Improvements in or relating to Ore Stamping Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1897--Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Ore Stamping Apparatus.
I, THOMAS THOMPSON of Lindsay Street, Coolgardie in the Colony of Western
Australua, 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:-
This Invention has been devised for the purpose of constructing stamper battery
and other mortar boxes in such a manner that an easy, rapid, effective and complete
discharge of the crushed ore is obtained as in contra-distinction to the existing form
of box in which latter case the screens are placed partially, surrounding the box, so
that a minimum discharge area is presented to the crushing locality.
I effect the above result by totally surrounding the crushing locality of the box
with a continuous wall of screen preferably circular in form, so that I obtain a screen
surface or frontage exposed to all points of the crushing area, and as each particle
is driven outwards and to all sides by the blow of the stamper, the said particle
strikes against the screen instead of a solid obstruction being presented. If the
particle is not sufficiently small to pass through the mesh, it falls back into the box for
re-treatment. It is obvious therefore that by an arrangement of a complete and
totally annular screen no unnecessary and repeated crushings of the same matter
takes place, so effecting an increased out-put or tonnage of crushed ore per stamp
at the same or lesser cost than as is now obtained by the existing screen arrangement.
Another advantage which I obtain by the use of this invention is, that the ore not
being crushed and re-crushed to an unnecessary and faulty degree of fineness, it is in
a commercially better state of preparation for subsequent treatment by cyanidation
or analagous process as the particles possessing the desired degree of isolation, one
from the other, the said particles are more free and accessible to the attack of the
cyanide solution, than in the case of slimes, which are so fine that in the vats they
become a solidified mass, and so resist the action of the said cyanide or similar
solution. It is also obvious that as the screen surrounds the crushing area, each part
of the screen receives equal wear as the crushed particles are impelled outwards in a
radial and uniform manner, and further in cases where I arrange each stamper
within its own individual box, there is the further advantage that no collision of the
crushed particles takes place as in existing boxes, which latter so cause said particles
to cannon off various points of the box, and are then precipitated to the bottom
even when such particles are sufficiently finely crushed to pass through the screen
or mesh.
By the use of my improved construction of box and arrangement of screen, the
following advantages are obtained, such as :-
1.... A form of screen, which combines a maximum of discharge with a maximum
of strength in construction.
2.... The depth of discharge (that is the distance between the levels of the crushing
point and that of the lowest point of discharge respectively) can be adjusted as desired
to suit the different classes of ores being treated, by having a replacable and detach-
able solid plate so arranged around the box that the point of discharge is made at any
desired point of height or depth as the case may be.

page_text: 3.... By obviating unnecessary re-crushings, the prevention of slimes antagonistic
to cyanidation processes is obtained and also the water would be returned to the mill
in a purer condition than at present even with smaller settling pits.
4. As this Invention can be constructed on a <<
22 66
one stamper," one box "
principle I obtain increased portability and economy for transport and prospecting
purposes.
The boxes can be fitted to any existing battery and worked in usual manner.
Another advantage resulting from this invention is the accessibility for removal of
the shoes and dies and for cleaning out the boxes.
The screens may be constructed in horizontal sections, so that each section may be
replaced when worn.
In practice I find that parallel and circular screens are the most useful, but I do
not limit myself to such as it is apparent that the screens may be circular and taper
or they may be of a hexagon, octagon, or other form of construction, provided that
the said screens totally enclose or surround the crushing locality.
In the employment of this Invention I may arrange the stampers either in separate
boxes or a multiple of them in the one box, as say in the form of a cluster, the cam
shafts of each line of stamp being jointly driven by intermediate connecting gear.
It is further evident that the invention is applicable to many practical adaptations
and amplifications, which to the skilled will readily present themselves.
For Ore which is not refractory, but consisting of decayed kaolin, cement or
similar soft formations, this invention will prove of great value.
Further I do not limit myself to an exact or arbitrary form of attaching and
arranging the screens on or to the battery box, and I have shown alternate methods
in the accompanying Drawings, which more clearly define and illustrate my Invention,
and which may now be referred to as forming part of this Specification.
In these drawings :-
Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a Battery box arranged with a circular and
parallel form of screen, the lower one being separate for re-placement purposes when
worn and held by hinged bands.
Figure 1 is a plan section on line a-a of Figure 1 and
Figure 2 is an elevation of the Invention in which the lower screen is shown as
being secured to flats or faces formed on the mortar box.
Figure 3 shows the screen of a circular and taper form of construction.
Figure 4 is a general plan of the Invention showing the arrangement of one or
more stamper boxes.
In these drawings the mortar box A is made in somewhat the ordinary form of
construction, except in so far where necessary for the purposes of this Invention,
said box being provided with the feed hopper B having the check or baffle lip C as.
shown. D is the stamper, E the shoe and F the die of ordinary construction.
G is the circular or other shaped screen surrounding the crushing area in mortar
box A. This screen encloses such area, save and except what is necessary for securing
purposes, which may consist of the ribs or webs H, or the screens may be
secured to flats or faces H³, formed on the hopper B, or box A, these
ribs H extend sufficiently in an upward direction, the upper portion of the
screen G being attached to the slight skeleton frame J consisting of thin fret bars
placed outside, so that an unobstructed internal peripheral screen surface is
obtained.
G2 shows the re-placable section form of screen placed at the lowest position of
the box, and where the greatest wearing away action takes place owing to this point
or place receiving the full charge of the blow.
This replacable division is held and secured in position by the rings M hinged at N
and bolted at the eye joint N2 as shown.
When I use either the single stamp or the multiple or cluster form as shown in
Figure 4 a clutchment basin as P may be used from which the crushed ore is led
away to the amalgamation tables for subsequent gold recovery treatment.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In combination with a Battery or mortar box or similar ore crushing chamber,
the use of a screen of any shape which totally surrounds such box or chamber in a
lateral concentric manner substantially as and for the purposes herein specified and
set forth and as illustrated on the accompanying Drawings forming part of this
Specification.
2. The peculiar arrangement and construction of circular or other shaped screens
in combination with a battery or similar box containing one or more stampers whereby
a free and unrestricted discharge is obtained surrounding such box or stamper
substantially as and for the purpose herein specified and set forth and as illustrated
on the accompanying Drawings forming part of this Specification.
Dated thin and do.. of Avent 1005
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.