AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Wear Applications & Management Services Pty Ltd ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 INVENTION TITLE: Wear Protection System The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5102 P:\WPDOCS\AJS\spd\l26542tdoc-22/02/06 WEAR PROTECTION SYSTEM Background of the Invention The present invention relates to wear protection apparatus, and in particular to improved liner plates for use in material transport systems. 5 Description of the Prior Art The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. Wear protection systems are used in heavy industries, such as the mining, quarrying and o minerals processing industries, in order to protect expensive equipment from wear. In particular, when material such as ore is being transported, it is typical to direct the material using a sequence of chutes, conveyor belts, skips and the like, in order to allow the material to be provided to a desired location. During this transport process significant wear occurs between the material and the sides, walls, or floors of the transport systems. 5 Replacement of such transport systems is extremely expensive and time consuming, and therefore undesirable. In order to overcome this, it is therefore known to use wear protection systems such as liner plates, which are installed on surfaces of the transport system to form a sacrificial layer which protects the surfaces from wear. 'The liner plates can be formed from highly wear resistant materials to therefore provide an extended life, whilst additionally 20 allowing liner plates to be replaced on a liner plate by liner plate basis, as required. However, different parts of liner plates are often subject to different amounts of wear, depending for example, on the arrangement of the liner plates on the surface of the transport system. Thus, for example, the edges of plates generally suffer greater wear than the centre of plates due to issues such as racing. 25 An example of this will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In particular, in this example, the wear protection system is formed from a number of liner plates I arranged PAWPDOCS\AJS\spec=i2654281.doc-22/02/06 -2 in a general grid like fashion. Each line plate 1 includes a hole 2, for receiving a bolt 10, which couples the liner plate to the transport system 3, such as a chute. In general, once the liner plates 1 are mounted, a gap 4 will be present between adjacent liner plates 1, due to manufacturing tolerances associated with creating liner plates which can be 5 mounted to existing holes in the transport system, and which do not overlap. This gap, which can be up to 10mm in width, can lead to a situation in which material flowing along the transport system in the direction shown by arrow 5 tends to be channelled along the gaps 4, as shown by the arrows 6. This process, which is referred to as racing, often causes material to become trapped within the gap 4 and as a result tends to cause increased wear along liner o plates edges. This also leads to significant wear on the corners of downhill liner plates as shown for example at 7. A further problem with liner plate systems of this form is that as material flows towards the bolt hole 2, as shown by the arrow 8, the material will tend to wear the downstream edge of the bolt hole, as shown at 9. Again this tends to cause significant damage to the liner plates 5 in that area. As a result of this, liner plates tend to suffer wear along their edges and near the bolt hole, thereby significantly reducing their life span. This in turn means that it is typical for liner plates to be replaced whilst the overall body of the liner plate still incorporates significant material and therefore could therefore still provide wear protection. 20 It will be appreciated that significant expense can be involved in this. In particular, the resulting costs stem not only from the requirement to provide new liner plates, but additionally liner plate replacement typically requires that the associated transport system is closed to allow the liner plates to be replaced. This in turn can lead to a requirement that the plant operate either on a reduced capacity, or even shut down completely for a time period, 25 thereby resulting in a large cost burden. Summary of the Present Invention In a first broad form the present invention provides apparatus for mounting a liner plate to a body, wherein the apparatus includes: PAWPDOCS\AJS\speciA265428tIdoc-22/02/06 -3 a) a shaft extending from a surface of the liner plate, the shaft being adapted for insertion through an aperture in the body; and, b) a retaining device for cooperating with the shaft to thereby urge the liner plate against the body. 5 Typically the retaining device is a cap, the cap including at least one pin for cooperating with a channel provided on the shaft to allow the cap to be threaded onto the shaft to thereby urge the liner plate against the body. Typically the apparatus includes a plunger coupled to the cap, and wherein the cap urges the plunger against the body in use. 0 Typically the apparatus includes a wave spring positioned between the cap and the plunger for urging the plunger against the body in use. Typically the cap and shaft are configured to generate a predetermined tension in the spring to thereby urge the liner plate against the body with a predetermined force. Typically the shaft includes two channels, and the cap includes two pins, each pin being 5 adapted to cooperate with a corresponding channel. In a second broad form the present invention provides a liner plate for use in a wear protection system, the liner plate being shaped such that when the liner plates are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in adjacent rows of liner plates are laterally offset with respect to each other. 20 Typically the liner plate has a substantially parallelogram shape. Typically the laterally offset gaps prevent racing. Typically, in use, the rows of liner plates extend substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow of material. Typically the liner plate includes on opposing edges, a recess and a corresponding protrusion, 25 the recess and protrusions on adjacent liner plates cooperating such that when the liner plates are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in a row are shaped.
C \NRPorbt\DCC\HF5\330559_I DUC-1 M11 I -4 Typically the gaps are shaped to prevent racing. Typically each liner plate includes a recess and a protrusion on each of the opposing edges. Typically, in use, the rows of liner plates extend substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow of material. s In a third broad form the present invention provides a liner plate for use in a wear protection system, the liner plate including on opposing edges, a recess and a corresponding protrusion, the recess and protrusions on adjacent liner plates cooperating such that when the liner plates are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in a row are shaped so as to prevent racing. Typically the gaps are shaped to prevent racing. 0 Typically each liner plate includes a recess and a protrusion on each of the opposing edges. Typically, in use, the rows of liner plates extend substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow of material. Typically the liner plate is shaped such that when the liner plates are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in adjacent rows of liner plates are laterally offset with respect to each 5 other. Typically the liner plate has a substantially parallelogram shape. Typically the laterally offset gaps prevent racing. Typically, in use, the rows of liner plates extend substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow of material. 20 In a fourth broad form the present invention provides a wear protection system including a liner plate according to the second or third broad forms of the invention and apparatus according to the first broad form of the invention for mounting the liner plate to a body. In a fifth broad form the present invention provides an arrangement of liner plates for use in a wear protection system, the liner plates being arranged in a grid arrangement, wherein gaps 25 between liner plates in adjacent rows of the grid arrangement of the liner plates are laterally C \NRPortbl\DCC\HFSuSU8559,1 DOC-I IA)3/2011 - 4A offset with respect to each other, each liner plate having, on opposing edges, a rounded recess and a corresponding rounded protrusion such that adjacent liner plates are interlocked, wherein, in use, material which enters one of the gaps between adjacent liner plates is urged to disburse over at least some of the liner plates downstream of the flow of material due to the 5 rounded recesses and protrusions of the adjacent liner plates defining the respective gap and the lateral offset of adjacent rows of liners.
P:\WPDOCS\AJS\speci\l2654281,doc.22/02106 -5 Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of prior art liner plates; 5 Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one of the liner plates of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of an example of a number of liner plates; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of one of the full liner plates of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of one of the half liner plates of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a schematic view showing example dimensions for the liner plate of Figure 4; o Figure 7 is a schematic view showing example dimensions for the liner plate of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a second example of a full liner plate; Figures 9 and 10 are schematic perspective exploded views of an example of a liner plate mounting; Figures 11 and 12 are schematic perspective views of the liner plate mounting of Figure 8 in 5 use; Figures 13 and 14 are schematic views of the liner plate mounting of Figure 8; and, Figures 15A and 15B are examples of alternative arrangements of liner plates for providing offset gaps. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 20 An example of an improved liner plate system will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7. In particular, as shown in Figure 3 the liner plate arrangement is formed from a number of full liner plates 20 and a number of half liner plates 21. Each full liner plate 20 is generally parallelogram shaped, with two parallel diagonal edges 25 21A, 21B, each of which incorporate a curved protrusion 22A, 22B and a curved recess 23A, 23B. In use, the curved protrusion 22A, of one liner plate 20, cooperates with a curved recess 23B of another liner plate 20, thereby allowing the liner plates to be tessellated as shown.
P:\WPDOCS\AJS\speci\t26542 8.doc-222/06 -6 It will be appreciate that in this instance, the overall shape of the tessellation would not lead to a regular edge. Accordingly, the half liner plates 30 are provided which include a single diagonal edge 31, including a single recess 33 and a single protrusion 32 as shown. In use, this allows the liner plates 20, 30 to be used in combination to thereby form a grid 5 having straight edges, thereby making the arrangement suitable for use in existing transport systems. In any event, the arrangement described has two main effects that reduce the effect of wear. In particular, the protrusions and cooperating recesses 22, 23, 32, 33 operate to disburse any material which enters gaps 24 between the liner plates 20, 30, as shown for example by the 0 arrows 25. In addition to this, it can be seen that the gaps 24 between adjacent rows of liner plates do not align. Thus, any material that does enter the gap 24, does not enter the gap between the downstream liner plates, and is instead dispersed over the extent of the downstream liner plates, as shown by the arrows 26. 5 Accordingly, the use of protrusions and corresponding recesses, and/or the use to misaligned liner plate edges, ensures that material is dispersed from the gaps 24, thereby reducing the effects of racing, which in turn results in a dramatic improvement in the wear capabilities of the liner plates. Example dimensions (in millimetres) for the liner plates are shown in Figures 6 and 7 20 respectively. In this example, it is evident that the protrusions have a radius of 40mm whereas the recesses have a radius of 44mm, thereby ensuring that the recesses and protrusions fit together closely, thereby minimising the gap 24. However any suitable dimensions may be used, and that these are for the purpose of example only. A number of variations on the above described example are possible. 25 For example, the use offset liner plate edges can and the use of corresponding protrusions and recesses can be used either separately, or in conjunction. Thus, it is possible to use liner plates having offset edges that do not include the protrusion/recess arrangement, and P:\WPDOCS\JS\spcI\l 265428t doc.22/02/06 -7 similarly to use the protrusion/recess arrangement in situations where the edges of liner plates are not offset. However, the use of both arrangements together helps maximise the reduction in racing, thereby further extending the life span of the liner plates. Whilst the above described example uses curved protrusions and recesses, any suitable shape 5 which would cause diversion of material being transported could be used, such as triangular shapes or the like. Additionally, whilst in the above example the liner plates include a recess and protrusion on each side, a single recess and protrusion arrangement could be used, as shown for example in Figure 8. Furthermore, whilst the above described liner plates have a substantially parallelogram shape, o this is not essential. Thus any liner plate shape or other arrangement that results in offset gaps between adjacent plates can be used. This could be achieved for example using a grid in which the liner plates 60 themselves are offset, as shown in Figure 15A, thereby misaligning gaps between liner plates in adjacent rows. Alternatively, liner plates 70 having shaped edges, such as curved edges 71 could be used, as shown for example in Figure 15B. 5 However, the parallelogram shape is particularly useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, it ensures that the liner plates can be easily arranged, whilst maintaining offset liner plate gaps. This ensures the arrangement functions correctly, whilst allowing the liner plates to be easily fitted. Furthermore, as this arrangement allows the centre of the liner plates to follow a grid arrangement, this allows the liner plates to be fitted to existing equipment with little or no 20 modification. Despite this, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be selected for achieving offset gaps depending on the implementation and the situation in which the liner plates are to be used. An example of a second arrangement for reducing wear in liner plates will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 14. 25 In this example, a liner plate 40 is provided with a shaft 41, which protrudes from a surface 42 of the liner plate 40, as shown. The shaft 41 is adapted to extend through a corresponding aperture 43 in the transport system body 44, to which the liner plate is mounted.
P:\WPDOCS\AJS\speci\l265428I.doc-22/02/06 -8 In use, the shaft 41 is adapted to cooperate with a cap 45, a spring 46 and plunger 47, which operate to couple the liner plate 40 to the body 44. As shown in more detail in Figure 11, the cap 45 includes two mounting pins 50, which cooperate with corresponding channels 51 provided in the shaft 41. The channels 51 extend 5 circumferentially around the shaft 41, and along the length of the shaft 51, to define a screw thread arrangement as shown. In use, the cap is aligned with the shaft, to allow each pin 50 to enter a respective channel 51 via channel openings 52. The cap can then be rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 53, causing the pins 50 to be guided along the channels 51 so that the cap is threaded onto the 0 shaft 41. This in turn causes the cap 45, and hence the wave spring 44 and the plunger 45 to be urged towards the body 44. As the plunger 47 contacts the body 44, this causes the spring 46 to be compressed, which in turn creates tension between the plunger 47 and the cap 45, thereby operating to the retain the cap in place. 5 As a result, by providing an arrangement that generates suitable tension, this can be used to mount the liner plate to the body 44. In order to achieve this, the cap 45 may include shaped portions 49 to allow the cap to be mounted using a suitable tool, such as a power tool, to thereby ensure that sufficient tension can be maintained to hold the liner plate 40 in place. It will be appreciated that the above example is a specific example of a suitable mounting 20 arrangement and that a number of variations are possible. In any event, by using a shaft positioned on an underside of a liner plate, which then cooperates with a retaining device, such as the cap, this removes the need for the presence of a bolt hole. This in turn reduces the effects of wear, thereby significantly extending the life span of the liner plate. Whilst the above describes two different improvements to liner plates, it will be appreciated 25 that these could be used either independently, or in conjunction depending on the circumstances. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons P:\WPDOCS\AJS\spcci\l265428 Ldoc-22/02/06 -9 skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.