12v bucket classifier, and a showing of the new Dry Sluice (patent pending)

[Jim in Idaho]

After all the discussion about a classifier for the new Keene drywasher, I got to thinking maybe it's time to build one for my Dry Sluice. I wanted one that would run continuously, rather than a batch at a time. It also needed to be fairly small, and lightweight. That small size meant it had to be top-fed, which ruled out a rotary, which was what I really wanted. When designing small, portable stuff, there are always compromises. So, this sloped, rocking design is what I ended up with. Big mistake making it for a round bucket...added a s--t ton of extra work. It's mounted on the top of a 5 gallon bucket, and slides into the collection bucket. It weighs right at 6lbs, so with the Dry Sluice, the all-up weight is 20lbs. Video here: Classifier

 

[Odanscoils]

Interesting design.
I like it the idea. Like a rocker box
May I suggest about twice as long.
Running a little steeper angle.
And a couple three 1/8-1/4" ribs on the screen running the width.
Running at a steeper angle.
Holding the material just a little longer.
I can see presently at a steeper angle the material would roll out to fast.

Curious.
Did you file the patents ?
Or using a lawyer ?

I have a couple sluice designs I'd like to Patent.
And a few other electric motor designs.

Appreciate your knowledge on the issue.

 

[Odanscoils]

I also subscribed.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

The problem, Odan, is it needs to be easily man-portable, and also needs to fit on a bucket...thus the short length. I knew I'd lose some of the small stuff, but since it's for prospecting, and not mining, I figured that was accepatable...not like there isn't more small stuff on the ground when I'm prospecting. The steeper I make it, the more small stuff I'd lose, too. I think, overall, it's not a bad compromise. I used that 1/8" screen because I had it one hand

 

[Jim in Idaho]

I meant to add...1/4" screen would probably be better, or even 3/8". The dry sluice handles the bigger material pretty well. I appreciate you subscribing, though my channel isn't monetized.
Jim

 

[Odanscoils]

You're welcome.

Can you answer the patent question please.

 

[Odanscoils]

As far as screen you know as well as anyone.
That depends on the gold your expecting to find.
Here in ohio that would be 3/16-1/4".

I still think a couple three beads of silicone or hot melt glue across the screen could be a great deal of good.

Probably like you.
I've been tinkering and experimenting since my teens.
That was over half a century again. LoL

I enjoy dreamy eyed looking at designs.
And seeing possible improvements.

I mean no offense. That's just me.
And I suspect you do the same.

I really do like what you've done here.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

I'm not insulted...LOL I like people to make suggestions. A person can learn things from everybody. And I have great respect for your input, on everything. On the patents...I've done both myself. Hiring outside people to do it is very spendy. If they do the drawings, and the application, it can cost in the neighborhood of $15,000. No way I can do that. Fortunately I can use CAD, and I'm fairly literate, so can write my own applications. But, and it's a BIG but, learning the rules of the patent office, and doing the app in a way that satisfies them, is not easy, or simple. My first app, on the Sweep Jig took me about 200 hours. The second, about half that, though a big part of that was learning to navigate the Patent Office's new software, and I still got it wrong, which cost me an additional $350, or so. If you want to go for it, you need to buy a book, from NOLO Press, called "Patent it Yourself". I wish, before I'd started the last app, I'd bought the updated version, which might have helped navigating the Patent Office website. That book is the "Bible" when it comes to DIY patenting. Don't let me discourage you from the attempt. Any literate person can do this. Just be prepared for the effort you'll need to expend. On sluiceboxes, I assume you're thinking of patenting a particular riffle shape, or contour. if so, that will probably be a"Design" patent, rather than a "Utility" patent like mine were. The rules are somewhat different between them, and I'm not fully versed in the "Design" end, though I had various embodiments of sluice types in my app for the Dry Sluice.
Jim