Portable apparatus for comminuting gypsum wallboard

Portable apparatus for comminuting gypsum wallboard, said portable apparatus comprising, in combination:

• a unitary, rigid platform;
• wheels rotatably connected to said platform for supporting said platform;
• a first hopper mounted on said platform defining a first hopper interior for receiving gypsum wallboard and having a first hopper inlet and a first hopper outlet communicating with said first hopper interior;
• a plurality of rotary milling units mounted for rotational movement in said first hopper interior, each said rotary milling unit including an elongated shaft and a plurality of milling arms connected to said elongated shaft at spaced locations on said elongated shaft and projecting outwardly from said elongated shaft, said milling arms having distal ends, and milling arms of adjacent rotary milling units intermeshing to define a plurality of restricted passageways;
• rotary milling unit drive means for rotating said rotary milling units;
• a first conveyor mounted on said platform for receiving wallboard pieces exiting said first hopper outlet and for transporting said wallboard pieces;
• first conveyor drive means on said platform for driving said first conveyor;
• a second hopper mounted on said platform at a location thereon spaced from said first hopper, said second hopper having second hopper side walls defining a second hopper interior for receiving wallboard pieces transported from said first hopper by said first conveyor, said second hopper having a second hopper inlet and a second hopper outlet communicating with said second hopper interior;
• a rotatable chain mill mounted for rotational movement in said second hopper interior, said rotatable chain mill including a rigid elongated member and a plurality of chains connected to said rigid elongated member about the periphery of said rigid elongated member at spaced locations along the length thereof, said chains having free distal ends which move away from said rigid elongated member due to centrifugal force and are positioned closely adjacent to said second hopper side walls upon rotation of said rigid elongated member;
• chain mill drive means for rotating said chain mill;
• a second conveyer for receiving comminuted wallboard particles exiting from said second hopper outlet after comminution of said wallboard pieces by said chain mill and for transporting said comminuted wallboard particles to a location spaced from said second hopper;
• and
• second conveyor drive means for driving said second conveyor.