AU2019232790A1 - Screen panel locking system - Google Patents

Abstract

A screening apparatus, including a plurality of spaced apart beams 11 and a plurality of screening panels 15 mounted to the beams 11 to form a broad screening surface. Each of the panels 15 has a generally square or rectangular shape 5 defining first and second pairs of substantially parallel edges 35, 36. The panels 15 being mounted adjacent to each other so that facing side edges 35, 36 of adjacent panels are in close facing relationship. Each panel 15 being mounted to a pair of beams 11 to bridge between two adjacent beams 11. The panels 15 being mounted to the beams 11 by elongate fixing members 31 that engage the 10 first pair of side edges 35 of the panels 15. The fixing members 31 having a pair of upstanding 39 rails that are spaced apart to define a longitudinal gap G between them. The panels 15 being mounted to the beams 11 by cooperation between the first pair of side edges 35 of each panel 15 with a rail 39 of a fixing member 31. A resilient member 32 is located within the gap G and resists 15 movement of the rails 39 towards each and is resiliently compressible under a panel mounting load to allow the rails 39 to move towards each other to facilitate cooperation between a side edge 35 of a panel 15 with a respective rail 39 of a fixing member 31 for mounting a panel 15 to a beam 11.

Description

SCREEN PANEL LOCKING SYSTEM

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates generally to apparatus for screening, 5 separating or grading materials, and is principally for use in the mining industry. The present invention is particularly directed to arrangements for fixing screening panels to the support frame of a vibratory screening machine and to the screening panels themselves. The system and panels are applicable for screening, separating and grading ores and other materials, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the 10 invention in relation to that use. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to such apparatus and use.

Background of Invention [0002] The discussion of the background to the invention that follows is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that 15 the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any aspect of the discussion was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Screening apparatus of the type with which the invention is concerned is generally used for screening, grading, or separating materials such as ores and 20 comprises an array of individual screening panels which are removably fixed to a frame to provide a continuous and broad screen deck. The screening panels are formed with openings and the material to be screened is fed onto the deck at one end and the apparatus is vibrated so that the material moves over the screening surface. Material that is smaller in diameter than the openings will tend to pass through the 25 screening panels, while material that is larger in diameter than the openings will tend to pass over the screening panels. By this arrangement, the ore being screened can be separated into smaller and larger particles as required for later treatment. The vibration forces imparted on the screen deck by the vibratory screening machine are significant.

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 [0004] The screening panels in a screen deck are usually subject to wear, due to the abrasiveness of the mining materials typically being screened, and thus the screens require periodical replacement. This presents a difficulty with the attachment of the panels to the deck frame, as the attachment must be secure and robust and 5 easily made, but it should also be releasable in a manner that is quick and easy.

Applicant has developed several different forms of screen panel attachments, examples of which can be found in Australian patent no. 2012201297 and Australian patent no. 2012208984.

[0005] In addition to the need for screening panels to be easily attachable and 10 releasable to and from a screen deck frame, screening panels should also be firmly secured in place on the deck and the screen array should not present gaps for passage of screening product or media other than through the openings formed in the screens themselves. If gaps do exist, then incorrect grade screening product can pass through the deck, or the screening product can become embedded between 15 components of the screening deck and can cause wear to the screening panels or the screen deck frame. This can result in the need to clean parts of the vibratory machine or replace parts, either of which results in downtime of the vibratory machine.

[0006] Screen decks have therefore been formed with either the side edges of adjacent screening panels abutting, or with cover strips employed between adjacent 20 screening panels to overlie any gaps between the adjacent side edges. Examples of which can be found in Australian patent application no. 2016200857 and Australian patent application no. 2016234892. Both of these applications employ fixing strips or members that connect between the elongate beams or “stringers” of a screen deck and the edges of the screening panels that form the screen array to secure the 25 screening panels in place. In both of these applications, the fixing members have a pair of upstanding, generally longitudinal rails that are generally parallel and that are spaced apart to define a longitudinal gap between them. The rails cooperate with the edges of the screening panels through cooperating male and female connectors and the longitudinal gap allows the rails to flex or collapse inwardly as a screening panel is 30 pushed into engagement with a fixing member during installation of the screening panel to allow the edges of the screening panels to engage the rails.

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 [0007] The rails recover from the inwardly flexed or collapsed conditions once the panels are engaged with the rails in an installed or operational condition. However, with this form of fixing member, it is necessary to ensure that in use of the screening apparatus, the rails cannot flex or collapse inwardly to inadvertently allow a screen panel to disconnect from the fixing member and thus from the screen deck. Accordingly, arrangements have been made to fully or partially fill the gap so as to prevent inward flex or collapse once the screening panels have connected or engaged with the rails in the operational condition. In application no. 2016200857, side edges of each panel include a longitudinal overhang that overlies an upper end 10 of a rail and the overhang enters the gap between the rails, while in application no.

2016234892, an elongate cover strip is employed that includes a locking portion that extends into the gap and in each case, the part that extends into the gap bears against facing surfaces of the longitudinal rails to resist movement of the rails towards each other.

[0008] The arrangements of application nos. 2016200857 and 2016234892 have worked appropriately. However, the Applicant has identified a need in the marketplace for a further alternative which employs the fixing members as above described that have a pair of longitudinal rails with a gap between them, but which does not employ the arrangements of application nos. 2016200857 and 2016234892 20 to enter or fill the gap. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a new arrangement that operates similar to the application no. 2016200857, but which does not require the screening panels to have a longitudinal overhang that enters the gap between the rails to prevent resist movement of the rails towards each other.

Summary of Invention [0009] According to the present invention there is provided a screening apparatus, including:

a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel elongate beams, a plurality of screening panels mounted to the beams to form a broad screening surface, each of the panels having a generally square or rectangular shape 30 defining a first pair of substantially parallel edges and a second pair of substantially parallel edges, and the panels being mounted adjacent to each other so that facing

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 side edges of adjacent panels are in close facing relationship, each panel being mounted to a pair of beams to bridge between two adjacent beams, the panels being mounted to the beams by elongate fixing members that extend in the longitudinal direction of the beams and that engage the first pair of side 5 edges of the panels, the fixing members having a pair of upstanding, generally longitudinal rails that are generally parallel and that are spaced apart to define a longitudinal gap between them, the panels being mounted to the beams by cooperation between the first pair of side edges of each panel with a respective rail of a fixing member, a resilient member located within the gap, the resilient member resisting movement of the rails towards each other but being resiliently compressible under a panel mounting load to allow the rails to move towards each other to facilitate cooperation between a side edge of a panel with a respective rail of a fixing member for mounting a panel to a beam.

[0010] A screening apparatus as above described advantageously enables use of fixing members of the form described in application nos. 2016200857 and 2016234892 but does not require the use of a screen panel overhangs as described in application 2016200857, or a cover strip as described in application 2016234892.

The screening apparatus as above described thus provides a useful alternative to the arrangements of application nos. 2016200857 and 2016234892.

[0011] A screening apparatus as above described advantageously can also achieve the outcomes that the longitudinal rails of the fixing members can flex inwardly against the resilient member to allow connection of a panel, and that the rails 25 of the fixing members can be urged apart, or to their pre-flexed position, by the resilient member once the connection of a screening panel to the fixing member has been made, to maintain firm connection between the screening panels and the fixing members during operation of the screening apparatus.

[0012] The resilient member can be made of any suitable material, such as from 30 foam or an elastomeric material that has a memory to return to its original form or shape. During operation of the screening apparatus, the resilient member is required

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 to resist the load imparted on the longitudinal rails by the panels which will tend to push the rails inwardly and away from the cooperating side edges of the panels.

[0013] The resilient member is preferably a close or snug fit within the longitudinal gap between the rails and so in some forms of the invention, the resilient member engages opposing or facing surfaces of the longitudinal rails within the longitudinal gap. This assists to retain the resilient member within the gap and against movement within the gap by frictional engagement between surfaces of the resilient member and facing surfaces of the longitudinal rails.

[0014] The longitudinal gap between the longitudinal rails can have any suitable 10 shape and can, for example, be formed by opposing surfaces of the longitudinal rails and a base that extends between the longitudinal rails so that the gap forms a U shaped channel. In this form of the gap, the resilient member can rest on the base of the longitudinal gap and can engage facing surfaces of the longitudinal rails.

[0015] The resilient member can have any suitable shape and can, for example, 15 be circular, oval, square or rectangular in cross-section. Prototypes have been developed with a rectangular resilient member. The width of resilient member can thus span across the longitudinal gap and extend upwardly within the gap, such as to about the same height as the longitudinal rails, or to a height which is less than the height of the longitudinal rails. In this respect, while the longitudinal rails can extend 20 to different heights, the preference is that they extend to about the same height.

[0016] The resilient member can have any suitable length and can, for example, have a length about equal to the length of the first pair of parallel edges of a panel. This can, in some forms of the invention, be about the same length as the length of a fixing member. Alternatively, the length of a fixing member can be greater than the 25 length of the first pair of parallel edges of a panel and can, for example, be in the order of 2, 3, 4 or 5 times the length of the first pair of parallel edges. The resilient member can be provided in a roll form, or in long lengths, and can be cut to size when the fixing members are installed in a screening deck.

[0017] The resilient member can also be of a length that is less than the length of 30 the first pair of parallel edges of a panel and can be much less that that length. Thus, the resilient member could be a short member or section so that only a portion of the

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 gap between the longitudinal rails of a fixing member accommodates a resilient member. In this form of the resilient member, one or more resilient members could be inserted into the gap of a fixing member. These one or more resilient members could be spaced apart along the gap. These one or more resilient members could also be connected together by a connector such as by a band of the material that the resilient members are formed from, or by a metal band or rod. The resilient members could be moulded about a metal band or rod. These arrangements would allow the short sectioned resilient members to be appropriately spaced apart longitudinally within the gap of a fixing member.

[0018] The resilient members could be formed from two or more parts to achieve the desired resilient characteristics. For example, the resilient members could have a higher resistance in the lateral direction across the longitudinal gap than in the downward direction towards the base of the gap. For this, the resilient members could be formed in a composite manner so that appropriate material is provided to give the directional resistance required.

[0019] The resilient member can be compressible in different directions so that the resilient member can be compressed laterally relative to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal gap, as well as being compressible downwardly within the longitudinal gap to reduce the height of the resilient member within the gap. This enables the screening apparatus of the invention to employ locking members to lock the screening panels against shifting movement relative to the fixing members in the longitudinal direction of the fixing members. In this respect, the screening panels can shift relative to their installed position on the fixing members under load applied to the screening panels by screening product. The screening panels can shift in the direction of travel of the screening product over the screening deck so that the facing side edges of adjacent screening panels can separate sufficiently to allow passage of screening product or media to pass through the screening deck other than through the openings in the screening panels. By the use of locking members, the screening panels can be locked to the fixing members and given that the fixing members are fixed to the elongate beams of the screening apparatus, the screening panels are precluded from shifting movement relative to the fixing members. It is preferable that the resilient

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 members do not apply a load upwardly against the locking members that would tend to displace the locking members relative to the screening panels.

[0020] The locking members can be accommodated in gaps or recesses formed in each of the first pair of side edges of each panel. One or more gaps can be provided in each of the first pair of side edges. The locking member can cooperate with the fixing member in any suitable manner to locate the panel relative to the fixing member against movement of the panel along the fixing member. In some forms of the invention, each of the rails of each fixing member includes locating gaps that are aligned with the locating gaps of the first pair of side edges and the locking member is 10 disposed within the aligned locating gaps to locate the panel relative to the fixing member against movement of the panel along the fixing member.

[0021] The screening panels can include longitudinal overhangs in the first pair of side edges of each panel and which overlies an upper end of a rail. The one or more gaps provided in each of the first pair of side edges can be provided in the longitudinal overhangs. The longitudinal overhangs of a pair of adjacent screen panels can have facing surfaces that are in close facing relationship or that are in actual engagement. The facing surfaces can be substantially flat surfaces that extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the screening surface.

[0022] As indicated earlier, the locking members can bear against an upper surface of the resilient member and can compress the resilient member downwardly within the longitudinal gap when the locking members are inserted. In this form of the invention, the locking members will remain in contact with the resilient member during the time they are inserted in the gaps. The downward pressure and contact of the locking members with the resilient member can assist to retain the resilient member 25 within the gap and against movement within the gap, such as longitudinal movement along the gap.

[0023] In other arrangements of the invention, the resilient member can be a frictional or interference fit within the longitudinal gap. This locates the resilient member within the longitudinal gap and ensures that as soon as the rails of the fixing 30 member commence movement towards each other, the resilient member commences resistance to that movement. That is, there is no lag between the commencement of

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 movement of the rails towards each other and the resistance to that movement provided by the resilient member. The frictional or interference fit of the resilient member within the longitudinal gap can be such as to provide a pre-load so that a load applied to the rails tending to move towards each other will be resisted by the resilient member initially without compression or with negligible compression, until such time as the load applied to the rails exceeds the pre-load.

Brief Description of Drawings [0024] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a prior art screening deck.

[0026] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a screening panel connection arrangement according to the invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a detailed view of a connection between a pair of screening panels.

[0028] Figure 4 is an isometric view of a pair of connected screening panels, although the screening panels are shown in solid form and without the screening apertures that the screening panels would actually have.

Detailed Description [0029] With reference to Figure 1, a portion of a screening deck 10 is illustrated, 20 comprising a plurality of elongate, longitudinal beams 11 each of which is formed from an angle of steel having a long portion 12 and short portion 13. The portions 12 and 13 are set at right angles to each other. While the beams 11 extend in the longitudinal direction of the screening deck 10, the beams 11 can equally extend perpendicular to the direction shown.

[0030] The deck 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is a portion of a deck only and illustrates a depth of four screening panels 15. The longitudinal length of the deck 10, in the direction of the beams 11 can be much greater. Four screening panels 15 are shown on either side of a central gap where screening panels have been omitted for the

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 purpose of illustrating the manner in which the screening panels are fixed in place on the screening deck 10.

[0031] The beams 11 extend parallel to one another and support the panels 15 on the upper face of the short portion 13 of each beam 11. The panels 15 illustrated in 5 Figure 1 can be of any suitable size, but a common size is 305mm by 610mm. The screening deck 10 is one part of an overall screening apparatus. The screen deck 10 is supported on a sub frame which includes the beams 11 and which is part of a vibratory screen machine. The vibration that is generated is significant and requires the panels 15 to be securely fixed to the beams 11. The panels 15 are also subject to 10 wear over time and even though the fixing of the panels 15 to the beam 11 is required to be secure, the preference is that the panels are also easily releasable to facilitate replacement.

[0032] The panels 15 include a plurality of openings through the top surface thereof for screening product such as mining ore. The openings in the panel can vary 15 from large to very small depending on the screened media required from the screening process. Typically, ore is fed onto one end of the deck 10 and the deck is vibrated so that the ore tends to shift from one end to the other with some of the ore passing through the openings of the panels 15 as it travels over the deck. Depending on the operation, the valuable ore could be the ore which passes through the 20 openings, or the ore which remains on the deck.

[0033] The panels 15 are attached to the screen deck 10 via elongate fixing members 20. The fixing members 20 are fixed to the upper surface of the short portion 13 of the beams 11 by any suitable arrangement, such as bolts. In Figure 1, the parts marked 21 are caps that fit over the ends of bolts that extend through the 25 short portion 13 of the beams 11. The caps fit over the ends of the bolts as well as washers and nuts fixed to the bolt ends. The caps 21 protect those components against wear. The fixing members 20 can extend for a single length of a single panel 15, or, more preferably, for a greater number of panels, such as four panels.

[0034] Most of the panels 15 will be in face to face engagement along side edges 30 of each panel. For example, the panel marked Pi in Figure 1 is engaged with facing edges of other panels 15 on its two short side edges, while the panel marked P2 is

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 engaged with facing edges of other panels 15 on its two long side edges. It is preferred that the panels have this face to face engagement, in order to prevent or minimise screening product from entering into the junction between adjacent panels 15 and through that junction to the beams 11 below or into the screened product that 5 is collected below the screen deck. Any entry of such screening product between adjacent panels 15 can cause wear to the fixing members 20, or to the beams 11, thus compromising operation of the screening deck 10. With sufficient wear, worn components must be replaced and that results in downtime of the screening apparatus. Wear of certain components, such as the beams 11, can require 10 significant downtime in order to replace the components. It is therefore important that the panels 15 be fixed to the deck 10 securely and with firm side edge engagement between adjacent panels.

[0035] The deck 10 is illustrated as including a side clamp 22 at one side of the deck 10, and in facing engagement with side wall 23. The same arrangement is 15 duplicated on the opposite side of the deck 10. Side clamp 22 clamps via a bracket 24 and a wedge 25 onto the upper edge surface of the panels 15 for the purpose of preventing lifting of the edge of the panels 15 away from the side beam 26, thus preventing ingress of screening product between the side edges of the panels 15 and the wall 23. This arrangement also protects the wall 23 (which is usually a steel wall), 20 from the impact of screening product which traverses the screen deck 10. The side clamp 22, like the panels 15, is usually made from a polyurethane material. The side clamp 22 is illustrated for the purpose of completeness but is not part of the present invention.

[0036] The screening panels 15 of Figure 1 have the construction as described 25 and illustrated in application no. 2016200857 as referred to hereinbefore. The fixing members 20 have a pair of longitudinal rails that are spaced apart to form a longitudinal gap between them and each of two opposite side edges of the screening panels 15 have longitudinal overhangs that overlie the upper end of the fixing members 20 and extend into the gap. While this is construction is not particularly 30 clear in Figure 1, it is clear from the text and drawings of application no. 2016200857.

As discussed above, there is a need to develop an arrangement which employs fixing members of the kind illustrated in Figure 1, but which does not employ screening

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 panels required to have longitudinal overhangs that extend into the longitudinal gap of the fixing members.

[0037] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a screening panel mounting arrangement according to the invention that could be applied to the beams 11 of the deck 10 of 5 Figure 1, while Figure 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the arrangement of

Figure 2. Figure 4 illustrates a pair of screening panels 30 that are connected together at facing side edges to a fixing member 31. Figure 4 shows the screening panels in solid form and without the screening apertures that the screening panels would actually have and which appear in Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates a screening panel 30, a fixing member 31, a resilient member 32 and locking members 33.

[0039] The screening panel 30 includes a first pair of substantially parallel edges 35 and a second pair of substantially parallel edges 36. The screening panel 30 is rectangular and could be of the common size mentioned before of 305 mm by 610 15 mm. The screening panel 30 typically would be made from polyurethane.

[0040] The fixing member 31 has a base 38 and a pair of upstanding, generally longitudinal rails 39 that extend from the base 38. The rails 39 are generally parallel and are spaced apart to define a longitudinal gap G between them. The rails 39 are interrupted to form openings 40 to accept the locking blocks 33. The rails 39 have 20 outwardly facing profiles that are arranged for mating connection with the side edges of the screening panel 30. This will become more evident in relation to the discussion of Figure 3.

[0041] The fixing member 31 further includes a pair of downwardly extending posts 41. These posts 41 are countersunk bolts that are welded to a metallic insert 25 (not shown) that is embedded within the fixing member 31 for reinforcing the fixing member 31 and the posts 41 are threaded to receive nuts. The posts 41 extend through openings formed in the short portion 13 of the beams 11 and are fixed in place by washers and nuts applied to the portion of the posts 41 that extends through the portion 13. This firmly fixes the fixing member 31 in place on beams of a screen 30 deck.

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 [0042] The resilient member 32 is shown as a segment that has a length which is shorter than the longitudinal length of the edges 35 of the fixing member 31. In practice, this is not expected to be the case. In practice, the resilient member 32 will have the same length as the fixing member 31 and the fixing member 31 is likely to 5 have a length equal to the length of the edges 35 of 2, 3 or 4 screening panels 30.

The fixing member 31 and the resilient member 32 can however be produced in any suitable length as required and the respective lengths of the fixing member 31 and the resilient member 32 can be the same or different.

[0043] The resilient member 32 has a rectangular cross-section and is a close or 10 snug fit within the longitudinal gap G between the rails 39. With reference to Figure 3, an enlarged view of the facing side edges 35 of a pair of screening panels 30 is illustrated. Figure 4 shows the pair of screening panels 30 from which the enlarged view of Figure 3 is taken.

[0044] Figure 3 shows an assembly of two screening panels 30 mounted to a 15 fixing member 31. In Figure 3, the screening panels 30 are in engagement with the rails 39 and the resilient member 32 is located within the gap G between the pair of upstanding rails 39.

[0045] Figure 3 also shows an upper surface of a locking member 33 (and a bottom section 33a that will be described in more detail later herin) that has been 20 pushed into the gap G within the openings 40 of the rails 39 shown in Figure 2 and which is in engagement with the upper surface of the resilient member 32. In this respect, the side edges 35 of the screening panels 30 include recesses 42 (see Figure 2) to accommodate the locking members 33 and those recesses 42 overlie the openings 40 in the fixing members 31. Given that the fixing members 31 are fixed in 25 place on the beams of the screening deck, by inserting the locking members 33 into the respective openings 40 and recesses 42, the screening panels 30 are secured in place relative to the fixing members 31 and thus to the beams of the screening deck. This arrangement is effective to fix a screening panel against movement of the panel along the fixing member 31. Beneficially, this arrangement overcomes drawbacks with 30 some prior art arrangements which do not fix the screening panels in place relative to the fixing members and so allow the screening panels to shift relative to their installed position. That shifting movement can create gaps between adjacent screening panels

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 in the direction of travel of the screening product over the screening deck which can allow passage of screening product or media other than through the openings in the screening panels.

[0046] Movement of screening panels is more likely to occur in so-called multi5 slope or “banana” screening decks, in which the lead or initial section of deck is inclined or curved to increase the speed of the screening product across the initial section of the screening deck. The use of multi-slope screening decks is preferred in many installations. However, in the inclined or curved section of the screening deck, the screening product moves at high speed and the forces associated with that 10 movement tends to push the screening panels in the direction in which the screening product travels. If the screening panels move under that load, gaps between panels can arise. The use of the locking members 33 as illustrated can prevent panel movement and thus can prevent gaps forming in the manner discussed above.

[0047] Figure 3 clearly shows the cooperation between the side edges 35 of two 15 screening panels 30 and the rails 39. The rails 39 each include a longitudinal recess 45, while the side edges 35 include a longitudinal projection 46 (see also Figure 2) that extends into the recesses 45. The bottom edge 47 of the projections 46 is chamfered so that the projection 46 can ride over the upper or head portion 48 of the rails 39, while the head portion 48 includes an inclined surface 49 in order to assist 20 the projection 46 to ride over the head portion 48 and to insert into the recess 45.

The screening panel 30 snaps into connection with the rail 39 when the projection 46 enters the recess 45. It is this connection or cooperation between the screening panel 30 and the rail 39 which connects the panel to the fixing member 31, but the connection is also assisted by the weight of the panel and by the weight of screening 25 material passing over the screen panel array of the screen deck.

[0048] It will be clear that each panel 30 engages a fixing member 31 at each of its opposite edges 35. As explained above, engagement in the illustrated embodiment is by insertion of the projection 46 of an edge 35 into the recess 45 of a rail 39. Typically, a panel 30 is installed at an angle, so that a first of the edges 35 is engaged 30 at an angle with a rail 39 of one fixing member 31 and the panel 30 is rotated about that engagement to bring the opposite edge 35 into engagement with a further rail 39 of a further fixing member 31. The second edge 35 needs to be forced into

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 engagement with the fixing member 31 and this can be by hand force or with the use of a hammer, mallet or other suitable implement.

[0049] As the second edge 35 is forced into engagement with the fixing member 31, the projection 46 needs to ride over the head portion 48 of the relevant rail 39 and 5 into the recess 45 as discussed above. Given that there is very little flexibility in the projection 46, it is necessary for the rail 39 to flex inwardly to allow the projection 46 to ride over the head portion 48. Inward flexing of the rail 39 reduces the gap G between the pair of rails 39 and the rail 39 also pushes or bears against the resilient member 32. Under this load, the resilient material 32 can compress to allow the 10 inward movement required of the rail 39. Once the projection 46 has entered the recess 45 so that the edge 35 has properly engaged the rail 39, the compressing load is relieved and the rail 39 can return to its upright, pre-flexed position as shown in Figure 3. Because the resilient member 32 is resiliently compressible, the member 32 can recover to its pre-compressed state and will thus expand. Recovery of the 15 resilient member 32 can also assist the rail 39 to return to its pre-flexed position by the resilient member 32 pushing against the rail 39 as it recovers.

[0050] In the expanded condition of the resilient member 32, the member 32 will exert a resistance to inward movement of the rails 39 and this will ensure firm connection between the panels 30 and the fixing member 31 during operation of the 20 screening apparatus.

[0051] The resilient member 32 can be made from any suitable material which is resiliently compressible. Examples have been given already earlier herein.

[0052] As explained above, the present invention provides an alternative arrangement, which differs from those provided in application nos. 2016200857 and 25 2016234892. This new arrangement employs the resilient member 32 within the gap between the rails 39 to resist movement of the rails 39 towards each other, but to be resiliently compressible under a panel mounting load to allow connection of a panel 30 to a rail 39.

[0053] Advantageously, the resilient member 32 can be inserted into the gap G 30 between the rails 39 either as part of the manufacturing process of the fixing member 31, or later when the screening deck is being assembled. Thus, fixing members 31

2019232790 17 Sep 2019 could be supplied with the resilient member 32 installed already within the gap G, or lengths of the resilient member 32 could be supplied with the fixing members 31 for installation when the fixing members 31 are installed. The resilient member 32 could for example be provided in a roll form, or in long lengths, and can be cut to size when 5 the fixing members 31 are installed.

[0054] In the exploded view of Figure 2, it will appear that the member 32 is cut to a length that fits between the openings 40 of the fixing member 31. While this is an option, alternative arrangements have the member 30 extend for the full length of the member 31, noting that the member 31 can have a length which is about equal to the 10 length of the side edges 35, or which is longer than that length and in the order of 2,

3, 4 or 5 times the length of the side edge 35. In those arrangements, the member 32 can extend through the openings 40. In this form of the invention, the locking members 33 will overlie the resilient member 32. This is shown in Figure 3 in which the bottom section 33a of the locking member 33 (which is mostly obscured by the 15 member 32) can be seen behind the member 32 and so is in bearing engagement with the upper surface of the resilient member 32 where the locking member 33 is inserted. For this, the height of the resilient members 32 can extend to a position at or below the underneath surface of the locking members 33, or the resilient members 32 can have a greater height and can be resiliently compressed under the insertion 20 load of the locking members 33. That is, the resilient members 32 can resiliently compress in the region of the openings 40 of the fixing members 31 to accommodate the locking members 33. This later arrangement is the preferred arrangement.

[0055] Where any or all of the terms comprise, comprises, comprised or comprising are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be 25 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.

[0056] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It 30 is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A screening apparatus, including:

   a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel elongate beams,

   5 a plurality of screening panels mounted to the beams to form a broad screening surface, each of the panels having a generally square or rectangular shape defining a first pair of substantially parallel edges and a second pair of substantially parallel edges, and the panels being mounted adjacent to each other so that facing side edges of adjacent panels are in close facing relationship, each panel being 10 mounted to a pair of beams to bridge between two adjacent beams, the panels being mounted to the beams by elongate fixing members that extend in the longitudinal direction of the beams and that engage the first pair of side edges of the panels, the fixing members having a pair of upstanding, generally longitudinal rails 15 that are generally parallel and that are spaced apart to define a longitudinal gap between them, the panels being mounted to the beams by cooperation between the first pair of side edges of each panel with a respective rail of a fixing member, a resilient member located within the gap, the resilient member resisting movement of the rails towards each other but being resiliently compressible under a 20 panel mounting load to allow the rails to move towards each other to facilitate cooperation between a side edge of a first pair of side edges of a panel with a respective rail of a fixing member for mounting a panel to a beam.
2. 2. A screening apparatus according to claim 1, the material of the resilient

   25 member being selected from foam or an elastomeric material that has a memory to return to its original form or shape.
3. 3. A screening apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the resilient member engaging opposite surfaces of the longitudinal rails within the longitudinal gap.
4. 4. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the longitudinal 30 gap being formed by opposing surfaces of the longitudinal rails and a base that extends between the longitudinal rails and the resilient member resting on the base.

   2019232790 17 Sep 2019
5. 5. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the resilient member being rectangular in cross-section.
6. 6. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the resilient member having a length about equal to the length of the first pair of side edges of the

   5 panels.
7. 7. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the resilient member having a length about equal to the length of the fixing member.
8. 8. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the longitudinal rails being upstanding to about the same height and the height of the resilient

   10 member within the longitudinal gap being about equal to the height of the longitudinal rails.
9. 9. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the longitudinal rails being upstanding to about the same height and the height of the resilient member within the longitudinal gap being less than the height of the longitudinal rails.

   15
10. 10. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the first pair of side edges of each panel including a longitudinal overhang that overlies an upper end of a rail.
11. 11. A screening apparatus according to claim 10, the longitudinal overhang of a pair of panels that are mounted to a fixing member having facing surfaces that are in

    20 close facing relationship.
12. 12. A screening apparatus according to claim 10, the longitudinal overhang of a pair of panels that are mounted to a fixing member having facing surfaces that are in engagement.
13. 13. A screening apparatus according to claim 12, the facing surfaces being

    25 substantially flat surfaces that extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the screening surface.
14. 14. A screening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, each of the first pair of side edges of each panel including locating gaps within which a locking

    2019232790 17 Sep 2019 member is disposed, the locking member cooperating with the fixing member to locate the panel relative to the fixing member against movement of the panel along the fixing member.
15. 15. A screening apparatus according to claim 14, each of the rails of each fixing

    5 member including locating gaps that are aligned with the locating gaps of the first pair of side edges and the locking member being disposed within the aligned locating gaps to locate the panel relative to the fixing member against movement of the panel along the fixing member.
16. 16. A screening apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, the locking members 10 bearing against an upper surface of the resilient member and compressing the resilient member downwardly.