GB2437404A

GB2437404A - Rubber floor tile with drainage

Info

Publication number: GB2437404A
Application number: GB0707478A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seamus O'callaghan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-18
Filing date: 2007-04-18
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-18
Also published as: GB0707478D0; GB2457830A; GB0906122D0; IE20090249A1; IE20070283A1; GB2457828A; IES20090245A2; GB2457830B; GB2457828B; GB0906124D0; IES20070284A2; GB2457829A; GB2457829B; GB2437404B; IE20090250A1; IES20090243A2; IE20090246A1; GB0906123D0; IES20090244A2

Abstract

This invention relates to a rubber floor tile 1 for a floor of an animal house and to a floor of an animal house with a number of such rubber floor tiles laid thereon. The floor tile 1 has a rectangular body 3 with a pair of rows 7(a), 7(b) of drainage holes 5 therein. The floor tile 1 further comprises a plurality of floor engaging plugs 9 arranged in a pair of rows coincident with the rows of drainage holes. The plugs 9 engage a pair of laterally spaced apart adjacent elongate apertures in a floor of an animal housing. The rows of drainage holes line up with drainage holes in the floor of the animal housing. The floor engaging plugs may be provided with an internal bore 17 and a plurality of ribs 47 and may be dimensioned to be push-fit into the elongate apertures in the floor. The top surface of the tiles may have a central portion between the two rows of drainage holes which may be triangular in cross section.

Description

"PRutherTiW1 This invention relates to a mbber floor tile for a floor

of an animal housing. the floor comprisIng a concrete base having *a plurality of elongate aperlutes arranged in substantially paraflol rows.

fU,ber floor tiles are commonly used in towaheds anti the Mw where animals are housed for sIgnificant periods of time dwirtg adverse weather conditions. typicaRy.

the animal housing will óomphse a concrete floor having a plurality of apertures.thetein to allow waste material from the animals to pass through the apertures and be diverted away from the anImals. Such floors are commonly referred to as slatted floors and f sheds housing these floors are commonly knàwn as slatted sheds. These slatted floors are deemed to be more sanitaty for IS animals as they assist in keeping the animals cleaner and healthier and are thought to reduce the inciderlces. Of dIsease.. As the animals may be housed in the animal housing for significant periods of time, standing on the concrete floor can become painful to them and cause damage tO their hooveS. This is a major problem. parlictilatly in livestock. In order to overcome this problem, rubber thea are placed on top of the existing concrete floor to provide a more comfortable base on which the animals may stand. By providing a mbber floor tile covwiAg on the concrete floor, these problems may be largely overcome and animals are knowfl to thrive betterthan anlmats.liouSed on bare slats.

However, there are problems with the known rubber floor tiles used to cover concrete floors in that by and large they require separate fasteners and are relatively diffIcult and complex to install. Various rubber floor tiles have been proposed without separate fasteners but those generally suffer from the disadvantage that they. are often prone to movement relative to the concrete floor and this. movement can cause the animals to slip and injure themselves.

It is an otect therefore of the present invention to provide a rubber floor tIle for a floor of an animal housing that overcomes at least some ot the difficultIes with the known rubber floor fifes, that is relatively simple to construe1 and install in an animal housing.

$tatements$ lfWe4tiQfl Acord1ng to me inventicfl there is piwided a rubber floor tile for a floor of an animal house, the floor comprising a concrete base having a plurality of elongate apertures S arranged in substantially parallel rows, the rubber floor tile comprising a substantially rectangular body having a plurality of elongate drainage holes for cooperation with the apertures in the floor, the damnage holes being arranged in. a pair ot parallel rows latorally spaced from each other across the rubber floor tile the rubber floor tile further COWPSUO a plurality of floor engaging plugs downwardly depefldifl9 therefrom, the floor engaging plugs being arranged in a pair of rows coincklent and in line with the drainage héles for engagement of a pair of elongate apertures in a pair of laterally spaced a5cOnt rows in the floor.

By having such a rubber floor tile, the rubber tile wifi be retained In position by the downwardly depending plugs which will engage a pair of ascent y of apertures in the concrete floor. This provides an extremely stable rubber floor tile that will not be prone to movement. y avoiding unnecessary movement of the rubber floor tile, the animals will not have a tendency to sti on the rubber floor tile. Furthermore, due to the reduced amount of movement of the floor tile. there wifi be less wear and tear of 2(3 the floor tile in general. This results ins (Sr tllethát wiU not have tO be replaced as frequently and wit) be longer lasting.

In another embodiment of the Invention there la provided a rubber floor tile in which the pair of parallel rows of drainage holes are evenly spaced laterally across the rubber the thereby dividing the rubber floor tile into three solid portions of equal width, a central portion intermediate the pair of rows of* drainage holes and a pair of side portions. This S seen as a particularly useful construction of floor tile that is simple to Install on a concrete floor. The rubber floor tile will cover three adjacent slats thereby facilitating a speedy installation process.

In one embodiment 1 the invention them Is provided a rubber floor tile in which the central portion is substantially triangular in lateral cross-section with the central portion being inclined upwardly from each of the rows of drainage holes towards a central apex intermediate the pair of rows of drainage holes. This will facilitate drainage from the surface of the floor tile towards a drainage hole so that any detritus iron) the animals can be directed away from the animals. This pmvides a healthier envIronment for the animals.

In a further embodIment of the Inventlort. there is previded a t boor tile in which the top surface of each of the side portions Is inclined towards an aperture Again. this will divert any detrffus away from the animals through the drainage holes and through the apertures fri the àonôreto base providing a c1eaner healthier environment for the animals In another embodiment of the inventIon there is prwided a rubber ide in which the top surface of each of the side portions is inclined upwardly from an outer edge of the sIde portion towards the drainage holes.

is In one embodiment of the invention there Is provided a rubber tile in which each ci the side portions are 5utanaUytdangular In Iateral.cross4ectiofl with the side portion being Inclined upwardly from the row of diainage holes and an outer edge of the side portion towards a portion central apex intermediate the row of drainage holes and the. tjtefedgO.

in a further embodiment of the Invention there is prsvidecl a rubber tile In which the floor engaging plugs are provided with a bore to allow compression of the plug. By having such a bore, ii will provide a degree of inward compresSibilIty to the floor engaging plug which wl allow the plug to form a tight fit with the elongate aperture in the concrete floor. this is seen as particularly effective in keeping the rubber floor tile in a fixed relationship with the condrete floor and the fLoor tiles will have less tendency to move relative the concrete base even under the weight of heavy cattle.

Tills in turn reduces wear and tear of the rubber floor tiles and reduces the likelihood of Injury to the.aninlalS caused. by slipping on the rubber tiles that move relative to the concrete base.

In another embodiment of the invention there Is provided a rubber tile in which the bore extends inwardly from an outermost surface of the floor engaging plug relative the floor tile in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the Floor tIle. Praletably, the bore is gutstantiafly conical in shape.

In one embodimOnt of the 1nventiOfl there is provided a rubber floor tile in which the floor engaging plugs are dimensioned to provide a push lit in the apertures. Again by being dimensioned to provide a push fit in the apertures5 the floor engaging pRigs will form a snug lit In the apertures thereby preventing any play of the rubber tiles on the concrete floor.

In a further embodiment of the ihventiontt*rG is provided a rubber floor tile in wtich IC) the floor engaging plugs are each prwided with at least erie external rib on an cxiter surface meteol. Preferably, tIte nternal rib tapers inwardly towards th portion of the rib most remote from the floor tile body. By having an external rib and in particular one that tapers inwardly towards the portion of the rib most remote from the floor tile body, the ribs will facilitate alight fIt at the plug in the aperture and furthermOre will allow for a degree of facturing tolerance in both the floor tiles and more specifically the concrete there are numerouS different rnaniifacturors of these concrete bases and it is quite common to have subtle differences In dimensionS and in particular aperture dimensions between the different manufacturers of the salted floors. By providing the nbs, it la possible for the floor engaging plugs 10 form a right fit in a number of different manufacturers concrete floors.

In another embodiment of the Invention there, is provided a rubber floor tile in which the majority of floor engaging plugs' are arranged atone end of each of the drainage 26 holes and at least one of the floor ingaging plugs in each row is arranged at the other end of one of the drainage holes.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a rubber iioor file in which there is further provIded a further downwardly depending plug connected to one longitudinal side of the rubbortloor tile body for engagement with an aperture In an adjacent row of apertures to the rows of apertures In which there are floor engaging plugs located. By having such an additional downwardly depending plug a more rigid and stable configtlration of floor tile on the floor of an animal house may be possible.

In a furTher embodirnentof the invention there Is provided a floor for an animal house comprIsing a concrete base having a plurality of elongate apertures arranged in substantially parallel rows a plurabty of rubber floor tiles laid on the 1loor the rubber floor tiles cacti comprising a substanhially rectangular body having a plurality of elongate drainage holes for cooperation with some of the apertures in the hoot.

the drainage holes being arranged in a pair of parallel rows laterally spaced from each other across the rubber floor tile, the rubber floor We further comprising a plurabty of floor engaging plugs downWWthlY depending therefrom. Itie floor O angaging plugs beiflg arranged in a paIr of rows coincident with the drainage holes for engagement of a pair of elongate apertures in a pair of laterally spaced adjacefll rows in the floor, the rubber floor tiles being laid or' me floor in a side by sIde fashion so that every third elongate apettute In the concrete base is exposed in a gap between the longitudinal edges of a pair of adjacent rubber floor tiles and the two elongate apertures Intermediate every exposed third elongate aperture are accessible through the drainage holes inthe rubber floor tiles.

In another embodIment of the Invention there Is provided a floor for an animal house in vAiich the pair of parallel rows of drainage holes are evenly spaced laterally across the rubber tile thereby dividing the rubber floor tile into three solid portions of equal width, a central portion intermediate the pair of rows of drainage holes and a pair of side portions and In which the central portion is substanhiafly triangular in lateral cross-section with the central portion being lnclfned upwardly from each of the rows of drainage holes towards a central apex intermediate the pair of rows of drainage holes arid the top surface of each of the skis portions is inclined towards an aperture.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a floor for an animal house in which the floor engaging plugs are provided with a bore to allow compression of ttie plug In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a floor for an animal house In which the bore extends inwardly from an outermost surface of the floor engaging plug relative the floor tile in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the floor till.

In another embodiment of the invention there S previded a floor for an ardrnnl house in which thi bore is substantial1? cenicat in shapt

S

In one embodiment of the invention there S pmvkfed a floor im an animal houS in which the floor engaging plugs are dimensioned to provide a push fit in the aperturet In. A further embodiment of the invention there is provided a floor for an animal house in which that lOOt engaging plugs are each provided with at least OftO external rIb on an.outersutWe thereof.

In another embOdimert of the invention. there Is provided a floor for an animal s house in which the external rib tapeS inwardly towards the portion of the rib most remote from the floor tile body.

in one embodintent of the invention there is provided a floor for an animal house In which the mority of floor engaging plugs are arranged at one end of each of the c*ainaga holes and at least OflO of the floor engagifl9 plugs is ar*nged at the other end of one of the drainage holes.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a floor for an animal house in which;herO Is further provided a further downwardly depending plug as connected to one longitudinfli side of the rubber floor, tile body $ or engagement wIth an exposed aperture in an adjacent row of apedufes to the rows of apettures in which there are floor engaging plugs located.

In another embodiment of the invention, there $ provided a I [oar lot an animal house in which the floor VIes am laid side by side and end to end on the hoof. 7.

pqilcg.Pnci$1 fl otttw,n&QfltIQfl me Invention wifl now bó more clearly understood from the following deSCri)tiOt' Of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the ornpanying drawings. in which: Fig. Us a perspective view of a rubber tIOâr tile in accordanCS With the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the rubber floor tile shown in Fig. t fl9, 3 is a bottom plan view of the rubber floor tile shown in Fig. 1; 199.4 is a top plan view of a floor of at' animal housing; Fig. 5 is a top pian viawof a floor of an animal housing with tubber tiles according tO the present Invention laid thereon; Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of th rubber floor tile. according to the lnventiocc floor tile according to the InventiorE and Fig. B is a top plan view of an altomative consttudiOfl of rubber tilO according 10 the present Invention.

Bidemngto the drawings and Initially to 199$. ito 3 thereOf, there Is shown a rubber tile irtdlcSS generally by the reference numeral 1. for a floor of an animal house comprisIng a substantially rectangtdnt body 3 having a plurality of elongate drainage holes 5 arranged in a pair of parallel rows 7(a). 7(b). The rubber floor tde 1 further comprises a pluraitty of floor engaging plugS 9 downwardly depending therefrom. The floor engaging plugS 9 are arranged in a pair of rows coincident and itt tine with the drainage noteS. The pair of parallel rows 1(a) 1(b) of drainage holes 5 are evenly spaced laterally across the rubber tile I, thereby dMdlrtg the aibbe( tile into three 5*1 portions of equal width, a central portion 11 intermediate the pair of rows 7a). 7(b) of drainage tides 5, aorta pair.01 side portons1.3. 15 one on either side of each oI the rows 7(a), 7(b) of drainage holes.

S

Referring specifically to Fig. 3, the floor engaging plugs a are provided with a bore 11 to allow inward cornprosskxi of the plug. The bore 17 extends inwardly from an outermost surface 10 of the floor engaging plug relative the floor tO I in a dIrection orthogonal tO the horüordal-iA-USC plane of Its floor tile. The floor engaging plugs are iO &menslon0d to provide a push'fit in the apertures (not shown) of a concrete base at a floor of an animal housing. The malority ci the floor engaging plugs 9 are arranged at one end of each of the drainage holes and atleast one of the floor engaging plugS 9(a) is Referring tO rIO. 4 of the drawings. there is shown a top plan view of a floor of an anImal housahg. indicated gener*$r bythe reference nurnerei2l.the float comptiing a concrete base 23 having a pturSity of songateaPertU2S arranged in substantially parallel rows The floor of the animal pausing may comprise a single concrete section forming the concrete base 35 shoWn, oraflematWelY may comprise a number of concrete sections combIned together to bun the concrete base. Furthemlonz the concrete base shown is for exemplar! purposes only and it will be understood that this could ( expanded out or contracted both longitudinally and laterally tO feint a much larger or smaller concrete floor as will be understood by those skilled in the an.

Ref erring to Ag. S of the drawings there is howfl a plan view of a floor 21 of an animal housing having 0 plurality of tubber tiles, 1(5)! 1(b). 1(c), 1(d). 1 Ce) and 1(t) arranged thereon. The rubber ales are arranged end to end and substantially side by side on the floor 21. The tiles lia)-1(f) are held In place bythe downwardly dependrig plugs (not shown) that ençage the apertureS 25 In the floor. Each tile 1(a)-ID) engages two adjacent apertures 25. In the embodiment shown the te 1(a) engageS aperture 25(a) and aperture 25(b). The tile 1(b) engagesai'erture2S(d) arid apertUre 2.5(e). Aperture 25(0) exposed between the edges of adjacent tiles 1(a) and 1(b). In this way. each rubber tile 1(a) -It) will be held In place by the plugs which are located in two adjacent sets of apertureS 25. TherefOre, the rubber floor tile will be less prone to lateral movement. This reduces the tendency of me animals to slip en the tiles and further will improve the durabibty of the rubber iot tiles themsetYes. Fudher1TorO. the rubber floor tiles can be laid down In a relatively simple mannG( which is further facibtated by the cmpressIbihitY provided by the central bore in the cIownwaY s depending plugs so that various ddf event sizes of conciS bases and apertures may be provided for.

Ref erring to Fig. B of the drawingS. thOlO is shown a partial pcwspective view of the rubber floor tile I according tO the invention. The ceMral portion ills substantially io triangular in lateral cross.seCtiOtL The central portion is lndined upwardly from each 01 the rows 7(a), 7(b) of drainage holes 5toWai'dS a central apex $1 intermediate thO pair fmofd90S. ThetOPSuttaC430f sachef theSldeP0htO0S, 1515 Inclined towards an apefture. tn the emt'odirflefl shown. the top surface 43 of each of the eRie portions iS, 151s inclined upwatdlYk01 an outer edge 45 of the side portion is towards the drainage holeS 5. AKerflatiVSY. it is envisaged that the Side portionS 13, may be substantiallY triangular In lateral cross'scdi0T similar tO the central portion 11 with tne side portionS 13, 15 being inclined upwardly from the row of drainage holes 7(a), 7(b) respectivelY and en outer edge 4501 the side portions 13 15 towardS a side portion central apex (not shown) intermS* the row of drainage holes and the outer edge. The bore 17 is substantially onlcai in shapO an is shown in dotted outlifle.

The bore 17 tapeT inwardly from an open mouth. Each floor engaging plU9 9 is provided with a plurality of ribs 47 on an outer surface thereof.

ReferrIng tO Fig. 7 of the drawings1 there is shown a perspectivO view of the floor ertgaç$n =l plug 9 forming part of the rubber I (oar tile according to the present invention.

ThO externl ribs 47 taper inwardly towards the portiOn 19 at the ribs most remote from the floor tile body 3, In this way, the ribS 47 will facilitate a tight fit into a number of differently dimensioned elongate apertures in concrete 11ooN.

3 Ref erring to Fig. Bat the drawingS there is shown an alternative construction of rubber tile according to the present iventiOfl, in which lIke parts nave beer' gIven tht samft reference numerals as before. Thb rubber tile, indicated generally by the relerUnCl numeral 31. is further provided with a plurality of additional downwardlY ependiflg plugs 33 mounted on either longitudinal side 35137 of the rectangular body 3. Each of -10 -thO additional plugs 33 engages an aperwre other than those engaged by csown'evady depending plugs 9. This provides for increased additional stability for the rubber floor tiles. It Is envisaged that the additional plugs 33 may be provided along one side only.

or may be provided along both sides and offset as shown tO allow for plugs to be placed on either side and for two adjacent tubber floor tiles tO be laid side by sIde.

There may be one or more plugs on either side and In the embodiment shown four plugs 33 are shown on one side 35 and three plugs 33 are on the other side 37s0 that the rubber tiles 31 may be used to be laId along an entire floor.

Iyçiically. the rubber floor tile w#l be of the order of between 1600mm and 19OC long. Each of the central and side portions are of the order of 170mm wide and each plug 9 has a length of the order of 45mm, a wIdth ct the order of 40mm and a depth of the order of 50mm. The end piece of the tile without a dn*IagC hole is 21 0mm long excluding the plug anti the majority of the drainage holes are of the order of 203 or 204mm long. Typically, one of the drainage holes is icnger.than thC others and is of the order of 390mm long and one of the draiPa9ehOS is shorter than the others and is of the order of 90mm tong. For a longer tile than the one shown in the embodiments which is 1600mm long, the tile would. extended beyond the shotter drainage Me and a fudher plug and a drainage Me of the order ot 250mm in length would be provided, giving a further 300mm In length and a rubber tUe that S of the order of 1900mm In length in total.

the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and compdsifif and the terms include. includes, included and including" are deemed totally intetthangeabte and SIWUId all be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is In no way limited to e embodiment herSbefOn) described but may be varied in boUt construction. and detail within the scope of te claims. 11 -

Claims

1) A rubber floor tile lot a floor of an anlnial houst the floor

comprisIng.a concrete base having a plurality of elongate apertures arranged in substantiallY parallel rows, the rubber floor tile camp Using a substantially rectangular body having a plurality of elongate drainage holes for coopefatiort with the apertures in the floor, the drainage holes being arranged in a pair of parallel rows laterally spaced from each other across the rubber floor tile, the rubber floor tile further comprising a plurality of floor to engaging plugs downwardly depending therefrom1 the floor engaging plugs being arranged In a pair of rows coincident and in line wflh the drainage holes for engagement of a pair of elongate apertures in a pair of laterally spaced adjacent rows in the floor.

ô5 2) A rubber tSr tile al claimed in claim 1 In which the pair of parallel rows of drainage holes are evenly spaced laterafly across the rubber tile thereby dMtllng the rubber floor tile Into three óolId portions of equal width, a central portion intermediate the pair of rows of drainage holes and a pair of side portions.

3) A rubber floor tile as* claimed In claIm 2 in which the central portion is substantially triangular In lateral cross-section with the central portion being inclined upwardly from each p1 the rows of drainage holes towards a central apex Intermediate the pair of rows of drainage holes.

4) A rubber floor tile as claimed In claIm 2 or 3 in which the top surface of each of the side portions is inclined towards an aperture.

5) A rubber floor ide as claimed in claIm 4 In which the top surlace of each of the side portions is inclined upwardly from an outer edge of the side portion towards the drainage holes.

6) A rubber floor tile as claimed In claim 4 in which oath of the.stde portions are subsiantially triangular in lateral cross-socliort with the sIde portion being *12 Inclined upwardly from the row of drainage holes and an outer edge of the side portion towards a side portion central apex intarlTlediato the row of drainage holes and the.outer edga 7) A rubber floor tile as claimed In any preceding claim in which the floor engag plugs are provided with a bore to allow conlpreS&Ofl of the plug 8) A rubber floor tile as claimed in claim 7 in which the bore extends inwardly from an outermost surface of the floor engaging plug relative the floor tile In a direction orthogonal to the plane of the floor tile.

9) A rubber floor tile as claimed In claim 7 or B in whIch the bore is subslanlallY conIcal In shape.

10) A rubber floor tile as claimed in any preceding claim in which the floor engaging plugs are dimensioned to provide a push fit In the apertures.

11) A rubber floor tile as claimed In any preceding claim In which the floor engaging plugs are each provided witti at least one external rib on an outer surface thereof.

12) A rubber floor Ide as claimed in claIm 11 in which the external rib tapers inwardly towards the portion of the rib most remote from the floor tile body.

13) A rubber floor tile as claimed in any prceding claim in which the mrfty ci floor engaging plugs are aniinqed at one end of each of the drainage holes and at least erie of the floor engaging plugs in oath row is arranged at the other end of one t the draInage holes.

14) A rubber floor tIle as claimed in any preceding claim In which there Es further provided a furiher downwardly depending plug connected to one tongdudiflat side of the rubber floor tile body for engagement with an aperture In an adjacent row Ut apertures to the rows at aperlulus in which there are floor engaging plugs located, -l3 15) A floor I or an animal house. comprising a concrete base having a plurality of elongate apertures arranged in substantially parallel rows, a plurality of rubber floor tiles Patti on the floor, the rubber floor tiles oath comprising a S substantially rectangular body having a plurality of elongate drainage holes tar cooperation with sortie of the apertures in the floor, the drainage holes being arranged In a pair of parallel rows laterally spaced from each other across the rubber floor tile, (ho rubber floor tile further comprising a plurality of floor engaging plugs downwardly depending theref torn, the floor engaging plugs being nged ill a pair of i'owe Sent with (hO drSlnge holes for engagement of a pair of elongate apertures in a pair of laterally spaced adjacent rows in the floor, the rubber floor tiles being lald on the floor in a side by side fashion so that every third elongate aperture in the concrete base is exposed in a gap between the longitudinal edges of a pair of is adjacent rubber floor thea and the two elongate apertures intermediate every exposed third elongate apiriure are accessible through the drainage holes in the rubber floor tiles.

16) A floor for an animal house as claimed in claIm 15 in which the pair of parallel rows ci draInage holeE are evenly spaced laterally across the rubber tile thereby dividing the tubber floor tile into three solid portions of equal wIdth, a central portion intermediate the pair of rows of drainage holes and a pair of side portions and in which the centralportionis substantially triangular IA lateral cmoss'section with the central portion being inclined upwardly from each of the rows of &ainage holes;owards a ceatral apex intGfmediate the pair of rows of drainage holes and the top surface of each of the side portions is inclined towards an aperture.

17) A floor for an animal house as claimed in claim 15 or 18 in which the floor 3Q engaging plugs are provided with a bore to allow compression of the plug.

18) A floor for an animal house as claimed in claim 11 in which the bore extends inwardly from an outermost surface of the floor engagIng plug relative the floor tile ma direction orthogonal (0 the plane of the floor tile.

19) A floor for an animal house as claimed in claim 17cr 18 In which the bore is substanhiafly con Ical In shape 20) A floor for an animal house as claimed In any of claimS 15 to 19 in which the floor engaging plugs are thrnensicflOd to provide a push fit in the apertures.

21) A Iloor for an animal house as claimed in claim In any of claims 15 to 20 in which the floor engaging plugs Sc each provided with at least one external ic rib on an outer surface thereof.

22) A floor for an animal house as claimed in claim 21 In which the external nb tapers Inwardly towards the portion of the rib most remote from the floor tile b04 23) A floor for cr1 animal house as claimed in claim in any of claims 15 to 22 In which the majorlly o floor enga9 Wig plugs are arranged atone. end of each of the drainage holes arid at least one of the floor engaging plugs is arranged at the other end of one of the drainage holes.

24) A floor for an animal house as claimed in any of claIms 15 to 23 in which théffi Is further provided a luither d0wnwafdlydePefldd'O plug connected 10 one longituthn& side of the rubber floor tile body for engagement with an exposed apeltUrt) in an adjacent row of apertures to the rows of apertures in which there are floor engaging plugs located.

25) A floor for an animal house as claimed in any of claims 15 to 24 In which the floor tiles are laid side by side and end to end on the floor.

26) A rubber floor tile substantially as hereinbetore described with reference to arid as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27) A floor for an animal house substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompafl)lr'9 drawlngt