AU2013202519B2

AU2013202519B2 - Mesh

Info

Publication number: AU2013202519B2
Application number: AU2013202519A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ross Bourke
Original assignee: Australian Steel Company Operations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Australian Steel Company Operations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-29
Filing date: 2013-04-04
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-04
Also published as: AU2013202519A1

Abstract

A mesh panel 10 preferably used to reinforce concrete. The mesh panel 10 includes a first set of bars 11, the bars being generally parallel and transversely spaced. A second set of bars 12 extend generally transverse of the bars 11 and secure the bars 11 together. A number of the bars 12 are located closer together adjacent an edge of the mesh 10. C'\I I (0 rrj f~) <iz~ I < I,,

Description

1 MESH FIELD [0001] 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 [0002] 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. [0003] 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. [0004] 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 [0005] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages. SUMMARY [0006] There is disclosed herein a 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; 2 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 the first set of bars is secured to the second set and third set of bars, with each bar of the first set including a first portion, a second portion and inclined portions, with the third set of bars being attached to the second portion, and each inclined portion extends from the first portion to the second portion at an acute angle so that the inclined portions converge from the first portion to the second portion; wherein the second plane is parallel to the first plane; wherein said third set of bars includes at least two bars, the bars of said third set being generally parallel and transversely spaced; wherein the inclined portions of each bar include a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion, with the first inclined portion extending from the first portion to the second portion, and the second inclined portion extending from the second portion to the first portion and has an end extremity. [0007] Preferably, connecting portions of the first set of bars join the second set of bars and third set of bars. [0008] Preferably, the connecting portions of each first bar converge away from the first plane. [0009] Preferably, said third set of bars includes at least one bar. [0010] Preferably, said third set of bars includes two bars. [0011] Preferably, said mesh has an edge portion, said edge portion including an end bar of said second set of bars, and at least one bar of said third set. [0012] Preferably, said edge portion includes at least two bars of said second set, said at least two bars including an end bar. [0013] Preferably, said edge portion includes at least two bars of said third set. [0014] Preferably, the bars of said second set include a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars, the bars of said third set being located between the first and second pairs of bars, with the 3 bars of said first pair and the bars of said second pair being located transversely closer together than other bars of said second set. [0015] Preferably, said first pair of bars includes an end bar of said second set. [0016] Preferably, the third set of bars is located below the second set of bars. [0017] There is further disclosed herein a first mesh panel and a second mesh panel, the first and second mesh panels being as described above, and wherein the edge portion of the first set is nested in the edge portion of the second set. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0019] Figure 1 is a schematic end elevation of an edge portion of a sheet of mesh; [0020] Figure 2 is a schematic top end view of a sheet of mesh having the edge portion of Figure 1; [0021] 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; [0022] Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of the mesh panels of Figure 3; [0023] Figures 5 to 8 are schematic end elevations of a modification of the mesh panel as shown in Figure 3; [0024] Figure 9 is a schematic end elevation of the modification of the sheet of Figures 1 and 2; [0025] Figure 10 is a schematic enlarged view of portion of the mesh of Figure 9; [0026] Figure 11 is a schematic end elevation of the mesh as shown in Figure 9; 4 [0027] Figure 12 is a schematic end elevation of the modification of the mesh as shown in Figure 4; and [0028] Figure 13 is a schematic top plan view of the mesh as shown in Figure 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0029] 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. [0030] The mesh panel 10 is intended to cover the voids previously mentioned. [0031] The panel 10 includes a second set of bars 12, the bars 12 are generally parallel and transversely spaced. [0032] 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. [0033] 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. [0034] The bars 11 are fixed to the bars 12 and 13, preferably by welding. [0035] 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. [0036] Preferably, the panel 10 includes a panel edge portion 17, the panel edge portion includes the bars 13 and inclined portions (connecting portions) 16, as well as adjacent bars 12(A). [0037] In the above described preferred embodiment, the bars 12(A) are located closer together than the remaining bars 12 of the panel 10. [0038] 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.

5 [0039] 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. [0040] In the above described preferred embodiment the bars 12(A) and 13 coloured to identify the area to be walked upon. [0041] In the embodiment of Figure 6, there is further provided bars 17 that are secured to the inclined portions 16 that are spaced from both the planes 14 and 15. [0042] 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. [0043] 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 bars 13. [0044] With reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11, in this embodiment the first wires 11 include first portions 20 (connecting portions), with the portions 20 of each sheet 10 being located generally in the same plane. Spaced from the first portions 20 are second portions 21, with the second portions 21 being located generally in a plane spaced from the first portions 20. The first portions 20 are generally parallel to the second portions 21 with the first portions being generally co-extensive, and the second portions 21 being generally co-extensive. The second portions 21 are joined to the first portions 20 by means of inclined portions 22, with each second portion 21 extending to an inclined portion 23. In this embodiment the second portions 21 are located adjacent an edge of the sheet 10. The inclined portions 23 are inclined to the lengths 20 and 21 by acute angles and converge away from the first portion 20. [0045] As best seen in Figure 9, preferably the sheets 10 are overlaying so that the lengths 21, and portions 22 and 23 are located below the next sheet 10. By this arrangement a walkway 24 is provided by the sheets 10 adjacent the second lengths 21. [0046] In the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13, the second lengths 21 and inclined lengths 22 and 23 provide a recess 25 within which the first length 21 and inclined portions 22 and 23 of the next adjacent sheet 10 are nested.

6 [0047] As best seen in Figure 9, the bars 12 are closer together at edge portions 26 and 27. [0048] As can be seen in the above embodiment, the bars 13 are located below the bars 12 with the portions 21 generally parallel to the portions 20. [0049] In the above description, the word bars is intended to encompass wires. [0050] The above described preferred embodiment provides a number of advantages. [0051] 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 or being supported on the edge portions 26 and 27, and walkway. The mesh when used to cover a void prevents a worker being able to fall or step into a void. 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 portions 17, 26 and 27 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

1. A 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 the first set of bars is secured to the second set and third set of bars, with each bar of the first set including a first portion, a second portion and inclined portions, with the third set of bars being attached to the second portion, and each inclined portion extends from the first portion to the second portion at an acute angle so that the inclined portions converge from the first portion to the second portion; wherein the second plane is parallel to the first plane; wherein said third set of bars includes at least two bars, the bars of said third set being generally parallel and transversely spaced; wherein the inclined portions of each bar include a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion, with the first inclined portion extending from the first portion to the second portion, and the second inclined portion extending from the second portion to the first portion and has an end extremity.

2. The mesh of any claim 1, wherein connecting portions of the first set of bars join the second set of bars and third set of bars.

3. The mesh of claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portions of each first bar converge away from the first plane.

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

5. The mesh of claim 4, wherein said third set of bars includes two bars. 8

6. The mesh of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said mesh has an edge portion, said edge portion including an end bar of said second set of bars, and at least one bar of said third set.

7. The mesh of claim 6, wherein said edge portion includes at least two bars of said second set, said at least two bars including an end bar.

8. The mesh of claim 6 or 7, wherein said edge portion includes at least two bars of said third set.

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

10. The mesh of claim 9, wherein said first pair of bars includes an end bar of said second set.

11. The mesh of claim 9 or 10, wherein the third set of bars is located below the second set of bars.

12. In combination, a first mesh panel and a second mesh panel, the first and second mesh panels being the mesh of claim 6, 7 or 8, or claim 9, 10 or 11, when appended to claim 6, 7 or 8, and wherein the edge portion of the first set is nested in the edge portion of the second set. The Australian Steel Company (Operations) Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON