AU2009101091A4 - Ore screening panel fixing system - Google Patents

Description

I Ore Screening Panel Fixing System This invention relates to improvements in ore screening panels used in the 5 separation and grading of materials in the mining and quarrying industries. Background to the invention Australian patent 482212 proposed a modular screening panel system for ore screening decks which is now widely used by the mining industry and replaced 10 the earlier screening cloths, and large wire screening frames. The screening panels were all of the same size [eg. 300mm] and made of reinforced polyurethane. The panels are adapted to be secured to an underlying support frame using dependent spigots which are a force fit into corresponding apertures in the support frame. Patent 517319 provided an alternative method of 15 securing the panels to the frame using a pin expanded fastening concept. For narrow frame members in the screening machine patent 662683 provided a rail design that enabled panels to be secured while avoiding blocking of the screening area by the support frame. Australian patent application 2002300432 discloses a simplified attachment arrangement for this type of support frame. 20 The panels can be snapped onto fastening spigots which are secured to the web like frame members. The panels are easier to install but not all screening machines have the frame members that this system was designed for. It is an object of this invention to adapt this means of fastening screening panels to use with conventional screen frames. 25 Brief description of the invention The present invention provides a mining screening assembly which includes a) a plurality of screening panels each panel having recesses on its edge portions 30 b) a support frame having a vertical web section and a lateral flange having a plurality of holes 2 c) a headed spigot having a headed portion adapted to partially seat in said panel recesses and a body portion adapted to fit in said holes in the support frame flange and the lower section of the body portion is screw threaded to fit a nut or complementarily screw threaded block secured 5 under the flange of the frame member. This invention enables the panels of the type disclosed in patent application 2002300432 to be used on screening machines with conventional frames of the type having a vertical section and a lateral flange with a plurality of holes. To enable the panels to be secured to the frame there is provided a headed 10 spigot having a headed portion adapted to partially seat in said panel recesses and a body portion adapted to fit said holes and enable the spigot to be fastened to said lateral flange. Preferably the body portion is screw threaded to fit a nut or complementarily screw threaded block secured to the frame member. 15 Detailed description of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which: 20 Figure 1 is plan view of the spigot head used in this invention; Figure 2 is a side view along the lines A-A of figure 1 but also showing the frame and the fastening nut for the spigot; Figures 3 shows an alternative frame member where a screw threaded block is secured to the frame member as an alternative to the nut; 25 Figure 4 is a plan view of a rail embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment of figure 4; Figure 6 is an end view of the embodiment of figure 4. The panels and spigot designs used in this invention may be the same as 30 those disclosed in the embodiments described with reference to figures 6- 3 10 of Australian patent application 2002300432 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The spigot 11 comprises a head 12 a threaded shaft 14 a boss 15 and flange 16 incorporating a snap in rib 18 that fits into a complementary 5 recess in the panel. The frame as shown in cross section in figures 2 and 3 comprises a vertical web 21 and a horizontal flange 22 with a hole 23 to accommodate the boss 15 of the spigot. A frame cover 25 deflects fines, passing through the apertures of the screening panels, away from the frame, to prevent 10 abrasion. To retain the spigot on the frame flange 22 a nut 27 is screwed on to the shaft 14 below the flange 22. Alternately a screw threaded block 29 can be fixed to the flange 22 by welding to accommodate the shaft 14 of the spigot 11. This block may be chamfered along edge 30 to ensure a snug fit into 15 the angled junction of the flange 22 and the web 21. In figure 4 a hold down bar version of this invention is illustrated. A bar 41 is bolted onto the angle frame of the screening machine. Each bar 41 incorporates bolt holes 42 for the fastening bolts to secure the bar to the machine frame. Each bar also includes spaced apart screw threaded 20 recess 43 to receive a spigot of the type described in figures 6 to 8 of Australian patent application 2002300432. Each spigot 51 comprises a head 52 a threaded shaft 54 and flange 56 incorporating a snap in rib 58 that fits into a complementary recess in the panel. The spigot 51 is screwed into the recess 43 either before or after the hold down bar 41 has been 25 bolted to the machine frame. The arrangement of this invention has the advantage that no other support frame is required other than the frame of the screening machine itself. Those skilled in the art will realize that the invention may be put into practice in other embodiments but utilizing the essential elements as 30 defined herein.