GB2197367A

GB2197367A - Flooring panel e.g. for poultry raising house

Info

Publication number: GB2197367A
Application number: GB08725386A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nissim Mass
Original assignee: TMH TAASSIYOT MISHMAR HAEMEK
Current assignee: TMH TAASSIYOT MISHMAR HAEMEK
Priority date: 1986-11-05
Filing date: 1987-10-29
Publication date: 1988-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-29
Also published as: ES2008307A6; IT1211891B; DE3736754A1; IT8748566A0; GB8725386D0; GB2197367B; FR2612972A1; NL8702676A; IL80509A0; FR2612972B1

Description

1 GB2197367A 1

SPECIFICATION

Flooring panel BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns flooring panels which are particularly, but not exclusively, des tined to serve in constructing flooring in poul try raising houses or chicken coops.

It is already known to compose such floor- 75 ing from plastic panels which have as much as possible apertures through which the drop pings of fowls-or excrements of other animals if the flooring is arranged in pens in which calves or sheep are kept-can drop through.

Canadian Patents Nos. 1,098,776 and 1,106,248 relate to floor units of this type.

As becomes clear from the descriptions of these specifications, there exists the problem of ensuring that the individual panels of which 85 the flooring is assembled are connected in such a way that the panels retain their relative position to one another and no unintended displacement of the panel would be likely to occur. Such displacement would result also in 90 bending or sagging of some of the panels and downward bulging thereof.

The main object of the present inventiod invention is therefore to provide means ensur ing that a flooring, once assembled retains the required rigidity and does not yield to the movement of fowl or animals walking thereon, i.e. that individual panels do not move-neither planarly nor up and down relative to vicinal panels.

Incidentally, the means to be proposed in the following description result also in a possi bility of providing an optimal number of aper tures in the individual panels. Obviously, panels which include such apertures are much more apt to bend and sag than are panels with less apertures. On the other hand-and for the reason stated-it would be advan tageous to have as many apertures as pos sible in the new panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention the new panel comprises a plane surface which has a num ber of throughgoing apertures and which is reinforced and stiffened by a number of webs extending in parallelism, there being provided at least at two of the edges of each panel cut-outs forming bays intended to receive con nectors which extend co-planarly from each panel to a vicinal one, at least two of the edges of each panel forming a step by being divided into an upper and a lower half, the outermost edge of each half of the thickness of the panel following a zig-zag or wavy line.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the said bays take the shape of a triangle the hypothenuse of which is cut to permit the entrance of a connector which latter is consti tuted by a straight rod shaped portion having an arrow-head at each end.

Advantageously, one of the said triangular bays should be positioned at each corner of a panel and possibly at least one such bay at the edge of the panel intermediate the corners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description which refers to the annexed drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a panel according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of a panel.

Figure 3 is a cross-section along line 111-111 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 illustrates the connection of adjacent panels.

Figure 5 illustrates the connecting members used for connecting the panels.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of connecting adjacent panels.

Turning first to Fig. 1, the panel indicated as a whole by the letter P is a grid like structure consisting of crosswise ribs 1 which define openings 2. As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the edges of the panel P form a step, the thickness of the panel being divided along a line indicated by an arrow, one half of the thickness jutting out beyond the other. The edge of both halves extending in a zig-zag line 3 (which might be a wavy line). The corners of the panels are provided with an arrow head like cut-out 4, i.e. the hypothenuse of the triangle shaped cut-out being interrupted to permit the passage of the shaft of the arrow.

In the preferred embodiment of the panel, the middle of the edge is provided with a double arrow head (or the like) cut-outs. Connectors 7 are provided the functon of which will be referred to.

The construction of a floor from a number of panels is easy to perform.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the panel edge, as described, has a double zigzag edge 5 and 6 which enables the interengagement of two adjacent panels in such a manner that the edge of one panel overlaps partially the edge of the adjacent panel (Fig. 4). After placing the panels in rows or staggeringly, the appropriate connecting member 7 is inserted into cutouts 4. The shaft of the arrow passes through the passage 8 in the hypothenuse of the arrow shaped cut-out.

The step which formed by the zig-zag edge is provided with holes 9 which enables the insertion of pins or screw bolts for further strengthening.

The panel which is illustrated in Fig. 6 shows a different zig-zag edge which is provided with holes 12 into which pins 13 enter.

This unique connecting system enables the transfer of the forces which the panels are subjected to all planes, namely, "X", -Y- and 2 GB2197367A 2 -Z-. Thus movement and dislocation of a panel neither in the plane of the floor or upand down is fully prevented.

The assembled panels may be fixed by means of screws to any surface.

Claims

1. A panel, a number of which are to form the floor of fowl or animal housing enclosures, comprising a plane surface which has a number of throughgoing apertures and which is reinforced and stiffened by a number of webs extending in parallelism, there being provided at least at two of the edges of each panel cut-outs forming bays inteded to receive connectors which extend co- planarly from each panel to a vicinal one, at least two of the edges of each panel forming a step the thickness thereof being divided into an upper and a lower half, the outermost edge of each half of the thickness of the panel following a zig-zag or wavy line.

2. The panel claimed in claim 1, wherein the said bays take the shape of a triangle the hypothenuse of which is cut to permit the entrance of a connector which latter is constituted by a straight rod shaped portion having an arrow-head at each end.

3. The panel claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the said triangular bays is positioned at each corner of a panel and possibly at least one such bay at the edge of the panel intermediate the corners. 35

4. The panel claimed in all or any of the preceding claims wherein edges of the panel are formed along a zig-zag line.

5. The panel claimed in all or any of the preceding claims wherein edges of the panel are formed along a wavy line.

6. The panel claimed in all or any of the preceding claims wherein edges of the panel are formed along a -toothed- line.

7. The panel claimed in all or any of the preceding claims wherein the edge of the panel is provided with at least one hole and corresponding pin.

Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66/71 High Holborn, London WC 1 R 4TP Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD P,i nted by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd Con 1/87