Hurdle for animals

Abstract

Hurdle for dogs, with side posts (1.1, 1.2), between which a wall (2) with an upper crossbar (4) is arranged, the height of which is adjustable relative to a ground along the side posts (1.1, 1.2), wherein the upper crossbar (4) is made of a flexible material, wherein the upper crossbar (4) is an elastic band and the wall (2) is made of a flexible material, the wall (2) receives the crossbar (4) in an upper fold (3) and the wall (2) encloses a lower crossbar (6) between two side posts (1.1, 1.2) with a lower fold (5), wherein on at least one side of the lower crossbar (6) a pipe piece (7) is arranged, which receives a side post (1.1, 1.2), characterized in that a sliding block (9.1-9.6) is formed laterally on the upper crossbar (4), which slides into a groove (10) of the side post (1.1,1.2) slides, whereby a connection (13,13.1) for the connection of the upper cross member (4) and this protrudes laterally from the groove (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hurdle for animals according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art

[0002] The relationship between humans and animals is very close. This is especially true for pets, such as horses or dogs, which are trained by humans. Jumping plays a major role in this. The present invention is specifically designed for dogs, but it is also applicable to other pets where jumping is to be practiced or where the animal's performance capabilities are to be demonstrated in competition.

[0003] Dog hurdles allow you to train your dog's running, jumping, and other athletic abilities. Hurdles come in many different shapes, designs, and sizes, so there's a perfect hurdle for every animal. There are also different sets for dog enthusiasts, allowing for training at home or on the go.

[0004] The most important criteria for a hurdle are the size, material, and height of the hurdle. The size of the hurdle depends on the size of the pet. Most pets, such as dogs, will be able to jump over small hurdles without any problems, but larger dogs may require larger hurdles. It is also important that the hurdle is stable. This is especially important if the pet is larger and has a lot of strength. The hurdle should be easy to assemble and disassemble so that it can be easily transported.

[0005] The most common types of hurdles are wooden hurdles, metal hurdles and plastic hurdles.

[0006] In this context, reference is made to US 2014 / 0076243 A1. This document describes an animal fence comprising flexible cross members arranged between the posts, which telescopically and reciprocally engage with connecting elements coupled transversely to the posts. The engagement between the connecting elements and the cross member moves back and forth upon bending of the cross member due to the application of a force less than a release force to the cross member. The engagement between the connecting elements and the cross member releases upon bending of a flexible cross member due to the application of a force equal to or greater than a release force.

[0007] Furthermore, reference is made to DE 20 2017 107 873 U1. Therein, a plug-in bar with two end faces is disclosed for use in a system for training animals, preferably camels, dromedaries and equines, particularly preferably horses, wherein the plug-in bar has blind holes or through-holes for receiving flexible plug-in elements which yield when touched by the animal to be trained, which extend along the plug-in bar, and a connecting element on at least one of the two end faces of the plug-in bar, wherein they are designed to form a plug-in connection with a corresponding connecting element, wherein a blind hole for receiving a flexible plug-in element is present on at least one of the two end faces of the plug-in bar, and wherein the plug-in bar can be fixed in one or more fixing elements.

[0008] For example, an agility tire jump is known from DE 20 2005 013 512 U1, where the tire is attached directly to side bars by means of a Velcro or clip fastening and can be adjusted along them.

[0009] In equestrian sports, there are numerous protective rights relating to hurdles. However, they are generally tailored to equestrian sports and have only limited applicability to dog sports. For example, DE 91 13 800 U1 describes a training obstacle for tournament courses in which at least one flat, flexible obstacle is arranged between two lateral boundaries.

[0010] DE 20 2016 006 800 U1 describes a magnetic bar holder that supports dog sport hurdle bars without the need for a mechanical screw / clamp / or plug connection. It is continuously adjustable in conjunction with a square steel tube. A hurdle equipped with this type of magnetic connection can also be found online at wt-metall.de / produkt / mobile-huerde-15-meter / . The disadvantage, however, is that the upper crossbar is designed as a rigid bar (square tube, not a round tube with "sharp" edges or corners), which can cause pain to a dog's paw if it hits it. Furthermore, the lateral attachment of the upper crossbar to the side posts depends on the tension between the two side posts. This tension decreases with use, and then the attachment of the upper crossbar is no longer guaranteed. Object of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to create a hurdle of the above-mentioned type which takes the greatest possible consideration of the animal and its well-being, is easy to handle, assemble and also easy to disassemble. Solution to the task

[0012] The features of claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

[0013] This ensures that the crossbar gives way even when the dog's paws strike it, so the animal is not subjected to any pain. This allows training sessions to be repeated at any time and as often as needed, as the dog will not exhibit any aversion behavior. The upper crossbar is preferably made of elastic. Of course, any similar materials can also be used within the scope of the invention.

[0014] The wall is also preferably made of a flexible material, so that adjusting the height of the upper cross member is not difficult. The wall preferably accommodates the upper cross member in an upper fold and wraps around a lower cross member between the two side posts with a lower fold. This lower cross member primarily serves to secure brackets to or on the side posts. For example, a pipe section can be molded onto the left and right sides of the lower cross member, into which the side post is inserted. This facilitates assembly and disassembly of the device.

[0015] Another key feature of the present invention are the T-nuts arranged laterally on the upper cross member. They serve to connect the upper cross member to the two side posts, with the T-nuts preferably sliding in longitudinal grooves in the side posts. For the connection to the upper cross member, the T-nuts are molded into connectors that protrude laterally from the groove in the side posts during use. For simplicity, the height of the wall is adjusted by sliding the T-nuts in the corresponding grooves. Character description

[0016] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings, which show: Fig. 1 a front view of a hurdle according to the invention; Fig. 2 a front view of the hurdle according to Fig. 1 with lowered wall; Fig. 3 an enlarged plan view of an upper cross member between two slot nuts for insertion into side posts; Fig. 4 a top view of a side post with inserted slot nut. Examples of implementation

[0017] According to Fig. 1, a hurdle P according to the invention has two side posts 1.1 and 1.2, between which a wall 2 is located. This wall 2 wraps around an upper cross member 4 with an upper fold 3 and a lower cross member 6 with a lower fold 5.

[0018] Connected to the lower crossbeam 6 on the left and right are pipe sections 7.1 and 7.2, into which the side posts 1.1 and 1.2 are inserted. Pipe sections 7.1 and 7.2 rest on feet 8.1 and 8.2, which secure hurdle P to a surface.

[0019] While the lower cross member 6 consists, for example, of an aluminum strip, the upper cross member 4 is designed to be flexible according to the invention. For example, it can be a rubber band. This upper cross member 4 is connected laterally to sliding blocks 9.1 and 9.2, each of which fits into a groove 10 (see Fig. 4) of the side posts 1.1 and 2.2, respectively. To prevent the sliding blocks 9.1 and 9.2 from accidentally sliding upwards out of their grooves 10, caps 11.1 and 11.2 are placed on the side posts 1.1 and 1.2, respectively.

[0020] The groove 10 is undercut relative to the sliding block 9.1 or 9.2, so that a sliding body 12 of the sliding block 9.1 or 9.2 cannot slide laterally out of the groove 10. A connection 13 protrudes from this sliding body 12, protruding laterally from a useful slot 14 and connecting there to the upper cross member 4.

[0021] The operation of the present invention is as follows: The hurdle P is set up at a predetermined location on a dog obstacle course. Furthermore, the height of the crossbar 4 relative to a ground or relative to the lower crossbar 6 is adjusted to a desired height, with the sliding blocks 9.1 and 9.2 being moved along the groove 10 of the side posts 1.1 and 1.2, respectively. Since the wall 2 is also made of a flexible material, it only presents an obstacle to the dog at a visible height.

[0022] Now, it is determined whether the dog can easily jump the specified height of the upper crossbar 4. If this is not the case, the upper crossbar 4 is moved further down by sliding the sliding blocks 9.1 and 9.2 in the grooves 10. However, if the dog has no difficulty jumping this height, the distance of the upper crossbar 4 relative to the lower crossbar 6 can be adjusted by sliding the sliding blocks 9.1 and 9.2 upwards.

[0023] If the adjustment is too high and the dog stumbles, it will not suffer any damage because the flexible upper cross member gives way to the pressure and, if necessary, the sliding blocks 9.1 or 9.2 also slide slightly downwards. List of reference symbols 1 side post 2 wall 3 Upper cover 4 Upper traverse 5 Lower cover 6 Lower traverse 7 Pipe section 8 feet 9 T-slot nut 10 grooves 11 cap 12 sliding bodies 13 Connection 14 Slot P Hurdle

Claims

[1] Hurdle for dogs, with side posts (1.1, 1.2), between which a wall (2) with an upper crossbar (4) is arranged, the height of which is adjustable relative to a ground along the side posts (1.1, 1.2), wherein the upper crossbar (4) is made of a flexible material, wherein the upper crossbar (4) is an elastic band and the wall (2) is made of a flexible material, the wall (2) receives the crossbar (4) in an upper fold (3) and the wall (2) encloses a lower crossbar (6) between two side posts (1.1, 1.2) with a lower fold (5), wherein on at least one side of the lower crossbar (6) a pipe section (7) is arranged, which receives a side post (1.1, 1.2), characterized bythat a slot nut (9.1-9.6) is formed on the side of the upper cross member (4), which slides into a groove (10) of the side post (1.1,1.2), whereby a connection (13,13.1) for connecting the upper cross member (4) protrudes from the slot nut (9.1-9.6) and this protrudes laterally from the groove (10).

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