Screening module
View Patent ↗A screening module 10 comprises a frame component 12 to be secured to an underlying screen deck, in use. A screening panel 14 is carried by the frame component 12 . The screening panel 14 comprises an operatively upper screening surface 16 and a support structure 18 underlying the screening surface 16 with a plurality of spaced protrusions 20 being supported by and standing proud of the support structure 18 . Operatively upper ends of the protrusions 20 lie substantially in a plane of the screening surface 16 and the protrusions 20 define a plurality of screening apertures 22 in the screening surface 16.
1. A screening module which comprises
a frame component to be secured to an underlying screen deck, in use; and
a screening panel carried by the frame component, the screening panel comprising an operatively upper screening surface and a support structure underlying the screening surface, with a plurality of spaced protrusions being supported by and standing proud of the support structure, operatively upper ends of the protrusions lying substantially in a plane of the screening surface and the protrusions defining a plurality of screening apertures in the screening surface.
2. The module of claim 1 in which the support structure comprises a plurality of cross members.
3. The module of claim 2 in which the cross members are arranged in a grid of intersecting cross members.
4. The module of claim 3 in which the protrusions are arranged on the cross members where the cross members intersect.
5. The module of claim 2 in which the cross members are arranged in spaced parallel relationship.
6. The module of claim 2 in which the protrusions are arranged at spaced intervals on the cross members.
7. The module of claim 6 in which the protrusions of adjacent cross members are aligned with each other.
8. The module of claim 6 in which the protrusions of adjacent cross members are staggered with respect to each other.
9. The module of claim 2 in which each of at least certain of the cross members are convex, or bowed, when viewed from a side of the cross member, to provide increasing stiffness towards a central region of the cross member.
10. The module of claim 1 in which each protrusion is in the form of a flat topped projection extending from the grid structure.
11. The module of claim 10 in which sides of each projection taper inwardly from the top of the projection to a mounting position of the projection on the support structure.
12. The module of claim 1 in which the frame component and the screening panel are integrally formed as a one-piece unit.
13. The module of claim 1 in which at least the frame component carries reinforcing.
14. The module of claim 1 in which the screening apertures are arranged in a plurality of aperture arrays.
15. The module of claim 14 in which each aperture array is delineated by a skirt portion underlying the screening surface.
16. The module of claim 15 in which each skirt portion bounds the support structure associated with that aperture array.
17. A screening assembly including a screening module as claimed in claim 1 .