Modular system

A screening system comprising:

• a substantially rigid frame including a plurality of elongate members spaced apart in parallel relation for supporting screening modules;
• means defining a plurality of mounting apertures spaced apart along each elongate member and oriented normal to the plane of the elongate member;
• a plurality of screening modules, each having a peripheral sidewall, positioned on the frame alongside each other in sidewall-to-sidewall relationship along the elongate members;
• and
• a plurality of lock pins inserted in the mounting apertures, each lock pin including a base portion and a head portion, the base portion lockingly engaged in a corresponding mounting aperture and the head portion removably engaging an adjacent pair of the screening modules, whereby the lock pin remains fixed to the frame while allowing either of the pair of modules to be removed from the frame and replaced on the frame.

Screening apparatus for use in combination with a rigid frame, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of screening modules, each module including means defining an array of sieve apertures of a predetermined size for allowing particulate material up to the predetermined size to pass through the screening module, each screening module being positioned on the frame so that particulate material passing through the screening module passes through the frame;
• and
• a lock pin including means for connecting the lock pin to the frame and also including means for interlockingly and removably engaging each screening module to maintain the positioning of each screening module on the frame when the lock pin is connected to the frame;
• the lock pin remaining connected to the frame while allowing removal of each screening module from the frame and positioning of a replacement module on the frame.

A generally planar screening module for mounting on a rigid frame, the frame having a plurality of elongate members spaced apart in parallel relationship and having lock pins protruding from the elongate members, the screening module comprising:

• means defining a plurality of sieve apertures for screening particulate material;
• a solid peripheral margin surrounding the sieve aperture means including parallel sidewalls for mounting the screening module to the frame;
• means in each sidewall defining a recess having an axis normal to the plane of the module and sized for interlockingly engaging one of the lock pins;
• and
• an internal support member extending along the margin of the module for maintaining the module generally planar.

A screening deck frame for supporting a screening module, the frame comprising:

• a plurality of rigid elongate members spaced apart at regular intervals in parallel relationship;
• and
• a plurality of rigid cross members spaced apart at regular intervals in parallel relationship and normal to the elongate members;
• the cross members fixed at each end to the elongate members so as to fix the elongate members in a substantially coplanar relationship for supporting the screening module positioned on the frame;
• the elongate members each including a flat top section for contacting the screening module and a pair of sidewalls depending from the top section such that the elongate member defines an inverted U-shape in cross section for strengthening the elongate member;
• and
• the sidewalls angled inwardly toward each other at a predetermined angle for allowing particulate material passing through the screening module to pass by the elongate members without contacting the elongate members.

A screening method comprising the steps of:

• providing a rigid, planar frame for supporting a plurality of screening modules;
• providing a resilient lock pin;
• connecting the lock pin to the frame extending normal to the plane of the frame;
• providing a plurality of screening modules;
• positioning each module on the frame adjacent the lock pin;
• interlockingly engaging the lock pin and each module so that the lock pin maintains the positioning of each module on the frame.

A method of preventing abrasive wear of an elongate frame member in a screening deck, the deck including a pair of screening modules each including a screening area and a solid margin of predetermined width surrounding the screening area, positioned side-to-side along the elongate member, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing as the elongate frame member an elongate member having an inverted U-shape cross section defining a top section for supporting the modules and a pair of depending sidewalls;
• sizing the top section of the elongate frame member to a width less than twice the width of the solid margin;
• positioning the pair of screening modules on the elongate frame member such that the solid margins of the modules cover the top section;
• and
• tapering the depending sidewalls inwardly toward each other such that particulate material can pass through the screening modules without contacting the depending sidewalls.

A method of removably connecting a screening module having first and second parallel sidewalls and a recess in the first sidewall to a frame along an outboard edge of the frame, the frame including a rigid elongate frame edge member, having a flat top side of a predetermined width extending along the outboard edge of the frame and defining an outboard edge of the frame edge member, and a second elongate member, parallel to the frame edge member and spaced apart therefrom a distance approximately equal to the width of the module between the parallel sidewalls for supporting the module on the frame, the method comprising:

• providing a lock pin having an axis and adapted for interlocking engagement with the module in the recess to prevent relative movement therebetween along the axis;
• fixing the lock pin to the top side of the frame edge member extending normal to the top side;
• positioning the module over the frame with the first sidewall along the frame edge member;
• interlockingly engaging the lock pin and the recess in the first sidewall;
• and
• after said interlockingly engaging, moving the second sidewall into abutting relationship with the second elongate member to connect the module to the frame.

A module system for diverting particulate material comprising:

• a surface for supporting a module positioned thereon, said surface including mounting aperture means;
• a module for diverting particulate material mounted on a lock pin;
• and
• said lock pin including means for connecting the lock pin to the mounting aperture means in the support surface, and also including means for interlockingly and removably engaging the module to maintain the positioning of the module on the support surface when the lock pin is connected to the support surface;
• the lock pin remaining connected to the support surface while allowing removal of the module from the support surface and mounting of a replacement module on the support surface.