GB2114193A - Cattle barriers - Google Patents

Abstract

A cattle barrier comprises at least one frame (10, 12) adapted to lie in and substantially fill the roadway gap between adjacent boundary walls, the frame (10, 12) being pivotally attached to the roadway at one end (18) and adapted to be lifted at an angle to the roadway at its other end. The lifting is preferably achieved by means of a pulley and counterweight (32, 34, 36) arrangement and the frames are caused to lie flat by the passage of a motor vehicle yet provide effective barrier to animals. Each frame (10, 12) shown comprises a series of transverse chains (16) stretched between spring-loaded side channels (14) bearing against guide plates (42). A central gate may be provided comprising a series of horizontal chains stretched between uprights (50) which are pivotal about horizontal axes, springs and rollers being so arranged that the gate automatically opens and closes as the frames (10, 12) are depressed and released. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cattle grid This invention relates to cattle grids or gates.

Cattle grids and gates are widely used for controlling the movement of farm animals such as horses, cattle and the like along roads and tracks.

While a road through a farm passing through fields or enclosures in which animals are kept may be closed by gates, this is extremely inconvenient for persons driving vehicles over such roads.

Cattle grids supported in pits let into the road between the adjacent walls bounding the field or enclosure provide a barrier whilst allowing vehicles unimpeded access.

However, cattle grids are extremely expensive to install since they require the excavation of a pit in the road as well as the installation of a cattle grid structure. Gates, such as the common five bar gates, are much cheaper but as already discussed are inconvenient to vehicular traffic.

The invention seeks to provide a novel construction of gate or cattle grid which is simpler and cheaper to install than conventional cattle grids and yet provide all the advantages of the latter.

According to the present invention there is provided a cattle grid arrangement which comprises at least one frame adapted to lie in and substantially fill the roadway gap between adjacent boundary walls, the frame being pivotally attached to the roadway at one end and adapted to be lifted at an angle to the roadway at its other end.

Preferably, the frame or frames is adapted to be lifted, pivoting about the attachment to the roadway, by means of a counterbalanced weight arrangement although other means, e.g. springs, could be used. The frame or frames will advantageously carry wires, ropes, chains or the like strung between opposite sides thereof to present a similar obstacle to hooved animals as a conventional cattle grid. However, when the wheels of the vehicle pass on to the frame, the weight thereof will overcome the counterbalance weight and cause the frame to lie flat on the roadway allowing the vehicle passage thereover.

In one preferred construction, two frames are provided longitudinally spaced on the roadway and meeting on the line defiing the boundary.

Each frame will be pivoted at its outermost edge and the counterbalance system will be provided where the frames meet. A single counter-balance system may be provided to actuate both frames, or independent ones may be provided for specific purposes such as, enabling the facility to be used unidirectionally, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

In addition to one or more frames, a gate portion may be provided. This is preferably pivotally attached to a frame on the boundary line and is adapted, e.g. by means of springs, to be maintained upright when during normal use and yet lie flat with frame during passage of a vehicle thereover. The gate portion may comprise a frame carrying wire, chains, ropes or rods to provide a barrier to animals and may be of a closer construction so as to prevent access by smaller animals, such as dogs, as well as cattle. This form of the invention may be more useful in domestic pathways or drives.

Conveniently, means are provided to enable the frames to be locked in the horizontal position when desired so as to enable cattle or other animals to be moved over the frame along the roadway when it is required.

Although the frames may be rigid, it is preferred that, in the path traversed by the vehicle, flexible members, such as chains or wires, only are present to prevent permanent distortion of the frame caused by the weight of the vehicle coupled with uneven road surfaces. In this case it is preferred to provide a tensioning arrangement for keeping the flexible members taut in normal use.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a partial side elevational view of the pillars of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a partial end elevational view corresponding to Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, a cattle grid or gate arrangement in accordance with the invention comprises a pair of frames 10, 12 each consisting of a pair of channel members 14 between which are stretched a series of chains 1 6. The channel members 14 are pivotally mounted at one end on axles 1 8 set in brackets 20 attached to plates 22 set in the roadway 24. The members 14 have a degree of lateral movement on the axle 18 and are biassed away from the opening by means of tensioning springs 26 in order to keep the chains 1 6 taut.

The inner edges of the frames 10, 12 virtually meet but a suitable gap, for example of 50 mm, is allowed to prevent the frames fouling one another in use. The inner edges of the frames are attached by cords 28, 30 over pulleys 32, 34 to weights 36 mounted within pillars 38. The weight 36 is sufficient to raise the frames 10, 12 approximately to the position illustrated in Figure 1 and this will be the normal configuration of the grid of the invention.

The cross members of the frames, in the form of chains 16, carried between opposite side members 14 and very much in the same way as cross members on the conventional cattle grid and deter cattle or other hooved animals from stepping on them.

Hingedly attached at 40 to the pillars 38 are truncated triangular plate members 42. The plate members are biassed towards the pillars 38 by means of springs 44 between the pillars 38 and the plates 42. The inward ends of the members 14 carry rollers 46 mounted on brackets 48, which locate behind the plates 42 and allow the members 1 4 vertical movement with respect to the plates while constraining them laterally with respect to the plates. Thus the tension provided by the springs 14 acts through the plates and the rollers 46 on the inward ends of the members 14 to tension the chain 1 6 at the inner ends of the frames 10, 12.

A gate portion is provided in the embodiment illustrated comprising a pair of relatively short frame members 50 pivotally attached to the inner ends of the frame 10 and carrying between them chains 52 similar to the chains 1 6. The spacing of the chains 52 may be closer than that between the chains 16. The frame members 50 are biassed, for example by means of a spring (not shown) at the pivotal attachment to the frames 14, so as to tend to turn in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1. Stop members 54 in the form of rollers are provided against which the frames 50 bear so as to remain upright in the normal configuration of the grid.

The operation of the device is as follows. When a motor vehicle approaches the grid illustrated in Figure 1 from either direction it slows down until its front wheel contacts the cross members 1 6 of the frames 10 or 12 as the case may be. The weight transmitted will overcome the counterblanace weight 36 and the frame will lie flat on the roadway permitting passage of the vehicle. As the inner ends of the members 14 move downwardly relative to the plates 42 the point will be reached where the stop 54 is relatively above pivotal attachment of the frames 50 to the frames 14 at which point the frames 50 will, under the influence of the biassing means, turn clockwise until they lie substantially coplanar with the frame members 14. This allows the whole unit to lie on the roadway enabling the passage of a road vehicle.Since, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, only one counterbalance weight is provided at each side for both frames, the action of a vehicle on either side of the cattle grid will cause both frames 10, 12 to lie flat on the ground. Once the vehicle has passed over the grid the frames will once again lift to the position shown in Figure 1 reversing the above process and causing the gate frames 50 to become upright once again, thereby providing a barrier for cattle or other animals.

In certain cases it may be desirable to have the facility to enable the grid to be operated undirectionally. To do this, separate weights are provided for each frame 10 and 12 and a pair of extensions are provided on one frame so as to contact the other in a given direction. Thus, actuation of this frame causes both frames to lie flat on the roadway whereas actuation of the other frame causes only the latter frame to lie flat on the roadway leaving the first frame still raised as a barrier. The direction through which the cattle grid can be negotiated by a vehicle can be altered by moving the extension from one frame and attaching it to the other in the opposite sense.

Stop means may be provided to overcome the action of the counterbalance weights 36 and enable the frames 10, 12 to lie flat on the roadway permanently, or at least until released.

Such means may take the form of a pin to prevent the rotation of the pulleys 32,34 or a stop may be swung into the path of the counterbalance weights 36 preventing it from raising the frames 10, 12. Alternatively, a simple clamp arrangement may be set into the roadway which, when in position, contacts the outer edges 14 of the frames 10 and 12 and holds them flat on to the roadway.

The construction and installation of a cattle grid/gate in accordance with the invention is simpler and cheaper than that of a conventional cattle grid while the device according to the invention retains all the advantages of stopping the passage of animals whilst allowing the passage of motor vehicles.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A cattle grid arrangement which comprises at least one frame adapted to lie in and substantially fill the roadway gap between adjacent boundary walls, the frame being pivotally attached to the roadway at one end and adapted to be lifted at an angle to the roadway at its other end.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which the frame is lifted by a cord passing over a pulley to a counterbalance weight.

3. An arrangement as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which two frames are provided, both adapted to be lifted at their inner ends.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which a gate portion is pivotally attached to a frame on the boundary line and is biassed in an upright position when the frame is lifted at an angle to the roadway.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the frames comprise rigid side members between which are stretched cross members comprising ropes chains or wires.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 in which separate pulleys and weight arrangements are provided for each frame and a pair of extensions are provided on one frame so as to contact the other in a given direction.

7. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which stop means are provided to enable the frames to be held permanently down to the roadway when it is desired to allow animals to pass.

8. A cattle grid arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.