AU2019200334B2 - Mesh cover and support - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective cover for metal mesh comprises caps which are respectively mountable to free ends of the metal mesh and further comprising a mesh support portion having a body that includes a plurality of recesses, each recess adapted to receive a mesh strand. The 5 caps may each comprise internal members such as ribs, projections or vanes that facilitate mounting and/or securing the caps to the free ends of the mesh. Further, the mesh support portion can include a plurality of recesses that are oriented at about 90 relative to each other about a central axis of the body. 3581065vl

Description

MESH COVER AND SUPPORT

TECHNICAL FIELD

THIS INVENTION relates to a cover for reinforcing metal. More particularly, this invention relates to a protective cover for the free ends of steel reinforcing mesh or steel bars. The present application is a divisional of Australian Patent Application No. 2014201295 and also claims priority from Australian Patent Application No. 2018900925, each of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Reinforcing metal such as steel mesh and reinforcing “reo” bars are typically used to reinforce concrete such as in building slabs, floors, paths, driveways and roads. In many cases the reinforcing metal is transported to, and stored at, construction sites with protruding free ends, such as along one or more sides of a steel mesh sheet. These ends can be dangerous to workers and other persons handling, working or 15 walking near the mesh. The free ends are also susceptible to being bent and can also be entangled with the free ends of adjacent mesh sheets when stacked.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have realized a need for a device which is capable of protecting or otherwise covering the free ends of reinforcing metal, such as steel reinforcing mesh and/or reinforcing bars. The invention is therefore broadly directed to a 20 protective cover for the free ends of reinforcing metal, such as steel reinforcing mesh, which protects the metal mesh from damage and/or protects workers or other persons from injury by the free ends of the reinforcing metal or mesh.

A preferred advantage is that the protective cover is quickly and easily mounted to the free ends of the metal.

In another embodiment, the protective cover may be capable of supporting metal mesh, such as when pouring concrete over the metal mesh.

In one aspect, the invention provides a protective cover for reinforcing metal comprising one or a plurality of caps which are respectively mountable to free ends of the reinforcing metal.

In one embodiment, the caps each comprise internal members such as ribs, projections, vanes or the like that facilitate mounting and/or securing the caps to the free ends of the reinforcing metal.

In one particular embodiment, the plurality of caps are interconnected by respective spacers.

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In another particular embodiment, the protective cover further comprises a plurality of bracing members which are capable of releasably engaging a mesh strand oriented perpendicularly to the free ends of the metal mesh.

In one particular form of this embodiment, the bracing members comprise serrations or teeth which releasably engage a mesh strand oriented perpendicularly to the free ends of the metal mesh.

In another aspect, the invention provides a protective cover for metal mesh comprising a sleeve which is mountable to a plurality of free ends of the metal mesh.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides reinforcing metal comprising at least one protective cover of either or both of the aforementioned aspects mounted thereto.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of mounting a protective cover to reinforcing metal, said method including the step of mounting the protective cover of either or both of the aforementioned aspects to free ends of the reinforcing metal

In one embodiment, the method includes the step of releasably engaging a mesh 15 strand oriented perpendicularly to the free ends of the reinforcing metal.

A further related aspect of the invention provides a protective cover for reinforcing metal comprising one or a plurality of caps which are respectively mountable to free ends of the reinforcing metal and further comprising a mesh support portion having a body that includes a plurality of recesses, each recess adapted to receive a mesh strand.

In an embodiment, the body comprises four (4) recesses that are oriented at about

90° relative to each other about a central axis of the body.

Preferably, the four (4) recesses comprise a first pair of opposed recesses and a second pair of opposed recesses, wherein the first pair of opposed recesses is offset relative to the second pair of opposed recesses.

In use, this further aspect provides a protective cover that may have alternative uses, one of which is covering free ends of reinforcing mesh or bars and the other is supporting mesh by said first pair of opposed recesses recess receiving and supporting a first mesh strand and said second pair of opposed recesses recess receiving and supporting a second mesh strand.

Another related aspect of the invention provides a method of supporting metal mesh which includes the step of locating mesh strands, or portions thereof, in respective recesses of the protective cover of the aforementioned aspect.

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Suitably, the cap engages ground to facilitate or assist supporting the metal mesh.

In an embodiment, the protective cover comprises opposed apertures through which a blocking member, such as a rod, may be inserted.

In an embodiment, protective cover comprises a plurality of bosses that facilitate creating a space between the protective cover and ground when the protective cover supports metal mesh.

In yet another embodiment, the protective cover comprises opposed sidewall cutouts that allow poured concrete to enter inside each protective cover when the protective cover supports metal mesh.

Generally, as used herein “reinforcing metal” may include reinforcing mesh, bars (e.g “reo bars”) and/or pickets having one or more free ends. Suitably, the metal mesh referred to in the aforementioned aspects is steel reinforcing mesh. Typically, the steel reinforcing mesh is of a size, strength and/or configuration suitable for reinforcing concrete. In some embodiments, the mesh may be in any size from 5.2 to 20 mm 15 diameter.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to mean the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a cap mounted to a free end of steel mesh;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a protective cover, comprising spacers, mounted to free ends of steel mesh;

FIG. 3 A (upper panel) shows a plan view of an embodiment of a protective cover, comprising bracing members, mounted to free ends of steel mesh; and FIG 3B (lower panel) shows a side view of a bracing member;

FIG. 4A (upper panel) shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a protective cover mounted to free ends of steel mesh; FIG. 4B (middle panel) shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a protective cover, comprising spacers, mounted to free ends of steel mesh; FIG. 4C (lower panel) shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a protective cover, comprising spacers and bracing members, mounted to free ends of steel mesh;

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FIG. 5A shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a protective cover, comprising spacers, mounted to free ends of steel mesh; and FIG 5B shows a sectional view of a cap according to this embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a protective cover comprising a sleeve mounted to the free ends of steel mesh;

FIG. 7A and 7B respectively show front and rear views of an embodiment of a protective cover configured to be used to cover mesh ends and also to be used to support metal mesh;

FIG. 8A shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a protective cover configured to be used to cover mesh ends and also to be used to support metal mesh;

FIG. 8B shows a top plan view of an embodiment of a protective cover configured to be used to cover mesh ends and also to be used to support metal mesh;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a plurality of aligned protective covers mounted to reinforcing bars and a blocking rod extending through an between each protective cover;

and

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective cover shown in FIGS 7 and 8, in use supporting metal mesh

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, protective cover 100 comprises cap 110 which is mounted to free end 210 of steel mesh 200. Cap 110 comprises body 111 having head portion 112 and internal wall 113 that defines cavity 114 configured to fit over free end 210. Internal wall 113 is substantially circumferential to match the outer diameter of free end 210 of mesh 200. Free ends 210 of mesh 200 are typically, although not exclusively, about 6 25 mm-10mm in diameter, so cavity 114 may be dimensioned slightly less at about 5-9mm (depending on steel mesh 200 strand diameter) to facilitate frictional engagement between flexible cap llOandfree end210. Cap 110 maybe formed of rigid plastic or may be heat shrunk onto free end 210.

Referring to FIG. 2, protective cover 100 comprises plurality of caps 110 which 30 are mounted to respective free ends 210 of steel mesh 200 along each of sides 201 A, B and are interconnected by respective spacers 120.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, bracing members 130 are located at approximate midpoint 121 of spacer 120. The number and spacing of bracing members 130 may be varied as required. Referring to FIG. 3B, bracing members 130 comprise jaw

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2019200334 18 Jan 2019 member 131, that respectively comprise plurality of teeth or serrations 132A, 132B. Jaw member 131 is positioned to releasably engage perpendicular mesh strand 220 (i.e., relative to free ends 210) of steel mesh 200.

The embodiments described in FIGS 1-3 are summarized in FIGS. 4A-C.

An embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B shows that to further aid frictional engagement between cap 110 and free ends 210 of steel mesh 200, internal wall 113 of cap 110 comprises plurality of ribs 115, which are formed of a resiliently deformable material whereby ribs 115 grip free ends 210. In this embodiment, ribs 115 are oriented in a direction toward spacers 120 (shown by a solid arrow) to thereby easily slide in the 10 direction of the solid arrow over any protuberances (not shown) typically present on free ends 210 when mounting caps 110 to free ends 210 of steel mesh 200. Likewise, ribs 115 while can engage the protuberences to prevent caps 110 inadvertently being pulled off free ends 210 of steel mesh 200. Although not shown, this embodiment of protective cover 100 may further comprise a plurality of bracing members 130 as shown in FIG. 3A, 15 3BorFIG. 4C.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, protective cover 100 comprises sleeve 140 that comprises elongate head portion 141, cavity 142 and sheet members 143 A, B. Cavity 142 is located between sheet members 143 A, B and extends into elongate head portion 141. Cover 100 is placed over a plurality of free ends 210 of steel mesh 200 20 by pushing protective cover 100 onto free ends 210 so that free ends 210 slide into cavity 142, effectively clamped by sheet members 143A, B which are formed of a resiliently deformable material, typically a plastic or other synthetic polymeric material. Cavity 142 typically has a width that is slightly less than the outside diameter of free ends 210 of mesh 200, to facilitate clamping engagement of free ends 210. Cavity 142 may be 25 continuous or may be segmented or otherwise comprise a plurality of separate cavities 142, whereby free ends 210 of mesh 200 fit into respective cavities 142 or cavity segments 142.

It will be appreciated that protective cover 100 may be removed from steel mesh 200 prior to pouring concrete over steel mesh 200, for example. However, preferably 30 protective cover 100 is formed of a material (typically a plastic or other synthetic polymeric material) that does not compromise the integrity, strength or other desirable quality of concrete (for example) when poured over steel mesh 200 while protective cover 100 remains mounted to free ends 210.

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In another embodiment shown in FIGS 7-10, protective cover 1000 comprises cap

1100 and body 1110 having mesh support portion 1500. Body 1110 is of a substantially cylindrical cross-section. Protective cover 1000 further comprises support members

1116A, B, C, D that interconnect cap 1100 and body 1110, channel 1117 as best seen in

FIG. 7B, sidewall cut-outs 1118A, B and bosses 1119A, B, C, D.

In use, cap 1100 may be used to cover ends of reinforcing metal such as mesh 1200 as previously described or, alternatively, may be used to support mesh 1200.

In embodiments where protective cover 1000 is used to engage ends of reinforcing metal such as mesh 1200, longitudinal ribs 1115 are located in cavity 1114 inside body 10 1110 to facilitate frictional engagement with ends of mesh 1200 or other reinforcing metal in a manner similar to that described for previous embodiments. A particular embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes a plurality of protective covers 1000 which are each mounted to respective ends 1241 of reo bars 1240, wherein blocking rod 1250 is inserted through apertures 1117 to prevent reo bar ends 1241 being pushed in the direction of the solid 15 arrow and piercing through the protective covers 1000. In this embodiment, blocking rod

1250 is a single, continuous rod that interconnects the plurality of aligned, protective covers 1000. However, in alternative embodiments, a plurality of shorter, individual blocking rod 1250 could be inserted through apertures 1117 of each protective cover 1000, particularly when protective covers 1000 are not aligned in the manner shown in 20 FIG. 9.

In embodiments where protective cover 1000 is used to support mesh 1200, protective cover 1000 is oriented so that cap 1100 engages ground whereby body 1110 and mesh support portion 1500 is oriented vertically. Mesh support portion 1500 comprises respective, opposed cut-outs or recesses 1510A, B, C, D that are oriented at 25 about 90° relative to each other as indicated by the hatched lines X and Y that intersect at central axis 1111 of body 1110 in FIG 8B. This orientation facilitates engagement and support of mesh strands 1210 and 1220 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. In this context, as is evident from a comparison of FIG. 7A & B, opposed cut-outs or recesses 151 ΙΑ, B are offset (i.e., of relatively longer length) compared to opposed cut-outs or 30 recesses 1511 C, D. As is best seen in FIG. 10, this facilitates engagement and support of mesh 1200 having a typical configuration that comprises upper strand 1210 and lower strand 1220 that are perpendicular and connected at join 1230. It will be appreciated that for ease of illustration, FIG. 10 only shows single strands 1210, 1220 and join 1230, but typically mesh 1200 would comprise a plurality of strands and joins. In this orientation,

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2019200334 18 Jan 2019 mesh 1200 is laid over and supported by each protective cover 1000 by way of each mesh strand join 1230 being located such that the adjacent strand portions 1211 and 1221 around the join 1230 are accommodated by cut-outs or recesses 1511 A, B and 1511C, D, respectively, so that mesh support portion 1500 of body 1110 supports strands 1210 and

1220. In this configuration, concrete may be poured over mesh 1200 supported by a plurality of protective covers 1000.

It should also be appreciated that in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, bosses 1119A, B, C, D facilitate creating a space between cap 1110 of protective cover 1000 and ground, so that when concrete is poured it can fill the space under the protective covers 10 1000. This is particularly important in an elevated structure (such as a carpark) to avoid cap 1100 of protective cover 1000 being visible from underneath once formwork is removed.

Also relevant to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is that sidewall cut-outs 1118A, B allow poured concrete to enter inside each protective cover 1000 to prevent 15 formation of void spaces in each protective cover. Also, sidewall cut-outs 1118A, B may provide an attachment point whereby wire or other fixing material can be used to connect or tie mesh 1200 to protective cover 1000 to thereby maintain engagement between mesh 1200 and protective cover 1000.

The invention therefore provides a protective cover for the free ends of reinforcing 20 metal such as steel reinforcing mesh or reo bars, which protects the metal mesh from damage and/or protects workers or other persons from injury by free ends of the reinforcing metal. Furthermore, the protective cover is quickly and easily mounted to the reinforcing metal. Also, the protective cover can be used to support steel mesh such as during a concrete pour.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present 30 invention.

Claims (10)

1. A protective cover for a reinforcing metal, the cover comprising:

a body portion having first and second ends and comprising a cavity that opens at

2. The protective cover of Claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises internal members such as ribs, projections and/or vanes that facilitate mounting and/or securing the cover to the free end of the reinforcing metal.

15

3. The protective cover of Claim 1, or Claim 2, wherein the reinforcing metal is or comprises a metal mesh.

4. The protective cover of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesh strand is from a metal mesh.

5 the free ends of the reinforcing metal.

12. The method of Claim 11, wherein the reinforcing metal is or comprises a metal mesh.

13. A metal mesh comprising one or a plurality of the protective covers of any one of Claims 1 to 9 supporting the metal mesh.

5. The protective cover of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesh support 20 portion comprises four (4) recesses that are oriented at about 90° relative to each other about a central axis of the body.

5 the first end thereof, wherein the cavity is for receiving a free end of the reinforcing metal;

a cap portion disposed at the second end of the body portion and oriented substantially perpendicularly thereto, wherein the cap and/or the body portion comprise opposed apertures that define a channel therebetween for receiving a blocking member; and

10 a mesh support portion disposed at the first end of the body portion, the mesh support portion having a plurality of recesses, each adapted to receive a mesh strand.

6. The protective cover of Claim 5, wherein the four (4) recesses comprise a first pair of opposed recesses and a second pair of opposed recesses, wherein the first pair of opposed recesses is offset relative to the second pair of opposed recesses.

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7. The protective cover of Claim 6, wherein said first pair of opposed recesses is adapted to receive and support a first mesh strand and said second pair of opposed recesses is adapted to receive and support a second mesh strand.

8. The protective cover of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion further comprises one or a plurality of sidewall cut-outs.

30

9. The protective cover of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap portion further comprises one or a plurality of bosses for creating a space between the cap portion and a ground surface.

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10. A reinforcing metal comprising at least one protective cover according to any one of Claims 1-9, mounted to at least one of the free ends of the reinforcing metal.

11. A method of mounting a protective cover to free ends of reinforcing metal, said method including the step of mounting the protective cover of any one of Claims 1-9 to

10 14. A method of supporting metal mesh which includes the step of locating mesh strands, or portions thereof, in respective recesses of the protective cover of any one of Claims 1 to 9.