GB2258884A

GB2258884A - Tie ring

Info

Publication number: GB2258884A
Application number: GB9216473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew William Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-08-02
Filing date: 1992-08-03
Publication date: 1993-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-03
Also published as: GB2258884B; GB9216473D0

Abstract

The tie ring has a base 1, which has a fixing flange 2 and a boss 6, which has a through bore 7 defining a socket with slots 8. The base 1 carries a U-shaped spring 11 having opposite limbs 12, which extend via the slots into the bore 7. The tie ring includes a spigot 21 having a circumferential groove 22 and carries a ring 24. In use, the spigot 21 is forced into the socket 7, with a tapered nose 25 separating the limbs of the spring. These spring back into the groove 22, in the manner of a detent. A horse can be tied to the ring by a strong leading rein or rope. Should the horse pull back, the release force of the spring, typically 30 kgf, ie about 300N, is overcome and the horse is released without damaging itself. <IMAGE>

Description

TIE RING The present invention relates to a tie ring for tying an animal, particularly though not exclusively for a horse.

Conventional tie rings are metal rings which are permanently attached in a horsebox, for instance, for tying a horse with a rope against escape when the ramp of the 'box is first opened for instance. Such rings are unsatisfactory, because should the horse panic and rear up it can damage itself when firmly tied by the rope and a head collar to the ring. For this reason, when tying a horse I tie the head collar to the ring with a piece of string which the horse can snap in an accident or panic.

The object of the invention is to provide a tie ring which is releasable in the event of an unusual force being applied to it by an animal.

According to the invention, there is provided a tie ring comprising a base via which the tie ring can be attached and a ring to which an animal can be tied, the base and the ring being adapted for detachment of the ring from the base by an unusual force.

Whilst the detachment may involve irreparable breaking of connection of the ring to the base, it is preferred that the base and the ring be adapted for reconnection after detachment. Conveniently, the tie ring is provided with a spring detent mechanism which normally holds the ring and base together, but which can release the ring if the applied force overcomes the spring's force.

Preferably the base has a socket and the ring has a spigot receivable in the socket. The ring can carry the spring in a manner to protrude into the socket and the spigot can be provided with a groove in which the spring engages. The spring is preferably U-shaped, engaging at its limbs in slots at opposite sides of the socket, whereby each limb protrudes into the socket. Conveniently the ring is a loose fit in a transverse bore in the spigot.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a tie ring of the invention and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional plan view and on the line II-II in Figure 1 of the tie ring.

Referring to the drawing, the tie ring has a generally circularly symmetrical base 1, which has a fixing flange 2 with screw holes 3 for fixing by screws 4, indicated by chain dotted lines, to a face such as of a wall 5.

Extending from the flange 2 is boss 6, which has a through bore 7 defining a socket. The boss is cut into externally on opposite sides by slots 8, which extend into the bore 7.

The base 1 carries a U-shaped spring 11 having opposite limbs 12, which at their distal ends 13 are bent in towards each other and out again. This shape allows the spring to be readily assembled to the base by introduction of the ends 13 into the slots 8 from one end thereof, with the ends riding on the central unslotted portion 14 of the boss.

Once the spring is pushed fully home into the slots, the ends ride over the opposite unslotted portion 15 and hold the spring in place, with its limbs 12 extending via the slots into the bore 7.

The other main component of the tie ring is a spigot 21 having a circumferential groove 22 and a transverse bore 23 through which loosely passes a ring 24 having its opposite ends welded together so as to be permanently connected to the spigot.

In use, the spigot 21 is forced into the socket 7, with a tapered nose 25 separating the limbs of the spring. These spring back into the groove 22, in the manner of a detent, when the spigot is pushed home and hold the spigot and ring 24 to the base 1. A horse can be tied to the ring by a strong leading rein or rope. Should the horse pull back, the release force of the spring, typically 30 kgf, ie about 300N, is overcome and the horse is released without damaging itself.

The leading rein, not shown, can be permanently attached to the ring 24. In this case several rings and spigots may be supplied for each base.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment, which is of metal construction. For instance both the base and the spigot can be of moulded plastics material, in which case the spigot and ring will be moulded as one piece, with the ring fixed rigidly to the spigot.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tie ring comprising a base via which the tie ring can be attached and a ring to which an animal can be tied, the base and the ring being adapted for detachment of the ring from the base by an unusual force.

2. A tie ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base and the ring are adapted for reconnection after detachment.

3. A tie ring as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tie ring is provided with a spring detent mechanism which normally holds the ring and the base together, but which can release the ring if the applied force overcomes the release force of the mechanism's spring.

4. A tie ring as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base has a socket and the ring has a spigot receivable in the socket.

5. A tie ring as claimed in claim 4 as appendant to claim 3, wherein the base carries the spring in a manner to protrude into the socket and the spigot is provided with a groove in which the spring engages.

6. A tie ring as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spring is U-shaped, engaging at its limbs in slots at opposite sides of the socket, whereby each limb of the spring protrudes into the socket.

7. A tie ring as claimed in claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the ring is a loose fit in transverse bore in the spigot.

8. A tie ring as claimed in claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6, wherin the ring is fixed rigidly to the spigot.

9. A tie ring as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ring has a leading rein or rope permanently attached to it.

10. A tie ring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.