WO2004082371A1

WO2004082371A1 - Stable bank system

Info

Publication number: WO2004082371A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/005209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy John Phillips
Original assignee: NORTH EAST CURVE Ltd
Current assignee: NORTH EAST CURVE Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-21
Filing date: 2003-11-27
Publication date: 2004-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2005-09-21
Also published as: GB2393630A; GB2393630C; GB0306605D0; AU2003288400A1; GB2393630B; GB2393630A9

Abstract

A stable (8;10) having a stable bank comprising a number of collapsible resilient units (20) is provided. The resilient nature of the units provides safety and protection for horses or other animals being stabled. Should an animal being stabled become cast against one of the units, the appropriate unit can be collapsed to allow the animal to extend its legs in to the newly opened space (18). The animal may then right itself and the unit subsequently reconfigured to its non-collapsed state. The unit may comprise an inflatable bladder (1, 14) which is inflated for normal use and deflated when collapse is required by opening a valve (3, 17). The bladder may be fixed to a base part (2) or held in place by a top cover (15) attached to the stable floor and walls.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

STABLE BANK SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to stable bank systems for use in stables. Horse stables are used to accommodate the equine species for a number of reasons. Under general circumstances this would be overnight and/or when weather conditions necessitate shelter.

There are however many other instances where horses are stabled for long periods of time. Horses are confined to a stable on 'box rest' when there are medical grounds to be considered. Horses require long periods of inactivity when recuperating from injury. A mare in foal will often be confined to a stable before, during and after giving birth. Additionally, horses will sometimes need to be confined as part of a postoperative care programme or when there is a need for quarantine. Many quality animals such as Racehorses, Eventers and Stallions at Stud are stabled continuously outside of exercise periods for their own safekeeping.

For whatever reason, horses will often spend considerable periods of time confined to their stables.

The interior set up of a typical stable consists of a floor (rubber matting, straw or wood shavings on a brick, stone, concrete or wood base) and banks.

When banks are referred to in relation to a stable this implies a constructed cushioning area, to date typically made from straw or wood shavings, that serves to protect the horse from the actual hard stable wall itself.

Stable walls are also typically of a brick, stone, concrete or wood construction. The cushioning bank is built against the wall and is typically around 60 cm in height and 40 cm in width.

One of the main functions of stable banks therefore is to provide safety and protection for the horse. Should a horse become stuck whilst lying towards a stable wall (thus becoming "cast") then the bank can be dug out/removed in order to create the necessary space for a horse to extend its legs and right itself.

This process involves upwards of three individuals, as the horse would need to be restrained at either end to prevent injury from thrashing whilst others remove the bank in relative safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a new kind of man-made stable bank made of collapsible resilient units. By having collapsible bank units, a cast animal can quickly be given the additional space necessary for it to right itself. This can be achieved by a single user collapsing the appropriate unit or units against which the animal has become cast. Once the animal is righted, the collapsed unit can be reconfigured to its normal non- collapsed state. This is a task that can safely be performed by a single person. This is not always possible in stables having conventional stable banks since these often require a number of people to restrain a cast animal while a further person or persons gets amongst the animals possibly flailing legs to remove the material comprising the stable bank. hi addition, by avoiding the use of conventional bedding materials, a much more hygienic stable environment for both horse and keeper is provided. The process of 'mucking out' has always required that soiled bedding, sodden with urine and faeces, be removed at least once daily (typically by fork into a wheel barrow) and then replaced by a fresh supply.

This in itself is a time consuming and costly exercise due to the overheads of both materials and labour ongoing.

A stable according to embodiments of the invention may however be cleaned by using a pressure washer and sanitised solution. It is also possible to use a normal hosepipe or simply buckets of water.

The shape of the bank units may be designed to prevent urine and faeces collecting on or being absorbed into the stable bank. This allows for the easy collection and drainage of faeces and urine from the stable.

As well as providing a more hygienic stable the utilisation of embodiments of the invention results in improved air quality for horses kept indoors. Many horses suffer considerably due to the prolonged inhalation of dust and spores present in traditional bedding such as straw. Typically a horse will present symptoms consistent with allergies and/or chest infections, resulting in ongoing coughing. This in turn can contribute to more serious conditions developing such as COPD, a chronic pulmonary disorder.

A stable according to embodiments of the invention will be free from the dust and spores carried by dried bedding that in turn originate from crops suited to open air environments.

Traditional bedding materials used in stables are highly combustible. Consequently the danger of fire in buildings where horses are kept is clear and present. The bank units may be made from fire retardant materials that significantly reduce the likelihood and risk of fire starting within horse stables.

The units may have a rigid, but collapsible, structure or may be inflatable such that they collapse by deflation. In addition to a main valve which may be opened to allow the unit to be deflated, the unit may also include a pressure release valve adapted to release air when the air pressure within the unit exceeds a selected threshold.

This helps to prevent the inflatable part of the unit from bursting. For example should the internal air pressure be suddenly increased by an animal's weight bearing on the stable bank, air will be released from the pressure release valve. The pressure release valve may then remain open to allow the unit to folly deflate or be arranged to close once the air pressure falls below the selected threshold. The threshold may be selected according to the strength of the material comprising the unit and/or the desired degree of resilience.

Units comprising the stable bank system may comprise a base part having a substantially L-shaped cross-section and arranged to extend along a corner between a stable floor and a stable wall with an inflatable bladder attached to the base part. This allows for an easily positionable unit. The bladder may be substantially triangular and fixed to the inner surfaces of the L-shaped base part along two sides such that when inflated the third side forms an outer surface to the unit which has an arcuate cross- section and which extends substantially parallel to the corner between the stable floor and the stable wall. A cover may be provided to protect and/or help restrain the inflatable bladder in place.

In another example, the units comprising the stable bank system may comprise an elongate inflatable bladder which may be fitted adjacent a corner between a stable floor and a stable wall. The bladder may be cylindrical, for example a circular cylinder. A circularly cylindrical geometry provides for an elongate bladder having minimal internal stress. This allows for a relative strong bladder to be provided without requiring the use of excessively strong fabrics or joints. The unit may further include a cover held taut against the bladder to hold it in place. The cover may comprise a sheet of fabric fixed to the stable wall and the stable floor such that it extends over and around the bladder and extends along its length. The cover provides an outer surface for the bank unit which protects the underlying bladder. In addition the cover prevents debris accumulating between the curved surface of a cylindrical bladder and a stable floor which might otherwise be difficult to clean away. The bladder and the cover may be separate or integrally formed.

The stable bank system may comprise units which are mitred at one or both ends such that the units may be engaged when forming a stable bank extending around a comer. Separate corner-pieces may also be provided, for example a corner piece having openings for receiving respective ends associated with the at least two units so as to form a stable bank extending around a corner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference is now made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section view of a stable bank system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section view of the stable bank system of Figure 1 when in a collapsed state; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a stable incorporating the stable bank system of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section view of a stable bank system according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section view of the stable bank system of Figure 4 when in a collapsed state;

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of a stable incorporating the stable bank system of Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a corner piece employed in the stable bank system of Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section view of a stable bank system according to a first embodiment of the invention. The stable bank system is an air filled stable bank system comprising a sealed bladder 1 that forms the inflatable section to this embodiment of the invention. The bladder section is then fixed to a solid base 2, which is in turn fixed to the stable floor and wall.

The bladder section is best made from neoprene or thermo-plastic coated fabrics such as Ηypalon' (RTM), used in the manufacture of Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB's).

These types of material are ultra violet light resistant, fire resistant, abrasion resistant and extreme condition resistant. They can also easily be repaired by simple gluing.

The bladder section 1 would normally be fixed to the base 2 at the area detailed as 4 by a bonding agent or glue/resin. The solid base is then fixed to the stable floor and wall at 5 and fixing here will depend on the stable construction. Typically this will involve screwing into masonry and using holding brackets.

Figure 1 also details a main valve 3, which is used for inflating and deflating the bladder 1. The design also incorporates a second pressure release valve 6 for safety. This will allow air to escape if the internal pressure of the inflated bladder goes over a set safety limit.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section view of the stable bank system of Figure 1 with the bladder 1 deflated. The main valve 3 has been manually opened to collapse the bladder. The imaginary line at 9 represents the previous shape of the bladder. The space made available by deflation is evidenced between 1 and 9.

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of an example stable layout incorporating the stable bank system shown in Figures 1 and 2. The stable entrance is 7 and the walls are indicated by 10. The floor to the stable is shown as 8, which should ideally be rubber matting, recognised as the best surface for this purpose. Figure 3 also shows the easy access to main valves 3 in an emergency and the pressure release valves 6 at the ends of the bladders. It can also be seen from Figure 3 that the bank units comprising the stable bank are mitred at one or both ends 11 such that neighbouring bank units may be engaged to extend around a corner defined by walls of the stable.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section view of a stable bank according to a second embodiment of the invention. The stable bank comprises a number of bank units 20 which may be arranged around a stable. Each bank unit 20 comprises a cylindrical bladder 14 having a circular cross-section held in place by a top cover 15. In this example, the bladder and the top cover are separate but in other example may be integrally formed. The bladder is positioned adjacent a corner between the stable floor and a stable wall and runs parallel thereto. The bladder 14 includes a main valve 17 which is accessible through an opening in the top cover 15. The bladder also includes a pressure release valve (not shown) to prevent accidental over-inflation or bursting should an animal's weight fall on the bank unit. The top cover 15 is pulled taught over the bladder 14 and anchored to the stable wall and floor by suitable fixings 16. In this example these comprise batten fixings which extend parallel to the bladder. It will be appreciated that many other fixings, for example Velcro (RTM) or eyelet and hook/toggle fixings, may also be used. The top cover provides an outer surface of the stable bank. The location of the fixings may be selected so as to define a desired cross-section for the outer surface. For example, if a more horizontal upper surface is desired for the stable bank, the fixings 16 attaching the top 15 cover to the stable wall will be positioned lower than shown in Figure 4. If a more vertical wall to the stable bank is required, the fixings 16 attaching the top cover 15 to the stable floor will be positioned nearer to the stable wall than shown in Figure 4. The top cover 15 in this example is made of neoprene and the bladder 14 is made of polyvinylchloride (PNC). It will be appreciated that many other materials could equally be used. In some examples fire-retardant materials may be preferred to reduce the possibility of fire.

The inflated bladder of Figure 4 adopts a circular cross-section and this means that air pressure within the bladder does not generate localised stress points around its periphery. This means the bladder can be manufactured using relatively weaker material (e.g. thinner fabric) than might otherwise be required. The ends of the cylindrical bladder may be hemispherical to help minimise internal stress or may be flat to allow abutment with a planar surface, for example an end wall or another bank unit. Alternatively the ends of the bladder may be mitred such that two bladders can be co-engaged to form a stable bank which extends around a corner in the stable. In other examples, separate corner pieces may be provided where a stable bank extends around a corner.

It will be appreciated that the top cover may be dispensed with such that the cylindrical bladder itself directly provides the outer surface of the stable bank. In such a case the bladder may be held in place by appropriate lashings or merely rest in position. However, with this arrangement, stable waste, such as straw, urine and faeces, may accumulate where the circular outer surface of the bladder meets the stable floor. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section view of the stable bank system of Figure

4 with the bladder 14 deflated. The main valve 17 has been manually opened in response to a horse (not shown) becoming cast against this bank unit in the stable bank. Opening the main valve causes the bladder 14 to collapse as shown in the figure. When open the main valve has a high throughput such that the bladder can collapse quickly. In an installation where extremely rapid deflation of the bladder and corresponding collapse of the bank unit is desired a pump may be provided to remove air from the bladder through the main valve. In other cases the bladder may simply deflate under its own weight or be pressed upon by an operator. As the bladder deflates, the top cover 15 overlaying the bladder 14 is free to collapse into the corner as shown in Figure 5. This opens up a volume 18 between the collapsed bladder 14 and top cover 15 shown in Figure 5 and the outer surface of the stable bank defined by the top cover 15 when the bladder is inflated, as shown in Figure 4 and indicated by the broken lines shown in Figure 5. The legs of the cast horse are now free to move in to this volume such that the horse is no longer cast and can be righted. Once the horse is righted, the bladder may be re-inflated, for example from a compressed air supply applied to the open main valve 17. When the bladder is properly inflated the main valve 17 is closed and the stable bank re-assumes the configuration shown in Figure 4. It will be appreciated that other inflation means may be used, for example, rather than use the main valve 17 for inflation as well as for deflation, a separate one-way valve may be provided such that main valve 17 can be closed before re-inflation. This would allow a high throughput main valve (e.g. a valve having a large surface area opening) to be used for deflation without leading to difficulties in closing the valve without losing too much air once the bladder has been inflated.

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of an example stable layout incorporating the stable bank system shown in Figures 4 and 5. The stable has an entrance 7 in a front wall 30, two side walls 32, a rear wall 34 and a floor 8. The stable bank system in this example includes three bank units 20A, 20B, 20C extending along three of the walls of the stable and comer pieces 22 in each of the corners between the rear and side walls to connect the bank units 20A, 20B, 20C as shown in the figure. Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of one of the comer pieces 22 shown in Figure 6. Intersections between the walls 32, 34 and the floor 8 forming the comer in which the comer piece is installed are shown in the figure. The comer piece rests on the floor 8 and has an apex 24 adapted to be positioned in the comer between the two walls 32, 34. When installed in the comer of a stable, the comer piece 22 presents orthogonal opening 26, 28 which are sized to receive the bladders extending along the respective walls forming the comer. The comer piece in this example has a rigid plastic construction but many other configurations may be used. The comer piece may be fixed in place with suitable fixings or held in place by the bank units to which it is coupled. Returning to Figure 6, the bank unit 20B extending along the rear wall 34 comprises a cylindrical bladder 14B held in place by a top cover 15B. The top cover 15B is fixed to the stable floor 8 and rear wall 34 by fixings 16B. The bladder 14B is slightly longer than the distance between the two comer pieces 22 such that it extends into respective openings in the comer pieces 22. The top cover 15B is also slightly longer than the distance between the two comer pieces 22 and is arranged to overlap -li¬

the comer pieces such that the top cover holds them in place. The bank units 20A, 20C extending along the side walls 32 comprise respective cylindrical bladders 14A, 14C held in place by top covers 15 A, 15C. The bladders 14A, 14C are slightly longer than the distance between the front wall 30 and their respective comer pieces 22 such that they extend into the openings of the comer pieces. The top covers 15 A, 15C are also slightly longer than the distance between the front wall and the comer pieces and are arranged to overlap their respective comer pieces. _n this example there are no comer pieces at the corners between the front and side walls and accordingly the bank units 20A, 20C simply abut the front wall. The respective main valves 17A, 17B, 17C in each of the bank units 20 A, 20B, 20C can be seen through respective openings in the top covers 15 A, 15B, 15C.

In a modified design, the units can have additional valves arranged in their cylindrical end faces to allow adjacent units to be interconnected by hosing or tubing. Two such tubes are shown in Figure 6 with reference numerals 23 connecting the units at the comers underneath the comer pieces 22 via end valves 25. In this way, the different units in a stable can be put in air communication with each other so that all units can be deflated by opening only one of the valves. This may be advantageous for convenient inflation of all the units and also for deflation of the relevant unit in the case of an emergency where access to the main valve of the unit closest to the cast horse might be difficult.

It will be appreciated that the stable bank units can be arranged in many different ways with the most appropriate arrangement depending on the geometry of the stable. A stable bank system could be bespoke or provided as a kit of parts comprising, for example, a selection of comer pieces and differently sized bladders and top covers to allow a user to build a stable bank system appropriate for a particular stable. Kits including fixed length bladders are also envisaged where a stable bank extending along a wall may comprise a series of end-aligned bladders held in place by either a single top cover or a number of top covers which may be staggered with respect to the bladders so as to cover the joins between pairs of bladders. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications/additions and/or substitutions may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, it will be understood that the system may find use for housing other kinds of animals.

Claims

1. A stable bank system comprising a plurality of collapsible resilient units.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the units are inflatable and collapse by deflation.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the units are removable.

4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the units have a main valve for inflation and deflation.

5. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the units have a pressure release valve for safety.

6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the units comprise a sealed bladder fixed to a solid base which in turn has fixings to connect the unit to a floor and wall.

7. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of flexible webs shaped and dimensioned to cover the units and allow them to be secured against a floor and wall.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each unit has at least one of the flexible webs connected to it.

9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein each unit is cylindrical.

10. The system of any preceding claim, wherein each unit has at least one mitre end so that two of the units can be fitted in engagement into a comer.

11. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising comer pieces shaped to receive ends of the units.

12. The system of any preceding claim fitted in a stable.

13. A unit of the stable bank system of any preceding claim.

14. A collapsible resilient unit forming a stable bank.

15. A stable bank system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A unit for use in a stable bank system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.