AU782363B2 - A rollable mesh apparatus - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 A ROLLABLE MESH APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for fabricating a reinforcing element such as that used in reinforcing concrete structures. This invention also relates to a support spool about which the reinforcing element is wound for relatively compact transportation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for fabricating a reinforcing element including a plurality of elongate load bearing reinforcing members having adjacent members connected by generally transversely oriented non-load bearing links of an adhesive tape, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving at least one of the reinforcing members; and means for sequentially applying the adhesive tape to said at least one of the reinforcing members so as to progressively form the reinforcing element with said adjacent reinforcing members being interconnected by the adhesive tape of the non-load bearing links.

Preferably the apparatus also comprises means for effecting movement of the reinforcing members relative to the adhesive tape, said means for effecting movement being operatively coupled to the means for receiving the reinforcing members. More preferably the means for effecting movement includes means for indexing each of the reinforcing members relative to the means for applying the adhesive tape wherein the means for indexing determines the spacing between adjacent of the reinforcing members.

WO 01/28905 PCT/AUO0/O1271 2 Preferably the means for receiving said at least one of the reinforcing members includes a rotary device having locating means formed at predetermined spacings about its periphery, said locating means being configured to retain at least one of the reinforcing members whilst the adhesive tape is applied thereto. In one embodiment the rotary device includes at least one rotary disc having said locating means formed as slots shaped complementary to the sectional profile of one of the reinforcing members. In another embodiment the rotary device includes a continuous belt having said locating means provided about its outer periphery, said belt at opposing ends being wrapped about a drive and an idler drum or pulley, respectively.

Preferably the means for effecting movement includes a rotary drive mechanism being operatively coupled to the rotary device.

Alternatively the means for receiving at least one of the reinforcing members includes at least one reciprocating member having a recess which is configured to receive and retain one of the reinforcing members whilst the adhesive tape is applied thereto. In one embodiment the reciprocating member is a reciprocating arm having the recess formed at one of its ends.

Alternatively the means for effecting movement includes a reciprocating element being operatively coupled to the reciprocating member to impart reciprocating motion thereto.

WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 3 Preferably the means for applying the adhesive tape comprises a pair of opposing rollers being disposed either side of said at least one reinforcing member and each being adapted to apply one of two adhesive tapes to said reinforcing member which is thus sandwiched therebetween.

More preferably the pair of rollers are each connected to a pivotal arm which allows displacement of said rollers relative to one another when the reinforcing member passes between said rollers. In this embodiment the rollers are biased toward one another to assist in the application of the adhesive tapes to the reinforcing members.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a support spool about which a reinforcing element is wound, the reinforcing element including a plurality of elongate load bearing reinforcing members having adjacent members connected by generally transversely oriented non-load bearing links of an adhesive tape, and the support spool being adapted to be rotated via a collapsible mandrel which is configured to releasably engage the support spool which can thus be rotated for loading of the reinforcing element.

Preferably the support spool includes an inner-facing surface which is adapted to be releasably engaged by the collapsible mandrel.

Preferably the support spool includes a helical or spiral member about which the reinforcing element is wound.

Alternatively the support spool includes a pair of ring members being axially spaced and interconnected via at least three axially aligned bars about which the reinforcing element is wound.

WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 4- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature of the present invention several preferred embodiments of an apparatus for fabricating a reinforcing element and a support spool about which the reinforcing element is wound will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for fabricating a reinforcing element; Figures 2a to 2d are schematic representations of the apparatus of Figure 1 in operation; Figure 3 is another illustration of the apparatus of Figure 1 in operation; Figures 4a to 4c depict various embodiments of means for receiving and effecting movement of the reinforcing members; and Figures 5a and 5b show several examples of a support spool about which a reinforcing element can be wound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Figure 1 there is an apparatus 10 for fabricating a reinforcing element 12. The reinforcing element 12 includes a plurality of elongate load bearing reinforcing members such as 14A and 14B having adjacent members connected by generally transversely oriented nonload bearing links of an adhesive tape 16A and 16B.

The apparatus 10 comprises means for receiving 18 each of the reinforcing members or bars such as 14B, and means for sequentially applying the adhesive tape 16A and 16B to the reinforcing bars such as 14A and 14B. Thus, the apparatus WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 forms the reinforcing element 12 with adjacent of the reinforcing bars such as 14A and 14B being interconnected by the adhesive tape 16A and 16B of the non-load bearing links.

In this embodiment the means for receiving 18 the reinforcing bars such as 14B is in the form of a bar transporter 22 which is longitudinally offset from the means for sequentially applying 20 the adhesive tape such as 16A and 16B. The bar transporter 22 includes locating means in the form of a slot or recess which is shaped complementary to the sectional profile of one of the reinforcing members such as 14B.

The means for sequentially applying 20 the adhesive tape 16A and 16B in this particular example comprises a pair of pivoted rollers 24A and 24B disposed either side of a plane through which the reinforcing bars such as 14A and 14B are moved via the bar transporter 22. The pivoted rollers 24A and 24B are each connected to a respective pivotal arm 26A and 26B which allows displacement of the rollers 24A and 24B relative to one another when one of the reinforcing bars such as 14A passes therebetween during application of the adhesive tape 16A and 16B. The rollers 24A and 24B are biased toward one another via a torsion spring or the like (not shown) to assist in the application of the adhesive tape 16A and 16B to the reinforcing members such as 14A. Otherwise, the means for sequentially applying 20 the adhesive tape 16A and 16B further comprises a pair of loading rollers 28A and 28B and idler or tension rollers 30A and 30B. The loading rollers 28A and 28B provide a mount for each of the rolls of tape 16A and 16B, respectively, whereas the idler or WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 6 tension rollers 30A and 30B are interposed between the respective pivot and load rollers such as 24A and 28A.

Figures 2a to 2d illustrate movement of one of the reinforcing bars such as 14A through the pivot rollers 24A and 24B during application of the tape 16A and 16B. In this example the reinforcing bar 14A is sandwiched between the opposing pair of adhesive tapes 16A and 16B which thus provide the non-load bearing link oriented generally transverse to the reinforcing bar 14A. Figures 2a to 2d depict movement of one of the reinforcing bars 14A through the means for applying 20 the adhesive tape 16A and 16B and indexing of the bar 14A relative to the pivoted rollers 24A and 24B and the adjacent reinforcing bar 14B.

Figure 2d shows a pair of knives 32A and 32B which together cooperate so as to cut or shear the tape 16A and 16B once the reinforcing element 12 has been fabricated.

As further illustrated in Figure 3 the reinforcing bars such as 14A and 14B are spaced a predetermined distance and the tape 16A and 16B is cut so as to provide a similar start or index position for the first reinforcing bar such as 14A' of the next reinforcing element such as 12'.

Figures 4a to 4c illustrate various examples of the means for receiving 18 the reinforcing members such as 14A together with means for effecting movement of the reinforcing members relative to the adhesive tape 16A and 16B. In Figure 4a the means for receiving and effecting movement of the reinforcing members together comprises a rotary disc having locating means in the form of a series of recesses formed at predetermined spacings about its periphery. The recesses 38 are each configured to retain one of the reinforcing bars such as 14A and accordingly WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 7 are formed as slots shaped complementary to the sectional profile of one of the reinforcing bars. The rotary disc 36 is generally one of several discs which are longitudinally offset from the means for sequentially applying 20 the tape 16A and 16B. Similarly, the means for sequentially applying 20 the tape 16A and 16B is generally one of a series of spaced pivoted rollers 24A and 24B which provide a series of non-load bearing links in the reinforcing element 12.

Figure 4b illustrates an alternative embodiment of the means for receiving and effecting movement of the reinforcing bars such as 14A. In this example there is provided a continuous belt having locating means provided about its outer periphery for receipt of the reinforcing bars such as 14A. The continuous belt 40 is wrapped about a drive and an idler drum or pulley 42 or 44, respectively. A rotary drive mechanism (not shown) is operatively coupled to the drive drum or pulley 42, or in the previous embodiment the rotary disc 36, to effect rotation .or movement of the reinforcing bars such as 14A relative to the means for applying 20 the tape 16A and 16B.

In an alternative embodiment the means for receiving 18 at least one of the reinforcing members such as 14A includes a reciprocating member or arm 50 having locating means in the form of a recess 52 formed at its outermost end which is configured to receive and retain one of the reinforcing bars such as 14A. The reciprocating arm 50 slides the reinforcing bar such as 14A between the pivot rollers 24A and 24B a predetermined distance and then retracts for receipt of the next reinforcing bar such as 14B to which WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00101271 8 the adhesive tape 16A and 16B is to be applied. Thus, the reinforcing element 12 is progressively formed with adjacent of the reinforcing bars such as 14A and 14B being interconnected by the adhesive tape which forms the nonload bearing links.

The specific construction of one example of the reinforcing element 12 is disclosed in the specification of Australian complete patent application No. 97051/98 which is included herein by way of reference. The nonload bearing links are formed by two strips of fibrereinforced pressure sensitive tape such as 16A and 16B.

The pressure-sensitive tape of this embodiment has high adhesion strength both to itself and to the reinforcing bars such as 14A and 14B which in this example are steel reinforcing bars. It is preferable that the material from which the pressure sensitive tape is constructed has a density which is lower than that of concrete and that is materially compatible with steel and concrete.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a support spool such as 100 as illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b. The support spool 100 of Figure 5a is designed to have a reinforcing element 12 such as that described above wound about it for compact storage and/or transportation purposes. The support spool is adapted to be rotated via a collapsible mandrel 102 which is configured to releasably engage the support spool 100 which can thus be rotated for loading of the reinforcing element 12. The support spool 100 of Figure 5a is formed as a helical or spiral member 104 about which the reinforcing element is wound. The reinforcing bars such as 14A of the reinforcing element 12 are thus oriented WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 -9generally transverse to the helical or spiral member 104.

In the alternative example of Figures 5b the support spool 1000 includes a pair of axially spaced ring members 1002 and 1004 interconnected via four axially aligned bars 1006A to 1006D. In this embodiment the reinforcing bars such as 14A of the reinforcing element 12 are wrapped about the ring members 1002 and 1004 with the non-load bearing links of adhesive tape being wound about the circumferential bars 1006A to 1006D. In both examples of the support spool 100 and 1000 the collapsible mandrel 102 releasably engages an inner-facing surface of the spool 100 or 1000. The collapsible mandrel 102 is shown schematically in solid and broken outline in Figures and The spools 100 or 1000 provide a temporary support for the reinforcing element 12 during transportation to, for example, a building site. The support spool 100 or 1000 is preferably provided downstream of the apparatus 10 for fabricating the reinforcing element 12. Generally, the reinforcing element 12 or bundle of reinforcing bars such as 14A are of a total mass which can be lifted by the mechanised lifting and handling equipment used for the purpose of lifting, transporting and placing. These bundles or rolls of reinforcing elements such as 12 allow the individual reinforcing bars such as 14A to be positioned in their correct relative lateral position prior to the pouring and setting of concrete in a building element such as a floor slab.

In order to further describe the apparatus 10 for fabricating a reinforcing element such as 12 its operation will now be outlined: WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 10 reinforcing bars such as 14A to 14C are fed to the entry point of the apparatus, this being effected either manually or via a conveyor; (ii) the reinforcing bars such as 14A are then fed to the means for receiving 18 at least one of the bars such as l4A; (iii) the adhesive tape is fed between the pivot rollers 24A and 24B prior to the entry of the reinforcing bar 14A which traverses through its first indexing point; (iv) the reinforcing bar such as 14A and adjacent bars such as 14B are then indexed forward and sandwiched between the adhesive tape, see for example Figures 2a to 2d; once the last bar in the sequence is taped the reinforcing tape is cut to provide a similar starting position for the next reinforcing element or bundle as shown in Figure 3; (vi) the "train" of taped reinforcing bars is then progressed forward and propelled onto a supporting table for consolidation of the bundle or it is wound around a support spool such as that described in the context of Figures 5a and 5b; and (vii) the reinforcing element or bundle is unrolled from the support spool at a building site.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described.

For example, the apparatus for fabricating the reinforcing element may "jig" the reinforcing bars which are then held stationary with application of the adhesive tape across the reinforcing bars. In this example the adhesive tape WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 11 may simply be manually applied across the reinforcing bars which are held stationary.

All such variations and modifications are to be considered S within the ambit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", that is the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for fabricating a reinforcing element including a plurality of elongate load bearing reinforcing members having adjacent members connected by generally transversely oriented non-load bearing links of an adhesive tape, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving at least one of the reinforcing members; and means for sequentially applying the adhesive tape to said at least one of the reinforcing members so as to progressively form the reinforcing element with said adjacent reinforcing members being interconnected by the adhesive tape of the non-load bearing links.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 also comprising means for effecting movement of the reinforcing members relative to the adhesive tape, said means for effecting movement being operatively coupled to the means for receiving the reinforcing members.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for effecting movement includes means for indexing each of the reinforcing members relative to the means for applying the adhesive tape wherein the means for indexing determines the spacing between adjacent of the reinforcing members.

4. An apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for receiving said at least one of the reinforcing members includes a rotary device having locating means formed at predetermined spacings about its periphery, said locating means being configured to retain WO 01/28905 PCT/AU00/01271 13 at least one of the reinforcing members whilst the adhesive tape is applied thereto.

An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the rotary device includes at least one rotary disc having said locating means formed as slots shaped complementary to the sectional profile of one of the reinforcing members.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the rotary device includes a continuous belt having said locating means provided about its outer periphery, said belt at opposing ends being wrapped about a drive and an idler drum or pulley, respectively.

7. An apparatus as defined in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the means for effecting movement includes a rotary drive mechanism being operatively coupled to the rotary device.

8. An apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the means for receiving at least one of the reinforcing members includes at least one reciprocating member having a recess which is configured to receive and retain one of the reinforcing members whilst the adhesive tape is applied thereto.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the reciprocating member is a reciprocating arm having the recess formed at one of its ends.

An apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the means for effecting movement includes a reciprocating element being operatively coupled to the 06/06 2005 12:12 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA 10005 14 Reciprocating member to impart reciprocating motion thereto.

11. An apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for applying the adhesive tape comprises a pair of opposing rollers being disposed either side of said at least one reinforcing member and,each being adapted to apply one of two adhesive tapes to said reinforcing member which is thus sandwiched therebetween.

12. An apparatus as define din claim 11 wherein the pair of rollers are each connected to a pivotal arm which allows displacement of said rollers relative to one another when the reinforcing member passes between said rollers.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the rollers are based toward one another to assist in the application of the adhesive tapes to the reinforcing members.

14. An apparatus for fabricating a reinforcing element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. e e e COMS ID No: SBMI-01284230 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:16 Date 2005-06-06