OF MARBLE, GRANITE AND THE LIKE" DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a crusher for recycling scrap materials, preferably for use in the marble, granite, porphyry, stone and like materials processing sector.

The sector in which marble and other like materials, e.g. granite and porphyry, are processed, is known to use environment-friendly recycling machinery, i.e. for converting scraps into materials suitable for reuse as a product, e.g. to make aggregate tiles, or crushed stone for paving footpaths, or to produce a powder for use as aggregate in the preparation of cement lime mortar used in building works.

The conventional machines normally crush the scrap materials by means of the known hammer and anvil principle, i.e. the material is crushed between two elements, at least one of which is in motion. Jaw crushers are particularly common, which generally have at least one fixed jaw and one mobile jaw, the latter being moved towards the former in a controlled manner to crush the material lying between the two.

The conventional machines have several drawbacks, however, particularly related to their structure. In fact, the crushing means are traditionally contained inside a housing consisting of two half-shells, often made of cast iron or another material with similar mechanical characteristics. When it is necessary to undertake any maintenance on the crushing elements, or on the means for inducing their movement, it is currently necessary to separate the two half-shells, which involves considerable practical difficulties. This troublesome operation is needed even for mere inspections, simply to check on the state of the parts inside. The current structural design of the containment housings is essentially rather heavy and scarcely flexible when it comes to the ordinary servicing, and especially in the event of any extraordinary maintenance being required. Their sturdy, bulky structure contributes considerably to the total weight of the machine, also making it difficult to transport, giving rise to a considerable inconvenience from the logistic point of view.

Another drawback of the conventional machines lies in their scarce safety when they are in operation. In many cases, the crushing area is inconveniently without a cover so it can become a hazardous source of injury to any operators accidentally coming into contact with the crushing j aws .

In the light of the above considerations, the main aim of the present invention is to provide a crusher for recycling scrap materials that enables the above-described drawbacks to be overcome.

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As part of this aim, one object of the present invention is to provide a crusher whose external structural design is simple, compact and functional from the logistic standpoint.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a crusher for recycling scrap material whose structure enables an easy inspection and servicing of the parts inside.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a crusher that operates in conditions of total safety for the operators.

Yet another, not necessarily last object of the present invention is to provide a crusher that is highly reliable and relatively easy to construct at a competitive price.

Said aim, along with the above-mentioned and other objects that will become more apparent later on, are achieved by a crusher for recycling scrap material consisting of an outer housing containing:

- crushing means comprising at least one fixed jaw and one mobile jaw mutually arranged so as to create a space between them for crushing the scrap material;

- actuating means operatively connected to the mobile jaw to enable its movement;

The crusher according to the invention is characterized in that the outer housing consists on a frame comprising a first and a second side mutually connected by means of a plurality of transversal connection elements. The outer housing further comprises a plurality of safety panels removably and independently installed on the frame.

The crusher is advantageously provided with an outer housing of entirely new structural design with respect to the machines conventionally used for the same purpose. In particular, the use of removable panels installed on a two-sided frame gives an operator easy access to the innermost parts of the machine, which are dedicated to the crushing of the material. This is naturally reflected in faster inspection and servicing operations, with lower costs and shorter dead times.

Further characteristics and advantages of the crusher according to the present invention will be more easily perceived by referring to the description below and the attached drawings, which are provided merely as a nonrestrictive example, wherein:

- figures 1 and 2 are first prospective views of an embodiment of the crusher according to the invention;

- figures 3 and 4 are second prospective views of the crusher illustrated in figures 1 and 2;

- figures 5 and 6 are a side view and a front view, respectively, of the crusher illustrated in figures 1 and 2;

- figure 7 is a side view of the crusher illustrated in figures 3 and 4;

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- figure 8 is a cross-section of the crusher along the line I-I of figure 7;

- figures 9 and 10 are a first and a second top view of the crusher illustrated in figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

With reference to the above-mentioned figures, the crusher 1 according to the invention consists of an outer housing 5, containing means for crushing the scrap material and actuating means operatively connected thereto. To be more precise, the crushing means consist of a fixed jaw 21 and a mobile jaw 22 mutually positioned so as to create a space in which the scrap material is crushed. The actuating means, which are described later in one possible embodiment, are operatively connected to the mobile jaw 22 so as to enable its reciprocating motion, hi essence, the two jaws 21 and 22 crush the scrap material on the strength of the hammer and anvil principle. The crusher 1 according to the invention is characterized in that the outer housing 5 consists of a frame 10 (see figures 3 and 4) comprising a first side 6 and a second side 7 substantially parallel to one another and mutually connected by means of a plurality of transversal connection elements 8. The outer housing 5 is advantageously completed with a plurality of safety panels that are removably and independently installed on the frame 10.

As mentioned earlier, the use of removable panels assures an operator easy access to the crushing means and actuating means, as and when necessary. Because said panels are connected independently to the frame 10, they enable focused servicing and/or inspection procedures, with a considerable saving in terms of time and costs.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a possible embodiment of the crusher 1 according to the invention. As illustrated, the outer housing 5 includes a feed inlet 33, preferably consisting of a funnel 34 welded, by means of side ribs 37, to a flat panel 35, which is placed between the two sides 6 and 7 of the frame 10, in a substantially raised position with respect to the crushing area. The height of the funnel 34 is advantageously chosen to comply with safety criteria, to prevent an operator from coming accidentally into contact with the crushing means.

The outer housing 5 is preferably positioned on a first 91 and second 92 abutment, e.g. in the form of a pair of legs, each of which is connected to the frame 10. The use of said abutments 91 and 92 enables the housing 5 to be kept in a raised position so as to create a space for installing a tank or conveyor belt (not shown in the figures) for collecting or carrying away the crushed material.

Figures 3 and 4 are prospective views from different angles of the crusher 1 according to the invention. In particular, the figures show the crusher 1 without the safety panels in order

to enable a view of a possible embodiment of the frame 10. Each of the sides 6 and 7 includes a flat mesh structure consisting of a plurality of tubular struts and beams mutually connected together, by means of weldings for instance. A supporting plate 24 is connected to the mesh structure so as to create a flat inner surface for the corresponding side 6 or 7. As we shall see more clearly later on, each supporting plate 24 is advantageously used in the positioning of the crushing means and actuating means.

Figure 7 is a side view of the crusher 1 showing a preferred embodiment of the mesh structure of each side 6 and 7. To be more specific, the mesh structure consists of a bottom beam 12A and a top beam 12B lying substantially parallel to one another and separated by a first vertical strut 13 A lying substantially perpendicular thereto. A first pair of lateral struts 13B and 13C are connected to the bottom beam 12A so that they are substantially perpendicular thereto, and separated from the first vertical strut 13 A by means of a third 16A and a fourth horizontal member 16B. A pair of diagonal struts 14A and 14B complete the perimeter of the mesh structure, each of them being connected to one of said lateral struts 13B and 13 C, and to the top beam 12B. The result is a four-mesh arrangement but, in the event of changes in the structural strength required, it could equally well be made with a larger or smaller number of struts and/or with a different mesh arrangement. The one illustrated is therefore the preferred, but by no means the only solution for the mesh structure in question.

Using a flat mesh structure to make the sides 6 and 7 of the frame 10 is particularly advantageous in that it enables an excellent distribution of the strains and loads involved without adding greatly to the global weight of the outer housing 5.

In the lower part, the frame 10 advantageously includes a front sheet 29 and a rear sheet 29C connected to the two bottom beams 12A so as to come between the two sides 6 and 7. These two sheets 29 and 29C are mutually connected so as to leave an opening underneath the crushing space to allow for the passage of the material.

Referring once again to figures 3 and 4, the frame 10 also advantageously comprises a perforated grid 29B placed in between the first side 6 and the second side 7, and connected thereto on a level with the corresponding bottom beam 12A of the flat mesh structure. The perforated grid 29B has a safety function in that it prevents an operator from accidentally placing his hands inside the crushing space. At the same time, it is designed to enable the passage of the crushed material towards the collection tank or conveyor belt.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame 10 advantageously has means for lifting and carrying the crusher 1. Said means are preferably in the form of eyebolts 77 (see also figure 7) provided on the frame 10 in line with the ends 17 of each bottom beam

12A forming part of each side 6 and 7. The abutments 91 and 92 may also be advantageously placed in the vicinity of said ends 17, preferably in a removable manner to enable a greater operational flexibility.

Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9 illustrate a crusher 1 according to the invention, wherein the outer housing 5 comprises at least one first safety panel 81 removably connected to the second side 7 and at least one second safety panel 82 removably connected to the first side 6. Each of these safety panels is connected on the outside of the corresponding side 6 or 7 and rests substantially against the perimeter elements of the mesh structure.

The outer housing 5 comprises a third front panel 83 and a fourth rear panel 84 respectively connected transversal to the first side 6 and the second side 7, in line with two lateral struts 13B or 13C lying adjacent to one another and each forming part of the mesh structure on one of said sides 6 or 7. The third front panel 83 advantageously extends so as to also cover the space between the two diagonal struts 14A connected to the corresponding lateral struts 13B. Alternatively, said space can be covered by a further front panel placed only on said diagonal struts.

According to a similar connection principle, the outer housing 5 also includes a fifth rear panel 86 connected to the first side 6 and the second side 7, in line with two diagonal struts 14B. The previously-described feed inlet 33 completes the structure of the outer housing and is connected to said first side 6 and the second side 7, in line with the corresponding top beams 12B of the mesh structure.

As it is easy to imagine, each of the safety panels mentioned so far, and any others that may be provided, afford an operator access to a specific part of the crusher 1, substantially allowing for a focused inspection of the parts inside. Said safety panels can advantageously be made of sound-absorbing material so as to contain the amount of noise inevitably produced by the crusher 1 when it is processing the material.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a possible embodiment of the crushing means and actuating means. The two jaws 21 and 22 mentioned earlier have a substantially parallelepiped shape with a front working surface and a rear anchoring surface. To be more precise, the two jaws are arranged so that the corresponding working surfaces lie at an angle to one another and thus define a substantially wedge-shaped crushing space. To improve the take-up and crushing of the material, the two jaws also have their respective front working surfaces scored and are preferably made of hardened and tempered steel or another material with similar mechanical features, hi an alternative embodiment of the invention, said working surfaces may also have a partially rounded shape, again with a view to facilitating the crushing of the

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The fixed jaw 21 is stably attached to the frame 10 by means of a supporting element 100 connected at the top to one of the transversal connection elements 8. Moreover, there is an angular supporting element 103 on the corresponding supporting plate 24 for the sides 6, 7, that is used to attach the fixed jaw 21 to the corresponding supporting plate 24.

The mobile jaw 22, on the other hand, includes a first pair of upper bearings 61 provided on said anchoring surface for connection to the actuating means, and a second pair of lower bearings 62 provided for connection to a transversal adjustment shaft 52, described below.

Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the crusher 1 according to the invention and, in particular, a possible embodiment of the actuating means. These consist of a drive shaft 51 connected to a motor 50 by means of a belt transmission, achieved by a drive pulley 64 keyed onto the motor 50 and an idle pulley 65 keyed onto one end of the drive shaft 51. As we can clearly see, in figure 3 for instance, the two pulleys 64 and 65 are connected on the outer side of the second side 7 of the frame 10 and, when the crusher 1 is in operation, they are covered by the first safety panel 81.

The drive shaft 51 is placed transversal between the first side 6 and the second side 7 of the frame 10 and supported at each of its ends by a first flange 71 and a second flange 72, each of which is installed on the supporting plate 24 of one of the two sides 6 and 7. Said shaft 51 also includes at least one first cam 57, and preferably also a second cam 58, each of which is designed to be connected to one of the upper bearings 61 of the mobile flange 22 by means of a rolling contact bearing 59. As a result of the rotation of the motor 50, the drive shaft 51 turns around its own axis, inducing the rotation of the two cams 57 and 58, which give rise to a substantially planar displacement of the upper bearings 61 and consequently of the mobile jaw 22. The rotating motion of the shaft 51 is thus converted into a reciprocating motion of the mobile jaw 22.

Referring again to figure 8, the crusher 1 according to the invention also advantageously includes an adjustment shaft 52 situated underneath the drive shaft 51 and comprising at least one eccentric projection operatively connected to the mobile jaw 22. Like the drive shaft 51, the adjustment shaft 52 is therefore situated transversal between the first side 6 and the second side 7 of the frame 10, and supported at the two ends by a third flange 73 and a fourth flange 74, each of which is attached to the supporting plate 24 of one of the sides 6 or 7.

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment shaft 52 also has a first 98 and a second eccentric projection 99, each operatively connected to one of said lower bearings 62 for the mobile jaw 22 by means of a hinged connection.

In the vicinity of one end of the adjustment shaft 52, there is a lockable register 150 that enables an operator to turn the adjustment shaft 52 through a given angle in order to vary the working position of the mobile jaw 22 with respect to the fixed jaw 21. hi fact, the rotation induced by the adjustment shaft 52 turns the two eccentric projections 98 and 99, which in turn induce a planar displacement of the lower bearings 62. The mobile jaw 22 is thus moved closer to or further away from the fixed jaw 21 to obtain the required particle size of the crushed material. During the normal operation of the crusher 1, the adjustment shaft 52 is blocked in a given position, while the drive shaft 51 is turned in order to actuate the mobile jaw 22.

Figures 9 and 10 are top views of a crusher 1 respectively with and without the previously-described safety panels. Figure 9, in particular, shows that, according to the invention, the register 150 is accessible to an operator even when the safety panels are installed, which offers a considerably practical advantage.

With reference, for instance, to figure 7, according to a preferred embodiment of the crusher 1, the motor 50 is situated between the first side 6 and the second side 7 of the frame 10, in a position adjacent to the fixed jaw 21. To be more precise, it is anchored to the rear plate 29c by means of further supporting plates 49 and oriented so that its shaft extends from the second side 7 so as to assure the previously-mentioned belt transmission.

Insulation panels are preferably inserted between the two sides 6 and 7 of the frame 10 in order to protect the motor 50 against the dust resulting from the crushing of the material. To be precise, a vertical wall 41 and a horizontal wall (not shown) are provided that, together with the supporting plate 24 on the first side 6 and the above-mentioned fourth rear panel 84, essentially create a box surrounding the motor 50.

The crusher 1 also has means for controlling the motor 50 (not shown). To be more specific, these means are installed on top of the motor 50 and include a pushbutton control panel connected to the outside of the sixth rear panel 86, so that they are easily accessible to an operator.

It is clear from the above description that the use of removable panels is extremely advantageous whenever it is necessary to take any action on the parts inside the crusher 1. The removal of the first panel 81, for instance, enables action be taken on the motor 50 and on the belt transmission. Similarly, the removal of the third front panel 83 enables action to be taken on the adjustment shaft 52 and on the drive shaft 51.

On this point, it is worth noting that the crusher 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, advantageously includes a plurality of position sensors situated in the

vicinity of the connections between the safety panels and the frame 10. These sensors are connected to control means and serve the purpose of signaling the presence or absence of each panel. When one of the panels is removed, the control means can consequently stop the motor 50, thereby placing the crusher in safe conditions.

The particle size of the crushed material can be adjusted without having to dismantle any of the safety panels, simply by taking action on the register 150 on the adjustment shaft 52 (see figures 8 and 9).

The technical solutions adopted for the crusher according to the present invention consequently enable the established aims and objects to be fully achieved, hi fact, the crusher has an extremely compact structure and is easy to transport and flexible in operation. The use of a plurality of removable panels for the construction of the outer housing makes any servicing operations on the parts inside quicker and easier, offering considerable advantages from the point of view of the costs and the servicing times.

In practice, the materials used and the contingent dimensions and shapes can be varied according to need and depending on the state of the art.