GB2382595A

GB2382595A - Animal enclosures and wall panels therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2382595A
Application number: GB0128585A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillip P Jeans; Neil Kilbourn; Richard Rust
Original assignee: LODDON Ltd
Current assignee: LODDON Ltd
Priority date: 2001-11-29
Filing date: 2001-11-29
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Also published as: GB0128585D0

Abstract

A wall panel for use in constructing a portable animal enclosure has a metallic frame 10-15 which defines the outer periphery of the wall panel and a plurality of similar elongate rectangular boards 18 supported by and extending across at least a lower section 16,17 of the frame. Each board 18 is a plastics material moulding having a pair of parallel faces 20 held spaced apart by edge walls 21,22 extending along the long edges of the board, as well as a multiplicity of intermediate cross webs 23 between the parallel faces 20. The opposed edge walls 21,22 of each board are of a complementary profile 24,25 so that one edge wall 21 of one board may interconnect with the other edge wall 22 of an adjacent board.

Description

ANIMAL ENCLOSURES AND WALL PANELS THEREFOR This invention relates to a wall panel for use in constructing a portable animal enclosure. The invention further relates to a portable animal enclosure whenever constructed from four or more such wall panels.

The term "animal enclosure" is used herein to refer to various kinds of enclosure such as a loose box, in which an animal is free to move around, or a stall, in which an animal is normally tethered and constrained against movement by the closeness of the walls of the stall. Further, the term "portable"is used herein to mean the animal enclosure may be moved from place to place, though only after being disassembled or broken down into smaller components, including the wall panels of this invention.

An animal enclosure such as a loose box for a horse must be a robust structure, in order safely to accommodate a horse and be resistant to the horse kicking or leaning against the walls of the enclosure. There is a need for portable animal enclosures, for example to provide temporary stabling at horse shows and events, races and so on and which can be moved from place to place as required. It is known to have temporary stabling constructed from wall panels typically of wood though perhaps with metal frames, in order to impart sufficient strength to each wall panel, the panels tend to be very heavy and difficult to move without mechanical assistance such as a crane or hoist, or by employing significant numbers of labourers physically to man-handle the panels.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a wall panel that is suitable for use in constructing a portable animal enclosure, and which is

significantly lighter in weight than known wall panels for use in such enclosures, without compromising safety or security.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wall panel for use in constructing a portable animal enclosure, which wall panel comprises a metallic frame defining the outer periphery of the wall panel, and a plurality of similar elongate rectangular boards supported by and extending across at least a lower section of the frame, each said board comprising a plastics material moulding having a pair of parallel faces held spaced apart by a edge walls extending along the long edges of board and a multiplicity of intermediate cross-webs each also extending along the length of the respective board, the opposed edge walls of a board being of a complementary profile such that one edge wall may interconnect with the other edge wall of an adjacent board.

The wall panel of this invention can be made relatively light as compared to known wooden constructions of more or less the same overall dimensions, by virtue of the fact that the panel incorporates hollow plastics material boards which are of a low density as compared to wooden boards of the same dimensions. Despite their lower density, sufficient strength can be imparted to the boards by moulding integrally a pair of parallel faces held spaced apart by edge walls extending along the long edges of the board and transverselyextending intermediate cross-webs. By appropriately configuring the edge walls and cross-webs, as well as the thickness of the plastics material faces, a wall panel incorporating these boards can have satisfactory properties. Further, there are other advantages which can be obtained with the wall panels,

including low thermal conductivity, the use of self-coloured plastic to impart an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the wall panel and also hygienic advantages, in that the boards are non-absorbent and can be easily cleaned.

Advantageously, the intermediate cross-webs define rectangular spaces extending along the length of the respective board. At least one reinforcing member such as a hollow steel section, may be located within one of the rectangular spaces of a board, to impart bending resistance to the board. Such a section preferably is a close fit at least between the internal surfaces of the parallel faces of the board. Greater strength may be imparted by having a reinforcing member in each board used in the wall panel and if exceptional strength is required, then more than one rectangular space of each board may carry a respective reinforcing member.

The edge walls of each board are configured to permit one edge wall of one board to interconnect to the corresponding edge wall of an adjacent board.

Preferably, the edge wall along one edge of a board has a convex profile with a central upstanding rib and the edge wall along the other edge of the board has a concave profile with a central groove configured to receive the rib on the one edge wall of an adjacent board. In this way, a bending force imparted to one board at right angles to the plane thereof will be shared amongst the adjacent boards and also the reinforcing members thereof, if provided.

The wall panel may include an intermediate frame member extending across the frame, typically horizontally from one side frame member to the opposed side frame member. In this case, the area below the intermediate frame member and bound thereby as well as by the outer frame members may

have the plurality of plastics material boards located therewithin. As an alternative, the area below the intermediate frame member may be sub-divided by at least one further frame member extending between the intermediate frame member and the outer frame member, additionally to increase the strength of the wall panel. An alternative embodiment has a pair of spaced apart further frame members, with a gate hinged to one of those further frame members and closing against the other further frame member. Such a gate may also be in the form of a metallic frame within which are provided boards in the same manner as the boards within the wall panel. In any event, the gate should be provided with an animal-proof locking mechanism.

For an arrangement where the frame of the wall panel is divided into two areas by a transverse intermediate frame member, the area above that intermediate frame member may be provided with a grille or other ventilating structure, to allow the free-flow of air through the enclosure as well as sight of an animal within the enclosure, when in use.

This invention extends to an animal enclosure whenever constructed from four or more wall panels of this invention as described above. Further, the invention extends to portable or temporary stabling comprising a plurality of such enclosures, assembled together and with common walls separating adjacent enclosures.

By way of example only, certain specific embodiments of wall panels for use in constructing animal enclosures will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1A is a front view of a first embodiment of panel ;

Figures 1B and 1 C are respectively plan and side views of the panel of Figure 1A ; Figure 2 is an end view on a board used in the panel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the end portion of the board of Figure 2, and including a steel reinforcing member ; Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are views corresponding to those of Figures 1A, 1B and 1C but of a second embodiment of wall panel of this invention; and Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are similar views but of a third embodiment of wall panel.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3, the first embodiment of wall panel comprises an outer frame constructed from a lower frame member 10, an opposed upper frame member 11 and a pair of opposed side frame members 12 and 13 extending between the ends of the lower and upper frame members 10 and 11. An intermediate frame member 14 extends parallel to the lower frame member 10, between the side frame members 12 and 13 and a further frame member 15 extends centrally between the intermediate frame member 14 and the lower frame member 10. At least the lower and intermediate frame members 10 and 14 are steel channel sections and the other frame members may be of similar section or are hollow rectangular steel sections. The frame members are welded together, and then the finished frame is galvanised.

The two areas 16,17 below the intermediate frame member 14 and separated by the further frame member 15 are filled in with a plurality of boards 18, each of the same construction. Each such board is a plastics material extrusion as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and has a pair of opposed parallel faces

20, between which extend first and second edge walls 21 and 22 and six intermediate cross-webs 23, all moulded integrally with the faces 20. The cross-webs extend perpendicularly to the faces 20, whereas the edge walls 21 have the profiles shown in Figures 2 and 3, to permit the interconnection of the corresponding edges of two adjacent boards.

First edge wall 21 is of convex profile and has a rib 24 extending therealong. Second edge wall 22 is of concave profile with a similar radius of curvature to the first edge wall and has a groove 25 extending therein, dimensioned for accommodation of the rib 24 of an adjacent board. In this way, the edges of two boards may be fitted together so as to provide an essentially planar appearance to a wall assembled from a plurality of the boards, and a force applied to any one board will be distributed amongst the adjoining boards by virtue of the interconnection thereof.

In this embodiment, each board is moulded from polyethylene by a suitable extrusion process. The polyethylene is self-coloured so that no other surface finish need be applied to the boards. Further, the polyethylene may be include UV stabilisers, flame retarders and anti-static agents.

As shown in Figure 3, a hollow steel box section reinforcing member 26 is located in space 27 defined between two cross-webs 23 and the side faces 20 of the board. Each board used in the wall is similarly provided with a reinforcing member in order to impart sufficient strength to the wall.

The area above the intermediate member 14 is provided with a grille 29, assembled from a plurality of round tubular steel bars 30. Such bars may be secured directly to the intermediate and upper frame members 14 and 11, or

may be constructed as a separate sub-frame which is then secured in position.

The side frame members 12 and 13 have hooks 31 secured thereto at spaced locations, to permit the connection of the wall panel to supporting posts used in constructing an animal enclosure from the wall panels.

The lower and intermediate channel frame members 10 and 14 are each provided with a short removable cover plate 32 as shown at the left hand end in Figure 1A. When removed, the boards 18 may be slid into the channels of frame members 10 and 14. After the last (left hand) board has been inserted, the cover plates 32 are secured in position by means of bolts extending through the holes in the cover plates, the underlying board and the opposed web of the respective channel member.

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show a wall panel similar to that of Figures 1A, 1 B and 1C but differing in that no grille 29 is provided. Instead, a further frame member 34 extends in alignment with further frame member 15, between the intermediate and upper frame members 14 and 11 and the spaces to each side of this further frame member 34 are provided with boards 35, each of the same configuration as the boards 18 below the intermediate frame member. The boards 35 need not carry reinforcing members 26 since a lower strength is required above the intermediate frame member but in other respects the boards are the same as those used below the intermediate frame member.

Figures 5A to 5C show yet another wall panel of this invention against similar to that of Figures 1A to 1C and like reference numbers are used to indicate like parts. In the wall panel of Figure 5, a gate 38 is furnished centrally in the wall panel, by providing a pair of upright frame members 39,40 extending

between the lower and upper frame members 10 and 11 and spaced by the appropriate distance to accommodate the gate 38. The gate is hinged to frame member 39 and closes against frame member 40, animal-proof locking mechanisms 41 and 42 being arranged to secure the gate in its closed position, to frame member 40. The gate itself also has a steel frame 43 within which are provided boards 44 each of the same construction as the boards 18, described above.

As a consequence of the provision of the gate 38, the intermediate member 14 is divided and its two parts are connected to the frame members 39 and 40 respectively, with boards 18 provided below the intermediate frame member 14 and grilles 29 above that frame member.

In other respects, the wall panel of Figure 5 corresponds to and is used in the same manner as that of Figures 1 and 4.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of wall panel as described may be manufactured to be relatively light as compared to similarly-sized wall panels of wood or even steel, without compromising strength or safety. Further, the wall panels are more hygienic than panels constructed primarily from wood, and are easier to clean. In view of the relatively light weight of these panels, they are particularly suitable for use in constructing a portable animal enclosure such as temporary loose boxes or stabling, for horses.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A wall panel for use in constructing a portable animal enclosure, which wall panel comprises a metallic frame defining the outer periphery of the wall panel, and a plurality of similar elongate rectangular boards supported by and extending across at least a lower section of the frame, each said board comprising a plastics material moulding having a pair of parallel faces held spaced apart by a edge walls extending along the long edges of board and a multiplicity of intermediate cross-webs each also extending along the length of the respective board, the opposed edge walls of a board being of a complementary profile such that one edge wall may interconnect with the other edge wall of an adjacent board.
2. A wall panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate cross-webs define rectangular spaces extending along the length of the board.
3. A wall panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein an elongate reinforcing member is located within at least one of the rectangular spaces of a board provided between the frame of the wall panel.
4. A wall panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reinforcing member extends for the full length of the board.
5. A wall panel as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a hollow steel section.
6. A wall panel as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the reinforcing member fits closely at least between the parallel faces within the space defined intemally of the board.

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7. A wall panel as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, wherein each board is provided with a similar reinforcing member.

8. A wall panel as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the edge wall along one edge of a board has a convex profile with a central upstanding rib, and the edge wall along the other edge of the board has a concave profile with a central groove configured to receive the rib on the one edge wall on another board.

9. A wall panel as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each board comprises a plastics material extrusion of polyethylene.
8. A wall panel as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame includes at least one intermediate frame member extending across the frame and the area to one side of the intermediate frame member and bound by that intermediate frame member and the outer frame members has said plurality of boards located therewithin.
9. A wall panel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the boards wholly fill said defined area to one side of the intermediate frame member.
10. A wall panel as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said defined area is sub-divided by at least one further frame member extending between the intermediate frame member and the opposed outer frame member.
11. A wall panel as claimed in claim 10, wherein two spaced-apart further frame members are provided and a gate is hinged to one of said further frame members which gate closes against the other further frame member.

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12. A wall panel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the gate comprises a metallic frame within which are provided boards in the same manner as the boards within the wall panel.
13. A wall panel as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the area to the other side of the intermediate frame member between the intermediate frame and bound by that intermediate frame member and the outer frame members is closed by means of a ventilating structure.
14. A wall panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ventilating structure comprises a series of bars arranged as a grille.
15. A wall panel substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
16. An animal enclosure whenever constructed from four or more wall panels as claimed in any of the preceding claims.