Wire mesh screed

Abstract

This invention relates to screed methods and building panels. According to the invention there is provided a wire mesh screed for fabricating construction panels. The wire mesh members according to the invention have a plurality of V-shaped impressions along their length which serve as a built in visual and mechanical screed for finishing the panel with shotcrete or plaster. Alternatively, the wire mesh members may have a clipped-on-screed member attached thereto which serves as a visual and mechanical screed for finishing the panel. A middle member may be provided for preparing a construction panel. The middle member may comprise a composite of alternating layers of wire trusses and polystyrene foam. The middle member may be secured in a compressed state and released after attachment between two wire mesh members. The wire mesh members may be secured by welding or clipping to trusses of the middle member. A gap between the wire mesh members and middle member may be provided for allowing the panel to receive rebar and for receiving finishing materials such as plaster or shotcrete.

1 . A wire mesh screed comprising: 
 a grid comprising a plurality of horizontally and vertically disposed wire strands; and    a pair of parallel trenches formed along a length of said grid.    
     
     
         2 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 1 , wherein said grid is a 4 foot by 8 foot rectangular piece of one inch by one inch wire mesh.  
     
     
         3 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 1 , wherein said grid comprises 9-gauge one inch by one inch wire mesh.  
     
     
         4 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 1 , wherein said grid comprises 14-gauge one inch by one inch wire mesh.  
     
     
         5 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 4 , wherein said 14-guage wire is galvanized.  
     
     
         6 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 1 , wherein said trenches are V-shaped impressions.  
     
     
         7 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 4 , further comprising a 9-guage lead wire disposed at the apex of each V-shaped impression.  
     
     
         8 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 6 , wherein said lead wire is coated with zinc.  
     
     
         9 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 2 , wherein said trenches are disposed about 30 inches from center of said  4  foot width of said wire mesh.  
     
     
         10 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 8 , wherein said trenches are approximately ½ inch deep.  
     
     
         11 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 2 , wherein said  4  foot width includes three trenches comprising a first impression centered at approximately 24 inches from either end of said grid and second and third trenches each disposed approximately 8 inches from a respective end of said grid.  
     
     
         12 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 1 , wherein said grid is between about 47.25 inches to about 48 inches wide and said trenches are about 30 inches from center.  
     
     
         13 . The wire mesh screed of  claim 1 , wherein said grid is between about 47.25 inches to about 48 inches wide and includes a first trench at about 24 inches and a left trench about 8 inches from a left edge of said grid and a right trench about 8 inches from a right edge of said grid.