GB2354475A - A transportable rack for farriers - Google Patents

Abstract

A transportable tool rack for farriers, which is adapted to be mounted in or on a vehicle, comprises a slide 22 for an anvil (24, fig 3) moveable between a retracted position and an extended position clear of the vehicle. A leg 26 is connected to the slide and adapted to engage the ground when the slide is in the extended position. The rack may also include a slide for a forge (64, fig 1) and means for storing a bottle of gas (68, fig 1) for firing the forge. Other tools may be slidable mounted to a frame 10 of the rack, such as a slidably mounted vice (72, fig 1), and a slidable mounted belt sander (74, fig 1).

Description

2354475 TOOL RACK This invention concerns a transportable tool rack for

farriers.

Historically, whilst some large equine establishments would have their own farrier, most farriery was carried on at premises to which horses to be shoed were brought by their owners or grooms. More recently, however, it has become common for farners to travel to the horses instead. And with increasing numbers of horses now being kept in many areas, this is an important and growing business.

Mobile farriery poses two key problems. First, the farrier requires a large io variety of tools and equipment including hammers, fire tongs, pritchels, punches, stamps, fullers, horse shoes and nails in various sizes, a bottom set, a heel cropper, a forge, a sander and an anvil. Second, all this kit is heavy, especially the anvil.

The development of transportable forges, fired by bottled gas, means that everything a farrier requires can be carded in a suitable vehicle such as a van or panel truck. However the task of unloading and reloading the vehicle at each stop is both time-consuming and tiring. Further, many locations do not have firm or convenient places for situating the forge or anvil, which makes the work more difficult. Stands are available, for instance for anvils, but these require a reasonably flat surface which is not always present, and they add to the task of unloading and reloading.

It is an object of the invention to make mobile farriery easier.

According to the invention there is provided a transportable tool rack for farriers which rack is adapted to be mounted in or on a vehicle and includes a slide for an anvil moveable between a retracted position and an extended position clear of the vehicle and a leg connected to the slide and adapted to engage the ground when the slide is in the extended position.

The slide enables the anvil to be moved easily to a working position (typically rearwards of the vehicle) without having to be lifted; and the leg provides a firm support for the anvil in use, so that it does not give or rebound when a horseshoe or other workpiece on the anvil is struck. After use, the anvil does not have to be lifted back into the vehicle, but simply slid back into its retracted position.

The leg is conveniently connected to the slide by means of a pivot, so that it can be lifted up and stowed tidily when the slide is moved to the retracted position.

io Means may also be provided for adjusting the length of the leg, to accommodate uneven ground and to allow for vehicles of differing dimensions.

The tool rack preferably also includes a slide for a forge and means for storling a container of gas for fihng the forge, the slide for the forge being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein in use the forge is safely separated from the gas container. This assists compliance with safety regulations.

The tool rack may also include other slides, eg for a vice and for a sander.

Other features of the invention, including the provision of storage a farrier's tools and materials, will be apparent from the following description.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing in which - Figure 1 shows a transportable tool rack for farriers, according to the invention, as viewed though the rear of a van, and showing an anvil mounted on a slide; Figure 2 shows the tool rack of Figure 1, as viewed from the side; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but with the anvil slide in its extended position; and Figure 4 is an isometric view of the anvil slide, to an enlarged scale.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the transportable tool rack comprises a frame 10 made of square section steel tubes welded together. The frame 10 fits snugly into a van between the floor 12 and roof 14 of the van and between its side 16 and 18. The rear of the van is indicated at 20. For transportation the rear of the van will be closed by a door, not shown, which for opening may hinge upwards from the rear of the roof to be supported on gas struts.

Slidingly engaged with the frame 10 is a slide 22 carrying an anvil 24. A leg 26 is pivotally connected to the rear end of the slide 22.

Figure 2 shows the slide 22 and anvil 24 in a retracted position, with the leg 26 stowed upright for transportation. Referring to Figure 3, this shows the slide 22 and anvil 24 pulled out to an extended position in which the anvil 24 is clear of the rear 20 of the van. In this extended position the anvil 24 can be used by a farrier, and the leg is swung down to engage the ground 28 and provide a firm support.

The construction of the slide 22 and leg 26 is detailed in Figure 4.

The slide 22 comprises two side members 30 and 32 and an end piece 34 all made of square cross section steel tubing. This tubing is of smaller cross section than the tubes comprising the frame 10, and is a sliding fit therewithin. Thus the side members 30 and 32 slide within base members 36 and 38 of the frame 10. By this means the slide 22 may be easily moved between the retracted position of Figure 2 and the extended position of Figure 3.

The anvil 24 (omitted from Figure 4 for clarity) is carried on two cross pieces 40 and 42 made of angle-section steel and welded between the side members 30 and 32.

The leg 26 comprises first and second sections 44 and 46 interconnected by a threaded rod 48 by means of which the overall length of the leg 26 may be adjusted. Locking nuts 50 and 52 allow a selected length to be fixed. (The adjustment is principally to meet the dimensions of the vehicle in which the tool rack is mounted. Once the tool rack is mounted in a given vehicle, little further adjustment is generally required, as the leg 26 can be kicked or tapped into place to support the anvil).

From the top (as seen in Figure 4) of the first leg section 44 a pair of forks 54 extend forwards and upwards. Each fork 54 terminates in a plate 56 mounted on a trunnion 58, whereby the leg 26 is pivotally connected to the slide 22. This pivotal connection allows the leg 26 to be inverted for transportation (as shown in Figure 2).

With the leg 26 down (Figures 3 and 4) the forks 50 support both sides of the slide 22 whilst the lower end of the second leg section 46 has substantially point contact with the ground and therefore does not need a smooth or level surface to engage.

Also shown in Figure 4 are uprights 60 and a cross member 62 of the frame 10.

Returning now to Figures I to 3, these show other features of the tool rack.

First, as shown in Figure 1, a forge 64 is mounted upon a slide 66 connected to the frame 10 by means similar to those hereinbefore described for the slide 22.

The forge 64 is gas-fired and is connected to a bottle 68 of gas by way of a flexible hose 70. For use the forge 64 is slid rearwards on the slide 66 to a position which meets safety requirements for the separation of the forge 64 from the gas bottle 68. Like the anvil 24, the forge 64 does not have to be lifted out of the van for use.

Also slidably on the frame 10 are a vice 72, a belt sander 74 and a tray for pritchels and punches 76. The vice 72 is mounted on a slide similar to the slide 22, and preferably also incorporating a locking device (not shown in the drawing). The belt sander 74 and the pritchels and punches may be on simple pull-out trays sifting on the floor 12 of the van and dimensioned to fit within the structure of the frame 10.

Compartments 78, 80 and 82 within the frame 10 are decked eg with steel mesh to provide storage for nails and horseshoes in bins, not shown. The frame 10 io also carries a first row of holsters 84 for stamps and fullers and a second row of holsters 86 for hammers. Two containers 88 provide bottom set and heel cropper stowage. Tubular holders 90 for fire tongs are conveniently located forward of the anvil slide 22. There are also clips 92 and 94 for a fire extinguisher and a spotlight. Finally, other tools, not shown, may be clipped or otherwise stored against the sides 16 and 18 of the van.

Those skilled in the art of farriery will appreciate that the invention makes transportation and use of all the tools and equipment much easier than heretofore. There is no need to unload (and, after use, reload) large quantities of heavy items. And everything needed is conveniently located during use.

Claims (8)

1 A transportable tool rack for farriers, which rack is adapted to be mounted in or on a vehicle and includes a slide for an anvil moveable between a retracted position and an extended position clear of the vehicle and a leg connected to the slide and adapted to engage the ground when the slide is in the extended position.

2 A transportable tool rack as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the leg is pivotally connected to the slide.

3 A transportable tool rack as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the io leg includes means for adjusting its length.

4 A transportable tool rack as claimed in any preceding claim including an anvil mounted upon the slide.

A transportable tool rack as claimed in any preceding claim including a slide for a forge and means for storing a container of gas for firing the forge, the slide for the forge being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein in use the forge is safely separated from the gas container.

6 A transportable tool rack as claimed in any preceding claim including a slide for a vice.

7 A transportable tool rack as claimed in any preceding claim including a slide for a sander.

8 A transportable tool rack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.