AU9327598A

AU9327598A - Particle screening system

Info

Publication number: AU9327598A
Application number: AU93275/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Terry Askew
Original assignee: USF Johnson Screens Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ludowici Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1989-08-25
Filing date: 1998-11-19
Publication date: 1999-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-13
Also published as: AU729679C; AU729679B2

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1L990 IJSF JOHNSON SCREENS PTY

LTD

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

DIVISIONAL STANDARD

PATENT

I1Lveni~to1 Title: Particle screeninlg systeifl The following statement is a full description of thi.s invention includling the best method of performing it known to us:.- 2 Particle screening systemn Introduction The present invention relates to indcus trial screens and more particularly to a screen module, a plurality of -which are retained by a supporting structure.

Background to the Invention.

Currently available screen panels are generally large, heavy and cumbersome requiring considerable time and trouble to dismantle fromn a supporting structure.

Prior art modular screening systems have also been prone to failure of the module clipping arrangement and this problem has generally been 2: addressed by building heavier and more bulky clips which reduce available open area in the screens.

.2 Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a screen assemibly Including: a plurality of elongated support rails which are generally parallel, co- S extensive and transversely spaced -with respect to each other, each rail having a pair of longitudinally extending protrusions which are transversely spaced with respect to each other; *20 a plurality of screen panel modules to be mounted on the rails in side-by-side abutting relationship, each module having side portions which extend longitudinally of adjacent rails so as to be supported thereby, with adjacent side portions of adjacent modules co-operating to secure the modules to the rails, each side portion having a longitudinally extending recess defining a longitudinally extending shoulder located inwardly of the recess, a longitudinally extending resilient skirt located outwardly of the recess, and a longitudinally extending groove projecting from the recess in a direction normal to the recess; and wherein each protrusion has a transverse cross-section complimentary to its associated recess and groove and is positioned securely therein so as to be engaged between opposing parts of the recess and groove of its associated module, with- respective shoulders supported on the adjacent rail on an underlying support member and the adjacent skirt portions of adjacent modules abutting to aid in retaining the modules in position secured to the rails.

According.to a secoild aspect, the present invention provides a screen panel module for. a screening apparatus, the screen panel.module being characterised in that it includes two side portions which extend longitudinally of the module, each side portion having: a longitudinally extending recess, a longitudinally-extending shoulder defining one edge of the recess, and a longitudinally extending resilient skirt defining a second edge of the recess, each shoulder being arranged to support the module on a supporting rail member, the recess of each side portion defining a cavity for clipping Si engagement with the supporting rail member, with the two side portions S, supported on and secured to respective supporting rail members.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a module S. 1 b 1..1 d rl-- -rT n

O

s rfor a screening apparatus, tie screen panel mouuue ueng L,%ac U that it includes two side portions which extend longitudinally of the module, each side portion having: a longitudinally extending recess, a longitudinally extending shoulder defining an outer edge of the 20 recess, and a longitudinally extending resilient skirt, defining an inner edge of the recess, and a longitudinally extending groove projecting from the recess in a direction normal to the recess, each shoulder being arranged to support the module on a supporting rail member, the recess and groove of each side portion defining a cavity for clipping engagement with a protrusion of the supporting rail member, and the skirt portion being located for abutment with an adjacent skirt portion of an adjacent module, whe.i instaihj ,in a screening assembly, for facilitating the retention of the module in position when installed in a screening assembly, with the two side portions supported on and secured to respective supporting rail members.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an elongated rail member for a screening apparatus of the type, including a plurality of elongated support bars which are generally parallel and transversely spaced, with respect to each, other a plurality of said elongated rail members being mounted on said support bars; and a plurality of screen panel modules mounted on said elongated rail members in side-by-side abutting relationship, the elongated rail member being characterised in that it has a pair of transversely-spaced, longitudinally-extending protrusions, each located inwardly of a respective edge of the rail member to form a module supporting shoulder between the protrusion and the edge of the rail member, each protrusion having a transverse cross-section complimentary to a recess in a side portion of the associated screen panel, and being positioned securely therein so as to be engaged between opposing parts defining the recess of its associated module.

Preferably, each side portion of each module includes a longitudinally extending reinforcing bar located inwardly of the recess.

Preferably also, each protrusion of each rail is provided with spaced cut-outs and each panel has a portion arranged to co-operate with a corresponding one of the cut-outs to restrain the module against longitudinal movement.

In particular embodiments of the invention, each module is provided with one or more transverse reinforcing bars.

The protrusions of each rail preferably snap engage within the S 20 recesses of the respective panels, and the grooves of adjacent panels project towards each other transversely of the rail.

In the preferred embodiment, the protrusions on the rails have a lip at their extremity which is received within the groove to provide the snap engagement. The recesses of each module preferably have a minimum transverse width which is less than the maximum transverse width of the protrusions at their lip so that the protrusions snap engage within the associated recesses.

The rails are preferably adapted to be secured to support bars and are typically mounted onto bars forming part of a subframe. The modules are preferably molded from plastics material and the rails are also molded from plastics material to facilitate resilient deformation of the modules and the rails during assembly of the modules on the rails.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

C-

-1 I -11

B

s- 4 3 7 e i: i r rl r 3 ,r

I

:i h 1 i OID 1 3 g q F~au Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a screen panel and support assembly therefor; Fig. 2 is an exploded schematic sectional end view of a central support rail and an edge of a screen panel; and 5 Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional end view of a support member supporting the rail of Fig. 2 and abutting edges of adjacent screen panels.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments In the accompanying drawing, there is schematically depicted the general arrangement of a screening system embodying the present invention, including a plurality of screen modules 1 supported by support assembly 2.

The support assembly 2 includes a plurality of support bars 3 which are arranged to support and engage at least a portion of the periphery 4 of the modules 1.

The modules may be clamped into position with respect to bars 3.

The operation of the optional clamping arrangement 5 is described in the applicant's Australian Patent Application No. 27046/88. Basically, wedge means 11 drive member 10 downwardly onto support bars 3 to firmly secure screen module 1 in place.

Onto support bars 3 are mounted rail members 6 and Rail member 20 6 is a central rail adapted to support in side-by-side abutting relationship adjacent screen modules 1. Rail member 6' is a side rail being essentially equivalent to one half of rail member 6.

Cut-outs 17 are provided in rail member 6 to provide means by which movement in directions B and C of panels 1 is prevented.

Rail members 6 may be fastened to support bars 3 by means of bolt 7 as shown in Fig. 3. Bolts 7 are located at various longitudinal locations along track 6. The rail members 6 and 6' are preferably manufactured from a resilient plastics material and may include a longitudinally extending reinforcing member 19.

Referring to Fig. 2, rail members 6 (and 6').are provided :ith a pair of steps 21 and a pair of protrusions 12 arranged to mate with recesses 14 in the edge 4 of the screen module 1. Additionally, protrusion 12:is provided with a lip 13 designed to engage with groove 15 in edge 4 ofmodule 1 thus providing means by which module 1 is held firmly in place by track 6. As best seen in Figure: the recess 14 and groove 15 co-6perate to provide a neck 17. The widthof the neck 17 is narrower than the effective width of the A6 a described above the 11p 13 snap protrusion 12 at the lip 13. Accordingly as described above e lip snapo Sengages within the groove 15 after passing rough th e neck 17 The ed of tie module is also prvided with a second shoulder which is arranged to sit t- on the support bar 3.

on the suppocreen dule is formed o plastics material such as Spolurethane and in a preferred embodiment may be reinforced with h a in aTransversely oriented einforcing bars 16 extending longitudinally threin. Tra reinforcing bars are also preferably provided.

e In use, screen nodules 1 are individually snapped onto tracks 6 and In"useof arrow A. As a plurality of S1 6' by application of a force in the direction of arrow As a screen modules 1 replace much larger conventional unitary scree ee this process is much easier and safer than otherwise possile. y snappe d one 9 screen module 1 is in place, further screen module re into tracks 6 and 6' to abut with the screen module 1 previously put in place S and adja scre modules 1. Accordigly each panel has a skirt 15 12 to aid in s ec u ring the mo d u l es portion 18 located between the protrusions 12 to aid in securing the odules 1 to the rail members 6. enisaged by the applicant.

20 6 are anchored to support bars 3 may be altered without departing from the scope of the invention. killed in the art that numerous It will also be appreciated by persons skle iveton a tha nueos Svariations and/or modifications may b e o the invention s sho i the specific embodiments without depeating r he spiri or e t hee, invention as broadly descibed The preset embodiments are, erefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

vaitosado oiiain

Claims

1. A screen assembly comprising: a plurality of elongated support rails which are generally parallel. co- extensive and transversely spaced with respect to each other. at least one of the r;ails having a pair of longitudinally extending protrusions Which are transversely spaced with respect to each other: a plurality of screen palnel modules to be mounted onil the rails in Sside-b-side abutting relationship. each module having side portions which extend lon itudinally of adjacent rails so as to lie supported thereby. with adjacent side portio is of adjacenllt m1odules co-operU!ing to1.0 secure tie Modules to the rails. each side porlion lhaving a longiludinally eXtending recess defining a longitudinally extending shoulder located inwardly of the *recess. a longitudinally extending resilient skirt located outwardly of the recess. and a longitudinally extending groove projecting froll the recess in a direction nomnnal to the recess: and wherein each protrusion has a transverse cross-sectioni coniplineintary to its associated recess and groove and is positioned securely therein so as to be engagedl between opposing parts of the recess and groove of its associated module. with respective shoulders supported on the adjacent rail onil an underlying support inember and the adjacent skirt portions of adjacent miodules abutting to aid in retaining the muodules in position secured to the rails. The screen assembly of claim 1. wherein each side portion of each module includes a longitudinally extending reirnforcing bar located inwardly of the recess.

3. 'The screen assembly of claimn 1 or 2. wherein each protruiion of each rail is provided with spaced cut-outs and each panel has a portion arranged to co-operate with a corresponding one of the cut-outs to restrain the module against longitudinal movement.

4. The screen assembly of claim i. 2 or 3. wherein each module is provided with one or more transverse reiinforcing bars. The screen asserbly of claim i. 2, 3 or 4. wherein the protrusions snap engage within the recesses. The screen assembly of claim 1. 2, 3 or 5, wherein the grooves of adjacent panels project towards each other transversely of the rail.

7. The screen assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protrusions hyve a lipatgtheir extremit hich is received within the groove. I 8

8. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rails are adapted to be secured to support bars.

9. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the modules are molded from plastics material and the rails are also molded from plastics material to facilitate resilient deformation of the modules and the rails during assembly of the modules on the rails. The screen assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recesses of each module have a minimum transverse width which is less than the naxinnum transverse width of the protrusions so that the protrusions snap 10 engage within the associated recesses. II. A screen panel module for a screening apparatus, the screen panel S' module being characterised in that it includes two side portions which extend longitudinally of the module, each side portion having: a) a longitudinally extending recess: a longitudinally extending shoulder defining an inner edge of the recess; S(c) a longitudinally extending resilient skirt, defining an outer edge of the recess; and a longitudinally extending groove projecting from the recess in a direction normal to the recess, each shoulder beingarranged to support the module on a supporting member, the recess and groove of each side portion defining a cavity for I clipping engagement with a protrusion of the supporting member, and the skirt portion being located for abutment with an adjacent skirt portion of an adjacent module, when installed in a screening assembly, to facilitate the retention of the module in position when installed in a screening assembly, with the two side portions supported on and secured to respective supporting members.

12. The screen panel module6of claim 11, wherein each side portion of each module includes a longitudinally extending reinforcing bar, located within the shoulder.

13. The screen panel module as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the module is formed of a resilient plastics iterial to facilitate resilient deformation of the modules when attached.to the supporting members. II

14. The screen panel mlodule as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein said screen panel module is further provided with reinforcing members extending transversely therein. The screen panel module as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the recesses of the module have a minimum transverse width which is less than the maximum transverse width of the protrusions to which they art; to be mounted so that the protrusions snap fit within the recesses.

16. An elongated rail member for a screening apparatus of the type including a plurality of elongated support bars which are generally parallel and transversely spaced with respect to each other, and a plurality of screen panel modules mounted on said elongated rail members in side-by-side abutting relationship, each elongated rail member being characterised in that it has a longitudinally-extending protrusion, located inwardly of a respective S edge of the rail member to form a module supporting shoulder between the protrusion and the edge of the rail member, the protrusion having a transverse cross-section complimentary to a recess in a side portion of the associated screen panel, and arranged to be positioned securely therein so as to be engaged between opposing parts defining the recess of the respective associated module. S 20 17. The elongated rail member as claimed in claim 16, wherein a pair of l longitudinally extending protrusions are provided, the protrusions being transversely spaced and parallel to one another, each of the protrusions being located inwardly of a respective edge of the rail member to form a module supporting shoulder.

18. The elongated rail member as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein means are provided for preventing movement of said screen panel modules in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of said elongated rail member.

19. The elongated rail member as claimed in claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the or each protrusion further includes a lip over which a groove of said screen panel module is adapted to snap fit. The elongated rail member as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the rail is formed of a resilient plastic material to facilitate resilient deformation of the rail in the modules.

21. The elongated rail member as claimed in any one of claims 16 to wherein the means for preventing movement of said screen panel modules comprises cut-outs provided in said rail member.

22. The elongated rail member as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, comprising an elongated base and a pair of parallel protrusions formed integrally therewith, each protrusion having a lip to snap fit into an adjacent screen panel module.

23. The elongated rail member as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22. wherein the protrusion comprises a lip over which a groove of said screen 1 0 panel module is adapted to snap fit.

24. A screen assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A screen module, substantially as hereinbefore described with Sreference to the accompanying drawings.

26. An elongated rail member substantially as hereinbefore described w ith reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this nineteenth day of November 1998 USF JOHNSON SCREENS PTY LTD Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F.B. RICE CO.