# US 7,461,802 B2 · Apparatus and method for supporting a removable anvil > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,461,802 B2 - Document ID: US7461802B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/783,339 - Filed: 2004-02-20 - Published: 2005-08-25 - Granted: 2008-12-09 - Earliest claimed: 2004-02-20 - Assignees: Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Inventors: Brian Smidt; Darin Dux; Scott Eberts; Duane Harthoorn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7461802B2 ## CPC - B02C 18/18: Knives; Mountings thereof - B02C 2018/188: {Stationary counter-knives; Mountings thereof} - B02C: CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN ({household tools and machines for pulverising foodstuffs, e.g. coffee and spice mills A47J42/00; pharmaceutical mortars A61J3/02; mechanical processing of refuse and garbage B03B9/06; dressing mould materials by grinding B22C5/04}; obtaining metallic powder by crushing, grinding or milling B22F9/04; {recovery of plastics by disintegrating B29B17/00; crushing raw materials in starch making C08B30/02; beaters for papermaking D21D1/02; crushing devices specially for transport in mines E21F13/002; slag crushing devices F23J1/00; fuel milling devices in combustion apparatus F23K1/00; household devices for crushing coal F24B15/02; ice disintegrating devices F25C5/02}) ## Abstract A grinding machine having a mounting arrangement and an anvil. The grinding machine generally including a feed table and a grinding drum positioned within a mill box. The mounting arrangement being configured to support an end of the feed table and the anvil. The anvil including a wedge-shaped portion and having a length. The length of the anvil being configured to extend beyond sides of the mill box. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A grinding machine, comprising: a) a mill box having opposite sides, the opposite sides of the mill box defining a grinding width, each of the sides defining an aperture; b) a grinding drum positioned within the mill box, the grinding drum having an axis of rotation; c) an anvil having a cross-section, the cross-section including a wedge-shaped portion and a rectangular portion, the wedge-shaped portion having a tapering surface extending from a first reference point to a second reference point, each of the first and second reference points being located a distance from the axis of rotation of the grinding drum, the second reference point of the tapering surface being located farther from the axis of rotation than the first reference point, the anvil being positioned within the apertures of each of the sides of the mill box, the anvil having a length greater than the grinding width of the mill box such that ends of the anvil extend beyond the sides of the mill box; d) wherein the tapering surface of the anvil is oriented such that the first and second reference points are horizontally aligned with one another. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The grinding machine of claim 1, wherein the anvil is made of a solid construction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The grinding machine of claim 1, further including a mounting arrangement having clamp arms, the clamp arms being configured to secure the ends of the anvil when positioned within the apertures of each of the sides of the mill box. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The grinding machine of claim 1, further including a feed table for transporting material to the mill box. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The grinding machine of claim 4, further including a mounting arrangement, the mounting arrangement including a first support surface configured to support an end of the feed table and a second support surface configured to support the anvil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The grinding machine of claim 5, wherein the second support surface is located outside of the mill box of the grinding machine. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The grinding machine of claim 4, wherein the feed table defines a transport plane, the tapering surface of the anvil that extends between the first and second reference points being parallel with the transport plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The grinding machine of claim 1, wherein a portion of the distance between the first reference point and the axis of rotation of the grinding drum defines a minimum clearance distance between the grinding drum and the anvil. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The grinding machine of claim 1, wherein the anvil is located in relation to the grinding drum such that during operation, the tapering surface of the wedge-shaped portion of the anvil receives the impacts of generally perpendicular forces generated by the grinding drum. ### Claim 10 A grinding machine, comprising: a) a mill box having opposite sides, the opposite sides of the mill box defining a grinding width, each of the sides defining an aperture; b) a grinding drum positioned within the mill box; c) an anvil having a solid construction that defines a cross-section, the cross-section including a wedge portion and a rectangular portion, the wedge portion being defined by a tapering surface, the anvil being located in relation to the grinding drum such that during operation the tapering surface of the wedge portion is oriented perpendicular to vertical impact forces generated by the grinding drum, the anvil being positioned within the apertures of each of the sides of the mill box, the anvil having a length greater than the grinding width of the mill box such that ends of the anvil extend beyond the sides of the mill box. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The grinding machine of claim 10, wherein the anvil is oriented such that a minimum clearance distance between the grinding drum and the anvil is defined between the rectangular portion of the anvil and the grinding drum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The grinding machine of claim 10, further including a mounting arrangement having clamp arms, the clamp arms being configured to secure the ends of the anvil when positioned within the apertures of each of the sides of the mill box. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The grinding machine of claim 10, further including a feed table for transporting material to the mill box. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The grinding machine of claim 13, further including a mounting arrangement, the mounting arrangement including a first support surface configured to support an end of the feed table and a second support surface configured to support the anvil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The grinding machine of claim 14, wherein the second support surface is located outside of the mill box of the grinding machine. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The grinding machine of claim 13, wherein the feed table defines a transport plane, the tapering surface defining the wedge portion of the anvil extending parallel with the transport plane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The grinding machine of claim 10, whereby the solid construction of the anvil eliminates stress concentrations associated with structures that weaken the structural integrity of the anvil.