Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1988
Specification Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1383
I, WILLIAM LEGRAND CARD, residing at La Crosse, in the state of Wisconsin, one
of the United States of America, Mining Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to
the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say :-
My invention relates to a machine embracing a series of co-acting devices whereby
placer dirt, or other auriferous earths, metal bearing matrices, or metalliferous masses
may be continuously, or successively treated according to their several conditions,
natures, or special requirements, so as to eliminate and obtain the metal therefrom, in
a thorough and practical manner.
Metals, and especially the precious metals, exist and are found in conjunction with
a variety of matrices, and as a component of various masses, many of which cannot
be readily treated by any single machine as at present constructed and organized.
As is well understood, placer gold is found in such matrices as disintegrated rock,
clay, black sand, gravel, or mixtures of these and other matters, while the gold itself
varies greatly as to size and form, for instance, from flour (or very fine) gold, to scale
gold, flake gold, shot gold, and nuggets.
Where, as is frequently the case, all grades as well as the extremes in both gold and
matrix are found in the auriferous or other metal bearing mass to be treated, it is
evident that the violence of the vibration of the machine, and the volume and force of
the blast necessary to separate the coarser and heavier particles of matrix and gold,
will result in carrying much of the fine gold into the tailings, notwithstanding the
different gravities of the components.
Furthermore, the character of the matrix may be such as to imprison the metal and
demand a preliminary treatment which shall free or detach the metal so as to enable
the blast and the gravity of the metal to act effectively in the subsequent treatinent
of the mass.
It is evident, therefore, that under certain conditions (before recited) in order to
produce the best results on any and all material, such machine should embrace means,

page_text: first, for disintegrating the matrix, and with as little expenditure of power as possible;
second, for sorting the material so as to confine the same within range upon which it
is practical to use a blast of given volume and force; and, third, means for treating all
the material in a single machine at the same time; and each element of the whole
machine should be of a character adapted to perform its separate function effectually
and independently of the other elements, as well as in combination or conjunction
therewith.
The object of the invention is to provide a machine which shall fulfil these stated
conditions or requirements.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan or top view of a machine embodying
my invention, the hopper removed.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the same (from the discharge end) the end grating or thief
guard removed.
Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of the machine on the line 3, 3 of fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a section of the air chamber and ore-bed, or separator, on the line 4, 4,
of fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a top or plan view of the ore bed or separator detached.
Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of the sections or fingers which form the concave of
the disintegrator.
Fig. 8 is a detail showing how a detachable shoe may be applied to the concave
sections.
Fig. 9 is a detail view of the strap-rod, or link used for producing a lateral vibration
of the screen and ore-bed.
Fig. 9 is a detail view of shaft 58 showing the eccentric 63.
Fig. 10 is a valve for the Root (or other) blower, the function of which will
be hereinafter mentioned.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the screen, and Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional
perspective.
Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of machine, shewing a plural
separator or ore-bed combined with a plural screen having a graded series of
openings.
Fig. 14 is a plan of the screen shewn in the modification.
Figs. 15 and 16 are enlarged detail sectional views of portions of the screen,
shewing a modified form produced by using inclines or ridges between the slots.
Like figures refer to like parts wherever they occur.
The elements, individually considered are first, a disintegrator A, which, in the case
of placer dirt or equivalent matrix, shall turn and rub the contained stones or like
material it is not desirable to crush, and while pulverizing and detaching the friable
matters, as though by the action of the hand, shall permit the stone or other obstruction
to escape without deranging the operation of the machine. (If there be any material
that requires great force to crush it-such as quartz-it should be crushed by
the well known devices usually employed for such purpose before being fed to the
machine.)
The second element, which is a screen B, should be of a character to permit the
ready passage of not only the fine gold or flour gold, but also the scale and flake gold
(or that which has a flat form) while gravel, &c., of less bulk, but more spherical form
will be carried down the screen and pass off at the tail thereof.
The third element, separately considered, which is an ore-bed or separator C, should
be of a character to interpose between the blast and the metalliferous mass-a mobile
permeable mass or stratum which will not only permit the passage of the air or fluid
in an upward direction, but will receive and retain such particles of the metal, as by
reason of their size do not pass down through perforated bottom into the strong
box 55, said mobile permeable stratum to be maintained of uniform depth or thickness-
and to be regulatable so as to vary the resistance to the blast, if desired, whereby
all the contents of the separator become a semi-fluid mass, or in other words an
artificial quicksand.
This third element C in its operation (with vibration and blast) produces in the
.

page_text: whole mass an interstitial
ие
movement resulting in stratification according to
gravity of the particles, first the matrix, below that the permeable ore-bed and the
metal of such size that it will not pass the mesh of the wire bottom, and then
the fine metal which can pass the mesh, and is collected in the tray beneath, and in the
strong box 55.
The fourth element is a blower D, or other suitable means for producing an upward
current through the separator or ore bed C.
I will now describe more specifically the machine as a whole, and also the individual
elements.
In the drawings 1 indicates the uprights, 2 the cross pieces constituting a suitable
frame for the support of the operative devices, and 3 intermediate parallel cross pieces
of the framing from which the screen and separator are suspended so as to be capable
of a vibratory motion.
4 indicates a hopper supported by the cross pieces 3, and in the present instance
hinged thereto as at 5, so as to be readily turned back out of the way to gain access
to the disintegrator A, though any desired construction and arrangement of the
hopper may be substituted for the one shown. 69, 69, indicate slide-gates for the
hopper 4 whereby the feed thereof may be regulated at will.
Iinuediately below the hopper 4 is arranged the disintegrator A, comprising a
ribbed roller 6, and a concave which co-acts therewith, and is composed of a series of
narrow sections or fingers 7 each of which has its independent action though all have
a combined action.
The ribbed disintegrator roll 6 has, or may have, a long shaft or axis 8, journaled
on the cross pieces 2 of the main frame provided with a gear wheel 9 which meshes
with a gear wheel 10 on the main power shaft 11, being provided with a band
wheel 12 and a band wheel 13 by means of which the whole mechanism may be
operated.
The concave of the mill is composed of a series of curved narrow sections or
fingers 7 each of which may have its face provided with ribs or corrugations, or with
projections or teeth 14, as shewn at figs. 6, 7 and 8, in order to effectually co-act with
the ribbed roller 6.
If desired, the sections 7 may be slotted and provided with detachable and reversible
shoes 15, as indicated in fig. 8 which will produce two good results, viz.: first, it will
facilitate the repair of the machine, and second, it will prolong its life, because the
greatest wear is near or at the lower end of the shoe which being reversed when worn
will be a virtual renewal of the shoe.
The end sections of the series are each provided with a flange 16 notched out, as
indicated by dotted lines in fig. 6, to accommodate the shaft 8 of the ribbed roller, and
these two flanges 16 constitute with the concave and roller a disintegrating chamber,
and ensure the retention of the material to be operated on, and also its proper
presentation to the roller 6.
Each section 7 is provided with a rearward extension or heel piece 17, and an eye
by means of which the whole series are strung in line and suspended on a rod or
shaft 18 (see figs. 1. 3 and 6) to form the yielding concave which co-acts with the
ribbed roller 6.
Secured to the cross pieces 3, and extending between the same immediately below
the heel pieces 17 of the concave sections, is a frame piece 19 in which are a series of
lag-screws 20 one for each concave section-which screws may be regulated up or
down to regulate the position of the concave sections with relation to the ribbed
roller 7. By this means the disintegrator may be adapted to the grade and character
of the material to be operated on.
Secured to each concave section or finger 7 is a rod 21 (see fig. 3) which extends
through the frame piece 19, and below the same is encompassed by a spiral spring 22,
which is in turn secured by a nut 23. This mechanism provides an independent
spring action for each section 7 or finger of the concave, and causes the co-action of
roller 6 and the concave to be similar in its effect to that of the human hand, so that
the mass treated is rolled upon itself and disintegrated, and in case of stones, which

page_text: the machine has not power to crush, the metalliferous earth is rubbed therefrom and
the stones escape from between the section and roller without injury to the machine.
Furthermore, by means of the nut 23, the power of spring 22 may be increased or
decreased, and consequently the disintegrating power of the machine may be regulated
at will.
Arranged immediately below the disintegrator A, so as to receive the discharge
therefrom, is the screen B to which is conjoined the separator C, and both of said
devices are supported by the same vibrating frame.
The vibrating frame for the purpose specified may consist of two parallel cross
pieces 24 (see figs. 2 and 3) secured to the sides 25 of the screen box, and suspended
from the cross pieces 3 by a series of steel straps 67, so as to permit the lateral
vibration of the screen and separator.
The screen B, which is inclined at a suitable angle, may be of any desired character,
but in the present instance the preferred form is of sheet metal having a series of
transverse rows of triangular, or diverging slots 26 (see figs. 11 and 12) which rows
are arranged in step form by bending the plate in such manner as to intersect the slots,
whereby the material under treatment in its passage down the incline is allowed to
escape freely from the slots which avoids clogging, and is given a succession of drops
or vertical falls, which cause any solid matters to take a rolling as well as a sliding
motion on the screen.
The slots of the successive steps are preferably arranged to break joints-or
alternate which not only gives a solid or unbroken tread 27 to each step and imparts
strength to the structure, but in conjunction with the rolling motion imparted to the
solid matter will cause scale, flake (or plates) and like forms of the precious metal to
re-arrange themselves as they pass from step to step and enter the slot of the screen,
whereas if they had only the sliding motion induced by the incline they might pass
the slots and escape with the tailings. By means of these steps, also, the wide ends of
the triangular slots are open for such material as can only partly pass down through
to pass out of the slot and off the screen thus preventing clogging, a very important
feature.
28 indicates the inclined rear wall of the screen box, and 29 a rearwardly inclined
partition which, in conjunction with rear wall 28, forms a hopper to collect the
screenings and deliver the same to the upper end of the separator C, while the refuse
escapes from the tail of the screen as indicated by the arrows in fig. 3.
This inclined partition 29 has also a second function, viz. to deflect the blast and
direct the gangue dust or refuse from the separator out of the machine.
Immediately below, and attached to the screen box, so that one half of the said
screen box forms the upper or dust chamber of the separator, is the ore-bed or
separator C.
This separator C (see figs. 2. 3. 4 and 5) may for purposes of description be divided
into three parts, viz. the air chamber 30 which is attached to the screen box, the dust
chamber 31 which occupies part of the screen box, and the intermediate ore-bed 32
which is preferably separable from the other parts to facilitate "cleaning up."
The ore bed 32 (shewn in plan and detached, fig. 5) is composed of a series of
transverse pockets 33, separated by iuclines 34, the width of the inclines or tables 34
being preferably about the width of the pockets 33.
These pockets 33 which extend transversely of the machine, have pervious bottoms
to permit the upward flow of air currents and are preferably constructed from wire
cloth 35 (of about 20 mesh) stretched and secured by the frame 36 (see figs. 3 and 4)
though any equivalent perforate material may be employed and secured to the bed
frame in any suitable and effective manner.
At each end of the pockets 33 is provided a dead-block 37 (see fig. 4) to prevent
the air currents from crossing the extreme ends of the pockets, and at the upper
margin or mouth of the pockets directly over and in line with the dead-blocks 37 are
deadplates 38. The above, or equivalent construction should be adopted in order to
confine the current to such portions of the pockets as present an ore-bed of uniformi
depth and resistance to the current.

page_text: Said dead-plate 38 (or flange) may extend entirely around the pocket, as indicated
at 39, if desired.
Just over the ore-bed, opposite the ends of each pocket 33, are placed angle irons
or deflectors 40, which turn or direct the metalliferous mass from the deadplates 38,
and side walls, over or back on the operative face of the ore-bed, so that none of the
earth shall pass the bed without treatment.
Any loose material of uniform size, of specific gravity intermediate between the
metal and the matrix, and of a size and depth which will afford a resistance to the
current greater than the resistance of the matter to be treated, may be employed to
fill the pockets 33 and form the ore-bed.
For some classes of auriferous earths I prefer copper shot for the following reasons;
it is hard and durable, and will not deface the gold, can be obtained, and will remain
of uniform size, and of any desired size, and its gravity with relation to the usual
matrix, is as eight to two, and with relation to the gold as eight to nineteen, which
admirably fits it for its purpose of an intermediate stratum, but lead shot, or other
material may be used.
It will be understood that the influence of the up-flowing air jets tends to stratify
the material according to size, the larger at the bottom and the smaller at the top
while, on the contrary, a horizontal vibration tends to reverse the above stratification,
and that where both these influences are brought to bear conjointly the resultant
stratification will be governed principally by gravity, regardless of the size of the
particles. It will also be understood that the "slimes" having been driven out of
the machine as the material passed over the first pocket 33, are not present to
modify or interfere with the above recited operation in the further passage of the
material through the machine.
With one of the materials specified, or its equivalent, the pockets 33 are filled as
indicated at 41, and an ore-bed is thus obtained, having transverse permeable
spaces 33, through which the current passes in minute upflowing jets of uniform
force and volume which permeates and produces interstitial motion among the
particles of the material operated on, overcome its specific gravity and divides particle
from particle, such spaces being interrupted by the imperforate inclines 34 where the
material is subjected to vibration only, so that the fine gold has the above influences
brought to bear alternately to cause it to gravitate or sink more rapidly than the
lighter fine particles of the matrix while passing these perforate and imporforate
portions of the bed and therefore will be caused to more readily sink through, or
remain in, the pockets.
This ore-bed, as before specified, rests between the air chamber 30, and the screen
box, and is detachable, being inserted and withdrawn through the dust chamber 31,
secured at its rear end by licoks or lugs 42 which engage in loops or staples 43 on
the air chamber, and at its front by a spring catch 44, or equivalent device.
As much of the precious metal is collected and retained in these pockets 33, it
becomes necessary to guard the ore-bed against unauthorized interference. On
account of the position and construction of the screen the ore-bed or separator C
cannot be entered from above, and to properly guard the only other approach, viz. the
tail or gangue outlet, I provide a detachable grating 45 composed of bars placed at
such intervals as while they prevent the introduction of the arm or the use of an
instrument to remove and replace the contents of pockets .33, they will not obstruct
the free discharge of the gangue or refuse. This grating is provided above with
hinges or hooks 46 which engage with a rod or suitable lugs at or near the bottom
of screen B, and with a suitable fastening 47, or equivalent, for securing the lower
end of the grating to the air-chamber or air-box of the separator, by which means an
effective thief guard is obtained, as the gold can only be obtained by removing the
shot or loose material which fills the pockets, and if this be removed the pockets
cannot be properly refilled until the locked grating is removed to expose the separator
pockets (or the ore-bed itself is removed) consequently, any tampering with the
machine will be positively detected.

page_text: Beneath the ore-bed of the separator is the air chamber 30, into which, through a
suitable port 48, the air is delivered from a Root, or other blower D, the blower and
air chamber being connected by a flexible tube 49 which permits the vibration of the
separator, and at some suitable point in the connection a slide valve 50 is provided to
cut off the blast while the blower may be provided with a weighted or spring
valvo 51 (see figs. 2 and 10) to relieve the blower when cut off or closed by the slide
valve 50.
Within the air chamber 30 of the separator C (see figs. 3 and 4) is arranged
directly beneath the ore-bed a metallic tray 52 which extends from the rear to the
front of the air chamber and slopes towards the discharge end of the machine, being
provided at its lower end with a tube 53 connected by a flexible tube 54 with a strong
box or safe 55. This tray collects any fine or flour gold which may sift through the
pockets 33 and delivers it to the safe 55 which may be locked to the main frame of
the machine.
The tray 52 is somewhat narrower than the air chamber so as to allow of air
passages 56 at the sides thereof. The space below the tray 52 is broken up into
tortuous passages by a series of deflectors or baffle boards 57 interposed between the
tray and the inductive port of the air chamber 30 so that the incoming air current is
directed first to the sides, then to the centre, and again to the sides, any desired number
of times to break up and diffuse the blast so that no circumscribed currents shall strike
particular portions of the ore-bed, which construction will ensure uniform action of
the separator.
The screen B, and separator C, are suspended by the flexible steel straps 67 as
before specified, and in order to impart lateral vibration thereto, I journal, on the
main frame, a shaft 58, see figs. 1, 2, 3, 9 and 9ª provided with a fly-wheel 59, and a
gear wheel 60 which engages with a gear wheel 61 on the main power shaft 11.
Upon the shaft 58, are yokes 62, the shaft where encompassed by the yoke having
a slight crank form as shewn at 63, figs. 9 and 9", and the yokes 62 are connected
with the screen B by flexible steel straps, links or rods 64. By the above described
mechanism the screen and separator are given uniform vibration.
I will now describe the modification shewn in fig. 13 which embraces a plurality
of screens and ore-beds or separators adapted for use in treating metalliferous masses
where the extremes in matrix and metal are met.
The construction of the screen and the separators are identical with that before
specified, but instead of having the slots 26 of uniform size from end to end of the
screen, as in fig. 11, I divide the same into two or more series 26 and 26ª the
latter of greater width or divergence, so as to form in effect two screens B, B¹,
and beneath each series is arranged an independent hopper hand h.
This screen
or plural screen may be suspended from the cross pieces 3 of the
frame by straps or links 67ª so as to have vibration, and may be actuated from
the crank shaft by a link 64%, or in any other suitable manner.
At the dischargo
end or tail of the screen are nugget pockets 65 for the arrest and retention of any
nuggets which
may escape over the screens, and in the nugget pockets are the
perforations 66 to prevent the filling up of the pockets with fine refuse.
Immediately below the plural screen B, B₁ is the separator C, which may be
suspended in an independent frame or swing to which lateral vibration may be
imparted by the means before specified, or in any other appropriate manner.
This plural separator has two sets of pockets 33 and 33ª arranged so as to receive
the two grades of material from the two hoppers h, h¹, the upper series C of pockets 33
being filled with smaller shot, or equivalent material, than the lower series 33ª, so as
to obtain two different permeable ore-beds the upper of which receives and acts on
the finer material, and consequently the jet of air passing the pockets 33 (or
permeable bed) at that point are finer and less forcible than at the lower pockets 33
where coarser and heavier material is treated.
The two series C, C¹, should be connected by a longer impervious incline 34 than
usual, in order to receive the material from the discharge of the hopper ¹, before it

page_text: reaches the pockets 33. In figures 15 and 16 I have shewn a construction which
may be adopted if desired, viz. the formation of inclines or ridges 68 between the
triangular slots 26 of the screen. This construction is valuable where much of the
metal is in scale and flake (or flat form) as the inclined faces of the ridges 68 tond
to tilt the scale or plate and cause its edge to coincide with the slot 26 which facilitates
its escape through the slot.
The devices being of the general character and arrangement specified will operate
as follows: The placer dirt or metalliferous mass if it requires pulverization is fed
from the hopper 4 between the ribbed roller 6 and the concave sections 7 by which
it is disintegrated, and any metal bearing earth which is caked upon matter not
readily crushed is rubbed or detached therefrom, as if by the action of the hand.
The pulverized or disintegrated mass from the concave (or if no pulverization is
required, then without passing the mill) is delivered on the screen B, (see fig. 13) and
flows down the incline thereof, the vibration of the screen and the vertical fall from
step to step causing the heavier metalliferous mass to sink, while the rolling motion
of the mass added thereto causes scale flake and the like shaped metal to adjust itself
so as to the more readily pass through the screen, while the coarse gangue, stones, &c.,
flow off at the tail thereof. The screenings according to grade, where a plural screen
and separator is used, as shewn in fig. 13) fall upon the ore-bed or separator C and
passing down the same successively over the permeable pockets 33 and impervious
inclines 34 is subjected to lateral vibration alone, alternating with vibration and the
passage of minute air jets, which lift and minutely subdivide the mass converting it
into an artificial quicksand, by which means the metal being of greater specific gravity
than the matrix sinks into the pockets 33, the vibration alternately with and without
fine air favouring the fine metal so that all thereof will sink in the pockets, while
the light or fine refuse or portions of the matrix will flow over the tail of the
separator.
The combination of the separator (with the screen B, and its arrangement imme-
diately below and in juxtaposition thereto, causes the blast from the dust chamber 31
of the separator to produce an induced current over the screen which not only tends
to cause the flow of the light refuse of the matrix off at the tail of the screen and
reduces the amount thereof which passes through the screen to the separator-reducing
the labour of the separator-but it also renders the charging or feed end of the
machine more free from dust, and more comfortable for the operator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same may be performed, I claim :
1. A machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, comprising, a disintegrator,
and a conjoined vibrating screen and separator, divided by a deflecting plate, whereby
the blast of the separator induces a flow of the lighter refuse from the screen and
disintegrator, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
2. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, the combination with a
conjoined screen and separator, of an interposed deflector partition, and a moveable
grating for guarding the bed of the separator, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
3. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, the combination with a
conjoined screen and separator, of an interposed deflector partition, a detachable
separator bed having a series of permeable pockets, and a moveable grating or guard
for the discharge end of the separator, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
4. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, a separator bed composed
of a series of permeable pockets, and an inclined tray arranged in the air chamber
beneath the separator bed, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
5. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, a separator bed composed
of a series of permeable pockets, and a series of baffle-plates arranged in the air
chamber beneath and between the bed and the induction port of the air chamber,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.

page_text: 6. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, a corrugated screen
having a series of transverse rows of triangular slots arranged in step form,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
7. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, a corrugated screen
having a series of transverse rows of triangular slots arranged in step form and
provided with ribs or inclines between the slots, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
8. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, the combination with
a ribbed roller of a concave composed of a series of narrow spring sections, the
outer sections having flanges which form the ends of the disintegrating chamber,
substantially as and for the purposes specified."
9. In a machine for eliminating metals from their matrices, the conjoined screen
and separator having a box common to both, and suspended from the frame by flexible
steel straps, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Davor wins on day of May 1000.
ERNEST DE PASS, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
68, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the Applicant.
ERNEST DE PASS, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
68, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the Applicant.