AU3138802A - Modular screening system - Google Patents

Description

52795 GEH:PFB P/00/01i1 AUSTALIARegulation 3.2 Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

KYMO LEI AWEC MODLA SCENNGSSE DeNaes of AppliatdPoiinlplctos inameuofinenbetrs: o efomn i nwnt s .0.0 This invention relates to a modular screen more particularly to a modular screen and the mounting of the modular screen to a fixing rail.

In the mining industry it is necessary to screen the mined ores, and apparatus is used for screening, separating and grading the mined ores. The apparatus usually comprise a plurality of screen panels each comprising a number of screen modules having holes there through for grading or screening the material passing there over. Typically the screen panels and modules are thus subject to the abrasive action of the ore passing there over and thus replacement of the screen modules is required at frequent intervals. This results in down time of the entire operation and thus it is desirable that this down time be kept to a minimum when one or more screen panels or individual screen modules have to be replaced.

.O Oso While there is the requirement that the replacement of the screen modules by easy and without undue time being required for the removal of the worn 15 screen module and the replacement with a new screen module, it is essential *..that each screen module be secured in position and virtually locked in position so that the screen module is not displaced in any manner during the operation of the apparatus, it being realised that severe forces can be applied to the screen module during the vibratory motion of the screening apparatus.

Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a screen module and the fixing thereof in position such that while being securely locked in position can easily and quickly be removed for replacement with a new screen module.

Thus there is provided according to the invention a screening apparatus including at least a number of screening panels, fixing rails supporting the screening panels and fixed to a supporting member, the arrangement being such that the fixing rails support and locate the screening panels in position with the screening panels bearing on the supporting member whereby during a screening operation the loads and stresses on the screening panels are applied to the supporting member.

:0 :0 0 3 Preferably the fixing rail has a base fixed to the supporting member, the supporting member extending beyond the base whereby the screen panel while being fixed to the fixing rail has portions bearing on the supporting member.

Preferably each fixing rail has an upstanding bulbous leg, and each screening panel has a complimentary shaped recess to engage over the upstanding leg.

Also it is preferred each fixing rail has a pair of parallel spaced upstanding shaped legs, each screening panel has a complimentary shaped recess whereby each fixing rail supports the edges of adjacent screening panels, and locking means to lock the adjacent screen edges to the fixing rail.

Preferably the locking means lock the respective edges of the screening panels to the corresponding upstanding leg, the locking strip having a body and a projecting flange, the flange engaging between the respective edges of 0 the screening panels to force the edges of the panels into locking engagement with the corresponding legs.

Also there is provided according to the invention a screening apparatus having a sub-frame, supporting members affixed to the sub-frame, fixing rails attached to the supporting members, each fixing rail having a pair of shaped upstanding legs, screening panels along opposite edges having complimentary shaped recess to engage over a respective leg and have a load bearing portion engaging the respective supporting member, and a locking strip inserted between the edges of adjacent screening panels to lock the edges of the panels to the respective legs of the fixing rails.

In order to more fully describe the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view of a locking strip, Figure 2 is a view of a portion of a modular panel, a a .a a *aa Figure 3 is an end view of a fixing rail, Figure 4 is a view of the assembled components, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the screening system.

The screening apparatus 1 includes a fixing rail 2 attached to a mounting bracket 19 by bolts and nuts 20. The fixing rail 2 has a base 3 and a pair of legs 4 upstanding from the base 3. Each leg has a bulbous end 5 extending from the neck 6 of the leg. The bulbous end 5 has a curved outer surface 7 extending to the inner surface which terminates in a taper face 8 joining to the inner surface of the neck 6, the purpose of which will be later described. It is 10 noted the mounting bracket 19 extends beyond the sides of the base 3 of the fixing rail to provide an area 21 on the mounting bracket on each side of the base of the fixing rail. The mounting bracket 19 is in turn either bolted or

I

o, welded to the sub-frame 22.

The flat modular panel 18 is attached to the fixing rail, the end edge of the panel 18 being shown in Figure 2. The panel has a fixing lip 9 extending from the panel to form a recess 10, the internal surface of which is complimentary to Sthe bulbous end 5 of the leg 4.

.o* Figure 1 illustrates a locking strip 11 having a body 12 and a depending stem 13 terminating in a knob 14. Preferably at least a pair of ridges 15 are formed on the sides of the stem 13.

Turning now to Figure 4, showing the panel 18 locked in position on the fixing rail by the locking strip 11. It is noted the flat modular panel has a longitudinally extending steel frame 16 positioned imbedded therein to be adjacent the recess It is noted the fixing rail 2 and the bottom of the panel 18 seat on the sub-frame rail 19. Thus the sides of the panel are dimensioned such that when the panel is clipped and locked in position on the fixing rail, the sides of the panel extend down and rest on the areas 21 of the mounting bracket 19. This ensures that any downward force applied to the panel is transferred directly to the sub-frame of the screening machine. In the present invention the fixing rails are provided to fix, lock and retain the modular screen panels in position and do not have to absorb any downward loading on the screen panels.

Hence deflection and stress is substantially eliminated on the fixing rail. Any deflection and stress on the fixing rail can lead to the dislodgment of the screen panel.

The internal steel frame 16 is positioned adjacent the recess 10 such that in use the steel frame prevents the material (polyurethane) of the panel deforming away from the interface with the fixing rail during and after fitting of the panel. During installation it is the fixing lips of the panel that move and flex.

;gHowever after installation any movement of the fixing lips is prevented by the insertion of the locking strip between the fixing lips of adjacent panels as 15 shown in Figure 4. When the locking strip is forced between the panels the knob on the locking strip forces the fixing lip to deform and "mould" to the fixing *rail, and prevents movement of the fixing lip away from the fixing rail. This produces a mechanical key at the tapered face of the fixing rail. In addition to the mechanical key the locking strip is frictionally held in position by the ridges 20 on each side of the strip, which interface with the panels.

Thus there is provided according to the invention a modular screen panel and its fixing in a manner which ensures that it is very difficult for the screen panel to be removed or displaced during a screening operation. Any forces applied to the panel during operation are transferred directly to the mounting bracket and sub frame; thus ensuring forces are not transferred to the fixing rail. It is these forces applied to the rail in the prior art, which can cause displacement of the screen panel. The locking strip forced between the lips of adjacent panels ensures the panels are locked and keyed to the fixing rail.

When a screen becomes worn or damaged through use, each screen can be removed individually without disturbing adjacent panels. Thus the locking strip is removed on each side of the defective screen panel with the locking 5* S S S5 555 strip removed the screen panel is then removed from the fixing rail, and replaced by a new panel which is clipped over the bulbous head 5 and the locking strip again inserted to lock the panels in position.

Although one form of the invention has been described in some detail it is to be realised the invention is not to be limited hereto but can include variations and modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

;foe** **0 00.0.

Claims (11)

1. A screening apparatus including at least a number of screening panels, fixing rails supporting the screening panels and fixed to a supporting member, the arrangement being such that the fixing rails support and locate the screening panels in position with the screening panels bearing on the supporting member whereby during a screening operation the loads and stresses on the screening panels are applied to the supporting member.

2, A screening apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the fixing rail has a base fixed to the supporting member, the supporting member extending 10 beyond the base whereby the screen panel while being fixed to the fixing rail has portions bearing on the supporting member.

3. A screening apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each fixing rail has an upstanding leg, and each screening panel has a complimentary shaped recess to engage over the upstanding leg. Ooo..

4.A screening apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the upstanding leg has a bulbous end and the recess in the edge of the screening panel has a corresponding shape.

A screening apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each fixing rail has a pair of parallel spaced upstanding shaped legs, each screening panel has a complimentary shaped recess whereby each fixing rail supports the edges of adjacent screening panels, and locking means to lock the adjacent screen edges to the fixing rail.

6. A screening apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each leg has a bulbous end and the recesses in the edges of the screening panels have a complimentary shape.

7. A screening apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the locking means lock the respective edges of the screening panels to the corresponding 5 55 55 S 55 o 55 o 5 8 upstanding leg.

8. A screening apparatus as defined in claim 7 the locking means is a locking strip having a body and a projecting flange, the flange engaging between the respective edges of the screening panels to force the edges of the panels into locking engagement with the corresponding legs.

9. A screening apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the projecting flange has an enlarged portion at its end to engage the edges of the panels below the bulbous head to force the edge of the panel into engagement with the corresponding leg.

10 10. A screening apparatus having a sub-frame, supporting members affixed to 0**e the sub-frame, fixing rails attached to the supporting members, each fixing rail having a pair of shaped upstanding legs, screening panels along opposite edges having complimentary shaped recess to engage over a respective leg and have a load bearing portion engaging the respective supporting member, 15 and a locking strip inserted between the edges of adjacent screening panels to lock the edges of the panels to the respective legs of the fixing rails. S*

11. A screening apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. Dated this 4th day of April 2002 PAZZA PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys, COLLISON CO. CC. C C CC