AU2011205070B2 - Mesh - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A mesh panel (10) to be used in concrete. The mesh panel (10) includes a first set of bars that are generally parallel and transversely spaced, and a second set of bars of a 5 generally parallel transversely spaced and secured to the first set of bars (1l) so as to be generally perpendicular thereto, as well as a third set of bars, the third set of bars are generally parallel, transversely spaced, parallel to the bars (12) and again secured to the bars (11). The bars (12) are located in a plane (14) that is spaced from a plane (15) within which the bars (13) are located. iN KY~j

Description

S&F Ref: P006621 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address The Australian Steel Company (Operations) Pty Ltd, of Applicant: an Australian company, ACN 069 426 955, of Level 40, 259 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Ross Bourke Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Mesh Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: [31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2010903386 28 Jul 2010 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(5480607_1) 1 MESH TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to mesh and more particularly but not exclusively to mesh employed in the formation of concrete structures including concrete slabs. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically the formation of concrete structures, such as slabs, will involve the formation of concrete beams and/or concrete columns. The formwork provides cavities within which the beams and columns are formed. The abovementioned cavities are a hazard since they are essentially voids into which a worker may fall or stumble. This hazard is exacerbated by the fact that typically the reinforcing bars and/or mesh have sharp edges and sharp points against which the worker may fall. The abovementioned use of mesh and reinforcing bars has a further disadvantage in that during pouring of the concrete, the voids are often hidden by the freshly poured concrete. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that, during pouring of the concrete, it is not unusual for the workers to move backward over the mesh. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is disclosed herein in combination a plurality of reinforcing mesh panels to be embedded in concrete, the panels including a first metal mesh panel and a second metal mesh panel, with each mesh panel including: a first set of bars, the bars of the first set being generally parallel and transversely spaced, a second set of bars, the bars of the second set being generally parallel, transversely 2 spaced and generally perpendicular to the first set of bars, the second set of bars being generally located in a first plane; a third set of bars, the third set of bars being generally parallel to and spaced from the second set of bars, the third set of bars being located in a second plane, the second plane being spaced from the first plane; and wherein each panel has an edge portion, each edge portion including an end bar of said second set of bars, and at least one bar of said third set, with the edge portions nested; with inclined portions of each first set of bars being joined to the second set of bars and third set of bars of the respective panel, and with the first set of bars of each panel extending to the end bar of the respective panel, with the first set of bars extending beyond each inclined portion. Preferably, each second plane is parallel to each first plane. Preferably, each third set of bars includes at least two bars, the bars of each third set being generally parallel and transversely spaced. Preferably, each third set of bars includes at least one bar. Preferably, each third set of bars includes two bars. Preferably, each edge portion includes at least two bars of said second set, said at least two bars including an end bar. Preferably, each edge portion includes at least two bars of said third set. Preferably, the bars of each second set include a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars, the bars of each third set being located between the first and second pairs of bars of the respective panel, with the bars of each first pair and the bars of each second pair being located transversely closer together than other bars of said second set of the respective panel. Preferably, each first pair of bars includes an end bar of each second set. Preferably, each end bar is spaced from the inclined portions.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic end elevation of an edge portion of a sheet of mesh; Figure 2 is a schematic top end view of a sheet of mesh having the edge portion of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation of a pair of mesh panels, each of the mesh panels having an edge portion as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of the mesh panels of Figure 3; and Figures 5 to 8 are schematic end elevations of a modification of the mesh panel as shown in Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a mesh panel 10. Preferably, the mesh panel 10 is a panel of mesh to be used in concrete. The mesh panel 10 includes a first set of bars 11, the bars 11 are generally parallel and transversely spaced. The panel 10 includes a second set of bars 12, the bars 12 are generally parallel and transversely spaced. The panel 10 includes a third set of bars 13. The bars 13 are generally parallel and transversely spaced, as well as being generally parallel but spaced from the bars 12. The bars 12 are located in a first plane 14, while the bars 13 are located in a second plane 15. The plane 15 is spaced from the plane 14, and is generally parallel thereto. The bars 11 are fixed to the bars 12 and 13, preferably by welding.

4 Preferably, each of the bars 11 has an inclined portion 16, so the bars 13 are spaced from the bars 12 in a direction generally transverse of the bars 12. Preferably, the panel 10 includes a panel edge portion 17, the panel edge portion includes the bars 13 and inclined portions 16, as well as adjacent bars 12(A). In the above described preferred embodiment, the bars 12(A) are located closer together than the remaining bars 12 of the panel 10. The edge portion 17 provides an area that is stiffer and therefore provides an area better suited to provide a mesh area that can be walked upon, such as a mesh area covering a void in the formwork. In particular the end bar 12(A) is spaced from the inclined portions 16, as seen in Figure 1. The bars 11 extend from each inclined portion 16. Two panels 10 can be arranged as shown in Figures 3 and 4, that is with the edge portions 17 nested. By nesting the edge portion 17, a still stiffer area is provided, thereby providing a "walkway" that workers may use. In particular, as seen in Figure 1, the first bar 11 joins the inclined portions 16 and then extends beyond the inclined portion 16 to define extension 21. That is, the first set of bars of each panel extends to the end bar 12(A) of the respective panel. In the above described preferred embodiment the bars 12(A) and 13 coloured to identify the area to be walked upon. In the embodiment of Figure 6, there is further provided bars 27 that are secured to the inclined portions 16 that are spaced from both the planes 14 and 15. In the embodiment of Figure 8, bars 18 are provided that are again secured to the inclined portions 16 so as to be spaced from the planes 14 and 15. As can be best seen in Figures 5 to 8, there is a variety of bars 13, ranging from a single bar 13 to a series of three bards 13. The above described preferred embodiment provides a number of advantages.

5 These advantages include providing in the mesh a more rigid area that is firmer under a worker's feet when they are crossing the mesh. A still further advantage is that due to the improved rigidity of the mesh, it can be used to cover voids in the formwork and therefore provide an area across which a worker may safely traverse a void in the formwork. A still further advantage of the above described preferred embodiment, is having the edge portion 17 brightly coloured to thereby identify and encourage workers to use the designated walkway. In particular this enables supervising staff to ensure that these walkways are employed.

Claims (10)

1. In combination, a plurality of reinforcing mesh panels to be embedded in concrete, the panels including a first metal mesh panel and a second metal mesh panel, with each mesh panel including: a first set of bars, the bars of the first set being generally parallel and transversely spaced, a second set of bars, the bars of the second set being generally parallel, transversely spaced and generally perpendicular to the first set of bars, the second set of bars being generally located in a first plane; a third set of bars, the third set of bars being generally parallel to and spaced from the second set of bars, the third set of bars being located in a second plane, the second plane being spaced from the first plane; and wherein each panel has an edge portion, each edge portion including an end bar of said second set of bars, and at least one bar of said third set, with the edge portions nested, with inclined portions of each first set of bars being joined to the second set of bars and third set of bars of the respective panel, and with the first set of bars of each panel extending to the end bar of the respective panel, with the first set of bars extending beyond each inclined portion.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein each second plane is parallel to each first plane.

3. The combination of claim 1 or 2, wherein each third set of bars includes at least two bars, the bars of each third set being generally parallel and transversely spaced.

4. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each third set of bars includes at least one bar.

5. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each third set of bars includes two bars.

6. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each edge portion includes at least two bars of said second set, said at least two bars including an end bar. 7

7. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each edge portion includes at least two bars of said third set.

8. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bars of each second set include a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars, the bars of each third set being located between the first and second pairs of bars of the respective panel, with the bars of each first pair and the bars of each second pair being located transversely closer together than other bars of said second set of the respective panel.

9. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each first pair of bars includes an end bar of each second set.

10. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each end bar is spaced from the inclined portions. The Australian Steel Company (Operations) Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON