Abstract:
A method for using serpentine panels to construct an object comprising gathering said serpentine panels, forming said serpentine panels as needed, assembling said serpentine panels to shape said object, assembling said forms around said serpentine panels; and pouring concrete to create said object.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Disclosure  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to construction.  
         [0003]     2. The Prior Art  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0004]     Installation of a structure using concrete may take on the order of 40 to 50 hours and require the use of 3 or 4 different construction trades. Using conventional methods to build the structure at least five steps need to be taken. First, a hole must be dug to anchor the structure. Second the footing must be installed with rebar and a steel mat. Third, a block needs to be constructed on sight in the shape of the structure. Fourth, the concrete must be poured into the block; at this point the concrete must be allowed to set. Fifth, the desired finish is then adhered to the concrete.  
         [0005]     This method is time consuming, expensive, and is limited in the shapes that may be chosen for the structure. For example, features such as cantilevered bars require additional rebar to be installed in the footing and then shaped to form the desired overhang. Also, many aesthetical detail require significant structural work to be added. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a fireplace constructed using serpentine panels;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a serpentine panel;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away of the fireplace  2  showing the serpentine panel construction;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is an outdoor kitchen counter;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is the outdoor kitchen counter of  FIG. 4  showing the serpentine panel wrapped in mesh;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is the outdoor kitchen counter of  FIG. 4  plastered;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7   a  is a cross section of a bar showing a cantilever constructed from said serpentine panel;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7   b  is a cross section of a bar showing a cantilever constructed using standard construction;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a method of construction using the serpentine panel;  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a vertical planter constructed from the serpentine panels;  
         [0016]      FIG. 10   a  is a clip used to secure serpentine panels to each other;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10   b  is an alternate clip used to secure serpentine panels to each other;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10   c  is an orthogonal view of the clip shown in  FIG. 10   b  alternate clip used to secure serpentine panels to each other;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10   d  is an U-shaped channel used to hold the serpentine panels to the ground; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is the serpentine panel used as a screening panel. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other modifications and improvements will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a fireplace  2  constructed using serpentine panels. The structures described herein describe outdoor structures. However, the serpentine panels may also be used for building counters and other structures on the interior of buildings. As described the serpentine panel construction is used primarily for self supporting structures. This method of construction allows for easy installation of utilities such as water, gas and electricity.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a serpentine panel  4 . The serpentine panel  4  is constructed from two square mesh panels  8 ,  10  which are joined using a serpentine wire  12 . The serpentine wire  12  maybe attached by welding at the spots  14  which intersect with square mesh panels  8 ,  10 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away of the fireplace  2  showing the serpentine panel construction. In this view, the serpentine panels  18  are cut and shaped to form the fireplace structure. A fireplace insert  20  is then installed. The fireplace is then secured to the ground or surface supporting the structure using fasteners such as anchor bolts, expansion bolts or any other type of concrete fasteners. A wire mesh  22  is then used to wrap the serpentine panels  18 . The wire mesh  22  is fastened to all surfaces which are to be plastered. Then a layer of plaster  24  is then placed on the wire mesh  22 . Once the plaster  24  sets, a finish  26  is then placed over the plaster  24 . Once the plaster is set, the outdoor kitchen may then be finished using a much larger variety of finishes then possible using standard construction techniques. Finishes that may be used include are tile, Arcusstone, stucco, urethane and other finishes.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away of an outdoor kitchen  28 . An outdoor kitchen may have amenities such as grill  30  or a cook top, a sink  32 , a refrigerator and a plurality of electrical outlets so that portable devices such as blenders may be used. A wire mesh  34  is then used to wrap the serpentine panels  36 . The wire mesh  34  is fastened to all surfaces which are to be plastered. Then a layer of plaster  36  is then placed on the wire mesh  34 . Once the plaster  36  sets, a finish  38  is then placed over the plaster  36 . Other aesthetic flourishes such as bull nose tiles may be used. Once the plaster is set, the outdoor kitchen may then be finished using a much larger variety of finishes then possible using standard construction techniques.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5   a  is a cross section of a bar  40  showing a cantilever constructed from said serpentine panel. Here a simple surface has been created using three serpentine panels  44 ,  46  and  48 . The serpentine panels are secured to one another using clips  50  and  52 . The entire structure  40  is then secured to the ground using anchors  54  and  56 . As seen in this view any Force  42  on the cantilevered portion of the bar will be distributed through the internal structure of serpentine panels  44 ,  46  and  48  to the ground through anchors  54  and  56 .  
         [0027]     In contrast,  FIG. 5   b  is a cross section of a bar  58  showing a cantilever constructed using standard construction. This bar  58  requires the use of rebar  60  and a form  62 . The rebar  60  must be placed in the concrete  64  prior to building of the bar  58 . Once the concrete  64  sets, the rebar is then formed to the shape required for the cantilevered bar. Then a form  60  must be installed prior to pouring of the concrete  66  used to make the bar  58 . Then the concrete  66  is poured and allowed to set. Then the forms  60  are removed.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a method of construction using the serpentine panel. In act  70 , the serpentine panels are prefabricated to form the desire structure. In act  72 , the prefabricated structure is installed on site. In act  74 , the prefabricated structure is covered with mesh. In act  76 , the prefabricated structure is plastered. In act  78 , the prefabricated structure is finished.  
         [0029]     Alternatively, the structure can be completely or partially constructed offsite and transported to the site. This is due to the low weight—high strength of the serpentine panels  
         [0030]      FIG. 7A  is a clip  80  used to secure serpentine panels to each other. Clip  80  has a hook end  82  and a flat end  84 . The hook end  82  wraps around bar  86 . Flat end  84  is used to pull the serpentine panel together in conjunction with fastener  88 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 7B  is an alternate clip  90  used to secure serpentine panels to each other. Clip  90  has a hook end  92  and a flat end  94 . The hook end  92  wraps around bar  96 . Flat end  94  is used to pull the serpentine panel together in conjunction with fastener  98 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 7C  is an orthogonal view of the clip  100  shown in  FIG. 7B  alternate clip used to secure serpentine panels to each other. The hook end  102  wraps around bar  106 . Flat end  104  is used to pull the serpentine panel together in conjunction with fastener which is installed through opening  106 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 7D  is a U-shaped channel  110  used to hold the serpentine panels  112  to a surface. The U-shaped channel  110  is held firmly to the surface by fastener  114  which is placed through opening  116 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  is a vertical planter  120  constructed from serpentine panels. The vertical planter consists of two serpentine panels  122  and  124  held a fixed distance apart by bars  130 . Four covers  126 ,  127  and  128  are fastened to serpentine panels  122  and  124 . The cover at the near end is not show for clarity. The covers  126  and  128  each have a plurality of openings  132 . The covers  126  and  128  may be selected from any material which is resistant to water damage such as plexi-glass and plastic. The space  136  between the covers  126  and  128  is then filled with a soil which may be selected by a user to match the needs of the plants which are to be grown. Once the soil has been placed within the vertical planter  120 , plants  138  or seeds may be inserted within openings  132 . Additionally, the bottom cover  140  has openings to facilitate drainage.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a screening panel  150  constructed from the serpentine panel  156 . The serpentine panels  156  are then plastered  158  and finished as described above. The edges of the screening panel  150  are then encased within cases  152 . The screening panel  150  may then be connected to a series of screening panels by the use of brackets  154 . The screening panel  150  may be used as a barrier in applications such as elevator shafts. It is an inexpensive alternative to concrete and brick walls currently used.  
         [0036]     While embodiments and applications of this disclosure have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications and improvements than mentioned above are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The disclosure, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.