CHUTE LINER

Abstract

A chute liner for mounting on a shelf of a chute having at least one locking formation aperture therein. The chute liner includes a base for mounting on the shelf and an arm extending away from the base to a free end. The base has an operatively lower surface and an opposed operatively upper surface that contacts material passing through the chute. At least one mounting formation descends from the operatively lower surface of the base and passes through the locking formation aperture. The mounting formation forms a passage extending therethrough below the shelf and a locking member is displaced into the passage to operatively engage the mounting formation.

Claims

1. A chute liner for mounting on a shelf of a chute with shelves including at least one locking formation aperture formed therein, the chute liner comprising: a base for mounting on the shelf and an arm extending away from the base to a free end, the base having an operatively lower surface and an opposed operatively upper surface that contacts material passing through the chute, the base and the arm being configured to retain a portion of material passing through the chute thereon, at least one mounting formation depending from the operatively lower surface of the base that is in use passed through the locking formation aperture in the shelf, wherein the mounting formation forms a part of a passage extending therethrough below the shelf; and a locking member that is displaced into the passage in use to operatively engage the mounting formation and clamp the base to the shelf.

2. The chute liner according to claim 1, wherein the shelf has a lower surface that forms a part of the passage, and the locking member bears against the lower surface of the shelf in use.

3. The chute liner according to claim 2, wherein the locking member comprises a tapered section that is configured to be received in the passage and operatively engage the mounting formation and the shelf to clamp the chute liner to the shelf as it is displaced into the passage.

4. The chute liner according to claim 3, wherein the tapered section has a surface that bears against the lower surface of the shelf, and said surface extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the locking member and does not taper.

5. The chute liner according to claim 3, wherein the tapered section is substantially wedge shaped, and the tapered section is made of a resilient material for frictionally engaging the mounting formation and the shelf.

6. The chute liner according to claim 3, wherein the tapered section is substantially wedge shaped, and the tapered section is made of a resilient material for frictionally engaging the mounting formation and the shelf.

7. The chute liner according to claim 1, wherein the chute liner further comprises a base engagement formation for engaging a shelf retainer on the shelf to lock the chute liner down on the shelf during use of the chute.

8. The chute liner according to claim 3, including a linked further mounting formation aligned with the or each mounting formation on the base, and forming a locking member aperture for receiving said locking member therethrough in use.

9. The chute liner according to claim 8, wherein the locking member comprises a block forming the tapered section that passes through the passage in use.

10. The chute liner according to claim 9, wherein the locking member further comprises a fastener that is passed through the locking member aperture and is releasably coupled to the block, and the block and fastener can be axially displaced relative to each other to advance the block into the passage.

11. The chute liner according to claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises a head that is retained by the locking member aperture on the linked further mounting formation and a shank having an external screw thread formed thereon, and the block defines an internal bore having an internal screw thread that receives the external screw thread such that rotation of the fastener draws the block into the passage to engage the mounting formation and the shelf to clamp the chute liner to the shelf.

12. A shelf and liner arrangement for a chute with shelves, the shelf and liner arrangement comprising: a shelf having an inner end mounted on a chute wall and a free outer end spaced away from the chute wall, the shelf having at least one locking formation aperture formed therein; and a chute liner mounted on the shelf, comprising: a base mounted on the shelf and an arm extending away from the base to a free end, the base having an operatively lower surface and an opposed operatively upper surface that contacts material passing through the chute, the base and the arm being configured to retain a portion of material passing through the chute thereon during operation of the chute, at least one mounting formation depending from the operatively lower surface of the base passed through the locking formation aperture in the shelf, wherein the mounting formation forms a part of a passage extending therethrough below the shelf; and a locking member received in the passage and operatively engaging the mounting formation and the shelf to lock the chute liner to the shelf.

13. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the shelf has a lower surface that forms a part of the passage, and the locking member bears against the lower surface of the shelf.

14. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the locking member comprises a tapered section that is configured to be received in the passage, and operatively engage the mounting formation and the shelf, to clamp the chute liner to the shelf when it is displaced into the passage.

15. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the tapered section has a surface that bears against the lower surface of the shelf, and the surface extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the locking member.

16. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the tapered section is substantially wedge shaped, and the tapered section is made of a resilient material for frictionally engaging the mounting formation and the lower surface of the shelf.

17. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the locking member has a head at one end and a smaller opposite end that is sized to be received in the passage with clearance, and the locking member further comprises a retaining arrangement towards its opposite end for retaining the locking member in the passage.

18. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the shelf includes a liner retainer spaced from its free outer end, and the chute liner further includes a base engagement formation on the base, the base engagement formation being engaged by the liner retainer and held down on the shelf to assist in locking the chute liner onto the shelf.

19. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the liner retainer comprises a channel member extending substantially from one side of the shelf to the other, and the base engagement formation is received in the channel member.

20. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 14, including a linked further mounting formation aligned with the or each mounting formation on the base, the linked further mounting formation comprising a locking member aperture formed therein through which said locking member is passed.

21. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 20, wherein the locking member comprises a block forming the tapered section that is displaced into the passage to clamp the chute liner to the shelf.

22. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the locking member further comprises a fastener that is passed through the locking member aperture and is releasably coupled to the block, and the block and fastener can be axially displaced relative to each other to displace the block into the passage.

23. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the fastener comprises a head that is configured so that it is retained by the locking member aperture on the linked further mounting formation and a shank having an external screw thread formed thereon, and the block defines an internal bore having an internal screw thread that receives the external screw thread such that rotation of the fastener draws the block into the passage to engage the mounting formation and the shelf.

24. A shelf and liner arrangement for a chute with shelves, the shelf and liner arrangement comprising: a shelf having an inner end mounted on a chute wall and a free outer end spaced away from the chute wall, the shelf having at least one locking formation aperture formed therein, wherein the shelf includes a liner retainer spaced from its free outer end; and a chute liner for mounting on the shelf, the chute liner comprising: a base for mounting on the shelf and an arm extending away from the base to a free end, the base having an operatively lower surface and an opposed operatively upper surface that in use contacts material passing through the chute, the base and the arm being configured to retain a portion of material passing through the chute thereon during operation of the chute, and at least one mounting formation depending from the operatively lower surface of the base, the mounting formation in use passing through the locking formation aperture in the shelf and having an end part, distal from the operatively lower surface of the base, configured to receive a locking member to lock the chute liner to the shelf, wherein the chute liner further includes a base engagement formation on the base, the base engagement formation being engaged in use by the liner retainer and held down on the shelf to assist in locking the chute liner onto the shelf.

25. The shelf and liner arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the liner retainer comprises a channel member and the base engagement formation is received in the channel member.

26. A shelf for a chute with shelves, the shelf being configured to have a chute liner secured thereto, and said shelf comprising an inner end configured to be mounted on a chute wall and a free outer end spaced away from the chute wall, the shelf having: at least one locking formation aperture formed therein for receipt therethrough of a mounting formation of a chute liner; and a liner retainer spaced from its free outer end, the liner retainer being configured to engage an engagement formation on a base of a chute liner, to thereby hold down the base on the shelf to assist in locking the chute liner on the shelf.

27. The shelf according to claim 26, wherein the liner retainer comprises a channel member extending substantially from one side of the shelf to the other and the base engagement formation is received in the channel member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0162] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the disclosure may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the disclosure. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Disclosure in any way. The Detailed Description makes reference to a number of drawings in which:

[0163] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art material transfer chute having a chute liner and shelf arrangement that is used on the chute;

[0164] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a prior art chute liner and shelf arrangement that is used on the chute of FIG. 1;

[0165] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a shelf and liner arrangement in accordance of one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0166] FIG. 5 is a side view of the shelf and liner arrangement as shown in FIG. 4;

[0167] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the shelf and liner arrangement as shown in FIG. 4;

[0168] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the shelf of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4,

[0169] FIG. 8 is a detail drawing of the region A of the shelf and liner arrangement shown in FIG. 4;

[0170] FIG. 9 is a front view of a locking member for the shelf and liner arrangement shown in FIG. 4;

[0171] FIG. 10 is a detail drawing of the region B of the shelf and liner arrangement shown in FIG. 4;

[0172] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a further shelf and liner arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure;

[0173] FIG. 12 is a side view of the shelf and liner arrangement as shown in FIG. 11;

[0174] FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing showing the detail C of the shelf and liner arrangement shown in FIG. 11;

[0175] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the shelf and liner arrangement shown in FIG. 11;

[0176] FIG. 15 is an exploded side view of the shelf and liner arrangement shown in FIG. 11; and

[0177] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view through the shelf and liner arrangement shown in FIG. 11, taken from the same side as FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0178] FIG. 1 provides an overview of a material transfer chute with shelves of the type to which this invention is applied.

[0179] The chute has several rows of shelves each extending in from a wall of the chute. Further, the shelf arrangements extend incrementally further into the chute in a direction down through the chute. Each shelf arrangement has an inner end that is mounted on the wall of the chute and a free outer end that projects into a flow passage defined through the chute.

[0180] Chute liners are mounted on each of the shelves and each liner has an inner end that is mounted on a shelf towards the chute wall and an outer end outward of the outer end of the shelf. Further, each chute liner comprises a base which is mounted on a shelf and an arm extending up and away from the base to a free end projecting into the flow passage. The chute liner has strengthening webs or ribs at spaced intervals across its width that stiffen the arms and help them to maintain their upstanding orientation when subject to load in use.

[0181] The base of the chute liner is planar so that it can lie on a shelf which is also planar. However, the arm or flange extends away from the base at an obtuse angle as shown in the drawings. The base of the chute liner mounts the liner efficaciously on the shelf and the function of the arm is to contact the rock material passing through the flow passage. The arm holds up some of the rock material forming a stationary rock layer. The broken rock that is moving through the flow passage then contacts with the stationary rock being held by the arms. It does not directly contact the chute liner thereby reducing wear of the chute liners. However, over time with extended operation of the chute, the free ends of the arms are worn down by the passing broken rock material reducing their ability to hold up the rock, and they need to be replaced.

[0182] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the chute liner is mounted on a shelf by means of a fastener which passes first through the chute liner from above and then through a mounting aperture formed in the shelf. The fastener is secured by a nut mounted on the fastener below the shelf to securely lock the chute liner on the shelf. The head of the fastener lies on an operatively upper surface of the chute liner where it contacts broken rock material, and it needs to be accessed from above during maintenance.

[0183] To replace a liner on this chute, the nut of the fastener is accessed by a worker from below the shelf. The nut is turned to displace it to the free end of the fastener and detach it from the fastener. The fastener then needs to be withdrawn from the liner and the shelf by the worker from above the shelf. However, the upper surface of the liner which contacts the broken rock material is likely to be buried in compacted rock from operation of the chute. In such an environment, it may not be easy for a maintenance worker to remove the fastener.

[0184] FIGS. 4 to 10 illustrate a shelf and chute liner arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0185] In these Figures, the shelf and liner arrangement for a chute is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The shelf and liner arrangement 10 comprise broadly a shelf 12 and a chute liner 20.

[0186] The shelf 12 has an inner end 14 that, in use, is mounted on a chute wall and a free outer end 16 spaced away from the chute wall. The shelf 12 has two sides 22 and 24 laterally spaced from each other joining the inner and outer ends 14 and 16 and a pair of locking formation apertures 26, 28 formed therein. The pair of locking formation apertures 26, 28 are laterally spaced away from each other, one each towards each side 22, 24 of the shelf 12.

[0187] The chute liner 20 is mounted on the shelf 12 and includes a base 30 mounted on the shelf 12 and an arm 32 extending away from the base 30 to a free outer end 34 spaced away from the base 30. The chute liner has two laterally spaced sides 35, 37 joining its inner and outer ends.

[0188] The base 30 has an operatively upper surface 31 that contacts material passing through the chute and an opposed operatively lower surface 33 that faces down onto the shelf 12. The base 30 has a free inner end 36 extending towards the inner end 14 of the shelf 12, an outer end 38 that extends a short distance beyond the outer end 16 of the shelf 12.

[0189] The chute liner 20 has two spaced mounting formations 40, 42 depending down from the operatively lower surface 33 of the base 30 through the locking formation apertures 26, 28. Each mounting formation 40, 42 projects out beneath the shelf 12 and defines a passage 39 there through that is used to lock the chute liner 20 to the shelf 12.

[0190] The chute liner 20 further includes a locking member 50 that is received within the passage 39 of each mounting formation 40, 42. Each locking member 50 has a section which is tapered that passes through the passage 39 which is frictionally engaged with the mounting formation 40 to lock the chute liner 20 to the shelf 12.

[0191] The shelves 12 may be made of steel and be of generally rectangular construction as shown in the drawings. The distance between the lateral sides 22, 24 of each shelf is greater than the distance between the inner and outer ends 14, 16 so a longitudinal dimension or longitudinal axis extends from one side 22 to the other side 24. A longitudinal axis of the chute liner 20 extends from one side 35 of the chute liner to the other side 37. The shelf 12 further include one or more shelf supports (not shown) that extend from an underside of the shelf 12 down to the chute wall and provide vertical support or load support for the shelf 12. As the shelf supports do not form part of the invention disclosed in this disclosure, they will not be discussed in further detail in this description.

[0192] The chute liner 20 may be manufactured in a similar way to the chute liner described in the prior art and may, for example, be formed by casting a chrome body. Further, the chute liner 20 may have a plurality of stiffening ribs 48 extending between the base 30 and the arm 32 spaced in from the respective sides 35, 37. Again, these are similar to those on the liner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0193] In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the two spaced mounting formations 40, 42 are configured so that the passage 39 through the mounting formations 40, 42 has an axis extending parallel to the inner and outer ends 14 and 16 of the shelf 12 and the chute liner 20 and also parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chute liner. That is, the axis extends transverse to the sides 35 and 37 of the chute liner 20.

[0194] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, the mounting formations 40, 42 are formed integrally with the liner 20 and project downwardly from the operatively lower surface 33. As described, the mounting formations 40, 42 include a projecting part that projects down beneath the shelf 12 that forms the passage 39 through which the locking member 50 is passed.

[0195] The locking member 50 and its interaction with the passage 39 through the mounting formation 40, 42 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0196] The locking member 50 is elongate, and the tapered section thereof forms a wedge 52 that is received in the passage 39 of the mounting formation 40 and frictionally engages that part of the mounting formation 40 surrounding the passage 39. The locking member 50 has one end with an enlarged head 56 and an opposed smaller end 58 which can be displaced through the passage 39 with some clearance.

[0197] The locking member 50 may conveniently be formed of resilient material, e.g. polyurethane, that can undergo deformation when it is displaced, e.g. driven, into the passage 39. Deformation of the resilient material of member 50 creates a static frictional force between the locking member 50 and the shelf 12 which assists in resisting the locking member 50 from being withdrawn from the passage 39 of the mounting formations 40, 42. The deformed resilient material urges outwardly against the passage 39 increasing the frictional grip of the locking member 50.

[0198] In the illustrated embodiment, each passage 39 is formed by its associated mounting formation 40 or 42 and a bottom surface of the shelf 12. The passage 39 has four sides and the wedge 52 of the locking member 50 also has a complementary four-sided configuration. The tapering profile 52 of the locking member 50 is shown clearly in FIG. 9.

[0199] One side 51 of the wedge 52 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the locking member 50 and as shown in the drawings is arranged to bear up against the shelf 12. This configuration permits the locking member 50 to lie flat up against the underside of the shelf 12. The other three sides of the wedge 52 taper inwardly in a direction from one end of the locking member 50 to the smaller end 58 to achieve the wedge effect. In one embodiment, the wedge 52 may comprise a frustum or frusto-conical section of an oblique rectangular pyramid.

[0200] Additionally, the locking member 50 has a retaining arrangement indicated generally by reference numeral 60 towards the smaller end 58 for retaining the locking member 50 in its position. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining arrangement 60 comprises several openings 62 formed through the locking member 50 at spaced intervals along its length towards the smaller opposed end 58. A clip 63, e.g. an R clip, can be inserted through one of the openings 62 to prevent the locking member 50 from being withdrawn from the locking formation 40 with which it is frictionally engaged. The clip 63 thus does not need to be in physical contact with the mounting formation and may be spaced apart therefrom.

[0201] Additionally, the shelf 12 has a shelf retainer 64 and the liner 20 has a base engagement formation 66 along its inner end 36 for holding the chute liner 20 in position down the shelf 12 during operation of the chute.

[0202] The shelf retainer 64 comprises an elongate member of constant cross section, e.g. in the form of an L-section, that extends a full length of the chute liner 20 and forms an elongate receptacle within which the base engagement formation 66 is received. In turn, the base engagement formation 66 is sized and configured be tightly and snugly received within the elongate receptacle formed by the shelf retainer 64 so that it is held down firmly on the shelf 12.

[0203] In use, a chute liner 20 is positioned on a shelf 12 with the mounting formations 40, 42 on the liner 20 aligned with the locking formation apertures 26, 28 formed in the shelf 12. The mounting formations 40, 42 are passed through the locking formation apertures 26, 28 in the shelf 12 so that the formations 40, 42, and in particular the part projecting down beneath the shelf 12 and defining the passage 39, can be accessed by a worker beneath the shelf 12 doing a liner swap and installation.

[0204] The locking member 50 is then passed through the passage 39 until the wedge 52 frictionally engages with the mounting formation 40 or 42. A stronger and more secure locking action can be achieved by hitting the head 56 of the locking member 50 with a hammer to drive the wedge 52 further into the passage 39. This increases the frictional locking force locking the locking members 50 to the mounting formations 40, 42.

[0205] This procedure is applied in reverse to remove a worn liner from a chute. The locking member 50 is withdrawn from the passage 39 by hitting a reverse side of the head 56 of the locking member 50 with a hammer. Once the locking member 50 has been removed, the mounting formations 40, 42 can be pushed upward and out through the locking formation apertures 26, 28 in the shelf 12 and then the base engagement formation 66 on the inner end 36 of the base 30 can be withdrawn from the shelf retainer 64 thereby separating the chute liner 20 from the shelf 12. The chute liner can then be replaced with a replacement chute liner in the manner described immediately above.

[0206] FIGS. 11 to 16 illustrate a shelf and chute liner arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure. The shelf and liner arrangement in the second embodiment, is conceptually similar to the first embodiment described above, and has many features in common with the first embodiment. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. The following description will focus on the differences between this second embodiment and the first embodiment.

[0207] In FIGS. 11 to 16, the shelf and chute liner arrangement, is indicated generally by reference numeral 10.

[0208] The shelf and liner arrangement comprises a shelf 12 having an inner end 14 mounted on a chute wall and a free outer end 16 spaced away from the chute wall, and a chute liner 20 mounted on the shelf 12.

[0209] The shelf 12 has two sides 22, 24 laterally spaced from each other joining the inner and outer ends 12 and 14, and the shelf 12 has two laterally spaced locking formation apertures 26, 28 formed therein. Additionally, the outer end 16 of the shelf 12 has two notches or cut outs 120 in its outer end 14 for interacting with the chute liner 20 as will be described below.

[0210] The chute liner 20 comprises a base 30 mounted on the shelf 12 and an arm 32 extending away from the base 30 to a free end 34 spaced away from the base 30. As with the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10, the base 30 has an operatively upper surface 31 that contacts material passing through the chute and an opposed operatively lower surface 33 that bears down against the shelf 12.

[0211] Further, the chute liner 20 has two mounting formations 40, 42 depending down from the operatively lower surface 33 of the base 30, with each mounting formation passing through a locking formation aperture 26 or 28 in the shelf 12 as with the first embodiment. Each mounting formation 40, 42 has a part, projecting down beneath the shelf 12, and defining a passage 39 which is used for locking the chute liner 20 to the shelf 12.

[0212] The chute liner 20 and the locking member 50 used in the second embodiment will now be described in more detail below.

[0213] In addition to the mounting formations 40, 42, the chute liner 20 has two linked further mounting formations 110 towards the outer end 38 of the base 30 of the chute liner 20. One said linked further mounting formation 110 is associated with said mounting formation 40, and the other linked further mounting formation 110 is associated with the other mounting formation 42.

[0214] Each linked further mounting formation 110 comprises a base wall 112 having a locking member aperture 114 formed therein through which a locking member which is indicated by the reference numeral 140 in these drawings can be passed. Each further mounting formation 110 also includes a protective wall 116 around the base wall 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the base wall 112 and protective wall 116 resemble a bracket integrally formed with the base 30 of the chute liner 20. The further mounting formations 110 are received within the cut outs 120 formed in the outer end of the shelf as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0215] In the second embodiment in FIGS. 11 to 16, the locking member 140 comprises a fastener 142 in combination with a separate block which in the drawings comprises a wedge 150 forming a bore 152 within which the fastener is engaged and received.

[0216] The fastener 142 has a head 144 at one end and a shank 146 extending from the head 144 having an external screw thread formed thereon or partially along the shank 146. The head 144 is positioned on a side of the locking member 114 that is remote from the mounting formation 42 and the shank 146 thereof is passed through the aperture 114 as shown in FIG. 13. The bore 152 of the wedge 150 defines an internal screw thread that engages with the screw thread on the shank 146 as shown in the drawings to form a mechanical lock.

[0217] Rotation of the fastener 142 in one direction draws the wedge 150 further into the passage 39 until a geometric lock is formed between the wedge 150 and the locking formation 40 locking the locking member 140 to the mounting formation 40. It will be appreciated that when in the locking position as shown in FIG. 14, it is not possible for the wedge 150 to be withdrawn from the locked position without rotation of the fastener 142 in the opposite direction.

[0218] The wedge 150 on the locking member 140 has four sides. One side 154 of the wedge 150 extends parallel to an axis of the locking member 140, and perpendicular to the head 144 of the fastener 142 for bearing up against an underside of the shelf 12. An opposed side 156 which in use is spaced away from the shelf 12 is tapered or inclined to achieve a wedging engagement with the mounting formation 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the other sides of the wedge 150 are also tapered to enhance the geometric lock.

[0219] The mounting formation 40, 42 that is formed on the chute liner 20 of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 14. As illustrated in the drawings, the formation 40, 42 is formed separately to the chute liner 20 and comprises an upper part and a lower part. The upper part is largely received within the base of the chute liner 20 and a lower part of the mounting formation 40 passes through the shelf 12 and projects out beneath the shelf 12. The lower part defines the passage 39 into which the wedge 150 of the locking member 140 is passed.

[0220] The formations 40, 42 may be formed from the same material or a different material to that of the liner 20. In an alternative arrangement like the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the formations 40, 42 are formed integrally with the chute liner 20.

[0221] Further in the second embodiment, the passages 39 formed in the mounting formations 40, 42 extend in an axial direction from the outer end 16 of the chute liner to the inner end 14 of the chute liner 20. That is, they extend parallel to the sides 35, 37 of the chute liner 20 and transverse to the inner and outer ends 14 and 16. In particular, the passages 39 in the second embodiment extend transverse to the passages 39 and locking members 50 of the first embodiment which run parallel to the inner and outer ends of the chute liner.

[0222] In use, when the wedge 150 is in position received within the passage 39, the bore 152 formed in the wedge 150 is aligned with the aperture 114 in the further mounting formation 110. Thus, when a user inserts the shank end of the fastener 142, e.g. a bolt or screw, through the passage of mounting formation 110, the shank of the fastener 142 is aligned with the bore of the wedge 150 and can be screw threadedly received in the bore 152 of the wedge 150.

[0223] The fastener 142 can be turned by a user to advance the shank 146 into the wedge 150 until finger tight. The fastener, e.g. screw, 142 can then be mechanically tightened with a tool which draws the wedge 150 further into the passage 39. This provides a clamping force on the liner 20. A further clamping force is provided by the head 144 of the fastener 142 which is urged tightly against the base wall 112 of the further mounting formation 110.

[0224] To disengage the liner 20 for service and replacement, the fastener 142 is rotated in an opposite direction (to that for assembly) until the shank 146 of the fastener 142 is withdrawn from the threaded bore 152 within the wedge 150. Once the fastener 142 is withdrawn from the wedge 150 and the aperture 112, the wedge 150 can be withdrawn from the mounting formation 36 and the liner 20 can then be lifted off the shelf 12 and replaced.

[0225] It will be appreciated that the first and second embodiments of liner and shelf arrangements described above in the detailed description enable quicker and more efficient removal and replacement of liners when they are worn than with the prior art arrangements shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The locking members can be accessed and removed by maintenance workers from beneath the shelf where they are not covered in rock material or damaged by rock material. They can be easily accessed beneath the shelf. Further, the operatively upper surface of the chute liners does not need to be cleared of material to gain access to the locking members for the purpose of withdrawing them from the chute liners and shelves.

[0226] The removal and replacement of chute liners may therefore be accomplished more quickly. This reduces the downtime for replacing the liners on chutes with shelves and it also reduces the cost of the labour resources used for liner replacement. This can lead to significant cost savings for plant and mine operators.

[0227] Further with the first and second embodiments described above, the locking members are more effectively shielded from contact with rock flow during operation of the chute. Thus, the locking arrangements are less likely to be damaged by broken rock material flowing through the chute than with the prior art arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0228] Yet further, the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings provide effectively two points of attachment of the chute liner to the shelf in a direction extending from the inner to the outer ends of the liner. This helps the chute liner to withstand the stresses imposed on it during operation of the chute without lifting off the shelf.

[0229] In the description and claims, the term chute with shelves shall be understood to mean a chute of the type having a plurality of rows of vertically spaced shelves or ledges that project transversely away from a wall of the chute. The spaced shelves receive and hold up rock material being passed through the chute so as to achieve rock on rock contact which reduces wear of the chute liner being used.

[0230] In the specification, the term comprising shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term including and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term comprising such as comprise and comprises.

[0231] In the specification, the terms operatively engages or operative engagement may be understood to include meaning that a locking member passing through the passage engages the passage to holds the base in position on the shelf during operational use.

[0232] In the specification, the term operatively upper surface means that the surface faces upwards in operational use, e.g. for contact with the material passing through the chute, and operatively lower surface means that the surface faces downward in operational use, e.g. such that it sits on the shelf.

[0233] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the inventions as described and claimed herein without departing form the sprit and scope thereof.