PRODUCING SUCH A ROLL

Description

Technical Field

[1 ] The invention relates to the field of chain link steel wire meshes, and more particularly to chain link steel wire meshes that are used as protection against rock falls, e.g. of tunnel walls or tunnel ceilings; or for securing a top layer of soil e.g. in rocky slopes.

Background Art

[2] The steel wires of chain link steel wire meshes run and are bent into a zig- zag pattern so that each "zig" hooks with the wire immediately on one side and each "zag" with the wire immediately on the other side. This forms the characteristic diamond pattern noticed in chain link steel wire meshes. The chain link steel wire meshes comprise diamond shaped open cells.

[3] DE505020 discloses a chain link steel wire mesh and equipment for

producing a chain link steel wire mesh using steel wire of diameter larger than 6 mm.

[4] It is common practice to line tunnel walls and tunnel ceilings - e.g. in

mining industry - with a chain link steel wire mesh in order to prevent rock falls. The chain link steel wire mesh is attached at regular distances to the walls and ceiling by means of bolts. The bolts are inserted through the open cells of the chain link steel wire mesh.

[5] Chain link steel wire meshes can also be used for soil and slope

stabilization. The slope or soil is lined with the chain link steel wire mesh, and the chain link steel wire mesh can be fixed onto the slope or soil by means of bolts inserted through open cells in the chain link steel wire mesh.

[6] It is common practice today to unroll a roll of chain link steel wire mesh before starting the operation of installing the chain link steel wire mesh. Paint marks are made on the chain link steel wire mesh according to a regular pattern, meaning at regular distances. The chain link wire mesh is rolled up again, and can be installed according to known installation techniques. The bolts are inserted at the paint marks. [7] US2011/150575A describes a method for lining tunnel walls or ceilings with protective nets. A roll of web-shaped protective net material is unwound from a reel and is fastened to the tunnel walls or ceiling by means of tie bolts. The reel is rotatably arranged. The rotation of the reel about a shaft is controlled in order to unwind the protective net material. The shaft is mechanically moved in steps along the tunnel walls or ceiling together with the reel. The protective net material unwound in each step can be stretched and mechanically fastened by means of bolts.

[8] It is a challenge to organize the bolting operations such that the bolts are inserted at regular distance from each other, in tunnel protection as well as in slope or soil stabilization, with as little as possible preparatory work and as efficiently as possible.

Disclosure of Invention

[9] The first aspect of the invention is a roll of chain link steel wire mesh.

Marks are provided according to a regular pattern over the surface of the steel wire mesh. The marks are provided by tape attached to the chain link steel wire mesh.

[10] The invention has the benefit that bolts can be positioned correctly in an efficient way according to a regular pattern when using the roll of chain link steel wire mesh for lining a tunnel wall or ceiling or a soil or slope with chain link steel wire mesh. No preparation work on the roll of chain link steel wire mesh related to the positioning of the bolts is required. It is a further benefit that as the tape has a certain width the marks have a certain surface area. Therefore, such marks are clearly visible when the chain link wire mesh is installed.

[11 ] Preferably, the tape marks are provided according to a regular pattern over the full surface of the chain link steel wire mesh.

[12] Preferably, the distance between each two neighbouring tape marks on the chain link steel wire mesh ranges between 0.5 and 1.5 meter; more preferably between 0.75 and 1.25 meter, even more preferably about 1 meter. However, other distances between neighbouring tape marks are also possible. [13] The regular pattern of the marks in a preferred roll of chain link is a square pattern or is a diamond pattern.

[14] Each mark is preferably provided by a length of tape on the first side of the chain link steel wire mesh and a length of tape on the second side of the chain link steel wire mesh. More preferably, within each mark one continuous length of tape establishes the mark.

[15] Each of the marks is preferably provided by a length of tape provided over a cell of the chain link steel wire mesh, turned around a steel wire section forming a first edge of the cell and continuing under the cell. More preferably, the length of tape is turned around the steel wire section forming the edge of the cell parallel with the first edge of the cell. This way, clear marks - having a certain surface area - are established very clearly indicating a single cell for each mark. This facilitates insertion of the bolts when installing the chain link steel wire mesh, without the risk of hitting (and potentially damaging) steel wires of the chain link steel wire mesh.

[16] Preferably, the tape has a fluorescent or reflective colour. Such

embodiments are preferred as the marks are highly visible, also in dark tunnels, facilitating correct insertion of the bolts.

[17] Preferably, the colour of the tape is yellow or red, as these are highly

visible colours. Such embodiments are preferred as the marks are highly visible, also in dark tunnels, facilitating correct insertion of the bolts.

[18] Preferably, each mark is provided on one single cell of the chain link steel wire mesh. Such embodiments facilitate the insertion of the bolts when installing the chain link steel wire mesh, without the risk of hitting (and potentially damaging) steel wires of the chain link steel wire mesh.

[19] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each mark is established by a length of tape attached to itself in order to attach the length of tape to the chain link steel wire mesh thereby establishing the mark. More preferably, the tape is a thermoplastic tape and the length of tape is attached to itself by means of welding. Such embodiments provide an easy and fast way of applying the marks onto the chain link steel wire mesh.

[20] In a preferred embodiment, the tape is an adhesive tape. It is a benefit that adhesive tape does not need special means to attach the tape to the chain link steel wire mesh. [21 ] The second aspect of the invention is a method for producing a roll of chain link steel wire mesh as in any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The method comprises the steps of providing steel wire; - weaving a chain link steel wire mesh using the steel wire; automatically applying during the weaving operation tape marks according to a regular pattern onto the chain link steel wire mesh being woven; and winding the chain link steel wire mesh onto a roll. The method allows producing the roll of chain link steel wire mesh of the first aspect in an efficient way, without the need of process steps after the production of a roll of chain link steel wire mesh in order to establish the positions on the chain link steel wire mesh where bolts need to be inserted to attach the chain link steel wire mesh.

[22] An apparatus is provided in a preferred method of the second aspect of the invention. The apparatus comprises a roll of tape and a movable arm. The arm takes a length of tape from the roll of tape and applies it onto the steel wire mesh thereby establishing a tape mark. A more preferred method uses a plurality of such apparatuses distributed over the width of the machine on which the chain link wire mesh is woven. Each apparatus applies tape marks at a specific position over the width of the chain link wire mesh being woven.

[23] In a more preferred method of the second aspect of the invention wherein an apparatus is provided which comprises a roll of tape and a movable arm, the tape is a thermoplastic tape. The apparatus comprises a heat sealing element for sealing a length of tape onto itself in order to attach the tape mark to the steel wire mesh. This way, a closed loop of tape is closed around wires of the chain link steel wire mesh, more preferably around one single cell of the chain link steel wire mesh. In a more preferred embodiment, the tape is heat sealed before the length of tape is cut from the roll of tape.

[24] In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention wherein an apparatus is provided for applying tape marks, the apparatus

comprises a cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism cuts a length of tape before, during or after applying the length of tape as a mark on the chain link steel wire mesh. [25] A preferred method of the second aspect of the invention uses a control unit for automatically controlling the application of the tape marks onto the chain link steel wire mesh. Via programming or setting the control unit, the spacing of the marks can be set easily and according to wish.

[26] A preferred method of the second aspect of the invention uses a control unit for automatically controlling the apparatus applying the marks on the steel wire mesh according to a regular pattern. Via programming or setting the control unit, the spacing of the marks can be set easily and according to wish.

[27] A third aspect of the invention is a method for producing a roll of chain link steel wire mesh. The method comprises the steps of providing steel wire; weaving a chain link steel wire mesh using the steel wire; and

automatically applying during the weaving operation paint or ink marks according to a regular pattern onto the chain link steel wire mesh being woven; and winding the chain link steel wire mesh onto a roll.

[28] The method of the third aspect of the invention provides the same benefit as the method of the second aspect of the invention in that no preparatory work is required on the roll of chain link steel wire mesh in order to attach the chain link steel wire mesh at correct positions to tunnel walls or ceiling or to slopes. The marks applied during the weaving process - the tape marks according to the method of the second aspect of the invention as well as the ink or paint marks of the method of the third aspect of the invention provide clearly visible marks indicating where to install the bolts or other fixation means.

[29] Preferably, the ink or paint applied in the method of the third aspect of the invention is fast drying ink or paint.

[30] Preferably, the ink of paint applied in the method of the third aspect of the invention is applied by spraying (e.g. by means of a spray gun) or by means of jets or by means of a brush, or by means of a roller.

[31 ] A preferred method of the third aspect of the invention uses a control unit for automatically controlling the application of the ink or paint marks onto the chain link steel wire mesh. Via programming or setting the control unit, the spacing of the ink or paint marks can be set easily and according to wish.

[32] A preferred method of the third aspect of the invention uses a control unit for automatically controlling the apparatus applying the ink or paint marks on the steel wire mesh according to a regular pattern. Via programming or setting the control unit, the spacing of the ink or paint marks can be set easily and according to wish.

[33] In a preferred method of the third aspect of the invention, the ink or paint marks are applied according to a regular pattern over the full surface of the chain link steel wire mesh.

[34] In a preferred method of the third aspect of the invention, the ink or paint marks are applied such that the distance between each two neighbouring ink or paint marks on the chain link steel wire mesh ranges between 0.5 and 1.5 meter; more preferably between 0.75 and 1.25 meter, even more preferably about 1 meter. However, other distances between the ink or paint marks are also possible.

[35] In a preferred method of the third aspect of the invention, the regular

pattern according to which the ink or paint marks are applied is a square pattern or is a diamond pattern.

[36] A fourth aspect of the invention is a method of lining a tunnel wall or

ceiling or a soil or slope with chain link steel wire mesh. The method comprises the steps of providing a roll of chain link steel wire mesh as in any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; unwinding the roll of chain link steel wire mesh and gradually positioning the chain link steel wire mesh against the tunnel wall or the ceiling or the soil or the slope; and attaching the chain link steel wire mesh onto the tunnel wall, tunnel ceiling or soil or slope by means of bolts. The bolts are positioned at the marks of the chain link steel wire mesh.

[37] In a preferred method of the fourth aspect of the invention, each of the marks on the chain link steel wire mesh mark a cell of the chain link steel wire mesh and the bolts are positioned through the cells marked by the marks. More preferably, the bolts are inserted thereby penetrating the tape establishing the mark. Such methods facilitate and speed up the bolting operation as it is clear where the bolts need to inserted, and damage to the chain link steel wire mesh by the bolts is prevented.

[38] In a preferred method of the fourth aspect of the invention, an equipment is used. The equipment comprises a first movable arm and a second movable arm. A device is attached to the first movable arm holding the roll of chain link steel wire mesh of the first aspect of the invention. The device is provided for positioning the steel wire mesh; e.g. via unwinding the roll of chain link steel wire mesh. The second movable arm comprises means for inserting the bolts. More preferably, the first movable arm and the second movable arm are telescopic.

[39] A preferred method of the fourth aspect of the invention is a method for slope stabilisation, the method comprises the steps of positioning the roll of chain link steel wire mesh according to the first aspect of the invention at or near the top of the slope and unroll the mesh downwards on the slope. The method comprises the step of attaching the chain link steel wire mesh by means of bolts at the positions indicated by the marks on the chain link steel wire mesh.

Brief Description of Figures in the Drawings

[40] Figure 1 shows a roll of chain link steel wire mesh according to the first aspect of the invention.

Figures 2-4 illustrate in combination a method for producing a chain link steel wire mesh according to second aspect of the invention.

Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

[41 ] Figure 1 illustrates a roll 100 of chain link steel wire mesh according to the first aspect of the invention. Figure 1 shows the chain link steel wire mesh 110 being unwound from the roll. The chain link steel wire mesh

comprises cells 109, edged by steel wires 105. Marks 120 are provided according to a square pattern over the full surface of the steel wire mesh. The marks 120 are provided by tape attached to the chain link steel wire mesh. Each mark is provided by an individual length of tape, which runs at the top of the chain link wire mesh, turning around the steel wire section 122 forming a first edge of the cell, and continuing at the bottom of the chain link cell. The length of tape continues around the steel wire section 124 forming the edge of the cell parallel with the first edge of the cell. The closed loop of tape around the steel wires at the edges of a cell of the chain link steel wire mesh creates each time a mark. The marks clearly indicate single cells of the chain link steel wire mesh are provided.

[42] Figures 2 - 4 illustrate steps in an exemplary inventive method according to the second aspect of the invention. The method is a method for producing a roll of chain link steel wire mesh according to the first aspect of the invention; and more specifically for producing a roll of chain link steel wire mesh as shown in figure 1. The method comprises weaving according to a known method a chain link steel wire mesh using steel wire. On the machine weaving the steel wire mesh, apparatuses 230 are installed at several positions over the width of the machine for applying tape marks at different positions over the width of the chain link steel wire mesh that is being woven. Figures 2 - 4 only show one such apparatus and its principle of operation. The chain link steel wire mesh - with the tape marks on it - is gradually wound onto a roll.

[43] Figures 2 - 4 illustrate the operation of one of these apparatuses 230, at different phases of the cycle of application of the tape. The apparatus 230 comprises a roll (not visible in the figures as inside the apparatus) of thermoplastic tape and a segmented arm 232. The apparatus has means for driving the segmented arms. The segmented arm is provided to unroll thermoplastic tape 236 from the roll of tape in the apparatus by holding the leading edge of the tape (see figure 2). The segmented arm positions the thermoplastic tape at the top of a cell 204 of the chain link steel wire mesh 201 and turns the thermoplastic tape 236 around the steel wire section 222 forming a first edge of the cell of the chain link steel wire mesh (see figure 3). The segmented arm moves further and positions tape at the bottom of the chain link steel wire mesh (see figure 4). The segmented arm moves further and moves the tape such that the tape is also turned around the steel wire section 224 forming the edge of the cell parallel with the first edge of the cell. The apparatus is provided with a heat sealing elements that seals the tape to itself, such that one continuous length of tape forms the tape mark. This continuous length of tape turns around the wire sections 222, 224 forming two parallel edges of the cell of the chain link steel wire mesh. The tape mark clearly indicates one single cell. After sealing the tape thereby finalizing the application of the mark, a cutter provided in the apparatus cuts the tape. This finalizes the cycle of tape application. The tape mark is provided by a closed loop of tape around the steel wires forming two parallel edges of a cell of the chain link steel wire mesh.

[44] By using an appropriate control unit for the apparatuses installed over the width of the machine weaving the chain link steel wire mesh, the distance between marks on the chain line steel wire mesh can be controlled. This enables to obtain automatically a regular pattern of the tape marks over the full surface of the chain link steel wire mesh.