Patent Publication Number: US-2022219175-A1

Title: Nestable highbanker

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/136,964 filed Jan. 13, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to apparatus used in precious metal prospecting, and in particular, to power sluices or highbankers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Power sluices (also known as highbankers) are commonly used in precious metal prospecting, such as gold prospecting. A typical highbanker comprises an open rectangular box (or a sluice box) with a generally planar surface that is elevated at one end. Riffles, or small obstructions, are formed on the planar surface of the sluice box. Placer deposit (potentially containing precious metals) is introduced to a hopper situated above the sluice box proximate to the elevated end, with the hopper having openings to allow for material to pass through the hopper and onto the surface of the sluice box. Water is also introduced into the hopper through a pump. The water and placer deposit mixture flow into the sluice box and across the planar surface, with the riffles on the planar surface trapping heavier particles (such as precious metals) present in the placer deposit. The trapped material can then be later removed from the riffles to assess for the presence of and to recover any precious metal particles. 
     Conventional highbankers can be very long in length, making their transport and storage difficult and cumbersome. It is therefore desirable to have an improved highbanker that can be more easily disassembled for transport and storage. 
     These and other objects will be better understood by reference to this application as a whole. Not all of the objects are necessarily met by all embodiments of the invention described below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention, a highbanker may be used with sluice mats to separate heavier metals from placer deposit using water. The highbanker comprises a hopper assembly, a trough assembly, a brace member, and a plurality of legs. The hopper assembly accepts placer deposit and water. The trough assembly receives the placer deposit and water from the hopper assembly and comprises first and second trough sections. The first trough section comprises a first surface, and the first trough section is pivotably connected to the hopper assembly. The second trough section comprises a second surface, with the second trough section being removably attachable to the first trough section. The brace member extends between the trough assembly and the hopper assembly. The plurality of legs is removably attachable to the trough assembly. The highbanker may be arranged in an assembled configuration or a nested configuration. In the assembled configuration, the second trough section is attached to the first trough section so that the first surface and the second surface define a substantially continuous surface for accepting the sluice mats. In the nested configuration, the second trough section is nested within the first trough section. 
     In another aspect, the brace member is removably attachable to the trough assembly and the hopper assembly. 
     In yet another aspect, the brace member comprises a brace end, and the hopper assembly comprises a series of ridges configured to engage with the brace end. An angle between the hopper assembly and the trough assembly is selected by selectively engaging the brace end with particular ones of the ridges. 
     In still yet another aspect, the first trough section comprises opposed first walls extending from the first surface, and the second trough section comprises opposed second walls extending from the second surface. 
     In still a further aspect, the brace member comprises two brace arms, with the brace arms being pivotably connected to the first walls. 
     In another aspect, the first walls comprise first wall openings, and the brace arms comprise pins. The pins are configured to engage with the first wall openings in both the assembled configuration and the nested configuration. 
     In still another aspect, the second walls comprise outward protrusions, and the first walls comprise slots. The outward protrusions are configured to engage with the slots in both the assembled configuration and the nested configuration. 
     In a further aspect, the second walls comprise grooves, and the grooves are configured to engage with the pins in the assembled configuration. 
     In still a further aspect, the highbanker further comprises brackets for removable attaching the legs to the trough assembly. 
     In still yet a further aspect, the brackets are configured to allow for selecting an angle between each of the legs and the trough assembly. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a hopper assembly is provided for accepting placer deposit and water for use with a highbanker. The hopper assembly comprises a hopper and a cover. The hopper comprises an intake surface for accepting the placer deposit, a hopper periphery portion extending along a periphery of the hopper, a water intake, and a window configured to allow the placer deposit and water to exit from the hopper. The water intake is configured to accept water and is located within the hopper periphery portion. The cover comprises a cover surface and a plurality of cover openings. The cover surface is configured to fit over the hopper periphery portion. The cover openings are formed on the cover surface. The cover surface and the hopper periphery portion define, at least in part, a hollow within which water from the water intake flows. The cover openings are configured to allow for water to exit the hollow and contact the placer deposit on the intake surface. 
     In still another aspect, the cover openings are configured to allow for streams of water to exit the hollow and contact the placer deposit on the intake surface. 
     In a further aspect, the hopper periphery portion is located on an upper periphery of the hopper. 
     In still a further aspect, the hopper assembly further comprises a screen removably attachable over the window. 
     In still yet a further aspect, the screen comprises a plurality of screen openings for allowing particular sizes and shapes of placer deposit to pass through the screen. 
     In another aspect, a highbanker comprises a hopper assembly, a trough assembly, a brace member, and a plurality of legs. The trough assembly is pivotably connected to the hopper assembly. The trough assembly comprises first and second trough sections. The brace member extends between the trough assembly and the hopper assembly. The plurality of legs is removably attachable to the trough assembly. The second trough section is configured to connect to the first trough section in an assembled configuration and is configured to nest within the first trough section in a nested configuration. The brace member is configured to angle the hopper assembly with respect to the trough assembly in the assembled configuration and is configured to be placed on the second trough section in the nested configuration. The legs are configured to be attached to the trough assembly to elevate the trough assembly in the assembled configuration and are configured to be removed and placed within the second trough section in the nested configuration. 
     The foregoing was intended as a summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings thereof, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a highbanker in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the highbanker; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the highbanker; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the highbanker; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial view of the highbanker; 
         FIG. 6  is a magnified view of the portion  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is another partial view of the highbanker; 
         FIG. 8  is a magnified view of the portion  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial view of the highbanker before the second trough section is connected to the first trough section; 
         FIG. 10  is a magnified view of the portion  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial view of the highbanker after the second trough section is connected to the first trough section; 
         FIG. 12  is a magnified view of the portion  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial view of the highbanker; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows the hopper assembly of the highbanker; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the hopper assembly; 
         FIG. 17  is another exploded view of the hopper assembly; 
         FIG. 18  is a magnified view of the portion  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a magnified view of the portion  19 - 19  of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of the hopper assembly with the screen detached; 
         FIG. 21  is a magnified view of the portion  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a top perspective view of the hopper assembly with the screen attached; 
         FIG. 23  is a magnified view of the portion  23 - 23  of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  shows the hopper assembly and the trough assembly in one orientation; 
         FIG. 25  is a magnified view of the portion  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  shows the hopper assembly and the trough assembly in another orientation; 
         FIG. 27  is a magnified view of the portion  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a top perspective view of the highbanker in a nested configuration; 
         FIG. 29  is another top perspective view of the highbanker in a nested configuration; 
         FIG. 30  is a bottom perspective view of the highbanker in a nested configuration; and 
         FIG. 31  is an exploded view of the highbanker in a nested configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a highbanker  10  in accordance with the present invention comprises an upper hopper assembly  12  and a lower trough assembly  14 . The hopper assembly  12  is configured to accept placer deposit and water for feeding to the trough assembly  14 . The trough assembly  14  comprises first and second trough sections  16 ,  18  that are removably detachable from each other. 
     The first trough section  16  comprises a first surface  20  with first lateral edges  22 , while the second trough section  18  comprises a second surface  24  with second lateral edges  26 . Preferably, the first surface  20  and the second surface  24  are substantially co-planar with each other and generally define a substantially continuous surface on which one or more sluice mats  27  may be placed thereon. Alternatively, riffles may be formed on one or both of the first and second surfaces  20 ,  24  so that the use of separate sluice mats  27  are not required. The sluice mats  27  separate heavier metals from the placer deposit and water as the placer deposit and water move along. 
     The first trough section  16  comprises a pair of opposed first walls  28   a ,  28   b  extending from the first lateral edges  22 . The second trough section  18  comprises a pair of opposed second walls  30   a ,  30   b  extending from the second lateral edges  26 . Preferably, the first wall  28   a  and the second wall  30   a  are substantially continuous with each other, and the first wall  28   b  and the second wall  30   b  are substantially continuous with each other. This acts to prevent material (e.g. placer deposit) from escaping between the first wall  28   a  and the second wall  30   a  and between the first wall  28   b  and the second wall  30   b.    
     The highbanker  10  further comprises a plurality of legs  32  that are removably connected to the trough assembly  14  and are used to elevate the trough assembly  14  above the ground. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , four of the legs  32  are provided, with the legs  32  removably connected to the first trough section  16 . However, it is understood that a greater or fewer number of the legs  32  may be provided, and the legs  32  may be removably connected to one or both of the first and second trough sections  16 ,  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the legs  32  may be connected to first or second trough sections  16 ,  18  using brackets  34 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , where the legs  32  are removably connected to the first trough section  16 , the first walls  28   a ,  28   b  comprise attachment surfaces  36  that are configured to receive the legs  32  and the brackets  34  (best seen in  FIG. 5 ). The attachment surfaces  36  may be substantially planar and comprise one or more attachment surface openings  38 . 
     The brackets  34  may comprise a central bracket portion  40  that is generally U-shaped, along with bracket flanges  42  extending from the central bracket portion  40 . The central bracket portion  40  is configured to engage with one of the legs  32 . The bracket flanges  42  comprise bracket openings  44 . The attachment surface openings  38  and the bracket openings  44  are configured to receive bracket fasteners  46  therethrough to secure one of the brackets  34  to one of the attachment surfaces  36 . In particular, when the bracket flanges  42  are secured to one of the attachment surfaces  36 , a portion of the leg  32  is held substantially flush against the attachment surface  36 . The central bracket portion  40  may comprise one or more central bracket openings  48  configured to accept leg fasteners  50 . The leg fasteners  50  may be screws that are threadedly engaged through the central bracket openings  48  and against the leg  32  in order to secure the leg  32  in place. 
     The attachment surfaces  36  may be angled (with respect to a vertical plane) such that when the brackets  34  and the legs  32  are attached thereto, the legs  32  are splayed outwards. This acts to increase the stability and strength of the highbanker  10  when in use. Furthermore, depending on where along the legs  32  the brackets  34  engage, a height and an angle of the first trough section  16  (and consequently the first surface  20 ) may be selected. In another embodiment, the bracket openings  44  may be elongated and forming an arc, such that the bracket  34  may be secured to the attachment surface  36  at different rotational angles. This also allows for the angle of the first trough section  16  to be differentially selected. 
     As described earlier, the first surface  20  and the second surface  24  preferably define a substantially continuous surface. As such, if the first surface  20  is angled (i.e. with respect to the vertical or horizontal), the second surface  24  will be similarly angled. For example, when the highbanker  10  is in use, the first surface  20  (and consequently the second surface  24 ) may be angled at an angle A with respect to the horizontal plane (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). This angling of the first surface  20  and the second surface  24  promotes the movement of placer deposit and water from the first trough section  16  to the second trough section  18 . 
     The first trough section  16  comprises a first upper end  52  and a first lower end  54 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , two of the legs  32  extend from the first trough section  16  proximate to the first upper end  52 , and two of the legs  32  extend from the first trough section  16  proximate to the first lower end  54 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 to 8 , the hopper assembly  12  is pivotably connected to the trough assembly  14 , preferably proximate to the first upper end  52 . The highbanker  10  comprises a brace member  56  that extends between the trough assembly  14  and the hopper assembly  12 . The brace member  56  comprises a brace end  58  and two brace arms  60  extending from the brace end  58 . The brace end  58  is connected to the hopper assembly  12 , while the brace arms  60  are connected to the trough assembly  14 . 
     The hopper assembly  12  comprises a hopper lower surface  62 . A series of ridges  64  is formed on the hopper lower surface  62 . The brace end  58  is configured to detachably engage with adjacent ones of the ridges  64 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . For example, the brace end  58  may be configured such that it is able to fit in between adjacent ones of the ridges  64 . By selecting the particular ones of the ridges  64  with which to engage the brace end  58 , a relative angle of the hopper assembly  12  with respect to the trough assembly  14  may be adjusted. For example,  FIGS. 5 to 8  show two different possible angles (B, B′) for the hopper assembly  12  and the trough assembly  14 , depending on where along the ridges  64  the brace end  58  is engaged. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 12 , the second trough section  18  may be removably attached and detached from the first trough section  16 . The second trough section  18  comprises a second upper end  66  and a second lower end  68 . The second trough section  18  also comprises engagement portions  70  extending from each of the second walls  30   a ,  30   b  proximate to the second upper end  66 . The engagement portions  70  comprise outward-facing protrusions  72 . The second trough section  18  comprises a lip  73  extending from the second surface  24 . The lip  73  may be generally U-shaped, with the lip  73  extending along at least a portion of the second walls  30   a ,  30   b . Because the lip  73  extends along a portion of the second walls  30   a ,  30   b , a gap  75  is present between each of the engagement portions  70  and the lip  73 . 
     Each of the first walls  28   a ,  28   b  comprises a slot  74  proximate to the first lower end  54 . The slots  74  are configured to removably engage with the protrusions  72  when the second trough section  18  is connected to the first trough section  16 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in order to connect the second trough section  18  to the first trough section, the second trough section  18  is first placed close to the first trough section  16 . The second trough section  18  may then be moved towards the first trough section  16  in direction C (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). The protrusions  48  will come into contact with a leading edge  76  on the first walls  28   a ,  28   b . The protrusions  72  are preferably bevelled such that further movement of the second trough section  18  in the direction C will cause causing the engagement portions  70  to deflect inwards. Continual movement of the second trough section  18  in direction C will cause the protrusions  72  to slide along an inner surface  78  of the first walls  28   a ,  28   b , with the engagement portions  70  still being deflected inwards. When the protrusions  72  reach the slots  74 , the protrusions  72  will engage into the slots  74 , and the engagement portions  70  will no longer be deflected inwards. The engagement of the protrusions  72  into the slots  74  secures the second trough section  18  in place with respect to the first trough section  16  (as shown in  FIG. 12 ). In addition, the lip  73  may engage the first surface  20  proximate to the first lower end  54 , thereby further helping to secure the second trough section  18  in place with respect to the first trough section  16 . 
     In order to detach the second trough section  18  from the first trough section  16 , the engagement portions  70  are first pushed inwards in directions D (as shown in  FIG. 12 ). In order to facilitate this, the engagement portions  70  may comprise tabs  80 . The tabs  80  are sized such that they extend beyond the first walls  28   a ,  28   b  when the second trough section  18  is connected to the first trough section  16 . The tabs  80  provide a surface on which force may be applied to push the engagement portions  70  inwards. As the tabs  80  are pushed inwards, the protrusions  72  will begin to move out of the slots  74 . Once the protrusions  72  have cleared the slots  74 , the protrusions  72  may engage with the inner surface  78  of the first walls  28   a ,  28   b . Movement of the second trough section  18  in direction E (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) will cause the protrusion  72  to move along the inner surface  78  (with the engagement portions  70  being deflected inwards) until the protrusions  72  reach the leading edge  76 . At that point, the engagement portions  70  will revert to their original orientation, and the second trough section  18  will be released from the first trough section  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the engagement portions  70  comprise a semicircular groove  82  configured to pivotably engage with the brace arms  60 . Furthermore, the first walls  28   a ,  28   b  each comprise a first wall opening  84  that is also configured to pivotably engage with the brace arms  60 . The first wall opening  84  is located proximate to the first lower end  54 , and preferably, in between the slot  74  and the first lower end  54 . The groove  82  and the first wall opening  84  are substantially aligned when the second trough section  18  is connected to the first trough section  16 . 
     Each of the brace arms  60  comprises a wing  86  and a pin  88  extending from the wing  86 . When the second trough section  18  is connected to the first trough section  16 , the pin  88  is configured to engage with both the first wall opening  84  and the groove  82 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . In particular, the pin  88  is preferably sized so that one portion fits within the first wall opening  84  while another portion rests on the groove  82 . For example, in one embodiment, the first wall opening  84  may have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the groove  82 . Accordingly, the pin  88  may comprise first and second pin portions  90 ,  92 , with the first pin portion  90  having a smaller diameter than the second pin portion  92 . When the pin  88  is engaged with the first wall opening  84  and the groove  82 , the first pin portion  90  is sized to fit within the first wall opening  84 , while the second pin portion  92  is too large for the first wall opening  84  but is able to rest on the groove  82 . 
     After the second trough section  18  has been connected to the first trough section  16 , the brace member  56  may be connected to the trough assembly  14  as follows. The brace arms  60  may be deflected inwards until the first pin portions  90  are able to be inserted through the first wall openings  84  on the first walls  28   a ,  28   b . This will allow the brace arms  60  to partially revert back to their original orientation, until the first pin portions  90  have been fully inserted through the first wall openings  84 . However, the larger diameter of the second pin portion  92  will prevent the second pin portions  92  from passing through the first wall openings  84 . Instead, once the second pin portions  92  contact the first wall openings  84 , further outward movement of the brace arms  60  is prevented. The second pin portions  92  will rest on the grooves  80  of the second walls  30   a ,  30   b . Because the brace arms  60  are still under some tension (from the previous inward deflection of the brace arms  60 ), the brace arms  60  will tend to push outwards, resulting in the wings  86  exerting outward pressure on the second walls  30   a ,  30   b  proximate to the grooves  80 . This outward pressure by the brace arms  60  has the effect of securing the second trough section  18  in place to the first trough section  16 . 
     The brace member  56  may be detached from the trough assembly  14  by deflecting the brace arms  60  inward so that the first pin portions  90  move through the first wall openings  84 . Once the first pin portions  90  have cleared the first wall openings  84 , the brace member  56  may be removed from the trough assembly  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , after the second trough section  18  has been detached from the first trough section  16 , the second trough section  18  may be nested within the first trough section  16  in order to reduce the overall length of the highbanker  10  for storage. To do so, the second trough section  18  may be rotated 180° laterally and placed within the first trough section  16  such that the second wall  30   a  engages with the first wall  28   b  and the second wall  30   b  engages with the first wall  28   a . In addition, the protrusion  72  on the engagement portion extending from the second wall  30   a  is able to engage, at least partially, with the slot  74  on the first wall  28   b . Similarly, the protrusion  72  on the engagement portion extending from the second wall  30   b  is able to engage, at least partially, with the slot  74  on the first wall  28   a . The engagement of the protrusions  72 , at least partially, with the slots  74  assist in securing the second trough section  18  within the first trough section  16 . The engagement of the protrusions  72  with the slots  74  may be effected by sliding the second trough section  18  down within the first trough section  16  in direction F (as shown in  FIG. 14 ). 
     Furthermore, when the second trough section  18  has been nested within the first trough section  16 , the brace member  56  can be placed over the second trough section  18 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , in one embodiment, after the brace member  56  has been placed on the second trough section  18  with the pins  88  proximate to the engagement portions  70 , the brace arms  60  may be deflected inwards until the pins  88  slide past the engagement portions  70  and into the gaps  75 . The brace arms  60  can be deflected inwards again until the first pin portions  90  are within the first wall openings  84 . The first pin portions  90  are then able to slide through the first wall openings  84  until the second pin portions  92  contact the first wall openings  84 , at which time further outward movement of the brace arms  60  is prevented. Because the brace arms  60  are still under some tension (from the previous inward deflection of the brace arms  60 ), the brace arms  60  will tend to push outwards, resulting in the wings  86  exerting outward pressure on the second walls  30   a ,  30   b  proximate to the gaps  75  and on the engagement portions  70  and the lip  73 . This outward pressure by the brace arms  60  has the effect of securing the second trough section  18  in place within the first trough section  16 . 
     For example, the brace arms  60  are normally splayed slightly outwardly (as best seen in  FIG. 4 , an exploded view of the highbanker  10 ). However, when the brace member  56  is attached to the first trough section  16  (using the first wall openings  84 ), both when the second trough section  18  is connected to the first trough section  16  (as in  FIG. 11 ) and when the second trough section  18  is nested within the first trough section  16  (as in  FIG. 13 ), the brace arms  60  are substantially straight as they are still under some tension. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 to 23 , the hopper assembly  12  comprises a hopper  96  and a cover  110  that is removably attached to the hopper  96 . The hopper  96  comprises first and second hopper ends  98 ,  100  and may be generally rectangular, although other shapes for the hopper  96  are also possible. The hopper  96  comprises an intake surface  104  located towards the first hopper end  98  and on which the placer deposit is loaded. The intake surface  104  is preferably elongated and may comprise a textured or contoured design. The hopper  96  further comprises a hopper periphery portion  106  that extends along a portion of the periphery of the hopper  96 . Preferably, the hopper periphery portion  106  may extend along a portion of the upper periphery of the hopper  96 . In one embodiment, the hopper periphery portion  106  extends for at least a length of the intake surface  104 , although it is also possible for the hopper periphery portion  106  to extend for greater or less than the length of the intake surface  104 . Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the hopper periphery portion  106  may extend, at least partially, along three of the sides of the intake surface  104 . 
     The hopper  96  further comprises a water intake  108  that is configured to attach to a water supply (such as a hose or the like) and to allow for the water to flow to the hopper periphery portion  106 . The water intake  108  is preferably located within the hopper periphery portion  106  proximate to the first hopper end  98 ; however, it may be located at other locations along the hopper periphery portion  106 . 
     The cover  110  is configured to fit over the hopper periphery portion  106 . The cover  110  comprises a cover surface  112  with a plurality of cover openings  114  formed on the cover surface  112 . The cover surface  112  preferably does not fit flush against the hopper periphery portion  106 ; instead, the cover surface  112  and the hopper periphery portion  106  define, at least in part, a hollow  116  within which water from the water intake  108  can flow. Preferably, the hollow  116  extends for almost substantially an entirety of the hopper periphery portion  106 , although it may also extend for less than the entirety of the hopper periphery portion  106 . In order to define the hollow  116 , the cover surface  112  may be contoured such that at least a portion of the cover surface  112  does not contact the hopper periphery portion  106  when the cover  110  is fitted over the hopper periphery portion  106  (as seen in  FIG. 16 ). As water flows through the hollow  116 , water may escape from the hollow  116  through the cover openings  114 . The water escaping through the cover openings  114  may form streams of water that fall on the placer deposit on the intake surface  104 . 
     In one embodiment, the cover  110  may comprise one or more cover standoffs  118  extending from the cover surface  112 . The cover standoffs  118  engage with corresponding hopper standoffs  120  extending from the hopper periphery portion  106 . The cover standoffs  118  and the hopper standoffs  120  may be configured to accept cover fasteners  122  for securing the cover  110  to the hopper periphery portion  106 . The cover standoffs  118  and the hopper standoffs  120  may also help to space the cover surface  112  apart from the hopper periphery portion  106 , thereby helping to define the hollow  116 . 
     The hopper  96  comprises a window  124  located towards the second hopper end  100 . The window  124  is configured to allow the placer deposit and water to leave the hopper  96  through the window  124  and fall onto the first trough section  16 . When the highbanker  10  is in use, the hopper  96  may be angled (with respect to the horizontal) such that the first hopper end  98  is elevated with respect to the second hopper end  100 . As such, the placer deposit loaded onto the intake surface  104 , when contacted by the streams of water from the cover openings  114 , will tend to move along the intake surface  104  towards the window  124 . The textured or contoured design of the intake surface  104  may slow the movement of the placer deposit along the intake surface  104 , allowing more time to wash the placer deposit and to direct the placer deposit towards the hopper opening  68 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 to 23 , the hopper assembly  12  may also comprise a screen  126  that is detachably placed over the window  124 . The screen  126  may comprise a plurality of screen openings  128  through which the placer deposit and water from the intake surface  104  may pass through into the first trough section  16 . Different ones of the screen  126  (each with different sizes for the screen openings  128 ) may be interchanged to allow for different sizes and/or shapes of placer deposit to pass through the window  124 . Referring to  FIG. 21 , the screen  126  may comprise one or more protruding fingers  140  that engage with corresponding sockets  142  on the hopper  96  to hold the screen  126  in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 24 to 27 , the hopper  96  is pivotably connected to the first trough section  16 . The hopper  96  comprises an elongated receiving portion  130 , while the first trough section  16  comprises opposed trough openings  132 . The hopper assembly  12  comprises a rod  134  that configured to pass across the receiving portion  130  and the trough openings  132  to allow for pivotable rotation of the hopper  96  with respect to the first trough section  16  from approximately 0° to approximately 90° (as shown in  FIG. 26 ). Referring to  FIGS. 25 and 27 , the hopper  96  comprises one or more outward-extending tips  136 . The first trough section  16  may comprise one or more stops  138  that are configured to engage with the tips  136  when the hopper  96  has reached its maximum rotational angle with respect to the first trough section  16 . The engagement of the tips  136  with the stops  138  prevents excessive rotation of the hopper  96  with respect to the first trough section  16 , which could cause the hopper  96  to tip over. The rod  134  may be removably detached so as to separate the hopper assembly  12  from the trough assembly  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the hopper assembly  12  may further comprise a hopper fin  144  extending from the underside of the hopper  96  proximate to the window  124 . The hopper fin  144  comprises one or more notches  146  that are configured for attachment to a damper (not shown) for flattening or reducing the turbulence of the water (and placer deposit) exiting the window  124 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28 to 31 , the components of the highbanker  10  may be collapsed and nested from an assembled configuration (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 ) into a nested configuration shown in  FIGS. 28 to 31 . The second trough section  18  may be nested within the first trough section  16 , as described above. In addition, the brace member  56  may be placed on top of the second trough section  18 , also as described above. The hopper assembly  12  may be pivoted towards the first trough section  16  until it is substantially resting on the first trough section  16 . The legs  32  may be detached from the first trough section  16  and stored within the (nested) second trough section  18 , as shown in  FIG. 28 . In the nested configuration, the highbanker  10  is in a much more compact form for storage or transport. 
     Assembly and disassembly of the highbanker  10  will now be described. In order to assemble the highbanker  10  into the assembled configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the legs  32  are attached to the first trough section  16  using the brackets  34 . The height and angle of the first surface  20  may be set by selecting where along the legs  32  the brackets  34  are used to secure the legs  32  to the attachment surfaces  36 . In addition, the angle of the first surface  20  may also be set by selecting the rotational angle of the brackets  34 . Once the legs  32  are secured to the first trough section  16 , the second trough section  18  may be connected to the first trough section  16 . The hopper assembly  12  may also be connected to the first trough section  16  by inserting the rod  134  through the hopper openings  130  and the trough openings  132 . The brace member  56  can then be attached to the trough assembly  14  by inserting the first pin portion  90  into the first wall openings  84  and by resting the second pin portion  92  on the grooves  82 . The angle of the hopper assembly  12  with respect to the trough assembly  14  can then be set by inserting the brace end  58  in between the appropriate adjacent ones of the ridges  64 . The highbanker  10  should be substantially in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  (i.e. the assembled configuration). An appropriate water supply can be connected to the water intake  108 . Sluice mats  27 , if needed, can then be placed on the first and second surfaces  20 ,  24 . The highbanker  10  can now be used by introducing placer deposit onto the intake surface  104 . 
     In order to disassemble the highbanker  10  from the assembled configuration shown in  FIG. 1  to the nested configuration shown in  FIG. 28 , the hopper assembly  12  may be lifted until the brace end  58  is no longer in between the ridges  64 . The brace arms  60  may be detached from the trough assembly  14  by deflecting the brace arms  60  inward until the first pin portions  90  have passed out of the first wall openings  84 . The second trough section  18  can then be detached from the first trough section  16 , rotated laterally 180°, and nested within the first trough section  16 . The brace member  56  can then be laid on top of the second trough section  18  and secured to the first trough section  16 . The hopper assembly  12  can be allowed to rest upon the nested second trough section  18 . The legs  32  may be removed from the first trough section  16  and placed within the second trough section  18 , resulting in the fully disassembled and nested configuration shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 30 , one or both of the first and second trough sections  16 ,  18  may comprise ribs  94 . The ribs  94  may be formed on a side of one or both of the first surface  20  and the second surface  24 . For example,  FIG. 13  shows the ribs  94  formed on an underside of the second surfaces  24 , while  FIG. 30  shows the ribs  94  formed on an underside of the first surface  20 . The ribs  60  provide additional strength and rigidity to the trough assembly  14 . 
     One or more of the first and second trough sections  16 ,  18 , the legs  32 , the brace member  56 , the hopper  96 , and the cover  110  may be formed from injection-moulded plastic. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment has been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.