GB2066637A - Floor structure for animal housing - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular floor structure for use by animals in which each module (1) of the floor structure provides a floor forming surface 3 having a plurality of through holes (7) whose size is such that the hoof, foot, paw of any animal expected to use the floor structure is able to cover-over the hole (7). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Modular floor structure This invention relates to floor forming structures.

In particular, the present invention is concerned with floor forming structures for use in buildings for housing animals such as farm animals, or other locations at which such animals are likely to stand for lengthy periods.

More particularly, the invention is concerned with a modular floor structure which is formed from a plurality of individual floor forming modules or elements which can be laid one adjacent the other to provide an extended floor and/or walk way for use by animals.

It is known to form such flooring from elements commonly called cattle grids, which comprise elongate rectangular elements having a plurality of side-by-side slots.

It has been found that the use of such cattle grids has inherent disadvantages in relation to the welfare of the animals which stand upon such grids, in that the use of the grids causes many animals to suffer from serious injuries of the feet, paws, hooves or the like.

These injuries are the result of the feet of the animals frequently coming into contact with the usually sharp edges of the slots in the cattle grids.

It has been found that the damage to the animals hooves etc. is particularly likely to occur when the animals stand upon such cattle grids for lengthy periods or on standing-up after having been lying upon the cattle grid.

In many cases the animals have been so severely injured that they are no longer able to stand and as a result have to be slaughtered prematurely.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a floor structure or cattle grid structure comprising one or more .individual elements in which the likelihood of the animals using the structure is reduced as compared with the above mentioned long slotted forms of cattle grid.

Broadly, according to the present invention there is provided a module or element for providing a floor or like surface for use by animals, the module or element floor forming surface having a plurality of holes the dimensions of which are such that individual holes can be covered by the foot, paw, hoof or the like of animals for which the floor or like surface iS provided.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying draw in,gs in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a floor forming module or element, the module or element having a width of a first magnitude and being seen from the upper surface thereof; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line B-B of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a floor forming module or element similar to that of Figure 1, but in which the module or element has a width twice that of the module or element of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-section view on the line A-A of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line B-B of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the underside of a floor forming module or element similar to the module or elements of the previous Figures 1 to 3.

Referring now the drawings and more particularly Figures 1 to 3 the floor forming module or element 1 shown therein includes a generally rectangularly shaped main body 2 providing a top surface 3 which forms the actual floor surface. The main body is effectively carried in the manner of a low platform by longitudinally directed reinforced members 4 and transversely directed members 5. These members 4 and 5 depend from the underside of the main body.

The members 5 effectively form the end rails to the main body and if thought necessary for structural or other reasons additional transverse members 5 can be provided.

As will be seen from the Figures the longitudinal edge regions 6 of the main body overhang, that is extend outwardly, of the side members 4.

A plurality of through holes or apertures 7 is provided in the main body 2. The holes are arranged to provide a rectangular array of rows of holes 7 running lengthwise and across the main body. The walls of the holes 7 taper outwardly in the direction from the surface 3 of the main body 2 to the undersurface 8 of the main body 2. In a particular construction the diameter ofthe holes in the top surface is 55mm, and the diameter at the lower surface is 65mm. The modules or elements 1 can be conveniently formed from concrete and be of various lengths and widths.

For example, the lengths can be 200, 220, 250, 275 or 300 centimetres. The widths can be, for example 55cm or 110 cm. The main body can have a thickness of 60mm and the module an overall depth of 160mum. It is will be understood that these dimensions are illustrative. In so far as the drawings are concerned Figures 1,2,3 and 7 represent a module 1 with the smaller width, whilst Figures 4,5 and 6 illustrate module with the greater width.

The diameter of the holes 7 and the surface 3 of the main body is chosen so that it can be wholly covered by the foot, paw, hoof or the like of any animal it is expected to stand upon the module 1.

In other words, the dimensions of the holes at the surface are chosen so that they provide at the main body surface a circumference which corresponds to the most common dimension of the foot, paw, hoof etc. Thus it will be apparent that the surface area of the hole presented to a hoof etc. of an animal is less than that ofthe floor contacting part of the animal's hoof etc.

Since, it is intended that a large area floor should be formed by placing a requisite number of the modules 1 side-by-side, a line of semi-circular reces The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

ses 9 is provided along each longitudinal edge 6, so that on placing two modules 1 side-by-side the recesses 9 are combined to provide an extra row of holes 3.

Furthermore, the holes do not necessarily have to be circular, and can be oval, polygonal etc. However, whatever the shape it is necessary to ensure that the size thereof relative to the animal's hoof etc. must satisfy the above mentioned conditions.

Whilst the holes shown in the Figures have a continuously diverging wall section; if desired, the holes can have a cross-section which is cylindrical for a short length adjacent to the surface 3 and divergent forthe remainder of the main body thickness. In a particularembodimentwith a main body thickness of 60mm. the cylindrical part can have a length of 20mm, and the divergent part of a length of 40mm.

Also the overall depth of the module can be 160mm. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1,2,3 and 7, there are four holes to a transverse row, and thirtythreeholestoa longitudinal row. In practice, the number of holes provided will be related to the structural strength of the module having regard to the loading the module can be expected to support when cattle are using a floor made from the modules.

It will be understood that, whilst a rectangular array of holes is shown, the arrangement of the holes in the main body can be to any pattern thought convenient.

As has been mentioned, the modules can be made from concrete, in which case the side members 4 and, if thought necessary, the transverse members 5 can be suitably reinforced.

The edges of the holes are rounded so as to avoid the presence of sharp edges.

In an alternative construction the upper ends of the holes can be provided with annular inserts of plastics or other suitable materials so that the latter are effectively bounded by a material which reduces still further the production of a perimetertothe holes which could injure an animal.

When the module is made from cementitious material the inserts are moulded in situ during the pouring of the material.

It will be appreciated that, in practice, it may be convenient to form floors from a larger number of the smaller units rather than using fewer of the dou ble width units because of the easier handling of the lighter in weight narrower units.

As has been mentioned the perimeters of the holes in the surface are effectively rounded-off to avoid the sharp edge. When deciding upon the over all dimensions ofthe aperture produced in the floor by the holes 7 it will be understood that the rounding-off should not unnecessarily increase the overall diameterofthe holes.

Claims (9)

1. A module or element for providing a floor or like surface for use by animals, the module or ele ment floor forming surface having a plurality of holes, the dimensions of which are such that indi vidual holes can be covered by the foot, paw, hoof or the like of animals for which the floor or like sur face is provided.

2. A module or element as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the holes are circular, or ovally shaped at the floor forming surface.

3. A module or element as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein a line of recesses is provided along at teast one ofthe sides of the module or element, the arrangement being such that on placing two said modules or elements in side-by-side arrangement the recesses of these modules or elements combine to provide a line of holes along the join between the two modules or elements.

4. A module or element as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the transverse section of the holes increases in a direction from the top surface of the module or element to the bottom surface thereof.

5. A module or element as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the part of the axid length of each hole is of a cylindrical form immediately adjacent to the floor forming surface, and the remainder of the axid length has a transverse cross-section that increases in a direction from the top surface of the module or element to the bottom surface thereof.

6. A modular element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and including a rubber or plastics material insert at the end of the hole cooperating with the floor forming surface of the module, or element.

7. A module or element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module or element is formed from concrete.

8. A module or element as claimed in claim 7, wherein during the pouring of the cementitious material to form the module or element of concrete, rubber or plastics inserts are moulded into the structure so as to bound the perimeters of the junction of the holes and the floor forming surface.

9. A module or element for providing a floor or like surface, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3, or Figures 4, 5 and 6, or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.