Patent Publication Number: US-2011049018-A1

Title: Mine screen

Description:
This invention relates to a mine screen. In particular, the invention relates to a reinforcement frame and to a screen. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventors are aware of mine screens used for separating materials. Screens are typically moulded from mouldable materials and are sometimes reinforced with metal bars. However, when the screens are worn the moulded portions may separate from the reinforced metal bars, causing damage to equipment when undesired materials mix. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a reinforcement frame, which includes 
     an elongate body shaped and dimensioned to correspond to a perimeter of a mine screen, the elongate body being defined by at least one circular metal bar. 
     The elongate body may define at least one cross member extending from one side of the perimeter to another side of the perimeter. 
     The elongate body may be shaped to define an equiangular quadrilateral. The elongate body may be equilateral. For example, the elongate body may be roughly square shaped or rectangular shaped. 
     The circular metal bar may be of steel. In particular, the circular metal bar may be of an alloy having strong yield strength such as spring steel. For example, the circular metal bar may be of spring steel wire. The circular metal bar may have a diameter of between 3 mm to 15 mm. 
     In one embodiment, the elongate body may be defined by at least two metal bars, arranged on top of each other to define a reinforcement beam. For example, the metal bars may be welded together on top of each other. It is to be appreciated that the elongate body may be defined by multiple metal bars. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a screen, which includes 
     a moulded screen; and
 
a reinforcement frame, as hereinbefore described, moulded into the screen.
 
     In one embodiment, the moulded screen may be defined by a moulded peripheral frame defining a frame opening through the frame, with an integrally moulded, aperture screen defined within the frame opening. 
     The moulded peripheral frame may be in the form of an equiangular quadrilateral. The frame may be equilateral. 
     The moulded peripheral frame may be operatively upright rectangular in section to define a peripheral reinforcement beam. 
     The moulded screen may include at least one cross member extending across the frame opening. 
     The reinforcement frame may be moulded into the moulded frame. In particular, the reinforcement frame may be moulded into the frame at a position proximate the operative lower part of the operatively upright rectangular section of the peripheral reinforcement beam. 
     Advantageously, with the operative upright rectangular section of the peripheral reinforcement beam, the reinforcement frame may be constructed from at least two metal bars so as to provide a rigid beam whilst maintaining a narrow profile in the peripheral reinforcement beam. The narrow profile of the reinforcement beam maximizes the area of the frame opening. Furthermore, in use, due to its cross-sectioned shape, the reinforcement frame is mechanically bound to the moulded peripheral frame, thereby resisting separation from the moulded peripheral frame when the frame is worn away. 
    
    
     
       The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following drawing. 
         FIG. 1  shows a composite three-dimensional drawing of a reinforcement frame, moulded into a moulded mine screen, both in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIG. 1  reference numeral  10  refers to a reinforcement frame in accordance with the invention. Reference numeral  12  refers to a mine screen, shown in broken lines for clarity, also in accordance with the invention. 
     The reinforcement frame  10  has an elongate body  14  and dimensioned in the form of an equiangular, equilateral quadrilateral to correspond with the perimeter of the mine screen  12 . In this example, the elongate body is roughly square shaped. 
     The elongate body  14  is defined by two circular metal bars  16 ,  17  welded on top of each other. The elongate body  14  defines two cross members  14 . 1 ,  14 . 2  extending from opposed sides of the quadrilateral. 
     The two circular metal bars  16 ,  17  are of an alloy having a strong yield strength such as spring steel. In this example, the circular metal bars have diameters of 5 mm. However, depending on the required application and construction, the metal bars may have diameters of between 3 mm to 15 mm. 
     The mine screen  12  is moulded onto the reinforcement frame  14 . Only a portion of the moulded screen  12  is shown to illustrate the position of the reinforcement frame  10  in the screen  12 . 
     As can be seen, the reinforcement frame  10  corresponds with the periphery of the screen  12 . 
     The screen  12  is defined by a moulded peripheral frame  18  is roughly square shaped. It is to be appreciated that the size and dimensions of the screen  12  will depend on the configuration in a particular application. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the peripheral frame  18  is operatively upright rectangular in section to define a peripheral reinforcement beam. The reinforcement frame  10  forms part of the reinforcement beam, being moulded into the frame  18  at a position proximate the operative lower part of the operatively upright rectangular section of the peripheral reinforcement beam. The reinforcement frame  10  is mechanically bound to the moulded peripheral.