GB2459287A

GB2459287A - Screening device with retractable conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2459287A
Application number: GB0806979A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Doyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-17
Filing date: 2008-04-17
Publication date: 2009-10-21
Also published as: GB0806979D0

Abstract

A screening device A includes an integrated conveyor 110. The conveyor 110 is moveable between a storage position and an operable position. On adoption of the storage position, the conveyor 110 is at least substantially located within a perimeter of the housing 190 defining the screening device A. In such a position the screening device A may be transported between locations. The angle of the screen and housing 190 may be alterable, with a single actuator 170 both operating the angle adjustment and deploying the conveyor 110.

Description

Screening device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to screening devices and in particular to mobile screening devices that are used to screen or separate solids of one size from those of others.

Background

Screening devices are well known. Such devices are used by ground works contractors, utilities contractors, sand & gravel pit suppliers, asphalt & road contractors, horticulture contractors, waste processing companies and indeed any party that wishes to separate solids of one size from those of another.

An example of a known mobile screening device is disclosed in U55794787 which describes a mobile screening apparatus for gravel and other aggregates includes a three sided box adapted to rest on the ground surface. A vibrating screen is located above the box in a tilted, or sloped condition, so that gravel deposited on the screen is in a fluidized condition. Relatively fine gravel particles (stones) pass downwardly through the screen into the box. Two upwardly divergent trough walls are rigidly secured to side edges of the screen to guide gravel particles onto the screen. A rotary motor is mounted on the undersurface of the screen to rotate an elongated shaft that acts as a counterweight to oscillate the screen in a generally vertical direction. The motor and elongated counterweight shaft are exposed so as to be readily accessible for inspection or maintenance purposes. Such an arrangement is typical of known screening devices and suffers in that the device cannot be towed between sites and the screened material falls within the box where it must be subsequently collected.

There is therefore a need for an improved screening device.

Summary

Accord ingly, a first embodiment of the invention provides a screening device that includes an integrated conveyor that operably conveys the screened material away from the screening device.

The conveyor is desirably moveable between a storage position and an operating position. The screening device desirably includes a housing for the grading screens and in the storage position the conveyor is desirably located within the housing. In the operating position at least a portion of the conveyor extends outwardly of the housing such that screened material which falls through the grading screens is then displaced away from the housing. This is desirably achieved by having at least a portion of the conveyor located, in its operating position, below the grading screens.

In a preferred arrangement the conveyor includes a first and second portion, the second portion being moveable relative to the first portion. In the operating position the second portion is desirably moveable so as to extend out of the housing. Such movement can be achieved in a variety of ways such as for example having the second portion provided in a telescopic arrangement relative to the first portion. A desired arrangement is however to have the first and second portions hingeably moveable relative to one another such that in the storage position the second portion is foldable within the housing. To adopt the operating position, the second portion may be moved outwardly of the housing and relative to the first portion so as to provide a substantially continuous planar conveyor surface.

Desirably the first portion is pivotably coupled to the housing, a movement of the conveyor from its storage position to operating position being effected through a pivoting of the first portion relative to the housing. The second portion desirably includes attachment means which, on adoption of the operating position, is engageable with the housing to provide a securing of the conveyor to the housing. Desirably the attachment means is also pivotably coupled to the housing.

Desirably the screening device includes actuating means which provide for assisted movement of the conveyor from its storage position to operating position. Such actuating means may be provided by use of a hydraulic ram which is coupled to the conveyor and which effects controlled movement of the conveyor between each of its two positions.

The screening device may also be configured to provide for a modification of the screening angle. Such modification of the angle at which the grading screens are presented to the material which is being screened may be usefully employed to operably optimise the screening conditions for different types of solids. Desirably a higher angle is used for separating solids of a cleaner dry material to increase production and a lower angle is used for separating solids of a dirty wet damp dimension which retains the material longer on the screen giving a more uniform sizing. To provide for a changing of the angle of presentation of the grading screens, the grading screens are desirably provided in a moveable mounting which is pivotable relative to the housing. Actuating means provide for an assisted movement of the moveable mounting relative to the housing. By providing a pivot movement, a first side of the grading screen may be moved upwardly or downwardly relative to a second side of the grading screen thereby changing the angle of presentation of the screen to the housing.

The actuating means may include a hydraulic ram. Desirably if provided, the hydraulic ram used for assisting the movement of the conveyor could also be used for assisting the movement of the grading screen.

Desirably the screening device may be moveable, such that it could be moved from a first location to a second location. In a preferred arrangement the screening device may include wheels or a continuous track arrangement such as that provided under the brand CATERPILLARTM. Such tracks or wheels provide for a degree of portability of the device in that it can be towed between locations.

These and other features of a screening device provided in accordance with the teaching of the invention will be better understood with reference to the following exemplary arrangements thereof which illustrate an exemplary arrangement of a screening device provided in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section through a screening device showing a conveyor in a transport position.

Figure 2 is a section through a screening device showing the conveyor in a set-up position.

Figure 3 is a section through a screening device showing the conveyor in an operable position with the grading screen at a first angle relative to the housing.

Figure 4 is a section through a screening device showing the conveyor in an operable position with the grading screen at a second angle relative to the housing.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

Figure 1 to 4 show an exemplary arrangement of a screening device 100 that includes an integrated conveyor 110 that operably conveys the screened material away from the screening device. Similarly to other known screening devices, a screening device provided in accordance with the teaching of hte invention includes a housing 120 for grading screens 130. In the arrangement shown, two grading screens 130A, 130B are provided and typically the grading mesh used in a first upper grading screen 130A will be larger than that of a second lower grading screen 1 30B. In use material that is presented onto the grading screens, for example by top loading the screening device along the direction A shown in Figure 1, will pass initially through the first grading screen 130A and then onto the second grading screen 130B, located below. By presenting the grading screens 130 at an angle to the provided material, that material having a diameter or size greater than that of the first or second screens 130, will pass along an upper surface of the grading screens and pass outwardly from the screening device, along the direction B-shown in Figure 1.

Such arrangements will be known to those expert in the field.

That material whose size is less than the meshes of the grading screen will pass downwardly through the screens into an interior volume of the housing 120, along the direction C shown in Figure 3.

In prior art arrangements, such graded material would then be deposited within the housing and periodically could be removed by use of a digger or the like. The present invention however provides the conveyor 110, integrally formed with the housing to transport graded material away from the housing.

The conveyor 110 is desirably rnoveable between a storage position such as that shown in Figure 1 and an operating position such as that shown in Figure 3. In the storage position the conveyor 110 is located within the perimeter of the housing 120. In the operating position at least a portion of the conveyor 110 extends outwardly of the housing 120 such that screened material which falls through the grading screens is then displaced away from the housing. This is achieved by having at least a portion of the conveyor located, in its operating position, below the grading screens.

To allow the adoption of the first and second positions, the conveyor is desirably segmented so as to have at least a first 11 OA and a second 11 OB portion. The second portion hUB is moveable relative to the first portion 11OA.

In the operating position such as that shown in Figures 2 to 4, the second portion is moveable so as to extend out of the housing 120. Such movement can be achieved in a variety of ways such as for example having the second portion provided in a telescopic arrangement relative to the first portion. A desired arrangement is however that shown in the Figures wherein the first and second portions are hingeably moveable relative to one another such that in the storage position the second portion is foldable within the housing. By having a first hinge or pivot attachment 140, when moving from the first to the second positions, the second portion 11 OB may be moved outwardly of the housing and relative to the first portion so as to provide a substantially continuous planar conveyor surface-such as that shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Desirably the first portion 11OA is also pivotably coupled to the housing 120. Desirably this pivotable coupling is provided by a second pivot attachment 150. The first 140 and second pivot 150 attachments are desirably located at opposite ends of the first portion 11 OA.

By providing the first 140 and second 150 pivot attachments, a movement of the conveyor from its storage position to operating position is effected through a pivoting of the first portion relative to the housing and the second portion 11 OB relative to the first.portion 11 OA. The second portion desirably includes attachment means 160 which, on adoption of the operating position, is engageable with the housing 120 to provide a securing of the conveyor to the housing. Desirably the attachment means is also pivotably coupled via a pivot connection 165 to the housing. In this way the movement of the second portion 11 OB also effects a corresponding movement of the attachment means 160 through the fulcrum of the pivot connection. One the second portion 11 OB adopts the final second position, as shown in Figure 3, it is then supported in that position by the attachment means 160.

While it is possible to manually move the conveyor 110 between its two positions, a preferred arrangement includes actuating means 170 which provide for assisted movement of the conveyor from its storage or first position to its operating or second position. Such actuating means may be provided by use of a hydraulic cylinder arrangement 170. By coupling the actuator to the conveyor it is possible to effect controlled movement of the conveyor between each of its two positions.

The actuating means 170 are desirably coupled to a chassis portion 180 of the screening device and desirably are pivotably coupled via a pivot connection 181. In this way the relative angle of the actuating means 180 to the chassis may change during its actions on the conveyor 110. It is desirable that the actual coupling of the actuating means to the conveyor be also via a pivot connection 182. In this way as the actuating means extends and contracts to effect movement of the conveyor 170, the conveyor can move relative to the actuating means and the actuating means can move relative to the chassis of the screening device.

The screening device may also be configured to provide for a modification of the screening angle. Such modification of the angle at which the grading screens are presented to the material which is being screened may be usefully employed to operably optimise the screening conditions for different types of solids. Desirably a higher angle is used for separating solids of a cleaner dry material to increase production and a lower angle is used for separating solids of a second dirty wet damp dimension. To provide for a changing of the angle of presentation of the grading screens, the grading screens are desirably provided in a moveable mounting 190 which is pivotably coupled via a pivot connection 191 relative to the housing chassis 180. As it is desirable that the conveyor 170 is presented at the same angle to the grading screen 130, it is also desirable that any movement of the grading screens to change their angle will effect a corresponding movement of the conveyor. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, once the conveyor has adopted an operable position (Figure 3) any movement of the grading screens above it, effects a corresponding movement of the conveyor.

It will be appreciated that movement of the grading screens is a laborious task and it is desirable that actuating means are provided for an assisted movement of the moveable mounting 190 relative to the housing. By providing a pivot movement, a first side 195 of the moveable mounting may be moved upwardly or downwardly relative to a second side 196 of the moveable mounting thereby changing the angle of presentation of the screen to the chassis 180. As it is preferable for the conveyor to move correspondingly in a preferred arrangement the actuating means for the conveyor also provides the actuation for movement of the screens.

In the schematic of Figure 3, the screens are provided at a first angle (16.5 degrees) relative to the chassis. By forcing the first side 195 using the actuating means 170, upwardly along the direction D, this angle may be increased. The second side of the moveable mounting pivots via the pivot connection 191 to enable this upward movement of the first side.

Once a desired upward movement has been achieved, and the necessary angle changed, then the moveable mounting 190 may be locked in position using locator pins 196 against one of a number of available sockets 197 provided on a guide support 198. As shown in Figure 3, in a first lower position the moveable mounting is secured against an upper socket 197, whereas in the higher position of Figure 4, it is secured against a lower socket 197d.

Desirably the screening device may be moveable, such that it could be moved from a first location to a second location. In a preferred arrangement the screening device may include wheels or a continuous track arrangement 200 such as that provided under the brand CATERPILLARTM. Such tracks or wheels provide for a degree of portability of the device in that it can be towed between locations.

It will be appreciated that what has been described herein are exemplary arrangements of a screening device that includes an integrated conveyor. The conveyor is moveable between a storage position and an operable position. On adoption of the storage position, the conveyor is at least substantially located within a perimeter of the housing defining the screening device.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A screening device having a housing for at least one grading screen and including an integrated conveyor that operably conveys screened material away from the screening device.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the conveyor is moveable between a storage position and an operating position.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the conveyor is located within the perimeter of the housing in the storage position for transport purposes.
4. The device of claim 3 or 2 wherein in the operating position at least a portion of the conveyor extends outwardly of the housing such that operably screened material which falls through the at least one grading screen is then displaced away from the housing.
5. The device of any of claims 2 to 4 wherein at least a portion of the conveyor is located, in its operating position, below the at least one grading screen.
6. The device of any preceding claim wherein the conveyor includes a first and second portion, the second portion being moveable relative to the first portion.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein in an operating position the second portion is rnoveable so as to extend out of the housing.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the first and second portions are pivotably moveable relative to one another such that in a storage position the second portion is foldable within the housing.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein operably to adopt an operating position, the second portion may be moved outwardly of the housing and relative to the first portion so as to provide a substantially continuous planar conveyor surface.
10. The device of claim 8 or 9 wherein the first portion is pivotably coupled to the housing, a movement of the conveyor from a storage position to an operating position being effected through a pivoting of the first portion relative to the housing.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the second portion includes attachment means which, on adoption of the operating position, is engageable with the housing to provide a securing of the conveyor to the housing.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein the attachment means is pivotably coupled to the housing.
13. The device of any one of claims 2 to 12 including actuating means which provide for assisted movement of the conveyor from its storage position to operating position.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the actuating means comprises a hydraulic ram which is coupled to the conveyor and which effects controlled movement of the conveyor between each of its two positions.
15. The device of any preceding claim wherein the screening angle may be modified.
16. The device of claim 15 wherein the at least one grading screen is provided in a moveable mounting which is pivotable relative to the housing.
17. The device of claim 16 including actuating means to provide for an assisted movement of the moveable mounting relative to the housing.
18. The device of claim 16 or 17 wherein the moveable mounting is pivotably coupled to the housing such that in a pivot movement, a first side of the at least one grading screen may be moved upwardly or downwardly relative to a second side of the grading screen thereby changing the angle of presentation of the screen to the housing.
19. The device of claim 17 or 18 wherein the actuating means includes a hydraulic ram.
20. The device of claim 17 wherein the actuating means for the moveable mounting is also used for effecting movement of the conveyor.
21. The device of any preceding claim being towable.
22. The device of any preceding claim including wheels or a continuous track arrangement to provide for portability of the device.
23. A device substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.