Abstract: Fence mesh including line wires, and stay wires extending laterally across and intersecting the line wires to form a mesh, wherein a first type of wire knot is formed by a knot wire around the line wire and stay wire at intersections of the stay wires with the line wires in a primary zone, and wherein a second type of wire knot is formed by a knot wire around the line wire and stay wire at intersections of the stay wires with the line wires in a secondary zone, characterised in that the first type of wire knot is different from the second type of wire knot; and a machine for the formation of such a mesh.

Abstract: An example method of forming a fuel cell sheet includes flattening a screen to form a sheet that has a plurality of apertures operative to communicate a fluid within a fuel cell.

Abstract: The formation of reinforcement mesh which includes the steps of attaching intersecting filaments (11, 12) to each other using a bottom support (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 31, 60) and a top support (10, 30, 50) wherein each of said filaments (11, 12) at a point of intersection is integrally moulded with the bottom support (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 31, 60) and/or top support (10, 30, 50) or alternatively is supported by the bottom support (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 31, 60) or top support (10, 30, 50) in a clipped or clamped relationship and attaching the bottom support (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 31, 60) and top support (10, 30, 50) to each other to form the sheet of reinforcement mesh.

Abstract: A knotted fence mesh forming machine includes a plurality of side-by-side knot boxes each for forming a knot at the intersection between a line wire and stay wire, each of the knot boxes including at least one former arranged to move towards the line wire-stay wire intersection at each operation of the knot box, the former being hydraulically driven and/or hydraulically damped. More than one former may be provided in each knot box. A transversely moveable rack bar may be driven by a hydraulic cylinder, the transverse movement resulting in orthogonal movement of a drive bar which moves respective former or supports. A final former in each knot box is preferably hydraulically damped.

Abstract: A clip is disclosed which can be used to fabricate the lattice structure of reinforcing rods of the type used in the construction of steel rod reinforced concrete slabs. An apparatus to fasten those clips in position is also disclosed The preferred clip (1) has a substantially rectangular body (2). A recess (3) extends from a first face (4) of the body (2) towards an opposite face (5). The recess (3) terminates in an arcuate portion (6). The inner edges (7a, b) of the recess (3) are convergent towards the arcuate portion (6). The apparatus has an aperture (13) in a base plate (12). Stops (18a, b, c) on the plate (12) suitably position the apparatus whereupon a shearing plate (32) can shear a clip (1) from a stack of such clips to pass through the aperture (13) wherein the arcuate portion (6) of the clip (1) engages the upper rod (16). A pair of pivoting J-shaped arms (21a, b) are then actuated which bend the lower portions of the clip (1) around the lower rod (17) securing the two rods (16, 17) together.

Abstract: A knot box for forming a knot at the intersection between a line wire and stay wire in a knotted fence mesh forming machine includes a staple former arranged to move towards the line wire-stay wire intersection at each operation of the knot box, cut a length of knot wire extending at an angle across the intersection, and bend the knot wire around the intersection, and a final former which moves toward the intersection from the other side and bends and wraps the ends of the knot wire about one of the wires to form a finished knot about the intersection. Supports may be provided to support the intersection or the length of bent knot wire about the intersection. A plurality of side-by-side knot boxes may be provided in a knotted fence mesh forming machine and may be arranged to simultaneously form the knots.

Abstract: A knotted fence mesh forming machine includes a plurality of side-by-side knot boxes each for forming a knot at the intersection between a line wire and stay wire, each of the knot boxes including at least one former arranged to move towards the line wire-stay wire intersection at each operation of the knot box, the former being hydraulically driven and/or hydraulically damped. More than one former may be provided in each knot box. A transversely moveable rack bar may be driven by a hydraulic cylinder, the transverse movement resulting in orthogonal movement of a drive bar which moves respective former or supports. A final former in each knot box is preferably hydraulically damped.

Abstract: A knot box for forming a knot at the intersection between a line wire and stay wire in a knotted fence mesh forming machine includes a staple former arranged to move towards the line wire-stay wire intersection at each operation of the knot box, cut a length of knot wire extending at an angle across the intersection, and bend the knot wire around the intersection, and a final former which moves toward the intersection from the other side and bends and wraps the ends of the knot wire about one of the wires to form a finished knot about the intersection. Supports may be provided to support the intersection or the length of bent knot wire about the intersection. A plurality of side-by-side knot boxes may be provided in a knotted fence mesh forming machine and may be arranged to simultaneously form the knots.

Abstract: A fencing wire clip for attaching a fence wire to a fence rod. The clip has a coil body 10 from which projects a pair of spaced apart arms 12 and 13. Each arm has at its distal end an engagement portion 15 which extends substantially transverse to the length of the arm 12/13. In use one arm 13 is levered over the other arm 12 such that the respective engagement portions 15 interlock. The interlocking arms 12 and 13 form with the coil body 10 an aperture A through which a fence element W can engage.

Abstract: A clinch tool and method for clamping a grid frame to a coil in which a clinch component is fed automatically into a space formed by the tool between the grid frame and coil with the clinch component saddled in position on the grid frame to be bent to retain the coil in a locked condition to the grid frame.

Abstract: Nets or netting for fishing and for other purposes are fabricated without the customary laborious, time-consuming and costly hand knotting procedure and without the requirement for skill. The fabricating procedure can be automated for greater efficiency. The crossing strands which are to form the netting are connected at their points of crossing by crimped metal elements which lock the crossing strands against displacement in any direction. The crimped metal elements may be employed alone or in conjunction with an adhesive mass further bonding and locking the crossing net strands. In a variant, the strands are looped around the crimped metal elements for further security. The strands may also be knotted adjacent to their crossing points with the knots contained in an adhesive mass and further held by crimped metal strips.