Patent ID: 9132431
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: B03B

Abstract:
1. A mining apparatus, reconfigurable between a first operational configuration and a second transport configuration, for recovery of heavy metals and minerals from wet or dry placer ore deposits the apparatus comprising: an upper tray, comprising: a pair of opposing side walls, and a bottom, and a first end at the edge of the bottom between the sidewalls and a second end opposite the first end, the upper tray having a closed first end and an open second end; an under chute protruding at an incline from the bottom of the upper tray, progressively extending further away from the bottom as the under chute approaches the second end of the upper tray; the upper tray having a feed pipe for receiving pressurized water, the feed pipe proximate the first end, a pair of spray pipes running atop the upper tray inboard of and parallel to the sidewalls and configured to receive water from the feed pipe; an upper classifier in the upper tray; a middle tray having a first end and a second end, the middle tray comprising a pair of opposing side walls, and a bottom, and having an open second end; a pair of upper tray pivot brackets extending upward from the side walls of the middle tray proximate the first end of the middle tray; a carry handle extending between the upper tray pivot brackets; the carry handle pivotably attached to the upper tray pivot brackets; a pivot hole near the upper end of the upper tray pivot brackets, and pivoting fasteners for attaching the upper tray to the upper tray pivot brackets through the holes in a pivotal manner, said pivoting fasteners pivotable to a first position with the upper tray positioned above the middle tray and the upper tray under chute positioned to drop passed sortant onto the middle tray and a second position for transport with the upper tray and the middle tray adjacent and parallel; the middle tray sidewalls having an inner side and an outer side; a leg clasp on the outer side of each middle tray sidewall, the leg clasps configured to receive a removable adjustable leg; a pair of adjustable legs each inserted in each of the middle tray leg clasps; at least one brace attached to the side of the middle tray for supporting the upper tray at an incline relative the middle tray; each adjustable leg of the middle tray having a leg extender and a leg extender pin for selectively locking the leg in length; each leg clasp having a leg locking screw for locking said leg in place; a lower tray, having a first end and a second end comprising: a pair of opposing side walls, and a bottom, and having an open first end and an open second end; the lower tray sidewalls having an inner side and an outer side; a hinge for attaching the lower tray first end to the second end of the middle tray in a pivotal manner, wherein the hinge pivots the lower tray relative the middle tray to a first position for operation to place the lower tray and middle tray in a coplanar position, and a second position for transport wherein the middle tray and lower tray are folded onto one another with their respective bottoms adjacent; a lock having a portion on the outside of the lower tray sidewall engaging a lock portion on the middle tray to hold the middle tray and lower tray in a coplanar position; a pair of leg clasps on the outer side of the each lower tray sidewall, the lower tray leg clasps configured to receive a removable leg; a pair of legs each inserted in each of the lower tray leg clasps; a removable mat on top of the middle tray and lower tray; a removable expanded metal section having a series of small riffles placed on top of a mat in the middle tray; a removable riffle cage with a pair of opposing sidewalls and having a series of riffles running from sidewall to sidewall of the riffle cage said riffle cage arranged on top of the mat in the lower tray with the sidewalls of the riffle cage running parallel to and inboard of the lower tray sidewalls; a first pump for pumping water from a water supply; and a spray feed hose for transporting water from the first pump to the feed pipe.