Abstract:
A system for lining a substrate, such as a rock chute, includes a liner with an engagement aperture that is configured to receive an adapter and that includes an internal ledge that enables use of the adapter to secure the liner to the substrate. Such a system may also include a base plate that may be secured to the substrate and that may be assembled with the liner to enable use of the adapter to attach the liner to the substrate. Methods for selecting a suitable adapter and using the adapter with the disclosed liner are also within the scope of the present invention.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to liners for substrates, such as rock chutes, and, more specifically, to liners that are configured to be coupled to substrates, such as rock chutes, by a plurality of techniques. 
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Chutes have long been used to transport materials from one location to another. The location at which a chute originates is typically uphill from the location at which the chute ends, or the chute&#39;s destination. This arrangement, along with a relatively smooth transport surface, allows for materials to be transported along the chute under force of gravity. 
         [0003]    Among other purposes, chutes have been used to transport rock from mines. As rocks are typically dense and hard, they may dent a chute as they are introduced into the chute. The rough surfaces that are typically present on rocks that have been removed from a mine scratch and scrape away at the surface of a chute as gravity pulls them down the length of the chute. As a consequence, without some sort of protection, rock chutes wear very quickly. 
         [0004]    In an effort to extend the useful lives of rock chutes and, thus, to avoid the expenses that would otherwise be associated with frequently replacing rock chutes, systems for lining rock chutes have been developed. In these systems, liners bear the majority of the impact and damage as rocks are transported along the length of a rock chute. Worn or damaged liners may periodically be removed from a chute and replaced with new liners. The cost of replacing liners is much less than the cost of replacing a rock chute. 
         [0005]    The liners for many rock chutes consist of metal tiles that line the surfaces of the chute. There are a wide variety of techniques for securing the liners to the chute, but each rock chute is typically designed to receive liners in only one specific way. For example, a rock chute may include holes through which bolts may be positioned to engage complementary threading in the back side of a particular type and size of liner. Other chutes may include holes that are arranged to receive liners of a different size. Still other chutes may lack holes altogether, with solid liners instead being welded to the transport surfaces of the chutes. Thus, a liner that is designed to be coupled to a rock chute with a corresponding liner engagement system will not couple to a rock chute with a different liner engagement system. At some locations, rock chutes with a variety of liner engagement systems may be used, making liner replacement a difficult process. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention includes liners for substrates, such as rock chutes. A liner of the present invention is configured to be secured to a substrate regardless of any specific liner engagement technique for which the substrate is designed. For the sake of simplicity, such liners are also referred to herein as “multi-coupling liners.” 
         [0007]    In various embodiments, a liner according to the present invention may comprise an element that includes an engagement aperture. The engagement aperture may be configured to facilitate attachment of the liner to an interior surface of a substrate, such as the transport surface of a rock chute by a plurality of techniques. Such attachment may be effected by way of an internal ledge within the engagement aperture, as well as by a variety of adapters insertable into the engagement aperture. 
         [0008]    Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the engagement aperture of a liner of the present invention may be configured to receive and prevent rotation of a nut, which is one embodiment of an adapter) with threading that corresponds to the threading of a bolt that may be positioned through a hole formed through the wall of a substrate. In some embodiments, the nut is designed specifically for use with the liner. A nut that has been designed specifically for use with a liner of the present invention may have an exterior (peripheral) configuration and dimensions that allow the nut to be longitudinally (relative to an axis passing through an aperture of the nut) inserted into a complementary engagement aperture and retained within the engagement aperture in a way that prevents rotation of the nut as a correspondingly threaded bolt is rotated from an exterior surface of the substrate to engage the nut. 
         [0009]    The same liner may be used with a base plate from which a non-rotatable bolt protrudes, where the base plate is secured (e.g., by welding, etc.) to the interior surface of the substrate, the liner is placed over the base plate with the bolt extending into the engagement aperture, and another embodiment of adapter, also a nut with threading that corresponds to threading of the bolt, may be positioned within the engagement aperture and rotated to secure the liner to the base plate and, thus, to the interior surface of the substrate. 
         [0010]    The engagement aperture of a liner of the present invention may also include features that enable the liner to be engaged by other types of engagement features, such as by receiving an adapter that enables use of a bolt from a front side of the insert, by receiving a magnetic adapter, or by receiving an adapter that facilitates attachment of the liner to a substrate in any other suitable manner. 
         [0011]    Various embodiments of methods for securing liners to substrates, such as rock chutes, are also within the scope of the present invention. Such methods include inspecting a substrate to identify a technique by which liners are to be coupled to the substrate and use of the identified technique to couple a multi-coupling liner to the substrate. Because multi-coupling liners are used in such methods, there is no need to select a liner that is configured to be coupled to the substrate by the identified technique. Instead, an adapter that may be used with a multi-coupling liner to configure the multi-coupling liner for attachment by the identified technique may be selected, then used with the multi-coupling liner. In some embodiments, it may be necessary to remove one or more worn or damaged liners from a substrate prior to securing one or more replacement liners to the substrate. 
         [0012]    Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various embodiments, of the present invention will become apparent to those in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate liner of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the liner of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section taken through line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the liner of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a nut configured for insertion into an engagement aperture of the embodiment of liner shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the nut shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional representation illustrating an embodiment of the manner in which a liner, such as the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , may be secured to a substrate, such as a rock chute; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a base plate to which an embodiment of a liner of the present invention may be assembled; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a frontal perspective view of the base plate of  FIG. 8  with a bolt protruding therefrom and illustrating a nut that may be secured to the bolt; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a frontal perspective of an assembly including the embodiment of liner depicted by  FIGS. 1 through 4  coupled to the embodiment of base plate shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional representation showing the manner in which the embodiment of the assembly illustrated by  FIG. 10  may be secured to a substrate; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a top view of another embodiment of base plate, which includes a nut secured thereto; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  shows an embodiment of an adapter insertable into the engagement aperture of the embodiment of liner illustrated by  FIGS. 1 through 4 , with the adapter being configured to receive a bolt; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a frontal perspective view of an assembly including the embodiment of base plate shown in  FIG. 12 , the embodiment of liner shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , and the embodiment of adapter shown in  FIG. 13  coupled to each other with a bolt; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional representation showing the assembly of  FIG. 14  secured to a substrate; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a perspective assembly view of another embodiment of assembly, including an embodiment of a liner, a corresponding adapter, and a complementary base plate that enable magnetic coupling of the liner to a substrate; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  depicts a portion of a chute with a plurality of liners secured thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]      FIGS. 1 through 4  depict an embodiment of liner  10  that incorporates teachings of the present invention. Liner  10  is configured to be secured to a substrate, such as a rock chute, by a plurality of different techniques. Liner  10  has a configuration that enables it to be secured in place upon a surface of a substrate adjacent to a plurality of other liners of the same or similar configuration in such a way that substantially an entire desired area of the substrate (e.g., substantially the entire transport surface of a rock chute, etc.) is covered and protected. In the depicted embodiment, liner  10  is a square tile with sides S that are about 6 inches long. Liner  10  has a thickness T of about 2¼ inches. Of course, liners with other dimensions and shapes (e.g., octagonal, hexagonal, rectangular, etc.) are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0032]    The illustrated embodiment of liner  10  includes a body  11  with a front side  12  and a back side  14 . Front side  12  is configured to form part of a lined surface of a substrate (e.g., a transport surface of a lined chute, etc.), while back side  12  is configured to be positioned against an interior surface of the substrate, or against an engagement mechanism that has been secured to the interior surface of the substrate. 
         [0033]    An engagement aperture  16  extends completely through thickness T of body  11  of liner  10 . An access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  opens to front side  12  of liner  10 , while a base end  20  of engagement aperture  16  opens to back side  14  of liner  10 . Engagement aperture  16  (or access end  18  and base end  20  thereof) may, in some embodiments, open to substantially central locations on front side  12  and back side  14 . 
         [0034]    In the depicted embodiment, both access end  18  and base end  20  of engagement aperture  16  are generally cylindrical openings that have aligned axes (i.e., they are in concentric alignment with each other). A diameter D 18  of access end  18  is larger than the diameter D 20  of base end  20 . With such an arrangement, an appropriately sized coupling element, such as a nut or the head of a bolt, may be disposed within access end  18  without being able to pass through base end  20 . Thus, when such a coupling element has been disposed within access end  18  and secured to a complementary coupling element that is held in place relative to a substrate adjacent to which back side  14  of liner  10  is positioned, the coupling element rests upon a ledge  19  at a border between access end  18  and base end  20 , securing liner  10  to the substrate. 
         [0035]    Access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  may be configured to prevent (e.g., have a shape that prevents) rotation of a coupling element disposed therein. In the depicted embodiment, access end  18  includes a pair of opposed, elongate recesses  22 , which extend along at least a portion of the length of access end  18 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an embodiment of an engagement element  30 , which is also referred to herein as an “adapter,” that is configured complementarily to access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  ( FIGS. 1 through 4 ) and that may be non-rotatably retained within access end  18 . Engagement element  30  includes a generally cylindrical nut  31 . Nut  31  includes a threaded aperture  34  located centrally therethrough, centered about a central axis A 30  of engagement element  30  and extending through the entire height H 31  of nut  31 . Engagement element  30  also includes two diametrically opposed wings  32  that extend along at least a portion of height H 31  of nut  31 . Wings  32  are configured to be received by elongate recesses  22  ( FIGS. 1 through 3 ) of access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  as central axis A 30  of engagement element  30  is aligned with a central axis A 18  of access end  18  and engagement element  30  is inserted longitudinally into access end  18 . 
         [0037]    One embodiment of the manner in which liner  10  may be secured to a substrate  100 , such as a rock chute, is depicted by  FIG. 7 . In such an embodiment, an engagement element  30  (see also  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that is complementary to and couples with elongate engagement element  110 , such as the depicted nut, is aligned with access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  and introduced longitudinally into access end  18  from front side  12  of liner  10 . 
         [0038]    Back side  14  of liner  10  is disposed against an interior surface  102  of substrate  100  (e.g., a transport surface of a rock chute). 
         [0039]    An engagement end  112  of elongate engagement element  110 , such as the depicted bolt, is introduced into an aperture  108  through substrate  100  from an outer surface  104  of substrate  100 . Once engagement end  112 , for example, the threaded end of the depicted bolt, has been completely inserted into aperture  108  of substrate  100 , a retention end  114  of elongate engagement element  110 , such as the depicted bolt head, either abuts outer surface  104  or an intermediate element  115 , such as the depicted washer, disposed between outer surface  104  of substrate  100  and retention end  114  of elongate engagement element  110 . Thus, retention end  114  and, optionally, intermediate element  115 , prevents elongate engagement element  110  from passing completely through aperture  108  through substrate  100 . 
         [0040]    In addition to extending through aperture  108  of substrate  100 , engagement end  112  of elongate engagement element  110  extends into base end  20  of engagement aperture  16  of liner  10 , and into access end  18  of engagement aperture  16 . As engagement end  112  of elongate engagement element  110  is introduced into access end  18 , engagement end  112  couples with the engagement element  30  that has been disposed within access end  18 . In embodiments where elongate engagement element  110  comprises a bolt, the bolt may be rotated (e.g., with a wrench that engages its head, or retention end  114 ) while its threaded end (i.e., engagement end  112 ) is introduced into access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  so that the threads will engage complementary threads of the threaded aperture  34  of nut  31  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of engagement element  30 . 
         [0041]    Other embodiments of techniques for securing liner  10  ( FIGS. 1 through 4 ) to a substrate may involve the use of additional apparatus. 
         [0042]    One example of such an additional apparatus is the embodiment of base plate  40  shown in  FIG. 8 . Base plate  40  is a generally flat member that is configured for assembly with a liner. The depicted embodiment of base plate  40  is configured for assembly with the embodiment of liner  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Base plate  40  includes a front side  42 , which is configured to be disposed against back side  14  of liner  10 , and a back side  44 , which is configured to be secured to against an interior surface  102  of a substrate  100  ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0043]    Some embodiments of base plate  40  include alignment or stabilization features  45 , which may align and/or stabilize a liner  10  ( FIGS. 1 through 4 ) upon assembly of liner  10  with base plate  40 . Alignment or stabilization features  45  are depicted in  FIG. 8  as comprising four protrusions, one near each corner of base plate  40 . However, in other embodiments, alignment or stabilization features  45  of base plate  40  may be configured differently (e.g., they may comprise apertures, recesses, or the like). Base plates with different numbers and arrangements of alignment features than those shown in  FIG. 8  are, of course, also within the scope of the present invention. Alignment or stabilization features  45  may be configured to be received by four complementary alignment features  25  ( FIG. 4 ) of liner  10  (e.g., apertures, recesses, etc.). 
         [0044]    Referring again to  FIG. 4 , some embodiments of liner  10  include alignment features  25 , which may facilitate alignment of liner  10  and its assembly relative to other features (e.g., other liners; apparatus, such as base plate  40 , that enable coupling of liner  10  to a substrate; etc.) of or on a substrate. While alignment features  25  are depicted in  FIG. 4  as comprising four apertures, one near each corner of liner  10 , other embodiments (e.g., depressions, protrusions, etc.) of alignment features are also within the scope of the present invention. Liners with different numbers and arrangements of alignment features than those shown in  FIG. 4  are, of course, also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0045]    With returned reference to  FIG. 8 , base plate  40  may, in some embodiments, include an attachment feature  46  that receives or facilitates positioning of an engagement element that is to be secured in place relative to base plate  40 . In the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 8 , attachment feature  46  comprises a circular aperture that extends through the center of base plate  40 . Other embodiments of attachment features  46 , as well as attachment features  46  that are located at different positions on base plate  40 , are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9 , an elongate engagement element  110 ′, such as the depicted bolt, is assembled with attachment feature  46  of base plate  40  so as to protrude from base plate  40 &#39;s front side  42 . Elongate engagement element  110 ′ may be secured to base plate  40  in any suitable, known manner (e.g., by welding, an interference fit, by introducing an enlarged end, or head, of elongate engagement element  110 ′ into a complementarily shaped (e.g., hexagonal, square, etc.) aperture in back side  44  of base plate  40  to prevent rotation of elongate engagement element  110 ′, etc.). 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , back side  44  of base plate  40  may be positioned against an interior surface  102  of a substrate  100 , such as a rock chute, and secured thereto by known techniques (e.g., by welding, mechanical coupling elements, etc.). Liner  10  may be positioned over base plate  40  with its back side  14  facing front side  42  of base plate  40 . As liner  10  is positioned over base plate  40 , an engagement end  112 ′ of elongate engagement element  110 ′ is introduced into base end  20  of engagement aperture  16  of liner  10 , then into access end  18  of engagement aperture. Liner  10  may be rotated about elongate engagement element  110 ′ until alignment features  25  of liner  10  ( FIG. 4 ) and alignment or stabilization features  45  of base plate  40  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) interact with or engage one another. 
         [0048]    With liner  10  in place upon base plate  40 , another engagement element  120 , which is complementary to and couples with engagement end  112 ′ of elongate engagement element  110 ′, or adapter, such as the depicted nut, is introduced into access end  18  from front side  12  of liner  10 . Engagement element  120  engages (e.g., is screwed onto, etc.) engagement end  112 ′ of elongate engagement element  110 ′. In the embodiment of liner  10  depicted by  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a diameter of access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  is large enough to accommodate engagement element  120 , as well as to enable manipulation (e.g., rotation) of engagement element  120  (e.g., by also accommodating a wrench socket, etc.) so that engagement element  120  may be coupled to engagement end  112 ′ of elongate engagement element  110 ′. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , instead of an elongate engagement element  110 ′ ( FIG. 9 ), a short engagement element  130  may be secured to base plate  40 . Short engagement element  130  may be assembled with and secured (e.g., by welding, an interference fit, by introducing short engagement element  130  into a complementarily shaped (e.g., hexagonal, square, etc.) aperture in back side  44  ( FIG. 8 ) of base plate  40  to prevent rotation of short engagement element  130 , etc.) to attachment feature  46  of base plate  40 . In the depicted embodiment, short engagement element  130  is a nut with a coupling aperture  132  that is threaded. 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of an adapter  30 ′ that is configured to be disposed within access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  ( FIGS. 1 through 4 ) of liner  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, adapter  30 ′ includes a generally cylindrical body  31 ′. An aperture  34 ′, which is centered about a central axis A 30′  of adapter  30 ′, extends centrally therethrough. Aperture  34 ′ includes an outer end  36 ′ and an inner end  38 ′, both of which may be cylindrical in shape, which may be concentrically aligned along central axis A 30′ . A ledge  37 ′ is present at the border between outer end  36 ′ and inner end  38 ′. Ledge  37 ′ may be configured to abut against a retention end (e.g., a head, etc.) of an elongate engagement element  140  that is to be disposed within aperture  34 ′ of adapter  30 ′. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, adapter  30 ′ may be configured to be non-rotatably retained within access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  of liner  10  ( FIGS. 1 through 4 ). In the specific embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , adapter  30 ′ includes two diametrically opposed wings  32 ′ that extend along at least a portion of a height H 31′  of body  31 ′. Wings  32 ′ are configured to be received by elongate recesses  22  of access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  as central axis A 30′  of adapter  30 ′ is aligned with a central axis A 18  of access end  18  and adapter  30 ′ is inserted longitudinally into access end  18 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
         [0052]    As depicted by  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a back side  44  of a base plate  40  with a short engagement element  130  attached thereto may be positioned against and secured to (e.g., by welding, use of mechanical coupling elements, etc.) an interior surface  102  of a substrate  100 , such as a rock chute. Liner  10  may be positioned over base plate  40  with its back side  14  facing front side  42  of base plate  40 . As liner  10  is positioned over base plate  40 , base end  20  of engagement aperture  16  of liner  10  is aligned with coupling aperture  132  of the short engagement element  130  that has been attached to base plate  40 . 
         [0053]    Adapter  30 ′ is introduced into access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  of liner  10  with the outer end  36 ′ of its aperture  34 ′ opening to front side  12  of liner  10 . Adapter  30 ′ may be inserted into access end  18  until it rests against ledge  19  at the border between access end  18  and base end  20  of engagement aperture  16 . 
         [0054]    Thereafter, an engagement end  142  of an elongate engagement element  140  is introduced through outer end  36 ′ and inner end  38 ′ of aperture  34 ′ and into coupling aperture  132  of short engagement element  130  to couple elongate engagement element  140  and short engagement element  130  to one another. When engagement end  142  of elongate engagement element  140  is introduced through aperture  34 ′ of adapter  30 ′ and into coupling aperture  132  of short engagement element  130 , retention end  144  of elongate engagement element  140  is eventually positioned adjacent to, and may rest against or abut, ledge  37 ′ within aperture  34 ′. This configuration holds adapter  30 ′ against the ledge  19  between access end  18  and base end  20  of engagement aperture  16  of liner  10 , thus holding liner  10  against base plate  40 . Accordingly, when elongate engagement element  140  and short engagement element  130  are coupled to each other in the manner depicted in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , liner  10  is secured to base plate  40  and, thus, to substrate  100 . 
         [0055]    In the depicted embodiment, elongate engagement element  140  is a bolt, with its engagement end  142  comprising a threaded portion of the bolt. As the threaded portion of the bolt is introduced into and through aperture  34 ′ of adapter  30 ′ and into coupling aperture  132  of short engagement element  130 , the bolt may be rotated (e.g., with a wrench, etc.) in such a way that threading of the bolt may engage complementary threading within coupling aperture  132 . A head of the bolt (i.e., a retention end  144  of elongate engagement element  140 ) may abut against the ledge  37 ′ within aperture  34 ′ of adapter  30 ′ to force adapter  30 ′ against ledge  19  within engagement aperture  16  of liner  10 , thus holding adapter  30 ′ within access end  18  of engagement aperture  16  and securing liner  10  to base plate  40 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 16  depicts another embodiment of assembly that may be used to secure liner  10  to a substrate  100 , such as a rock chute. In addition to liner  10 , that assembly includes a base plate  40  that has been secured to an interior surface  102  of substrate  100 . A lateral retention element  150 , such as a post, may protrude from base plate  40 . Lateral retention element  150  may be configured to be received by, or to be inserted into, base end  20  of engagement aperture  16  of liner  10 . 
         [0057]    The assembly shown in  FIG. 16  also includes an adapter  30 ″ that is configured to be received by access end  18  and, optionally, by a portion of base end  20  of engagement aperture  16 . Adapter  30 ″ is formed from a magnetic material. Once adapter  30 ″ is disposed within engagement aperture  16  of liner  10  and liner  10  and base plate  40  are partially assembled, adapter  30 ″ may retain liner  10  against base plate  40  (i.e., resist longitudinal movement of liner  10  away from base plate  40 ) and, thus, secure liner  10  both laterally and longitudinally in place relative to interior surface  102  of substrate  100 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , when a plurality of liners  10  have been secured to an interior surface  102  of a substrate  100 , such as a rock chute, they may impart the lined interior surface  102  of substrate  100  with a tiled appearance. 
         [0059]    When used to line a rock chute, a liner  10  of the present invention may be formed from a material that will withstand the rigors of receiving and transporting rocks under force of gravity. Such materials may, in some embodiments, have a hardness of about 500 Brinell (BHN) to about 700 BHN. Suitable materials include, but are certainly not limited to, alloys including magnesium and chromium, alloys that include magnesium and steel, ad other materials. 
         [0060]    A liner  10  may be formed by a variety of known techniques, including, without limitation, casting a molten metal or a molten metal alloy. 
         [0061]    Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments that are within the scope of the invention may also be devised. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions and modifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.