Non-motorized gold mining apparatus

A non-motorized apparatus for collecting particulate materials, including gold, in stream placer deposits, comprising a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a third tubular member with perforated ridges, a skirt for enveloping the tubular members, and a fibrous matting disposed over the third tubular member. The third tubular member with the fibrous matting is held entirely inside the second tubular member. The second tubular member is connected to one end of the first tubular member in a way to have high velocity stream flowing into the first tubular member, creating a suction pressure in the second tubular member. The particulate matter settles in grooves formed by the ridges in the third tubular member and passes through the perforations to be trapped in the fibrous matting as the stream is sucked into the second tubular member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to mining apparatuses, and more particularly to a non-motorized gold mining apparatus for mining gold from stream placer deposits.

A variety of apparatuses for extracting fine particulate matter, including gold and other valuable materials, from streams, rivers or rock crevices have been developed in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,756,977 to Temple discloses a device for recovering gold from streams. The device includes a tubular conveyor comprising digging means in the form of teeth or plates at the lower end and a centrally disposed water line and air pressure line for discharging pressurized water and air to the digging member. The water and air discharged to the digging member is then adapted to move upwards through the conveyor for delivering into the collector receptacle where the water is discharged through the plurality of openings and heavy metals settle in the lower portion of the collector.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,989 to Smith discloses a portable gold mining apparatus collecting particulate gold bearing material from rock crevices. The apparatus includes a gas engine driven air blower having shoulder straps for mounting on the back of a user. The air blower includes flexible duct connected to an elongated flexible conduit having a nozzle or crevice tool connected to the conduit front end and a container having an air outlet connected to the rear end of the conduit. The air blown into the conduit provides jet pump action to suck particulate gold bearing material to the container from the conduit front end. However, unlike the present invention, both the Smith and Temple apparatuses utilize pressurized air for sucking the medium rich in particulate matter.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,073,122 to Silke discloses a portable placer mining device designed to be operated on the bed of stream or river to recover valuable minerals such as gold, silver and platinum. The device doesn't use power and is adapted to be anchored in the river or stream. The device utilizes water current to create sufficient suction to draw sand and gravel from the river or stream into a sluice box. The flow of the water washes sand and gravel through the sluice box provided with riffles or matting for trapping valuable minerals and the sand and gravel is carried back to the stream. However, the means for collecting the particulate matter and the structure associated for creating suction in the present invention are different.

Gold mining apparatuses typically use motors to create suction pressure for sucking the medium rich in particulate, making them cumbersome and expensive. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a non-motorized gold mining apparatus that is significantly lighter, smaller and less expensive to operate.

A further object is to provide a non-motorized gold mining apparatus which has no moving parts that are sensitive to extreme temperatures and corrosion. These and other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a non-motorized mining apparatus for extracting gold and other valuable minerals from stream placer deposits. The apparatus comprises three tubular members, fibrous matting and a skirt made of non-permeable and flexible fabric for enveloping the tubular members. One of the ends of the first tubular member is connected to the second tubular member. The second tubular member is designed in a way to create a space with venturi forces at its interface with the first tubular member. The fibrous matting is disposed over the third tubular member with perforated ridges for trapping the particulate matter. The assembly of the third tubular member and the outer layer of fibrous matting is held entirely inside the second tubular member. The skirt is clamped at one end and left unclamped at the other end for receiving the stream flow.

The other end of the second tubular member is connected to a flexible hose. Because of the venturi-like space, stream enters the first tubular member with high velocity causing a suction pressure in the second tubular member. Stream is sucked into the second tubular member and the flexible hose due to the suction pressure. The particulate matter carried by the stream gets collected in the fibrous matting. The particulate matter can be extracted by detaching the tubular members and fibrous matting.

FIGURES

Reference Numerals

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a non-motorized gold mining apparatus is illustrated and generally indicated as10inFIGS. 1 through 4. The apparatus10of the present invention is used for mining gold in stream placer deposits.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 4, the non-motorized gold mining apparatus10comprises a first tubular member12, a second tubular member14, a third tubular member16, a fibrous matting18, and a skirt24for enveloping the tubular members. All the tubular members are made of rigid material. The first tubular member12includes a conical section open at both the ends and a uniform section with constant diameter extending from the narrower end of the conical section. The second tubular member14is of uniform cross-section.

The broader end of the conical section is connected to one end of the second tubular member14leaving a venturi-like space22between the inner surface of the broader end of the conical section and the outer surface of the second tubular member14. The first12and the second14tubular members can be detachably connected. A flexible hose32is connected to the other end of the second tubular member14through an end cap30. A nozzle34is provided at the other end of the flexible hose32.

The third tubular member includes ridges over its exterior surface. The ridges26form grooves20on the inner surface of the third tubular member16. The third tubular member16also includes a plurality of perforations28on its ridges. The fibrous matting18is disposed over the third tubular member. The third tubular member16with the outer layer of fibrous matting18is securely held entirely inside the second tubular member14.

The skirt24for enveloping the tubular members is made of a non-permeable and flexible fabric, which is clamped by a hose clamp to the uniform tubular section of the first tubular member and is left unclamped at the other end for receiving the flow of stream. The skirt24directs the stream into the first tubular member12.

The apparatus is placed in the stream such that the volume of water entering is greater than the water leaving the skirt24. The apparatus is anchored in place with ropes. Because of the stream flow through the skirt24, and positive buoyancy the apparatus will seek an optimum position parallel to the stream just below the water level.

The skirt24directs the stream to the first tubular member12. The velocity of stream entering the first tubular member is increased due to the venturi-effect created by the venturi-like space22. This increase in velocity in the first tubular member12creates a suction pressure in the second tubular member14. The stream is sucked into the second tubular member14and the flexible hose32due to the suction pressure.

The water sucked into the second tubular member14passes over the ridges26of the third tubular member16. The particulate matter having higher specific gravity settle in the grooves20and passes through the plurality of perforations28to get trapped in the fibrous matting18. The remaining sand and gravel is washed back to the stream through the first tubular member12. The particulate matter can be extracted after disconnecting the tubular members and removing the fibrous matting from the second tubular member14. The particulate matter is then extracted from the third tubular member16and the fibrous matting18.