AU770350B2

AU770350B2 - Modular screening system

Info

Publication number: AU770350B2
Application number: AU31388/02A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Russell John BURCHALL; Kympton Lewis Lawrence; Warwick Marsden Morgan
Original assignee: PAZZA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: PAZZA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-10
Filing date: 2002-04-04
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-04
Also published as: AU3138802A

Description

52795 GEH:PFB P/00/01i1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Nam ofAplcat PAZ PT LT Nam ofinetos RUSEL JON*.CH KYPO LEISLAREC WARIC MASE MRA Addes fo erie CO LIO &*O,17Kn*ilimSreAelie...50 InvntonTile Det: aes of Asscae rvsoa pplicant:ns: inameuofinvh etrs: o efomn i nwnt s 0* .0 0 RUSL JH:URHL 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.

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 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.

20 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.

o Thus there is provided according to the invention a screening apparatus including at least a number of screening panels, fixing rails supporting the 25 screening panels, and the fixing rails fixed to a supporting member, wherein the fixing rail has a base fixed to the supporting member and at least one leg upstanding from the base, the leg having a bulbous end, and the screening panel having a recess of complimentary shape in its edge forming a fixing lip, wherein in use, a locking strip having a protruding stem terminating in a knob 30 is adapted to force the fixing lip on the panel to elastically deform around the 3 bulbous end on the fixing rail thereby moulding it to the fixing rail, locking it thereto, such that if the locking strip were removed the fixing lip would spring away from the bulbous end on the fixing rail.

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 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 25 locking strip inserted between the edges of adjacent screening panels to lock 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 99999w 4 Figure 1 is a view of a locking strip, Figure 2 is a view of a portion of a modular panel, 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 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 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 20 the bulbous end 5 of the leg 4.

S"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 25 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 Ito....

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.

However 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 shown in Figure 4. When the locking strip is forced between the panels the knob on the locking strip forces the fixing lip to elastically 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 on each side of the strip, which interface with the panels. If the 25 locking strip were removed, the fixing lip would spring back into its normal position, away from the bulbous end on the fixing rail.

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 6 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 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.

Claims

1. A screening apparatus including at least a number of screening panels, fixing rails supporting the screening panels, and the fixing rails fixed to a supporting member, wherein the fixing rail has a base fixed to the supporting member and at least one leg upstanding from the base, the leg having a bulbous end, and the screening panel having a recess of complimentary shape in its edge forming a fixing lip, wherein in use, a locking strip having a protruding stem terminating in a knob is adapted to force the fixing lip on the panel to elastically deform around the bulbous end on the fixing rail thereby moulding it to the fixing rail, locking it thereto, such that if the locking strip were removed the fixing lip would spring away from the bulbous end on the fixing rail.

2. The screening apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the fixing rail has a pair of parallel spaced apart upstanding legs, each adapted to receive a screening panel.

3. The screening apparatus as defined in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the bulbous end of the upstanding leg has a curved surface originating from the surface on the side from which the screening panel will be applied, extending to the inner surface, where it terminates at a tapered face, and the screening panel has a recess with a complimentary taper in the fixing lip so as to promote secure engagement.

4. The screening apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fixing lip of the screening panel has an outwardly protruding ridge adapted to engage the knob on the locking strip. o 25

5. The screening apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the protruding stem of the locking strip has at least one ridge protruding outwardly there from, adapted to frictionally engage the fixing lip of the screening panel. 0ll 8

6. The screening apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. Dated this 17th day of December 2003 PAZZA PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys, COLLISON CO. 0 0 *0 00 00 0 0 0 00 00 0 0 0 S 000000 00 00 0 9 00 00 0 0 0 0009 0 00.0 00 0 0* .0 0 .000 0 000000 0 0