Crushing jaw with jaw plate retainer

Abstract

 A crushing jaw assembly of a jaw crusher (100) having a support frame (108) to mount a crushing plate (113) via a mount face (111). At least one retainer (204) is fixed to the support frame and projects from the mount face. A hooked end (203) is provided at the retainer to be received within a cavity region (201) of the crushing plate and prevent the crushing plate falling from the support frame unintentionally when released from primary locking wedges (125).

Description

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 crushing 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; FR 2530491; WO 2008/110903; WO 2008/046127 and WO 2008/046127.

[0005] However, conventional jaw assemblies are disadvantageous by unavoidably exposing service and maintenance personnel to significant safety risks when the crushing plates are interchanged. Typically service personnel are required to be positioned within the crushing zone to enable the crushing plates to be dismounted and lifted from the support frame. Accordingly, there is a significant risk of a crushing plate tumbling onto the personnel when the anchorage wedges are removed. Additionally, it is common for intermediate wear or shim plates to be positioned between the crushing plate and the support frame. When the anchorage wedges are removed and the crushing plate lifted from the frame, there is a further risk that the intermediate plate will be taken with the crushing plate and will subsequently drop downwardly into the crusher where it may be damaged and/or injure the service personnel. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved jaw and jaw assembly that addresses the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a jaw and a jaw assembly for a jaw crusher that eliminates the risk posed to service personnel when changing crushing plates at both the fixed and movable jaws of the crusher. It is a further specific objective to prevent the crushing plate and/or additional intermediate plates (wear and shim plates) from falling downwardly into the crushing zone during mounting and in particular dismounting procedures of the crushing plates at the respective jaws.

[0007] The objectives are achieved by providing a jaw having a retainer specifically configured with a hooked end to hook against a region of the crushing plate and prevent it from downward displacement during and immediately following release of the anchorage wedges that mount primarily the crushing plate at the respective support frame of the jaw. In particular, the crushing plate of the present assembly comprises a cavity region provided at an underside (or rear surface) and projecting inwardly into the body of the plate to receive the hooked end of the retainer. An abutment member is provided at the cavity region and is intended to be contacted by the hooked end such that the retainer is configured to 'catch' the crushing plate so as to suspend it at the support frame to prevent undesirable and complete dismounting. Accordingly, the retainer is rigidly and fixably mounted at the support frame so as to be load bearing when in use to support the crushing plate when unsupported by the locking wedges. Additionally, the retainer and the cavity regions are configured such that the retainer is accommodated within the cavity in a non-load bearing state when the crushing plate is mounted at the support frame via the locking wedges. It will be appreciated that the present invention is applied to both the fixed and moving jaws and optionally could be applied to just one of these jaws as might be appropriate.

[0008] Advantageously and to avoid the intermediate plate (wear or shim) being lifted-off the jaw support frame with the jaw plate, the jaw plate, retainer and intermediate plate are configured such that the jaw plate is capable of being lifted upwardly from the support frame whilst the additional intermediate plate is capable of being tilted off the mount face of the support frame via pivoting at about a lowermost edge of the intermediate plate. This configuration and function is provided specifically by the relative position and configuration of the retainer, the cavity and the abutment member provided at the rear face of the crushing plate together with the relative size and position of the aperture within the intermediate plate.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a crushing jaw assembly of a jaw crusher comprising: a support frame having a mount face for mounting a crushing plate; 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; at least one retainer fixed to the support frame to project a fixed distance from the mount face; at least one cavity region extending inwardly from the rear face of the crushing plate and having a mouth region; the retainer comprising a hooked end and the cavity region comprising an abutment member to be contacted by the hooked end to prevent the crushing plate falling from the support frame; characterised by: an intermediate plate mounted at the mount face and positioned between the crushing plate and the support frame; the intermediate plate having an aperture through which the retainer projects and being defined in part by a lower edge positioned immediately below the retainer and at the mouth region; wherein the edge is configured to abut an underside of the retainer when the crushing plate is dismounted from the support frame such that the retainer acts to dislodge the intermediate plate from the crushing plate to prevent the intermediate plate being dismounted from the support frame.

[0010] Reference within the specification to the retainer being 'fixed' at the support frame encompass the retainer being integrally or non-integrally formed with the support frame. The retainer may be secured to the support frame via attachment elements including bolts, screws, pins and the like. Optionally, the retainer may be welded or bonded to the support frame so as to be rigidly attached. Accordingly, the retainer is not adjustably mounted at the support frame and extends a fixed distance from the mount face.

[0011] Preferably, the mount face comprises a pair of lengthwise edges and respective upper and lower widthwise edges. Preferably, the retainer is positioned within an upper half of the mount face closest to the upper edge relative to the lower edge. More preferably, the retainer is positioned within an upper third region of the mount face closest to the upper edge. Preferably, the retainer projects from the mount face at a position between the lengthwise edges. More preferably, the retainer is positioned centrally between the lengthwise edges of the mount face.

[0012] Preferably, the hooked end is orientated to be upward facing towards the upper edge. Preferably, the hooked end is formed as a shoulder projecting upwardly from a main body that is aligned perpendicular (or transverse) to a plane of the mount face. Preferably, the hooked end comprises a shoulder extending substantially transverse or perpendicular to the main body of the retainer projecting from the mount face. Preferably, the shoulder comprises a length being less than a length of the main body.

[0013] Optionally, the retainer is positioned at a mid-region between the lengthwise sides. Optionally, the retainer may be positioned at any location between the lengthwise sides. Optionally, the retainer may be positioned substantially at each lengthwise side or may extend widthwise across a region the mount face from each of the lengthwise sides or at least one of the lengthwise sides.

[0014] Optionally, a cross section of the cavity may comprise a tapered profile, being an angled shape profile or a curving shape profile. Optionally, the cavity decreases in cross sectional area in a direction through the plate from the rearward face.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the crushing plate comprises a pair of lengthwise edges and respective first and second widthwise edges, the abutment member extending in a direction between the lengthwise edges and positioned between the hooked end and the mount surface.

[0016] Preferably, the abutment member comprises a cross-bar extending in a direction between the lengthwise edges, the hooked end positioned behind the cross-bar. The cross-bar may be positioned at a mouth of the cavity region or may extend within the cavity between the cavity side walls. The cross-bar extends perpendicular or transverse to the main body of the retainer. Preferably, the cross-bar is positioned directly above the main body of the retainer when the crushing plate is mounted at the mount face. Preferably, the hooked end is positioned opposed to a region of the cross-bar in a direction perpendicular to the mount face. Preferably, the cross-bar defines a part of an opening of the cavity region for entry of the hooked end into the cavity region.

[0017] Optionally, a lower region of the retainer comprises a barb to engage the lower edge that defines the aperture within the intermediate plate.

[0018] Preferably, a lowermost edge that in part defines cavity region is positioned below the lower edge of aperture. Preferably, the cavity region is defined by upper and lower faces that are aligned to be convergent so as to taper inwardly from the mouth region of cavity region to a trough face.

[0019] Preferably, a distance by which the shoulder extends above a lowermost region or edge that defines a lowermost surface of the cross-bar is greater than a distance, in the same plane, between a lowermost edge or surface of the main body of the retainer and the lower edge that in part defines the aperture within the intermediate plate.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a jaw crusher comprising a jaw assembly as claimed herein.

Brief description of drawings

[0021] 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 positioned opposed to a fixed jaw according to a specific implementation of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional side view through the fixed jaw region of the crusher of figure 1;

Figure 3 is a magnified cross sectional perspective view of the retainer protecting from the mount face of the fixed jaw support frame of figure 2.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention

[0022] Referring to figure 1, a jaw crusher 100 comprises a main frame 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 comprises two opposed frame walls 102 that support the front frame end 108, which is aligned substantially perpendicular to frame walls 102. The side walls 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] Each jaw 104, 105 comprises a support frame 108, 118 having an upper end 120 and a lower end 119. Referring specifically to movable jaw 105, frame 118 terminates at the crushing zone 103 via mount face 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. Features 119 to 123 are identified referring to movable jaw 105 however these features are also present at fixed jaw 104. Each crushing plate 114, 113 is secured to each respective mount face 110, 111 via mounting wedges 125 positioned towards the upper end 120 of each jaw 104, 105. Wedges 125 are secured to each frame 108, 118 via attachment bolts 124 that extends through each frame 108, 118 from each mount surface 110, 111 to be secured at the respective rearward face 123. Each plate 113, 114 is hooked onto a lower mounting 126 positioned towards lower end 119. Wedges 125 are then tightened to press against the upper region of each plate 113, 114 so as to compress and sandwich the plates 113, 114 against the lower mountings 126 and each respective mount surface 110, 111.

[0025] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate aspects of the invention with reference to the fixed jaw 104. However, all features identified are also present and appropriate to the movable jaw 105 and are described with reference to the fixed jaw 104 for illustrative purposes only. A wear plate 200 is mounted directly on mount surface 111 and comprises a substantially planar profile having a width and a length approximately equal to a width and a length of mount face 111. Wear plate 200 is positioned and sandwiched between crushing plate 113 and support frame 108 so as to provide a buffer to absorb impact loading forces transmitted from plate 113. Plate 200 may equally comprise a shim plate having a predetermined thickness to adjust the separation distance between the opposed crushing plates 113, 114.

[0026] A retainer 204 projects from mount surface 111 between lengthwise side edges 205 of face 111. Additionally, projection 204 is positioned within the upper half and in particular the upper third of face 111 closest to an upper edge 207 relative to a lower edge 206 of face 111. Moreover, projection 204 is positioned substantially between the lengthwise edges 205 and extends a relatively short distance in the widthwise direction between edges 205.

[0027] Projection 204 comprises a body 202 extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of face 111 and a head 203 that extends a short distance in a direction substantially parallel to face 111. Accordingly, retainer 204 comprises a generally hooked configuration with head 203 representing a hooked end of main body 202. Head 203 projects in a direction upwardly from body 202 towards upper edge 207. A cavity 201 projects inwardly from rear face 121 of plate 113 and is dimensioned with a width and a depth to accommodate retainer 204 when plate 113 is mounted at frame 108 as illustrated in figures 2 and 3. As plate 113 is symmetrical in its lengthwise direction, a corresponding cavity 201 is also provided in the lower half of plate 113. An aperture 309 extends through the body of wear plate 200 where a separation distance between opposed upper and lower edges that define, in part, aperture 309 (in the lengthwise direction of edges 205) is sufficient to allow retainer 204 to extend through aperture 309 and to allow plate 200 to be mounted and dismounted from mount face 111. Accordingly, a rear face 305 of wear plate 200 is positioned in direct contact with mount face 111 whilst a forward facing front face 306 of wear plate 200 is positioned in direct contact with the rear facing surface 121 of crushing plate 113.

[0028] Cavity 201 is defined by a pair of opposed side faces 312 and upper and lower faces 311 that meet at their innermost region at trough face 302. Upper and lower faces 311 are convergent so as to tapper inwardly from a mouth region 300 of cavity 201 to the trough face 302.

[0029] A cross-bar 301 extends in the widthwise direction across plate 113 at the region of mouth 300 so as to partially close the cavity 201. Accordingly, cross-bar 301 defines an upper chamber region 303 extending generally above the lower mouth 300 that is defined, in part, by lower face 311 and a lowermost edge of cross-bar 301. As illustrated in figure 3, with plate 113 mounted at frame 108, retainer 204 is accommodated within cavity 201. In particular, body 202 extends through mouth 300 with the hooked end 203 projecting upwardly to the upper chamber 303 approximately in contact with lower face 311 and trough face 302. In this configuration, a rearward facing face 307 of hooked end 203 is positioned opposed to a forward facing face 313 of cross-bar 301. Additionally, a region of an upward facing face 314 of body 202 is positioned immediately below and opposed to a downward facing face 315 of cross-bar 301. Accordingly, face 314 is configured to engage face 315 should plate 113 fall downwardly when decoupled from frame 108. Retainer 204 is secured at frame 108 so as to be load bearing to retain plate 113 and prevent its complete decoupling from frame 108. Additionally, should the plate 113 be removed from frame 108 in a direction perpendicular to face 111, rearward facing face 307 would contact front facing face 313 to further lock plate 113 at frame 108. Accordingly, retainer 204 provides a 'safety catch' to prevent downward loss of plate 113 when the primary mounting wedges 125 are released.

[0030] However, due to the relative dimensions of retainer 204 and mouth 300, plate 113 may be coupled and decoupled at frame 108 by a lifting action such that mouth 300 is guided over body 200 and head 203. The present retainer 204 is further advantageous to prevent undesirable demounting of wear plate 200 from mount face 111 when crushing plate 113 is demounted. In particular, a lowermost end edge 310 of lower face 311 that, in part, defines cavity mouth 300, is positioned below the lower edge 304 that defines wear plate aperture 309. Accordingly, a lower region 308 of body 202 is configured to contact lower edge 304 should wear plate 200 adhere to the rear face 121 of plate 113. Contact between regions 308 and edge 304 prevents wear plate 200 from passing beyond retainer 204 by serving to dislodge plate 200 from plate 113 during the decoupling action.

[0031] According to the specific implementation, head 203 is formed as a shoulder projecting upwardly from body 202. Head 203 is aligned perpendicular to body 202 and comprises a greater length than a corresponding length of body 202 that projects perpendicular to mount face 111.

[0032] As illustrated in figure 3, the distance by which head 203 projects upwardly beyond downward facing face 315 of cross-bar 301 is greater than a corresponding distance (in a parallel plane) between lower region 308 of body 202 and lower edge 304. This configuration ensures that wear plate 200 is always caught by body 202 as plate 113 is decoupled via being lifted upwardly from mount face 111. Additionally and advantageously the configuration of retainer 204, wear plate 200 and plate 113 is such that wear plate 200 is configured to detach from mount face 111 via a tilting or pivoting action to clear aperture 309. That is, intermediate plate 200 is pivoted substantially about its lower end at lower edge 206.

[0033] According to further embodiments, each jaw 104, 105 may comprise a plurality of retainers 204 projecting from mount faces 111, 110 from different regions at different widthwise and/or lengthwise positions. Accordingly, the retainers 204 may be positioned side-by-side in the widthwise direction or may be provided as respective upper and lower retainers located respectively towards upper and lower edges 207, 206.

Claims

1. A crushing jaw assembly of a jaw crusher (100) comprising:

a support frame (108) having a mount face (111) for mounting a crushing plate (113);

a crushing plate (113) having a rear face (121) and a crushing face (122) against which material is crushed when passing through the crusher (100), the crushing plate (113) mounted at the mount face (111) via the rear face (121);

at least one retainer (204) fixed to the support frame (108) to project a fixed distance from the mount face (111);

at least one cavity region (201) extending inwardly from the rear face (121) of the crushing plate (113) and having a mouth region (300);

the retainer (204) comprising a hooked end (203) and the cavity region (201) comprising an abutment member (301) to be contacted by the hooked end (203) to prevent the crushing plate (113) falling from the support frame (108);

characterised by:

an intermediate plate (200) mounted at the mount face (111) and positioned between the crushing plate (113) and the support frame (108);

the intermediate plate (200) having an aperture (309) through which the retainer (204) projects and being defined in part by a lower edge (304) positioned immediately below the retainer (204) and at the mouth region (300);

wherein the edge (304) is configured to abut an underside of the retainer (204) when the crushing plate (113) is dismounted from the support frame (108) such that the retainer (204) acts to dislodge the intermediate plate (200) from the crushing plate (113) to prevent the intermediate plate (200) being dismounted from the support frame (108).

2. The jaw as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retainer (204) is non-adjustably and rigidly mounted at the support frame (108).

3. The jaw as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the retainer (204) is positioned within an upper half of the mount face (111) closest to an upper edge (207) relative to a lower edge (206).

4. The jaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retainer (204) projects from the mount face (111) at a position between lengthwise edges (205) of the mount face (111).

5. The jaw as claimed in claim 3 wherein the hooked end (203) is orientated to be upward facing towards the upper edge (207).

6. The jaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hooked end (203) comprises a shoulder extending substantially transverse or perpendicular to a main body (202) of the retainer (204) projecting from the mount face (111).

7. The jaw as claimed in claim 6 wherein the shoulder comprises a length being less than a length of the main body (202).

8. The assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the crushing plate (113) comprises a pair of lengthwise edges and respective first and second widthwise edges, the abutment member (301) extending in a direction between the lengthwise edges and positioned between the hooked end (203) and the mount face (111).

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the abutment member (301) comprises a cross-bar extending in a direction between the lengthwise edges, the hooked end (203) positioned behind the cross-bar.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cross-bar defines a part of an opening (300) of the cavity region (201) for entry of the hooked end (203) into the cavity region (201).

11. The assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a lowermost edge (310) that in part defines cavity region (201) is positioned below the lower edge (304) of the aperture (309).

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the cavity region (201) is defined by upper and lower faces (311) that are aligned to be convergent so as to taper inwardly from the mouth region (300) of the cavity region (204) to a trough face (302).

13. The assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a distance by which the hooked end (203) projects upwardly above a lowermost part of the abutment member (301) is greater than a distance in the same plane between the lower edge (304) that in part defines the aperture (309) and the underside (308) of the retainer (202).

14. A jaw crusher (100) comprising a jaw assembly as claimed in any preceding claim.

Drawing