GB2195383A

GB2195383A - Cattle grid

Info

Publication number: GB2195383A
Application number: GB08719491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Steadman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-26
Filing date: 1987-08-18
Publication date: 1988-04-07
Also published as: GB8623184D0; GB8719491D0

Abstract

A bridge structure 10 is portable and has frames 10, 11 providing upward and downward parts of a roadway 30 which is cattle-proof and may be in mesh or rail form. The frames 10, 11 are hinged together at 21 so as to be collapsible for transport. The bottom ends of the frames have section members for digging into the ground. The frames may be connected by an adjustable hinge to vary the span or height of the bridge and the frames may be of different length to accommodate changes in ground level. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to structures This invention relates to structures.

According to this invention a structure is portable and provides in use a roadway having an upward part and a downward part.

The roadway may be cattle-proof.

The upward and downward parts may be part of or supported by respective frames; and the frames may be hinged together for movement between collapsed and erect positions.

The lower ends of the frames may be adapted to dig into a supporting surface e.g.

the ground for example may be formed by a sectioned cross-member e.g. an L-section member with one arm of the L forming an extension of the roadway.

The upward and downward parts may be connected at their upper ends by means permitting adjustment of the angle between the upward and downward parts.

The means may comprise overlapped elements having a plurality of apertures for receiving a connecting element and selectively positionable to obtain said adjustment.

The roadway may comprise cross rails having an upwardly converging upper surface.

The upward and downward parts may have side members having an outwardly inclined upwardly extending upper surface.

The invention may be performed in various ways and two specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an erect bridge structure; Figure 2 is a plan view of part of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view with part omitted of another erect bridge structure; Figure 4 is a section through a side member on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of part of Fig. 3; Figure 6 is an exploded side view of a central hinge region; and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic side view of a modified arrangement.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a structure 10 which can be used to provide a roadway across for example a stream or over a fence or wail comprises two frames 11, 12 each formed from welded or bolted steel section and having sides 13, 14 connected by spaced cross-members 15. Each side 13, 14 has upper and lower members 16, 17 provided with bracing elements 18, the members 16, 17 at one end being connected to upright element 19 and at their lower ends to an L-sectiom cross-member 20. The upper ends of members 17 are connected by a cross-member (not shown). The frames 11, 12 are hinged together at 21 at each side, or completely across, so that the frames can be moved from a collapsed condition to the erect position shown.

The hinge or hinges can be disassembled to assist in transporting the structure. The crossmembers 20 are adapted to dig into the ground on either side of for example a hedge and assist in holding the structure stable. One arm of member 20 forms an extension of the respective roadway.

Supported on the cross-members and extending between the frames is a roadway 30 formed from mesh steel providing a smoothly curved surface for persons and vehicles such as farm motor cycles but which, because of the apertures in the mesh, will not be used by farm animals such as cattle and sheep. The roadway need not be curved.

The roadway and frames may take other forms.

The structure can be used for example by a farmer who can locate the structure or a number of such structures to reduce the distance he needs to travel to inspect his flock or herd.

The structure 40 of Figs. 3 to 6 is generally similar. In this case the side members 41 are formed by laterally outwardly facing channel section 42 having an upper surface 43 which extends upwards as it extends outwards, to assist in keeping a vehicle wheel on the cattle-proof roadway 44, leading to a downward lip 45. The roadway 44 is formed from spaced cross-members or rails 46 connecting the side member 41. The rails 46 give added strength and improved traction for a vehicle wheel.

The rails have upwardly converging faces 46a, 46b which meet at a junction 47 which is convexly curved upwards. The rails 46 are positioned to provide a convexly curved upwards curved profile roadway but the roadway in each frame could be flat.

The outermost or lowest cross-member takes the form of a generally flat element 48.

The central hinge 49 is adjustable to permit variation of the relative angular position of frames 10, 11 and the span of the bridge and thus the height of the wall, hedge, stream or the like 50 which can be bridged. The inner ends of the side members are provided with plates 51 having a lower aperture 52 and a plurality of spaced upper apertures 53. In the case shown there are four apertures 53.

Apertures 52 are overlapped to receive a hinge rod 54 secured by suitable means and selected apertures 53 in plates 51 are overlapped to receive another hinge rod secured in place. The frames are connected in a manner which prevents relative movement. In the case shown there could be six relative angular positions for the frames 10, 11. The hinge rod in apertures 53 can be removed and the frames then pivoted towards each other about rod 54, to collapse the structure for transportation. The hinge structure 49 could be used in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 shows how use of frames of different size enables the bridge structure to be used where the ground levels are different on opposite sides of the wall, hedge or the like.

The lower ends of the side members are provided with plates 48a which engage the ground and have an outwardly bent front edge 48b to provide a smooth rounded edge for protecting vehicle tyres.

Claims

1. A structure which is portable and provides in use a roadway having an upward part and a downward part.

2. A structure as claimed in Claim 1, in which the roadway is cattle-proof.

3. A structure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the upward and downward parts are connected for movement between collapsed and erect positions.

4. A structure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the upward and downward parts are part of or supported by respective frames, and the frames are hinged together for movement between collapsed and erect positions.

5. A structure as claimed in Claim 4, in which the lower ends of the frames are adapted to dig into a supporting surface.

6. A structure as claimed in Claim 5, in which the lower ends of the frames are formed by sectioned cross-members.

7. A structure as claimed in Claim 6, in which the sectioned cross-member is L-section with one arm of the L forming an extension of the respective roadway.

8. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upward and downward parts are connected at their upper ends by means permitting adjustment of the angle between the upward and downward parts.

9. A structure as claimed in Claim 8, in which said means comprises overlapped elements having a plurality of apertures for receiving a connecting element and selectively positionable to obtain said adjustment.

10. A structure as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the roadway comprises cross rails having an upwardly converging upper surface.

11. A structure as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the upward and downward parts have side members having an outwardly inclinded upwardly extending upper surface.

12. A structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or Figs. 3 to 6, or Fig. 7, of the accompanying drawings.