Protective wire net, a protective structure constructed with the net and the use of the protective wire net for the construction of a protective structure

Abstract

A protective wire net comprises an array of longitudinal wires ( 12 ) arranged side by side and each intertwined with at least one respective adjacent longitudinal wire ( 12 ). Each of one or more longitudinal metal cables ( 14 ) is also intertwined with at least one adjacent longitudinal wire ( 12 ). One ore more transverse wires ( 34 ) and/or metal cables ( 16 ) may also be provided, arranged in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal wires ( 12 ) and outside intertwining regions ( 22 ) defined by portions ( 20 ) of adjacent longitudinal wires ( 12 ) which are bent around one another, the transverse wires ( 34 ) and/or metal cables ( 16 ) being intertwined or interlaced with one or more of the longitudinal wires ( 12 ).

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A protective wire net comprising an array of longitudinal wires arranged side by side and each intertwined with at least one respective adjacent longitudinal wire, further comprising one or more longitudinal metal cables each intertwined or interlaced with at least one adjacent longitudinal wire.  
   
   
       16 . A protective wire net according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more longitudinal metal cables are interposed between the array of longitudinal wires.  
   
   
       17 . A protective wire net according to  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of the said longitudinal metal cables arranged at regular intervals relative to one another and alternating with one or more wires.  
   
   
       18 . A protective wire net according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the longitudinal metal cables defines an edge of the net.  
   
   
       19 . A protective wire net according to  claim 15 , further comprising one or more transverse wires and/or metal cables arranged in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal wires and outside intertwining regions defined by portions of adjacent longitudinal wires which are bent around one another, the transverse wires and/or metal cables being intertwined or interlaced with one or more of the longitudinal wires.  
   
   
       20 . A protective wire net according to  claim 19 , wherein the transverse cables comprise bent portions of the longitudinal cables.  
   
   
       21 . A protective wire net according to  claim 20 , further comprising anchoring means for anchoring one or more transverse wires and/or metal cables to one or more longitudinal wires and/or longitudinal metal cables.  
   
   
       22 . A protective wire net according to  claim 21 , wherein the anchoring means comprise at least one ring or eye, or a portion of longitudinal and/or transverse cable that is bent and secured to itself in order to form a loop-like element, which is provided on the longitudinal and/or transverse metal cables and through which at least one longitudinal wire or one longitudinal or transverse metal cable extends.  
   
   
       23 . A protective wire net according to  claim 22 , further comprising coupling means so as to couple, in use, the wire net to other protective wire nets.  
   
   
       24 . A protective wire net according to  claim 23 , wherein the coupling means comprises one of the following elements: rings, clips, cables, or equivalent means.  
   
   
       25 . A protective wire net according to  claim 23 , wherein the coupling means comprises coupling elements formed directly on one or more transverse cables.  
   
   
       26 . A protective wire net according to  claim 15 , wherein it is a double-twist net with hexagonal meshes.  
   
   
       27 . A protective wire net comprising an array of longitudinal wires arranged side by side and each intertwined with at least one respective adjacent longitudinal wire, one or more transverse wires and/or metal cables arranged in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal wires, the transverse wires and/or metal cables being intertwined or interlaced with one or more of the longitudinal wires, characterized in that it further comprises anchoring means for anchoring one or more transverse wires and/or metal cables to one or more of the longitudinal wires.  
   
   
       28 . A protective wire net according to  claim 27 , wherein the anchoring means comprise at least one ring or eye, or a portion of longitudinal and/or transverse cable that is bent and secured to itself in order to form a loop-like element, which is provided on the longitudinal and/or transverse metal cables and through which at least one longitudinal wire or one transverse metal cable extends.  
   
   
       29 . A protective structure, comprising at least one protective wire net according to  claim 27  and fixing means for fixing the net to a slope.  
   
   
       30 . A protective structure according to  claim 29 , further comprising at least two of the said protective wire nets joined together by coupling means.  
   
   
       31 . A protective structure according to  claim 30 , wherein the coupling means comprise at least one longitudinal and/or transverse metal cable.  
   
   
       32 . Use of a protective wire net comprising an array of longitudinal wires arranged side by side and each intertwined with at least one respective adjacent longitudinal wire, one or more transverse wires and/or metal cables arranged in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal wires, the transverse wires and/or metal cables being intertwined or interlaced with one or more of the longitudinal wires, and anchoring means for anchoring one or more transverse wires and/or metal cables to one or more of the longitudinal wires, for the construction of a protective structure according to  claim 29.