Framed wire mesh panel

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates in general to framed panels having a rigid frame and an infill member, such as a wire mesh.

Technical Background

[0002] This mentioned type of framed panels are known in the art, and intended to form a continuous fence by interconnecting the frames of a plurality of framed panels.

[0003] Such fences can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as for enclosing dangerous industry equipment, dividing a storage space into separate cubicles, or providing a stop at the back end of shelves in a storage facility.

[0004] When manufacturing framed panels of the above mentioned kind, the following procedure is normally followed:

[0005] First, a number of required holes are drilled in two tubular members, e.g., tubes according to the norm DIN 2395. These tubes are then connected with 3-4 shorter transverse tubes to form a frame defining the size and shape of the framed panel. The tubes are welded together using MIG welding. On the frame a prefabricated, pressure welded wire mesh is attached. The wire mesh is attached using pressure welding, which requires a high welding power as the current must cross the tubes. In order not to deform the tubes the welding is performed using low pressure during a long time, which results in increased heat generation in the material. The welded framed panel then needs to be straightened in a straightening mill, as the wire mesh deforms the frame during the pressure welding. Finally, the entire element is surface treated, typically epoxy coated or hot dip galvanized.

[0006] This process is very time consuming and expensive, due to the many different types of discontinuous process steps. In particular, the step of surface treatment of the finished element is complicated, as it includes either complex coating application or submerging the entire element in a container of coating. At the same time, this step has to be performed after the assembly of the elements, as the surface coating makes welding difficult or impossible.

[0007] Even if welding is possible, for example if the framed panel components are electro galvanized, an even higher pressure would be required to make contact through the surface. Also, the welding time would have to be very short, as the generated heat otherwise would ruin the coating. Under these circumstances, the resulting framed panel can not obtain the desired structural strength.

[0008] Attempts have been made to eliminate the need of welding, for example GB2268524 discloses a framed panel where the frame and infill are connected mechanically. However, this arrangement is much more complex in design, and further increases the unit cost.

Objects of the invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to mitigate the above mentioned problems, and to enable cost efficient manufacturing of framed panels.

[0010] A further object is to provide a frame member that permits welding of the framed panel after surface treatment such as epoxy coating or hot dip galvanizing.

Summary Disclosure of the Invention

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, these and other objects are achieved with a framed panel according to the preamble of claim 1, the combination of features of which are known from US-A-5339579 wherein at least one frame member portion has at least one crest in its longitudinal extension, and wherein said transverse section are welded to said at least one crest. The crest ensures that another component of a framed panel, such as transverse section of wire, only makes contact with the frame member in a limited area. This in turn results in a high welding pressure when such a component is welded to the frame member, leading to a higher welding power and therefore requiring a shorter welding time. With shorter welding time, less heat is generated in the surrounding material of the frame member, therefore preventing damage of any surface treatment such as galvanizing.

[0012] Preferably, the portion has a plurality of crests. This ensures a satisfying stability of the welding joint without increasing the contact surface too much.

[0013] The crests can be of elongated form, and extend in parallel with a bending between two section portions. This is advantageous, as the frame member normally is welded to components arranged transversely to the frame member. The crests will then be oriented across such a transverse component, thereby offering satisfying welding strength.

[0014] The crests can further extend along the entire length of the profile, which facilitates manufacturing of the members in a continuous process.

[0015] A second section portion preferably has a plurality of holes, adapted for connecting separate frame members to each other. Such holes can also be formed during roll forming of the member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The present invention will be better understood from the preferred embodiments more clearly described with reference to the appended drawings.

[0017] Fig 1 shows an example of a framed panel assembled by the method according to the invention.

[0018] Fig 2 shows an example of an U-profile suitable for use in the framed panel in fig 1.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0019] The framed panel 1 in fig 1 comprises a frame 2, and a wire mesh 3. The frame 2 only extends along two opposing sides 4a, 4b of the framed panel, and is formed by two frame members 5a, 5b. The wire mesh 3 includes a first set of longitudinal wires 6, aligned in parallel with the members 5a, 5b, and a second set of transverse sections 7. The transverse sections 7 are connected to the two frame members 5a, 5b, and are further attached to each of the wires 6.

[0020] The frame members 5a, 5b are preferably pieces of U-profile, which will be described in more detail with reference to fig 2. The longitudinal wires 6 are preferably made from steel wire, for example with a diameter of 2-5 mm. The transverse wire sections 7 are preferably flat rolled wires arranged to be attached standing up, i.e., with their thin side facing the longitudinal wires 6. This improves the stability of the framed panel, which compensates for the lack of transverse frame members. As there are several transverse sections connected to each pair of frame members, a satisfying stability is obtained. Also, the small contact area between the frame members 5a, 5b and the flat sections 7 results in a higher welding pressure, and thus shorter welding time.

[0021] An example of such a frame member is illustrated in fig 2 with reference numeral 5. The illustrated frame member 5 is of U-section, having three section portions 8a, 8b, 8c. At least one of the section portions 8a, i.e., one of the profile sides, is corrugated, offering a limited contact surface with a contacting component, i.e., the sections 7. During manufacturing of a framed panel, this side 8a can be arranged to face the transverse sections 7, so that the sections 7 only make contact with the member 5 at the crests 9 of the corrugation 8a. During welding, this restricts the heat generation in the material, reducing the risk for damage of the surface treatment.

[0022] As shown in fig 2, the corrugated side 8a can have a plurality of crests 9. In principle only one crest is necessary, even though at least two crests are preferred in order to achieve a satisfactory stability.

[0023] The corrugations in fig 2 are formed with elongated crests 9 extending in parallel with the bending between the section portions 8a and 8b. In fact, although not explicitly shown in fig 2, the corrugation can extend along the entire length of the profile.

[0024] It is understood that the crests can have any suitable form and shape, and that the invention is not restricted to the simple shape shown in fig 2.

[0025] Further, the frame member 5 is in its second section portion 8b provided with a number of holes 15, adapted to facilitate the connection of several framed panels with each other. For this purpose, it may be advantageous to provide holes of different shape and size, as illustrated in fig 2.

[0026] The corrugation 8a and the holes 15 can be formed during the drawing of the member 5 in a manner known per se. Most preferred, however, is to form the member in a roll forming line, in which the desired profile is obtained by folding a strip of sheet metal using many small folding steps.

Claims

1. A framed panel comprising a rigid frame (2) including at least two frame members (5) of open section having at least two metal section portions (8a, 8b, 8c), and a steel wire mesh arranged in said frame, said wire mesh comprising sections (7) which are transverse in relation to said frame members (1), characterized in that at least one frame member portion (8a) has at least one crest (9) in its longitudinal extension, and in that said transverse sections (7) are welded to said at least one crest (9).

2. A framed panel according to claim 1, wherein said portion (8a) has a plurality of crests (9).

3. A framed panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said crest(s) (9) is/are elongated, and extend in parallel with a bending between two section portions (8a, 8b).

4. A framed panel according to claim 3, wherein said crest(s) extend(s) along the entire length of the profile.

5. A framed panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second section portion (8b) has a plurality of holes (15)

6. A framed panel according to claim 4, said crest(s) (9) being formed during roll forming of the member.

7. A framed panel according to claim 5, said holes (15) being formed during roll forming of the member.

8. A framed panel according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two section portions (8a, 8b), said open section being an L-section.

9. A framed panel according to any of claims 1-7, comprising three section portions (8a, 8b, 8c), said open section being a U-section.

Ansprüche

1. Rahmenplatte, die einen Steifrahmen (2) mit mindestens zwei Rahmengliedern (5) mit offenem Profil, die mindestens zwei Metallprofilteile (8a, 8b, 8c) haben, und ein in dem Rahmen angeordnetes Stahldrahtgeflecht mit Profilen (7), die quer zu den Rahmengliedern (1) (Anm. d. Übers.: muss wohl "(5)" heißen) angeordnet sind, aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Rahmengliedteil (8a) mindestens eine Erhöhung (9) in seiner Längsausdehnung hat und dass die Querprofile (7) mit der mindestens einen Erhöhung (9) verschweißt sind.

2. Rahmenplatte nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Teil (8a) eine Vielzahl von Erhöhungen (9) hat.

3. Rahmenplatte nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Erhöhung(en) (9) länglich ist/sind und parallel zu einer Biegung zwischen zwei Profilteilen (8a, 8b) verläuft/verlaufen.

4. Rahmenplatte nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Erhöhung(en) über die gesamte Länge des Profils verläuft/verlaufen.

5. Rahmenplatte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein zweiter Rahmenteil (8b) eine Vielzahl von Löchern (15) hat.

6. Rahmenplatte nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Erhöhung(en) (9) während des Profilwalzens des Glieds ausgebildet wird/werden.

7. Rahmenplatte nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Löcher (15) während des Profilwalzens des Glieds ausgebildet werden.

8. Rahmenplatte nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die zwei Profilteile (8a, 8b) aufweist, wobei das offene Profil ein L-Profil ist.

9. Rahmenplatte nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7. die drei Profilteile (8a, 8b, 8c) aufweist, wobei das offene Profil ein U-Profil ist.

Revendications

1. Panneau encadré comprenant un cadre rigide (2) incluant au moins deux barres de treillis (5) de section ouverte ayant au moins deux parties de section en métal (8a, 8b, 8c) et un treillis de fil métallique arrangé dans ledit cadre, ledit treillis de fil métallique comprenant des sections (7) qui sont transversales par rapport auxdites barres de treillis (1), caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une partie de barre de treillis (8a) a au moins une crête (9) dans son prolongement longitudinal et en ce que lesdites sections transversales (7) sont soudées à ladite au moins une crête (9).

2. Panneau encadré selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite partie (8a) a une pluralité de crêtes (9).

3. Panneau encadré selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la (les) dite(s) crête(s) (9) est/sont allongée(s) et s'étend(ent) avec un pliage entre deux parties de section (8a, 8b).

4. Panneau encadré selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la (les) dite(s) crête(s) s'étend(ent) le long de toute la longueur du profil.

5. Panneau encadré selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une seconde partie de section (8b) a une pluralité de trous (15).

6. Panneau encadré selon la revendication 4, la (les) dite(s) crête(s) étant formée(s) pendant le laminage du profilé de la barre.

7. Panneau encadré selon la revendication 5, lesdits trous (15) étant formés pendant le laminage du profilé de la barre.

8. Panneau encadré selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant deux parties de section (8a, 8b), la section ouverte étant une section en forme de L.

9. Panneau encadré selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, comprenant trois parties de section (8a, 8b, 8c), ladite section ouverte étant une section en forme de U.

Drawing