GB2332610A

GB2332610A - Covered horse walker

Info

Publication number: GB2332610A
Application number: GB9727004A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Anthony Holliday
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-23
Filing date: 1997-12-23
Publication date: 1999-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-23
Also published as: GB9727004D0; IE980098A1; GB2332610A9; GB2332610B

Abstract

A roof for a horse walker 60 is disclosed having an inner fence 14 and an outer fence 16. The roof is supported in cantilever fashion from legs (38, fig 4) which are themselves attached to fence posts (40). Pushers 66 are provided within the track, to urge a horse to move, and are adjustable in height, e.g. by varying the length of the members 76.

Description

1 2332610 Improvements in or Relating to Roof Arrangements The present

invention relates to roof arrangements and is particularly concerned with roof arrangements for use in equestrian applications.

It is known to provide a "horse walker" facility to allow horses to be exercised, particularly during the winter or bad weather. A conventional horse walker consists of two concentric, circular fences of different radius, which define between them an endless circular track along which a horse may walk for exercise.

The present invention provides a roof arrangement for a horse walker of the type providing an endless track along which a horse may walk for exercise, the arrangement comprising roof means which, in use, extend over the track, and support means which, in use, support the roof means above the track, the support means comprising leg means which, in use, extend downwardly from the roof means, and attachment means which, in use, attach the leg means to supports of fence means which define the track.

Preferably the roof means have an edge defining an uncovered area inside the track. Preferably the roof means are supported in cantilever fashion from the support means to extend over the track.

The roof means is preferably shaped to cover a substantially circular track and preferably provides, in use, a sloping upper surface. Preferably the upper surface is sloped to cause rain water to run to the outer edge of the roof means.

The roof means may be substantially annular in plan, to cover the track and leave a central region uncovered inside the track. The roof means is preferably substantially frusto-conical. The inner edge of the roof means may carry a downwardly extending surface for rain water deflection.

2 Preferably the roof means comprises rafters which support sheet material extending between adjacent rafters, which may extend substantially radially. The leg means preferably extend from the roof means to the ground, preferably around the outer edge of the roof means and preferably supported on the ground. Preferably the leg means each support a rafter. The leg means are preferably secured to the ground without additional foundation work, such as by bolting.

In another aspect, the invention provides a pusher arrangement for a horse walker of the type,providing an endless track along which a horse may walk for exercise, the arrangement comprising an arm which carries a pusher and is coupled to drive means operable to turn the arm to move the pusher around the track, thereby urging a horse within the track to walk, and wherein adjustment means are provided, by which the height of the pusher may be adjusted.

Preferably the adjustment means are pivotal. The arm may be pivotally mounted to the drive means, whereby to be raised or lowered. The arm may have a first end pivotally attached to the drive means, and a remote end which carries the pusher. There may be setting means operable to set the position of the pivotal means and thereby the height of the pusher. The setting means may be secured to the arm and to the drive means, and are preferably attached to the arm and to the drive means to set the separation thereof. The arm may extend generally upwardly away from the drive means, and the setting means may be attached to the arm at a position remote from the drive means to provide a tie between the arm at that position and a fixed position. The fixed position is preferably on the drive means, which may be a pillar, preferably with the pivotal means at a relatively low position thereon, the fixed position being at a relatively high position, whereby the setting means is in tension.

Preferably the setting means is adjustable, preferably in length, and preferably by means of a threaded member such as a turnbuckle.

3 The present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a roof arrangement according to the invention, installed to shelter a horse walker; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of Fig. I; Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical section looking along the track of Fig. I; Figs. 4 and 5 correspond to parts of Fig. 3, shown on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 6 is a schematic elevation of a pusher arrangement according to the present invention.

Turning to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a roof arrangement 10 for a horse walker 12 of the type providing an endless track along which a horse may walk for exercise. The walker 12 has an inner fence 14 and an outer fence 16, both centred at 18. The lines of the fences 14,16 are indicated by broken lines in Fig. 2.

The fences 14,16 define between them an annular track along which a horse may walk continuously (in a circle) for exercise. In order to encourage a horse to keep walking, the walker 12 is provided with, in this example, four pusher arms 20 mounted to turn together about the centre 18 when driven by a central drive unit 22. Each arm 20 carries a pusher 24 in the form of a vertical mesh sheet located between the fences 14,16. Thus, the drive unit 22 can turn the arms 20 to move the pushers 24 around the exercise track, encouraging a horse to keep moving. The provision of four pushers 24 allows four horses to be exercised simultaneously in the same track. Alternatively, additional pushers could be provided. It is envisaged that up to eight could be provided.

4 Turning in more detail to the roof 10, it can first be seen that the roof surface 26 is substantially annular in plan to cover the track 28 but leave a central region 30 uncovered. The surface 26 slopes to cause rain water to run to the outer edge 32 of the roof 26.

The surface 26 is substantially frusto-conical, by virtue of the annular shape in plan, and the slope.

The roof 26 consists of sheets 34 supported between rafters 36 which are in turn supported above the ground by legs 38. The legs 38 extend generally vertically at a series of positions around the outer fence 16, preferably with every leg 38 adjacent a fence post 40 of the fence 16. The leg 38 is supported at its lower end on the ground, and may be attached thereto by means of a plate 42 and ground bolt 44 but it is important to note that no additional foundation work is required to install the leg 38, over that already provided for the fence post 40.

Each leg 3 8 which is adjacent a fence post 40 is provided by brackets 46 which attach the leg 38 to the fence post 40 at several positions along its length.

The top of the leg 38 carries a bracket 48 to connect the leg 38 with a rafter 3 6 and this j oint is further strengthened by a web 5 0. The raft 3 6 extends away from the leg 38 at a slight inclination to the horizontg to define the roof slope described above. It is apparent from Fig. 3 that the leg 38 supports the rafter 36 toward the outer end of the rafter 36, so that the main length of the rafter (extending inwardly over the track 28) is supported in cantilever fashion from the leg 3 8.

A ring of legs and rafters as has just been described is provided around the track 28, preferably at each post 40. The rafters 36 are then clad with sheet material 34, which may be sheets of light aluminium, a plastics sheet (such as polycarbonate) or the like. These sheets 34 have a slightly flared outline, as seen in Fig. 2, to form between them the substantially frusto-conical surface 26.

The free end of each rafter 36 preferably extends right over the inner fence 14 to improve the shelter of the track 28. The shelter may be further improved by providing a downwardly extending surface 52, attached to the rafter 36 by a bracket 54 and providing a further rain water deflection surface.

When the roof arrangement 10 is erected to shelter a walker 12, the roof 26 Will be directly above the track 28, thus protecting against vertical rain or other precipitation, which can then run off to the outer edge 32 at Which guttering may optionally be provided. In addition, the relatively low height of the outer edge 32, and the presence of the deflector surface 52, provide shelter against slanted precipitation such as driving rain. By appropriate choice of dimensions, it is envisaged that a horse within the track 28 may be adequately sheltered and furthermore, that the material on the floor of the track 28 can similarly be adequately sheltered to allow dry material such as sand or wood chip to be used. This has significant advantages in that it is relatively cheap, comfortable for the horses, and easy to replace when soiled.

Furthermore, the total surface area of roof is significantly less than would be the case if the surface 28 was a full cone, i.e. if the rafters 1 36 and sheets 34 extended up to a point at the centre 18. For instance, if the outer fence radius was approximately 14m, and the inner fence radius was approximately 10m, the ground area of the track is only about 50% of the total ground area between the centre 18 and the outer fence 16. In consequence, the weight of the roof greatly reduces. This in turn allows rafters and legs to be of lighter construction, thus further reducing the weight and enabling the construction to be supported on the fence posts 40 without heavy foundation work being required. The frusto- conical shape of the roof also makes it somewhat self-supporting, reducing the requirement for bracing etc., and thus reducing the strength required of, and thus the weight of the cantilever arrangement.

6 The substantial reduction in the amount of material involved, the reduced weight and the avoidance of foundation work all contribute to a very significant reduction in cost, installation complexity and installation time, over that which would be required if the roof was fully conical. It is envisaged that the complete construction could be made from light gauge galvanised steel, or some components, particularly the sheets 34, could be from a plastics material such as a box section polycarbonate translucent sheet.

The roof arrangement which has just been described can be provided with a pusher arrangement as shown in Fig. 6, and now to be described in more detail.

The pusher arrangement 60 comprises a drive arrangement 62 at the centre of the walker 12 and operable to turn a vertical pillar 64. Each pusher 66 is mounted at the end of an arm 68 pivotally attached at 70 to a relatively low position on the pillar 64 by means of a web 72. The arm 68 is therefore turned by means of the pillar 64 and web 72, when the drive unit 62 turns the pillar 64 about its vertical axis.

Each arm 68 extends upwardly away from the pivot location 70, over the inner fence 14 and across the track 28. The pusher 66 is In the form of a mesh screen and hangs from the arm 68 down between the fences 14,16. Thus, as the arms 68 are turned by the drive unit 62, the pushers 66 sweep around the walker 12, encouraging animals on the track to move for exercise.

The pivot arrangement at 70 allows the angle of the ann 68 to be adjusted, which in turn allows the height of the pusher 66 to be adjusted. However, the height will normally be set when the apparatus is installed, but further adjustment can subsequently be made, if desired. In order to set the height, a tie bar 76 is pivotally connected to the pillar 64 at 75, and pivotally connected at 78, to a web 80 secured to the arm 68. The tie bar 76 is adjustable in length at 82, for instance by means of a turnbuckle or other screw threaded arrangement. Adjustment of the turnbuckle 82 changes the overall length of 7 the tie bar 76, thus raising or lowering the arm 68, and the pusher 66 carried by it.

The adjustability described will allow the pusher arrangement to be readily installed in a range of different situations, including the possibility, in many cases, of installing the pusher arrangement in a preexisting walker. In addition, it is important to note that because the arms 68 are supported by the tie bars 76, the arms 68 do not need to be as strong as if they were selfsupporting and can therefore be of relatively lightweight construction. The tie bars 76 are in tension not flexion and can therefore be relatively light in weight. Thus, the overall arrangement becomes light, readily manufactured, transported and assembled, and relatively inexpensive.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, many different dimensions, relative dimensions, materials and construction techniques could be employed.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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Claims

A roof arrangement for a horse walker of the type providing an endless track along which a horse may walk for exercise, the arrangement comprising roof means which, in use, extend over the track, and support means which, in use, support the roof means above the track the support means comprising leg means which, in use, extend downwardly from the roof means, and attachment means which, in use, attach the leg means to supports of fence means which define the track.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the roof means has an edge defining an uncovered area inside the track.
3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roof means are supported in cantilever fashion from the support means to extend over the track.
4. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof means is shaped to cover a substantially circular track.
5. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof means provides, in use, a sloping upper surface.
6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the upper surface is sloped to cause rain water to run to the outer edge of the roof means.
7. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof means is substantially annular in plan, to cover the track and leave a central region uncovered inside the track.
8. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, where-in the roof means is substantially frusto-conical.
9 9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the inner edge of the roof means carries a downwardly extending surface for rain water deflection.
10. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof means comprises rafters which support sheet material extending between adjacent rafters.
11. An arrangement according to claim 10, wherein rafters extend substantially radially.
12. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the leg means extend from the roof means to the ground.
13. An arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the leg means are arranged around the outer edge of the roof means.
14. An arrangement according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the leg means are supported on the ground.
15. An arrangement according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the leg means each support a rafter.
16. An arrangement according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the leg means are secured to the ground without additional foundation work.
17. A pusher arrangement for a horse walker of the type providing an endless track along which a horse may walk for exercise, the arrangement comprising an arm which carries a pusher and is coupled to drive means operable to turn the arm to move the pusher around the track, thereby urging a horse within the track to walk, and wherein adjustment means are provided, by which the height of the pusher may be adjusted.
18. An arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the adjustment means are pivotal.
19. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the arm is pivotally mounted to the drive means, whereby to be raised or lowered.
20. An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the arm has a first end pivotally attached to the drive means, and a remote end which carries the pusher.
21. An arrangement according to any of claims 18 to 20, comprising setting means operable to set the position of the pivotal means and thereby the height of the pusher.
22. An arrangement according to claim 2 1, wherein the setting means are secured to the arm and to the drive means.
23. An arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the arm extends generally upwardly away from the drive means.
24. An arrangement according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the setting means are attached to the arm at a - position remote from the drive means to provide a tie between the arm at that position and a fixed position.
25. An arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the fixed position is on the drive means.
26. An arrangement according to claim 25, wherein the drive means comprise a pillar.
27. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the pivotal means are at a relatively low position on the pillar, the fixed position being at a relatively high position, whereby the setting means is in tension.

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28. An arrangement according to any of claims 21 to 27, wherein the setting means is adjustable.
29. An arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the setting means adjustable in length.

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30. An arrangement according to claim 29, wherein the setting means is adjustable by means of a threaded member.
31. An arrangement according to claim 30, wherein the threaded member is a turnbuckle.
32. A roof arrangement for a horse walker substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.
33. A pusher arrangement for a horse walker substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.
34. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.