Method and apparatus for making an improved chain link fabric

Abstract

An improved chain link fabric having flattened end portions that are stronger and safer and a method and apparatus for forming the flattened end portions of the fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the flattened end portions are formed by cutting woven chain link fabric and bending, welding and compressing two adjacent wires end portions that extend from elbows of the cut chain link fabric to form a joint that is lap welded. By compressing the two adjacent wire end portions, the sharp edges of the wire end portions are minimized or eliminated and the joint is made safer and stronger. Advantageously, the present invention provides a chain link fabric having strong flattened end portions that do not pose the risk of serious harm to installers and individuals who come into contact with the flattened end portions of the chain link fabric. Additionally, the chain link fabric of the present invention eliminates the need for a tension wire, top rail, crimping wire or its equivalent, which are costly and require additional time to install and repair.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A chain link fabric comprising a plurality of interwoven wires, each wire having a wire end portion along the periphery of the fabric that extends from an elbow of the interwoven wires and adjoins an adjacent wire end portion to form a joint, wherein the wire end portion is substantially parallel to its adjoining wire end portion.  
     
     
         2 . The chain link fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent wire end portions overlap each other where they adjoin and form a joint.  
     
     
         3 . The chain link fabric of  claim 2 , wherein the overlapping portion of the wire end portions is welded together.  
     
     
         4 . The chain link fabric of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the wire end portions is compressed.  
     
     
         5 . The chain link fabric of  claim 4 , wherein the wire end portions do not have sharp edges.  
     
     
         6 . The chain link fabric of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the wire end portions is painted.  
     
     
         7 . The chain link fabric of  claim 5 , wherein the wire end portions are adjoined using a sleeve.  
     
     
         8 . The chain link fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the wire end portions are adjoined by welding them together.  
     
     
         9 . The chain link fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the wire end portions is compressed.  
     
     
         10 . The chain link fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the wire end portions is painted.  
     
     
         11 . The chain link fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the wire end portions do not have sharp edges.  
     
     
         12 . The chain link fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the wire end portions are adjoined using a sleeve.  
     
     
         13 . The chain link fabric of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support members, wherein the wire end portions are attached to a least one support member using a least one attaching member.  
     
     
         14 . The chain link fabric of  claim 13 , wherein the attaching member is a wire.  
     
     
         15 . The chain link fabric of  claim 13 , wherein the wire end portions are located in the plane of the support members.  
     
     
         16 . A chain link fence comprising: 
 a plurality of support members, each support member being substantially parallel to at least one other support member;    a plurality of interwoven wires having flattened end portions that are attached to at least one support member, each flattened end portion having two wire end portions that extend from an elbow of the interwoven wires and adjoin at substantially the center of the flattened end portion to form a joint.    
     
     
         17 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , further comprising an attachment member that attaches at least one flattened end portion to at least one support member.  
     
     
         18 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the attachment member is a wire that attaches a plurality of flattened end portions to a plurality of support members.  
     
     
         19 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the two wire end portions overlap each other at substantially the center of the flattened end portions.  
     
     
         20 . The chain link fence of  claim 19 , wherein the two wire end portions are adjoined by welding the overlapping portion of the two wire end portions together.  
     
     
         21 . The chain link fence of  claim 20 , wherein at least a portion of the overlapping wire end portions is compressed.  
     
     
         22 . The chain link fence of  claim 21 , wherein the flattened end portions do not have sharp edges.  
     
     
         23 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the two wire end portions is painted.  
     
     
         24 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the two wire end portions are adjoined using a sleeve.  
     
     
         25 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the two wire end portions are adjoined by welding them together.  
     
     
         26 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the two wire end portions is compressed.  
     
     
         27 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the two wire end portions is painted.  
     
     
         28 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the flattened end portions are located in the plane of the support members.  
     
     
         29 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the two wire end portions is compressed.  
     
     
         30 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the two wire end portions are adjoined using a butt weld.  
     
     
         31 . The chain link fence of  claim 16 , wherein the two wire end portions are adjoined using a lap weld.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus for producing chain link fabric having flattened end portions comprising: 
 a means for bending a wire at the edge of the chain link fabric;    a means for securing two adjacent wires at the edge of the chain link fabric together; and    a means for compressing two adjacent wires at the edge of the chain link fabric together.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a means for cutting a wire at the end of chain link fabric.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a means for painting the adjacent wires at the edge of the chain link fabric.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a means for attaching a wire at the edge of the chain link fabric to a support member.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising providing a means for testing the strength of the connection of the two adjacent wires secured together by the securing means.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the means for cutting forms adjacent wires having flat ends.  
     
     
         38 . A method of constructing a chain link fabric including flattened end portions comprising; 
 providing chain link fabric;    bending a wire at the periphery of the chain link fabric;    securing two adjacent wires at the periphery of the chain link fabric together; and    compressing the two adjacent wires at the periphery of the chain link fabric together.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising attaching a plurality of the flattened end portions to at least one support member.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising testing the strength of connection formed by securing the two adjacent wires together.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising painting a portion of the adjacent wires.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein compressing the adjacent wires removes all sharp protrusions at the ends of the adjacent wires.