Patent ID: 12234095

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a set of lining plates made of radial tires comprising a plurality of lining plates laid out next to each other, covering a given surface of an equipment in which the lining plate (2) made of radial tires shows a rectangular shape, four sides (4); tongues and grooves (3); two sides (5′ and5″), and a plurality of hook-type screws (7).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing lining plates made of radial tires comprising he following steps:

i. receiving a plurality of radial tires, assessing and sorting them according to size and wear;

ii. cutting each radial tire, splitting it into two parts, namely, the tread and the sides of the radial tire;

iii. making longitudinal cuts on the radial tire tread in order to obtain four-sided plates;

iv. laminating the plates obtained in step iii to standardize plate thickness;

v. cutting tongues and grooves on the four sides of the plate;

vi. pressing a hook-type screw through the plate to fix it to the wire rope mesh;

vii. sanding all the surfaces of the lining plate; and

viii. applying a thin layer of a black liquid to the surface of the lining plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the present invention may be liable to different modalities, the drawings and the detailed description that follows show a preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present description should be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and as such isn't intended to limit the present invention to what has been illustrated and described herein.

The main approach of this invention relates to a set (1) of lining plates (2) made of radial tires to be used as an effective lining for pieces of equipment and surfaces subject to impact and abrasion, in order to prevent materials loaded onto these pieces of equipment from getting into direct contact with the equipment.

The set (1) of lining plates (2) made of radial tires comprises a plurality of lining plates (2) attached to each other to form the set (1), thereby providing a lining for the equipment to which these plates are attached (seeFIG.1).

The above mentioned lining plates (2) are manufactured by cutting and splitting the tread of off-road trucks radial tires, thus allowing for the reuse of these huge tires.

That way, the lining plates (2) used in the set (1) of the present invention also contribute greatly to the environment by recycling 100% of a raw material that is difficult to be recycled, that is to say, radial tire scraps from off-the-road trucks.

The lining plates (2) made of radial tires preferably comprise a rectangular four-sided shape (4), said sides being perpendicular to each other, and two sides (5′ and5″) parallel to each other and perpendicularly laid out in relation to the sides (4).

Side5′ is smooth, while side5″ is rough, with side5″ being fitted with grooves and tongues comprised by the tread of the radial tire from which the lining plate (2) is cut off.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment for fixation, side5″ is laid out in such a way as to get in contact with the equipment, while side5′ gets in contact with the abrasive material that is moved by the equipment.

The lining plates (2) of the set (1) also comprise hook-type screws (7), as illustrated inFIG.4, with which said plates are attached to the equipment as can be seen inFIGS.2and4, and where the screws (7) are fixed to the wire rope mesh of the lining plates (2).

The method for fixing the lining plate (2) on the surface of pieces of equipment often comprises a set of plates with a tongue and groove profile, as well as hook-type screws (7) for fixation on the equipment, with said plates being assembled and positioned next to each other to form the set (1) of lining plates (2) (seeFIG.1).

No through hole on the plate (2) is required for the screw (7) to be fixed, thereby avoiding the creation of cracks on the upper part of the plate and the accumulation of residues. Furthermore, given that the screw head (7) is not visible on the surface5″, it's not kept exposed to the outside area of the set (1). Therefore, should the lining plate (2) be subject to impact or abrasion, the screw head will be protected by a layer of rubber, thus increasing the service life of both the screw (7) and lining plates (2).

Each lining plate (2) of the set (1) is fitted with tongues and grooves (3) on at least two of the four sides (4) in order to allow for joining the lining plates (2) together.

Given that the lining plates (2) of the set (1) are provided with grooves and tongues (3) for fitting them together, no material loaded onto the equipment on which the set (1) is installed can enter the spaces between the lining plates (2) to damage the equipment.

This kind of joint comprises a tongue on one side (4) of a plate and a groove on one side (4) of the opposite plate so that when both lining plates (2) are forced against each other, the tongue of one lining plate (2) fits into the groove of the other lining plate (2). In a preferred embodiment, each lining plate (2) is fitted with two tongues on opposite sides and two recesses on the other two sides, and the lining plates (2) are laid out in such a way that the tongue of one lining plate (2) faces the groove of the other lining plate (seeFIG.2). However, in cases where the process involves coarse grain material, a different embodiment may be used in which each lining plate (2) is fitted with only one tongue (3) and one groove (3) on opposite sides (4) so that the plates (2) will be joined by two sides only.

Therefore, an equipment fitted with a set (1) of lining plates (2) and provided with hook-type screws (7) and four fittings (3) is protected against any external impact and abrasion. Furthermore, given that the equipment is provided with four fittings (3), no material can enter into the joints regardless of the direction of the flow of such material.

Now that the set (1) of lining plates (2) made of radial tires has been fully described, we'll proceed to the description of the steps involved in the method for manufacturing the lining plates (2) comprising the set (1) (seeFIG.5).

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing lining plates (2) made of radial tires, comprising the following steps:

i. receiving a plurality of radial tires that will be assessed and sorted based on size and wear;

ii. cutting each radial tire and splitting them into two parts, namely, tread and sides;

iii. performing a longitudinal cut on the tread of the radial tire to obtain four-sided plates;

iv. laminating the plates obtained in step iii to standardize plate thickness;

v. providing fittings (3) on the four sides (4) of each lining plate;

vi. pressing a hook-type screw into the plate to fix it to the wire rope mesh;

vii. sanding all the surfaces of the lining plates (2); and

viii. applying a thin liquid black layer on the surface of the lining plate.

Step i. comprises the delivery of off-the-road trucks radial tires, using special articulated trucks for the transportation and forklifts for unloading the tires. These radial tires are then assessed, stacked, and sorted according to size and wear.

Step ii. refers to the process of cutting the radial tire, which is the first step to initiate the manufacture of the set (1) of lining plates (2), whose size and design are controlled and defined as per the application needs. That is to say, a set (1) of lining plates (2) for a transfer chute is not the same as a set of lining plates for a crusher.

The cutting in step ii. is divided into two specific cuts both of which being made using the same machine. The purpose of these cuts is to sever the tire tread from its sides.

Only the radial tire treads that make up the set (1) of lining plates (2) are used in manufacturing the lining plates (2), and given that the tire sides are not the focus of the present invention, their ultimate disposal and reuse are not considered in detail herein.

Step iii. marks the beginning of the process involving the radial tire tread which is taken to a machine devised by the author of the present invention where a number of longitudinal cuts are carried out, which are known as cutouts, in order to shape the sides (4) of the lining plates (2).

Step iv. involves the lamination of the cut out plates obtained in the previous step, aimed at standardizing their thickness depending on how the set (1) of lining plates (2) is going to be applied.

As soon as the plates are cut out and a uniform thickness is secured, step v. is initiated in order to perform the fittings (3) on at least two sides of the lining plates (2) that comprise the set (1). Step v. is carried out by a cutting machine devised by the author of the present invention, which preferably makes eight cuts on the plates to allow for them to be joined together.

After the joining cuts (3) are made on the lining plates (2), step vi. is initiated and special hook-type screws (7) are then forced into the plates.

Upon completion of the steps during which hook-type screws (7) are forced into the plates, step vii. is then initiated whereby all the sides of the plates undergo a mechanized sanding procedure (finishing) through which their surfaces are polished to facilitate adhesion to the equipment intended for lining and also to make it easy for the tongue of each plate to be forced against the groove of the other plate.

Following the end of the finishing process by means of the mechanized sanding, the last step for manufacturing the lining plates (2)—step viii.—is then initiated in order to provide the lining plates (2) with a final touch by painting them with a thin black layer.

So, having described both the set (1) of lining plates (2) made of radial tires and the method for manufacturing the lining plates (2) that make up said set (1), it is clear that the use of the set (1) of lining plates (2) provides for the protection and a safe sealing of the pieces of equipment on which this set (1) is installed.

Said protection and sealing is achieved by the grooves and tongues (3) in the lining plates (2) that make up the set (1), thus preventing abrasive materials loaded onto the equipment from entering the spaces between these lining plates (2) and damaging the equipment.

Having described some preferred examples of embodiment of the present invention, it's worth pointing out that the scope of protection provided by the present document encompasses all other feasible alternative forms for the execution of this invention as defined and limited only by the content of the claims below.

In view of the above, although only a few examples of the present invention have been shown, it shall be understood that various omissions, substitutions and modifications can be made by a subject-mater expert without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The examples described herein shall in all aspects be considered only as illustrative and not restrictive.

It is expressly hereby provided for that all combinations of the elements that perform the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results make part of the scope of the invention. The replacement of elements from a described example with those of another is also fully intended and provided for.

It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale as they are only of a conceptual nature. Therefore, the intention herein is to be limited as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.