EP3374567B2 - Riding surface and method for constructing a riding surface - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an irrigable riding surface and a method for its construction.

Riding surfaces and systems for irrigating riding surfaces in the most diverse forms are known from practice, both for the free riding arena and for the riding hall. In particular, a large number of floors and systems are known, including those with a so-called underfloor irrigation, which are intended to ensure that the space is evenly wetted. Drip tubes or hoses and ground grids above them are laid out on the mostly natural ground to protect the drip hoses from damage caused by horses' hooves. The floor grids are usually constructed in a lattice pattern so that the sand in the footing can be watered and, if necessary, drained. For this purpose, the floor grids are filled with sand and completely covered to form a footing. Due to the physical properties of the sand, in particular due to the capillary action of the sand particles, moisture is transported from the drip hoses up into the footing. By using such a riding surface with integrated moistening, the tread resistance is increased while the risk of slipping for the horse is largely eliminated. Furthermore, the time for a separate moistening of the soil is saved. Textile or fleece chaff are regularly added to the sand to loosen the soil.

A major problem with riding surfaces known from practice is that the drip hoses are laid out directly on the ground and a not inconsiderable part of the water does not wet the footing, but rather seeps away or runs off into the ground. Furthermore, the recesses in the mostly thick and open floor grids for watering and draining the riding surfaces are extremely large. Since the sand has to be filled into the ground grid together with aggregates of the footing, an extremely large amount of sand is required. In other words, the volume of the known ground grid to be filled with sand is extremely large. This increases the amount of sand required. A further disadvantage of the known riding surfaces lies in their structure, which is quite expensive to manufacture, especially when they are large-area. In addition, handling when storing, constructing and transporting the riding surface - depending on the size or area - is quite cumbersome. A further disadvantage is that in order to achieve a shock-absorbing floor or a suitable damping to protect the horses, appropriate additives, for example in the form of textile or fleece chaff, are usually required, but the effect alone is insufficient.
A riding surface with drip hoses embedded in a mat is already out of the US2003/0056432 A1 known.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of offering a riding surface which, with a robust and simple construction, ensures optimal watering and drainage while largely eliminating the risk of injury to the horse. In addition, an improved method for constructing a corresponding riding surface is to be specified.

The above task is solved by the features of claim 1 in relation to the riding surface.

With regard to the method according to the invention, the underlying object is achieved by the features of claim 13.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that it is of particular advantage not to arrange the drip hoses on the ground and to protect them with ground grids that are complex and voluminous in their construction, which in turn are used to fill and cover the ground grid with a large volume of sand and dampening additives must be filled. On the contrary, the invention takes a completely different approach, namely, a mat is laid out directly or indirectly on the floor and the drip hoses are embedded on the side of the mat facing the footing. Specifically, the drip hoses are embedded in grooves on the side of the mat facing the footing. Due to the grooves, the drip hoses are firmly arranged on the mat and are largely protected from damage and at the same time an unintentional seepage of the water coming out of the drip hoses can be avoided. The drip hoses can be assigned to the mat, for example by means of a press fit. It may be necessary to embed or clamp the drip hoses in the mat with a kick or a light blow with a hammer. A locking mechanism and/or groove-like and/or tongue-like forms are also conceivable. According to the invention, the footing thus rests directly or indirectly on the mat and the drip hoses. As a result, an extremely thin riding surface and yet a robust structure can be realized. The required volume of the footing can be reduced to a minimum. Any risk of injury due to deep recesses in floor grids is also eliminated. Because they are embedded in the grooves of the mat, the drip hoses have a fixed position and cannot easily slip during the construction of the riding surface or over time. Another advantage is that due to the simple structure, in particular due to the predefined embedding of the drip hoses, the riding surface can be constructed without any special knowledge.

Consequently, the riding surface according to the invention and the method for constructing a riding surface according to the invention provide a way of ensuring optimal watering and drainage with a robust and simple construction while largely eliminating the risk of injury to the horse.

According to the invention, the mat is made of a solid material Material, preferably made of PVC. This ensures increased stability and increased protection of the drip hoses. Furthermore, the use of a solid material has the advantage of a certain pressure distribution. It is conceivable that the mat is made of water-impermeable material, at least in some areas, in particular in the area of the grooves, in order to largely prevent the water escaping from the drip hoses from seeping away unintentionally. The mat can be extremely thin, namely just thick enough to ensure protection and, if necessary, pressure distribution.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that individual mat elements can be plugged together on site and/or expanded as desired. This means that the riding surface can be extended to any area, namely by lining up several mats and, if necessary, intermediate mats. For this purpose, connection areas for connecting a further mat could be formed at the ends of the mat. A simple juxtaposition and/or overlapping of several mats is also conceivable. An external mat could be adjusted by cutting. A mat thickness of just 25 mm to 30 mm is sufficient to embed the drip hoses in the mat and form a stable and cushioning basis for the footing. Extremely high floor structures, as they are known from practice when building riding surfaces with floor grids, can be omitted.

It is of further advantage if the grooves are milled into the mat and/or are produced, in particular, by injection molding when the mat is manufactured. The width and depth of the grooves can be adapted to the hoses used. The grooves for embedding the drip hoses preferably run at regular intervals and parallel to one another. Distances of 30 cm between the drip hoses are conceivable.

Especially with water-permeable mats, part of the water escaping from the drip hoses can seep through the mat and remains unused for irrigation. To avoid this, at least the surface of the grooves facing the footing is advantageously largely impermeable to water, in particular coated with a water-impermeable material and/or the grooves are formed in a water-impermeable mat or at least in a water-impermeable area of the mat.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the mat has passages, preferably holes, at certain intervals, which allow water to penetrate and/or largely prevent larger amounts of sand and other particles from penetrating. This allows drainage, for example in heavy rain, to be guaranteed without losing water that comes from the drip hoses. At the same time, ideally, almost no sand seeps out of the footing underneath the mat. A round and/or square configuration of the passages is conceivable. It is conceivable that the passages are arranged linearly and parallel to the grooves and have a certain distance from the grooves, so that the water coming out of the drip hoses at least largely does not seep through the passages.

In order to prevent the sand of the footing from slipping, it is of particular advantage if the mat has a net or lattice structure at least on its side facing the footing. A corresponding structure of the surface of the mat can also prevent the water escaping from the drip hoses from seeping through the passages, e.g. by arranging the grooves and the passages in different depressions or by raising a structure at least in regions to separate them from one another. It is important here that the water that comes out of the drip hoses does not seep away directly through the passages, but rather gets into the footing. The passageways are designed to prevent an excessive amount of water from being in the footing and to drain it below the separating layer.

In a further advantageous manner, the drip hoses, which are preferably made of plastic, have valves and/or membranes oriented toward the footing for watering the footing. These are thus oriented upwards in the embedded state of the pedal tubes. This allows the moisture to be ideally transported to the footing. A diameter of 16 mm for the drip hoses is conceivable. The drip hoses are preferably arranged at regular intervals, for example parallel to one another.

For increased stabilization and protection of the pedal tubes, as well as for pressure distribution, it is conceivable to arrange an intermediate net between the mat and the footing. An intermediate network can advantageously have passages, preferably holes, at certain intervals. These passageways may permit passage of water from the drip hoses to the footing, but avoid passage of significant amounts of sand and other particles from the footing below the intermediate layer.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the mat is arranged directly or indirectly on natural soil and/or drainage, in particular gravel. Despite its low thickness, the mat can be designed to be so robust that it can also withstand a rough surface and even compensate for certain unevenness in the floor.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the mat is arranged on natural ground and/or drainage, in particular gravel. Despite its low thickness, the mat can be designed to be so robust that it can also withstand a rough surface and even compensate for certain unevenness in the floor.

According to the invention, the footing consists essentially of sand together with aggregates, in particular made of geotextile, and lies directly or indirectly on the mat and the drip hoses. A filling and covering of a high-volume floor grid is not necessary here. The footing advantageously has a thickness of 10 to 12 cm in order to ensure optimal moistening of the footing and a reduced risk of injury for horse and rider.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that a protective mat made of a water-permeable and/or soft and/or cushioning material is arranged underneath the mat. PU foam rubber, which is preferably pressed and/or baked under the influence of heat, is particularly suitable for this purpose. The use of rubber granulate, in particular from recycled car tires, is also conceivable. The protective mat can be as solid as possible or have a lattice structure. The formation of the protective mat from a soft or cushioning material is particularly health-promoting and gentle on horses and can to a certain extent save the addition of soft additives in the sand.

In principle, it is conceivable that moisture sensors/sensors are integrated into the riding surface, in particular into the footing, which measure the moisture in the footing. A controller can regulate the amount and/or the time of the water supply via the drip hoses.

The riding surface according to the invention and the method according to the invention for constructing such a riding surface are suitable for all areas of application, including indoor riding arenas, outdoor riding arenas and racetracks. Even banked curves, such as on racetracks, can be realized with the riding surface according to the invention and the method according to the invention.

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen Ansicht ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel des Aufbaus eines erfindungsgemäßen Reitbodens.

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen Ansicht ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel des Aufbaus eines erfindungsgemäßen Reitbodens,

Fig. 3

in Explosionsansicht den Gegenstand aus Fig. 2 und

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht der Matte aus den Figuren 2 und 3.

There are now various possibilities for embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand, reference is made to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of two preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention based on the drawing, preferred configurations and developments of the teaching are also explained in general. In the drawing shows

1

in a schematic view a first embodiment of the structure of a riding surface according to the invention.

2

in a schematic view a second embodiment of the structure of a riding surface according to the invention,

3

the item in an exploded view 2 and

4

a plan view of the mat of FIGS figures 2 and 3 .

1 shows a schematic view of a variant of a riding surface not according to the invention, with a footing 1, a mat 2 arranged between the ground and footing 1, called lower mat 2 here, and drip hoses 3, which are inserted in grooves 4 on the side of the lower footing layer 1 facing Mat 2 are embedded.

The lower mat 2 is made of a water-permeable, soft and cushioning material, namely PU foam rubber. The cushioning property of the mat 2 is particularly health-promoting for the horses moving on the riding surface. It is also conceivable here to produce the lower mat 2 from rubber granules made from recycled car tires. The lower mat 2 can be provided as rolled goods, with the individual runways of the lower mat 2 being pluggable and expandable as desired. The thickness of the lower mat 2 is approximately 25 to 30 mm. She's on one in the 1 not shown, preferably grown soil and / or a drainage, eg. Gravel, can be arranged. Due to the water permeability of the lower mat 2, excess water can be optimally drained off. The soft yet stable material of the lower mat 2 offers an ideal base for the riding surface, even on coarser ground.

The drip hoses 3 are made of plastic and have valves 5 oriented toward the footing at regular intervals for watering the footing. The drip hoses can have a diameter of 16 mm and are embedded in the lower mat 2 in parallel tracks.

An intermediate mat 6 made of PVC is arranged above the lower mat 2 and the drip hoses 3 to stabilize and protect the drip hoses 3 and to distribute the pressure between the lower mat 2 and the footing 1 . The intermediate mat 6 has a plurality of holes 7 spaced 10 cm apart. These holes 7 allow water to penetrate from underneath the intermediate mat 6 to the footing 1, but prevent larger amounts of sand and other particles from penetrating from the footing 1 to underneath the intermediate mat 6. On the side of the intermediate mat 6 facing the footing 1 the intermediate mat 6 has a lattice structure that prevents the footing from slipping. Instead of an intermediate mat 6, an intermediate net is also conceivable.

The footing 1 essentially consists of sand plus additives, namely geotextile, and lies on the intermediate mat 6 . It has a thickness of 10 to 12 cm.

2 , 3 and 4 each show a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a riding surface according to the invention, with a footing 1 and a mat 2 arranged between the ground 8 and footing 1 in the sense of a separating mat, with grooves 4 on the side facing the footing 1 of the mat 2 Drip hoses 3 for watering the footing 1 are embedded.

The mat 2 is made of a solid material, namely PVC, and can be assembled from individual mat elements 2 . The grooves 4 on the side of the mat 2 facing the footing 1 are milled into the mat 2 and each have a width and a depth of 18 mm. The grooves 4 and thus the drip hoses 3 are arranged parallel and at equal distances from one another.

Square holes 7 are provided between the drip hoses 3 in a line and parallel to the drip hoses 3, which allow water to penetrate and largely prevent larger amounts of sand and other particles from penetrating. The holes 7 are dimensioned just large enough that unwanted amounts of water seep into the footing, e.g. in heavy rain, but not the amount of water escaping from the pedal hoses 3 for irrigating the footing.

The mat 2 has a lattice structure on its side facing the footing layer 1 , which on the one hand contributes to the stability of the mat 2 and on the other hand prevents water escaping from the foot tubes 3 inadvertently from seeping through the holes 7 . In other words, the areas of the drip hoses 3 and those of the holes 7 are at least a little separated from one another by a lattice structure.

The drip hoses 3 are made of plastic and have valves 5 oriented toward the footing 1 at regular intervals for watering the footing 1 . The drip hoses are dimensioned in such a way that they can be ideally embedded or clamped in the grooves.

The mat 2 is arranged on a natural soil 8, namely gravel. Due to the water permeability of the mat 2, excess water can be optimally drained off.

The footing 1 essentially consists of sand plus additives, namely geotextile, and lies on the mat 2 . It has a thickness of 10 to 12 cm.

With regard to further advantageous configurations of the riding surface according to the invention and the method for constructing a riding surface, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the above-described exemplary embodiments of the riding surface according to the invention and the method for constructing a riding surface only serve to explain the claimed teaching, but do not restrict it to the exemplary embodiments.

Reference List

1

footing

2

(Lower) Mat

3

drip hoses

4

grooves

5

valves

6

intermediate mat

7

holes

8th

soil/gravel

Claims (13)

1. Riding surface having a tread layer (1) and a mat (2) which is arranged between a base and the tread layer (1), wherein the tread layer (1) substantially comprises sand with aggregates and drip tubes (3) for watering the tread layer (1), the drip tubes (3) being embedded in grooves (4) at the side of the mat (2) facing the tread layer (1), wherein the mat (2) is produced from a solid material, whereby a pressure distribution is ensured and the tread layer (1) is positioned directly on the mat (2) and the drip tubes (3) so that the volume of the tread layer (1) is minimised.
2. Riding surface according to claim 1, characterised in that the mat (2) is produced from PVC at least in regions.
3. Riding surface according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that individual mat elements (2) can be fitted together.
4. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the grooves (4) are milled in the mat (2) and/or are produced during production of the mat (2), in particular using injection-moulding technology.
5. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the grooves (4) are water-impermeable to the greatest possible extent, in particular coated with a water-impermeable material, and/or the grooves are formed from a water-impermeable material.
6. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the mat (2) has passages, preferably holes (7), which permit penetration of water and/or prevent penetration of relatively large quantities of sand and other particles to the greatest possible extent.
7. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the mat (2) has a net or grid structure at least at the side thereof facing the tread layer (1).
8. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the drip tubes (3) which are preferably produced from plastics material have valves which are orientated in the direction towards the tread layer (1) and/or membranes (5) for the discharge of water.
9. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that an intermediate net is arranged in order to stabilise and protect the drip tubes (3).
10. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the riding surface, in particular the mat (2), can be arranged on grown soil (8) and/or a drainage system, in particular ballast (8).
11. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the tread layer (1) comprises geotextile in addition to aggregates.
12. Riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that below the mat (2) there is arranged a protective mat which is produced from a water-permeable and/or soft and/or damping material, preferably comprising polyurethane foam rubber and/or rubber granulates, in particular recycled car tyres.
13. Method for constructing a riding surface according to any one of claims 1 to 12, having a tread layer (1), a mat (2) which is arranged between the base and tread layer (1) and drip tubes (3), wherein the tread layer substantially comprises sand with aggregates and the mat (2) is produced from a solid material, whereby a pressure distribution is ensured, wherein drip tubes (3) for watering the tread layer are embedded in grooves (4) at the side of the mat (2) facing the tread layer (1), and the tread layer (1) is positioned directly on the mat (2) and the drip tubes (3) so that the volume of the tread layer (1) is minimised.

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