AU2021261835A1 - Securing Pin Member and Screening Panel Modules of Vibrating Screen Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The specification discloses a tool member (17) with an elongated body (38) and an axis of rotation (49), the tool member (17), in use, being rotated by drive means (16) to rotate about the axis of rotation (49), the elongated body (38) having a free end (39) and a generally conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape leading away from the free end (39) and having helical groove formation (41) thereon such that, in use the tool member (17) can be drawn into a zone (104) between a head portion (26) of a securing pin (15) holding a screening panel or screening panel module (10) to a sub support frame (12) of a vibratory screening deck and the screening panel or screening panel module (10) itself, until the helical groove (41) causes the securing pin (15) to release axially from its securing location relative to the screening panel or screening panel module (10).

Description

REMOVAL TOOL AND METHOD FOR SECURING PINS AND PANELS OF SCREENING APPARATUS

Technical Field The present development relates generally to the field of vibratory screening apparatus employing screening panels or panel modules used typically to screen ore quarry materials into size ranges and more specifically to a removal tool and removal method to allow removal and replacement of screening panels and panel modules in such vibratory screening apparatus.

Background Art Screening apparatus for mined ore or quarry materials commonly utilise screening panels or panel modules secured to a vibratory subframe or support. Such screening panel modules in known apparatus are secured, in use, to a subframe or support by at least two, and possibly more, spaced securing pins positioned along at least two opposed edges of the panels or panel modules. Other forms of fixing screening panel modules to the vibratory subframe or support are also known where securing pins are not used and replaced by some form of snap in fitting arrangements or any other fixing systems including but not limited to "polysnap", CP, KBX and HDK. The screening panel modules may have no through flow apertures where vibrated ore or quarry material passes over an edge zone to a downstream further treatment region or they may '0 have through flow apertures in an array having a certain size and shape to pass material therethrough to a lower treatment region which may of course include a second vibratory screening panel or panel module array. In this type of screening apparatus, it is relatively common for the panels or panel modules to be constructed from moulded high strength hard wearing elastomers and polymer materials including, but not limited to, polyurethane, polyamide and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and rubber materials. The polymer materials may be moulded onto a subframe of a suitable metal such as steel or steel alloy. The securing pins may also be constructed from such a hard wearing high strength polymer material possibly also moulded onto a sub support of metal, and the securing method is described further below.

Where the screening panel module is secured by securing pins to the vibratory subframe or support, the modules typically have at each securing location at an edge face, a generally half circular recess extending downwardly from the upper face of the screening panel module to a ledge formation spaced a short distance upwardly from the lower face of the panel or panel module. Below the lower face of the screening panel module, a half circular moulded projecting tab formation is provided such that it depends downwardly below the screening panel module, the tab formation having a generally half circular groove at least part way along its length and having a diametric dimension less than that of the half circular recess in the upper section of the screening panel module. The lower smaller half circular groove extends downwardly from the ledge formation into or through the tab formation. The securing pin cooperable with the screening panel module normally includes an upper cylindrical head portion having a diameter similar to the diametrical dimension of the upper half circular recess in the edge face of the panel or panel module. The securing pin further includes a lower leg section of smaller diameter, sized to fit into the half circular groove in the tab formation. Securing of the screening panel modules is achieved by arranging securing locations in edge faces of adjacent panel or panel modules to confront one another whereby the two confronting tab formations project downwardly through an aperture in a securing rail of the underlying sub support frame of the vibratory screening apparatus. In this manner a generally circular securing bore is formed between the two adjacent panels or panel modules into which the securing pin can be inserted, usually from above by hammering the securing pin downwardly therein with the head portion resting against the ledge formation. In this position, the leg portion of the securing pin is forced into the lower smaller '0 diameter bore at least partially in the tab formations and, at the same time, forces the tab formations laterally outwardly to engage beneath the securing rail of the sub support frame. Often the leg portion of the securing pin will include a projecting circumferential portion or bulge to assist in splaying the tab formations laterally outwardly. The outer surfaces of the tab formations might also include a part circumferential ledge formation to assist with securing the tab formation underneath the securing rail of the sub support frame.

Alternative fixing arrangements are also known not utilising securing pins of the above described general type where screening panel modules are secured to the vibratory subframe or support by other means including but not limited to cooperating snap in fittings of various forms.

Such securing arrangements are effective during installation and use, however, after a period of use, the upper zones of the screening panel modules wear and it becomes necessary to remove at least some of such panel modules and replace them with new items. Where securing pins are used, the securing pins need to be removed from their installed locations and thereafter the worn panels or panel modules must also be removed from the sub support frame. This has traditionally been achieved by manually hammering a removal tool, somewhat like a flat head screw driver, into the space between the head portion of the securing pin and the surrounding half circular recess in the edge face of the panel or panel module. Thereafter the removal tool is manually levered downwardly to try to release the securing pin upwardly out of its locking or secured position. The enlarged head portion may include one or more circumferential grooves that can be engaged by the removal tool during removal to assist with the removal process. Where other forms of securing are used, some form of manually applied force is used to disconnect the fixing means to enable panel module removal. The removal process does, however, require the use of hammers, levers and possibly other tools and it is difficult, dangerous and time consuming work for the operators repairing the apparatus. The difficulties are magnified by such screening apparatus providing quite limited space above the respective vibratory screening decks. A further complication and difficulty can be that when the securing pins have all been removed or other fixing means have been released, the panel modules can still be at least partially held in their as installed position making it difficult to lift the worn used '0 screening panel modules off the sub support frame.

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method of removing installed locking or securing pins of the above discussed type from installed positions retaining screening panels or panel modules in a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus. It is a further objective to provide an improved removal device or tool member capable of use to mechanise safe removal of such installed locking or securing pins and/or alternatively assisting with removal of screening panel modules. A still further preferred objective is to provide novel improved design configurations in securing pins for screening panels or screening panel modules and also in the screening panels and screening panel modules themselves that will assist safe and convenient removal of same in a mechanised or semi-mechanised matter.

Summary of the Invention In a first preferred aspect, the disclosure provides an elongated tool member with an axis of rotation and being adapted, in use, to release a first member from a second member in a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus, said elongated body having a free end and a generally conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape increasing in width leading in the direction of said axis of rotation away from said free end, said elongated body further including a helical groove formation forming an outwardly facing surface leading from said free end or from a position closely adjacent said free end whereby upon rotation of said tool member about said axis of rotation, said helical groove formation presents a continuous outwardly facing helical groove engageable in a zone between said first member and said second member such that said tool member is drawn into said zone until said helical groove causes release movement of one of said first member or said second member relative to the other of said first or said second members.

The tool member may be configured such that the elongated body has a second end opposite said free end permitting said tool member to be operatively connected to or disconnected from a drive means for imparting rotational movement to said tool member for rotation about said axis of rotation. The drive means may be capable of providing rotational drive only or rotational drive and axial impact forces to the elongated body. The drive means may be electrically driven or '0 may be pneumatically or hydraulically driven. In the case of being electrically driven, the drive means may be battery powered or may receive electric power from an external source via an electric power supply cord. Alternatively the tool member and drive means may form an integral assembly.

In one preferred mode of use, the first member may be a securing pin installed in a securing pin receiving location of a screening panel or screening panel module to hold same to a sub support frame of vibratory screening apparatus. The second member as defined above may be the screening panel or screening panel module. In a second possible preferred mode of use, the first member and second member may both be a screening panel or screening panel module located in confronting edge face relation in a screening deck assembly of vibratory screening apparatus.

Conveniently, the free end of the elongated body of the tool member includes a planar surface transverse to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the planar surface has a maximum dimension of between 1 mm and 3 mm, more preferably about 1.5 mm. The conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape leading from or closely adjacent the free end of the tool member may have an included acute angle of between 10° and 15°, preferably about 12°. The conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape may be formed by two axially adjacent sections, a first section closer to the free end having an included angle wider than that of the second section. The included acute angle of said first section is between 18 and 28°, preferably about 24°.

In a second preferred aspect, the disclosure provides an elongated tool member having an elongated body with an axis of rotation and being adapted, in use, to release a securing pin from a securing pin receiving location of a screening panel or screening panel module, said elongated body having a free end and a generally conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape increasing in width leading away from said free end, said body further including a helical groove formation forming an outward facing surface leading from said free end or from a location closely adjacent said free end, whereby upon rotation about said axis of rotation, said helical groove formation presents a continuous outwardly facing helical groove engaging in use in a zone between said securing pin and an adjacent said screening panel or said screening panel module such that said tool member is drawn into said zone until said helical groove causes said '0 securing pin to release axially from said securing pin receiving location.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of bodily moving a first member relative to a second member in a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus, said method including providing an elongated tool member with an axis of rotation, the elongated body having a free end and a generally conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape increasing in width leading in a direction of said axis of rotation away from the free end, the elongated body further including a helical groove formation forming an outwardly facing surface leading from said free end or from a position closely adjacent said free end, whereby upon rotation of the tool member about said axis of rotation, said helical groove formation presents a continuous outwardly facing helical groove, said method further including locating the free end of said tool member at a separation zone between said first member and said second member; rotating said elongated tool member whereby said helical groove formation draws said elongated tool member axially into said separation zone; and stopping or inhibiting axial movement of said elongated tool member into said separation zone whereby at least one of said first member or said second member moves in an axial direction relative to the other of saidfirst or second members. Conveniently, the conical or part conical shape of the tool member may also cause the first and the second members to shift laterally relative to one another when the tool member moves into the separation zone.

In one preferred mode, the first member may be a securing pin positioned in a securing location engaged with a screening panel or screening panel module forming the second member. The separation zone may be located between an upper head portion of the securing pin and a recessed region in an edge face of the screening panel or screening panel module.

In another possible preferred mode, the first member may be a first screening panel module and said second member is a second screening panel module, said first and second members having confronting edge faces located adjacent one another, said separation zone being located between said adjacent confronting edge faces. The first and the second screening panel module may be initially secured to an underlying subframe or the like by securing pins, snap in fittings or any other fixing means.

Conveniently, in both the afore described modes, each separation zone may include a groove or slot formed in at least one of the first member or the second member. Preferably a said groove or slot is formed in both of thefirst member and the second member.

More preferably, the groove or slot in each of the first member and the second member are arranged to confront one another to provide a channel or passage between both grooves or slots. Conveniently, the or each of the above discussed grooves or slots have a closed wall face at one end to stop or inhibit axial movement of the elongated tool member. In an alternative configuration, stopping or inhibiting axial movement of the elongated tool member might be achieved by allowing the free end thereof to engage the sub support frame rail or other member of the vibratory screening deck.

In a still further preferred aspect, the disclosure provides a securing pin member for securing a screening panel or screening panel module in a screening deck assembly of vibratory screening apparatus, said securing pin member having a generally enlarged head portion with an upper end face and surrounding depending head side surface, the securing pin member further having a narrower leg portion depending from the head portion defining a longitudinal direction, the securing pin member being characterised by the head portion having at least one recessed zone extending into said head side surface of the head portion, said recessed zone being open at the upper end face of the head portion and extending at least part way along said head portion in said longitudinal direction. Said head portion may be generally cylindrical or may have polygonal cross sectional shape.

Conveniently, the or each said recessed zone extending into the cylindrical side surface of the head portion has a closed end positioned above a lower extremity of the enlarged head portion. Preferably, two such recessed zones are provided, each being located on diametrically opposite sides of the head portion. Conveniently, the or each said recessed zone has a part circular or part oval transverse shape. Conveniently, the securing pin member will also include physical location means positioned to locate the head portion, in use, in a predetermined rotational position. In this manner, it is possible to locate the or each of the recessed zones in a desired '0 operational position when installed to hold a screening panel or screening panel module in a screening deck assembly.

In another preferred aspect, the disclosure may provide a screening panel module having side edge faces and adapted to be installed as part of a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus with adjacent said screening panel modules having at least some said side edge faces adjacent one another, said screening panel module being characterised by at least one mechanised tool engaging recessed zone extending into a said side edge face of the screening panel module, the or each said recessed zone being open at an upper face of said screening panel module and extending downwardly towards an opposed lower face of said screening panel module. Conveniently, the or each said recessed zone has a part circular or part oval transverse shape. Conveniently, the or each said recessed zone having a closed end spaced upwardly from said lower face of said screening panel module.

Conveniently, the aforesaid screening panel module is characterised by at least one said side edge face having one or more securing zone(s) for operatively cooperating with a securing pin for securing the screening panel module to a support means of said screening deck, at least one said recessed zone being located in the or each said securing zone cooperable with a securing pin. Preferably, a screening panel module as described in the preceding paragraph, may include a securing zone cooperable with a securing pin, the securing zone including physical locations means cooperable with complementary locations means on a said securing pin to, in use, rotationally locate the said securing pin whereby a said recessed zone extends into a wall part of an upper portion of the securing zone confronts a similar complementary recessed zone on the securing pin. The aforesaid physical location means may be achieved by arranging the enlarged head portion of the securing pin to have a non-circular cross section (eg polygonal shape) cooperating in a complementary shaped securing zone. Preferably, the screening panel module may be further characterised by at least one recessed slot formed in a side edge face and spaced a predetermined distance from a said recessed zone forming a securing zone cooperable with a securing pin, the or each said recessed slot opening onto the upper face of said screening panel or '0 said screening panel module and extending downwardly towards or through a lower face of said screening panel or screening panel module. The or each of the recessed zone(s) may be closed at a lower end spaced upwardly from the lower face of the screening panel module. It will be recognised that features and aspects as described above enable, either together or separately, the possible removal of securing pins from screening panels or screening panel modules in a screening deck assembly to allow their replacement, and further, if necessary, to remove such screening panels or screening panel modules from a sub support frame of the screening deck once any securing pins have been removed. The process may be achieved using mechanised powered drive means and does not require the use of manual hammers or manual lever tools, thereby significantly improving the safety and ease of the process.

Preferably, both the removal tool and the screening panel or screening panel module with described characteristics may be advantageously present in order to achieve the maximum effect of applied mechanical forces to enable removal of the relevant parts, thus reducing more significantly any necessary human physical effort.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig 1 is a perspective view and partial plan view of part of an existing screening deck of screening apparatus utilising a mechanised screening pin removal member in accordance with this disclosure;

Figs 2 and 3 are perspective views of a tool device employable in the mechanised removal of securing pins, screening panels and panel modules as disclosed herein;

Fig 4 is a side elevation view (partly sectioned) of the tool device shown in Figs 2 and 3;

Fig 5 is a detail of the area marked A shown in Fig 4.

Fig 6 is a perspective view of part of a screening deck of screening apparatus employing '0 screening panels or panel modules configured in accordance with this disclosure with removal apparatus positioned to enable removal of a panel or panel module securing pin;

Fig 7 is a plan view similar to Fig 6 showing a detail of the circle area;

Fig 8 is a section view along line A-A of Fig 7 showing a detail of the circled area;

Fig 9 is a section view along line B-B of Fig 7 showing a detail of the circled area;

Fig 10 is a detailed perspective view of the are marked D in Fig 6; and

Fig 11 is a detailed perspective view of the area marked C in Fig.

Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig 1 shows part of a known type of screening deck 100 in vibratory screening apparatus with a pair of screening panel modules 10 having abutting edge faces 11 engaged against one another and sitting on a securing rail 12 forming part of a vibratory sub frame support. The abutting edge faces 11 having confronting recessed zones 101, 102 defining together a securing pin receiving zone 14 with a cooperable securing pin 15 positioned therein. As described earlier, the securing pin 15 has an enlarged head portion 26 that is cylindrical in nature and may include one or more circumferential grooves (not seen) along its length. The lower end of the securing pin 15 has a narrower shaft section creating a stepped ledge at the lower end of the upper cylindrical head portion 26. The panel modules 10 have an upper face 18, a lower face 21 and through flow screening apertures 103 extending between the two faces 18, 21. At the securing pin location 14, tab formations (not seen) are provided moulded from the material forming the panels or panel modules 10 and extend downwardly from the lower faces 21. The confronting recessed zones 101, 102 also at least partially extend into the respective tab formations such that the lower end with the narrower shaft section engages in the parts of the recessed zones 101, 102 in the tab formations and forces them laterally outwardly. These tab formation also pass through an aperture in the securing rail 12 such that the outwardly moved tab formations lock underneath the securing rail 12. As depicted in Fig 1, an annular gap or space 104 is formed between the '0 outer face of head portion 26 and the cylindrical hole created by the confronting recessed zones 101, 102. Furthermore, in the illustrated installed position of the securing pin 15, the stepped ledge at the lower end of the head portion 26 sits on a ledge forming part of the confronting recessed zones 101, 102 part way between the upper face 18 and lower face 21.

Figs 1 to 5 further show features of a driven rotary or rotary and axial, tool member 17 with an axis of rotation 49. The tool member 17 includes a first end 35 being a collar (or similar) 36 having a square drive socket 37 cooperable, in use, with a square drive spigot or the like, of a rotary power tool device 16 illustrated in later drawings. Any other possible cooperating drive connections between the tool member 17 and a rotary (or rotary and axial) powered tool drive device 16 might also be employed. The illustrated tool member 17 further includes an elongated body 38 with a conical or frusto-conical shape forming a second section 48 extending from a free tip end 39. The free tip end 39 is preferably substantially flat. The free tip end may have a transverse dimension of between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm, preferably about 1.5 mm. The included angle of the conical or frusto-conical shape of the second section 48 is between 10 and 15, preferably about 12. Conveniently a short length zone 40 from the free tip 39 has a greater included angle than that of the main length of the second section 48. The greater included angle may be between 180and 28, preferably about 24. Preferably, the length of the zone 40 is from 3 mm to 6 mm, more preferably about 4 mm. As shown in the drawings, the helical groove extends from the free tip 39 to the collar 36. In a possible alternative the helical groove may commence a short distance from the free tip 39. Although the drawings show the helical groove as continuous, discontinuous forms of the helical groove might be used so long as it appears continuous upon rotation about the axis of rotation 49.

As shown in Fig 1, the tool member 17 is, in use, positioned with its tip end 39 engaging part of the annular space, gap or zone 104. With the tool member 17 being rotated, it will be drawn into the zone 104 until the free tip end engages the ledge in the recessed wall of recessed zones 101, 102. In some configurations, further axial movement of the tool member 17 might be prevented or inhibited by the tip end 39 engaging the support securing rail 12. The conical nature of the tool member 17 also causes partial lateral movement of the screening panel module 10 relative to the securing pin 15. At this position further rotation of the tool member 17 causes no further '0 axial movement downwardly of the tool member 17 but causes the securing pin 15 to move upwardly out of the receiving zone 14. This is a result of the helical groove 41 scoring partial helical grooves in the wall of the head portion 26 as the tool member moves into the gap or space 104. It is possible that the securing pin 15 may, at least partially, release as the tool member 17 moves into the gap 104.

Figs 6 to 11 illustrate preferred embodiments that involve improved design configurations for the panels, panel modules 10, and the securing pins 15, while still employing a removal tool member 17 driven by a tool device discussed above and further discussed below. Fig 6 shows a powered rotary (or rotary/hammer/axial), adapted, in use, to rotate the tool member 17. As depicted, the powered tool device 16 is a battery operated electric rotary or rotary/hammer device, but other similar tool devices could be used. While a battery operated (including rechargeable battery) rotary tool device 16 is preferred, electric power could also be supplied via an electric supply cord from an eternal source. Also the rotary tool device 16 could be operated via pneumatic means or hydraulic means. In all cases pure rotary drives or rotary with some form of axial impact drive could be used. As can be seen in Figs 6 and 10, the recessed securing pin receivable zones 14 include a generally half circular upper section 19 opening onto an edge face 11 and the upper face 18 of the panel or panel modules 10. The section 19 axially terminates at a ledge zone 20 midway between the upper face 18 and lower face 21 of the panel or panel module 10. A tab formation, formed of the moulded material of the panel or panel module 10, extends downwardly from the lower face 21 and a smaller diameter half circular bore 23 is formed therein and includes a lower tapered section 24. The half circular bore 23 starts at the ledge zone 20 and the tapered section 24 is closed at its lower end 25. The securing pin 15 has an upper enlarged cylindrical head portion 26 with spaced grooves 27 extending circumferentially around the head position 26. Opposed longitudinal slots 28, 29 are also provided in the head portion 26 to accommodate inwardly extending retainer wall portions 30, 31 partially entering the recessed zone 14. In the installed position of a securing pin 15 (detail of Fig 10), the slots 28, 29 hold two retainer wall portions 30 or 31 together to hold the respective edge faces 11 together. Moreover, the slots 28, 29 cooperable with the retainer wall portions 30, 31, provide cooperating physical location means to rotationally locate the securing pin 15 in the receiving zone 14. A hammer engageable surface 32 is provided at the upper end of the head '0 portion 26. The securing pin 15 further includes a narrower leg portion 33 depending from the head portion 26 which includes a bulging zone 34 towards its lower end. The bulging portion 34 engages in the tapered section 24 of the tab formations 22 to force these formations laterally apart in the installed position locking the tab formations 22 to the securing rail 12. In this position, the tab formations 22 pass through retaining apertures 70 in the rail 12 and movement of the lower ends of the tab formations 22 laterally outwardly lock the securing pin 15 to the rail 12.

Figs 7, 10 and 11 illustrate a recessed zone 50 formed in the wall of the upper section 19 of each recessed securing pin receiving zone 14, such that the recessed zone 50 opens onto the face 18 and has a lower end spaced above the ledge zone 20. The upper end of each securing pin 15 has a similarly configured recessed zone, groove or slot 51 formed in opposed upper faces of the head portion 26. The recessed zones 51 open onto the upper face 52 and have closed lower end. The recessed zones 50, 51 have similar lengths. The recessed zones 51 are located diametrically opposed to one another whereby, when the retainer wall portions 30, 31 are engaged within the slots 28, 29 of the securing pin 15, the recessed zones 50, 51 confront one another to provide a blind bore capable of receiving the free tip regions of the tool member 17. It will be recognised while the illustrated arrangement is preferred, that arrangements where only one configuration of confronting recessed zones 50, 51 per securing pin receiving zone 14 is workable and useful. It is believed viable in another possible arrangement to provide one, or more, recessed zone(s) 50 or 51, without necessarily having a pairing of two such recessed zones confronting one another. In all of these proposed arrangements, an objective is to allow an operator to direct a mechanised removal tool 16, 17 as shown in the drawings to remove a securing pin 15 from an installed position within a securing pin receiving zone 14, as previously described.

As show in Figs 7, 10 and 11, a still further recessed zone 60 may be provided in an edge face 11 containing a recessed securing pin receiving zone 14 conveniently located adjacent each such zone 14. Each recessed zone 60 also opens onto the upper face 18 of the panel modules 10 with a closed lower and 61 spaced upwardly from the lower face 21. Multiple such recessed zones 60 could be provided generally equally spaced from each securing pin receiving zone 14. It is preferred that two such recessed zones 60 will confront one another when two panels or panel '0 modules 10 are placed in abutting relation side by side (Fig 7). The objective is to operate a removal tool device 16, 17 such that the free end of the conical or frusto-conical tool member 16 is rotated into the recessed zone 60 (if one) or two such recessed zones 60 (if two confront one another) until the free tip end 39 engages against the end 61 (or ends 61) whereupon further rotation of the tool member 17 causes one of the abutting panels or panel modules 10 to lift relative to the other freeing tab formations 22 from the receiving apertures 70 in the securing rail 12. The conical shape of the tool member 16, as it enters the recessed zone 60 or recessed zones 60, also causes the panel modules 10 to at least partially shift laterally relative to one another tending to release any securing pins or any other fixing means, ultimately allowing the relative partial lifting of the adjacent panel modules. As a possible alternative, the free tip end of the tool member 17 may be arranged to engage an underlying part of the sub support frame of the vibratory deck or a support structure of the screening panel module.

It will of course be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications to the features specified particularly in this disclosure may be made within the scope of the accompanying patent claims. For example, many alternative arrangements of fixing the securing pins in a desired rotational position relative to its receiving zone may be envisaged, including providing a non-circular (eg polygonal) cross-sectional shape to the head portion of the securing pin that cooperates with a complementary-shaped recess pin receiving zone in the screening panel or the screening panel module. Still further, aspects of the current disclosure are applicable to any known fixing configurations of screening panel modules in a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus. It will also be understood that any terms such as "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and/or "including" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence of or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, compounds and/or groups thereof.

Claims (32)

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An elongated tool member having an elongated body with an axis of rotation and being adapted, in use, to release a first member from a second member in a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus, said elongated body having a free end and a generally conical or frusto conical outwardly facing shape increasing in width leading in the direction of said axis of rotation away from said free end, said elongated body further including a helical groove formation forming an outwardly facing surface leading from said free end or from a position closely adjacent said free end whereby upon rotation of said tool member about said axis of rotation, said helical groove formation presents a continuous outwardly facing helical groove engageable in a zone between said first member and said second member such that said tool member is drawn into said zone until said helical groove causes release movement of one of said first member or said second member relative to the other of said first or said second members.

2. An elongate tool member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said free end includes a planar surface transverse to said axis of rotation.

3. An elongated tool member as claimed in claim 2 wherein said planar surface has a maximum dimension of between 1 mm and 3 mm.

4. An elongated tool member as claimed in claim 3 wherein said maximum dimension of said planar surface is about 1.5 mm.

5. An elongated tool member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape has an included acute angle of between 10° and 15.

6. An elongated tool member according to claim 5 wherein the included acute angle is about 120.

7. An elongated tool member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape is formed by two axially adjacent sections, a first section closer to said free end having an included acute angle wider than that of said second section.

8. An elongated tool member according to claim 7 wherein the included acute angel of said first section is between about 18 and 28.

9. An elongated tool member according to claim 8 wherein the included acute angle is about 240.

10. An elongated tool member according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the elongated body has a second end opposite said free end permitting said tool member to be operatively connected to or disconnected from a drive means for imparting rotational movement to said tool member for rotation about said axis of rotation.

11. An elongated tool member according to claim 10 wherein said second end is configured to permit both rotation and axial impact forces to said tool member.

12. An elongated tool member having an elongated body with an axis of rotation and being adapted, in use, to release a securing pin from a securing pin receiving location of a screening panel or screening panel module, said elongated body having a free end and a generally conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape increasing in width leading away from said free end, said body further including a helical groove formation forming an outward facing surface leading from said free end or from a location closely adjacent said free end, whereby upon rotation about said axis of rotation, said helical groove formation presents a continuous outwardly facing helical groove engaging in use in a zone between said securing pin and an adjacent said screening panel or said screening panel module such that said tool member is drawn into said zone until said helical groove causes said securing pin to release axially from said securing pin receiving location.

13. A method of bodily moving a first member relative to a second member in a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus, said method including providing an elongated tool member with an axis of rotation, the elongated body having a free end and a generally conical or frusto-conical outwardly facing shape increasing in width leading in a direction of said axis of rotation away from the free end, the elongated body further including a helical groove formation forming an outwardly facing surface leading from said free end or from a position closely adjacent said free end, whereby upon rotation of the tool member about said axis of rotation, said helical groove formation presents a continuous outwardly facing helical groove, said method further including locating the free end of said tool member at a separation zone between said first member and said second member; rotating said elongated tool member whereby said helical groove formation draws said elongated tool member axially into said separation zone; and stopping or inhibiting axial movement of said elongated tool member into said separation zone whereby at least one of said first member or said second member moves in an axial direction relative to the other of said first or second members.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said first member is a securing pin positioned in a securing location engaged with a screening panel or screening panel module forming the second member.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the separation zone is located between an upper head portion of the securing pin and a recessed region in an edge face of the screening panel or screening panel module.

16. A method according to claim 13 wherein the first member is a first screening panel or screening panel module and said second member is a second screening panel or screening panel module, said first and second members having confronting edge faces located adjacent one another, said separation zone being located between said adjacent confronting edge faces.

17. A method according to anyone of claims 13 to 16 wherein each separation zone includes a groove or slot formed in at least one of the first member or the second member.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein a said groove or slot is formed in both of said first member and said second member.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the groove or slot in each of said first member and said second member confront one another.

20. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the or each said groove or slot has a closed wall face at one end to stop or inhibit axial movement of said elongated tool member.

21. A securing pin member for securing a screening panel or screening panel module in a screening deck assembly of vibratory screening apparatus, said securing pin member having a generally enlarged head portion with an upper end face and surrounding depending head side surface, the securing pin member further having a narrower leg portion depending from the head portion defining a longitudinal direction, the securing pin member being characterised by the head portion having at least one recessed zone extending into said head side surface of the head portion, said recessed zone being open at the upper end face of the head portion and extending at least part way along said head portion in said longitudinal direction.

22. A securing pin member according to claim 21 characterised in that the or each said recessed zone has a closed end positioned above a lower extremity of said enlarged head portion.

23. A securing pin member according to claim 21 or 22 characterised in that two said recessed zones are provided, each being located on diametrically opposite sides of said head portion.

24. A securing pin member according to any one of claims 21 to 23 characterised in that the or each said recessed zone has a part circular or part oval transverse shape.

25. A securing pin member according to any one of claims 21 to 24 characterised by physical location means positioned to locate said head portion, in use, in a predetermined rotational position.

26. A screening panel module having side edge faces and adapted to be installed as part of a screening deck of vibratory screening apparatus, with adjacent said screening panel modules having at least some said side edge faces adjacent one another, a said screening panel module being characterised by at least one mechanised tool engaging recessed zone extending into a said side edge face of the screening panel module, the or each said recessed zone being open at an upper face of said screening panel module and extending downwardly towards an opposed lower face of said screening panel module.

27. A screening panel module according to claim 26 characterised by the or each said recessed zone having a closed end spaced upwardly from said lower face of said screen panel module.

28. A screening panel or screening panel module as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27 characterised by the or each said recessed zone having a part circular or part oval transverse shape.

29. A screening panel module according to any one of claims 26, 27 or 28 characterised by at least one said side edge face having one or more securing zone(s) for operatively cooperating with a securing pin for securing the screening panel module to a support means of said screening deck, at least one said recessed zone being located in the or each said securing zone cooperable with a securing pin.

30. A screening panel module according to claim 29 characterised by a said securing zone cooperable with a securing pin, the securing zone including physical location means cooperable with complementary locations means on a said securing pin to, in use, rotationally locate the said securing pin whereby a said recessed zone extends into a wall part of an upper portion of the securing zone confronts a similar complementary recessed zone on the securing pin.

31. A screening panel module according to any one of claims 29 to 30 further characterised by at least one said recessed zone formed in a said side edge face and spaced a predetermined distance from a said securing zone cooperable with a securing pin, the or each said recessed zone opening onto the upper face of said screening panel module and extending downwardly towards or through a lower face of said screening panel module.

32. A screening panel module according to claim 31 characterised in that the or each said recessed zone is closed at a lower end spaced upwardly from said lower face of the screening panel or screening panel module.