Patent Publication Number: US-2017368575-A1

Title: Grizzly grid material separator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S] 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “GRIZZLY GRID MATERIAL SEPARATOR,” Ser. No. 62/384,598, filed Sep. 7, 2016, and this application is a continuation-in-part of earlier filed U.S. patent application entitled “ADJUSTABLE SPRING GRIZZLY BAR MATERIAL SEPERATOR,” Ser. No. 14/548,189, filed Nov. 19, 2014, which is a 371 of earlier filed PCT Application entitled “ADJUSTABLE SPRING GRIZZLY BAR MATERIAL SEPERATOR,” serial number PCT/US12/71671, filed Dec. 26, 2012, which is a continuation of earlier filed U.S. patent entitled “ADJUSTABLE SPRING GRIZZLY BAR MATERIAL SEPERATOR,” Ser. No. 13/336,349, filed Dec. 23, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,154, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to a grizzly grid material separator and more particularly to an adjustable spring grizzly grid material separator. 
     State of the Art 
     Material separators are commonly used in the aggregate industry. One material separator often referred to as a grizzly are used for the purpose of separating material having different sizes. This is commonly performed by dispensing material over a set of spaced apart bars held at an angle, wherein the larger, oversized rock are separated from fines (finer particles) as the material flows over the grizzly. 
     Conventional grizzly separators have a set of bars, wherein the bars are set in a fixed spacing. The bars are rigid and allow for little or no play. As the material is flowed over the bars, the smaller particles pass through the spaces of the bars to a first location, and the larger material passes over the bars and is distributed to a second location. 
     These conventional separators have their limitations. First, rocks and debris often are lodged in the spaces between bars and thereby reduce efficiency of operation of the material separator. Additionally, frequent maintenance is required in order to check for obstructions like this and to further clean out and remove the obstructions. This requires additional man power and time to ensure the material separator is functioning in the most efficient manner possible. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the field of grizzly separators for an improved grizzly grid material separator that overcomes at least the limitations as discussed above. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable grizzly grid material separator having a plurality of flexible tines, wherein the flexible tines inhibit the opportunity for material, such as rocks, to become lodged or otherwise stuck in the spaces between tines and obstruct the operation of the material separator. 
     An embodiment of the present invention includes a grizzly grid material separator comprising: a frame; a plurality of grizzly assemblies coupled to the frame, wherein the plurality of grizzly assemblies are coupled to the frame in a grid configuration, each grizzly assembly comprising: a plurality of flexible tines; and a cassette, wherein the plurality of flexible tines are each coupled on an end to the cassette, and wherein the plurality of tines are separated a predetermined distance to set the size of material that is to be separated from an amount of aggregate flowing over the tines. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective, exploded view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 5  is a back view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a flexible bar of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a flexible bar of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a plurality of flexible tines with a first set of spacers of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of a plurality of flexible tines with a second set of spacers of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator coupled adjacent a vibratory plate feeder. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart of a method of using an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a prior art grizzly bar feeder. 
         FIG. 14A  is a top view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 14B  is a side view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 14C  is a front view of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a grizzly grid material separator. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a grizzly grid material separator. 
         FIG. 17  is a side section view of a grizzly grid material separator. 
         FIG. 18  is an end view of a sideboard extension of a grizzly grid material separator. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a grizzly grid material separator. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a grizzly grid material separator with material flowing over it. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator having a plurality of flexible tines, wherein the spacing between the tines is adjustable. The flexible tines are also flexible; thereby inhibiting the opportunity for material, such as rocks, to become lodged or otherwise stuck in the spaces between tines and obstructs the operation of the material separator. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-6  depict an embodiment of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator  10 . The material separator  10  comprises a plurality of flexible tines  12 , a cassette  14  and a plurality of spacers  16 . The plurality of flexible tines  12  are each coupled on an end to the cassette  14 . The plurality of spacers  16  are coupled within the cassette  14  between the plurality of flexible tines  12 , wherein the spacers  16  separate the plurality of flexible tines  12  a predetermined distance  20  to set the size of material that is to be separated from an amount of aggregate flowing over the flexible tines  12 . The flexible tines  12  may be formed of a spring steel or other strong, yet flexible material. 
     The cassette  14  comprises a base portion  13  and a securing plate  15 . The securing plate  15  includes a plurality of apertures  18  that correspond to apertures  19  on the base portion  13 . A securing device  17 , such as a bolt, may extend through the aperture  18  of the securing plate, with the head of the bolt  17  engaging the securing plate  15 , and the threaded portion engaging the aperture  19  of the base portion, wherein the securing device  17  removably couples the securing plate  15  to the base portion  13  of the cassette  14 . The plurality of flexible tines  12  are coupled to the cassette  14  by supporting an end of the plurality of flexible tines  12  on the base portion  13  and removably securing the securing plate  15  to the base portion  13  of the cassette  14 . This secures the plurality of flexible tines  12  at one end within the cassette  14 . In at least this way, the plurality of flexible tines  12  is coupled on an end to the cassette  14 . 
     The cassette  14  also removably secures a spacer  16  between two tines  12  of a plurality of flexible tines  12 . For example, the base portion  13  of the cassette  14  supports the plurality of spacers  16 , each spacer  16  between two tines  12  of the plurality of flexible tines  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and in accordance with some embodiments, the adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator  10  may also comprise a first set of spacers  40  removably coupled within the cassette  14  between the plurality of flexible tines  12 , wherein the first set of spacers  40  separate the plurality of flexible tines  12  a first predetermined distance  50  to set the size of material that is to be separated from an amount of aggregate flowing over the tines  12 . The embodiment may also comprise a second set of spacers  42 , wherein the first set of spacers  40  is replaceable with the second set of spacers  42 , wherein the second set of spacers  42  separates the plurality of flexible tines  12  a second predetermined distance  52 , the second predetermined distance  52  being different from the first predetermined distance  50 . In this at least this way, the material separator  10  is adjustable. It will be understood that various sized spacers may be used, wherein any length of spacing between tines  12  may be obtained by use spacers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a prior art grizzly bar feeder  100  is provided, wherein grizzly bars  102  and  104  are coupled adjacent a vibratory plate feeder  106 . The grizzly bars  102  and  104  a predetermined length and width. The bars  102  and  104  are secured and supported at at least two points along the length of the bars  102  and  104 . The bars  102  and  104  are rigid and supported in a non-cantilevered configuration. 
     According to the invention, embodiments of the flexible rods  12  have a length of at least 30 inches. Further, some embodiment of the flexible rods  12  may have a length within the range of 30 inches to 36 inches. Other embodiments of the flexible rods  12  may have a length within the range of 30 to 48 inches. Additionally, other embodiments of the flexible rods  12  may have a length within the range of 30 to 54 inches. Further still, other embodiments of the flexible rods  12  may have a length within the range of 30 to 60 inches. Even further still, the flexible rods or tines  12  may be a length within a range of 24 inches to 72 inches. 
     With additional reference to the drawings,  FIGS. 7 and 8  depict a flexible tine  12  according to embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , the tine  12  comprises a rod section and a cassette connection device  32 . The rod section  30  comprises a first end  31  that is threaded and a pointed second end  35 . Further, the rod section  30  comprises a tapered end  33  and a tapered section  37 . The tapered end  33  is adjacent the first end  31  and in some embodiments is a frustoconical shape. The tapered section  37  is adjacent to the pointed end  35 , and in some embodiments is a frustoconical shape. The rod section  30  is formed of flexible. This allows for the rod section  30  to flex in spring like fashion in each direction. 
     While the above describes the shape of some of the tines  12  of the present invention, other embodiments have various shapes. For example and without limitation, the tines may be circular in cross section and not have tapers, other cross-sectional shapes include square, rectangular, triangular, and any other type of shape that form a tine. 
     The cassette connection device  32  may comprise a collar  34  that slides over the first end  31  of the rod portion  30 . A nut  39  engages the first end  31  and secures the collar  34  on the rod portion  30 . Brackets  36  and  38  may then be coupled around the collar, wherein the collar  34  has the proper diameter to engage each side of each bracket  36  and  38 . The cassette connection device  32  provides a mechanism to easily place spacers  16  between the tines  12  and further allows of the cassette  14  to easily couple the end of the flexible tines  12  within the cassette  14 . 
     It will be understood that in particular embodiments, the cassette connection device  32  may be integral with the first end of the flexible tine  12 , shown in  FIG. 7 . In these embodiments, the tine and the connection device are formed as one single component and secured within the cassette  14 . 
     Other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C , include material separator device  10  having a plurality of flexible tines  12  coupled within a cassette  14 . The device  10  comprises a spacer plate, wherein the plate includes a plurality of apertures, wherein the tines  12  extend through the apertures. To adjust the spacing between tines  12 , a new spacing plate is used with apertures. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 11 , particular embodiments of the present invention include the adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator  10  and a conveying apparatus  60 , wherein the cassette  14  with the plurality of flexible tines  12  are rotatably coupled adjacent the conveying apparatus  60 . Aggregate  62  is dumped onto the conveying apparatus  60  and the material separator  10 . As the conveying apparatus  60  operates, it forces material onto the material separator  10 . The conveying apparatus may be a vibratory plate feeder, a conveyor, and the like. During operation, a larger sized particle  62 , such as a larger rock  62  that is greater than the spaces between the rods  12 , will become temporarily lodged between two flexible tines  12 . As force  64  is applied to the larger sized particle  62  by additional material being flowed over the tines  12 , the force flexes the tines  12  into a flexed position as designated by dashed tines  12 ′. The flex of the tines  12  allow for the material to be loosened from the tines  12  and eventually removed from material separator  10 . In at least this way, the flexible tines  12  flex in response to force applied to the flexible tines  12  from ongoing material flow over the tines  12 . Accordingly, the flex in the flexible tines inhibits collection material between adjacent flexible tines. 
     Referring further to the drawings,  FIG. 6  depicts a side view of a material separator  10 . The material separator  10  may be rotatably coupled adjacent a conveying apparatus  60 , such as a vibratory plate feeder, a conveyor, and the like (See  FIG. 11 ). The cassette  14  functions as the element of the material separator  10  that is coupled to the device carrying the vibratory plate feeder  60 . The cassette  14  may be rotated through various angles as depicted by arrow  22 , and coupled at varying angles adjacent the vibratory plate feeder  60 . Accordingly the pitch of the plurality of flexible tines  12  is adjustable in response to rotation of the cassette  14 . 
     In other embodiments, the cassette  14  functions as the element of the material separator  10  that is coupled to the device carrying the vibratory plate feeder  60 . The cassette  14  may be held in a fixed position and the plurality of tines  12  may be secured in an adjustable track, wherein the tines are rotatable through various angles as depicted by arrow  22 . The tines  12  may be rotated to the desired angle or pitch and then secured at that particular angle. Accordingly the pitch of the plurality of flexible tines  12  is adjustable in response to rotation tines  12  with respect to the cassette  14 . 
     Another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 12 , includes a method  70  of using an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. The method  70  comprises rotatably coupling the adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator adjacent a vibratory plate feeder, the adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator comprising a plurality of flexible tines (Step  71 ); depositing material on the vibratory plate feeder and the adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator (Step  72 ); flowing material from the vibratory plate feeder to the adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator (Step  73 ); separating material fines from larger rocks in response to the fines flowing through spaces between the plurality of flexible tines of the adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator (Step  74 ); and flexing at least one of the plurality of the flexible tines in response to forces of larger rock being applied to the flexible tines by force of the material flowing over the flexible tines (Step  75 ). 
     The method may further comprise additional step. These steps may include adjusting space sizes between the plurality of flexible tines; and supporting an end of the flexible tines prior to adjusting the spaces between the plurality of flexible tines. 
     In some embodiments, adjusting the space sizes further comprises replacing a first set of spacers with a second set of spacers, wherein the second set of spacers separates the plurality of flexible tines a second predetermined distance, the second predetermined distance being different from a first predetermined distance associated with the first set of spacers. 
     Another embodiment includes a grizzly grid  200  as depicted in  FIGS. 15-20 . The grizzly grid  200  comprises multiple grizzly assemblies  202 , wherein each grizzly assembly  202  comprises a cassette  14  and flexible tines  12 . The multiple grizzly assemblies  202  may be configured in a grid orientation and may be independent assemblies coupled to a frame  208 . While grizzly grid  200  is depicted with six grizzly assemblies, any number of grizzly assemblies  202  may be utilized. According to embodiments, the grizzly assemblies  202  may be located in rows, wherein material may flow from one set of grizzly assemblies  202  and onto another set of grizzly assemblies  202 . 
     While it is depicted that the grizzly grid  200  includes multiple grizzly assemblies  202 , in some embodiments, the grizzly grid  200  may include a single grizzly assembly  202 . The number of grizzly assemblies  202  may be determined in response to the type of material separation that is being performed. 
     The grizzly grid  200  may be supported at an angle with a frame  208 . The frame  208  may be sized according to the number of grizzly assemblies  202  that are to be utilized. The frame  208  is open under the tines  12  of the grizzly assemblies in order to allow material to by screened through the spaces between the plurality of flexible tines  12 . 
     While the grizzly grid  200  shown with a frame  208  holding the grizzly assemblies  202  at an angle, it will be understood that other embodiments are considered. For example and without limitation, the grizzly grid  200  may include a hydraulically operated frame  208 , wherein the frizzly assemblies may be rotated from a substantially horizontal position through any angle up to a substantially vertical position. In other words, the hydraulically operated frame  208  may rotate the grizzly assemblies approximately 90 degrees. These embodiments allow an amount of material to be placed on the grizzly assemblies and then rotated to allow the material slide or otherwise flow over the grizzly assemblies  202  and separate the material  222 . 
     The cassette  14  of the grizzly assemblies  202  may be rotated through various angles as depicted in  FIG. 17 . The grizzly assemblies  202  may be coupled at varying angles with respect to the frame  208 . Accordingly the pitch of the plurality of flexible tines  12  is adjustable in response to rotation of the cassette  14 . The pitch may be adjusted to achieve a certain amount of separation of fines from larger material. Additionally, each grizzly assembly  202  may be independently adjusted or rotated. 
     Some embodiments of the grizzly grid  200  may include a sideboard extension  210 . The sideboard extension  210  allows provides a surface that directs material to be separated to the grizzly assemblies  202 . The sideboard extension  210  may include wing members on opposing sides of the sideboard  210 , wherein the wings are angled to direct material to the grizzly assemblies  202 . 
     Material  222  may be dispensed onto the grizzly grid material separator  200  with a bucket  220 . Fines are separated through the spaces in tines as depicted in  FIG. 20 , and larger material is deposited in a second location  224 . In this way, material  222  is separated by passive depositing of the material  22  on the grizzly grid  200  and allowing the material  222  to flow over the plurality of grizzly assemblies  202  by gravity acting on the material  22  to flow the material  222  over the angled configuration of the grizzly grid  200 . The flexible tines  12  operate in a manner as described above with regard to the vibratory feeder, wherein the tines  12  flex to prevent larger material from be lodged within the spaces between tines of the grizzly assemblies  202 . 
     With regard to the grizzly assemblies  202 , the flexible tines  12  may be in a fixed spacing in some embodiments and in other embodiments, adjustable spacers may be used to separate the tines and set the size of material separation. 
     Accordingly, the components of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator, with exception to materials of components already discussed having a particular material type, may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of an adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof. 
     Furthermore, the components defining any adjustable spring grizzly bar material separator may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner that allows the performance of the proper function of the component, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example. 
     The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.