AU2016101035A4 - A Racing Barrier Rear Gate Control System - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to a rear gate control system for a stall 12 of a racing barrier 10. The system includes a left and a right side rear gate 42a, 42b and an actuator system 80 associated with each of the gates 42a, 42b. Each of the gates 42a, 42b are mounted for pivotable movement about an associated pivot axis 50. Further, each actuator system 80 is arranged to enable the associated gate 42a to move between a closed position CP' in which a free edge of the gate 42a is arranged to be positioned substantially on or adjacent to a centre line 24 of the stall 12, an open position OP' in which the gate 42a is arranged to extend substantially parallel to the centre line of the stall 24, and a fully open position FOP in which the rear gate 42a rotates a further ao about the pivot axis 50 from the open position OP' away from the centre line 24 of the stall 12. The actuator system 80 is arranged to hold the gate 42a in the fully open position FOP and is arranged so that movement of the gate 42a from the fully open position FOP to the open position OP' is achieved by actuation of a mechanism 88 of the actuating system 80 by an operator and application of a force loading on the gate 42a to return the gate 42a to the open position OP'. +L a.~

Description

A Racing Barrier Rear Gate Control System Technical Field [0001 ] The present invention relates to a racing barrier rear gate control system. The system has particular application on a horse racing barrier

Background of Invention [0002] To ensure the well-being of both horse and jockey and minimise the risk of injury, it is desirable to ensure that horses are loaded within their stall of a racing barrier as quickly as possible. The faster all of the horses can be loaded into their respective stalls, the quicker the race can be started, thus minimising the time each horse and jockey spend in the barrier.

[0003] Horses are typically guided through the rear gates of their assigned stall of the barrier by attendants. These attendants quickly shut the rear gates once the horse and jockey are safely positioned within the barrier stall.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a rear gate control system for a racing barrier that facilitates entry of the horse into the stall of the barrier [0005] The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application.

Summary of Invention [0006] According to the present invention there is provided a rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier, the system including a left and a right side rear gate and an actuator system associated with each of the gates, each of the gates are mounted for pivotable movement about an associated pivot axis, each actuator system being arranged to enable the associated gate to move between a closed position in which a free edge of the gate is arranged to be positioned substantially on or adjacent to a centre line of the stall, an open position in which the gate is arranged to extend substantially parallel to the centre line of the stall, and a fully open position in which the rear gate rotates a further a° about the pivot axis from the open position away from the centre line of the stall, and wherein the actuator system is arranged to hold the gate in the fully open position, and so that movement of the gate from the fully open position to the open position is achieved by actuation of a mechanism of the actuating system by an operator and application of a force loading on the gate to return the gate to the open position.

[0007] The mechanism of the actuating system actuated by the operator is preferably a lever that controls a ball valve. The force loading on the gate to return the gate to the open position is preferably applied manually by the operator directly on the gate.

[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that 0°<<a<30°, but more preferably 20°^<a<30°. In the fully open position of the gate, it is envisaged that each of the rear gates of the stall 12 will open an additional a° so as to provide an additional opening width between the edges of the rear gates of the stall of about 400mm. This additional opening width is achievable with stalls sized for thoroughbred use, but will typically be smaller (e.g. about 200-300mm) when the stalls are sized for ponies. This additional opening width enables a horse to be more readily directed or funnelled into the stall of the racing barrier and thus facilitates the loading process. It also reduces the likelihood of the horse inadvertently striking a part of the barrier which may result in injury to the horse and/or jockey.

[0009] The actuator system includes a cylinder rod that has a first end movable between a retracted and an extended position with reference to the actuator body. When the gate is in the closed position, the first end of the cylinder rod is in the extended position and when the gate is open, the first end of the cylinder rod is in a retracted position. When the gate is in the fully open position, the first end of the cylinder rod is located at a positon between the retracted and the extended position.

Brief Description of Drawings [0010] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0011 ] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a racing barrier without barrier gates installed; [0012] Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating two stalls of the racing barrier, each stall fitted with front and rear barrier gates; [0013] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an actuator system for a rear gate of an embodiment of the present invention; and [0014] Figure 4 illustrates a rear gate fitted with an actuator system according to an embodiment of the invention. The rear gate is shown in the closed position.

Detailed Description [0015] Figure 1 illustrates a racing barrier 10 that includes six stalls 12. As better shown in Figure 2, the stalls 12 are separated by vertical extending front and rear frame elements 14, and horizontal frame elements 16. The horizontal frame elements 16 extend horizontally between the respective front and rear vertical frame elements 14. Left and right side curved ended rails 18 are located within each barrier 12.

Barrier 10 is mounted on wheels so that it can be easily located at a desired start position on a racing track. Although the racing barrier 10 shown in Figure 1 is a movable barrier with six stalls 12, the invention is not limited to use with such a barrier 10.

[0016] As best illustrated in Figure 2, the front of each stall 12 is fitted with a front gate system 20. Each front gate system 20 includes a pair of front gates 22a, 22b. Each front gate 22a, 22b is pivotally connected along a vertical pivot axis 30 to the adjacent side frame element14. The front gates 22a, 22b are each pivotable about a respective pivot axis 30 so that they can move between a closed position CP in which the front free edge 22c of each front gate 22a, 22b of a particular stall 12 is positioned substantially adjacent to a centre line 24 of the stall 12, and an open position OP in which each front gate 22a, 22b extends forwardly substantially parallel to the centre line 24 of each stall 12 and generally in alignment with the adjacent horizontal frame element 16.

[0017] Connected to each front gate 22a, 22b is an actuator system (not shown). Each actuator system 30 is connected to its respective front gate 22a, 22b and is arranged so that operation of the actuator system causes the respective front gate 22a, 22b to move between the opened and closed position. Manual operation of each of the front gates 22a, 22b is also possible. A barrier master control (not shown) is provided to enable simultaneous release of all of the front gates 22a, 22b of the racing barrier 10 as required at the start of a horse race.

[0018] A gate system 40 is also provided to the rear of each stall 12 of the barrier 10. Each rear gate system 40 includes a pair of gates 42a, 42b. Each rear gate 42a, 42b is pivotally connected along a vertical pivot axis 50 to an adjacent side frame 60. The rear gates 42a, 42b are each pivotable about a pivot axis 50 so that they can move between a closed position CP’ in which the free edge 22 of each gate 42a, 42b of a stall 12 is positioned substantially adjacent to the centre line 24 of the stall 12, and an open position OP’ in which each rear gate 42a, 42b extends rearwardly substantially parallel to the centre line 24 of the stall 12 and generally in alignment with the adjacent horizontal frame element 16.

[0019] Each rear gate 42a, 42b of the stall 12 is further movable to a fully open position FOP in which each rear gate 42a, 42b rotates approximately a further a° outwardly from the open position OP’. It is envisaged that 0°<<a<30°, but more preferably 20°<<a<30°. In the fully open position FOP, it is envisaged that each of the rear gates 42a, 42b of the stall 12 will open an additional a° so as to provide an additional opening width between the edges of the rear gates 42a, 42b of the stall 12 of about 400mm. This additional opening width enables a horse to be more readily directed or funnelled into the stall 12 of the racing barrier 10.

[0020] Connected to each rear gate 42a, 42b of a particular stall 12 is a separate actuator system 80 of the type generally shown in Figure 3. The actuator system 80 associated with each gate 42a, 42b of a particular stall 12 is identical in operation. Thus, the actuator system 80 of a rear gate 42a of one of the stalls 12 will now be described.

[0021] The actuator system 80 includes an actuator body 82 having an internal stop tube 83, a cylinder rod 84 with piston 85, an actuator block 86, and a gate controller 88. Gate controller 88 is manually operated by moving lever 88a against the bias of spring 89. Spring 89 normally keeps a ball valve 88b in a closed position despite head pressure in line 90. When the ball valve 88b is open (Figure 3), operating fluid can flow between line 92, line 94 and fluid reservoir 100.

[0022] Cylinder rod 84 extends through the actuator body 82 and has a first end 84a which is connected to mount 94 which extends outwardly from the associated rear vertical frame element 14 of the stall 12. The cylinder rod 84 has a second end 84b that is located within a bore 84c of the cylinder block 86 and is arranged to move within that bore 84c between an innermost and an outermost position. The cylinder block 86 is connected to the gate 42a via connection 96 (Figure 4). The connection of the cylinder block 86 to gate 42a and first end 84a of the cylinder rod 84 to mount 94 is such that movement of the cylinder rod 84 within the body of the actuator 82 results in pivotal movement of the gate 42a about its pivot axis 50.

[0023] With the lever 88a of the gate controller 88 pressed downwardly by an operator (downwardly with respect to orientation shown in Figure 4), ball valve 88b moves to open the fluid path between line 94 and line 92 (Figure 3). The operator can then manually move gate 42a to the open positon OP’ causing retraction of the second end 84b of the rod 84 into the cylinder block 86 to the innermost position.

[0024] The operating fluid is forced back into the reservoir 100 via fluid lines 92, 94 releasing pressure on the piston 85. The first end 84a of the cylinder rod 84 is moved from its extended position (Figure 4) to the retracted position (Figure 3). The gate 42a is pivoted from the closed position CP’ (Figure 4 - rod 84 extended) to the open position OP’ (Figure 3 - rod 84 retracted). Lever 88a is released and the ball valve 88b closes the fluid path between line 94 and line 92.

[0025] The gate 42a can then be manually moved by the operator to the fully open position FOP to enable easy entry by a horse into the barrier 12. When this occurs, the first end of the rod 84 extends away from the cylinder block 86 so that the second end 84b of the cylinder rod 84 is located at a third position within the bore 84c of the cylinder block 86. The third position is located between the innermost and outer most positions.

[0026] Movement of the gate 42a to the fully open position FOP is achieved by manual force application by the operator to further rotate the gate 42a about the pivot axis 50. This manual movement of the gate 42a causes extension of the first end 84a of the cylinder rod 84 away from the actuator body (i.e. the second end 84b of the rod 84 moves towards the outer most position) which causes opening of the ball valve 88b under suction and causes operating fluid to be drawn out of the reservoir 100 to equalise pressure. Ball valve 88b then closes. The gate 42a is retained in the fully open position FOP by the increased fluid pressure on the piston 85. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the operator to hold the gate 42a so as to retain it in the fully open position FOP and thus the operator is free to help guide the horse into the stall 12.

[0027] When the horse is properly positioned within the stall 12, the operator operates lever 92a to open the ball valve 86b and pushes the gate 42a from the fully open position FOP towards the open positon OP’. Operation of the lever 92a opens the ball valve 86b and the force loading applied against the gate 42a by the operator forces operating fluid back into the reservoir 100 via lines 92 and 94 (i.e. as the second end 84b of the rod 84 moves to the innermost position). Once the gate 42a reaches the open position OP’ and with the lever 92a released by the operator, fluid pressure within the line 94 and reservoir 100 opens ball valve 88b and flows against the piston 85 causing the rod 84 to extend, and moves the gate 42a to the closed position CP’ (Figure 4).

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, reservoir 100 is located so as to be positioned at a greater height than the actuator body 82. In this way, fluid is fed under the action of gravity and will also be self-bleeding to close the gate 42a.

[0029] As best shown in Figure 4, a depression is provided 105 in the inner face of the gate 42a to accommodate parts of the actuator body 80 during movement of the gate 42a to the fully open position FOP.

[0030] It is envisaged that the front and rear gate actuator systems described herein would be operated using hydraulic pressure. However, pneumatic operation of the systems should not be excluded.

[0031 ] The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention are envisaged.

Claims (9)

1. Claims

   1. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier, the system including a left and a right side rear gate and an actuator system associated with each of the gates, each of the gates are mounted for pivotable movement about an associated pivot axis, each actuator system being arranged to enable the associated gate to move between a closed position in which a free edge of the gate is arranged to be positioned substantially on or adjacent to a centre line of the stall, an open position in which the gate is arranged to extend substantially parallel to the centre line of the stall, and a fully open position in which the rear gate rotates a further a0 about the pivot axis from the open position away from the centre line of the stall, and wherein the actuator system is arranged to hold the gate in the fully open position, and so that movement of the gate from the fully open position to the open position is achieved by actuation of a mechanism of the actuating system by an operator and application of a force loading on the gate to return the gate to the open position.
2. 2. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to claim 1 wherein the mechanism of the actuating system actuated by the operator is a lever that controls a ball valve.
3. 3. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the force loading on the gate to return the gate to the open position is applied manually by the operator onto the gate.
4. 4. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a is in the range 0°<<a<30°.
5. 5. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a is in the range of 20°^<a<30°.
6. 6. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein in the fully open position of the gate, the rear gates of the stall will open an additional a° so as to provide an additional opening width between adjacent edges of the rear gates of the stall of between about 200-400mm.
7. 7. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator system includes a cylinder rod that has a first end movable between a retracted and an extended position with reference to the actuator body.
8. 8. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to claim 7 wherein when the gate is in the closed position, the first end of the cylinder rod is in the extended position and when the gate is open, the first end of the cylinder rod is in a retracted position.
9. 9. A rear gate control system for a stall of a racing barrier according to claim 8 wherein when the gate is in the fully open position, the first end of the cylinder rod is located at a positon between the retracted and the extended positions.