A CRUSHING ARRANGEMENT WITH PRE-CRUSHING DEVICE

The present invention relates to crushing arrangements and more particularly to relatively small on site or transportable crushing arrangements utilised on building and demolition sites to reduce and render rubble.

It is known as part of demolition and construction procedures that rubble is produced in the form of bricks, concrete and stone. This rubble is appropriately processed and rendered to be utilised as aggregate in other building and construction procedures. It will be appreciated that utilisation of on site produced rubble will reduce the amount of waste to be dumped off site as land fill. This will reduce costs and the amount of fresh input aggregate necessary on site for building and construction procedures.

Although there are advantages with regard to utilising rubble produced on site for aggregate it will also be understood that the available space onsite for machinery is generally limited. In such circumstances crushing arrangements utilised for reducing and rendering rubble must be of similarly compact size. Furthermore, it is advantageous for the crushing arrangement to be transportable as part of vehicle and in particularly tracked vehicle to allow movement about the site during the various demolition and construction stages. In such circumstances previous on site crushing arrangements generally comprise a crushing surface within a crushing well such that the rubble is reduced and rendered to desirable rubble sizes for use as aggregate or simply to facilitate transportation. It will be understood the ease with which rubble can be reduced to desirable sizes depends up on the initial size of the rubble pieces presented as well as the capabilities of the crushing arrangement. The volume of the crushing arrangement is limited must include interlocks and screening for the safety of operating personnel as well as to avoid rubble ricochet damage by the crushing procedures.

In accordance with aspects to the present invention there is provided a crushing arrangement comprising a crushing well having a crushing surface to reduce rubble within the crushing well and above the crushing well having a ram pick laterally displaceable to moderate rubble size entering the crushing well.

Typically, the ram pick is angularly presented towards and/or across the crushing well.

Generally, the ram pick and crushing surface are interlocked whereby the ram pick is only laterally displaced from a retracted position when the crushing surface is retracted. Additionally or alternatively, the ram pick and the crushing surface are interlinked whereby the crushing surface is driven across the crushing well when the ram pick is retracted.

Possibly, there is a plurality of ram picks. Typically, the plurality of ram picks is aligned above and across the crushing surface. Possibly, the plurality of ram picks is collectively or individually selected with displaceable by a hydraulic ram element.

Generally, the ram pick is pointed. Generally, the ram pick is pointed with a tungsten tip.

Possibly, the ram pick is detachable.

Possibly, the ram pick is arranged to have a jigger action in lateral displacement.

Generally, the crushing surface has a plurality of teeth. Possibly, the crushing surface comprises a pivot edge about which the surface is driven by a ram to reduce rubble. Typically, the ram is a hydraulic ram. Generally, the

ram acts substantially about an opposite edge of the crushing surface to the pivot edge.

Typically, the crushing surface acts towards an anvil surface of the crushing well. Typically, the anvil surface has a grating to crush rubble. Generally, the anvil surface is a static jaw.

Possibly, the position of the anvil surface within the crushing well may be altered. Typically, the position of the anvil surface will be adjusted in order to control the size of crushed material. Possibly, the adjustment of the position of the anvil surface is provided by a rotary cam system. Alternatively, the position of the anvil surface is adjusted by sliding wedges and spacers.

Possibly, the primary crushing surface is a moving jaw.

Possibly, the crushing surface defines an aperture in an open position, the opposite being to achieve a desired size for rubble to enter the crushing well and the ram pick moderates rubble retained upon the aperture until such moderation by the ram pick fragments the rubble retained sufficiently to allow entry to the crushing well by the moderated rubble.

Possibly, the aperture has a size which is adjustable.

Generally, the arrangement is provided on a vehicle. Possibly, the vehicle is a tracked vehicle or on a trailer body or skid unit.

Aspects to the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 illustrates a crushing arrangement in accordance with aspects to the present invention incorporated as part of a vehicle with a primary crushing surface in a closed position and a ram pick open retracted position;

ram acts substantially about an opposite edge of the crushing surface to the pivot edge.

Typically, the crushing surface acts towards an anvil surface of the crushing well. Typically, the anvil surface has a grating to crush rubble. Generally, the anvil surface is a static jaw.

Possibly, the position of the anvil surface within the crushing well may be altered. Typically, the position of the anvil surface will be adjusted in order to control the size of crushed material. Possibly, the adjustment of the position of the anvil surface is provided by a rotary cam system. Alternatively, the position of the anvil surface is adjusted by sliding wedges and spacers.

Possibly, the primary crushing surface is a moving jaw.

Possibly, the crushing surface defines an aperture in an open position, the opposite being to achieve a desired size for rubble to enter the crushing well and the ram pick moderates rubble retained upon the aperture until such moderation by the ram pick fragments the rubble retained sufficiently to allow entry to the crushing well by the moderated rubble.

Possibly, the aperture has a size which is adjustable.

Generally, the arrangement is provided on a vehicle. Possibly, the vehicle is a tracked vehicle or on a trailer body or skid unit.

Aspects to the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 illustrates a crushing arrangement in accordance with aspects to the present invention incorporated as part of a vehicle with a primary crushing surface in a closed position and a ram pick open retracted position;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the arrangement depicted in Figure 1 in which the crushing well is open and the pick ram extended across the crushing well from the retracted position, and

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative configuration of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2 in which a rotating cam is utilised to adjust position or an anvil or static jaw surface of the arrangement.

As indicated above it is known to provide relatively small crushing arrangements for utilised location on site to convert rubble and debris into acceptable aggregate or at least condense that rubble and debris for easy transportation. In view of space restraints generally the crushing arrangement comprises a hopper within which the crushing well is presented. The hopper is typically open to allow rubble and debris to be loaded such that the rubble can be reduced, condensed and rendered suitable for processing and use as aggregate.

Figure 1 provides a schematic illustration of a crushing arrangement in accordance with aspects to the present invention. As previously a crushing well 2 is provided at the bottom of a hopper 3 though which rubble is dropped. In such circumstances the exemplary rubble 4 illustrated is crushed by a crushing surface 5 driven across the well 2. It will be appreciated that the crushing surface 5 is effectively one side of a pair of jaws with an opposed anvil surface 6 arranged such that the rubble 4 is compressed and crushed. Once reduced to appropriate size the rubble falls through a grating 7 typically up on retraction of the surface 5 and may be conveyed possibly by a conveyor belt 8 away from the arrangement 1 for appropriate use or storage.

The crushing surface 5 is driven by a ram 6 typically in the form of a hydraulic ram such that there is sufficient compressive pressure to crush the

rubble to a desired rubble size to pass through the grating 7. It will also be appreciated that the anvil surface 6 may incorporate a grating such that rubble is compressed and crushed through that grating in the direction of arrowheads R again for collection. In such circumstances it will be appreciated that the crushing action provided by the crushing surface 5 is in the direction of arrowheads A from an open retracted position to a closed crushing position as depicted in Figure 1.

As will be described later there is a limit to the displacement range relative to the compressive force for crushing provided by the surface 5 and ram 9 such that an open end 10 of the crushing well defines an aperture through which initially presented rubble must pass in order to enter the crushing well for subsequent processing. Over-sized rubble in such circumstances may linger and be suspended above the crushing well and inhibit operation of the arrangement provided by the crushing well without provision of a pick ram 11 in accordance with aspects to the present invention. The pick ram 11 as indicated is positioned above the crushing well

2 and is arranged to be forcibly displaced of the laterally in the direction of arrowheads B. The pick ram 11 is driven by a hydraulic ram in the direction of arrowheads B in order to engage initially presentable rubble and debris (not shown) in order to moderate the size of that initially presented rubble and debris such that it does not block and more importantly falls into the crushing well 2 in accordance with aspects to the present invention.

The forward/closed position of the pick ram 11 , relative to the anvil surface 6 may either block the flow of material into the well 2, or otherwise allow a gap - less than gap 10, normally - for exemplary sizes and types of material to pass through the arrangement.

Figure 2 illustrates the crushing arrangement 1 depicted in Figure 1 in a first position for initial presentation of rubble 4a in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In such circumstances the size of initial rubble 4a

which can be presented to the arrangement 1 is particularly dependent up on the width of the hopper 3 entrance. As will be appreciated operatives tend to load debris in the largest size available in order to reduce the amount of prior work through use of jigger picks and other devices such as sledge hammers and picks in order to provide efficiency and reduce the amount of manual labour required. Unfortunately as indicated large pieces of initial debris 4a can block the crushing arrangement 1 in view of the inherent limitations with respect to the aperture 10 across the crushing well 2.

In accordance with aspects to the present invention as indicated above a pick ram 11 is provided which initially through lateral movement of the pick 11 degrades and moderates initially presented rubble such that this rubble can fall into the crushing well 2 for subsequent processing to create aggregate or rubble sizes acceptable for further processing. As illustrated in Figure 2 the pick 11 as indicated acts laterally in the direction of arrowheads B in order to fragment the rubble 4a. As illustrated the action of the pick ram 11 is to initiate cracks 12 in the rubble 4 such that it is broken up to sizes acceptable for entry in the crushing well 2.

In view of the above it will be appreciated that there is generally an interlink relationship between the pick ram 11 and the crushing surface 5. Whilst the crushing surface 5 is operational in terms of crushing rubble 4 within the crushing well 2 the pick ram 11 is retracted to a retracted position as depicted in Figure 1. In such circumstances the pick 11 does not extend across the hopper 3. The alternate state with regard to the arrangement 1 is where the crushing well 2 is fully opened with the crushing surface 5 retracted to a retracted state as depicted in Figure 2 whilst the pick ram 11 extends across the hopper 3 in order to as indicated degrade and moderate the size of the initially presented rubble 4a to reduce its size for entry into the crushing well 2. In such circumstances if the initially presented rubble to the arrangement 1 is of a size that it will fall directly in to the well 2 it may not be necessary to operate the pick ram 11 and so periodically in accordance with

7 the normal processing the crushing surface 5 will be extended across the crushing well 2 in order to create the rubble as depicted in Figure 1. However periodically or when large pieces of initially presented rubble 4a are dropped in to the hopper 3 then the pick ram 11 will be operated in order to grade and moderate the initially presented rubble 4a in to sizes suitable for entry into the crushing well 2. The arrangement I may include a sensor to defect the presence of large rubble pieces and so operate the pick ram 11.

The action of the pick ram 11, relative to the action of the crushing surface may be varied to optimise production rate. The cycles may be timed to coincide, or to be diametrically opposed (i.e. one is open when the other is shut) or any variation in between. Such variation of cycle may also include controls over which movement is schedule first - the pick ram, or the crushing surface - in each direction.

It will be appreciated that essentially the pick ram 11 in accordance with aspects to the present invention will normally have a pointed end to engage the initially presented rubble 4a. This pointed end by implication must be robust and tough. In such circumstances the pointed end may be formed from Tungsten or a similarly tough material. The pointed end at least of the pick ram 11 may be detachable from a driving ram 13 in view of the possibility of excessive wear. It will also be appreciated that different shaped, sized and otherwise configured pick rams 11 may be suitable for different types of initially presented rubble in order to cause fragmentation.

Generally a number of pick rams in accordance to aspects to the present invention will be presented in alignment across the hopper 3. Thus, although it may be possible to provide a single pick ram which engages in a punching action the initially presented rubble 4a such an approach may be limited in terms of fragmentary action in modulating and degrading the initially presented rubble 4a. A row of aligned pick rams 11 in accordance with aspects to the present invention may be able to act across initially presented

8 rubble more effectively. In such circumstances each pick ram or selected pick rams may be operated to best cause reduction and moderation in the size of the initial presented rubble 4.

Care will also be taken with regard to rubble which may have an elastic or absorptive nature such that this rubble does not become embedded in the pick ram 11. In such circumstances the pick ram 11 although not shown may incorporate guides of shields through which the pick ram 11 operates in a punching and retraction mechanism to leave the rubble 4 within the hopper 3.

In order to facilitate fragmentation it will be appreciated that the pick ram 11 may operate in an oscillating jigger pick-like action. The jigger pick typically operates against a portion of the anvil surface 6.

In order to trap the rubble 4a between that anvil surface 6, the pick ram

11 and an upper part defined by the jaw arrangement between the crushing surface 5 and other parts of the anvil surface 6. In order to facilitate this partially triangular association the pick ram 11 will be typically presented at an angle. This angle may be arranged to effectively slice off an upper portion of the initially presented rubble 4a through cracking as illustrated and to induce downward compression of the initial rubble 4a into the crushing well 2. The angle of presentation of the pick ram 11 may be adjusted in the direction of arrowhead C (Figure 2) to achieve the most appropriate action up on the rubble 4a.

As indicated above a crushing well 2 effectively provides the necessary rendering and grading of the final rubble produced by a crushing arrangement in accordance with aspects to the present invention. The initial opening size for the crushing well 2 is defined by the width of the jaws created by the crushing surface 5 and the parts of the anvil surface 6. The efficiency of crushing operation will depend up on the ram 9 which in turn will relate to the force presented by that ram 9. Generally the wider the aperture 10 of the

crushing surface 2 the greater power will be required by the ram 9 in order to crush rubble 4 presented in the well 2. The force required will depend on the rubble 4 presented, inherent rubble upon rubble action as well as direct action by teeth 14 of the crushing surface 5 in order to achieve the correct grading of the rubble 4 to create fine rubble 4b (Figure 1 ) in accordance with aspects to the present invention. In such circumstances to improve overall crushing arrangement 1 efficiency in accordance with aspects to the present invention the ram 9 may be arranged to alter and adjust width of the aperture 10 dependent on expectant initial rubble 4a sizes and types. If it is known that the rubble 4a will be of a generally small size then a smaller aperture 10 will be provided in order to speed up the crushing operation in accordance with aspects of the present invention whilst if the initial sizes will be greater the aperture 10 size may be increased. In either event in accordance with aspects to the present invention provision of the pivot ram 11 allows greater flexibility with regard to expected or unexpected over sizing with respect to initially presented rubble 4a based upon the initially set aperture width 10. In such circumstances crushing arrangements 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention will have greater flexibility and tolerance with regard to over sizing of rubble 4a compared to a set aperture width.

It will be understood operation of the pick ram 11 in view of the interlinking between the ram 11 and the displacement of the crushing surface 5 may reduce the flow rate of rubble 4 through the arrangement 1. In such circumstances it may be advantageous to monitor the use of the pick ram 11 such that displacement in the direction of arrowheads B only occurs when reduction and moderation in initially presented rubble 4a is required.

As illustrated typical operation of the crushing surface 5 is through displacement towards the anvil surface 6. The ram 9 acts about a pivot edge 15 to turn the crushing surface 5 towards the anvil surface 6 and therefore crush rubble therebetween. The teeth 14 grip and cause a crushing action on the rubble within the crushing well 2. As illustrated in the figures generally the

10 ram 9 acts about a substantially opposite edge 16 of the crushing surface 5. By such an action it will be appreciated there is a compressive reduction towards the pivot end 15 and rubble entering at the aperture 10 and is therefore generally reduced in size through the depth of the well 2.

Crushing arrangements in accordance with aspects to the present invention are particularly useful as indicated for on site operations. In such circumstances for flexibility and movement the crushing arrangement 1 will be provided up on a vehicle. The nature of construction and demolition sites means that such vehicles are of a tracked type and therefore the crushing arrangement 1 in accordance with aspects to the present invention will be located up on a chassis with powered tracks 17 to move the arrangement 1 about a site.

It will be appreciated that rubble crushed in accordance with the crushing arrangement 1 will typically take the form of recycled waste brick, concrete and stone. In such circumstances it will be appreciated that the presented rubble will typically be non homogenous and of different sizes. In such circumstances aspects to the present invention allows a crushing arrangement which allows flexibility in acceptable rubble so rubble ranging so rubble ranging from small domestic bricks to full sized curb stones and concrete bollards can be processed.

In such circumstances by provision of a pick ram in accordance with aspects to the present invention a direct stabbing stroke can be presented to over sized rubble 4a and so reduce the size of rubble 4a blocking the crushing well 2 in accordance with aspects to the present invention. It is generally important that the pick ram has a limited number of teeth and as indicated a sharp point such that there is stabbing and high compression force presented to the initially presented over sized rubble. The pick ram effectively pre breaks over sized large pieces of rubble 4a to sizes to be digested in to the crushing well 2 in accordance to aspects of the present invention but does not crush or

11 regularize the rub size to any particular size range. It is generally most advantageous that the two fragmentation and crushing actions in accordance to aspects of the present invention operate as alternatives. Thus, the pick ram in accordance with aspects of the present invention is retracted when the primary crushing action is being performed in the jaws created by the anvil surface 6 and the crushing surface 5. In an open configuration that is to say with the crushing well 2 receptive to rubble the crushing surface 5 is retracted and therefore the aperture 10 open to allow over size rubble broken up by the pick ram in accordance with aspects to the present invention to fall within the crushing well.

As indicated above original rubble may be presented to the crushing arrangement in a number of forms and sizes. Similarly, it will generally be desirable to produce processed rubble or aggregate from an arrangement in accordance with aspects of the present invention in different sizes dependent upon onward use or disposal. Typically, greater levels of crushing are required for smaller rubble and aggregate sizes. To provide adjustability a crushing arrangement in accordance with the aspects of the present invention will typically allow variations in an exit aperture 30 from the crushing well 2. Typically, the primary crushing surface or moving jewel 5 as indicated will be secured upon a pivot so that it will typically be more convenient to move the anvil surface or static jaw 6. This may be achieved at the exit aperture 30 through a rotating cam system 31. The cam 31 will rotate inwardly or outwardly in order to adjust the width of the exit aperture 30. By such adjustment the exit aperture 30 will be regulated to a desired or necessary size. As an alternative to utilising a rotating cam system 31 it will be appreciated that wedges and spacers may also be displaced or located within the arrangement in order to adjust the exit aperture 31 width.

Modifications and alterations to aspects to the present invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thus, although illustrated as a flat surface will be appreciate that the anvil surface 6 may be shaped to present

12 and capture rubble for more appropriate crushing in accordance with aspects to the present invention. Furthermore, the crushing surface 5 and pick ram 11 in accordance with aspects to the present invention may be adjusted in terms of presentation or angles or shaping in order to facilitate crushing with regard to different forms of rubble, that is to say brick waste, concrete or stone to achieve the desired grading of finally presented rubble in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.