Universal stringer tube

Abstract

Stringer tube (30) for vibrating screens (10) having different screen panels (22), the stringer tube (30) comprising an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis (33) and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots (42) along the longitudinal axis (33) in a top wall (34) and a plurality of transverse supports (44) which are defined by the top wall (34) extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis (33) between two adjacent elongated slots (42). The elongated slots (42) are configured to cooperative receive a lower portion (68) of different clip rails (32) on which screen panels (22) are mounted or otherwise supported.

Description

[0001] UNIVERSAL STRINGER TUBE

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a stringer tube and more specifically an universal stringer tube for use with vibrating screens, particularly for use in size classification.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Vibrating screens are used in the minerals industry for a variety of purposes, including: classification (in which material is separated based on its size); dewatering (which involves removal of process water from the ore); heavy media recovery (which involves draining and rinsing to recover the media) and medium recovery for reuse in the process (e.g. ferro silicon or magnetite); scalping (removing coarse material during primary and secondary crushing); trash removal (screening of grit, wood and oversize material); grading (preparing products with size ranges); and desliming (e.g. removal of material smaller than 500 pm).

[0006] A conventional vibrating screen typically has a chassis with two opposed sidewalls and support members in the form of square hollow section crossbeams extending laterally between the sidewalls. A plurality of parallel stringer tubes are mounted to the crossbeams and extend longitudinally (i.e. perpendicular to the crossbeams) for substantially the entire length of the screen. Each stringer tube is typically a C-shaped, hollow tube having an opening at its upper surface. The stringer tubes are used as a support on which removable panels are mounted. Retainer clips are typically used to mount the panels to the stringer tubes. Additional support is sometimes provided in the form of pins welded between opposing arms of the C- shaped, hollow tube. This is to prevent the opposing arms from splaying and releasing the retainer clips. Including welded pins adds cost to the manufacturing process for these stringer tubes.

[0007] There are multiple types of vibrating screens which utilises different types of screen decks (for example, side tension, WS85 , and snap deck), and each of these type uses a different design of stringer tube, which multiplies inventory for companies that own or service such vibrating screens.

[0008] It is among the objects of an embodiment of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantage or other disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. The various aspects detailed hereinafter are independent of each other, except where stated otherwise. Unless it is technically unfeasible, features of one aspect may be combined with any of the other aspects to create new aspects. However, any claim corresponding to one aspect should not be construed as incorporating any element or feature of the other aspects unless explicitly stated in that claim.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify indispensable features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0011] In this application ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) are assigned arbitrarily herein, and are used to differentiate between parts, and do not indicate a particular order, sequence, or importance.

[0012] According to a first aspect, there is provided a universal stringer tube for a vibrating screen, the stringer tube comprising an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis along the length thereof, the elongated body having a top wall, an opposed bottom wall, first and second side walls extending between the top wall and opposed bottom wall on opposed sides of the elongated body, a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots extending along the longitudinal axis in the top wall; and a plurality of transverse supports defined by the top wall extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis between the first and second side walls between two adjacent slots providing additional support to prevent the first and second side walls from splaying and the elongated slots from deforming in use.

[0013] The stringer tube may further include a plurality of mounting features in the opposed bottom wall for mounting the stringer tube to crossbeams which extend transversely beneath the stringer tubes when installed. The mounting features may be longitudinally spaced along the opposed bottom wall and correspond to the location where the stringer tube overlies the crossbeams. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of mounting features may each comprise one or more mounting holes. More specifically, each mounting feature may comprise three longitudinally spaced mounting holes.

[0014] The stringer tube may also include clearance openings in the top wall which are axially aligned with the mounting holes. The clearance openings may have an increased periphery relative to the periphery of the mounting holes allowing a head of a crossbeam fastener and / or a washer to pass through the clearance openings and engage the area around the mounting hole.

[0015] A front portion of the stringer tube may be profiled to receive at least a portion of a discharge lip of the vibrating screen. In a preferred embodiment, the universal stringer tube includes a cut-out extending through the top wall at a front portion so that the front portion is substantially U-shaped. The front portion of the stringer tube may further include at least one aperture extending through the bottom wall at the front portion to operatively receive a fastener to releasably secure the discharge lip to the front portion of the stringer tube. The stringer tube may include at least one substantially tubular spacer which is axially aligned with the at least one aperture. Preferably, the stringer tube includes two apertures and two substantially tubular spacers which are axially aligned with the two apertures. It is to be appreciated that the tubular spacers may be separately formed from the stringer tube and be welded to the front portion of the stringer, although other configurations are possible.

[0016] Each longitudinal slot may be configured to receive at least one clip rail, which when installed, screen panels can engage or otherwise be supported by a top surface of the at least one clip rail. The longitudinal slot may be configured to engage different variants of clip rails with each clip rail configured to support different screen panels, such as woven wire screen panels, polyurethane screen panels, and the like.

[0017] A rear end of the stringer tube may be connected to the vibrating screen via a supporting bracket. The rear end may include holes in the first and second side surfaces which corresponds to holes in the supporting bracket to releasably secure the supporting bracket to the stringer tube. It is to be appreciated that other configurations are possible.

[0018] According to a second aspect, there is provided a screen deck assembly for mounting screen panels on a vibrating screen, the screen deck assembly comprising: an universal stringer tube according to the first aspect securable to a crossbeam of a vibrating screen, and at least one clip rail which comprises an elongated base, a lower portion dimensioned to cooperatively fit into one or more of the elongated slots in the stringer tube such that the at least one clip rail extends substantially the entire length of a top wall of the stringer tube, and an upper portion defining a retaining member which in use engages or otherwise supports a plurality of screen panels.

[0019] The base of the clip rail may have a substantially planer lower face from which the lower portion extends. In use, with the lower portion received in one or more of the elongated slots the planar lower face may bear against the top wall of the stringer tube to resist vertical loads applied to the clip rail.

[0020] The lower portion of the clip rail may include two grooves extending longitudinally in opposed side substantially the entire length of the lower portion such that the top wall of the stringer tube one opposed lateral sides of the elongates slots are received in the grooves to secure the clip rail to the stringer tube.

[0021] In one example embodiment, the clip rail may be configured to be received in two or more adjacent elongated slots. The lower portion of the clip rail may include transverse grooves which correspond to the transverse supports in the top surface of the stringer tube. Alternatively, the clip rail may be configured to be received in a single longitudinal slot. The upper portion of the clip rail may extend longitudinally beyond the lower portion allowing ends of adjacent clip rails to abut against one another. It is to be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment that the deck assembly may include a plurality of clip rails which are positioned adjacent to one another in the elongated slots such the plurality of clip rails extend substantially the entire length of a top surface of the stringer tube.

[0022] It is to be appreciated that the upper portion of the clip rail may differ in shape to engage or otherwise support different screen panels. In a first example where the deck assembly is to be used with WS85 panels, the upper portion includes a retaining member extending along the length of the upper face of the base and which is configured to cooperatively engage openings in the screen panels. The retaining member includes a rounded upper portion integrally formed with an upper part of a support. The retaining member further has a vertical tab extending transversely from the rounded upper portion such that the vertical tab is located between the sides of two adjacent screen panels when installed. In a second example where the deck assembly is to be used with snap-deck panels, the upper portion of the clip rail may include two retaining members extending substantially parallel to one another along the top surface of the base and which are configured to cooperatively engage openings in the screen panels. Each retaining member may include a support extending from the top surface of the base, and a cylindrical head at an upper end of the shank. In a third example where the deck assembly is to be used with woven wire screen panels, the clip rail has a substantially convex-shaped upper portion extending above the base. The height of the clip rail, and more specifically the thickness of the base, may be varied such that different clip rails can be secured to adjacent stringer tubes to provide a convex profile between the sides of the screen.

[0023] According to a third aspect, there is provided a vibrating screen comprising: a chassis comprising opposing sidewalls and a plurality of longitudinally spaced crossbeams extending between the opposing sidewalls, with an upper surfaces of the crossbeams forming a support base; a plurality of laterally spaced deck assemblies according to the second aspect, each comprising an universal stringer tube secured to the support base and at least one clip rail secured to the universal stinger tube, wherein the screen deck assemblies are mounted transversely to the crossbeams; and a plurality of screen panels secured to or otherwise supported by an upper portion of the one or more clip rails of the plurality of deck assemblies.

[0024] The mounting holes of the plurality of stringer tubes may be axially aligned with holes in the cross members allowing the stringer tubes to be removably secured to the cross members.

[0025] The vibrating screen may further include a plurality of discharge lips which are secured to the front end of the stringer tubes. The discharge lips may be secured between two adjacent stringer tubes.

[0026] The vibrating screen may further include wedge bars extending along an interior of the opposing sidewalls which are configured to apply a downward clamping force on opposing sides of the screen panels adjacent to the opposing sidewalls. The wedge bars may extend substantially the entire length of the screen.

[0027] The vibrating screen may also include discharge lip liners secured against the interior of the opposing sidewalls adjacent to the discharge lip to prevent wear on the opposing sidewall and to apply a downward clamping force on the sides of the discharge lips adjacent the opposing sidewalls.

[0028] The vibrating screen may include a bridge extending between opposing sidewalls.

[0029] The bridge may house, or otherwise support, a drive mechanism that imparts motion to a deck (or multiple decks) of the screen. It is to be appreciated that other configurations are possible. The deck assemblies and screen panels may be mounted on the (or each) deck.

[0030] The drive mechanism may comprise an exciter. Optionally, an exciter pair may be provided, each exciter in the exciter pair including a gearbox coupled on each side to an out-of-balance mass, where the gearbox rotates the out-of-balance masses in opposite directions (i.e. the out-of-balance masses being contra-rotated by the exciters).

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] These and other aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Fig. 1 is an upper perspective view of a vibrating screen according to one example of the present disclosure;

[0034] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional partial view along lines A-A of the vibrating screen of Fig. 1 ;

[0035] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of portion C of the vibrating screen of Fig. 2;

[0036] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along lines B-B of the vibrating screen of Fig. 1 ;

[0037] Fig. 5 is an upper perspective view of a vibrating screen according to a second example of the present disclosure;

[0038] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional partial view along lines D-D of the vibrating screen of Fig. 5;

[0039] Fig. 7 is an upper perspective view of a vibrating screen according to a third example of the present disclosure;

[0040] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional partial view along lines E-E of the vibrating screen of Fig. 7;

[0041] Fig. 9 is a top-plane view of a stringer tube of the vibrating screen of Fig. 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0042] Fig. 10 is a bottom plane view of the universal stringer tube of Fig. 9;

[0043] Fig. 11 is a side view of the universal stringer tube of Fig. 9;

[0044] Fig. 12 is an upper perspective view of the universal stringer tube of Fig. 9;

[0045] Fig. 13 is a side view of a deck assembly of the vibrating screen of Fig. 1 according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0046] Fig. 14 is a first perspective view of the deck assembly of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view along lines G-G of the deck assembly as shown in Figure 13;

[0047] Fig. 16 is a similar view to Fig. 15. showing a second example of the deck assembly; and

[0048] Fig. 17 is a similar view to Fig. 15 showing a third example of the deck assembly.

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Reference is first made to Figs. 1 , 5 and 7 which illustrate schematic depictions of a vibrating screen 10, 100, 200 in which plurality of screen deck assemblies 12, 112, 212 are used. As is well known, vibrating screens, are used to separate materials according to their size or to separate slurries of materials into their liquid and solid components. The vibrating screen receives material (such as aggregate, rocks, gravel, slurry, a mineral solution, or the like) via a feed area 14 above a screen deck 16, 16’, 16” and allows particles smaller than the apertures (not shown) or liquids to fall therethrough and be transported to a fine particle (or liquid) discharge area (shown generally by arrow 20); whereas coarse particles remain on top of the screen panels 22, 122, 222 and exit from the vibrating screen at a coarse particle discharge area (shown generally by arrow 24). The screen deck 16, 16’, 16” includes removable screen panels 22, 122, 222 which are typically one of three generally well-known types. In Fig 1 . polyurethane screen panels, more specifically WS85 screen panels 22 are shown. In Fig 5. a second example of a vibrating screen 100 having another type of polyurethane screen panels, more specifically snapdeck screen panels 122 is shown. In Fig 7. a third example of a vibrating screen 200 wherein the screen panels are in the form of profile screen wire panels 222, constructed of parallel elongated profile screen wires, is shown. Previously, to accommodate the different screen panels the use of different designs of stringer tubes were required, which multiplies inventory for companies that own or service such vibrating screens.

[0051] The vibrating screen 10, 100, 200 includes a pair of upright sidewalls 26a, 26b spaced laterally and extending longitudinally for substantially the entire length of the screen 16. A plurality of longitudinally spaced crossbeams 28 extend between the pair of upright sidewalls 26a, 26b, and the upper surfaces of the crossbeams 28 form a generally planar support base. In other embodiments, the support base may define a curved profile when viewed from one side. In this embodiment, each crossbeam 28 has a rectangular hollow section. Although not shown, one or more additional sets of crossbeams are provided to form two additional support bases, each support base being vertically offset from the first and each subsequent support base.

[0052] A plurality of laterally spaced universal stringer tubes 30 are mounted on top of the support base transverse (in this embodiment perpendicular) to the crossbeams 28 and extend for substantially the entire length of the screen. In a preferred embodiment, the stringer tubes 30 are centrally spaced about 305mm from one another.

[0053] A panel fixing member 32, 132, 232 in the form of a clip rail defines a profiled lower portion 68 that is inserted into at least one elongated slot 42in the upper wall of the stringer tube 30. Each of the clip rails 32, 132, 232 define an upper portion 78 defining a retaining member which engages or otherwise supports the removable screen panel 22, 122, 222.

[0054] The combination of the crossbeams 28, the stringer tubes 30, the clip rails 32, 132, 232, and the screen panels 22, 122, 222 forms the screen deck.

[0055] Removable screen panels 22, 122, 222 are mounted or otherwise supported on the clip rails 32, 132, 232 which are secured to a plurality of stringer tubes 30. Each removable screen panel 22, 122, 222 defines an array of apertures (not shown) (typically all of the same size) extending therethrough. The size of the aperture that is used determines the size of the particle that passes through the screen panel 22, 122, 222 and the size of the particle that moves along the screen panel 22,122,222 without passing therethrough.

[0056] The stringer tube 30 is shown in more detail in Figs. 9-12. The stringer tube 30 comprises an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis 33 along the length thereof. The elongated body has a top wall 34, an opposed bottom wall 36 and first 38 and second side walls 40 extending between the top wall 34 and the bottom wall 36 on opposed sides of the elongated body. The stringer tube 30 further includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots 42 extending along the longitudinal axis 33 in the top wall. The stringer tube 30 includes a plurality of transverse supports 44 which are defined by the top wall 34 extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis 33 between the first and second side walls between two adjacent elongated slots 42. The plurality of transverse supports 44 provides additional support to prevent the first and second walls from splaying and the elongated slots 42 from deforming in use.. In a preferred embodiment, the stringer tubes 30 are constructed from 80mm x 40mm rectangular hollow sections with a wall thickness of 4mm with the elongated slots 42 laser cut in the top wall 34 although other hollow sections of various dimensions and methods can be used.

[0057] The stringer tube 30 further includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced mounting features 46 located in the opposed bottom wall 36 for mounting the stringer tube 30 to the crossbeams 28. As shown, the mounting features 46 each comprise three mounting holes 46 longitudinally spaced from one another and which align with holes 48 in the crossbeams 28. The stringer tube 30 also includes clearance openings 50 in the top wall 34 which are axially aligned with the mounting holes 46. The clearance openings 50 have an increased periphery relative to the periphery of the mounting holes 46 allowing a head of a crossbeam fastener 52 and / or washer to pass through the clearance openings 50 and engage the area around the mounting hole 46. The crossmembers 28 includes saddle plates 53 with nuts 55 secured to the saddle plates 53 and which are axially aligned with the holes 48 allowing an end of the crossbeam fastener 52 to be threadedly received in the nut to secure the stringer tubes 30 to the crossbeams 28.

[0058] A front portion 54 of the stringer tube 30 is profiled to receive a discharge lip 56 of the vibrating screen , 100, 200 (shown more clearly in 3). The front portion 54 includes a cut-out extending through the top wall 34 of the stringer tube 30 so that the front portion 54 is substantially U-shaped to support at least a portion of the discharge lip 56 of the vibrating screen 10, 100, 200.. The front portion 54 further includes two holes 60 which is configured to receive a fastener 62 to releasably secure the discharge lip 56 to the front portion 54 of the stringer tube 30. Spacers 58 may be provided to correspond with the holes 60 and to receive a fastener 62 on which the discharge lip 56 sits. In the first and second examples an additional spacer may be provided between the front portion 54 and the discharge lip 56 such that the discharge lip is aligned with the screen panels. In use, a front face 59 of the screen panels 22, 122 bear against a rear surface 57 of the discharge lip to resist axial forces applied to the screen panels 22,122. In the third example vibrating screen 200, the discharge lip 56 sits beneath the screen panel 222 such that the screen panel 222 overlaps the discharge lip 56 at least partially.

[0059] A rear end of the stringer tube 30 may be secured to a rear upright wall 61 of the vibrating screen 10, 100, 200 via a supporting bracket 62. The rear end may include holes 64 in the first and second side surfaces 38, 40 which corresponds to holes in the supporting bracket to releasably secure the stringer tube 30 to the upright rear wall 61 . It is to be appreciated that other configurations are possible.

[0060] The elongated slots 42 of the stringer tube 30 are configured to receive at least one clip rail 32, 132, 232, which when installed engage or otherwise support screen panels 22, 122, 222. The elongated slots 42 may be configured to engage different variants of clip rails which are configured to support different screen panels, such as woven wire screen panels (as shown in FIGS. 7) polyurethane screen panels such as snapdeck panels (as shown in FIGS. 5 ) and WS85 screen panels (as shown in Figs. 1 .

[0061] The vibrating screen 10, 100, 200 further includes two discharge lip liners 63 secured to an interior of the opposing sidewalls 26a, 26b adjacent to the discharge lips 56. The discharge lip liners 53 help to secure the sides of the discharge lips 56 adjacent the opposing sidewall 26a, 26b to the front end of the stringer tubes 30 by applying a downward clamping force on the discharge lips 56 as well as to prevent wear on the interior of the opposing sidewalls 26a, 26b.

[0062] The vibrating screen 10, 100, also includes two wedge bars 65 removably secured to the interior of the opposing sidewalls 26a, 26b. The wedge bars 65 are configured to apply a downward clamping force on opposing sides of the screen panels 20, 120 adjacent to the opposing sidewalls.

[0063] The vibrating screen 200 which includes woven wire screen panels 220 also includes two draw plates 65’ in the form of a substantially C-shaped clamp bracket which is secured to the interior of the opposing sidewalls 26a, 26b. The draw plates 65’ in use provides tension to side of the woven wire screen panels 220.

[0064] Referring to Figs. 13 to 17, the clip rail comprises an elongated base 66, an upper portion 78 defining a retaining member which in use engages or otherwise supports a plurality of screen panels, and a lower portion 68 dimensioned to cooperatively fit into one or more of the elongated slots 42 in the stringer tube 30 such that a plurality of clip rails 32 extends substantially the entire length of the top surface 34 of the stringer tube 30.

[0065] The elongated base 66 of the clip rails 32 may have a substantially planer lower face 70 from which the lower portion 68 extends. In use, with the lower portion 68 received in one or more of the elongated slots 42 the planar lower face 68 bears against the top wall 34 of the stringer 30. The lower portion 68 comprises a tab 72 with two legs 74a, 74b extending from tab 72 and having a substantially inverted V-shape cross-section. The lower portion 68 and more specifically the tab 72 includes two grooves 76a, 76b extending longitudinally in opposed sides thereof. In use, the top wall 34 of the stringer tube 30 on opposed lateral sides of the elongated slots 42 are received in the two grooves 76a, 76b of the clip rail to secure the clip rail 32 to the stringer tube 30.

[0066] In the example, the clip rail 32 is configured to be received in two or more adjacent elongated slots 42. The lower portion 68 of the clip rails 32 may include transverse grooves (not shown) which correspond to the transverse supports 44 in the top wall 34 of the stringer tubes 30. Alternatively, the clip rails may be configured to be received in a single longitudinal slot 42. The upper portion 78 of the clip rail 32 may extend longitudinally beyond the lower portion 68 allowing ends of adjacent clips to abut one another.

[0067] Referring to Figs. 1 , 4, and 13-15 a first example deck assembly 12 for WS85 panels is shown. The upper portion 78 of the clip rails 32 includes a retaining member 80 extending along the length of a upper face 82 of the elongated base 66 and which is configured to cooperatively engage openings 84 in the screen panels 22. The retaining member 80 includes a rounded upper portion 85 integrally formed with an upper part of a shank 86. The retaining member 80 further has a substantially vertical tab 88 extending transversely from the rounded upper portion 85 such that the vertical tab 88 is located between the sides of two adjacent screen panels 22 when installed.

[0068] A second example deck assembly 112 for snapdeck panels is shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 16. The lower portion of the clip rails are substantially similar to the first example as discussed above. In this example, the upper portion 78 includes two retaining members 90a, 90b extending substantially parallel to one another along the upper face 82 of the elongated base 66 and which are configured to cooperatively engage openings 92 in the screen panels 122. Each retaining member 90a, 90b includes a shank 94a, 94b extending from the upper face 82 of the clip rail 132, and a cylindrical head 96a, 96b at an upper end of the shanks 94a, 94b.

[0069] A third example deck assembly 212 for woven wire screen panels 222 is shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 17. The lower portion 68 of the clip rails 232 are substantially similar to the first example as discussed above. In this example, the clip rails 232 has a convex-shaped retaining member 78 extending above the base 66. The height of the clip rails 232, and more specifically the thickness of the retaining member 66, may be varied such that different clip rails can be secured to adjacent stringers to provide a convex profile between the sides of the screen. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the clip rails 232 ranges from between 20mm to 60mm.

[0070] It will now be appreciated that the above embodiments have the advantage that a single design of stringer tube can be used for multiple different types of vibrating screens, thereby increasing stock availability without unduly increasing inventory.

[0071] Various modifications may be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0072] For example, the vibrating screen may be a multi-slope screen rather than a horizontal screen.

[0073] The terms “comprising”, “including”, “incorporating”, and “having” are used herein to recite an open-ended list of one or more elements or steps, not a closed list. When such terms are used, those elements or steps recited in the list are not exclusive of other elements or steps that may be added to the list.

[0074] Unless otherwise indicated by the context, the terms “a” and “an” are used herein to denote at least one of the elements, integers, steps, features, operations, or components mentioned thereafter, but do not exclude additional elements, integers, steps, features, operations, or components.

[0075] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to" or other similar phrases in some instances does not mean, and should not be construed as meaning, that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases are not used.

[0076] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0077] Vibrating screen 10, 100, 200

[0078] Deck Assembly12, 112, 212

[0079] Feed area 14

[0080] Screen deck 16, 16’, 16”

[0081] Fine particle discharge area 20

[0082] Screen panels 22, 122, 222

[0083] Coarse particle discharge area 24

[0084] Upright sidewalls 26a, 26b

[0085] Crossbeams 28 Stringer tubes 30

[0086] Clip rail 32, 132, 232

[0087] Longitudinal axis 33

[0088] Top wall 34

[0089] Opposed bottom wall 36

[0090] First side wall 38

[0091] Second side wall 40

[0092] Elongated slots 42

[0093] Transverse support 44

[0094] Mounting holes 46

[0095] Holes in cross beams 48

[0096] Clearance opening 50

[0097] Crossbeam fastener 52

[0098] Saddle plates 53

[0099] Front portion of stringer tube 54

[0100] Nuts 55

[0101] Discharge lip 56

[0102] Rear face of discharge lip 57

[0103] Spacers 58

[0104] Front face of screen panels 59

[0105] Holes in front portion 60

[0106] Rear wall 61

[0107] Supporting bracket 62

[0108] Discharge lip liner 63

[0109] Holes in rear end 64

[0110] Wedge clamp 65

[0111] Draw plate 65’

[0112] Elongated base of clip rail 66

[0113] Lower portion 68

[0114] Planar bottom face 70

[0115] Tab 72

[0116] Legs 74a, 74b

[0117] Grooves 76a, 76b Upper portion 78

[0118] Retaining member 80

[0119] Upper face 82

[0120] WS85 openings 84 Upper portion of retaining member 85

[0121] Shank 86

[0122] Vertical tab 88

[0123] Two retaining members 90a, 90b

[0124] Snapdeck openings 92 Shank 94a, 94b

[0125] Cylindrical head 96a, 96b

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An universal stringer tube for a vibrating screen, the universal stringer tube comprising: a. an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis along the length thereof, the elongated body having a top wall, an opposed bottom wall, first side and second side walls extending between the top wall and opposed bottom wall on opposed sides of the elongated body; b. a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots extending along the longitudinal axis in the top wall; and c. a plurality of transverse supports defined by the top wall extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis between the first and second side walls between two adjacent elongated slots providing additional support to prevent the first and second side walls from splaying and the elongated slots from deforming in use.

2. The universal stringer tube according to claim 1 , which includes a plurality of mounting features longitudinally spaced along the opposed bottom wall to secure the stringer tube to crossbeams of the vibrating screen.

3. The universal stringer tube according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of mounting features each include one or more mounting holes.

4. The universal stringer tube according to claim 3, which include clearance openings in the top wall which are axially aligned with the mounting holes and wherein the clearance openings have an increased periphery relative to the periphery of the mounting holes.

5. The universal stringer tube according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes a cut-out extending through the top wall at a front portion of the stringer tube so that the front portion is substantially U-Shaped to support at least a portion of the discharge lip of the vibrating screen.

6. The universal stringer tube according to claim 5, which includes one or more apertures extending through the bottom wall at the front portion to operatively receive a fastener to releasably secure the discharge lip to the stringer tube.

7. A screen deck assembly for mounting screens panels on a vibrating screen, the screen deck assembly comprising: a. an universal stringer tube according to any one of claims 1 to 6 securable to a crossbeam of a vibrating screen; and b. at least one clip rail comprising: i. an elongated base; ii. a lower portion dimensioned to cooperatively fit into one or more of the elongated slots in the stringer tube such that the at least one clip rail extends substantially the entire length of the top wall of the stringer tube; and iii. an upper portion defining a retaining member which in use engages or otherwise supports a plurality of screen panels.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the base of the clip rail has a substantially planar lower face from which the lower portion extends such that when the lower portion is received in the one or more elongated slots, the planar lower face bears against the top wall of the stringer tube to resist vertical loads applied to the clip rail.

9. The assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the lower portion extends substantially the entire length of the base10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the lower portion includes two grooves extending longitudinally in opposed side substantially the entire length of the lower portion such that the top wall of the stringer tube on opposed lateral sides of the elongated slots are received in the grooves to secure the clip rail to the stringer tube.11 . The assembly of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the lower portion includes a transverse groove which corresponds to the transverse support in the top wall of the universal stringer tube to allow the lower portion of the clip rail to be received in two or more adjacent elongated slots.

12. The assembly of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the upper portion of the clip rail extends longitudinally beyond the lower portion thereof.

13. The assembly of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the upper portion has a substantially convex-shape which in use to supports a woven wire screen panels.

14. The assembly of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the upper portion includes a pair of retaining members extending substantially parallel to one another from an upper face of the base and which in use engages openings in one or more screen panels.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each retaining member includes a support extending from the upper face of the base and a cylindrical head at an upper end of the support.

16. The assembly of any one of claim 7 to 12, wherein a retaining member extends along the entire length of the upper face of the base and which is configured to cooperatively engage opening in one or more screen panels.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the retaining member includes a support extending from the upper surface of the base, a convex shaped member integrally formed with the support, and a substantially vertical tab extending from the convex shaped member.

18. A vibrating screen comprising: a. a chassis having opposing sidewalls and a plurality of longitudinally spaced crossbeams extending between the opposing sidewalls, with an upper surface of the crossbeams forming a support base; b. a plurality of laterally spaced screen deck assemblies according to any one of claims 7 to 17, each comprising an universal stringer tube secured to the support base and one or more clip rails secured to the universal stringer tube, wherein the screen deck assemblies are mounted transversely to the crossbeams; and c. a plurality of screen panels secured to or otherwise supported by an upper portion of the one or more clip rails of the plurality of deck assemblies.

19. The vibrating screen of claim 18, which includes a plurality of discharge lips mounted on a front portion of the stringer tubes with a spaced positionedbetween the front portion and the discharge lips such that a rear face of the discharge lips bear against a front face of the screen panels and the clip rails to resist axial loads applied to the screen panels and the clip rails.

20. The vibrating screen of claim 18, which includes a plurality of discharge lips mounted on a front portion of the stringer tubes such that a top surface of the discharge lips are below the screen panels such that a portion of the screen panel overlaps the discharge lips.

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