GB2248076A

GB2248076A - Slatted floor panel

Info

Publication number: GB2248076A
Application number: GB9020394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samuel Muir Stroyan; Ian Fraser Petrie
Original assignee: GEN CONCRETE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: GEN CONCRETE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1990-09-18
Filing date: 1990-09-18
Publication date: 1992-03-25
Also published as: GB9020394D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a slatted floor panel (10) which is rectangular as soon in plan and which is intended to be simply supported at each of two of its opposed ends (11 and 12), the panel comprising a plurality of parallel load-bearing slats (14) which are separated from each other by discharge slots (15) extending throughout the depth of the panel in order to discharge liquid and/or solid material which accumulates on the panel. Unslatted marginal support strips extend along the opposed sides and the opposed ends of the panel, and each slat forms an integral extension from one marginal strip to the other, and with the longitudinal axis of each slat extending transversely of the axis of the panel between the opposed ends. The panel is particularly suitable for use by cattle. <IMAGE>

Description

SLATTED FLOOR PANEL This invention relates to a slatted floor panel which is generally rectangular, as seen in plan, and which is intended to be simply supported at each of two of its opposed ends, the panel comprising a plurality of parallel load-bearing slats which are separated from each other by discharge slots extending throughout the depth of the panel in order to discharge liquid and / or solid material which accumulates on the panel.

Slatted floor panels are used in order to provide load bearing panels e.g. for livestock. but which can be readily cleaned by causing or allowing material accumulating on the panel to be discharged under gravity through the slots between adjacent slats, to be received by an underlying storage tank, or channel leading to a storage tank.

The invention has been developed primarily, though not exclusively, in connection with a slatted floor panel for use with livestock, and which therefore has to be designed to be sufficiently strong to bear vertical loads of farm vehicles and/or livestock e.g. cattle, with simple beam-type support of the panel at each end thereof by means of the vertical support limbs of an underlying storage channel on which the panel is mounted, and which is able to discharge liquid and /or solid waste material into the channel via the slots defined between adjacent load bearing slats of the panel.

In the design of floor panels e.g. a cattle slat, it is important to ensure that the slats have sufficient strength and support to withstand the applied loads met in service, while at the same time providing a comfortable and safe support for the hooves of cattle, as well as ready discharge of waste material down the slots. The slats therefore must be of sufficient width to support the cattle hooves safely with minimised risk of slipping off, whereas the slots have to be wide enough to discharge adequately the material with minimised risk of the material becoming clogged in or over the slots, but not so wide as to cause leg or foot damage to the cattle by reason of the hoof toppling into or being partly received and trapped in the slot.

Liquid and solid waste material tends to be displaced laterally of the slats and into the discharge slots by the movement of the animal's feet, but this is not always sufficiently effective to maintain the slats in an acceptable clean state, and therefore from time to time mechanical scraper blades are drawn over the surface of the panel in order to discharge the material into the discharge slots.

In existing designs of cattle slat, the slats (and therefore also the slots) extend parallel, or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the panel, and therefore the scraper blade is drawn over the slats in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the slats in order to draw the waste material over the slats and over the upper longitudinal openings leading to the slots.

This method of cleaning of the slats is not always satisfactory, and solid material is liable to accumulate as discrete masses of such a size as to become lodged in or over, or otherwise clog the slots.

The invention therefore seeks to provide an improved design of slatted floor panel which is better able to promote discharge of material into and downwardly through the discharge slots.

According to the invention there is provided a slatted floor panel which is generally rectangular as seen in plan and which is intended to be simply supported at each of two of its opposed ends, said panel comprising a plurality of parallel load-bearing slats which are separated from each other by discharge slots extending throughout the depth of the panel, in order to discharge liquid and / or solid material which accumulates on the panel, and in which: unslatted marginal support strips extend along the opposed sides and the opposed ends of the panel: each slat forms an integral extension from one of said marginal strips to another of said marginal strips; and, the longitudinal axis of each slat extends transversely of the axis of the panel between the opposed ends.

The preferred material from which the panel is made is concrete, and metal reinforcement may be incorporated in the panel at appropriate positions in order to withstand anticipated applied loads. Advantageously, such reinforcement runs the length of each slat. and is anchored at its ends in the cast material forming the marginal support strips.

-The slats (each extending from one end in one of the marginal strips to an opposite end in another of the marginal strips) therefore extend across the panel in a direction transverse to the major and minor axes of the panel, with some of the slats interconnecting adjacent side and end marginal support strips. and others interconnecting opposed marginal strips.

By arranging for the slats to extend transversely of the axis of the panel extending between the opposed ends, this provides for improved discharge of waste material into the discharge slots when a scraper is drawn over the surface of the panel. The scraper will be drawn usually along either one of the axes of the panel, and as it moves over the panel. the material lying on the slats is readily discharged into the slots. The waste material can be efficiently drawn over the surfaces of the slats, without generation of cross bridges between adjacent slats, and the slat edges also have a chopping effect on the material.

The transverse arrangement of the slats enables the scraper, usually a scraper blade, to travel across the panel freely without being obstructed by any of the slots between adjacent slats.

In a preferred construction, designed particularly for use by cattle, each slat may have a width of about 125mm, and each adjacent slot has a width of about 40mm. This is an ideal arrangement for cattle comfort, and also cleanliness. Each slat edge defining the longitudinal entrance to each slot may be rounded slightly to avoid sharp edges, and to minimise risk of crumbling of the edge in service when exposed to wear.

The slats may be provided with a longitudinal span between opposed ends of 3,000mm, and a transverse span between opposed sides of 1,500mum. The length of each slat can be varied between 2,030mm to 3,000mm if required.

The slats will be manufactured in accordance with BS 5502 part 22, clause 13.7 in respect of floor loads, and with a design life of about 20 years.

For cattle use, the slats may be supplied to carry standard maximum animal weight of 550kg, a maximum animal weight of 800kg, and a maximum vehicle weight of up to 4 tonnes. However, it can be readily designed to withstand heavier loads if required.

The slats may be used in conjunction with other slatted systems, and to complement existing ranges of channels, solid covers, weeping walls and solid panels.

One embodiment of slatted floor panel according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a slatted floor panel for use by cattle; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view showing the slatted floor panel of Figure 1 mounted in position on the upper limbs of a precast concrete channel; and, Figure 4 is a detailed view showing increased depth along the opposed end regions of the panel by means of which the panel is supported on the channel shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings, a slatted floor panel according to the invention is designated generally by reference 10, and is intended for use by lifestock. The slatted floor panel 10 is generally rectangular as seen in plan, and is intended to be simply supported at each of two of its opposed ends 11 and 12 in the manner of a beam, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows the panel 10 mounted simply on the upright support limbs 13 of a precast concrete channel 14 into which liquid and solid waste material can be discharged for storage, or discharge to a collecting tank.

The pannel 10 comprises a plurality of parallel load bearing slats 14 which are separated from each other by discharge slots 15 extending throughout the depth of the panel (see Figure 2) in order to discharge liquid and / or solid waste material which accumulates on the panel.

The length of the panel can be up to 3,000mm, though this can be varied in increments from 2,035mm to 3,000mm if required. by 215mm increments. The transverse dimension of the panel is illustrated as being 1.500mum. with this dimension extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the panel between opposed sides 16 and 17.

The opposed ends 11 and 12, and the opposed sides 16 and 17 comprise unslatted marginal support strips which extend along the side and end margins of the panel, to give the panel strength and rigidity. Further, each slat 14 forms an integral extension from one of the marginal strips to another of the marginal strips. Thus, in the case of the slats 14 near the top left hand corner 18 of the panel, the slats 14 extend from one end at end 11 of the panel to an opposite end at adjacent side 17, whereas slats 14 adjacent to the opposite corner 19 interconnect the marginal side strip 16 and end 12. There is also a middle range of the slats 14 which interconnect the opposed side margin 16 and 17.

It will be noted from Figure 1 that the longitudinal axis of each slat 14 extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the panel extending between the opposed ends 11 and 12, and in the illustrated arrangement at an angle of approximately 450.

The panel is made of precast concrete. and metal reinforcement is incorporated in the panel at appropriate positions in order to withstand anticipated applied loads.

Although not shown. such reinforcement can run the length of each slat 14, to be anchored at its ends in the cast material forming the marginal support strips 11, 12, 16 and 17, which also will include suitable reinforcement.

By arranging for the slats 14 (and the slots 15 defined therebetween) to extend transversely of either axis of the panel. this provides for improved discharge of liquid and / or solid waste material lying on the slats into the discharge slots 15. The movement of the animals on the surfaces of the slats 14 will tend to discharge the waste material laterally into the slots 15, but it is usually necessary, from time to time, to use a mechanical scraper to clean the panel, and the scraper will be moved along either of the axes of the panel. During this movement, the waste material is readily discharged into the slots 15, substantially without risk of cross bridges developing, and in view of the transverse extent of the edges 20 of the slats 14 which define the longitudinal entrance to each slot 15, the edges exert a chopping effect on the material.

An advantageous transverse dimension of the slots and slat arrangement comprises a width of 125mm for each slat 14, and a width of 40mm of each slot 15 between adjacent slats. This provides safe and comfortable support for the hooves of the cattle, while enabling satisfactory discharge of waste,material into the slots.

The design of floor slat illustrated can be used in conjunction with existing slatted systems, and can walls and solid panels supplied to farmers.

Claims

1. A slatted floor panel which is generally rectangular as seen in plan and which is intended to be simply supported at each of two of its opposed ends, said panel comprising a plurality of parallel load-bearing slats which are separated from each other by discharge slots extending throughout the depth of the panel in order to discharge liquid and I or solid material which accumulates on the panel, and in which: unslatted marginal support strips extend along the opposed sides and the opposed ends of the panel; each slat forms an integral extension from one of said marginal strips to another of said marginal strips: and, the longitudinal axis of each slat extends transversely of the axis of the panel between the opposed ends.

2. A floor panel according to Claim 1, in which the panel is made of concrete and metal reinforcement is incorporated in the panel.

3. A panel.according to Claim 2, in which the reinforcement runs the length of each slat, and is anchored at its ends in the cast material forming the marginal support strips.

4. A panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the slats extend across the panel in a direction transverse to the major and minor axes of the panel, with some of the slats interconnecting adjacent side and end marginal support strips, and others interconnecting opposed marginal strips.

5. A panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, and adapted for use by cattle. in which each slat has a width of about 125mm and each adjacent slot has a width of about 40mm.

6. A panel according to Claim 5, in which each slat edge defining the longitudinal entrance to each slot is rounded slightly to avoid sharp edges.

7. A panel according to Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.