AU2011235973A1 - Relocatable Stable - Google Patents

Abstract

5414A-AU A stable complex (1) is disclosed having a set of yards (2) and a stable proper (3). The stable is formed from three wall panels (16) and a door panel (17). These panels are maintained in rigid interrelationship by means of a roof (13) which provides a cross-bracing. The bottom edges (22) of the panels (16, 17) stand on unprepared ground. A dual stable complex (50) and an eight stable complex (63) are also disclosed. c\Jj C(Ni

Description

5414A-AU AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant(s): Anthony Spencer BROWNING Actual Inventor(s): Anthony Spencer BROWNING Address for Service: FRASER OLD & SOHN Patent Attorneys PO Box 560 MILSONS POINT NSW 1565 Invention Title: RELOCATABLE STABLE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 5414A-AU Field of the Invention The present invention relates to stables for horse and, in particular, to stables which are able to be relocated from one property, or one location within a property, to another property or another location within the same property. Background Art Stables are universally constructed as permanent structures and normally utilise building techniques which are also used for sheds, cottages and like structures which are intended to either accommodate, or at least shelter, human beings. As such, these structures are normally governed by the Building Code of Australia and/or at least, require council approval to be erected. This history of construction means that the structures are normally very strong with substantial foundations. Thus even if the floor of the stable is intended to be of dirt rather than concrete construction, there is still substantial work involved in preparing the foundations for the supporting posts of the structure. Genesis of the Invention The genesis of the present invention is a desire to enable stables to be constructed on unprepared ground. If a suitable fabrication technique is utilised, and the stable is able to be erected on unprepared ground, then the stable may be disassembled and easily moved to another location, whether that location be another location on the same property, or a different property. Such a relocatable stable would be particularly advantageous to competitors in horse events such as Olympic equestrian events, gymkhanas, Pony Club meetings, and the like. Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a re locatable roofed structure for use as a re-locatable stable able to be erected on unprepared ground, said structure comprising four substantially vertical wall panels, each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposite side edges, the side edges of adjacent panels abutting and being releasably interconnected to form a quadrilateral when said structure is viewed from above, one of said wall panels including a door, and a plurality of substantially co-planar roof panels interconnected to form a substantially flat roof, said roof and said wall panel top edges being releasably 2 5414A-AU interconnected, whereby said roof braces said interconnected wall panels to render said quadrilateral substantially rigid with said wall bottom edges being supported by said unprepared ground. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of erecting a re-locatable roofed structure for use as a relocatable stable, said method comprising the steps of: selecting four wall panels each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposite side edges, and supporting said bottom edges on unprepared ground, edge abutting the side edges of adjacent panels to form a quadrilateral and releasably interconnecting said side edges, placing a plurality of roof panels in co-planar configuration above said wall panels to form a substantially flat roof, and interconnecting said panels, if necessary, manipulating said wall panels to form a desired final shape of said quadrilateral, and releasably interconnecting said roof and said wall panel top edges to brace said quadrilateral. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a stable complex of a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stable proper of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view from below of a roof pin and wall latch; Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of a roof pin; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a toggle latch; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a double stable complex of a second embodiment; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a stable complex of a third embodiment including a breezeway; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view from above of the stable complex of Fig. 7. 3 5414A-AU Detailed Description The preferred embodiments of the present invention have evolved not from building techniques but from techniques utilised in Australia to create yards for agricultural animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses. One form of such yards does not require any foundation and consists of a number of panels. Each panel has two vertical posts between which extend a top rail and a bottom rail, and normally several rails intermediate these two. The panels are joined in end to end relationship with the end post of one panel being hinged or pivoted to the adjacent end post of the adjacent panel. In this way a polygon is formed and the panels become self-supporting thereby maintaining their intended vertical orientation. A particular advantage of this arrangement is that the panels are able to be moved so that the yards have some "give" if a beast should push up against, or strike, the panels. As a consequence of this "give", the animals confined within the yard are less liable to be bruised and/or damaged. Turning now to Fig. 1, in a first embodiment of the present invention, a relocatable stable complex I is formed from a set of yards 2 and the stable proper 3. The stable proper 3 has a roof 13. The set of yards 2 are of a substantially conventional design and are formed from yard panels 5. In the particular configuration illustrated in Fig. 1, the set of yards 2 is formed from four conventional wall panels 6 and a gate panel 7. The panels 6, 7 are hinged together and thus provide the desirable "give" which reduces or minimises any harm coming to animals confined within the yards 2. The stable proper 3 is illustrated in an exploded perspective view in Fig. 2 from which it will be seen that there are three wall panels 16 and a single door panel 17. Each of the panels 16, 17 is preferably 2.45 metres high and 3.65 metres long. Each of the panels 16, 17 has a top edge 21, a bottom edge 22, and two opposite side edges 23, 24. 4 5414A-AU The wall and door panels 16, 17 preferably are provided with galvanised mesh 25 adjacent the top edge 2 land a plywood infill 26 adjacent the bottom edge 22. The door 27 is of substantially conventional construction. In order to construct the stable 3, the three wall panels 16 and the door panel 17 have their adjacent side edges 23, 24 abutted and interconnected. This interconnection preferably takes the form of two toggle latches 31 (Fig. 5) each of which has two parts. One part 31 A is connected to one panel whereas the other part 31 B is connected to the adjacent panel. Each side edge 23 has a first toggle latch part 31 B adjacent its top edge 21 and a second toggle latch part 31 B adjacent its bottom edge 22. Similarly, each side edge 24 has a first toggle latch part 31 A adjacent its top edge and a second toggle latch part 31 A adjacent its bottom edge 22. By interconnecting the wall panels 16 and door panels 17, the walls of the stable proper 3 are erected, however, they are not very rigidly interconnected and still have some "give" in this condition. In order to brace the walls of the stable, the roof 13 is constructed and connected to the wall panels 16 and door panel 17 so as to rigidly interconnect the wall panels, the door panel and the roof. As seen in Fig. 2, the roof 13 is formed from three roof panels 18A, 18B and 18C each of which is approximately 1.5 metres by 4.5 metres. Each of the roof panels 18 is lifted into position and interconnected by means of a roof pin 33 (Fig. 3). The roof pin 33 passes through aligned apertures in the roof frame 35 to which the corrugated sheet roofing iron is secured. The roof pin 33 also includes a roof clip 36 which extends through the pin 33 and maintains adjacent frames 35 abutting. Preferably the centre roof panel 18B is made with a slightly narrower frame 35 than the other two panels 18A and 18C. As a consequence, one crest of the corrugations of the corrugated sheet material forming the roof panel 18B overhangs each side edge of the centre panel 18B. In this way, a waterproof seal between the adjacent roof panels 18A and 18B, and also 18B and 18C can be achieved. 5 5414A-AU In addition, the roof 13 is secured to the wall panels 16 and door panel 17 by means of a wall latch 43 as seen in Fig. 3. The wall latch 43 is provided with two downwardly directed vertical lugs 44, 45 each of which has a hole 46 (with only the lug 44 being visible in Fig. 3). An L-shaped pin 47 passes through the two holes 46 and through another hole (obscured) in the top edge 21. A clip 48 secures the pin 47. Each of the wall panels 16 and the door panel 17 has a releasable wall latch 43 positioned as indicated in Fig. 2. The arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 2 has a number of very significant advantages. Firstly, all of the panels have a dimension which is less than 2.5 metres in width and can thus be carried flat on a trailer without exceeding the maximum permitted vehicle width which is typically 2.5 metres. This enables the panels to be transported to, or away from, any location by means of a trailer or, if necessary, a small truck. In addition, the assembly of the stable 3 is a relatively easy task for two men and can be accomplished in under 30 minutes. Similarly, the stable can be quickly disassembled when no longer required. The various pins 33, 47 are preferably connected to the panels by means of a short length of chain to ensure that they are not lost during transport. Furthermore, there is no requirement for any preparation of any foundation since the bottom edges 22 of the panels 16, 17 simply rest on the grass, bare ground or whatever surface happens to be at the desired location. The roof 13 cross-braces the panels 16, 17 and therefore provides a substantially rigid structure. In addition, the roof 13 and wall panels 16, 17 are sufficiently heavy to ensure that the structure is not blown away even in strong winds. It will also be apparent from the abovementioned dimensions that the roof 13 overhangs the wall panels 16 and door panel 17 and therefore water falling from the roof will fall clear of these panels. Furthermore, since the ground is unprepared, it is most unlikely that the roof 13 will ever be perfectly horizontal and thus water will always drain from the roof 13. 6 5414A-AU The mesh 25 provides horses with a good outlook and adequate ventilation. Each stable 3 is a convenient size for a stallion, or a mare and foal, or a single thoroughbred. Turning now to Fig. 6, it will be apparent two of the stable complexes of Figs. 1 and 2 can be positioned side by side as illustrated in Fig. 6 to form a dual stable complex 50, with the proviso that one of the wall panels 16 is not required because a single wall panel is able to suffice for the dividing wall between the two stables. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6 each of the stables 3 has its own set of yards 2. Again, there is a saving of two yard panels because of the side-by-side nature of the two sets of yards. Turning now to Figs. 7 and 8, in a still further embodiment, the two adjacent stables 3 of Fig. 6 are expanded so as to provide four stables 3 adjacent each other and this arrangement is duplicated so as to provide an eight stable complex 63. The eight stables are arranged facing each other and have a roof 73 which covers a breezeway 64. As best seen in Fig. 7, for the stable complex 63 the wall panels 16 are modified so as to have a sloping top edge 121 which therefore ensures an adequate slope on the roof 73. Similarly, as best seen in Fig. 8, some of the stables can also be provided with a rear door 127 to provide access and egress in either one or two directions, if desired. The foregoing describes only some embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the equestrian arts, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the interior side of the gate panel 7 can be provided with a trough which functions as a receptacle or rack for horse blankets, and like tack. Similarly, the mesh 25 can support various removable hooks on which various items of equestrian paraphernalia can be placed temporarily. 7 5414A-AU The term "comprising" (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of "including" or "having" and not in the exclusive sense of ''consisting only of'. 8

Claims (13)

1. A re-locatable roofed structure for use as a re-locatable stable able to be erected on unprepared ground, said structure comprising four substantially vertical wall panels, each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposite side edges, the side edges of adjacent panels abutting and being releasably interconnected to form a quadrilateral when said structure is viewed from above, one of said wall panels including a door, and a plurality of substantially co-planar roof panels interconnected to form a substantially flat roof, said roof and said wall panel top edges being releasably interconnected, whereby said roof braces said interconnected wall panels to render said quadrilateral substantially rigid with said wall bottom edges being supported by said unprepared ground.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said quadrilateral is a square.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each said wall panel has an opaque portion adjacent said bottom edge and a mesh portion adjacent said top edge.

4. The structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said roof panels comprise a rectangular frame topped by sheet metal.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein said roof panel frames include at least one pair of locating lugs which abut opposite surfaces said wall panel top edges.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein said lugs each have an aperture, and a pin extends through said apertures and through a hole in said panel top edge to releasably interconnect said roof and wall panel.

7. The structure as claimed in any one of claims I to 6 and including a holding yard facing said door.

8. A plurality of the structures as claimed in any one of claims I to 7 and having seven said wall panels.

9. A plurality of the structures as claimed in any one of claims I to 7 wherein said doors face each other across a breezeway and said roof extends over said breezeway. 9 5414A-AU

10. A relocatable roofed structure substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. I to 5 or Fig. 6 or Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings.

11. A method of erecting a re-locatable roofed structure for use as a relocatable stable, said method comprising the steps of: selecting four wall panels each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposite side edges, and supporting said bottom edges on unprepared ground, edge abutting the side edges of adjacent panels to form a quadrilateral and releasably interconnecting said side edges, placing a plurality of roof panels in co-planar configuration above said wall panels to form a substantially flat roof, and interconnecting said panels, if necessary, manipulating said wall panels to form a desired final shape of said quadrilateral, and releasably interconnecting said roof and said wall panel top edges to brace said quadrilateral.

12. The method as claimed in claim II including the step of reversing said erection steps to dismantle said structure.

13. A method of erecting a relocatable roofed structure, said method being substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. Dated this 10th day of October 2011 Anthony Spencer BROWNING By: FRASER OLD & SOHN Patent Attorneys for the Applicant 10