Safety panel for horses with sliding gate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a panel for horses, comprising a preferably rectangular frame and a plurality of crossbars arranged in the frame, wherein in a first region of the panel the distance between the individual crossbars is a maximum of 5 cm and in a second region of the panel the distance between the individual crossbars is at least approximately 30 cm and preferably lies in the range between approximately 30 cm and approximately 80 cm, and the panel is a sliding gate, wherein the distances are preferably less than 5 cm and greater than 30 cm, respectively, in the open and closed states of the sliding gate. The invention further relates to a mobile paddock and a horse stall with at least one such panel.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Panels are elements, for example made of welded steel tubing, that are particularly suitable for the temporary separation of animals in cattle and horse farming. Their extremely low weight, ease of handling, and yet sufficient stability, combined with their affordable price, ensure their widespread use. Consequently, panels are sometimes also used for the permanent housing of animals.

[0003] Basically, panels consist of a grid of several horizontal struts / tubes arranged at regular intervals above each other and welded together by means of vertical struts.

[0004] Typical panel heights range from approximately 1.35 m to 1.85 m. Common spacing between crossbars / tubes is approximately 20 cm.

[0005] Especially in the area of ​​horse housing, these pipe spacings of approximately 20 cm are considered dangerous, as the use of such panels has repeatedly led to accidents and injuries to horses.

[0006] Especially when the animals roll around in close proximity to the panels, their limbs can get caught between the crossbars at the bottom of the grid. When they try to stand up, or if they become trapped, this often results in serious injuries.

[0007] Therefore, in relevant recommendations for horse keeping, such as those issued by the German Equestrian Federation (FN), grid spacings between 5 and 30 cm are listed as not being horse-friendly and thus not suitable for keeping horses.

[0008] The present invention aims to mitigate or completely eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. Specifically, the present invention aims to provide a panel suitable for the safe containment and housing of horses.

[0009] This problem is solved by a panel according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] A panel according to the invention for horses has a preferably rectangular frame and a plurality of crossbars arranged in the frame, wherein in a first area of ​​the panel the distance between the individual crossbars is a maximum of 5 cm and in a second area of ​​the panel the distance between the individual crossbars is in the range between approximately 30 cm and approximately 80 cm.

[0011] A panel according to the invention also has a sliding gate, which makes the panel versatile. Furthermore, injuries to animals are also avoided in the area of ​​the door or gate according to the invention.

[0012] The sliding gate allows for convenient use of a panel according to the invention even in narrow stable aisles, as no pivoting of the gate is required for opening. Additionally, the panel's open structure provides a light appearance and optimal air circulation in the stable. Prior art shows panels only with pivoting doors, while sliding gates are only known with solid walls (for example, in horse stalls).

[0013] The present invention now offers for the first time the possibility of combining the advantages of a sliding gate (simple and safe opening, less space requirement, complete gate opening is available to the animal and human, therefore higher safety) with the advantages of a panel structure (light construction, optimal air circulation, improved communication between the animals).

[0014] Preferably, the spacing of a panel according to the invention is less than 5 cm in the first area and greater than 30 cm in the second area when the sliding gate is open and closed.

[0015] Preferably, the sliding gate also has a preferably rectangular gate frame with a plurality of crossbars arranged in the gate frame, wherein in a first area of ​​the sliding gate the distance between the individual crossbars is a maximum of 5 cm and in a second area of ​​the sliding gate the distance between the individual crossbars is at least approximately 30 cm and preferably lies in the range between approximately 30 cm and approximately 80 cm.

[0016] The core of the invention lies in adjusting the spacing of the crossbars in both the panel and its sliding gate in such a way as to minimize the risk of injury to the horses.

[0017] In the lower section (first section), preferably up to a height of approximately 50 cm, the spacing between the bars is a maximum of 5 cm. This prevents the horses from getting their limbs caught between the bars / crossbars while rolling or otherwise.

[0018] In other words, the first area of ​​the panel and / or sliding gate preferably extends between approximately 30 cm and 80 cm, preferably between approximately 40 cm and approximately 70 cm, particularly between approximately 45 cm and approximately 60 cm, especially between approximately 45 cm and approximately 55 cm, starting from a first end of the frame / gate frame towards a second end opposite the first end.

[0019] Preferably, in the first area of ​​the panel or sliding gate, the distance between the individual crossbars is preferably between approximately 0.5 cm and 5 cm, preferably between approximately 1 cm and approximately 4.5 cm, in particular between approximately 2 cm and approximately 4 cm or between approximately 3 cm and approximately 4.5 cm.

[0020] In the upper section (second section), the grid spacing is set at over 30 cm. This allows a horse, should it get caught between the bars, to easily retreat.

[0021] In other words, in the second area of ​​the panel or sliding gate, the distance between the individual crossbars is preferably between approximately 30 cm and 75 cm, preferably between approximately 35 cm or approximately 40 cm and approximately 70 cm, in particular between approximately 40 cm and approximately 55 cm or between approximately 55 cm and approximately 70 cm.

[0022] Due to the special arrangement of the crossbars, the panels according to the invention can be recommended without restrictions for the temporary or even long-term housing of horses. Animal owners who rent out horse stalls therefore no longer face any liability risks, as they are not violating any relevant recommendations.

[0023] In practice, it has proven helpful if the distance between the individual crossbars in the first section of the sliding gate corresponds to the distance between the individual crossbars in the first section of the panel, and / or the distance between the individual crossbars in the second section of the sliding gate corresponds to the distance between the individual crossbars in the second section of the panel. An example of such a design is shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0024] In other words, the same distances between the crossbars are preferably present at the same height or in the same area of ​​the sliding gate and the panel.

[0025] The panel, preferably the frame with the crossbars, preferably has a bearing, in particular a bracket, for holding and / or guiding the sliding gate. Preferably, the sliding gate has a retaining arm designed to hold the sliding gate movably on the bearing, in particular the bracket. The sliding gate is movably mounted on the bearing, preferably by means of rollers.

[0026] The sliding gate is therefore preferably supported and / or guided by a (preferably single) bracket connected to the panel.

[0027] For secure locking of the sliding gate, the panel is preferably equipped with a locking mechanism for locking the sliding gate, wherein the locking mechanism has at least one pre-tensioned bolt, preferably a spring bolt. The pre-tensioned bolt preferably has an automatic locking function.

[0028] For guiding the sliding gate, the panel preferably has a multi-pipe guide for the sliding gate, in particular a triple polymer (especially polyamide) pipe guide.

[0029] For a secure stand on the ground and for easy movement of the sliding gate, the panel, in particular the frame, and / or the sliding gate may have at least one partially or completely skid-shaped support element.

[0030] The gate opening preferably has a height of 2m to 3m, preferably between 2.0m and 2.50m, and particularly between 2.20m and 2.40m. The passage width is preferably between 1.0m and 1.50m, and particularly between 1.10m and 1.40m. This allows the horses to pass through the gate comfortably.

[0031] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous in practice if the panel and / or sliding gate has support elements on which the panel or sliding gate can be erected, and the first area is located closer to the support elements than the second area. In other words, the first area is preferably the lower area of ​​the panel / sliding gate. This is exemplified in Fig. 1 shown.

[0032] Preferably, the support elements are designed such that, when the panel / sliding gate is erected using the support elements, the gap between the lowest crossbar and the ground is less than 5 cm, so that there is no danger of a horse getting its limbs caught in the gap between the panel and the ground.

[0033] Preferably, the frame and crossbars are made of metal, in particular steel.

[0034] Furthermore, connecting elements, in particular in the form of chains or brackets, can be provided on a panel and / or sliding gate according to the invention, by means of which the panel can be detachably connected to other panels.

[0035] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the frame / gate frame and the crossbars are made of hollow tubes, preferably welded together. This allows for the production of particularly lightweight panels.

[0036] Preferably, hot-rolled flat tubes with a square cross-sectional base area, a length of 50 mm and a width of 30 mm, and a material thickness of 1.5 mm are used.

[0037] A panel according to the invention is used, for example, in a mobile paddock.

[0038] A panel according to the invention can also be used in the context of a permanently installed stable, for example to separate a horse box from the stable aisle.

[0039] Further advantages, features, and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. Here, the figures show: Fig. 1 a panel with sliding gate according to the present invention; Fig. 2 a panel according to the invention with a basic length of 3600 cm; Fig. 3 a panel according to the invention with a basic length of 3000 cm.

[0040] The in Fig. The panel 1 shown according to the invention has a rectangular frame 2 and several crossbars 3 arranged in the frame 2.

[0041] Panel 1 also features a sliding gate with a rectangular gate frame 8, in which several crossbars 3 are also arranged.

[0042] In a first, lower area of ​​the panel and the sliding gate, the distance between the individual crossbars is a maximum of 5 cm, for example 5 cm here, and in a second, upper area of ​​the panel or sliding gate, the distance between the individual crossbars is more than 30 cm, for example 32 cm here.

[0043] The distances are the same in the area of ​​the panel and the sliding gate.

[0044] The sliding gate has a retaining arm 9 by means of which the sliding gate or the gate frame 8 is held and guided on a bracket 10. The bracket 10 is connected to the frame 2.

[0045] The panel has a locking mechanism 11 for locking the sliding gate. The sliding gate or gate frame is guided by a guide 12 on a crossbar 3 of the panel.

[0046] The panel or gate frame 8 has skid-shaped support elements or feet 4 by means of which the panel 1 / sliding gate can be placed on the ground. According to the invention, the gap between the panel 1 or the lowest crossbar 3 and the ground is less than 5 cm, here for example 4 cm.

[0047] Individual panels can be connected to each other using connecting elements, e.g. in the form of chains 5.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a panel according to the invention can additionally have at least one shielding element 6 which prevents animals from injuring themselves on the possibly sharp-edged connecting elements.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the panels have chains 5 and corresponding anchoring elements 7, preferably in the form of sheet metal components or triangular sheets, to connect individual panels together.

[0050] The anchoring elements 7 can have very sharp edges. To prevent animals that get their limbs caught between the crossbars from injuring themselves on the anchoring elements 7, the panel features Fig. 3 shielding elements 6, which shield the anchoring elements 7 and thus minimize the risk of injury.

[0051] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the shielding elements 6 are designed as diagonally extending struts, each of which runs parallel to the edge forming the hypotenuse of the anchoring elements 7, which in this embodiment are designed as triangular plates.

[0052] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in 1, the shielding elements 6 are only on one side (right in Fig. 1) of the panel, but the panel can also be equipped on both sides with shielding elements 6, which can also be arranged in the area of ​​the sliding gate.

[0053] The distance between each shielding element 6 and the associated anchoring element 7 or its edge is preferably a maximum of 5 cm and is particularly preferably in the range between approximately 1 cm and approximately 5 cm.

[0054] The structure of the panels of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 corresponds to the panel's structure in Fig. 1. These figures provide information regarding particularly preferred dimensions of a panel according to the invention.

Claims

[1] Panel for horses, with a preferably rectangular frame and a plurality of cross braces arranged in the frame, characterized by that in a first area of ​​the panel the distance between the individual cross struts is a maximum of 5 cm and in a second area of ​​the panel the distance between the individual cross struts is at least approx. 30 cm and preferably in the range between approx. 30 cm and approx. 80 cm and that the panel has a sliding gate. [2] Panel according to claim 1, characterized by that the sliding gate has a preferably rectangular gate frame with a plurality of cross struts arranged in the gate frame, wherein in a first region of the sliding gate the distance between the individual cross struts is a maximum of 5 cm and in a second region of the sliding gate the distance between the individual cross struts is at least approximately 30 cm and preferably lies in the range between approximately 30 cm and approximately 80 cm. [3] Panel according to claim 2, characterized by that the distance between the individual cross struts in the first area of ​​the sliding gate corresponds to the distance between the individual cross struts in the first area of ​​the panel and / or the distance between the individual cross struts in the second area of ​​the sliding gate corresponds to the distance between the individual cross struts in the second area of ​​the panel. [4] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the panel has a bearing, in particular a bracket, for holding and / or guiding the sliding gate and / or the sliding gate has a holding arm which is designed to hold the sliding gate on the bearing, wherein the sliding gate is preferably movably mounted on the bearing, preferably by means of rollers. [5] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sliding gate is supported and / or guided by a bracket connected to the panel. [6] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the sliding gate, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one pre-tensioned bolt, preferably a spring bolt. [7] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the panel, in particular the frame, and / or the sliding gate has at least one partially or completely skid-shaped stand element. [8] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the first area of ​​the panel and / or the sliding gate the distance between the individual cross struts is between approx. 0.5 cm and 5 cm, preferably between approx. 1 cm and approx. 4.5 cm, in particular between approx. 2 cm and approx. 4 cm or between approx. 3 cm and approx. 4.5 cm. [9] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in the second area of ​​the panel and / or sliding gate the distance between the individual cross braces is between approx. 30 cm and 75 cm, preferably between approx. 40 cm and approx. 70 cm, in particular between approx. 40 cm and approx. 55 cm or between approx. 55 cm and approx. 70 cm. [10] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the panel and / or the sliding gate has at least one stand element on which the panel or the sliding gate can be set up, and the first area of ​​the panel and / or the sliding gate is arranged closer to the stand element than the second area. [11] Panel according to claim 10, characterized by that the stand elements are designed in such a way that when the panel and / or the sliding gate is erected using the stand elements, the gap between the lowest cross member and the floor is 5 cm or less than 5 cm. [12] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the frame and its cross braces as well as the gate frame and its cross braces are made of metal, in particular steel. [13] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that connecting elements are also provided by means of which the panel can be detachably connected to other panels. [14] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the frame and its cross struts as well as the gate frame and its cross struts are made of hollow tubes, preferably welded together, in particular of hot-rolled flat tubes. [15] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first region of the frame and / or goal frame extends between approximately 30 cm and 80 cm, preferably between approximately 40 cm and approximately 70 cm, in particular between approximately 45 cm and approximately 60 cm, particularly between approximately 45 cm and approximately 55 cm, starting from a first end of the frame or goal frame to a second end opposite the first end. [16] Panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that shielding elements are further provided, by means of which connecting elements for connecting a plurality of panels to one another and / or anchoring elements associated with the connecting elements are shielded, wherein preferably a distance between each shielding element and / or the associated connecting element or anchoring element is less than 5 cm. [17] Mobile paddock with at least one panel according to the preceding claims. [18] Horse box with at least one panel according to the preceding claims 1 to 16.

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