IE55557B1 - Tridimensional metal framework for building panels - Google Patents

Abstract

Two parallel lattice sheets (A6, B6), formed from a series of lengthwise wires (27a, 27b) and a series of crosswise wires (28a, 28b), each form a network of square or rectangular grids. Spacer members (31, 32, 33, 34) of these two sheets extend in a direction which is generally parallel to that of the lengthwise wires. These members are each formed from a zigzag-folded continuous wire whose successive triangular undulations slant in alternate directions in relation to the two sheets (A6, B6) and are welded at their apices alternately to these two sheets. Each of these undulations has, at its apex, a concave part (35) forming a hollow in which a crosswise wire (28a, 28b) is passed and welded. The advantage is that, by virtue of these concave parts (35), the crosswise wires are easily installed exactly at the apex of the undulations and are automatically held at that place during the welding operation. <IMAGE> [EP0127582A2]

Description

The author of the present invention had previously conceived and proposed a metal framework for building panels which comprises on the one hand two paral-led layers of netting, each composed of a series of lengthwise oriented wires and of a series of crosswise oriented wires welded together to form the netting, and on the other hand spacing elements oriented substantially in the same direction as one of the series of wires and positioned obliquely in relation to the layers of netting. In the previous arrangement, the spacing elements consist of lengths of wire bent in the shape of a zig-zag, the alternate elbows of the zig-zag having the opposite inclination in relation to the layers of netting and being welded to the two layers of netting at their tips.

It was found in practice that it was difficult to position and weld the wires of the two layers exactly at the tips of the elbows. For instance, when the crosswise oriented wires of the netting were welded on these tips, and the lengthwise oriented wires welded at the same time on the crosswise oriented wires, the following difficulties were encountered, which complicate the automatic' production of such frameworks. First and as was mentioned above, it is difficult to position simultaneously ,all the crosswise oriented wires on the tips of the elbows. Further, when on the one hand the - 3 - lengthwise oriented wires and the crosswise oriented wires are welded electrically together (to form the layers of netting) and on the other hand the crosswise oriented wires are welded at their intersection with the lengthwise oriented wires on the tips of the elbows of the spacing elements, it is necessary to exert a pressure with one of the electrodes on the crosswise and lengthwise oriented wires at their intersections on the tips of the elbows. This pressure tends to displace the crosswise oriented wires from the tips of the elbows, which results in the framework being of poor quality.

It is the object of the present invention to obviate this serious drawback and accordingly, the invention provides a tridimensional framework for building panels comprising on the one hand two parallel layers of netting, each composed of a series of lengthwise oriented wires and of a series of crosswise oriented wires welded together to form the said layers of netting and on the other hand spacing elements oriented substantially in the same direction as one of the said series of wires and positioned obliquely in relation to the layers of netting, these spacing elements consisting each of a length of wire bent in the shape of a zig-zag, the alternate elbows of the zig-zag having an opposite inclination in relation to the said layers of netting, each elbow of the spacing elements being provided at the tip with a concave section forming a hollow, into which is placed and welded one wire of one of the said series of one of the said layers of netting.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example an embodiment of the metal framework of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2.

The embodiment shown on Fig. 1 to 3 comprises two layers of netting A6, B6. These nettings form a plane and consist of parallel wires oriented lengthwise 27a, 27b and of parallel wires oriented crosswise 28a, 28b, to define rectangular or square meshes. In the embodiment illustrated on Fig. 1, one of the net- tings is displaced relatively to the other in the lengthwise direction and in the crosswise direction by half the length/width of a mesh. This displacement - its reasons will be given further - could however be different.

The spacing elements 31, 32, 33, 34 each consisting of a length of wire bent in the shape of a zig-zag as shown on Fig. 1 are placed between the two layers of netting A6, R6. These spacing elements are substantially disposed in ihe lengthwise direction of the layers of netting.

The lower elbows 31a, 32a, 33a, etc... of the spacing wires are found resting on a crosswise oriented wire 2Ba of the netting A6 at points where the crosswise oriented wire intersects with lengthwise oriented wires. At each point, a spacing wire 31, 32, or 33 and two wires 27a and 28a of the netting A6 are welded electrically together.

In the same manner, each upper elbow 31b, 32b, 32c etc... of the spacing wires 31, 32, 33 is found positioned under a crosswise oriented wire 28b of the netting B6 at points where the crosswise oriented wire intersects with lengthwise oriented wires. At each such point·, a spacing wire 31, 32, or 33 and two wires 27b and 28b of the netting 86 are electrically welded together.

It can be seen that the spacing wires, including their elbows, are located between the two layers of net- \ ting ft6, 86, which facilitates the fabrication of the -5- metal framework.

It can be seen on Fig* 1 that each spacing ele-mnr.t 31, 32, 33 forms triangles inclined alternatively leftwards arid rightwards in a symmetrical manner. Thus, the triangles of the spacing element 31, which are welded to the first on the left lengthwise oriented wire 27b are inclined leftwards, while the triangles of this spacing element which are welded to the second on the left lengthwise oriented wire 27b are inclined rightwards. This arrangement can be clearly seen on Fig. 2.

To facilitate the accurate positioning of the crosswise oriented wires on the tips of the triangles of the spacing elements and to avoid their displacement during welding, each tip is provided(Fig. 2 and 3) with a concave section 35 forming a hollow in which is nested to be welded a crosswise oriented wire 26a, resp* 28b.

The crosswise oriented wires are thus positioned exactly on the tip of each triangle, i*e. in the hollow provided on the tip. When electrodes are used to weld electrically the wires as indicated by the arrows on Fig. 2, the pression exerted on the crosswise oriented wires does not tend to displace these wires from the tips as was the case when these tips were convex or projecting.

In a variant of the invention, the wires which were disposed crosswise are disposed lengthwise and conversely. In this case, the spacing elements are disposed in generally the same direction as the crosswise wires, while in,the embodiment described previously they were disposed in generally the same direction as -6- the lengthwise oriented mires.

The term "mire" used to designate the different elements composing the described framework should be understood in a broad sense encompassing the various 5 metal elements used for reinforcing concrete.

Further, the term "triangle" used to describe the shape of the successive waves of the zig-zags which form the spacing elements should be understood in a broad sense, and not according to its precise and nar-10 row definition in geometry.

Claims (2)

1. 3. A framework according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lengthwise oriented wires of the two layers of netting are the wires which are placed and welded in the said hollows. 5 4. A framework for building panels as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Dated this the 21st day of May, 1984 F. 'sJTkEHX & CQ. BY EXECUTIVE Χΐά.. ,,. ..-.

2. 7 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS.