# US 10,118,198 B2 · Vibratory classifier apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,198 B2 - Document ID: US10118198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/453,018 - Filed: 2017-03-08 - Published: 2017-09-14 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-09 - Assignees: Superior Industries, Inc. - Applicants: Superior Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Shawn Erickson; Cody Tufford; Lafe Grimm; Ryan Larson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118198B2 ## CPC - B07B 1/46: Constructional details of screens in general; Cleaning or heating of screens - B07B 1/42: Drive mechanisms, regulating or controlling devices, or balancing devices, specially adapted for screens - B07B 1/55: with fluid jets - B07B 2230/01: Wet separation - B07B: SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL (wet separating processes, sorting by processes using fluent material in the same way as liquid B03; combinations of dry separating apparatus with wet separating apparatus B03B; using liquids B03B, B03D; sorting by magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges or vortex apparatus for carrying out physical processes B04; hand sorting, postal sorting, sorting by switching or other devices actuated in response to detection or measurement of some feature of articles or samples of material B07C) ## Abstract Vibratory classifier apparatus are provided, e.g., for classification of materials such as wet or dry aggregate materials. In some embodiments, a selectively displaceable and/or removable access panel is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vibratory classifier comprising: a first sidewall having a first side wall opening and a second side wall opening; a second sidewall separated from said first sidewall by a transverse distance; at least one screen disposed at least partially between said first sidewall and said second sidewall; a first access assembly comprising: a first panel mounted to a side of said first sidewall, said first panel having a first access opening and a gate opening therethrough, said first access opening being at least partially aligned with said first sidewall opening, the first panel further having a selectively closable access gate, said access gate at least partly obstructing said gate opening in a closed position; and a first removable cover at least partially obstructing said first access opening, said first removable cover being connected to said first panel by at least one connection tab, said connection tab having a thickness less than a thickness of said first sidewall. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vibratory classifier of claim 1, wherein a thickness of said first panel is less than said thickness of said first sidewall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vibratory classifier of claim 1, wherein said first removable cover is removable by cutting said connection tab. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vibratory classifier of claim 1, wherein said first panel is removably mounted to said first sidewall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vibratory classifier of claim 4, further comprising: a lock, said lock having a first orientation in which said access gate is openable, and said lock having a second orientation in which said access gate is locked, wherein said lock is selectively securable in said second orientation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vibratory classifier of claim 1, further comprising: a second sidewall opening in said second sidewall, said second sidewall opening at least partially transversely aligned with said first sidewall opening; and a second access assembly comprising: a second panel mounted to a side of said second sidewall, said second panel having a second access opening therethrough, said second access opening being at least partially aligned with said second sidewall opening, said second access opening being at least partially transversely aligned with said first access opening of said first access assembly; and a second removable cover at least partially obstructing said second access opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vibratory classifier of claim 6, wherein a transversely extending spray bar is simultaneously positionable inside of both said first access opening and said second access opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vibratory classifier of claim 7, wherein a first seal is supportable on said first access assembly, wherein said first seal is configured to seal an area between said spray bar and a perimeter of said first access opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The vibratory classifier of claim 7, further comprising: a spray bar support adjacent to said first sidewall, said spray bar support isolated from said first sidewall, said spray bar support configured to support a first end of said spray bar. ### Claim 10 A vibratory classifier comprising: a first sidewall; a second sidewall separated from said first sidewall by a transverse distance; at least one screen disposed at least partially between said first sidewall and said second sidewall; a first sidewall opening in said first sidewall; a second sidewall opening in said second sidewall, said second sidewall opening being at least partially transversely aligned with said first sidewall opening; a first access assembly comprising: a first panel mounted to a side of said first sidewall, said first panel having a first access opening therethrough, said first access opening being at least partially aligned with said first sidewall opening; a first removable cover at least partially obstructing said first access opening; a second access assembly comprising: a second panel mounted to a side of said second sidewall, said second panel having a second access opening therethrough, said second access opening being at least partially aligned with at said second sidewall opening; and a second removable cover at least partially obstructing said second access opening, wherein said first and second access openings are disposed to receive a transversely extending spray bar therethrough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vibratory classifier of claim 10, wherein a first seal is supportable on said first access assembly, wherein said first seal is configured to seal an area between said spray bar and a perimeter of said first access opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vibratory classifier of claim 10, further comprising: a spray bar support adjacent to said first sidewall, said spray bar support isolated from said first sidewall, said spray bar support configured to support a first end of said spray bar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The vibratory classifier of claim 10, wherein a thickness of said first panel is less than said thickness of said first sidewall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vibratory classifier of claim 13, wherein said first removable cover is removable by cutting a portion of said first panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The vibratory classifier of claim 10, wherein said first panel is removably mounted to said first sidewall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The vibratory classifier of claim 10, further comprising: a third sidewall opening, said third sidewall opening extending through said first sidewall; a gate opening in said first panel, said gate opening at least partially aligned with said third sidewall opening; and a selectively closable access gate, said access gate at least partly obstructing said gate opening in a closed position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The vibratory classifier of claim 16, further comprising: a lock, said lock having a first orientation in which said access gate is openable, and said lock having a second orientation in which said access gate is locked, wherein said lock is selectively securable in said second orientation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The vibratory classifier of claim 16, wherein said gate opening is disposed adjacent to an adjustment assembly of said screen such that opening said access gate allows a user to reach said adjustment assembly through said gate opening. ### Claim 19 An access assembly for mounting to a sidewall of a vibratory classifier, the sidewall having a first sidewall opening therethrough, the access assembly comprising: a panel having a mounted portion removably mountable to the sidewall adjacent to the sidewall opening by a fastener; one or more slots in said panel; a removable cover having a perimeter at least partially defined by said one or more slots, said one or more slots at least partially separating said mounted portion from said removable cover; one or more connection tabs connecting said removable cover and said mounted portion, wherein removal of said one or more connection tabs permits removal of said removable cover, wherein removal of said removable cover creates an access opening sized to receive a spray bar therethrough, and wherein a thickness of said one or more connection tabs is less than a thickness of said sidewall; a seal installable on said panel, said seal extending radially inwardly from a perimeter of said access opening when installed; and a collar configured to secure said seal to said panel, said collar extending around said perimeter of said access opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The access assembly of claim 19, further comprising: a gate opening in said panel, said gate opening being at least partially aligned with a second sidewall opening in the sidewall when said removable cover is at least partially aligned with said first sidewall opening; and a selectively closable access gate pivotally coupled to said panel, said access gate at least partly obstructing said gate opening in a closed position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The access assembly of claim 20, further comprising: a lock pivotally coupled to said panel by bolt, said lock having a first orientation in which said access gate is openable, and said lock having a second orientation in which said access gate is locked, wherein said lock is selectively securable in said second orientation by tightening said bolt. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The access assembly of claim 21, wherein said access gate includes a lock opening extending therethrough, wherein in said first orientation said lock is oriented to pass through said lock opening, and wherein in said second orientation said lock is not oriented to pass through said lock opening.