Apparatus and method for an apron assembly

1. An apron assembly adapted for use on a crusher, said apron assembly comprising:

(a) an apron, said apron being mounted to the crusher and being configured to be moved between an operating position and an open position;

(b) a tension rod, said tension rod being operatively attached to and disposed between the apron and a shock absorber mount and said tension rod having a tension rod base;

(c) a spring seat, said spring seat being mounted to the crusher and being configured to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position;

(d) a spring, said spring being operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat;

(e) an actuator, said actuator being mounted to the crusher and the spring seat and being configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position;

(f) a hydraulic shock absorber, said hydraulic shock absorber being operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and the shock absorber mount;

wherein the hydraulic shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator when the crusher is operating under normal crushing conditions and during a tramp iron event; and wherein the hydraulic shock absorber reduces the speed at which the apron returns from the open position to the operating position after a tramp iron event.

2. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the apron is pivotally mounted to the crusher.

3. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the spring seat is pivotally mounted to the crusher.

4. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the spring urges the apron into the operating position.

5. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator.

6. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

7. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator is pivotally mounted to the crusher.

8. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator is pivotally mounted to the spring seat.

9. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the shock absorber controls the speed of the spring seat as the spring seat moves between the raised position and the lowered position.

10. The apron assembly of claim 1 wherein the shock absorber comprises a hydraulic shock absorber.

11. The apron assembly of claim 1 further comprising a means for mounting the apron to the crusher.

12. The apron assembly of claim 11 wherein the means for mounting the apron to the crusher comprises an apron pin.

13. The apron assembly of claim 1 further comprising a means for mounting the spring seat to the crusher.

14. The apron assembly of claim 13 wherein the means for mounting the spring seat to the crusher comprises a spring seat pin.

15. The apron assembly of claim 1 further comprising a means for mounting the actuator to the crusher.

16. The apron assembly of claim 15 wherein the means for mounting the actuator to the crusher comprises a first actuator pin.

17. The apron assembly of claim 1 further comprising a means for mounting the actuator to the spring seat.

18. The apron assembly of claim 17 wherein the means for mounting the actuator to the spring seat comprises a second actuator pin.

19. An apron assembly adapted for use on a crusher, said apron assembly comprising:

(a) an apron, said apron being pivotally mounted to the crusher and being configured to be moved between an operating position and an open position;

(b) a tension rod, said tension rod being operatively attached to and disposed between the apron and a shock absorber mount and said tension rod having a tension rod base;

(c) a spring seat, said spring seat being pivotally mounted to the crusher and being configured to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position;

(d) a spring, said spring being operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat and being configured to urge the apron into the operating position;

(e) an actuator, said actuator being pivotally mounted to the crusher and the spring seat and being configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position;

(f) a hydraulic shock absorber, said hydraulic shock absorber being operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and the shock absorber mount;

wherein the hydraulic shock absorber reduces the speed of the apron when the spring urges the apron from the open position into the operating position after a tramp iron event; and wherein the hydraulic shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator when the crusher is operating under normal crushing conditions and during a tramp iron event.

20. A method for controlling the opening in a crusher, said method comprising:

(a) providing an apron assembly, said apron assembly comprising:

(1) an apron, said apron being mounted to the crusher and being configured to be moved between an operating position and an open position;

(2) a tension rod, said tension rod being operatively attached to and disposed between the apron and a shock absorber mount and said tension rod having a tension rod base;

(3) a spring seat, said spring seat being mounted to the crusher and being configured to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position;

(4) a spring, said spring being operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat;

(5) an actuator, said actuator being mounted to the crusher and the spring seat and being configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position;

(6) a hydraulic shock absorber, said hydraulic shock absorber being operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and the shock absorber mount;

wherein the hydraulic shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator when the crusher is operating under normal crushing conditions and during a tramp iron event; and wherein the hydraulic shock absorber reduces the speed at which the apron returns from the open position to the operating position after a tramp iron event;

(b) moving the hydraulic shock absorber between a retracted position and an extended position.