AU2009100852A4

AU2009100852A4 - Animal exerciser

Info

Publication number: AU2009100852A4
Application number: AU2009100852A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Hall; David Wilson
Original assignee: Dowsett Eng Pty Ltd
Current assignee: DOWSETT ENGINEERING Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-25
Filing date: 2009-08-25
Publication date: 2009-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-25

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Dowsett Engineering Pty Ltd of 31 Merri Concourse, Campbellfield, Victoria 3061, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Mark Hall David Wilson Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, I Nicholson Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Innovation Patent specification for the invention entitled: "Animal exerciser" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 0 \O1R\MXC\2009\ALJGh SE1OX1624 2%71NN 0V I)OC - 2S/9/0) QAOPER\MXC\2009\Povs\Mar Hal - DowI Engiering- Horsc Excmciscr\30801624 - Innovation Application Specifiationdo 24/un2009 ANIMAL EXERCISER FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to an apparatus for exercising animals. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an apparatus for exercising horses. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 It is generally important to an animal's health for it to have regular exercise. It is advantageous to have different exercise methods and apparatus available for situations when it is not convenient to use existing methods. For example, horses are commonly exercised in a lunging ring when the horse cannot be ridden, needs to be settled or simply needs some exercise. However, commonly available lunging rings can have a diameter of 15 20 metres and therefore occupy a great deal of space which can only be used for one horse at a time. Due to the size of commonly available lunging rings, it can be impractical to cover them, making them inconvenient to use when raining. Examples of the invention seek to solve, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages 20 of previous animal exercisers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided an animal exerciser including an 25 inner wall, an outer wall and a ground surface which define an endless passage, and a plurality of partitions disposed transversely across the passage to divide the passage into segments for containing animals, wherein the partitions are arranged to advance along the endless passage such that the segments travel about the endless passage and each animal contained within a respective one of the travelling segments is required to exercise by 30 moving relative to the ground surface within the partitions of the respective segment.

Q:\OPER\MXC\200 Povs\AMk HI - Doscl Engincring - Horse Excerisak30901624 -Innovaon Applicaon Specificationdoo24/O2009 -2 Preferably, the partitions advance along a central line of the passage. Preferably, a spacing between the partitions is fixed. Preferably, the partitions are fixedly attached to a support loop, the support loop being 5 configured to rotate about a central point of the exerciser, thereby advancing the partitions along the passage. Preferably, the support loop is disposed above the passage. Preferably, when in use, the support loop is located above the animals contained in the segments. Preferably, the support loop is substantially directly above a central line of the passage. 10 Preferably, the cross sectional shape of the support loop has flat sides arranged to engage an outer surface of a drive wheel. Preferably, the cross sectional shape of the support loop has at least three flat sides. Preferably, the support loop has a generally quadrilateral cross sectional shape. Preferably, the support loop has a cross sectional shape generally of a rhombus or diamond. 15 Preferably, the partitions are flexible. Preferably, the partitions are formed of rubber. Preferably, the partitions include an electrified element to encourage an animal contained within the travelling segment to exercise. 20 Preferably, the animal exerciser further includes a drive arranged for driving the loop around the central point of the exerciser and a control for controlling the velocity of the loop. Preferably, the exerciser is arranged for use by horses. Preferably, the spacing and height 25 of the travelling segments is sufficient for containing horses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described, by way of non-limiting example only, with 30 reference to the accompanying drawings in which: QAOPER\MXC\2009\Pos\alak Hall - Do et Erigineeing- Ho Excerc3is10 1624 - 1nnovalion Applicaion Spcification doo2408/2009 -3 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an animal exerciser in accordance with one example of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the animal exerciser; Figure 3 is a side view of the animal exerciser; 5 Figure 4 is a front view of a frame member of the animal exerciser; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an inner wall member of the animal exerciser; Figure 6 is front view of a partition of the animal exerciser; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fixed trolley of the animal exerciser; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a movable trolley of the animal exerciser; 10 Figure 9 is a front view of the movable trolley; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a drive system of the animal exerciser; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a motor mount bracket used in the drive system; Figure 12 is a plan view of a support loop of the animal exerciser; and Figure 13 is a side view of the support loop. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an animal exerciser 10 in accordance with one example of the invention, the animal exerciser 10 having an inner wall 12 and an outer 20 wall 14 disposed on a ground surface which define an endless passage 16 through which animals can exercise. In the example shown, the passage 16 is circular. In another form, the passage 16 may be an oval, elliptical or other non-circular shape. The passage 16 is divided by partitions 18 disposed transversely across the passage 16 to divide the passage into segments or sections for containing animals. The partitions 18 are arranged to 25 advance along the passage 16 such that the segments travel about the passage 16 and each animal contained within a respective one of the travelling segments is required to exercise by moving relative to the ground surface within the partitions of the respective segment. The animal exerciser 10 includes frame members 20 from which a rotating support loop 22 30 is hung. In the example shown, frame members 20 are sufficiently high to enable a horse to be exercised within the animal exerciser 10.

Q:\OPER\MXC\009 \Mark Hall - Dws Engin in8 - Hor Exceci3801624 . nation Applicaon Specification do-24/8/209 -4 Trolleys 24, 50, which are fixed to each frame member 20, are provided with rolling elements to enable the support loop 22 to rotate and travel generally along the passage 16. In the example shown, the support loop is disposed generally above a central line of the 5 passage. Partitions 18 are fixedly attached to the support loop 22 so that they advance along the passage 16 when the support loop 22 is rotated. A central area of the animal exerciser 10 is available for other animal exercising or training activities such as lunging for horses. The central area 26 may be accessed through gates 10 28, 30 provided in inner and outer walls 12, 14 respectively. In the example shown, the animal exerciser 10 includes a central frame 32 which may be provided to support a roof covering (not shown) to cover the central area 26 and the passage 16. The roof covering (not shown) may be made of any commercially available covering material. If a roof covering over the central area 26 is not desirable, a roof having an annular shape so as to 15 cover only the passage 16 may be provided. With reference to Figure 4, a frame member 20 includes an upper member 19 which is shown to be inclined to allow an optional roof covering (not shown) over the passage 16 to have a slope so that rain water will run off. An inner leg 21 is shown to be shorter than an 20 outer leg 23 to allow the frame member to engage an upper surface of the inner wall 12 (see Figure 5), which may form part of an existing structure, such as a horse lunging ring or fence for example. Alternatively, inner leg 21 may extend to the ground surface, as does outer leg 23, and both the inner wall 12 and outer wall 14 are configured to extend between frame members 20. 25 The frame members 20 may be made from any commercially available material, such as mild steel or aluminium for example. A support bracket 25 is fixedly attached to upper member 19 to allow connection of trolleys 24, 50 thereto. 30 With reference to Figure 6, an example of a partition 18 used in the animal exerciser 10 is shown. Partition 18 incudes a flexible mat 34 which, in the example shown, is made from QOPER\MXC\209\Prvs\Mark Hall - Dowsei Engincnng - Horse Excercis\30801624 - Inni- ot Application Specificondoo24/8/2009 -5 4mm fabric reinforced conveyor rubber. Alternatively, the flexible mat 34 may be made from wire mesh. The flexible mat 34 is suspended between a pair of support strips 36 positioned on opposing sides of the flexible mat 34 to allow connection of the flexible mat 34 to the support strips 36 by fasteners 38. The support strips 36 may be made of any 5 commercially available material, such as mild steel or aluminium for example. Support strips 36 are connected to an upper support member 40 by tie rods 42. A stay 44 is provided to control lateral swinging of the partition 18. The upper support member 40 includes bracket 46 to allow the partition to be fixedly attached to corresponding brackets 10 48 (see Figure 11) on the support loop 22, using fasteners such as bolts, for example. An uppermost portion 17 of partition 18 is not covered in to allow an animal to see through it to reduce the chances of the animal becoming startled when using the animal exerciser 10. The flexible mat, provided below the uppermost portion, allows the partition to contact 15 the animal and nudge it forwards without causing injury to the animal or damage to the animal exerciser 10. Partition 18 may also include an electrified element (not shown), such as a beam extending across the partition 18, arranged to contact an animal travelling at a speed below that of the travelling segment and encourage them to move at the speed of the travelling segment. Advantageously, damage to the animal exerciser 10, particularly 20 the partition 18, can be avoided. With reference to Figures 7 and 8, trolleys 24 and 50 are shown. The trolley 24 is a fixed trolley, configured to be fixedly attached to the frame members 20. The trolley 50 is a movable trolley, also configured to be fixedly attached to the frame members 20, but 25 further including an upper bracket 56 to enable lateral movement of the trolley relative to the frame member 20 to accommodate for manufacturing imperfections in the support loop 22, such as a lack of roundness. As can be seen in Figure 9, movable trolley 50 includes bracket 55 which slidably engages 30 with bolts 59 to allow lateral movement between bracket 55 and upper bracket 56 to accommodate manufacturing imperfections in the support loop 22. Bushes 57 are provided Q OPER\MXC2009Pos\Mak H1 -Do Engin ing - Ho Excercia3001624 - novation Application Speciflcation doo24/O8/2009 -6 between bracket 55 and bolts 59 to reduce the friction of movement therebetween. The upper bracket 56 is wider than bracket 55 to accommodate the lateral movement. In the embodiment shown, moveable trolley 50 can move 10mm to either side of a central position to provide a total allowance for lateral movement of 20mm. 5 As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the fixed trolleys 24 are fitted to frame members 20 which are disposed generally around one half of the animal exerciser 10 and the movable trolleys 50 are fitted to frame members 20 which are disposed generally around an opposite half of the animal exerciser 10. 10 The trolleys 24, 50 are fitted to consecutive frame members in an alternating manner so that each fixed trolley 24 fitted to one frame member is generally followed by a movable trolley 50 on the next consecutive frame member and each moveable trolley 50 fitted on one frame member is generally followed by a fixed trolley 24 on the next consecutive 15 frame member. With reference to Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that each trolley 24, 50 includes a pair of wheels 52 rotatably fixed to a bracket 55 which is fixedly attached to trolleys 24, 50. The wheels 52 are shaped to engage lower side faces of the support loop 22 and an upper wheel 20 54 is also rotatably attached to the bracket 55 and configured to engage an upper edge of the support loop 22. The upper wheel 54 is provided to ensure that support loop 22 is held in position and in contact with wheels 52 to prevent movement of the support loop 22. Each of wheels 52, 54 are made from a relatively soft material, such as rubber or urethane for example, to enable the wheel to frictionally engage the support loop 22 in a positive 25 manner yet provide quiet operation. With reference to Figure 10, a drive 58 arranged for driving the loop around a central point of the exerciser is shown. The drive 58 includes a motor 60 which drives a drive wheel 62 in frictional engagement with the support loop 22 to enable rotation of the support loop 22. 30 An idler wheel 64 is arranged on an opposing face of the support loop 22 from the drive wheel 62 to counteract the force imparted on the support loop 22 by the drive wheel 62 to QAOPERVMXC\2009\Pro \Miark Hall - Do-c Engicern - Hos Excea\30801624 - Inovaion Applicato Spcifii.dood-24/8/2009 -7 ensure good contact is achieved between the drive wheels 62 and the support loop 22. Guide wheels 66 are also provided to engage other opposing faces of the support loop, to ensure that support loop 22 is held in position and in contact with wheels 62, 64. A mounting bracket 68, also shown in Figure 10, is provided to accommodate all of these 5 components in a modular housing which can be easily assembled and installed or removed for service. Accommodating the motor 60 and drive wheel 62 in a modular enclosure minimises the complexity of the system and allows for the noise of the system to be easily controlled at one location, thereby minimising noise generated and the stress caused to animals using the animal exerciser. A control (not shown) may also be provided to control 10 the speed of the motor 60 and therefore the velocity of the support loop 22 which may rotate at speeds of up to 30 kilometres per hour and can be operated in the reverse direction. With reference to Figures 11 and 12, the support loop 22 can be seen. In one form, the 15 support loop may be formed by rolling lengths of a material which are plug welded together to form a rigid and continuous ring having a shape similar to that of the passage 16. In another form, the support loop 22 is flexible to accommodate a passage 16 which may be non-circular such as an oval, elliptical or other non-circular shape. In this form, the support loop 22 may be a chain or rope for example. 20 In the example shown, the welds on support loop 22 may be ground down after welding to ensure a flat surface suitable for engagement with drive or support wheels 52, 54, 62, 64, 66. 25 In the examples shown, the support ring 22 is made from a material having a square cross sectional shape. Using a material with a cross sectional shape having flat sides allows conventional wheels having flat outer surfaces which provide good contact with the support loop 22 to be used. Owing to the good contact between the wheels 52, 54, 62, 64, 66 and the support loop 22, quiet operation of the animal exerciser 10 can be achieved. 30 The support loop 22 may be made from any commercially available material, such as steel or aluminium for example.

Q -OPERMXC\2009\PysMak Hal1 - Doset Enginering - Hose Exceriscr30801624 .Innovaon Applicaton Speificatiotdoo24//2009 -8 The support ring is arranged so that the square cross section material is orientated at an angle of 45 degrees so that it appears as to have a rhombus or diamond shape. The cross section of the support loop 22 may also take other shapes, regular or irregular, provided 5 that the shape has flat sides to allow engagement of between those flat sides and the wheels 52, 54, 62, 64, 66. In particular, a shape having at least 3 flat sides, such as a triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal or hexagonal shape for example, may allow the support ring 22 to be securely supported and driven. 10 The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention disclosed. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or 15 admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. An animal exerciser including an inner wall, an outer wall and a ground surface which define an endless passage, and a plurality of partitions disposed transversely across 5 the passage to divide the passage into segments for containing animals, wherein the partitions are arranged to advance along the endless passage such that the segments travel about the endless passage and each animal contained within a respective one of the travelling segments is required to exercise by moving relative to the ground surface within the partitions of the respective segment. 10

2. An animal exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partitions advance along a central line of the passage.

3. An animal exerciser as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein a spacing between 15 the partitions is fixed.

4. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partitions are fixedly attached to a support loop, the support loop being configured to rotate about a central point of the exerciser, thereby advancing the partitions along the passage. 20

5. An animal exerciser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support loop is disposed above the passage.

6. An animal exerciser as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein, when in use, the 25 support loop is located above the animals contained in the segments.

7. An animal exerciser as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the support loop is substantially directly above a central line of the passage. Q:OPERMXC\2009o ark Hall - Dosei Engienng -Hors Exccisa\30101624 - novationApplicationSpecificationdo24/I/209 - 10

8. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the cross sectional shape of the support loop has flat sides arranged to engage an outer surface of a drive wheel. 5

9. An animal exerciser as claimed claim 8, wherein the cross sectional shape of the support loop has at least three flat sides.

10. An animal exerciser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support loop has a generally quadrilateral cross sectional shape. 10

11. An animal exerciser as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support loop has a cross sectional shape generally of a rhombus or diamond.

12. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 15 partitions are flexible.

13. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partitions are formed of rubber. 20

14. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partitions include an electrified element arranged to contact an animal travelling at a speed below that of the travelling segment and encourage them to move at the speed of the travelling segment. 25

15. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11, further including a drive arranged for driving the loop around the central point of the exerciser and a control for controlling the velocity of the loop.

16. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 30 exerciser is arranged for use by horses. QAOPER\MXC\2009\Pros\Mak Ha1 - DoseI Enginering -Hone Excercisat30801624 - Innvation Application Specificion.do24//2009 - 11

17. An animal exerciser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacing and height of the travelling segments is suitable for containing horses.

18. An animal exerciser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 5 accompanying drawings.