FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to metal mesh products and more particularly to metal mesh of the kind generally known as security mesh which can be used for security doors and windows. BACKGROUND ART

There are two basic kinds of security mesh on the Australian market. One is an s an e aluminium product and the other is an expanded steel product. The aluminium mesh is formed from a plank of generally H-shaped cross section which is cut, sheared or otherwise slotted or slit in a fixed pattern and then stretched in the direction transverse to the slots or slits to form an expanded panel. The panel thus formed is several times wider than the plank from which it is formed and the expansion of the slots or slits form large openings that may be of a generally rectangular or diamond shape.

The steel mesh is produced by stamping slits into flat steel sheets and then expanding the sheet. The steel is, of course, stronger than aluminium but the steel security mesh is not popular because its square profile gives an unattractive sharp appearance

There is, therefore, a need for a mesh that has the strength of steel, but not the general appearance of the known steel mesh and which can be easily made in a wide variety of shapes and configurations.

DISC OSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a method of forming a mesh comprising the steps of:-

(i) providing a plurality of strands of metal rod or wire,

(ii) forming at least some of the strands into a predetermined pattern, (iii) assembling the strands into a desired pattern with all the strands in the one plane and disposed in the same general direction and with parts of adjacent strands abutting one another, and, (iv) joining the abutted portions together to form a planar assembly of the strands. The invention also provides a mesh comprising a plurality of spaced apart strands at least some of which are formed into a pattern and which all extend in the same general direction and are in the same plane with parts of adjacent strands abutting one another and being joined together. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now b made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig.l is a plan view of a single strand formed into a pattern to provide a basis for a mesh according to one embodiment of the invention,

Fig.2 is a plan view of an assembly of a plurality of th strands shown in Fig. 1 forming a mesh according t one embodiment of the invention,

Fig.3 is a plan view of a mesh according to a second embodiment of the invention, Fig.4 is a plan view of a mesh according to a third embodiment of the invention, Fig.5 is a plan view of a mesh according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, Fig.6 is a plan view of a mesh according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, Fig.7 is a plan view of a mesh ccordiT?CT to t. sixth embodiment of the invention, and,

Fig.8 is a plan view of a mesh according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The strand 10 shown in Fig. 1 is formed from a metal rod such as steel or any convenient cross-section such as square, rectangular or oval. The strand 10 is shaped in any convenien way to provide parallel side portions 12 and 13 joined by legs 11. The strand 10 extends in the general direction of arrow A. The strand 10 can be formed by pressing, crimping or roll-forming as a single action or in association with a number of strands. The shape may be varied at will and some representative shapes are shown in Figs. 1 to 8. After forming, the strands 10 are assembled as shown in Fig. 2 to form a mesh, the width of which is governed by the number of strands. The strands may be of indefinite length or cut to a particular size and assembled on a jig or at an assembly station which may be semi or fully automated.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the strands are all in the one plane and adjacent portions 12 and 13 abut one another and the complimentary shape of each strand 10 forms a plurality of openings 14. Once assembled, the abutting portions of the strands are permanently interconnected in any convenient way such as resistance welding, arc welding, fusion welding or projection welding. The joining process may be performed laterally or longitudinally and singularly or in simultanfiouR multiples. After forming, assembly and joining, the strands form a planar mesh as shown in Fig. 4 which can be of predetermined or indefinite length and/or width. The strands may be initially processed as cut to length pieces to give a sheet of fixed length and of a width governed by the number of strands. In another form of the invention, the strands are of indefinite length to give an endless sheet.

The ultimate sheet dimensions may be determined by either interrupting the process of permanent connection at a predetermined point or by cutting and shearing - the end result producing a panel or sheet processed from metal strands and suitable for a wide variety of applications in the architectural, industrial, domestic and commercial fields. The mesh shown in Fig. 3 is made from a plurality of formed strands 20 and a plurality of straight strands 21 as is the mesh shown in Fig. 6. Various other configurations formed by identical and different strands are shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 8.

Various modifications may be made in details of construction and shape and configuration without departing fro the scope and ambit of the invention.