Particle screening system

Abstract

A particle screening system is a modular industrial screen system having a number of screen panel modules supported side-by-side and/or end-to-end by a supporting structure assembly. The supporting structure assembly has a number of support bars arranged to support peripheral portions of each screen panel module by way of rail members. The rail members have protrusions which are designed to meet with recesses in the screen panel modules using a snap-engagement.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A screening apparatus comprising: 
       a plurality of elongated support bars which are generally parallel and transversely spaced with respect to each other: ; 
       a plurality of elongated rail members which are mounted on said support bars and which are generally parallel and transversely spaced with respect to each other, each elongated rail member having a pair of transversely-spaced, longitudinally-extending protrusions; and  
       a plurality of screen panel modules mounted on said elongated rail members in side-by-side abutting relationship, each said screen panel module having side portions which extend longitudinally of an adjacent rail so as to be supported thereby, adjacent side portions of adjacent screen panel modules cooperating to secure the screen panel modules to the elongated rail members, each of said mounted screen panel modules being supported only on two sides, each side portion having (a) a longitudinally-extending recess (b) a longitudinally extending resilient skirt  peripheral edge portion, and a longitudinally extending groove projecting from the recess in a direction normal to the recess,  
       each protrusion having a transverse cross-section complimentary to its associated recess and groove and being positioned securely therein so as to be engaged between opposing parts of its associated module with the adjacent skirt  peripheral edge portions of adjacent modules abutting each other to facilitate retaining the modules in position secured to the elongated rail members,  
       each said elongated rail member providing means for preventing movement of said screen panel modules in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of said rail elongated member.  
     
     
       2. The screening apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the protrusion further comprises a lip over which a groove of said screen panel module us  is adapted to snap fit. 
     
     
       3. The screening apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the screen panel module and rails are formed of a resilient plastic material to facilitate resilient deformation of the modules on the rails. 
     
     
       4. The screening apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said screen panel module is further provided with reinforcing bars extending longitudinally and/or transversely therein. 
     
     
       5. The screening apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated rail member consists of an elongated base and a pair of parallel protrusions formed integrally therewith, each protrusion comprising a lip adapted to snap fit over  into one of said pair of adjacent screen panel modules. 
     
     
       6. The screening apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the screen panel modules having formed therein a pair of longitudinal recesses each located adjacent to an opposing side of the modules and having grooves formed in said longitudinal recesses, each groove being adapted to snap-engage with a protrusion of each said elongated rail members over and by which the screen panel modules are adapted to be supported. 
     
     
       7. The screening apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sole means for preventing movement of said screen panel modules comprises cut-outs provided in said rail member. 
     
     
       8. The screening apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the protrusion comprises a lip over which a groove of said screen panel module is adapted to snap fit. 
     
     
       9. The screening apparatus of claim  1   6 wherein the screen panel modules are formed of resilient plastics material. 
     
     
       10. The screening apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said screen panel modules are further provided with reinforcing bars extending transversely therein. 
     
     
       11. The screening apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said means for preventing movement of said screen panel modules comprises cut-outs provided in said rail member. 
     
     
       12. The screening apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the protrusion comprises a lip over which a groove of said screen panel module is adapted to snap fit. 
     
     
       13. The screening apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the screen panel modules  elongate rail members are formed of resilient plastics material. 
     
     
       14. The screening apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said screen panel modules are further provided with reinforcing bars extending transversely therein. 
     
     
       15. The screening apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said means for preventing movement of said screen panel modules comprises cut-outs provided in said rail member. 
     
     
       16. The screening apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the recesses of each screen panel module have a minimum transverse width which is less than the maximum transverse width of the protrusions so that the protrusions snap fit within the recesses. 
     
     
       17. The screening apparatus of claim  5   8 wherein the recesses of each screen panel module have a minimum transverse width which is less than the maximum transverse width of the protrusions so that the protrusions snap fit within the recesses. 
     
     
       18. The screening apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the recesses of each screen panel module have a minimum transverse width which is less than the maximum transverse width of the protrusions so that the protrusions snap fit within the recesses. 
     
     
       19. The screening apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the recesses of each screen panel module have a minimum transverse width which is less than the maximum transverse width of the protrusions so that the protrusions snap fit within the recesses. 
     
     
       20. The screening apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the recesses of each screen panel module have a minimum transverse width which is less than the maximum transverse width of the protrusions so that the protrusions snap fit within the recesses. 
     
     
       21. A screen panel module mountable to a screening apparatus that is configured to receive a plurality of screen panel modules in side- by - side abutting relationship, wherein the screening apparatus has a plurality of elongated support bars which are generally parallel and transversely spaced with respect to each other, a plurality of elongated rail members which are mounted on said support bars and which are generally parallel and transversely spaced with respect to each other, each elongated rail member having a pair of transversely - spaced, longitudinally - extending protrusions, and wherein each said elongated rail member provides means for preventing movement of said screen panel module in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of said rail elongated member, said screen panel module comprising:    
       
         two side portions which extend longitudinally of an adjacent rail member so as to be supported thereby such that said mounted screen panel module is supported only on two sides, wherein said side portions are configured such that adjacent side portions of adjacent screen panel modules cooperate to secure the screen panel module to the elongated rail members, and wherein each side portion comprises:  
       
         a longitudinally - extending recess;    
       
         a longitudinally extending resilient peripheral edge portion; and  
       
         a longitudinally extending groove projecting from the recess in a direction normal to the recess, wherein said recess and groove have a transverse cross - section complimentary to its associated protrusion and configured to receive said protrusion securely therein so as to mount said module with adjacent peripheral edge portions of adjacent modules abutting said module to facilitate retaining said module in position secured to the elongated rail members.