Side Tensioning System for Retaining Screen Media in a Vibrating-Type Screening Machine

A side tensioning system for retaining screen media between opposed first and second side plates in a vibrating-type screening machine, each side plate having an inner surface and an outer surface, the side tensioning system comprising:

• a first tensioning assembly operatively connectable to the first side plate;
• the first tensioning assembly including a first tensioning rail mountable to the inner surface of the first side plate and connectable to a first portion of the screen media, at least one angle box mountable to the outer surface of the first side plate, and at least one bolt assembly for fastening the first tensioning rail to the first side plate and to the at least one angle box of the first tensioning assembly;
• and
• a second tensioning assembly operatively connectable to the second side plate;
• the second tensioning assembly including a second tensioning rail mountable to the inner surface of the second side plate and connectable to a second portion of the screen media, at least one angle box mountable to the outer surface of the second side plate, at least one bolt assembly for fastening the second tensioning rail to the second side plate and to the at least one angle box of the second tensioning assembly;
• and
• each bolt assembly including a bolt connectable to one of the first and second tensioning rails, one of the first and second side plates and one of the angle boxes, a nut threadably engaged with the bolt for retaining the bolt to one of the angle boxes, and a shoulder bolt secured to a terminal end of the bolt;
• the shoulder bolt being sized to prevent the nut from becoming physically separated from the bolt;
• each angle box including an aperture defined therein sized to allow the bolt assembly unobstructed passage therethrough, and a movable plate with a cutout formed therein;
• the cutout being sized larger than the bolt but smaller than the nut;
• the movable plate being movable between a bolt-securing position and a bolt-releasing position;
• in the bolt-securing position, the movable plate partially occluding the aperture in the angle box with the cutout aligned with the aperture in the angle box such that when one bolt of the bolt assembly is tightly fastened to the angle box with one nut of the bolt assembly, one of the first and second tensioning rails is drawn tightly against the inner surface of the first and second side rail thereby applying a tensile force to one of the first or second portions of the screen media;
• in the bolt-releasing position, the movable plate being positioned so as to provide unobstructed access to the aperture in the angle box such that the bolt assembly can be detached from the angle box without requiring disassembly of the bolt assembly.

A vibrating-type machine comprising:

• a frame including a deck frame for supporting screen media;
• a pair of spaced apart first and second side plates attached to the frame;
• each side plate having an inner surface and an outer surface,
• a mechanism for imparting vibratory movement to the frame;
• screen media positionable between the first and second side plates;
• a tensioning system for retaining screen media between the first and second side plates, the side tensioning system having:
• a first tensioning assembly operatively connectable to the first side plate;
• the first tensioning assembly including a first tensioning rail mountable to the inner surface of the first side plate and connectable to a first portion of the screen media, at least one angle box mountable to the outer surface of the first side plate, and at least one bolt assembly for fastening the first tensioning rail to the first side plate and to the at least one angle box of the first tensioning assembly;
• and
• a second tensioning assembly operatively connectable to the second side plate;
• the second tensioning assembly including a second tensioning rail mountable to the inner surface of the second side plate and connectable to a second portion of the screen media, at least one angle box mountable to the outer surface of the second side plate, at least one bolt assembly for fastening the second tensioning rail to the second side plate and to the at least one angle box of the second tensioning assembly;
• and
• each bolt assembly including a bolt connectable to one of the first and second tensioning rails, one of the first and second side plates and one of the angle boxes, a nut threadably engaged with the bolt for retaining the bolt to one of the angle boxes, and a shoulder bolt secured to a terminal end of the bolt;
• the shoulder bolt being sized to prevent the nut from becoming physically separated from the bolt;
• each angle box including an aperture defined therein sized to allow the bolt assembly unobstructed passage therethrough, and a movable plate with a cutout formed therein;
• the cutout being sized larger than the bolt but smaller than the nut;
• the movable plate being movable between a bolt-securing position and a bolt-releasing position;
• in the bolt-securing position, the movable plate partially occluding the aperture in the angle box with the cutout aligned with the aperture in the angle box such that when one bolt of the bolt assembly is tightly fastened to the angle box with one nut of the bolt assembly, one of the first and second tensioning rails is drawn tightly against the inner surface of the first and second side rail thereby applying a tensile force to one of the first or second portions of the screen media;
• in the bolt-releasing position, the movable plate being positioned so as to provide unobstructed access to the aperture in the angle box such that the bolt assembly can be detached from the angle box without requiring disassembly of the bolt assembly.

A side tensioning assembly for retaining screen media to a side plate in a vibrating-type screening machine, the side plate having an aperture, an inner surface and an outer surface, the side tensioning assembly comprising:

• a tensioning rail mountable to the inner surface of the side plate and connectable to a portion of the screen media;
• at least one angle box connected to the outer surface of the side plate;
• and
• at least one bolt assembly for fastening the tensioning rail to the side plate and to the at least one angle box;
• the at least one bolt assembly including a bolt connectable to the tensioning rail, the side plate and the at least one of angle box, a nut threadably engaged with the bolt for retaining the bolt to the at least one the angle box, and a shoulder bolt secured to a terminal end of the bolt;
• the shoulder bolt being sized to prevent the nut from becoming physically separated from the bolt;
• the at least one angle box including a cutout formed therein sized larger than the bolt but smaller than the nut;
• the angle box being movable relative to the side plate between a bolt-securing position and a bolt-releasing position;
• in the bolt-securing position, the angle box partially occluding the aperture in the side plate with the cutout aligned with the aperture in the side plate such that when the bolt is tightly fastened to the angle box with the nut, the tensioning rail is drawn tightly against the inner surface of the side rail thereby applying a tensile force to the portion of the screen media;
• in the bolt-releasing position, the angle box being positioned so as to provide unobstructed access to the aperture in the side plate such that the bolt assembly can be detached from the side plate without requiring disassembly of the bolt assembly.