AU694223B2

AU694223B2 - Termite barrier ring

Info

Publication number: AU694223B2
Application number: AU24980/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Leon Gabelich
Original assignee: RULEHAVEN Pty Ltd
Current assignee: RULEHAVEN Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1994-07-14
Filing date: 1995-07-13
Publication date: 1998-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-13
Also published as: AU2498095A

Description

P/00/01i1 2815191 AUSTALIARegulation 3.2 Pate nts Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT In e to il: T R B P The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 0 I0.. O. THIS INVENTION relates to a termite barrier device for preventing termite migration through a concrete slab.

Concrete slabs in buildings are commonly traversed by pipes or conduits which carry services such as water or electricity.

Concrete shrinks as it cures which may lead to cracks or openings forming adjacent to pipes or conduits. In areas with termites, these cracks or openings may provide a passage for the insects through the concrete slab allowing access to vulnerable internal timber and consequent damage from termite activity.

It is known to use chemical pesticides underneath or adjacent to a slab to resist termite invasion. Use of physical barriers formed by materials such as mesh, granite or polyester blocks is also known. The above procedures, however, suffer from the j disadvantages of not being readily available to consumers in retailer outlets and requiring substantial effort and cost in installation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device ,o which resists termite migration along the walls of pipes or conduits which traverse concrete slabs.

0 Qe According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a termite barrier device for location in a concrete slab effective to stop termite ingress along the walls of a pipe or conduit which traverses the slab comprising: a substantially plate-like member with a first surface 3 which is substantially smooth, and a second opposed surface which has at least in part, a roughened surface; the plate-like member having a hole which, in use, receives a pipe or conduit.

Suitably the roughened surface of the termite barrier device has characteristics sufficient to establish a bond with concrete.

Preferably the roughened surface is formed by multiple projections which form corrugations.

Suitably the hole in the termite barrier device may be extended as a sleeve.

~Suitably the plate-like member is annular. Alternatively, the plate-like member may be any shape including non-planar and the term is to be read throughout the specification with this broader meaning applied.

Preferably the hole is dimensioned relative to the pipe or :conduit to enable a glued joint or a clamping fit.

Preferably the termite barrier device is manufactured from 0 non-corrosive material.

In a further aspect the invention resides in a method for providing protection from termite invasion along a pipe or conduit which traverses a concrete slab where the method comprises the steps of: engaging a plate-like member having a smooth surface 4 4 and an opposed surface which is, at least in part, roughened, with a pipe or conduit by locating a hole in the plate-like member around the pipe or conduit; pouring a concrete mix around and enclosing the platelike member and part of the pipe or conduit to form the concrete slab.

The method may include the further step of: orienting the plate-like member so that the smooth surface faces towards the likely direction of termite ingress.

Preferably the method involves the further step of gluing 1 l0 or clamping the plate-like member to the pipe or conduit.

a.In order that various aspects of the invention may be *0a more fully understood, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a termite barrier a device; I Ca..

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a termite barrier device located around a pipe traversing a concrete slab.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred Ii embodiment of a termite barrier device 1. The termite barrier device 1 has a sleeve 2 formed by a central hole 3 and side walls 4. The termite barrier device 1 has a flange 5 substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the sleeve 2. The flange 5 has a smooth surface 6 and a roughened surface 7. The roughened surface 7 is formed by a f.

~iJT O~ m na I. plurality of corrugations 8. Preferably the flange surfaces are at least across when measured radially.

FIG. 2 shows the termite barrier device 1 located around a pipe 9 and within a concrete slab 10. The concrete slab 10 rests on a bed of sand 11 which covers the ground 12. Prior to pouring the concrete slab 10, the termite barrier device 1 is engaged with the pipe 9.

The termite barrier device 1 is located so that the smooth surface 6 faces towards the direction of the ground 12 which is the likely path of approach of termites.

The side walls 4 of the sleeve 2 are glued to the pipe 9.

Alternatively, the side walls 4 may frictionally engage the pipe 9 or be .clamped to the pipe 9 by a clamping mechanism (not shown).

O 0 4 o 0 il i o a i y 0 ri I -I I--1

Claims

4. The termite barrier device of any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the hole is extended as a sleeve. 1 rs- i, rS6t'i 7 The termite barrier device of any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the plate-like member is annular and the hole is dimensioned relative to the conduit or pipe to enable a glued joint or a clamping fit.
6. The termite barrier device of any one of Claims 1 to wherein the device is manufactured from non-corrosive material.
7. A method for providing protection from termite invasion along a pipe or conduit traversing a concrete slab, said method comprising the steps of: engaging a plate-like member having a smooth surface and an opposed surface which is operatively adapted to bond with concrete, with a pipe or conduit by locating a hole in the plate-like 15 member around the pipe or conduit; o~ o o"O pouring a concrete mix around and enclosing the plate- like member and part of the pipe or conduit to form the concrete slab. a a a a e 8. The method of Claim 7 including the further step of: orienting the plate-like member so that the smooth surface faces towards the likely direction of termite ingress. Ii gt~~, "L7~; N _I _~_lrm YI IIII_--~-CI~I 8
9. The method of either one of Claims 7 or 8 wherein the plate-like member is glued or clamped to the conduit or pipe.
10. A termite barrier substantially as herein described with reference to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
11. A method of installing a termite barrier substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. *44* 4 4p 44 4 4 DATED this twenty-ninth day of May 1998. RULEHAVEN PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY. i i ~"in"-C1 P i,- Y I~ i J ~I .I .d ~T (7~ I c I i p~C IrY ~a~gi~ Abstract A termite barrier ring device is disclosed. The device is a non-corrosive ring comprising of one piece of moulded plastic as shown in FIG.2 which is fitted over PVC piping or conduit prior to the concrete slab being poured in order to prevent termites to enter through openings caused by concrete shrinkage around pipes. *c a *an Co I 04 IIliblC4ilq I I I- C- Y. l ~d