Field of invention

The present invention relates to a mounting bar for arranging a dust sealing sheet in connection to a mining equipment and a dust sealing assembly.

Background

There are different types of screening machines and different applications thereof within the mining and construction industry. An alternative application is recycling equipment.

Vibrating screen devices for fractionating crushed bulk material into fractions of stones with different sizes are used in a variety of applications, such screening devices comprise a screen media mounted on a support frame system via some kind of attachment accessory. The screen media is typically made of wire mesh, rubber or polyurethane and comprises apertures through which the bulk material such as stones and gravels may fall through when loaded on the screen media surface.

When stones, gravels or similar obstacles are handled in these machines the environment becomes dusty. Known solutions of reducing the dust spreeding have a sheet arranged between areas of the equipment where it is dusty. The sheet is typically adhered to one end and another opposite end of the equipment by mounting means, such as strips or grippers. However, these mounting means are not always reliably staying in place, such that the sheet might become loose when operating the machine. The points of arrangement of the sheet at the equipment is not always a straight edge or rim, i.e. there might be bendings or angled comers. The existing mounting means for arranging the sheet comprising different types of mounting means when fitting to differently shaped edges.

There is a need to simplify the mounting means that arranges and mounts the sheet for efficiently stop dust around the equipement. Further, the sheet needs to be arranged in a tight and secure manner.

Thus, what is required is a mounting bar for arranging a dust sealing sheet in connection to a mining equipment and a dust sealing assembly that addresses the above problems.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting means reliably arranging a sheet on a mining or construction equipment so that the sheet is tightly kept in place. Further there is an object to supply a flexible mounting means that is adaptable to different turns of an edge of the equipment. Another object is to have one type of mounting means fitting to any part of the egde or rim.

The objectives are achieved by the invention set forth in claim 1. Thereby, the sheet is functionally and safely arranged throughout operation of the mining or construction machine.

Preferred embodiments of the invention being set forth in the appended dependent claims and the description from which further embodiments and advantages will become apparent.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting bar for arranging a dust sealing sheet in connection to a mining equipment, such as a vibrating screen device. The bar comprising an elongated extension and having a longitudinal axis and a tubular cross sectional shape with a longitudinally extending recess. The bar further comprising a plurality of slots provided on at least one side of the bar, such as on one side of a longitudinally extending centre plane of the bar. The slots extending radially into the bar, being distanced to one another along the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A longitudinal segement is interconnecting the bar longitudinally at a respective location of the slots.

The bar may be configured to be arranged in at least one bent configuration wherein at least a portion of the bar has an outer length distal a centre of curvature of the bar and an inner length proximal the centre of curvature.

In a preferred embodiment, the slots of the plurality of slots are configurd, such as sized and distributed, to prevent or at least to some extent reduce emergence of compression or deformation, or compresseion and deformation, of the material of the bar, such as at least along an inner length of the bar in the bent configuration. Alternatively, or in addition, the slots of the plurality of slots are configurd, such as sized and distributed, to allow the bar to be arranged in at least one bent configuration without substantially deforming the material of the bar at the inner length and/or inner pheriphery.

In particular, the plurality of slots may be configurd, such as sized and distributed, to prevent or at least to some extent reduce emergence of compression or deformation at an inner pheriphery of the bar in the at least one bent configuration. The term “deformation” used herein may include one or more of elastic deformation and plastic deformation.

At the location of a respective slot, such as in a transverse plane or cross-section of the bar at the location of the slot, the bar may comprise the longitudinal segment interconnecting the bar. Thereby a flexible bar is achieved. The bar is to snap on or grip around edges or rims of walls of neighboring equipment components in a mining or construction equipment so that the sheet is tightely mounted between the components so that no dust can pass.

The slots may constitute voids in the bar that at least partially define the longitudinal segment. In particular, the slots together with a bar centre void may at least partially define the longitudinal segment. The longitudinal segment may thus function as a spine that interconnects the bar longitudinally. Thereby, flexibility of the bar in at least two planes is facilitated. The bar centre void may extend along and preferably throughout the longitudinal length of the bar. The bar centre void may comprise a generally cylindrical shape. The bar center void may have a diameter corresponding to 20 to 40 percent of a diameter of the bar, preferably 25 to 30 percent.

Aptly, the slots are evenly distributed throughout the longitudinal direction with two consecutive slots having a specific separation distance in longitudinal direction. This is important in order to have an evenly distributed flexibility.

Optionally, the slot has the widest separation distance in longitudinal direction radially opposite of the longitudinal segment such that the slot being non-uniform around the perimeter of a cross section of the bar. This is valuable since adequate tightening and sealing of the sheet is achieved.

Optionally, the location of the slot the bar throughout the longitudinal direction of the slot comprising the longitudinal segment having a perimeter being at least 5% of the full perimeter of the cross section of the bar. This gives a good balance of flexibility and stability to the bar.

Optionally, the bar comprises the longitudinal segment throughout the longitudinal direction of the slot. The longitudinal segment having a perimeter being at least 5% of the full perimeter of the cross section of the bar. This gives a good balance of flexibility and stability to the bar.

Preferably the number of slots in the plurality of slots is at least three. In order to achieve a sufficient degree of flexibility.

Preferably the bar may comprise slots throughout at least 50% of its length. This gives optimal support and flexibility.

Preferably the slots being arranged in the middle of the length of the bar. This is advantageous in order to have a functional bar. Optionally the material of the bar being a polymer. This is a material with good flexibility. In some embodiments the material of the bar is rubber, or comprises rubber. Thus, the material of the bar may be substantially incompressible.

According to embodiments, the recess may be provided radially opposite the longitudinal segement.

According to embodiments, the recess may be configured to receive, preferably slidingly receive, an edge of the mining equipment. The recess may taper in a radial direction towards the void.

According to embodiments, the recess may be discontinuous along the length of the bar. In particular, a recess inner surface may be discontinuous along the length of the bar.

According to embodiments, the void may be configured to accommodate an edge or rim of the mining equipment. The mounting bar may be configured to bias against the edge once the edge is received in the void.

According to embodiments, the bar may comprise a bar centre plane. The centre plane may extend along the longitudinal axis of the mounting bar. The centre plane may be a plane of symmetry.

According to embodiments, one or more slots may be provided on opposite sides of the bar centre plane. The slots may connect in a radial direction with the recess and the bar centre void. The slots may extend from the longitudinal segment. The slots may taper in a direction towards the longitudinal segment and/or the bar centre plane.

According to embodiments, the bar comprises a plurality of slots on each side of the bar, such as on each side of the bar centre plane. Respective neighbouring slots of the plurality of slots may define a rib there between. The rib may have an attached end portion connected to the longitudinal segement, and an opposite free end portion. The rib may extend between the longitudinal segment and the recess in a circuferential direction from the attached end portion to the free end portion. Respective free end portions of a plurality of such ribs of the bar may be spaced apart by the recess.

Aptly, the bar comprises a plurality of ribs, wherein the ribs are separated by respective slots as has been described herein. Thereby, an inner surface of the recess may be discontinuous in the longitudinal direction of the bar. This configuration facilitates a reduced resistance to bending. This is advantageous when arranging the bar to a bent edge or rim, such as when arranging the bar having the longitudinal segment facing away from the edge.

According to embodiments, the mounting bar may be configured such that a width of the recess, such as a width in a transverse plane, increseas in response to displacing the mounting bar towards an edge, such as an edge of the mining equipment, when the edge is received in the recess.

In some embodiments, the mounting bar may be an integrally formed element. That is, a homogenous element.

According to embodiments, the longitudinal segment may extend along substantially the entire longitudinal length of the mounting bar, preferably the entire longitudinal length of the mounting bar. The longitudinal segment may constitute in the range of 5 to 20 percent of the circumference of the bar, preferably about 15 percent.

The bar may comprise a bar centre void extending along the longitudinal length of the bar, wherein the slots of the plurality of slots each connects with the bar centre void in a radial direction of the bar.

In one embodiment, in a straight configuration of the bar, respective sloth lengths of the plurality of slots provided on the at least one side of the bar may have an aggregated longitudinal extension that corresponds at least to a length difference of the outer length and the inner length in the bent configuration of the bar. The outer length of the bar in the bent configuration may be measured along an outer pheriphery of the bar and along the longitudinal axis of the bar. The outer pheriphey is where a radius of curvature of the bar is greatest in the bent configuration. Correspondingly, an inner pheriphery of the bar in the bent configuration is where the radius of curvature of the bar is smallest. The inner length of the bar in the bent configuration may be measured along the inner pheriphery and along the longitudinal axis (which is then also bent). Thus, the expressions “at the inner/outer length” as used herein may generally be interchangeable with the expression “at the inner/outer pheriphery”.

A plurality of slots may be provided on each side of the centre plane, and wherein the slots may be sized and configurd to prevent tension in the material of the bar at an outer length of the bar distal the centre of curvature in the bent configuration.

In one embodiment, the bar comprises a plurality of slots on at least one side of the bar, such as on each side of the bar centre plane, wherein respective neighbouring slots of the plurality of slots define a rib there between. Each rib of the plurality of ribs may have an attached end portion integrally connecting to the longitudinal segement, and an opposite free end portion.

In one embodiment, wherein the bar is arranged in the straight configuration, each slot of the plurality of slots have a slot length in the longitudinal direction of the bar. The number of slots in the plurality of slots and the respective slot length of the plurality of slots may be configured such that an aggregate of the slot lengths i.e. the sum of the slot lengths, of the plurality of slots corresponds at least to a difference between the outer length of the bar and the inner length of the bar in the bent configuration.

In one embodiment, the slots of the plurality of slots each tapers with a taper angle in a direction towards a centre plane of the bar. The number of slots and the respective taper angle of the plurality of slots may be configured such as to reduce or prevent compression or deformation of the bar at the inner length of the bar in the bent configuration, or such as to reduce or prevent compression and deformation of the bar at the inner length of the bar in the bent configuration.

The bent configuration of the bar may comprise a first bent configuration and a second bent configuration, wherein the first bent configuration, the bar is arranged bent about a first axis being orthogonal the longitudinal axis of the bar when arranged in the straight configuration, and wherein the second bent configuration, the bar is bent about a second axis being orthogonal the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the bar when arranged in the straight configuration.

In one embodiment, the hardness of the material of the bar is in the range of 50 to 95 on the Shore A hardness scale.

The aforementioned embodiments are associated with a number of advantages. For example it is facilitated that any deformation of the bar in a bent configuration of the bar occurs mainly in the longitudinal segment. The configuration also facilitates that the shape of the bar inner void is maintained in a bent configuration of the bar. This is important in order to prevent that the edges of the wall of the mining equipment are urged out from the bar centre void.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mining system comprising a mining equipment, such as a vibrating screen deive, and a dust sealing assembly. The assembly comprising a plurality of mounting bars according to any one of the emobodiments disclosed herein, and a dust sealing sheet. The dust sealing sheet is arranged between two walls of the mining equipment, and each bar of the plurality of mounting bars is arranged having an edge of the walls and the dust sealing sheet received in the recess for tightly sealing the sheet between the edges.

In one embodiment, the plurality of mounting bars are arranged one adjacent to another in longitudinal direction throughout the edges of the walls. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system, the system comprising a mining equipment, such as a vibrating screen device, a plurality of mounting bars according to any embodiment of the first aspect and a dust sealing sheet. The dust sealing sheet being arranged between two walls of the mining equipment and the plurality of mounting bars being arranged at edges of the walls, such as along a rim of the walls, for tightly sealing the sheet between the edges of the two walls. The dust sealing sheet may be a polymer or a rubber cloth.

Thus, the dust sealing sheet may be configured to extend between the two walls of the mining equipment.

According to embodiments, the bar inner void may be configured to accommodate both one of the two edges of the mining equipment and the dust sealing sheet. In some embodiments, the dust sealing sheet may preferably be clamped between said edge and the mounting bar.

The dust sealing assembly may comprise the plurality of mounting bars being arranged one adjacent to another in longitudinal direction throughout the edges of the walls. This makes the sheet being optimally stretched, without any folds risking to leak dust.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for arranging a dust sealing sheet in connection to a mining equipment, such as a vibrating screen device. The method comprising; providing a plurality of mounting bars according to the first aspect; providing a dust sealing sheet according to any embodiment of the disclosure; arranging the dust sealing sheet such as to extend between two walls of the mining equipment; arranging the mounting bars at the edges of the walls, for example by arranging the edges of the mining equipment in respective recesses or bar centre voids of the plurality of mounting bars, such as to clamp the sealing sheet to the edges.

Brief description of drawings

A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure la is a perspective view of a mounting bar for arranging a dust sealing sheet in connection to a mining or construction equipment;

Figure lb is a cross section taken along A-A in figure la;

Figure 1c is a cross section taken along B-B in figure la;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a bended mounting bar according to aspects of the disclosure;

Figure 2b is a perspective view of a bended mounting bar according to aspects the disclosure;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a mounting bar according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mining/construction system having mounting bars for arranging a dust sealing sheet in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

Detailed

Figure la discloses a first embodiment of a mounting bar 1 for arranging a dust sealing sheet in connection to a mining or construction equipment. The bar 1 has an elongated extension along a longitudinal axis X. The bar has a tubular shape so that the outer perimeter is mainly circular. In the middle of the bar is a mainly circular bar centre void 5 extending throughout the entire length. At one side of the bar there is a recess 3 defining an opening along the full length of the bar and interconnecting radially with the void of the interior of the bar. Figure lb discloses a cross section taken along A-A in figure la, in which the recess 3 is visible. Slots 2 are arranged perpendicular to the axis X. The slot 2 is a narrow opening creating a groove radially in the bar. The slots are arranged at the middle of the bar seen in the lengthwise direction. The number of slots 2 is at least three. It can also be five, seven, nine or as in this figure 11 slots. Also an even number of slots would be possible, such as four, six, eight or ten. Even a higher number of slots might be arranged on a bar (see figure 3). The same distance in longitudinal direction applies between two neighbouring slots, so that the slots are evenly distributed. The separation distance between two slots following one upon the other in longitudinal direction is preferably in the range of 10 to 20 % of the diameter of the bar 1. At least 50% of the length of the bar comprises slots.

The slots 2 nearly cut through the full cross sectional area of the bar 1, the remaining part of the bar that is not cut through is defined as a longitudinal segment 4. Figure 1c discloses a cross section taken along B-B in figure la, so at the location of one of the slots 2. In this cross section the longitudinal segment 4 is disclosed. The longitudinal segment 4 might have a flattened outside, so that the perimeter does not follow a strict circular shape in this area. The outer side of the longitudinal segment defines 5% or 10% of the full perimeter of the bar.

The shape of the slot 2 varies around the perimeter so that the slot 2 has its smallest opening close to the longitudinal segment 4 and the opening of the slot being largest opposite to the longitudinal segment 4.

The recess 3 is provided radially opposite the longitudinal segement 4. The recess 3 tapers in a radial direction towards the bar centre void 5. The recess 3 is discontinuous along the length of the bar 1. In particular, a recess inner surface of the recess 3 is discontinuous along the length of the bar 1.

The bar 1 may comprise a bar centre plane C extending along the longitudinal axis of the and vertically as seen in Figure lb. The bar is substantially symmetric in the centre plane C. A plurality of slots 2 are provided in the bar 1 on each side of the bar centre plane C. The slots 2 extend from the longitudinal segment 4. The slots 2 taper in a direction towards the longitudinal segment 4 and/or the bar centre plane C. Respective neighbouring slots 2 of the plurality of slots define a rib 9 there between.. The rib 9 has an attached end portion integrally connected to the longitudinal segement 4, and an opposite free end portion adjacent the recess 3. The rib 9 extends between the longitudinal segment 4 and the recess 3 in a circuferential direction of the bar from the attached end portion to the free end portion.

The mounting bar 1 comprises a plurality of ribs 9 and respective ribs 9 are spaced apart by a respective slot 2 in the longitudinal direction of the bar 1. Respective free end portions of a plurality of such ribs 9 of the bar 1 are spaced apart by the recess 3 in the transverse direction of the bar 1.

Figure 2a and Figure 2b discloses a bent version of the bar 1 in figure 1. The bar can be bent and twisted to fit to an end rim of a section having not only a straight elongation. When there is an edge comer the bent version of the bar is easily fitted to the corner.

Figure 2a and Figure 2b shows embodiments of the bar 1 arranged in bent configurations. By the term “bent” as used herein may comprise a smooth curved shape. A portion of the bar 1 that is curved may have a radius of curvature, such as a single radius of curvature. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the bar 1 in a relaxed straight configuration wherein the bar 1 is arranged to be straight. In this straight configuration, each slot of the plurality of slots have a respective slot length SI in the longitudinal direction of the bar.

Referring again to Figure 2 and Figure 2b, the bar 1 has an outer pheriphery P2 that is distal a centre of curavure of the bar 1, and an inner pheriphery Pl that is proximate the centre of curature of the bar. The outer pheriphery P2 has a length L2 that is longer than a length LI of the inner pheriphery Pl. The inner length LI and the outer length L2 are measured along the longitudinal extension of the bar. The inner pheriphery Pl has a first radius of curvature R1 which is the smallest or inner radius of curvature of the bar and the outer pheriphey has a second radius of curvature R2 that is the greatest or outer radius of curvature of the bar. Thus, the second radius of curvature R2 is greater than the first radius of curvature R1. The inner length LI represents the length of the bar measured at its inner radius R1 in a circumferential direction, in the bent configuration. The inner radius R1 corresponds the smallest radius of the bar in respect of a centre of curvature, e.g. Al or A2.

Correspondingly, the outer length L2 represents the length of the bar at its outer radius R2 in the bent configuration. The outer radius R2 corresponds to the greatest radius of the bar in respect of a centre of curvature, e.g. Al or A2.

The embodiments shown in Figure 2a Figure 2b and Figure 3 may represent a complete bar or a portion of the bar according the disclosure. In Figure 3, the bar is arranged in a straight configuration wherein both sides of the bar 1 has the same length, i.e. LI equals L2.

The slots 2 of the plurality of slots are configurd such that compression and deformation of the material of the bar at the inner pheriphery Pl is prevented, as is shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b.

As derivable from Figure 2b, the slots are sized and configurd such that there is substantially no tensioning of the material of the bar 1 at the outer pheriphery P2 in the bent configuration.

The number of slots 2 in the plurality of slots and the respective slot length SI of the plurality of slots are configured such that an aggregate or sum S of the slot lengths SI of the plurality of slots corresponds at least to a difference in length AL between the outer length L2 of the outer pheripery P2 of the bar and the inner length LI of the inner pheriphery Pl of the bar. As shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b, this configuration facilitates that the bar may be arranged in at least one bent configuration without imparting deformation of the bar at its inner pheriphery Pl .

As has been explained herein, Figure 2a shows a first bent configuration of the bar 1 and Figure 2b shows a second bent configuration of the bar 1. In the first bent configuration of Figure 2a the bar is arranged bent about a first axis Al (see Figure la) being orthogonal the longitudinal axis X of the bar 1 when arranged in the straight configuration. Figure 2b shows a second bent configuration of the bar where the bar is bent about a second axis A2 (see Figure la) being orthogonal the first axis Al and the longitudinal axis X of the bar.

Referring to Figure 3, the slots 2 of the plurality of slots each tapers with a taper angle in a direction towards a centre plane C of the bar 1 (see Figure lb). The number of slots and the respective taper angle of the plurality of slots are configured such that deformation of the bar at the inner pheriphery Pl in the bent configuration is prevented, as is derivable from Figure 2a and Figure 2b.

Figure 3 discloses a further embodiment of a mounting bar 1. Slots 2 are arranged throughout the entire length of the bar. Just as for the first embodiment the distance separating two neighboring slots 2 is the same throughout the lengthwise extension of the bar 1. This embodiment of the bar does not have a specific length, the profile is suitable to be cut in length pieces fit for its purpose. The same configuration of the slots 2 and the longitudinal segment 4 applies as in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a mining system 101 according to an embodiment comprising a mining equipment 100, in the form of a vibrating screen deive. A dust sealing assembly 10 is shown, the assembly 10 comprising a plurality of mounting bars 1 as has been disclosed herein and a dust sealing sheet 20. The dust sealing sheet 20 is arranged between two walls 6 of the mining equipment 100. Each bar 1 of the plurality of mounting bars is arranged having an edge 7 of the the walls 6 and the dust sealing sheet 20 received in the recess 3 for tightly sealing the sheet 20 between the edges.

Further to Figure 4, there is shown the several mounting bars 1 keeping the sheet 20 in place in order to tightly seal the sheet to the equipment hindering dust and other particles to be distributed outside of the equipment. The mounting bars 1 are lengthwise arranged one adjacent to each other, so that they are tightly arranged side by side. This arrangement is made at both ends of the sheet, to the wall edges of the equipment to which the sheet is arranged. The sealing sheet 20 is a flexible material, such as a polymer or rubber. The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore but may be varied in both construction and detail.

ITEMS

1. A mounting bar 1 for arranging a dust sealing sheet 20 in connection to a mining equipment 100, the bar 1 comprising: an elongated extension with a specific length having a longitudinal axis X; a tubular cross sectional shape with a longitudinal recess 3 along one side of the bar 1; and a plurality of slots 2 being radially arranged along the bar 1 throughout the longitudinal direction and being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X wherein at the location of the slot 2 the bar comprises a longitudinal segment 4 interconnecting with the bar 1.

2. The bar 1 as in item 1, wherein the slots 2 being evenly distributed throughout the longitudinal direction with two consecutive slots 2 having a specific separation distance in longitudinal direction.

3. The bar 1 as in item 1 or 2, wherein the slot 2 having the widest separation distance in longitudinal direction radially opposite of the longitudinal segment 4 such that the slot 2 being non-uniform around the perimeter of a cross section of the bar 1.

4. The bar 1 as in any of the preceding items, wherein at the location of the slot 2 the bar 1 throughout the longitudinal direction of the slot 2 comprising the longitudinal segment 4 having a perimeter being at least 5% of the full perimeter of the cross section of the bar 1.

5. The bar 1 as in any of the preceding items, wherein the number of slots 2 being at least three.

6. The bar 1 as in any of the preceding items, wherein the bar 1 comprising slots 2 throughout at least 50% of its length. 7. The bar 1 as in any of the preceding items, wherein the slots 2 being arranged in the middle of the length of the bar 1. 8. The bar 1 as in any of the preceding items, wherein the material of the bar 1 being a polymer.

9. A dust sealing assembly 10 comprising a mounting bar 1 as itemed in any preceding item, wherein the assembly 10 comprising: a dust sealing sheet 20 arranged between two walls of a mining equipment 100; wherein a plurality of mounting bars 1 being arranged at the edges for tightly sealing the sheet 20 between the edges.

10. A dust sealing assembly 10 according to item 9, wherein the assembly 10 comprising the plurality of mounting bars 1 being arranged one adjacent to another in longitudinal direction throughout the edges of the walls.