Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to building fit out apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to void mat which is temporally installed during building fit out for stopping gaps around floor penetrations for dropped object prevention.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Gaps around service penetrations, such as pipes, electrical conduits, and similar structures on construction sites (as depicted in Figure 1 ), can lead to unintended consequences, particularly in environments where safety is a paramount concern, wherein there is potential for dropped objects to fall through these gaps which poses a risk the individuals working on the site below. The force generated by objects falling from heights can result in serious accidents or damage to property.

[0003] These gaps may align across multiple floors, creating a vertical passage for objects to fall from considerable heights, consequently accumulating substantial kinetic energy during their descent.

[0004] The existing methods employed to address this issue involve a somewhat improvised approach of manually cutting chipboard sheets to fit around these penetrations and plug the gaps. However, the ad hoc nature of cutting sheets to fit specific penetrations introduces variability and may not consistently ensure a secure fit. Additionally, the manual process of cutting and fitting these sheets can be timeconsuming and labour-intensive, potentially impacting the overall progress and efficiency of the construction project.

[0005] In light of these considerations, there is a clear need for a standardised solutions that can effectively seal the gaps around service penetrations. These solutions should not only prioritise safety but also consider factors such as ease of installation, durability, and long-term effectiveness with the goal of establishing a reliable method that can be easily replicated across various construction sites, reducing the potential for accidents caused by falling objects and enhancing overall work site safety. [0006] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0007] There is provided herein a specialised void mat that has been developed to effectively seal gaps around service penetrations within floors. The mat consists of two main components: a sleeve and a base that interfaces with the sleeve.

[0008] The base is generally planar and features a central aperture to connect with the sleeve's edges. The sleeve extends from one side of the base and can be made by stitching together separate material sheets. The mat is designed to address gaps around penetrations, like pipes or conduits, on construction sites.

[0009] The mat's functionality involves a side closure to accommodate the penetration into the sleeve and a distal closure to securely enclose the penetration. To use the mat, the side closure is opened, the penetration is inserted sideways into the sleeve, and then the side closure is closed. Subsequently, the distal closure is also closed around the penetration, sealing the gap effectively.

[0010] The mat may have a pair of distal strips on the sleeve, which can fasten together to accommodate different penetration diameters. These strips may have hook and loop fasteners, allowing them to fit snugly around penetrations of varying sizes. The distal strips are designed to close around the penetration, ensuring a secure fit. The pair of distal strips with hook and loop fasteners may allow the mat to securely fit around different sizes of penetrations, providing a versatile solution that can be used for various types of service penetrations.

[001 1 ] The edges of the side closure may have base strips that fasten together, along with side strips on the sleeve that continue from the base strips. The side strips may have an outer strip that folds around an inner strip, allowing for secure closure.

[0012] The base of the mat may contain fastener apertures that allow the mat to be secured to the floor using nails or similar fasteners. Reinforcing edge strips with fastener apertures may add further stability and support. [0013] The mat may be constructed with mesh material between the strips which is partially transparent for visibility, enables workers to see that a gap is covered. This visual cue helps prevent workers from inadvertently stepping on the mat, ensuring its functionality is maintained and reducing the risk of damage or accidents. The mesh material may also be fire rated, ensuring safety in hazardous environments.

[0014] To enhance visibility and awareness, the strips may be coloured with high- contrast, visible red. The base strips may additionally feature silkscreen printing, warning workers not to stand on the mat.

[0015] The void mat's design simplifies the process of sealing gaps. The side closure allows for easy insertion of the penetration into the sleeve, followed by closure of the side and distal closures. This straightforward process reduces installation time and effort compared to traditional methods.

[0016] By effectively sealing gaps around penetrations, the void mat contributes to a safer work environment. It prevents objects from falling through gaps, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries to workers on lower levels of the construction site.

[0017] The standardised design of the void mat offers a consistent and reliable solution for sealing gaps around penetrations across various construction sites. This reduces variability in gap-filling methods and enhances overall site safety.

[0018] In summary, the void mat's advantages include streamlined installation, adaptability to different penetration sizes, improved safety measures, secure closure mechanisms, and overall reliability. These features collectively make the mat a valuable tool for enhancing safety and efficiency on construction sites.

[0019] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021 ] Figure 1 illustrates a gap around a floor penetration;

[0022] Figure 2 shows a void mat for stopping gaps around floor penetrations;

[0023] Figure 3 shows a further perspective view of the void mat; [0024] Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the void mat;

[0025] Figure 5 shows the void mat enclosing around a large diameter pipe;

[0026] Figure 6 shows the void mat enclosing around a smaller diameter pipe; and

[0027] Figure 7 shows the void mat in an open configuration.

Description of Embodiments

[0028] A void mat 100 shown in Figure 2 is designed for stopping gaps 101 around a penetration 102 a floor 103.

[0029] The mat 100 comprises a sleeve 104 and a base 105 interfacing the sleeve 104.

[0030] As is shown in Figure 2, the base 105 may be generally planar and may define a central aperture therethrough which interfaces adjacent edges of the sleeve 104.

[0031 ] As is further shown in Figure 2, the sleeve 104 may extend from one side of the base 105. The base 105 and the sleeve 104 may comprise separate material sheets which are stitched together at interfacing edges therebetween.

[0032] The mat 100 has a side closure 106 configured for receipt of the penetration 102 into the sleeve 104. The sleeve 104 has a distal closure 107 configured for closing around the penetration 102.

[0033] As such, using the void mat 101 to fill the gap 101 around the penetration 102 through the floor 103 comprises opening the side closure 106 as is shown in Figure 7 and inserting the penetration 102 sideways through the side closure 106 into the sleeve 104. The side closure 106 can then be closed. Thereafter, the distal closure 107 is closed around the penetration 102 in the manner shown in Figure 2.

[0034] Preferably, distal portions of the sleeve 104 are configured to fasten together around penetrations 102 of different diameters. For example, Figure 5 shows the distal closure 107 closing around a 325 mm diameter pipe and Figure 6 shows the distal closure 107 closing around a 40 mm diameter pipe.

[0035] In embodiment shown, the sleeve 104 comprises a pair of distal strips 108 which are configured to fasten together. [0036] The distal strips 108 may define a closed end 109 away from the side closure

106 and an open end 1 10 interfacing the side closure 106 so that the penetration 102 can go into the sleeve 104 when the side closure 106 is open.

[0037] As is illustrated in Figure 2, the distal strips 108 may be configured so that respective distal ends thereof fasten together either side of the penetration 102.

[0038] Presently, the distal strips 108 have fasteners which allow the distal strips 108 to fasten together anywhere along facing surfaces 1 1 1 thereof so that the distal strips 108 can tightly fit around the penetration 102 or even fit around two or more spaced apart penetrations 102.

[0039] Preferably, facing surfaces 1 1 1 of the distal strips 108 comprise hook and loop fasteners.

[0040] Preferably, the distal strips 108 have sufficient length to fasten around penetrations having a diameter of up to approximately 325 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the distal strips 108 have a length of greater than approximately 500 mm. In the particular embodiments shown, the base 105 may be approximately 750 mm ² . Furthermore, the sleeve 104 may have a height of approximately 500 mm.

[0041 ] As alluded to above, the side closure 106 is configurable in an open configuration as is shown in Figure 7 to receive the penetration 102 therethrough into the sleeve 104 and a closed configuration as shown in Figure 2.

[0042] Similarly, edges of the side closure 106 may be configured to fasten together. [0043] In this regard, the edges of the side closure 106 may have base strips 1 12 that fasten together and the sleeve 104 having side strips 1 13 which fasten together. The side strips 1 13 may continue from the base strips 1 12 and may be continuous or made of separate portions.

[0044] As is shown in Figure 2, the base strips 1 12 may overlap flat. In this regard, the base strips 1 12 may comprise respective interfacing hook and loop fasteners.

[0045] The side strips 1 13 may similarly have respective interfacing comprise hook and loop fasteners.

[0046] In the embodiments shown, the side strips 1 13 may have an outer strip 1 13B and an inner strip 1 13A. The outer strip 1 13B is configured to fold around the inner strip 1 13A as is illustrated in Figure 4. As such, the inner strip 1 13A may comprise loop fasteners on both surfaces thereof whereas the outer strip 1 13B comprises loop fasteners across an inner surface thereof, the inner surface being twice the width of the inner strip 1 13A.

[0047] The base 105 may comprise fastener apertures 1 15. Nails or the like may secure the base 105 to the floor 103 through the fastener apertures 1 15. Where the base 105 is square, the base 105 preferably comprises fastener apertures 1 15 at corners thereof. However, in the embodiment shown, the base 105 comprises further fasteners 1 15 along straight edges thereof. It should be noted that the base 105 may comprises a pair of fasteners 1 15 either side of the side closure 106. In alternative embodiments, the base 105 may be circular.

[0048] The base 105 may comprise reinforcing edge strips 1 14. The edge strips 140 may comprise the fastener apertures 1 15 therethrough.

[0049] The mat 101 may comprise mesh material between the strips 108, 1 12 , 1 13 and 1 14. The mesh material may be partially transparent so that workers can see that the mat 100 is covering a gap 101 and therefore that the mat 101 should not be stood upon or the like. The mesh material may be fire rated.

[0050] The strips 108, 1 12, 1 13 and/or 1 14 preferably have high visibility contrasting colouring. In the embodiment shown, the strips 108, 1 12, 1 13 and/or 1 14 are visibly coloured red. Furthermore, the base strips 1 14 may comprise silkscreen printing thereon warning workers not to stand on the mat 100.

[0051 ] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.