GB2221823A

GB2221823A - Dog kennels

Info

Publication number: GB2221823A
Application number: GB8916100A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Eric Taylor
Original assignee: DESIGN Ltd T
Current assignee: DESIGN Ltd T
Priority date: 1988-07-19
Filing date: 1989-07-13
Publication date: 1990-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-13
Also published as: GB8916100D0; GB8817174D0; GB2221823B

Abstract

A frame for use in a dog kennel has vertical frame members (10-14) and interconnecting horizontal frame members (16-20). A door frame hingedly mounted between the frame members (12,14) also comprises vertical frame members (22,24) interconnected by horizontal frame members (26-30). Each of the frame members may be of hollow section steel and pre-drilled to accept inserts which can be squeeze-rivetted into the frame members. Infill panels (34) can be mounted between respective frame members by means of bolts in the respective inserts and hinges (40) can be similarly secured. The arrangement allows easy replacement of the panels (34) and other components without disturbing a protective coating which may be provided on the component parts and all the components may be secured to one side of the main frame only. <IMAGE>

Description

Frail Arrangerents This invention relates to frame arrangements, particularly but not exclusively such arrangements adapted to form a fixed structure for use in the retention of animals.

According to the present invention there is provided a frame arrangement comprising a frame formed of a plurality of hollow section frame members rigidly secured together, the frame members being pre-formed to enable removable mounting of selected components on the frame, the components including panels extending between adjacent frame members and being further selected from hinges, locks, brackets and other fitments, whereby to form a fixed structure for use in the retention of animals wherein the components can be removed from the frame for replacement if necessary.

The frame members may be pre-drilled before the formation of the fixed structure whereby the components can be mounted thereon by fixings such as screws or bolts. Further sleeve members may be located within selected ones of the pre-drilled holes to be retained captive in the frame, and the sleeve members may be each provided with an internal thread.

Preferably the hollow section frame members are formed of steel which may be coated with a protective layer of zinc.

Preferably also the panels may include a steel wire mesh and may be coated with a protective layer of zinc.

Alternatively the panels may be formed of reinforced plastic steel sheets.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a front view of part of a frame for use as a dog kennel; Fig. 2 is a section on A-A of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a section of B-B of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, a dog kennel frame includes vertical frame members 10,12,14 and interconnecting horizontal frame members 16,18,20. Each of the frame members is preferably formed of rectangular hollow section steel, the frame members being welded together. Between the frame members 12,14 there is hingedly mounted a door frame comprising vertical frame members 22,24 interconnected by horizontal frame members 26,28,30. The frame members of the door are also preferably formed of rectangular hollow section steel, the members being welded together.

The frame members 10-30 are pre-drilled to accept attachments as hereinafter described, the drilled holes all being formed on side faces of the respective frame members 10-30 which are innermost in use when the frame is erected to form kennel. The frame members 10-30 are preferably coated with a protective layer of zinc prior to assembly to increase serviceable life.

An internally threaded insert 32 is squeeze-rivetted into each of certain of the pre-drilled holes in the frame members 10-30 after the latter have been galvanised. Each insert 32 is in the form of a sleeve which is located in a respective pre-drilled hole and axially compressed to grip sufficiently to the wall thickness of the frame member, without affecting the internal thread form of the insert.

The spaces between respective ones of the frame members 10-30 are infilled by panels 34 having a mesh preferably of steel wire. To mount each panel 34 between the respective frame members, a bolt 36 is inserted through a respective pre-drilled hole in a frame surround 38 of the panel 34 and is threaded into the respective insert 32. The panels 34 are thereby provided as bolt-on components which are suitably coated with a layer of zinc to increase serviceable life prior to being mounted on the frame members.

Hinges 40 for mounting the door frame member 22 on the frame member 12 can each be similarly secured by locating mounting screws 42 through respective plates 44 of the hinge 40 and engaging the screws 42 in respective ones of the threaded inserts 32. A door lock 46 as well as any required door latch is assembled within the hollow section of the respective frame members to be operated by a key through a hole formed on the outside of the respective frame member.

The door lock 46 is secured by bolting or screwing to the respective frame members. A suitable layer of zinc on the hinges 40 increases serviceable life thereof.

Other suitable arrangements may be provided for mounting of the hinges 40. For example a loose-tapped plate may be slidably located inside the hollow section of a respective frame member with large clearance holes being provided in the frame member for hinge adjustment. Whatever form of hinge mounting arrangement is used, the hinges can be fixed, removable, and/or adjustable within the frame mounting.

Other attachments such as wall security brackets can be mounted on the frame into other pre-drilled holes therein.

The frame arrangement allows easy replacement of the components such as the infill panels 34, the hinges 40, the door locks 46 without disturbing the protective coating on the component parts. Maintenance is reduced to a minimum and the use of proprietary items where possible reduces costs. The aesthetic appearance of the frame is enhanced by the fact, that all the components may be secured to one side of the main frame only, leaving the other side free of holes, bolts, etc., where a build-up of foreign bodies can occur. The frame arrangement can be used as a modular selfsupporting system mounted on a suitable base, incorporating its own roof and encompassing satisfactory side wall security.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to structures other than dog kennels, although the invention is particularly suitable for use to form animal retention compounds. The infill panels may be formed of other materials, such as reinforced plastic steel sheets.

Claims

Claims:

1. A frame arrangement comprising a frame formed of a plurality of hollow section frame members rigidly secured together, the frame members being pre-formed to enable removable mounting of selected components on the frame, the components including panels extending between adjacent frame members and being further selected from hinges, locks, brackets and other fitments, whereby to form a fixed structure for use in the retention of animals wherein the components can be removed from the frame for replacement if necessary.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the frame members are pre-drilled before the formation of the fixed structure whereby the components can be mounted thereon by fixings.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the fixings comprise screws or bolts.

4. An arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein secure members are located within selected ones of the predrilled holes to be retained captive in the frame.

5. An arrangement according to Claim 4, wherein the secure members are each provided with an internal thread.

6. An arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the hollow section frame members are formed of steel.

7. An arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the steel is coated with a protective layer of zinc.

8. An arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the panels include a steel wire mesh.

9. An arrangement according to Claim 8, wherein the steel-wire mesh is coated with a protective layer of zinc.

10. An arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the panels are formed of reinforced plastic steel sheets.

11. A frame arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A structure including a frame arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims.

13. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.