Field of invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly to protect a sidewall of a screen apparatus
and in particular, although not exclusively, to a side liner adjustably mounted at
a support body to sit against the sidewall that does not require modification of the
sidewall by way of welding or drilling to affix the side liner.
Background art
[0002] Screening apparatus are used for a variety of different applications and typically
comprise interchangeable square or rectangular screen elements that provide a screening
surface onto which bulk material may be deposited. The screen surface (commonly referred
to as the screening media) is formed from a mesh or perforated grid like arrangement
having sieve openings.
[0003] The main body of the screen is supported on a screen frame generally formed from
longitudinal extending cross pieces or bars. Some of the bars may typically extend
lengthwise whilst others may extend widthwise in perpendicular direction between the
sidewalls of the apparatus. Example screening apparatus are disclosed in
US 4,960,510 and
AU 0559443.
[0004] Conventional screening systems are susceptible to damage due to the abrasive bulk
material contacting the sidewalls during use. Attempts have been made to mitigate
sidewall damage by the provision of side liners that sit against the sidewalls. The
side liners are effectively wear parts and are required to be replaced over time.
AU 199897218 describes a modular screening apparatus in which elongate side liners act to both
protect the sidewalls and to drive downwardly the screen onto the underlying support
frame to secure the screening media in position.
[0005] US 5,104,521 describes a modular material screen assembly in which a set of side liners protect
sidewall clamps that are used to secure the screen in position between the sidewalls.
[0006] However, conventional screen attachment and sidewall protection assemblies are disadvantageous
for a number of reasons. Primarily, the screen frame clamps and/or the side liners
are secured to the sidewalls via attachment bolts that necessitate drilling the sidewalls
at specific regions. On replacement of the worn screen sections, it is common for
the replacement screen or attachment elements to have a different geometry and additional
holes are required to be formed in the sidewalls. This is both time consuming and
inconvenient for interchange of the worn screen and may also structurally weaken the
sidewalls. Additionally, fixation may be problematic if the existing sidewall bores
interfere with the required new positions of attachment. A similar problem exists
when the side liners are required to be replaced and the geometries of the replacement
liners are different to the original mountings. Accordingly, what is required is an
assembly to protect the sidewall and/or mount a screen assembly that addresses these
problems.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an assembly to protect a sidewall
of a screen apparatus and/or mount a screen that does not require the sidewall of
the apparatus adjacent the screen to be modified and in particular to be drilled or
to receive welding. It is a further specific objective to provide a screen and support
frame assembly that may be mounted in order to attach the screen in position against
the sidewall via abutment with the widthwise ends of the screen frame and/or screen.
[0008] The objectives are achieved by providing an assembly in which a modular side liner
is releasably mountable at a liner support body that is in turn configured for abutment
against the inward facing surface of the sidewall. Advantageously, a support body
of the present assembly is configured to be conveniently clipped onto the screen frame
and then by adjustment of a position of a sideliner relative to the support body,
to conveniently mate a screen (screening media) into secure engagement onto the screen
frame extending between the apparatus sidewalls.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly
to protect a sidewall of a screen apparatus comprising: a support body to sit against
the sidewall, the support body having: a foot to contact a part of a screen frame
of the apparatus; a wall abutment part for placing in contact against the sidewall;
a seat part to support an end region of a screen of the apparatus; a mount portion
to mount a side liner to protect the sidewall; a side liner mountable at the mount
portion such that a lower part of the liner is positionable over the screen and/or
screen frame to trap the screen and/or screen frame between the liner and the seat
part; at least one attachment to secure the liner to the support body; characterised
by: at least one adjustment element to provide adjustment of a separation distance
between the lower part of the liner and the seat part of the support body to accommodate
screens and/or screen frames of different thicknesses; and the attachment is provided
between the liner and the support body and is not capable of extending through the
sidewall.
[0010] Reference within this specification to screens and/or screen frames encompasses alternative
and equivalent terms such as screening media and the like.
[0011] Preferably, the side liner is releasably secured to the support body exclusively
via the at least one attachment. Moreover, the attachment extends to couple exclusively
the liner to the support body and does not additionally function to secure the support
body to the sidewall.
[0012] Reference within the specification to a '
sider liner' encompasses alternative terms such as shields, guards, covers and the like intended
to have a sufficient wear resistance to withstand abrasive contact with the bulk material
to be screened. The present side liners may be configured to be wear parts and have
a predetermined life-time.
[0013] The inclusion of an adjustment element is advantageous to allow convenient movement
and adjustment of the side liner relative to the support body and in particular to
provide a range of different mounting positions of the liner relative to the body.
This is beneficial to accommodate and securely mount different screens having different
geometries and configurations including in particular thickness and/or shape. That
is, the adjustment element and the attachment are cooperative to provide a slide mounting
of the side liner at the support body in the upward and downward direction to allow
adjustment of a separation distance between a lower part of the liner and a seat part
of the support body in between which the screen and/or the screen frame is intended
for anchorage.
[0014] Preferably, the foot, the wall abutment part, the seat and the mount portion of the
support body are formed integrally. Such an arrangement is advantageous to provide
a robust assembly configuration and to allow the assembly to be installed conveniently
and maintained in position reliably at the sidewall. This is to be contrasted with
a multicomponent support body that is typically difficult to orientate into the correct
position and may become loose during use due to the loading forces and contact with
the abrasive bulk material. The present integrally formed support body may be conveniently
clipped or attached in position at the screen support frame.
[0015] Optionally, the attachment comprises at least one bolt extending through the liner
and the support body. In particular, the assembly may comprise a plurality of bolts
extending through the liner and support body. Additionally, the adjustment element
may comprise at least one elongate slot extending in the support body or the liner,
the elongate slot orientated to allow the adjustment of the separation distance between
the lower part of the liner and the seat part of the support body. Preferably, the
assembly comprises a plurality of slots extending in the support body or the liner.
In order to provide the adjustment in the upward and downward direction, the slots
are preferably arranged to extend in a direction between the foot and the uppermost
end of the support body. Preferably, the side liner or support body may comprise three
slots and three corresponding bolts. A slot and bolt arrangement is a convenient mechanism
for the adjustable and releasable mounting of the liner at the support body without
the need for specific specialist tooling.
[0016] Optionally, the elongate slot comprises a length in the range 20 to 50% of a total
length of the support body between a lowermost edge end and an uppermost end of the
support body (optionally excluding the foot as part of the total length of the support
body). This configuration is sufficient to provide the desired adjustment of the liner
at the support body without compromising the structural integrity of the support body
and the liner.
[0017] Optionally, the side liner comprises at least one recess to receive a part of the
attachment such that the attachment is recessed away from an exposed contact surface
of the liner orientated towards the screen. The recess is advantageous to seat a bolts
head or nut in a recessed orientation away from the contact face of the liner to avoid
damage to the bolt or nut. Preferably, the at least one bolt comprises a head secured
at a region of the abutment part of the support body and the attachment further comprises
a nut positioned within the recess of the liner.
[0018] According to the preferred implementation, the assembly comprises a plurality of
elongate slots extending through the support body in a direction between the lowermost
end and the uppermost end of the support body; and a plurality of bolts, each of the
bolts provided respectively through each of the slots wherein the liner is adjustably
mounted at the support body via a sliding movement of the bolts within the slots.
Such an arrangement provides convenient mounting and adjustment of the side liners
that are resistant to the abrasive contact with the bulk material and do not become
loose following use. Preferably, the seat part comprises plurality of grooves to receive
end regions of the screen frame. In one implementation, a lower region of the support
body comprises a laterally extending flange divided into segments with the grooves
formed between the flange segments.
[0019] Optionally, the support body comprises a polymer material. Furthermore, the liner
may further comprise a polymer material. Optionally, the polymer comprises a polyurethane
or a polyurethane based material. Where the support body and/or the liner comprises
a polymer based material, the support body and/or liner may comprise a reinforcement
formed from a material having a greater hardness and/or stiffness than the polymer
material. Optionally, the reinforcement may comprise a steel. Such an arrangement
is advantageous to ensure the slots and hole within the support body and liner, respectively,
do not wear prematurely and are maintained in the correct orientation both during
manufacture of the assembly and during use.
[0020] Optionally, regions of the liner and/or support body may be profiled or roughened
to increase the frictional contact between the two components. In particular, the
mount portion of the support body may comprise a profiled or roughened surface region
against which the liner is mated in touching contact. Accordingly, the surface roughening
or profiling increases the frictional contact and provides a more secure attachment
of the liner at the support body.
[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a screening
apparatus comprising an assembly as claimed herein to protect a sidewall of the screening
apparatus wherein the attachment to secure the liner to the support body does not
extend through the sidewall.
Brief description of drawings
[0022] A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described, by way
of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a modular screen arrangement extending
between two parallel and vertically orientated sidewalls according to a specific implementation
of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front perspective exploded view of the screen mount and liner support
assembly of figure 1 according to the specific implementation of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a rear perspective exploded view of the assembly of figure 2;
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the assembly of figure 2 with the liner attached
to the support body;
Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the assembly of figure 4;
Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the modular screen apparatus of figure 1 with
selected sections of the screen and screen support frame removed for illustrative
purposes.
Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention
[0023] Referring to figure 1, a screen apparatus comprises a plurality of screening elements
100 formed from a grid, mesh or bar lattice-work to provide an open sieve on which
bulk material may be deposited and screened. The screen elements 100 are generally
rectangular and elongate to extend laterally between a pair of opposed sidewalls 107
that are arranged generally vertically (in the upright direction) perpendicular to
screen elements 100. Screen elements 100 are supported upon a screen support frame
indicated generally by reference 101. Frame 101 comprises a plurality of support bars
105 aligned perpendicular to elements 100 and equally spaced to be aligned with and
to extend between sidewalls 107. Bars 105 are in turn supported by a plurality of
cross struts (not shown) that extend between and are welded to each of the sidewalls
107. With reference to figure 6, each screen element 100 is maintained in fixed position
upon bars 105 by intermediate frame rails 104 extending perpendicular to bars 105
in a direction between sidewalls 107. Each of the screen elements 100 is trapped between
its lengthwise sides by adjacent rails 104. Each rail 104 is secured on top of the
support bars 105 by rail mountings 600.
[0024] Referring to figure 1, a respective side liner assembly is provided at each side
wall 107 to contact the lengthwise end of the screen assembly indicated generally
by reference 108 and including specifically screen elements 100, bars 105 and rails
104. The liner assembly comprises a support body 102 that releasably and adjustably
mounts a side liner 103 that functions to protect each of the sidewalls 107 from abrasive
contact with the bulk material deposited onto screen elements 100. As shown in figure
6, the liner assembly is configured to mate with the respective lengthwise ends 601,
602 of the frame rails 104 and support elements 100 respectively.
[0025] The present side liner assembly may be regarded as freely mounted with respect to
the sidewalls 107 in that the liner assembly does not require specific mounting to
the sidewalls 107 as is common to conventional liner arrangements. In particular,
the present assembly is effectively sandwiched in position between the lengthwise
ends 601, 602 of the screen and screen frame (reference 108) and the side walls 107.
Advantageously, a protection wear resistant liner 103, in the form of a sheet or block
component, is removably and releasably attached to the support body 102 via attachment
elements indicated generally by reference 106 that extend between liner 103 and support
body 102. Importantly, the attachment elements 106 do not extend into the sidewalls
107. As described in further detail below, a lower region of the present assembly
is configured to conveniently clip into position at the screen support frame 101 which
together with the '
trapping' of the assembly between the screen 100 (and/or screen frame 101) and the sidewall
107 is suitable to mount the assembly at and protect the sidewalls 107 from abrasive
contact with the bulk material.
[0026] Referring to figures 2 to 5, support body 102 is formed as a single unitary body
having a generally plate-like configuration with a rearward face 200 and an opposed
forward face 203. Face 200 is configured for positioning in contact with sidewall
107 whilst face 203 is orientated towards the screen 100 and frame 101. An elongate
flange 224 projects rearwardly from face 200 to provide an abutment for contact with
sidewall 107. Flange 224 is provided at an uppermost end 208 of body 102 and represents
an uppermost part of the support body 102. A second flange 206 projects laterally
from forward face 203 at a lowermost region 225 of support body 102. Flange 206 is
also generally elongate to extend the full length of support body 102. Flange 206
is divided into a plurality of flange segment 226 to define a plurality of grooves
202 that are formed between pairs of opposed end faces 209, 210 of each segment 226.
Respective upward facing surfaces 207 of each flange segment 226 are aligned perpendicular
to face 203 and extend a short lateral distance from face 203 to provide a chair or
seat configuration at the lower region 225 of support body 102. In use, when mounted
at sidewall 107 as shown in figure 6, frame rail ends 601 are configured to be received
within each groove 202 so as to sit against a trough 227 of each groove 202. Additionally,
the lengthwise ends 602 of each screen element 100 are configured to sit on each upward
facing flange surface 207.
[0027] Support body 102 is secured in position at screen frame 101 via a foot 201 formed
as an elongate ridge that projects downwardly from support body lower end 225. Additionally,
ridge 201 extends substantially the full length of support body 102 and is configured
to mate with an endmost support bar 105 at region 108 referring to figure 1. The entire
liner assembly 102, 103 is therefore conveniently and reliably coupled and decoupled
from the screen frame 101 via engagement between foot 201 and the endmost support
bar 105. As will be appreciated, each endmost support bar 105 is specifically configured
with an opening to receive foot 201 and to be retained by resiliently biased frictional
contact.
[0028] Three elongate slots 204 are provided through support body 102 between the opposed
faces 200, 203. Each slot 204, is aligned in the upright direction between the upper
and lowermost ends 208, 225 so as to be orientated substantially vertically when the
assembly is mounted in position at sidewalls 107. Each slot 204 comprises a length
in a vertical direction that is approximately 25% of a total height of the support
body 102 between upper and lower ends 208, 225. Additionally each slot 204 is spaced
apart along the length of support body 102 and is configured to receive an attachment
bolt 211. In particular, each attachment bolt 211 comprises a shaft 212 and a head
219. As illustrated in figure 3 a recess 300 is provided at the rearward face 200
immediately surrounding an exit end of each slot 204. Each recess 300 is elongate
to correspond to the elongate length for each slot 204 and is dimensioned with a width
sufficient to receive and accommodate bolt head 219. Accordingly, head 219 may be
recessed from the rearward face 200 so that it does not stand '
proud' of face 200 when seated in position.
[0029] The block-shaped liner 103 comprises a length being substantially equal to the length
of support body 102 and comprises an upper lengthwise end surface 218 and a corresponding
lower lengthwise end surface 214. Liner 103 further comprises a rearward face 215
and a forward face 216 intended to be positioned towards screen 100 and screen frame
101. Three bores 217 extend through liner 103 between faces 215, 216. Each bore 217
is evenly spaced along the length of liner 103 to correspond in position to support
body slots 204. Each bore 217 terminates at forward face 216 as a larger diameter
recess 228. Each recess 228 is dimensioned appropriately to receive a nut 213 having
internal threads to cooperate with external threads (not shown) formed on bolt shaft
212.
[0030] According to the specific implementation, both the liner 103 and support body 102
are formed from a polyurethane and comprise a hardness sufficient to withstand the
abrasive contact with the bulk material to be screened. However, to provide enhanced
structural integrity, both the liner 103 and support body 102 comprise a respective
reinforcement 221, 223 formed from steel. Each reinforcement 221, 223 is formed as
a plate that is accommodated within an elongate slot 220, 222 formed within each of
the support body 102 and liner 103 respectively. Liner reinforcement 223 also comprises
three bores which corresponds to the bores 217 extending between faces 215, 216. Similarly,
support body reinforcement 221 comprises a plurality of slots that correspond in size
and position to slots 204.
[0031] Liner 103 is adjustably mountable at support body 102 via the mating of faces 215
and 203 and by inserting bolts 211 through slots 204 and the bore 217 with each nut
213 secured in position at each bolt 211. Frictional contact between the opposed faces
203, 215 is enhanced by a surface profiled region 205 on the forward support body
face 203. Profiling region 205 comprises a plurality of ridges that engage the rearward
liner face 215 and prevent any slippage between the mated faces 215, 203. Additionally,
the lowermost liner face 214 comprises similar ridged profiling to facilitate frictional
contact with the end regions 602 of screen elements 100.
[0032] Advantageously, liner 103 is adjustably mounted at support body 102 by sliding bolts
211 within the slots 204 to achieve a desired separation distance between liner surface
214 and flange surface 207. The adjustable mounting of liner 103 at support body 102
is achieved by an operator loosening nuts 213 within recesses 228 (which are conveniently
accessible from the forward facing side of the assembly) to allow liner 103 to be
adjusted in a vertical direction upwardly and downwardly relative to the flange 206
and in particular trough 227 and flange surface 207. Accordingly, and in contrast
to conventional arrangements, repositioning of the liner 103 does not require adjustment
at any attachments at the sidewall 107. The present arrangement is advantageous as
access to the rearward side of the sidewall 107 may be restricted such that the present
arrangement is adjustable exclusively from the forward facing side at a position generally
above screen 100.
[0033] As will be appreciated, the present assembly and assembly components 102, 103 may
be constructed from a variety of different materials including polymers and metals.
According to further embodiments, the support body 102 and liner 103 may each comprise
a single material without a respective additional inner reinforcement 221, 223.
1. An assembly to protect a sidewall (107) of a screen apparatus comprising:
a support body (102) to sit against the sidewall (107), the support body (102) having:
a foot (201) to contact a part (105) of a screen frame (101) of the apparatus;
a wall abutment part (200) for placing in contact against the sidewall (107);
a seat part (206) to support an end region (108) of a screen (100, 104) of the apparatus;
a mount portion (203) to mount a side liner (103) to protect the sidewall (107);
a side liner (103) mountable at the mount portion (203) such that a lower part (214)
of the liner (103) is positionable over the screen (100, 104) and/or screen frame
(101) to trap the screen (100, 104) and/or screen frame (101) between the liner (103)
and the seat part (206);
at least one attachment (211) to secure the liner (103) to the support body (102);
characterised by:
at least one adjustment element (204) to provide adjustment of a separation distance
between the lower part (214) of the liner (103) and the seat part (206) of the support
body (102) to accommodate screens (100, 104) and/or screen frames (101) of different
thicknesses; and
the attachment (211) is provided between the liner (103) and the support body (102)
and is not capable of extending through the sidewall (107).
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foot (201), the wall abutment part
(200), the seat (206) and the mount portion (203) of the support body (102) are formed
integrally.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attachment (211) comprises at least
one bolt (211) extending through the liner (103) and the support body (102).
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the adjustment element (204) comprises
at least one elongate slot (204) extending in the support body (102) or the liner
(103), the elongate slot (204) orientated to allow the adjustment of the separation
distance between the lower part (214) of the liner (103) and the seat part (206) of
the support body (102).
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the elongate slot (204) comprises a length
in the range 20 to 50% of a total length of the support body (102) between a lowermost
end (225) and an uppermost end (208) of the support body (102).
6. The assembly as claimed in claims 4 or 5 wherein the side liner (103) comprises at
least one recess (228) to receive a part (213) of the attachment (211) such that the
attachment (211) is recessed away from an exposed contact surface (216) of the liner
(103) orientated towards the screen (100, 104).
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least one bolt (211) comprises a
head (219) secured at a region of the abutment part (200) of the support body (102)
and the attachment (211) further comprises a nut (213) positioned within the recess
(228) of the liner (103).
8. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 comprising a plurality of elongate
slots (204) extending through the support body (102) in a direction between the lowermost
end (225) and the uppermost end (208) of the support body (102); and
a plurality of bolts (211), each of the bolts (211) provided respectively through
each of the slots (204) wherein the liner (103) is adjustably mounted at the support
body (102) via a sliding movement of the bolts (211) within the slots (204).
9. The assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seat part (206) comprises
plurality of grooves (202) to receive end regions (602) of the screen (100, 104).
10. The assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support body (102) comprises
a polymer material.
11. The assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the liner (103) comprises a
polymer material.
12. The assembly as claimed in claims 10 and 11 wherein the support body (102) and/or
the liner (103) comprises a reinforcement (221, 223) formed from a material having
a greater hardness and/or stiffness than the polymer material.
13. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising a plurality of attachments
(211) and a plurality of adjustment elements (204).
14. The assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mount portion (203) of
the support body (102) comprises a profiled or roughened surface region (205) against
which the liner (103) is mated in touching contact.
15. A screening apparatus comprising an assembly as claimed in any preceding claim to
protect a sidewall (107) of the screening apparatus wherein the attachment (211) to
secure the liner (103) to the support body (102) does not extend through the sidewall
(107).