AU2017100510A4

AU2017100510A4 - Containment safety mesh

Info

Publication number: AU2017100510A4
Application number: AU2017100510A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Eade
Original assignee: Dre Sitemax Pty Ltd; Jd Sitemax Pty Ltd; Ml Sitemax Pty Ltd; Scafclad Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Dre Sitemax Pty Ltd; Jd Sitemax Pty Ltd; Ml Sitemax Pty Ltd; Scafclad Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-08
Filing date: 2017-05-08
Publication date: 2017-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-08

Abstract

A containment safety mesh for use with scaffolding, the containment safety mesh including a grid having a plurality of strands, a first set of the strands 5 positioned in a first direction, and a second set of the strands positioned substantially transverse to the first set of the strands, and a first impervious layer attached to the grid, wherein each of the strands has a breaking strain of 0.1kN or higher. 0r14 16 Figure 1

Description

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CONTAINMENT SAFETY MESH

FIELD OF INVENTION O 5 O o

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The present invention relates to a safety mesh. Reference will be made in the specification to the use of the invention with respect to scaffolding. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Safety mesh is installed on scaffolding to prevent workers, objects and tools from falling off the scaffolding. The safety mesh also prevents falling objects from hitting workers that are working on or around the scaffolding. A 50mm x 50mm or a 25mm x 25mm safety mesh is currently installed on scaffolding. This mesh provides sufficient strength but does not provide adequate protection against smaller objects falling through the gaps of the mesh.

To address the problem of large gaps where smaller objects can fall through, shade cloth type liners have been used.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with safety mesh and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 The inventor identified that water and dust can pass through conventional safety mesh. The inventor saw this as a problem and developed a solution to not only stop small objects from passing through a safety mesh, but to also substantially prevent dust and water from passing therethrough. The inventor looked at various alternatives and conducted trials and experiments before developing the present 30 invention.

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a containment safety mesh for use with scaffolding, the containment safety mesh including -2 -

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r- o (N 0 0 25 30 a grid having a plurality of strands, a first set of the strands positioned in a first direction, and a second set of the strands positioned substantially transverse to the first set of the strands; and an impervious layer integral with or attached to the grid, wherein each of the strands has a breaking strain of O.lkN or higher. Preferably the second set of the strands are oriented substantially at 90° to the first set of the strands. Preferably each of the plurality of strands has a minimum breaking strength of 0.25kN. More preferably the breaking strength of each of the plurality of strands is at least 1kN. In one embodiment, the breaking strength of each of the plurality of strands is at least 2kN. Preferably each of the plurality of strands has a width or diameter of 2.5mm to 15mm. Preferably each of the strands is spaced from a parallel one of the plurality of strands by at least 10mm. Preferably each of the strands is spaced from a parallel one of the plurality of strands by between 20mm to 80mm. Preferably, each of the strands is spaced from a parallel one of the plurality of strands by between substantially 25mm to 65mm. More preferably, each of the strands is spaced from a parallel one of the plurality of strands by substantially 40mm to 55mm. In one embodiment each of the strands is spaced from a parallel one of the plurality of strands by up to 150mm. Preferably each of the plurality of strands are made of plastic. In one embodiment, the plurality of strands are made of plastic reinforced with polyester. Preferably the plastic is polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, or polyethylene. Alternatively, each of the plurality of strands is made of steel, rubber, basalt, fiberglass, nylon, polyester, HOPE ora composite material. In one embodiment, each of the strands includes reinforcing. Preferably the reinforcing includes polyester or HOPE. In another embodiment the reinforcing is made of metal. More preferably the reinforcing is made of steel. Preferably the plurality of strands are woven together to form the grid. Preferably the plurality of strands are fused together to form the safety mesh. Alternatively, the plurality of strands are glued, welded, knotted, knitted, extruded and/or laminated together to form the safety mesh. -3 -

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Preferably the impervious layer is impervious to dust. Preferably the impervious layer is impervious to liquid. More preferably the impervious layer is impervious to fluid. Preferably the impervious layer is flexible. Preferably the impervious layer is made of a plastic material. More preferably the impervious layer is made of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) vinyl material. Preferably the impervious layer is between 50 and 250gsm. Preferably the impervious layer has at least a 500kPa burst pressure. More preferably the impervious layer has at least a lOOOkPa burst pressure. Preferably the impervious layer is attached to a first side of the grid. More preferably the impervious layer is glued to the first side of the grid. Preferably the impervious layer is translucent. More preferably the impervious layer is substantially transparent. In a preferred embodiment, the impervious layer is a first impervious layer that is adjacent a first side of the grid and there is a second impervious layer that is adjacent a second side of the grid. Preferably the first impervious layer and the second impervious layer sandwich the grid. Preferably the first impervious layer and the second impervious layer are as described above. Preferably, the combined burst pressure of the first impervious layer and the second impervious layer is at least lOOOkPa. Preferably the first impervious layer is attached to the second impervious layer. Preferably the safety mesh complies with the requirements of Queensland Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, section 315D. In one embodiment, the safety mesh further includes at least one indicator strand. Preferably the at least one indicator strand is removable from the safety mesh. Preferably the at least one indicator strand has the same characteristics as one of the plurality of strands. Preferably the at least one indicator strand has the same strength as one of the plurality of strands. Preferably the at least one indicator strand has the same thickness as one of the plurality of strands. Preferably the at least one indicator strand has the same width as one of the plurality of strands. Preferably the at least one indicator strand is made of the material as one of the -4 -

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r- o (N 0 0 25 30 plurality of strands. Preferably the spacing between the at least one indicator strand and an adjacent parallel one of the plurality of strands is different to the spacing between two adjacent parallel strands. Preferably the spacing between the at least one indicator strand and an adjacent parallel one of the plurality of strands is less than the spacing between two adjacent parallel strands. In another embodiment, the safety mesh further includes at least one support strand. Preferably the at least one support strand is woven along each of the second set of the strands. Preferably the at least one support strand secures the corresponding one of the second set of strands to the first set of strands. In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a containment safety mesh for use with scaffolding, the containment safety mesh including a grid having a plurality of strands, a first set of the strands positioned in a first direction, and a second set of the strands positioned substantially transverse to the first set of the strands; a first impervious layer attached to the grid on a first side thereof; and a second impervious layer attached to the grid on a second side thereof, wherein each of the strands has a breaking strain of O.lkN or higher. In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in scaffolding having a containment safety mesh attached thereto, the containment safety mesh as described in this specification In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in scaffolding having a containment safety mesh attached thereto, the containment safety mesh including a grid having a plurality of strands, a first set of the strands positioned in a first direction, and a second set of the strands positioned substantially transverse to the first set of the strands; and a first impervious layer attached to the grid, wherein each of the strands has a breaking strain of O.lkN or higher. The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated. - 5 -

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O O r- o (N 0 25 30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of a containment safety mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic view of a grid of a containment safety mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic exploded view of a containment safety mesh 10. The containment safety mesh 10 has a grid 12. The grid 12 has a first set of strands 14 oriented in a first direction, and a second set of strands 16 oriented substantially transverse to the first set of strands 14. An impervious layer in the form of a first impervious layer 18 is attached to the grid 12 on a first side thereof, and a second impervious layer 20 is attached to the grid 12 on a second side thereof. The first set of strands 14 and the second set of strands 16 are made of polyester. The first set of strands 14 and the second set of strands 16 are woven together. Each of the strands 14,16 has a breaking strain of at least 2kN. The first set of strands 14 are spaced from each other by substantially 50mm. The second set of strands 16 are spaced from each other by substantially 50mm. The first impervious layer 18 is laminated to the first side of the grid 12 and the second impervious layer 20 is laminated to the second side of the grid 12. The first impervious layer 18 is also heat laminated to the second impervious layer 20. The first impervious layer 18 and the second impervious layer 20 are made of a transparent low-density polyethylene. With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a grid 12 of a containment safety mesh. The strands 14,16 are woven together. The grid 12 also has a plurality of support strands 22. Each support strand 22 is woven along a strand 16. The support strands 22 further secure the strands 16 to transverse (relative to the strand 16) strands 14.

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ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the containment safety mesh includes preventing dust and fluids from coming through the containment safety mesh. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the containment safety mesh includes improved visibility compared to safety meshes with shade cloth type liners. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the containment safety mesh includes a more secure arrangement of the grid by attaching the grid to one impervious layer or sandwiching the grid between two impervious layers.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A containment safety mesh for use with scaffolding, the containment safety mesh including a grid having a plurality of strands, a first set of the strands positioned in a first direction, and a second set of the strands positioned substantially transverse to the first set of the strands; and a first impervious layer integral with or attached to the grid, wherein each of the strands has a breaking strain of 0.1 kN or higher.

2. A containment safety mesh as claimed in claim 1, further including a second impervious layer, wherein the first impervious layer is attached to a first side of the grid and the second impervious layer is attached to a second side of the grid.

3. A containment safety mesh as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first impervious layer and the second impervious layer have a combined burst pressure of at least 1000kPa.

4. A containment safety mesh as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the strands has a breaking strain of at least 2kN.

5. Scaffolding having a containment safety mesh, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, attached thereto.