Interconnected screens for vibratory separators

Abstract

Interconnectible screen assemblies for vibratory separators or shale shakers and methods for manipulating such screen assemblies which, in certain aspects, include a first screen assembly and a second screen assembly positioning at least a portion of the first screen assembly with respect to screen assembly holding apparatus, connecting a second screen assembly to the first screen assembly with at least one pin projecting from the first screen assembly into a corresponding recess of the second screen assembly, and moving the first screen assembly and the second screen assembly together.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A method for manipulating a first screen assembly with respect to a second screen assembly, the screen assemblies for use in a vibratory separator, the method comprising 
 positioning at least a portion of a first screen assembly with respect to screen assembly holding apparatus of a vibratory separator,    releasably connecting with a clip a second screen assembly to the first screen assembly, and    moving the first screen assembly and the second screen assembly together with respect to the screen assembly holding apparatus.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the first and second screen assemblies are insertable into the screen assembly holding apparatus and the method further comprises 
 moving the first screen assembly to insert the first screen assembly and to move at least part of the second screen assembly in the screen assembly holding apparatus.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising 
 moving the first screen assembly to remove both the first screen assembly and at least part of the second screen assembly from the screen assembly holding apparatus.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the vibratory separator is a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid with solids entrained therein.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the clip has a body and a first portion projecting from the body for contacting a portion of the first screen assembly and a second portion projecting from the body for contacting a portion of the second screen assembly, the method further comprising 
 installing the clip so that the first portion contacts a portion of the first screen assembly, and    the second portion contacts a portion of the second screen assembly.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein at least one pin projects from the first screen assembly and has at least one corresponding recess, the method further comprising 
 inserting the at least one pin into the at least one corresponding recess to releasably connect the screen assemblies together.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the at least one pin is formed integrally of the first screen assembly.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the first screen assembly has a first tubular frame and the second screen assembly has a second tubular frame, the method further comprising 
 installing the clip so that the clip contacts a portion of the first tubular frame and a portion of the second tubular frame.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the first screen assembly includes screening material thereon and the second screen assembly includes screening material thereon.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the screening material on each screen assembly comprises multiple layers of screening material.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the screening material is flat screening material.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the screening material is undulating screening material.  
   
   
       33 . A method for manipulating a first screen assembly with respect to a second screen assembly, the screen assemblies for use in a vibratory separator, the method comprising 
 positioning at least a portion of a first screen assembly with respect to screen assembly holding apparatus of a vibratory separator,    releasably connecting with a clip a second screen assembly to the first screen assembly,    moving the first screen assembly and the second screen assembly together with respect to the screen assembly holding apparatus,    wherein the vibratory separator is a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid with solids entrained therein,    wherein the clip has a body and a first portion projecting from the body for releasably contacting a portion of the first screen assembly and a second portion projecting from the body for releasably contacting a portion of the second screen assembly,    the method further comprising 
 installing the clip so that the first portion contacts a portion of the first screen assembly, and  
 the second portion contacts a portion of the second screen assembly.  
   
   
   
       34 . Two screen assemblies for use with a vibratory separator, the two screen assemblies comprising 
 a first screen assembly,    a second screen assembly releasably connected with a clip to the first screen assembly.    
   
   
       35 . The two screen assemblies of  claim 34  further comprising 
 the clip having a body, a first projection projecting from the body, and a second projection projecting from the body,    the first projection contacting a portion of the first screen assembly, and    the second projection contacting a portion of the second screen assembly.    
   
   
       36 . The two screen assemblies of  claim 35  further comprising 
 the first screen assembly having a tubular frame with screening material thereon.    the second screen assembly having a tubular frame with screening material thereon,    the portion of the first screen assembly contacted by the first projection being part of the tubular frame of the first screen assembly, and    the portion of the second screen assembly contacted by the second projection being part of the tubular frame of the second screen