retainer 206, 207 comprises a retainer body
204 that projects from mount face 110. In particular, the body 204 of upper retainer
206 is positioned towards upper edge 202 whilst the body 204 of lower retainer 207
is positioned towards lower edge 200. Each body 204 comprises a generally cuboid configuration
and is formed integrally with frame 118 which is typically welded or cast. In particular,
body 204 of retainer 206 is positioned approximately at the upper third of frame 118
and projects towards the crushing zone 103, whilst body 204 of lower retainer 207
is positioned approximately in the lower third of frame 118 and also projects towards
the crushing zone 103. Four bore holes 203 extend through each body 204 from an exposed
attachment face 205. Each face 205 is spaced apart from mount face 110 by a thickness
of each body 204. According to the specific implementation, each body 204 extends
rigidly from frame 118 and are therefore fixed and non-movable relative to frame 118.
[0024] Further details of the upper 206 and lower 207 retainers are described referring
to figures 3 and 4 with reference to the upper retainer 206. As will be appreciated,
all features described referring to figures 3 and 4 apply equally to the lower retainer
207. A retainer head 301 comprises a plate-like configuration being substantially
linear and having an upper widthwise edge 403, a lower widthwise edge 404 and two
opposed lengthwise edges 405. Head 301 is secured to body 204 via four bolts 302 having
screw threads that cooperate with corresponding screw threads (not shown) formed within
each respective bore 203. Accordingly, a part of an abutment face 400 of head 301
is mated against attachment face 205 such that head 301 is removably but securely
mounted at body 204. Body 204 also comprises an upper edge 401 and a lower edge 402
that, in part, define attachment face 205. A length between upper and lower edges
403, 404 of the plate-like head 301 is greater than the corresponding length between
upper and lower edges 401, 402 of retainer body 204. Accordingly, an upper and a lower
lengthwise region 303 of head 301 extends laterally beyond the respective upper and
lower edges 401, 402 so as to overhang body 204. That is, an upper and a lower region
of the abutment face 400 are exposed beyond body 204 to be orientated opposed to mount
face 110.
[0025] A wear or shim plate 300 is mounted at mount face 110 to be positioned between frame
118 and crushing plate 114. Plate 300 is also substantially planar with corresponding
lengthwise edges and upper and lower edges having dimensions approximately equal to
the corresponding edges 200 to 202 of mount face 110 such that plate 300 may be mounted
at frame 118 via mount face 110. When mounted at face 110, wear plate 300, as illustrated
in figures 3 and 4 comprises an exposed support face 305 orientated towards the crushing
zone 103. Accordingly, crushing plate 114 and in particular the rearward face 121
is positioned in contact with support face 305 to provide the assembly configuration
of figure 1. Two cavities (not shown) project inwardly from rearward face 121 of crushing
plate 114 and are sized to accommodate the respective upper and lower retainers 204,
301 such that the opposed faces 121, 305 can be positioned in close touching contact.
[0026] A first (upper) and second (lower) aperture 304 are provided through wear plate 300
and are dimensioned to be slightly greater than each body 204 so as to allow plate
300 to be mounted at face 110 such that each body 204 projects through each respective
aperture 304. The mounting of wear plate 300 at mount face 110 is undertaken without
each head 301 in position at each body 204. With plate 300 secured in position, at
least one head 301 is then attached to body 204 via bolts 302. That is, each aperture
304 comprises a length and a width being less than a corresponding length and width
of head 301 such that head 301, when mounted at body 204, cannot pass through aperture
304. Accordingly, the assembled retainer configuration of figure 4, with head 304
mounted at body 204, prevents complete decoupling of wear plate 300 from mount surface
110.
[0027] In particular and in use, retainer 204, 301 is configured to prevent wear plate 300
falling unintentionally from frame 118 when crushing plate 114 is interchanged during
maintenance or repair procedures. In particular, existing jaw assemblies are disadvantageous
as wear plate 300 is susceptible to being dislodged from mount face 110 when crushing
plate 114 is removed. Retainer 204, 301 is therefore effective to prevent plate 300
decoupling completely from mount face 110 via the abutment regions 303 of head 301
that extends beyond a perimeter of body 204. In particular, abutment face 400 is configured
to contact support face 305 of plate 300 should plate 300 adhere temporarily to crushing
plate 114 when removed from jaw 105.
[0028] As will be appreciated, whilst each retainer 204, 301 is illustrated and described
with reference to movable jaw 105, one or a plurality of corresponding retainer arrangements
204, 301 are provided at fixed jaw 104.
[0029] According to further specific implementations, head 301 may be coupled to body 204
via any coupling means that allow respective positional adjustment of head 301 at
body 204. For example, head 301 may be attached to body 204 via a twist lock mechanism
such that head 301 is rotatable relative to body 204. That is, in a first rotation
position, head 301 may be aligned with aperture 304 to allow mounting of plate 300
at face 110 whilst in a second rotation position, head 301 may overhang the perimeter
of body 204 so as to provide the locking regions 303 as shown in figures 3 and 4 to
prevent complete dismounting. According to further embodiments, each head 301 may
be mounted at each body 204 via a sliding mechanism so as to slide beyond the perimeter
of head 204 to provide the overhanging regions 303 with at least one region of abutment
face 400 positioned opposed to a region of support face 305. Such rotational and slide
mechanisms may be implemented using configurations known in the art optionally involving
pivot pins or tong and groove arrangements for example.
1. A crushing jaw (105) of a jaw crusher (100) comprising:
a support frame (118) having a mount face (110) for mounting a crushing plate (114)
against which material is crushed when passing through the crusher (100);
at least one retainer body (204) fixed at the support frame (118) to project from
the mount face (110) to support an intermediate plate (300) intended to be positioned
between the mount face (110) and the crushing plate (114);
characterised by:
at least one retainer head (301) extending laterally from the body (204) such that
a part (303) of the head (301) is positioned opposed to the mount face (110); and
at least one coupling element (302) to removably or adjustably mount the head (301)
at the body (204) such that the head is configured to engage a region of the intermediate
plate (300) and prevent said plate (300) from falling from the support frame (118).
2. The jaw as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one retainer body (204) is rigidly
mounted at or formed integrally with the support frame (118).
3. The jaw as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the at least one retainer body (204) and
head (301) are positioned within an upper half of the support frame (118) closest
to an upper end (120) relative to a lower end (119) of the support frame (118).
4. The jaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mount face (110) comprises a
pair of lengthwise edges (301) and respective upper (202) and lower (200) widthwise
edges and the retainer body (204) and head (301) are positioned between the lengthwise
edges (201).
5. The jaw as claimed in claim 4 wherein the part (303) of the head (301) that extends
from the body (204) is orientated to extend upwardly from the body (204) towards the
upper edge (202).
6. The jaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the head (301) comprises a plate.
7. The jaw as claimed in claim 6 wherein the plate is substantially planar.
8. The jaw as claimed in claim 6 wherein the plate comprises a curved end region.
9. The jaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the coupling element (302) comprises
at least one bolt or screw.
10. The jaw as claimed in claim 9 wherein the retainer body (204) comprises at least one
bore (203) to receive the bolt or screw.
11. The jaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one head (301) is removably
mounted at the body (204) via a plurality of coupling elements (302).
12. The jaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein in a plane substantially parallel
to the mount face (110) a cross section of the head (301) is greater than the cross
section of the body (204) such that the part (303) of the head (301) overhangs the
body (204).
13. A crushing jaw assembly of a jaw crusher (100) comprising:
a crushing jaw (105) as claimed in any preceding claim;
a crushing plate (114) having a rear face (121) and a crushing face (122) against
which material is crushed when passing through the crusher (100), the crushing plate
(114) mounted at the mount face (110) via the rear face (121); and
an intermediate plate (300) mounted at the mount face (110) and positioned between
the crushing plate (114) and the support frame (118), the intermediate plate (300)
having at least one aperture (304) through which the at least one retainer body (204)
projects;
the part (303) of the head (301) that extends laterally from the body (204) positioned
opposed to a face (305) of the intermediate plate (300).
14. A jaw crusher (100) comprising a jaw (105) of any one of claims 1 to 12 or a jaw assembly
as claimed in claim 13.