GB2385534A

GB2385534A - Artificial steeplechase fence apron

Info

Publication number: GB2385534A
Application number: GB0204053A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Henry Alsop Bennett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-21
Filing date: 2002-02-21
Publication date: 2003-08-27
Also published as: GB0204053D0

Abstract

An artificial steeplechase apron comprises a polythene sheet 2 through which artificial spruce fronds 1 are woven so that the fronds point upwards to form a barrier. The fronds are held in place by starlock washers 3, and may be made from a thermoplastic elastomer in a variety of colours to achieve a natural finish. The apron may be attached to the existing packing material by moulded spikes on the underside of the matting.

Description

ARTIFICIAL STEEPLECHASE FENCE APRON Artificial fronds assembled onto a matting to give a longer working life than natural materials traditionally used for fence aprons.

Please find enclosed in relation to application No. GB0124520. 8 a description, the claim and the abstract for the above.

The invention relates to an integral part of two types of obstacle over which racehorses race either on licensed racecourses or other venues, e. g. a three-day event. These two types of obstacle are known as fences or hurdles. Fences normally have a sloping front on the take-off side in order to make horses stand off the obstacle when jumping and therefore improving the trajectory of the leap, thus making it less likely to fall. In the case of the hurdle, a similar effect is produced by sloping the obstacle away from horses as they jump it.

Until now, the creation of the fence's sloping front has meant using natural materials, e. g. gorse, spruce or birch. Similarly the sloping hurdle also is packed with these materials, all of which deteriorate fast and sometimes need replacing 2 or 3 times a year. My invention will replace all this and will be guaranteed against'weathering'or damage by horses for a minimum period of 5 (five) years.

The essential features of the artificial steeplechase apron are that it is made of polythene backing with imitation polymer spruce fronds, pointing upwards and therefore'with'the trajectory of the jumping horse, attached to the polythene backing.

The Fronds: The individual fronds have a three dimensional form with branches and'needles'to mimic natural spruce. They are produced in a range of colours (NATO green, forest green and brown) used in varying proportions to achieve a more natural look and have a matt finish to reduce glare from sunlight.

The fronds are manufactured in a thermoplastic elastomer with a suitable shore hardness to provide the correct balance of rigidity and impact properties along with softness to minimise the chance of injury. The polymer contains an UV stabiliser to prolong the service life of the assembly. The service temperature of the material enables it to withstand cold and warm atmospheric operating conditions as found in temperate climates. The fronds are 22 ! 4" long, including a stem of 9". Protruding from the back of the stem are 2 x 112" fixing pomts equally spaced which are pushed through the grid squares of the matting and held firmly in place by starlock washers.

Matting : The backing has provision to assemble individual mats together to obtain the required width, the height being fully adjustable and tailored to the individual jump. The back of the matting has moulded spikes to allow the fence to grip the existing packing material. As the fronds cover the matting, the material specification is not critical, it is semi-rigid to make handling easier. Fixing of the fronds to the matting is by mechanical means to allow for variation in

assembly. The matting comes m 2'x 2'square sections which are held together with strong nylon ties.

Artificial fence aprons replace the natural spruce, gorse and other timber products traditionally used, to create an attractive and inviting lead up to a horse racecourse fence.

Traditional natural materials are extremely labour-intensive and therefore, costly, to apply They soon loose their attractive colour, making frequent renewal necessary, and although mainly from theoretically renewable sources, natural materials are becoming less readily available.

These artificial fence aprons will be supplied assembled in easy to handle panels of suitable size, to be fitted, and final adjustments made, by course grounds men to the front of the fence, the height being fully adjustable and tailored to the individual jump.

They will be long-lasting without the need for frequent replacement, as discoloration and decay as experienced with traditional materials will not apply.

The aprons will consist of artificial fronds assembled onto semi-rigid matting.

Figure I shows an exploded view of the components Figure 2 shows the fronds (item 1) in detail.

Figure 3 shows the assembled apron section in position.

THE FRONDS (item 1) The individual fronds have a three-dimensional moulded form with branches and'needles'to mimic natural spruce. They are produced in a range of colours (NATO green, forest green and brown) used in varying proportions to achieve a more natural look and have a matt finish to reduce glare from sunlight. The fronds are manufactured in a thermoplastic elastomer with a suitable shore hardness to provide the correct balance of rigidity and impact properties along with softness to mimmise chance of injury. The polymer contains an UV stabiliser to prolong the service life of the assembly. The service temperature of the material enables it to withstand cold and warm atmospheric operating conditions as normally found in temperate climates.

THE MATTING (item 2) The backing has provision to assemble individual mats together to obtain the required width and height. The back of the matting has moulded spikes to allow the apron to grip the existing packing material. As the fronds (item 1) entirely cover the matting (item 2) the material specification is not critical, it is semi-rigid to make handling easier.

THE FIXING (item 3) Fixing of the fronds (item 1) to the matting (item 2) is by mechanical means to facilitate variation in assembly and, therefore, a more natural look.

Claims

CLAIMS Artificial fence aprons consisting of artificial fronds assembled onto matting to give easier assembly and a longer working life than natural materials traditionally used for fence aprons on horse race courses.