AU2021107602A4

AU2021107602A4 - Handling System, a bracket and a Method of using same

Info

Publication number: AU2021107602A4
Application number: AU2021107602A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Spray
Original assignee: Fortescue Ltd
Current assignee: Fortescue Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-03
Filing date: 2021-11-04
Publication date: 2022-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-29
Also published as: WO2020223757A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a handling system for positioning a wear plate (15) with respect to a surface of a crusher (17). The crusher providing a first surface (25) against which the wear plate is to be secured. The handling system comprises at least one bracket (13) adapted to be removably secured to the crusher. The wear plate has at least one cut out (19) therein for receiving a portion of the at least one bracket. The handling system also comprises a clamp plate (49) to be secured over the cut out in the wear plate once the bracket has been removed. The bracket is adapted to support the wear plate at a first position in which the wear plate is spaced from the first surface of the crusher, and a second position wherein the wear plate is in close proximity to the first surface. 4/5 21 11 19a 29 19b1 19 Figure 6 1

Description

4/5

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Handling System, a bracket and a method of using same

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a handling system and a bracket for use with that system. In particular the invention relates to a handling system and a bracket, the handling system is used to lift and manoeuvre a first object, such as a wear plate, in position for securing it to or removing it from a structure, such as a crusher. The present invention also provides a method of using same.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Wear plates are used extensively throughout the mining industry to protect those parts of structures which are exposed to wear. Due to their very nature, the wear plates are sacrificial and require regular replacement as they wear to a level where they no longer serve their purpose. It is therefore important that the wear plates can be safely removed and replaced when required. It is also important that the wear plates are properly supported while they are removed and replaced.

[0003] Wear plates are used to protect mills, transfer chutes, crushers and other structures. In some applications, it is typical that, prior to lifting a wear plate, one or more lugs are welded to the wear plate. This allows a lifting means, such as an overhead crane, to be attached to the wear plate for installation/removal. During installation, once the wear plate is in position the one or more lugs can be removed and normal operations can commence. When the wear plate wears to a point it requires replacement, one or more lugs need to be welded to the wear plate before the wear plate can be removed.

[0004] Securing the one or more lugs, and then removing those lugs from the wear plate once installed requires welding and then thermal cutting/gouging. This involves dangerous and time intensive 'hot works' every time the wear plate is replaced.

[0005] Another danger associated with this system is that the lugs may fail during a lifting movement. This can result in damage to equipment should the lug fail, but also can present serious danger to operators within the vicinity of the lift. As a result extra precautions are required to be undertaken to provide a redundancy in the event one or more lugs fail during a lifting movement.

[0006] The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide to a handling system and a bracket which ameliorates, mitigates or overcomes, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.

[0008] The present invention provides a handling system for positioning an object, such as a wear plate, with respect to a structure, such as a crusher, the structure comprising a first surface against which the object is to be secured, the handling system comprising:

at least one bracket adapted to be removably secured to the structure;

the object having at least one cut out therein for receiving a portion of the at least one bracket; and

a clamp plate to be secured over the cut out in the object once the bracket has been removed.

[0009] The present invention further provides a handling system for positioning a wear plate with respect to a surface of a crusher, the crusher comprising a first surface against which the wear plate is to be secured, the handling system comprising:

at least one bracket adapted to be removably secured to the crusher;

the wear plate having at least one cut out therein for receiving a portion of the at least one bracket; and

a clamp plate to be secured over the cut out in the wear plate once the bracket has been removed.

[0010] The present invention further provides a handling system for positioning a wear plate with respect to a surface of a crusher, the crusher comprising a first surface against which the wear plate is to be secured, the handling system comprising:

at least one bracket adapted to be removably secured to the crusher;

a clamp plate to be secured over the cut out in the wear plate once the bracket has been removed;

wherein the bracket is adapted to support the wear plate at a first position in which the wear plate is spaced from the first surface of the crusher, and a second position wherein the wear plate is in close proximity to the first surface.

[0011] Preferably the bracket is adapted to support the wear plate at a third position in which the wear plate is in face to face contact with the first surface of the crusher.

[0012] Preferably the crusher surface incorporates an attachment means, such as a threaded hole, for receiving a complementary fastening means, such as a bolt.

[0013] The crusher surface may have a mount extending outwardly from the crusher surface. The mount may incorporate the attachment means. The mount may be smaller than the cut out such that when the wear plate is in face to face contact with the crusher surface the mount is received in the cut out whereupon the mount supports the wear plate.

[0014] Preferably the clamp plate also secures the wear plate in position for normal operation. The clamp plates may be bolted to the attachment means in the mounts in the crusher surface. The clamp plates may act as a clamp to secure the wear plates in position. The clamp plates may be secured once the brackets have been removed whereupon the clamp plates cover the cut outs.

[0015] The cut outs may be located in the upper region of the wear plate. As the crushing actions takes place at the bottom region of the crusher in normal operations, the existence of a cut out in the upper region of the wear plate does not affect the service life of the wear plate. Furthermore, having the cut outs in the upper region of the wear plate enhances the lifting operation and assists in manoeuvring the wear plate into position.

[0016] The at least one bracket incorporates an aperture through which a fastener may be received to secure the bracket to the crusher, and in particular the fastener may engage with the attachment means in the mount. The at least one bracket may provide an attachment plate which incorporates the aperture.

[0017] The at least one bracket provides a support surface adapted to support the wear plate when the cut out is positioned over the bracket. The support surface may support the wear plate when the wear plate is spaced from the first surface of the crusher (first position). The support surface may support the wear plate when the wear plate is in face to face contact with the first surface of the crusher (third position).

[0018] The support surface may be substantially perpendicular to the attachment plate such that when the bracket is secured to the crusher the support surface is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the crusher. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the angle between the support surface and the attachment plate may be varied to provide the desired outcome. For example, if the preference is to have the wear plate tend to move towards the crusher surface when the wear plate is supported on the support surface, then the support surface will be at an angle greater than 900 to the attachment plate such that the support surface is inclined downwardly towards the first surface of the crusher when the bracket is secured to the crusher.

[0019] The bracket may have a projection extending upwardly from the support surface at a position distal from the attachment plate.

[0020] The support surface may be provided by a support plate. The support surface may have a chamfered side to assist in positioning the wear plate thereon.

[0021] The bracket may comprise a web extending between the attachment plate and the support plate to strengthen the support surface.

[0022] Preferably the wear plate has a central cut-out through which a lifting sling, or other lifting means may be attached

[0023] The present invention further provides a method for positioning and supporting a wear plate relative to a crusher surface, the method comprising:

securing at least one bracket to the crusher surface;

lowering the wear plate until an at least one cut out in the wear plate aligns with the bracket;

manoeuvring the wear plate such that the cut out receives the at least one bracket;

further lowering the wear plate until an inner edge of the cut out is supported on a support surface of the bracket;

further manoeuvring the wear plate until the wear plate is in face to face contact with the crusher surface;

removing the bracket and securing a clamp plate over the cut out to secure the wear plate to the crusher.

[0024] The present invention further provides a method for removing a wear plate from a crusher surface, the method comprising:

removing one or more clamp plates from one or more cut outs in the wear plate;

securing one or more brackets to the crusher such that the one or more brackets extend outwardly through the cut outs;

manoeuvring the wear plate along a support surface of the bracket until the wear plate is spaced from the crusher surface;

lifting the wear plate a sufficient amount such that the wear plate is no longer supported on the support surface and the edges of the cut out are clear of the bracket;

further manoeuvring the wear plate away from the crusher surface such that the wear plate is spaced from the end of the bracket and can be removed from the confines of the crusher.

[0025] The present invention provides a structure adapted to have a plurality of wear liners secured thereto using a handling system as herein before described, the structure having an array of mounts formed thereon, the array of mounts adapted to align with cut outs in the wear plates. Preferably the mounts are adapted to have brackets, as hereinbefore described, secured thereto.

[0026] The present invention provides a bracket as hereinbefore described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cone crusher having a plurality of wear plates secured thereto;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a set of two brackets according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a rear view of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side view of one of the brackets shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a crusher wherein a wear plate using a handling system according to the embodiment of the present invention is being positioned relative to a crusher surface;

Figure 7 is a plan view of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a front view of Figure 6;

[0028] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention according to the present embodiment provides a handling system 11 and a set of two brackets 13 for supporting a first object, in the form of a wear plate 15, relative to a second object, in the form of a crusher 17. In the embodiment discussed, the handling system is specifically designed to facilitate securing a number of wear plates 15 to a cone crusher 17, whereby the brackets 13 allow the wear plate 15 to be quickly and safely positioned relative to the crusher 17.

[0030] The wear liner 17 comprises a plurality of cut outs 19 (three cut outs 19 a,b,c, are shown in the figure 6) which are arranged along an upper region 21 of the wear plate 15. The central cut out 19b is used to attach a lifting means, which, for example, is a lifting sling 23, as shown in figures 6 and 7.

[0031] The crusher 17 provides a first/crusher surface 25 against which the wear plate 15 sits when the wear plate 15 is secured in position.

[0032] As best shown in figure 7, the crusher surface 25 provides a number of mounts 27 (only one is shown in figure 7). The number of mounts is equal to or less than the number of cut outs 19 in the wear plate 15. Each mount 27 extends outward from the crusher surface 25. In use, an upper edge 29 of the cut out sits on the mount 27 when the wear plate 15 is in position to support the wear plate 15.

[0033] Each mount 27 also incorporates an attachment means in the form of a threaded hole 31, for reasons which will be discussed below.

[0034] Referring to figures 2 to 5, the present embodiment uses a set of two brackets 13, each being a mirror image of each other. Each bracket 13 is designed to be received in side cut outs 19a, 19c, either side of the central cut out 19b. As would be understood by the person skilled in the art, there may be any combination of brackets and cut outs, these combinations being considered to fall within the scope of the specification. For instance, the wear plate may have a single elongated cut out while the handling system may still utilise a set of two brackets.

[0035] Each bracket 13 comprises a support plate 33 which provides a support surface 35. The support plate extends from an attachment plate 37 at one end, and provides an upwardly extending projection 39 at the other end, distal from the attachment plate 37.

[0036] The support surface 35 supports the wear plate 15 when the wear plate is spaced from the crusher surface 25, when the wear plate is in face to face contact with the crusher surface, and when it is close to face to face contact with the crusher surface.

[0037] The projection 39 is adapted to stop the wear plate 15 sliding from the bracket 13 when the wear plate 15 is supported on the support surface 35 of the bracket 13.

[0038] The attachment plate 37 incorporates an aperture 41 through which a bolt 43 may be received to secure the bracket 13 to the crusher.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the support surface 35 is perpendicular to the attachment plate 37 such that the support surface 35 is substantially perpendicular to the crusher when the bracket 13 is secured thereto.

[0040] The bracket 13 also comprises a web 45 extending between the support plate 33 and the attachment plate 37 to support the support surface 35.

[0041] The support plate 33, and therefore the support surface 35, has a chamfered side 47. This facilitates the positioning of the wear plate which would otherwise be difficult to manoeuvre as the wear plates 15 are curved to complement the shape of the crusher surface 25.

[0042] The handling system of the present embodiment also incorporates a set of clamp plates 49 which secure the wear plate to the crusher, but also covers the cut outs 19, as best shown in figure 1.

[0043] Referring to figure 1, when removing one or more of the wear plates 15 secured to the crusher 17, the clamp plates 49 associated with the outer cut-outs 19a, 19c, are removed. This exposes the mounts 27 of the crusher surface 25. Respective brackets 13 can then be secured to the mounts 27 by passing bolts 43 through the aperture 41 in the attachment plate to threadingly engage the threaded hole 31 in the mount 27.

[0044] Once the brackets 13 are secured, the clamp plate 49 associated with the central cut-out 19b can be safely removed and a lifting sling 23 can be attached to the cut out 19b. The wear plate 15 can now be lifted via the sling 23 and manoeuvred away from the crusher surface 25. To remove the wear plate 15 from the bracket the wear plate will need to be aligned such that none of the edges of the cut out will interfere with the bracket 13. Once the wear plate is clear of the brackets 13, the wear plate 15 may be removed from the confines of the crusher.

[0045] Once the old wear plate has been taken away, a new wear plate 15 can be lowered into the crusher. Once the new wear plate is within the confines of the crusher, the cut-outs 19a, 19c, on either side of the wear plate 15 are caused to align with the brackets 13 such that the brackets 13 are positioned centrally with respect to the cut outs. The wear plate 15 can then be manoeuvred inwardly towards the crusher surface 25. Once the wear plate 15 is positioned such that a portion of the support surface 35 extends past each cut out, the wear plate 15 may be lowered such that the upper edge 29 of the cut outs is supported on the support surface 35 of the bracket.

[0046] The wear plate is now ready to be moved inwardly towards the crusher surface 25. As the wear plate 15 approaches the crusher surface 25 the mounts 27 are received in the cut out 19 such that the wear plate is supported on the mounts. At this point each bracket 13 may be removed and the clamp plate 49 is secured to the mounts 27 to clampingly secure the wear plate in position. Once secured the lifting sling 23 may be removed and a further clamp plate 49 secured relative to the central cut out 19b.

[0047] The handling system of the present embodiment negates the need to secure and remove lugs to the wear plate before it can be removed/installed. This saves significant time as well as eliminates the need for hot works. In addition it enables better alignment of the wear plate during installation. The handling system incorporates a support bracket that allows safe positioning of the wear plate for independent lifting.

[0048] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For instance the hole in the wear liner and the shape, or at least a portion received in the opening, are of any complementary irregular shape such that when nested together rotation relative to each other is inhibited. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0049] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0050] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A handling system for positioning a wear plate with respect to a surface of a crusher, the crusher comprising a first surface against which the wear plate is to be secured, the handling system comprising:

at least one bracket adapted to be removably secured to the crusher;

2. The handling system according to claim 1 wherein the bracket is adapted to support the wear plate at a third position whereby the wear plate is in face to face contact with the first surface of the crusher.

3. The handling system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the crusher surface incorporates an attachment means, such as a threaded hole, for receiving a complementary fastening means, such as a bolt, the crusher surface having a mount extending outwardly from the crusher surface, wherein the mount incorporates the attachment means.

4. The handling system according to claim 3 wherein the mount is smaller than the cut out such that when the wear plate is in face to face contact with the crusher surface the mount is received through the cut out whereupon the mount supports the wear plate.

5. The handling system according to anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein the clamp plate secures the wear plate in position for normal operation.

6. The handling system according to claim 5 wherein each clamp plate is bolted to the attachment means in the mounts in the crusher surface whereby the clamp plates secure the wear plates in position.

7. The handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the cut outs are located in the upper region of the wear plate to be fitted/removed from the crusher.

8. The handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the at least one bracket incorporates an aperture through which a fastener is received to secure the bracket to the crusher

9. The handling system according to claim 8 wherein the at least one bracket provides an attachment plate which incorporates the aperture.

10. The handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the at least one bracket provides a support surface adapted to support the wear plate when the cut out is positioned over the bracket.

11. The handling system according to claim 10 wherein the support surface supports the wear plate when the wear plate is spaced from the first surface of the crusher (first position).

12. The handling system according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the support surface supports the wear plate when the wear plate is in face to face contact with the first surface of the crusher.

13. The handling system according to claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein the support surface is substantially perpendicular to the attachment plate such that when the bracket is secured to the crusher the support surface is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the crusher.

14. The handling system according to claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein the support surface is greater than 900 to the attachment plate such that the support surface is inclined downwardly towards the first surface of the crusher when the bracket is secured to the crusher, such that wear plate is biased towards the crusher surface when the wear plate is supported on the support surface.

15. The handling system according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein each bracket has a projection extending upwardly from the support surface at a position distal from the attachment plate.

16. The handling system according to any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the support surface is provided by a support plate and has a chamfered side to assist in positioning the wear plate thereon.

17. The handling system according to claim 16 wherein the bracket comprises a web extending between the attachment plate and the support plate to strengthen the support surface.

18. The handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the wear plate has a central cut-out through which a lifting sling, or other lifting means can be attached

19. A method for positioning and supporting a wear plate relative to a crusher surface, the method comprising:

securing at least one bracket to the crusher surface;

20. A method for removing a wear plate from a crusher surface, the method comprising:

removing one or more clamp plates from one or more cut outs in the wear plate;

21. A structure adapted to have a plurality of wear liners secured thereto using a handling system according to any one of claim 1 to 18, the structure having an array of mounts formed thereon, the array of mounts adapted to align with cut outs in the wear plates, wherein the mounts are adapted to have brackets secured thereto.

22. A handling system for positioning an object with respect to a structure, the structure comprising a first surface against which the object is to be secured, the handling system comprising:

at least one bracket adapted to be removably secured to the structure;

23. A handling system for positioning a wear plate with respect to a surface of a crusher, the crusher comprising a first surface against which the wear plate is to be secured, the handling system comprising:

at least one bracket adapted to be removably secured to the crusher;