AU2014253545A1 - Anti-skid plate and process for making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014 Abstract An anti-skid plate is provided including a planar sheet of metal and an array of beads of metal on one surface of the plate. In one embodiment, the beads have a height of about 4 to 5mm and a width of about 4 to 5mm. The array of beads provides an anti-skid surface which has a coefficient of friction around 0.8 dry and 0.7 wet, when used with vehicles. The surface is hard wearing and has no appreciable deterioration in the coefficient of friction over a number of years. A process for making an anti-skid plate is also provided, wherein beads are formed on the plate by welding an array of beads onto the plate at the required pitch on a suitable metal plate. Typically, there is some variation in the size and shape of the beads. Alternatively, the beads are produced by hot roll forming beads at the required pitch in/on metal plates of any thickness. [Fig. 5] -- - c :3 .- --- ~ ' ----- - \ Z'4

Description

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014 - 1 ANTI-SKID PLATE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING THE SAME TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to an anti-skid plate and to a process for making the same. BACKGROUND [0002] It is known to produce anti-skid plates for use in various industrial and commercial applications. One common application is for use on roads and paths to cover holes or other works over which vehicles or pedestrian might wish to travel. Anti-skid plates used for this process are typically mild or stainless steel plates, or sometimes aluminium plates, and they come in various thicknesses to suit the application. There are two types which are in common use. [0003] Checker plate steel is the most commonly used and these plates have a raised surface formed from groups of three or four parallel raised fingers arranged in squares which resemble checker boards. There are a number of different designs of checker plate on the market, but typically the fingers are raised from the surface of the plate by around one millimetre or so and are around 20 to 50 mm long and are made by a roll forming process. While checker plate does provide some anti-skid properties, and tends to be quite hard wearing and durable, it does not provide a particularly high coefficient of friction. [0004] It is also know to provide anti-skid surfaces by coating a steel plate or other surface with an adhesive such as an epoxy resin and particles such as grit or the like and/or by coating the surface with an anti-skid spray paint. While the plates formed by such processes tend to provide much better anti-skid properties and a much higher coefficient of friction, the coatings tend to wear off relatively quickly and the anti-skid properties reduce considerably over time.

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014 -2 [0005] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. BRIEF SUMMARY [0006] The present invention seeks to provide an anti-skid plate with improved features and/or properties, and a process for making the same. [0007] According to one example aspect, the present invention provides an anti-skid plate including a planar sheet of metal and an array of beads of metal on one surface of the plate. [0008] In another particular, but non-limiting, example form, the beads have a height of at least 2mm, more preferably about 3 to 6mm, and most preferably about 4 to 5mm. In another form, the beads have a width of at least 6mm, more preferably about 3 to 6mm, and most preferably about 4 to 5mm. [0009] In another form, the height of the beads is substantially the same as their width. [0010] In another form, the spacing between the centres of adjacent beads in the array will be around 8 to 30mm, more preferably around 8 to 20mm, and most preferably around 8 to 10mm. [0011] In another form, the array of beads provides an anti-skid surface which has a coefficient of friction around 0.8 dry and 0.7 wet, when used with vehicles. [0012] In another form, the surface has no appreciable deterioration in the coefficient of friction over a number of years. [0013] In another form, beads are formed on the plate by welding an array of beads onto the plate at the required pitch on a suitable metal plate. [0014] In another form, there is some variation in the size and shape of the beads.

H:\kmh\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014 -3 [0015] In another form, the beads are formed individually. [0016] In another form, the plate is oriented in a substantially vertical orientation to reduce the likelihood of the beads collapsing. [0017] In another form, the beads are spaced around 5 to 10mm apart. [0018] In another form, the array of beads is formed on thin sheets of metal which are then attached to a thicker plate of any suitable size or thickness. [0019] In another form, the beads are produced by hot roll forming beads at the required pitch in/on metal plates of any thickness. [0020] In another form, the beads include a series of beads having raised portions linked by waist portions, both of which are raised from the base surface of the plate. [0021] In another form, the bead is around 3 to 6mm high and the waist portions are around 1 to 2mm high measured from the underlying flat top surface of the flat plate. [0022] In another form, the plate is made from mild steel or stainless steel. [0023] In another form, the plate is made from aluminium or an alloy of aluminium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES [0024] Example embodiments should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one preferred but non limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures. [0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0026] Figure 1A shows a sample plate pattern showing beads formed on the plate in a curved pattern; [0027] Figure 1B shows a sample plate pattern showing beads formed on the plate in a horizontal pattern; H:\knh\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014 -4 [0028] Figure 1C shows a sample plate pattern showing beads formed on the plate in an oblique pattern; [0029] Figure 1D shows a sample plate pattern showing beads formed on the plate in a vertical pattern; [0030] Figure 2 shows a top view of a bead pattern formed on a plate by a roll forming method; [0031] Figure 3 is a side view of the bead pattern shown in Figure 2, with hidden detail shown in dashed lines; [0032] Figure 4 is a section on A-A of Figure 2; and [0033] Figure 5 shows a series of rectangular anti-skid plates. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0034] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments. [0035] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures. [0036] Referring to the drawings, Figures 1A to 1D show sample anti-skid plates 10A to 10D, in which beads of mild steel have been welded onto a mild steel plate in a desired array or matrix. [0037] The beads are typically of the order of 2 to 6mm in diameter and 2 to 6mm high measured from the top surface of the plate. They are most preferably about 4mm in diameter and 4mm high. The beads may be located at centres which are from around 5 to 10mm apart, though the pitch may be varied. [0038] The beads may be individually welded onto the plate. Because the beads are formed from globules of melted steel, they are typically not of a uniform shape and size.

H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014 -5 [0039] The term bead is used throughout the specification to broadly describe a small piece of steel or other material, but is not necessarily spherical or any other particular shape. The term bead may be used interchangeably with other similar terms such as globule, blob, lobe, drop or spot. [0040] The array of beads may be varied as shown in the various Figures 1A to 1D between the curved, horizontal, vertical, and oblique patterns shown, or indeed any other desired pattern. [0041] Figures 2 to 4 shows a bead pattern which is formed by hot rolling, in which case the beads adopt a regular pattern governed by the pattern on the roller used in the process, rather than being generally irregular in shape, as shown in Figures 1A to 1D. [0042] In particular, Figure 2 shows a plan view of an anti-skid plate 20 having a bead pattern in which the beads 22 are more elongate than the beads of Figures 1A to 1D and are joined by waist portions 24. [0043] The beads 22 are arranged in offset rows spaced at a distance x (about 5mm) separated by valleys 26. [0044] The width w, of the beads 22 at their widest is about 5mm, and the width w, of the waists 24 at their narrowest is about 3mm. [0045] The centres of the beads 22 in each row are a distance d of about 12mm apart. The height h, of each bead 22 measured from the flat top surface 28 of the plate is about 4mm. The height h 2 of the waist portion 24 measured from the flat top surface 28 of the plate is about 2mm. The total thickness t of the plate measured from the rear of the plate to the top of the beads is about 11mm. [0046] The dimensions and plate thickness may be varied from the specific examples set out above. It is also possible to form the anti-skid surfaces on a thinner plate and attach those sheets onto thicker plates of any size to form an anti-skid surface. [0047] Referring to Figure 5, a plate 50 of rectangular shape is shown. Preferably, large square or rectangular plates such as these are used.

H:\knh\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014 -6 [0048] The application of the invention can be anywhere that an anti-skid surface is required. This may include, but is not limited to, road plates or other covers on roads, manhole covers, stairs, and entry and exit points on vehicles. More generally the invention can be used in infrastructure, building, construction, transport, marine, mining and/or general engineering industries. [0049] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (18)

1. An anti-skid plate including a planar sheet of metal and an array of beads of metal on one surface of the plate.

2. The anti-skid plate according to claim 1, wherein the beads have a height of at least 2mm, more preferably about 3 to 6mm, and most preferably about 4 to 5mm.

3. The anti-skid plate according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the beads have a width of at least 6mm, more preferably about 3 to 6mm, and most preferably about 4 to 5mm.

4. The anti-skid plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height of the beads is substantially the same as their width.

5. The anti-skid plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spacing between the centres of adjacent beads in the array will be around 8 to 30mm, more preferably around 8 to 20mm, and most preferably around 8 to 10mm.

6. The anti-skid plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the array of beads provides an anti-skid surface which has a coefficient of friction around 0.8 dry and 0.7 wet, when used with vehicles.

7. The anti-skid plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the surface has no appreciable deterioration in the coefficient of friction over a number of years.

8. A process for making an anti-skid plate, wherein beads are formed on the plate by welding an array of beads onto the plate at the required pitch on a suitable metal plate.

9. The process according to claim 8, wherein there is some variation in the size and shape of the beads.

10. The process according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the beads are formed individually. H:\kmih\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\KMH\6904812_I.docx-24/10/2014

11. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the plate is oriented in a substantially vertical orientation to reduce the likelihood of the beads collapsing.

12. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the beads are spaced around 5 to 10mm apart.

13. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the array of beads is formed on thin sheets of metal which are then attached to a thicker plate of any suitable size or thickness.

14. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the beads are produced by hot roll forming beads at the required pitch in/on metal plates of any thickness.

15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the beads include a series of beads having raised portions linked by waist portions, both of which are raised from the base surface of the plate.

16. The process according to claim 15, wherein the bead is around 3 to 6mm high and the waist portions are around 1 to 2mm high measured from the underlying flat top surface of the flat plate.

17. The anti-skid plate or process according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the plate is made from mild steel or stainless steel.

18. The anti-skid plate or process according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the plate is made from aluminium or an alloy of aluminium.