AU2012205216B2 - A material screening apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A MATERIAL SCREENING APPARATUS 5 A mobile material screening apparatus (100) for separating bulk particulate material into groups of particles of differing sizes comprises a support chassis (2), a horizontal screen box (3) housed within the support chassis (2) and an additional inclined pre-screening module (50) which is adapted to be demountably attached to the support chassis (2). The mobile screening apparatus (100) comprises five outputs. Foldable conveyors (7a, 8, 9, 10 910, 920) can be deployed outwardly from and stowed inwardly against the material screening apparatus. The provision of an inclined pre-screening module (50) provides relief to the horizontal screen box (3) by first removing the larger sized particles from the bulk material which can be returned to a crusher for recycling and serves also to increase the total number of grades of material separated by the screening apparatus. [Figure 7a]

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: Aughey Research and Designs Limited Actual Inventor(s): Eric O'Keeffe, Barry Aughey Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: A MATERIAL SCREENING APPARATUS Our Ref: 949059 POF Code: 119627/488623 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1- 1 A MATERIAL SCREENING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present application is a divisional application from Australian Patent Application No. 2007216488, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to a material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material into groups of particles of differing sizes. 10 BACKGROUND ART A mobile screening apparatus is known whereby the material to be screened is fed via an apron feeder which receives and conveys said material onto a horizontal screen box with two 15 decks, an upper deck where the largest particles are removed and a lower deck. Particles having a smaller size fall through the upper screen deck onto the lower screen deck below. At the lower screen deck, particles of the next largest size grouping are separated from the remaining smaller particulate matter which falls through the lower screen deck. ?0 Elongate conveyers, which are mounted to and extend away from the screening apparatus, convey the separated materials to three distinct and separate locations where they are deposited in stockpiles, according to particle grade. It is quite common to require five grades of material, namely a reject or oversized material 25 and four different grades of screened material. This is achieved by using two screening apparatus together in series. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 30 According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material into groups of particles of differing sizes, the apparatus comprising: a support chassis; a horizontal screen box apparatus, the horizontal screen box mounted on the support chassis and having an upper screen deck and a lower screen deck; an additional pre-screening module, wherein the pre-screening module is 35 slideably connected to and supported on mounting means provided on the support chassis and is provided with an upper inclined screen and a lower inclined screen and wherein the 1a pre-screening module is provided with an upper conveyor and lower conveyor, the upper and lower conveyors being arranged parallel to the upper inclined screen and a lower inclined screen, the upper conveyor being adapted to convey material to the pre-screening module screens and the lower conveyor being adapted to transfer material from the pre-screening 5 module to the horizontal screen box apparatus; the screening apparatus further comprising at least one lifting ram that extends from the support chassis to the pre-screening module, the at least one lifting ram operable to move the pre-screening module between a horizontal stowed position and an operational position in which the angle of inclination of the pre-screening module is altered to thereby tilt the pre-screening module relative to the horizontal screen 10 box; when the pre-screening module is being moved from the stowed position to the tilted operational position, the at least one lifting ram is further operable to simultaneously pull the pre-screening module along a plurality of rollers on the support chassis to a position above the horizontal screen box so that the particulate material is conveyed from the lower inclined conveyor to the pre-screening module to the horizontal screen box; and whereby the 15 provision of the horizontal screen box and the pre-screening module provides for five different grades of material as output from the mobile screening apparatus, including reject unscreened material and four different grades of screened material. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 2 The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, the screening apparatus of the invention. 5 IN THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a screening apparatus of the prior art having a conventional apron feeder and shown in its operating mode; 10 Figure 2 is a schematic end elevation of a screening apparatus having a conventional apron feeder and shown in its operating mode; Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of a screening apparatus of the invention shown in its operating mode; 15 Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of the screening apparatus of the invention shown in its stowed mode; Figure 5a is a schematic plan view of a screening apparatus of the invention shown on 20 site and in its operating mode; Figure 5b is a schematic plan view of a screening apparatus of the invention shown on site and in an alternative operating mode; 25 Figure 6a is a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of a screening apparatus of the invention shown on-site and in its operating mode; Figure 6b is a schematic plan view of the preferred embodiment of a screening apparatus of the invention shown on-site and in an alternative operating mode; 30 Figure 7a and 7b are isometric illustrations of the preferred embodiment of a screening apparatus of the invention shown in its operating mode; Figure 7c is a detailed illustration of the connection of a conveyor to the pre-screening 35 module 50 when in a deployed position; 3 Figure 8a is an isometric illustration of the preferred embodiment of a screening apparatus of the invention shown in its stowed mode; Figure 8b is a detailed illustration of the connection of a conveyor to the pre-screening 5 module 50 when in a stowed position; Figure 9a is a schematic illustration of a folding end conveyor of the preferred embodiment of a screening apparatus of the invention shown in an operating mode; 10 Figure 9b is a schematic illustration of the folding conveyor of the preferred embodiment of a screening apparatus of the invention shown in a stowed mode; Figure 10a is an isometric illustration of a pre-screening module which comprises a telescopically movable upper conveyor and is shown in a deployed mode; 15 Figure 10b is an isometric illustration of a pre-screening module which comprises a telescopically movable upper conveyor and is shown in a stowed mode; and Figure 10c is a detailed side elevation a pre-screening module which comprises a 20 telescopically movable upper conveyor and is shown in a retracted mode. Referring initially to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a mobile screening apparatus 1 of the prior art comprises a chassis 2 mounted on tracks 2a, a horizontal screen box 3 having an upper screen deck 3a and a lower screen deck 3b, a catwalk 6, conveyors 7, 8, 9, a rear mount 25 10 and an apron feeder 11. Bulk material to be screened is fed via apron feeder 11 to the upper screen deck 3a of horizontal screen box 3 which separates the largest particles. Movement of the screen propagates the large particles remaining on the screen surface towards conveyor 7 which 30 conveys them away from the screening apparatus 1 to a remote heap 95, as shown in Figure 5a. All particles that are not screened off at this initial stage fall downwardly through upper upper screen deck 3a onto the lower screen deck 3b of the horizontal screen box 3. At lower screen deck 3b, particles of the next largest size grouping are separated from the remaining smaller particulate matter which falls through the screen. 35 The particles which are retained by lower screen deck 3b are removed from the screening 4 apparatus 1 via conveyor 8 which conveys them to a remote heap 96, as shown in Figure 5a. The remaining particles which are sieved off from lower screen deck 3b fall downwardly and are transferred via either a chute or a conveyor (not shown) to conveyor 9 which further conveys them to remote heap 97, as shown in Figure 5a. 5 Referring now to Figure 3, the mobile screening apparatus 100 of the invention is shown in its operating configuration. Components of the apparatus indicated by reference numerals 2 through to 10 are common with those of the prior art screening apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The mobile screening apparatus 100 of the invention 10 further comprises a pre-screening module indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The pre-screening module 50 comprises an upper conveyor 51, a lower conveyor 52, an inclined two-deck screen box 53, a mounting bracket 54, a dual acting folding ram 55 and 15 a dual acting lifting ram 56. The two-deck inclined screen box 53 further comprises an upper inclined screen 57, a lower inclined screen (not shown) and upper and lower chutes 58, 59, respectively. Pre-screening module 50 is pivotally mounted to the screening apparatus 100 via 20 mounting bracket 54 which is adapted to fit onto rear mount 10 such that the module 50 can revert from an inclined operational position as shown in Figure 3 to a horizontal stowed position as shown in Figure 4 upon actuation of dual acting lift ram 56 which extends from the rear of the chassis 2 at mounting point 60 to the uppermost portion of the two-deck screen box 53. With the dual acting lifting ram 56 extended the pre 25 screening module 50 is tilted about rear mount 10 such that the pre-screening module 50 can operate at various inclined angles. In an operational position, extension of dual acting folding ram 55 deploys upper conveyor 51 which thereby rises above two-deck screen box 53. 30 Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 5a, the operation of the mobile screening apparatus 100 will be described as follows: Bulk material, which may be in the form of quarried rocks, stones, gravel, coal, ash or particulate minerals, is transferred from a crusher 90 or transportation means onto the 35 upper conveyor 51 of pre-screening module 50. The bulk material is conveyed upwardly 5 by inclined conveyor 51 until it reaches the uppermost point of the conveyor. At the apex of the conveyor's 51 travel, the bulk material drops into the top portion of the two-deck screen box 53 before travelling downwardly over upper inclined screen 57 where at a first screening stage the largest particles are separated from the bulk material. 5 The inclination of the screen box 53 assists in the separation of and removal of the large particles which then exit the rear of the screen box 53 via upper chute 58 before being transferred by mobile wheeled stockpiler 91 to a heap 94 as shown in Figure 5a. In an alternative arrangement, shown in Figure 5b, the large particles that exit upper chute 58 10 may be fed via mobile-wheeled stockpiler 92* back to a crushing device 90a which can reprocess the particles before returning the recycled material via a conveyor to the inclined screen 57 for re-screening. The remaining bulk material falls through the upper inclined screen 57 onto a lower 15 inclined screen below (not shown) for a second screening stage whereby particles in the next largest size range are separated from the bulk material. Particles which are unable to pass through the lower inclined screen exit the rear of the screen box 53 via chute 59 and are then transported by mobile wheeled stockpiler 92 to a heap 93 as shown in Figure 5a. 20 The bulk material which has passed through both upper 57 and lower inclined screens falls onto continuously moving lower inclined conveyor 52 which elevates to the upper screen deck 3a of horizontal screen box 3 on the main mobile screening apparatus 1 for further screening as described previously. 25 Referring to Figures 7a, 7b and Figure 8a, in a preferred embodiment of the mobile screening apparatus of the invention, pre-screening module 50 is provided with a deploying mechanism that raises the module from a horizontal stowed position (Figure 8a) to an inclined operational position (Figures 7a and 7b) using lifts 61 that extend from 30 mounting point 62 on chassis 2 to the rear of pre-screening module 50. Raising lifts 61, which are actuated by hydraulic lifting rams 61a, causes pre-screening module 50 to tilt upwardly about rear mount 10 such that the pre-screening module 50 can operate at various inclined angles. Upon tilting the pre-screening module 50, lifts 61 also serve to pull said module rearwards along a plurality of rollers (not shown) provided on module support 35 structure 200 so that the upper end of lower inclined conveyor 52 is retained in relative 6 proximity to upper conveyor 5 (shown without conveyor belt) of the horizontal screen box 3 provided on the main mobile screening apparatus 100 as shown in Figures 7a and 7b. Pre-screening module 50 is also provided with a plurality of damping springs 201 which are required for the vibration function of the apparatus and also help absorb the impact of 5 heavy bulk material being loaded onto said module and damp the vibrational forces imparted by the module during the initial sequence of pre-screening. Referring to Figures 7a, 7b and Figures 6a, 6b, in the preferred embodiment, pre screening module 50 is integrally provided with hanging conveyors 910 and 920 (shown 10 without conveyor belts) which obviate the need for separate mobile wheeled stockpilers to transport the pre-screened bulk particulate material from the module 50. Conveyor 910, which extends further than conveyor 920, is deployed obliquely from the support structure 200 of pre-screening module 50 such that the largest particles separated from the bulk material may either be conveyed to a separate heap 94 (Figure 6a) or be fed back to a 15 crushing device 90a (Figure 6b) where they can be reprocessed before being returning as recycled material via a conveyor to the pre-screening module 50 for re-screening. With reference to Figures 7a, 7band 8a, hanging conveyors 910, 920, (shown without conveyor belts), each comprise a beam 930 that is connected to a universal joint 931 20 which is rotatably mounted to the support structure 200 of pre-screening module 50. Support spars 932, which are rotatably attached to at one end to support structure 200 by means of pivotal hinges 932a connect via pivotal joints 932b to mounting members 930a provided on beams 930. Pivotal hinges 932a are vertically and horizontally offset from universal joints 931. Hydraulic rams 933 act upon support spars 932 such that when said 25 rams are retracted, conveyors 910, 930 are deployed outwardly from mobile screening apparatus 100 as shown in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c. Upon extension of hydraulic ram 933s, support spars are each rotated about a plane as determined by pivotal hinges 932a and beams 930 are in turn moved substantially in the direction of rotation of the support spar and are thus moved inwardly towards the pre-screening module 50 and are 30 simultaneously revolved about universal joints 931 so that the stockpilers 910, 920 are stowed substantially parallel to and vertically against, mobile screening apparatus 100 as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, respectively. Flexible linkages 934 which may comprise chains, cables or other suitable means extend between beams 930 and the module support structure 200 to provide additional support to the outwardly extended conveyors 35 910, 920 and to locate the conveyor in the optimum working position with the head drum 7 950 of the conveyor in a horizontal position. Further support may be provided to the conveyors by means of separately detachable rigid support spars 940 which can be connected between beams 930 and the module support structure 200 as shown in Figures 10a and 10c. Detailed illustrations showing the connection of a conveyor (910) to 5 pre-screening module 50 together with the associated linkages in deployed and stowed positions are provided in Figures 7c and 8b, respectively. Conveyors 8 and 9, located on opposing sides of mobile screening apparatus 100 and shown without conveyor belts in place, each comprise a beam 930 that is connected to a 10 universal joint 935 which is rotatably mounted to chassis member 936. Support spars 937, 938 which extend upwardly from universal joints 937a and 938a attach to the underside of beam 930. An hydraulic ram 939 acts on a single support spar of the respective conveyors 8, 9 such that extension of said ram causes said support spar to move the conveyors 8,9 outwardly from a stowed position (Figure 8a) to a deployed position 15 (Figures 7a, 7b and 7c). The provision of rotatably mounted universal joints 931 and 935 enables the respective conveyors 910, 920 and 8,9 to reside within the confines of catwalk 6 and rest flat against the sides of mobile screening apparatus 100 thereby minimising its overall dimensions while in a stowed transportation mode. 20 With reference to Figure 9a and Figure 9b, to further minimise the overall dimensions of mobile screening apparatus 100, in the preferred embodiment end conveyor 7a, which is shown without a conveyor belt in place, is of two-part construction and is provided with a folding mechanism indicated generally by reference numeral 70 which enables the conveyor to fold back on itself. Folding mechanism 70 comprises hydraulic rams 71, 72, 25 spaced apart lever assembly members 73, linkage arms 73a and support posts 74, 75. Lever assembly members 73 each comprise a substantially L-shaped member having a first limb 73b and second limb 73c. Hydraulic rams 71, 72 each extend upwardly from brackets mounted on opposing edges of the rear of mobile screening apparatus 100 and connect at their respective ends to the respective ends of opposing first limbs 73b of lever 30 assembly members 73 at pivot points 730. The respective second limbs 73c of lever assembly members 73 are pivotably coupled to the respective sides of the upper portion of conveyor 7a at pivot points 76. Linkage arms 73a, are each pivotally connected between a lever assembly member 73 at a position proximate the intersection of first limb 73b and second limb 73c and extend upwardly towards a support post 74, 75 to which 35 they are pivotally connected by means of fulcrums 77. This arrangement enables folding 8 mechanism 70 to rotate about support posts 74, 75, upon actuation of hydraulic rams 71,72. From a deployed position (Figures 7 and 9a) stowing of conveyor 7a (Figures 8 and 9b) is facilitated by the extension of hydraulic rams 71, 72 which causes folding mechanism 70 to revolve upwardly about fulcrums 77 provided on support posts 74, 75, 5 which in turn induces the rotation of the upper portion of conveyor 7a about hinges 78which link said upper portion to the lower portion of conveyor 7a. Once the hydraulic rams reach their maximum extension, the upper portion of conveyor 7a will have revolved about hinges 78 such that said upper portion of conveyor 7a will be inverted and resting on top of the upper deck of the screening apparatus as shown in Figures 8a and 9b. From 10 a stowed position, deployment of conveyor 7a is effected by the retraction of hydraulic rams 71,71 causes folding mechanism 70 to revolve downwardly about support posts 74, 75. The use of such a folding mechanism 70 on conveyor 7a enables the overall length and height of the mobile screening apparatus 100 while in a transportation mode to be advantageously minimised. Furthermore, the provision of a such a hydraulically operated 15 folding mechanism 70 on the underside of conveyor 7a provides additional robust support to said conveyor which is particularly advantageous when the mobile screening apparatus 100 is operating with a conventional apron feeder in place (i.e. in place of pre-screening module 50) and whereby the heaviest of the screened material will be conveyed by this particular conveyor. 20 To further minimise the overall length of a mobile screening apparatus 100, in a further embodiment the pre-screening module 50 may be provided with an upper conveyor 51a which is telescopically movable along its longitudinal axis enabling it to revert from an in use extended position to a contacted transport position as shown in Figures 10a and 10b, 25 respectively. Telescopically movable upper conveyor 51a comprises an upper portion 51c and a lower portion 51b, wherein the lower portion 51 b is linearly extensible relative the upper portion 51c to which it is slidably attached. A plurality of rams 80 which extend between each side of the pre-screening module support structure 200 and the respective sides of lower portion 51b enable said lower portion to move upwardly and downwardly 30 along the side rails 51d of upper portion 51c. Upon retraction of the rams 80 the lower portion 51b is telescopically extended into its operating position as shown in Figure 10a. Further retraction of the rams 80 causes the telescopically movable conveyor 51a to be raised above the upper inclined screen 57 by means of connecting arms 51e which are pivotably connected between hinged brackets 51f provided on the module support 35 structure 200 and lifting bar 51g on upper portion 51c. Hinged brackets 51f also act as a 9 stop (as shown in Figure 10c) against the travel of arms 51e thus retaining the telescopically movable conveyor 51a at a correct working height above the upper inclined screen 57. Movable mounting means provided on the module support structure support the underside of telescopically movable conveyor 51a during use and enable said 5 conveyor to slide smoothly between operating and transport positions. By way of example of a suitable movable mounting means, rollers 81 are shown in the figures. Following the initial sequence of pre-screening, the particulate material subsequently presented to the main screening apparatus 1 is of a finer consistency than would 10 otherwise be the case associated with the prior art from one machine. Furthermore, the provision of a pre-screening module having a two-deck screen box increases the versatility of the mobile screening apparatus which is able to provide at least two additional grades of screened material while still maintaining its mobility. 15 The material screening apparatus has a number of unique features: - a folding mechanism for on board conveyors - five-way split output for different grades of materials 20 - combined horizontal and inclined pre-screening module are mounted on the same chassis - oversize material is taken off at the front conveyor and fed back to a crusher rather 25 than being fed right through the apparatus - the entire apparatus can easily be moved with a transport mode so that the weight, height and width of the apparatus are within the maximum requirements of the TOV transport specifications and no special permit is required transport the 30 apparatus - the pre-screening module can be removed from, or installed on, the apparatus depending on the usage requirements in any given situation. 35 It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described therein, which are given by way of example only and that 10 various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this 5 specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or group thereto.

Claims (20)

1. A mobile material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material into groups of particles of differing sizes, the apparatus comprising: 5 a support chassis; a horizontal screen box apparatus, the horizontal screen box mounted on the support chassis and having an upper screen deck and a lower screen deck; 0 an additional pre-screening module, wherein the pre-screening module is slideably connected to and supported on mounting means provided on the support chassis and is provided with an upper inclined screen and a lower inclined screen and wherein the pre-screening module is provided with an upper conveyor and lower conveyor, the 5 upper and lower conveyors being arranged parallel to the upper inclined screen and a lower inclined screen, the upper conveyor being adapted to convey material to the pre-screening module screens and the lower conveyor being adapted to transfer material from the pre-screening module to the horizontal screen box apparatus; !0 the screening apparatus further comprising at least one lifting ram that extends from the support chassis to the pre-screening module, the at least one lifting ram operable to move the pre-screening module between a horizontal stowed position and an operational position in which the angle of inclination of the pre-screening module is altered to thereby tilt the pre-screening module relative to the horizontal screen box; 25 when the pre-screening module is being moved from the stowed position to the tilted operational position, the at least one lifting ram is further operable to simultaneously pull the pre-screening module along a plurality of rollers on the support chassis to a position above the horizontal screen box so that the particulate material is conveyed 30 from the lower inclined conveyor to the pre-screening module to the horizontal screen box; and whereby the provision of the horizontal screen box and the pre-screening module provides for five different grades of material as output from the mobile screening 35 apparatus, including reject unscreened material and four different grades of screened material. 12

2. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lifting rams are hydraulic rams; and wherein the screening apparatus is further provided with one or more folding side 5 conveyors for sized material, the/or each folding conveyor being pivotally mounted on the chassis or the pre-screening module.

3. A mobile material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the/or each folding side conveyor comprises: 0 a beam rotatably connected to the chassis or the module support structure by means of a universal joint; a support spar which is rotatably connected at one end to the module support 5 structure by means of a pivotal hinge and at the other end to the beam by means of a pivotal joint, wherein the pivotal hinge is attached to the module support structure at a position that is vertically and horizontally offset from the universal joint; and a means of rotating the support spar about the pivotal hinge whereby the rotation of .0 the support spar is in a plane determined by the pivotal hinge and which causes the beam to move substantially in the direction of said rotation and to simultaneously revolve the beam about the universal joint so that the conveyor is moved from a deployed position to a stowed position. 25

4. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the means of rotating the support spar about the pivotal hinge comprises a hydraulic ram.

5. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein a flexible linkage, which may comprise chains, cables or other suitable means, 30 extends between the conveyor and the chassis or the module support structure to provide for support the conveyor while in a deployed configuration and to locate the conveyor in the optimum working position with the head drum of the conveyor in a horizontal position.

6. A mobile material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material into 35 groups of particles of differing sizes as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the upper conveyor is telescopically movable along its longitudinal axis; 13 wherein the telescopically movable upper conveyor comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion is linearly extensible relative the upper portion to which it is slidably attached; and wherein the telescopically movable conveyor is provided with a means of extension and retraction; and 5 wherein the means of extension and retraction also raises the telescopically movable upper conveyor above the upper inclined screen.

7. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the means of 0 extension and retraction of the telescopically movable conveyor comprises: a plurality of hydraulic rams, wherein the hydraulic rams each extend between the pre screening module support structure and the lower portion of the telescopically movable conveyor; 15 a pair of connecting arms which are pivotably connected between hinged brackets provided on the module support structure and a lifting bar provided on the upper portion of the telescopically movable conveyor; and !0 movable mounting means provided on the module support structure, wherein the movable mounting means support the underside of the telescopic conveyor during use and enable said conveyor to slide smoothly between operating and transport positions; 25 wherein the hinged brackets provided on the module support structure act as a stop against the travel of the arms thereby retaining the telescopic conveyor at a correct working height above the upper inclined screen.

8. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 30 in which the pre-screening module is movably mounted to the chassis so that upon altering the inclination angle of the pre-screening module or upon raising the module to a horizontal stowed position, the upper end of the lower conveyor is retained in relative proximity to the horizontal screen box apparatus. 35

9. A mobile material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material into groups of particles of differing sizes, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the screening apparatus 14 is provided with a conveyor having an end which is foldable back on itself so as to reduce the length and height of the apparatus; and wherein the foldable conveyor comprises: 5 a two-part structure, wherein the two-part structure comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the two portions extending end to end and connected by means of a hinged joint; and 10 a folding mechanism, wherein the folding mechanism is adapted to revolve the upper portion of the conveyor about the hinged joint such that said upper portion becomes inverted and rests on top of the upper deck of the apparatus.

10. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the folding 15 mechanism comprises: spaced apart lever assembly members, wherein the lever assembly members each comprise a substantially L-shaped member having a first limb and second limb; 20 spaced apart hydraulic rams each extending upwardly from brackets provided on the support chassis and pivotably connected at their upper ends to the ends of opposing first limbs of lever assembly members, respectively; and linkage arms, wherein the linkage arms are each pivotably connected between spaced 25 apart fulcrums and the respective lever assembly members at positions intermediate the first limb and second limb; and wherein the fulcrums are located on support posts provided on the support chassis; wherein the second limbs of the lever assembly members are each pivotally coupled 30 to the respective sides of the upper portion of the conveyor such that actuation of the hydraulic rams causes the folding mechanism to revolve upwardly about the support posts which in turn induces the rotation of the upper portion of conveyor; and wherein the folding mechanism provides additional support to the conveyor. 35

11. A mobile material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material into groups of particles of differing sizes, as claimed in Claim 1 and including one or more folding 15 side conveyors for sized material, the or each folding conveyor being pivotally mounted on the chassis; wherein the or each folding side conveyors comprises: a beam rotatably connected to the chassis or the module support structure by means 5 of a universal joint; a support spar which is rotatably connected at one end to the module support structure by means of a pivotal hinge and at the other end to the beam by means of a pivotal joint, wherein the pivotal hinge is attached to the module support structure at a 10 position that is vertically and horizontally offset from the universal joint; and a means of rotating the support spar about the pivotal hinge whereby the rotation of the support spar is in a plane determined by the pivotal hinge and which causes the beam to move substantially in the direction of said rotation and to simultaneously 15 revolve the beam about the universal joint so that the conveyor is moved from a deployed position to a stowed position.

12. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the means of rotating the support spar about the pivotal hinge comprises a hydraulic ram. !0

13. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, wherein a flexible linkage, which may comprise chains, cables or other suitable means, extends between the conveyor and the chassis or the module support structure to provide support for the conveyor while in a deployed configuration and to locate the conveyor in the optimum 25 working position with the head drum of the conveyor in a horizontal position.

14. A mobile material screening apparatus for separating bulk particulate material into groups of particles of differing sizes, as claimed in Claim 1 and including a foldable conveyor having an end which is foldable back on itself so as to reduce the length and height of the 30 apparatus, wherein the foldable conveyor comprises: a two-part structure, wherein the two-part structure comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the two portions extending end to end and connected by means of a hinged joint; and 35 16 a folding mechanism, wherein the folding mechanism is adapted to revolve the upper portion of the conveyor about the hinged joint such that said upper portion becomes inverted and rests on top of the upper deck of the apparatus. 5

15. A mobile screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the folding mechanism comprises: spaced apart lever assembly members, wherein the lever assembly members each comprise a substantially L-shaped member having a first limb and second limb; 10 spaced apart hydraulic rams each extending upwardly from brackets provided on the support chassis and pivotably connected at their upper ends to the ends of opposing first limbs of lever assembly members, respectively; and 15 linkage arms, wherein the linkage arms are each pivotably connected between spaced apart fulcrums and the respective lever assembly members at positions intermediate the first limb and second limb; and wherein the fulcrums are located on support posts provided on the support chassis. !0

16. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the second limbs of the lever assembly members are each pivotally coupled to the respective sides of the upper portion of the conveyor such that actuation of the hydraulic rams causes the folding mechanism to revolve upwardly about the support posts which in turn induces the rotation of the upper portion of conveyor. 25

17. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 14 or 16 wherein the folding mechanism provides additional support to the conveyor.

18. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10 in 30 which the output is arranged so that the discharge of reject material is closest to the location of the material input from a material crushing apparatus and the conveyor of the reject material from the screening apparatus is located at a position and an angle so as to discharge the reject material directly back to the material crushing apparatus, thereby providing a closed circuit recycling arrangement. 35

19. A mobile material screening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the components can be folded and stowed on the apparatus while maintaining the 17 travelling dimensions within the international standards for road travel without a special permit.

20. A mobile material screening apparatus substantially as herein described with 5 reference to and as shown in Figures 3 to 10c of the accompanying drawings.