GB2466807A

GB2466807A - Connection means

Info

Publication number: GB2466807A
Application number: GB0900214A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryn Davies
Original assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Current assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-08
Filing date: 2009-01-08
Publication date: 2010-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-08
Also published as: GB2466807B; GB0900214D0

Abstract

Connection means 12 for enabling two components to be connected together, preferably an upper separating member 6 of a horsebox with a lower separating member 4, comprising a shaped connector member 20 mountable on the first component 6, a slotted mounting portion or member 25 on or locatable on the second component 4 with lateral oppositely extending limbs defining a slot 26 each presenting inner lower 29,30 and outer upper 31,32 stop surfaces, and the connector member 20 having an insertion portion 33 insertable into the slot 26 and which insertion portion has a first stop surface 34 abuttable by executing relative rotary or angular movement 36 against the first inner stop surface 29 of the first limb 28 on a first side of the slot 26, and the connection member having a second stop surface 35 extending on the opposite side and abuttable upon execution of rotary or angular movement against the second and upper outer stop surface 35 of the second limb 27 on a second side of the slot 26, and a third stop surface 37 adjacent the second stop surface 35 juxtaposable against a first slot defining edge 38 of the second limb 27.

Description

CONNECTION MEANS

The present invention relates to a connection means for enabling connection of a headguard part of a dividing partition for a horsebox trailer although the connection means may be used for other purposes.

In our co-pending UK Patent Application 0803523.0 filed 27 February 2008 a horsebox trailer is illustrated more fully and where the horsebox is of a size suitable for two horses side-by-side and in which there is disclosed a central separating means with which the present application is concerned and connection means for the mounting of part thereof.

According to the present invention there is provided connection means (12) for enabling two components (4, 6) to be connected together preferably an upper separating member (6) of a horsebox with a lower separating member, comprising a shaped connector member (20) mountable on a first component (9, 24), a slotted mounting portion or member (25) on or locatable on said second component (2) with lateral oppositely extending limbs (27, 28) defining a slot (26) each presenting inner lower and outer upper stop surfaces (29, 30 and 31, 32), and said connector member (20) having an insertion portion (33) insertable into the slot (26) and which insertion portion (33) has a first stop surface (34) abuttable by executing relative rotary or angular movement (36) against the first inner stop surface (29) of the first said limb (28) on a first side of said slot (26), and said connection member (20) having a second stop surface (35) extending on the opposite side and abuttable upon execution of said rotary or angular movement (36) against the second and upper outer stop surface (32) of the second said limb (27) on a second side of said slot (26), a third stop surface (37) adjacent said second stop surface (35) juxtaposable against a first slot defining edge (38) of said second limb (27), and, preferably, a fourth stop surface (39) adjacent said first stop surface (34) and abuttable against a second slot defining edge (40) of said first limb (28) and extending out of said slot (26) when in the connected position.

Preferably the first stop surface (34) of the connector member (20) lies in a plane spaced from the plane in which lies the outer stop surface (32) of the second limb (27) by a distance (d) which is equal to or substantially equal to the thickness of each of the limbs (27, 28) to prevent movement away from the inner stop surfaces (29, 31) in the connected position. Preferably, the fourth stop surface (39) is spaced from the third stop surface (37) by a distance equal or substantially equal to the distance between the slot defining edges (38, 40).

Preferably the connector member (20) has mounting porUons formed by side walls of a channelled portion (21) extending away from the stop surfaces and being mounted or mountable on said second component (6) preferably by dovetail-like functioning or curved over portions (22) engaging oppositely curved-over track portions (23) and slideable into position from one end of said track.

The connector member (20) will be rigid or substantially rigid e.g. of plastics material or metal.

Preferably the second component (6) is securable against rotary movement when in the connected position and is preferably securable so as to be pivotable (about axes) with the first component (4) about a common

pivotable axis.

The channel section (4B) of the main dividing partition (4) preferably extends therearound defining a continuous slot (4C). The frame portion (7) of the headguard which is preferably in the form of a grill also extends around three sides of the thus formed rectangular frame with the fourth side being connected to a hollow member receiving a displaceable pivot means. The lower skirt is connected to partition (4) by a Tee shaped section on top edge of skirt slide fits into the end of frame along the slot. A plastic cap is fitted on the end of the frame to stop it sliding off.

Because the second component is rotated into the mounted position and is then secured to be pivotable about a vertical axis, it is retained against undesired movement in the upper track section of the main partition but is readily removable by a reverse operation.

The present invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the front of a main central dividing partition pivotably mounted on a support post and having a lower grill separating means and an upper grill or headguard grill; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged detail of the headguard grill showing the pivotable mounting thereof; Fig. 3 is a perspective view from the front and above showing the headguard grill on its own; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail of the upper part of the main partition and the lower part of the headguard grill with the connection means according to the invention joining the two together; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section through the connection means illustrating the juxtaposition of the pain partition and headguard grill and the connection means moving into the secured position; and Fig 6. shows the connection means in the secured position.

In the drawings there is illustrated separating means 1 for a horsebox trailer (not shown) provided to separate at least front portions of two horses located side by side and facing the normal direction of forward travel comprises an upright post 2 secured to the floor of the vehicle (not shown) and also to the roof (not shown) by means of a mounting bar 3.

A first component in the form of a main partition 4 is hingedly mounted on the post 2 by hinges 4A and is located generally centrally to be in the region of the main front body portion of the horses which will, in use, be located either side thereof. Partition 4 has a separating skirt 5 connected to its lower side so as to be suspended therefrom and to move therewith when the partition 4 is pivotally displaced. Skirt 5 is of lesser length than the partition 4 in the forward direction and extends below such and is connected to the partition 4 by means of a Tee joint. The skirt 5 is a moulded rubber skirt (like a floppy rubber car floor mat) shown having the applicants logo at the top and horizontal ribs.

A second component in the form a headguard grill 6 is provided and comprises an outer frame 7 defining upper and lower sides 8, 9 and an outer side 10 and between which upper and lower sides, vertical bars 11 forming the grill are provided with said frame 7 being secured on its lower side 9 to partition 4 by connecting means 12 to be supported thereby and move therewith. The headguard 6 is provided to prevent the horses biting each other and thus extends forwardly a gleater distance than does the partition 4 and lower skirt 5. However, since it is desired the separating means 1 pivot to either side of the centre line to enable the horse removal from the front disembarking ramp (not shown), the greater length of headguard grill 6 would prevent this as it would contact side walls and thus it has to be removable.

The headguard may be such as to poke out through the ramp door opening but short enough so as not to form an obstruction. Some trial ones have been far too long, longer than need be, but the new proposed one will be shorter and not be an obstruction. Quick and easy removal of head partition and partition is still important in emergencies, for example, when a horse has fallen in the box, and should be readily usable e.g. by young ladies.

The side of the headguard grill adjacent post 2 is formed by a U-shaped channel section 13 which extends above grill side 8 and is partially closed at the top by a plate 14 having an aperture therein. An axially displaceable pivot shaft 15 with slipped end extends trough the aperture in plate 14 and is axially displaceable by being mounted at its lower end in a spring 16 and displaceable with contraction and expansion thereof. The lower end of the spring 16 is mounted inside the inner end of the lower side 9 of frame 7. An apertu red lug 17 extends from the crossweb of the support post 2 and the pivot shaft 15 may be located in the aperture by upward axial displacement and pivotally mounted on and held in place by spring 16. Thus the shaft 15 may pivot in lug 17. The shaft 15 may be displaced downwardly by downward normal action on handle part 19 -extending from the shaft 15 against the action of the spring 16 to release the end of shaft 15 from the lug 17. The shaft has clearance of movement on it lower end to permit this.

The lower side 9 of the headguard grill 8 is connected by the connection means 12 (also according to the invention and will be described in more detail shortly), to the upper side of the main dividing partition 4 and thus when in the mounted position may pivot therewith. However, if it is desired to remove the headguard grill 6, the pivot shaft is released manually from the lug 17 by depressing handle part 19 toward the bottom of the shaft 15 or the top of spring 16 to displace the shaft 15 axially downwardly against the spring item and release the top front lug 17. The whole unit 6 is then inclined or partially rotated against the direction of the arrow (36) to release the connection means 12 and from the main partition 4 permit removal of the headguard 6.

The connection means 12 now will be described in more detail. The main part of the connection means 12 comprises an elongate shaped connector member 20 formed of a hard plastics material, such as polypropylene or uPVC or metal e.g. aluminium, and its upper region is formed as a channel portion 21 having overhanging edges 22 slideably and retainably engageable in correspondingly and oppositely shaped edges 23 of a track member 24 extending along and within the lower side 9 of the frame 7 of headguard grill 6 and may be longitudinally accessible from the free end thereof such that the connector member 20 may be inserted into the track member 24 from the free end of such and slid along to be securedly retained therein and is secured thereon.

The upper side of the main dividing partition 4 is hollow and has a receiving channel member 25 generally of rectangular section secured thereon and the upper portion thereof has a slot 26 extending along the length thereof defined by laterally extending limbs 27, 28 each presenting inner and outer stop surfaces 29, 30 and 31, 32.

The connector member 20 has an insertion portion 33 along it length which insertable into the slot 26 and which insertion portion 33 has a first stop surface 34 abuttable by executing relative rotary or angular movement against the first inner stop surface 29 of the first said limb 28 on a first side of said slot 26. The connector member 20 has a second stop surface 35 extending on the opposite side to insert the portion 33 and is abuttable on execution of said rotary or angular movement (see arrow 36) against the second and outer stop surface 33 of the second said limb 27 on the second side of said slot 26. A third stop surface 37 adjacent said second stop surface and extending at right angles thereto is juxaposable against a first slot defining edge 38 of the second limb 27. A fourth curved, corner stop surface 39 is adjacent said first stop surface 34 and abuttable against a second stop-defining edge 40 of the first limb 28.

The first stop surface 34 lies in a plane spaced from a plane in which lies the second stop surface 35 of the connector member 20 by a distance (d) which is equal to or substantially equal to the thickness of the limbs 27, 29 to prevent movement away from the inner stop surfaces in the connected position. The fourth stop surface 39 is spaced from the third stop surface 37 by a distance equal or substantially equal to the distance between the slot defining edges 38, 40.

As mentioned, the main partition 4 is hingedly mounted to enable a horse to exit from an opposite side on which they are standing to the exit ramp located to one side at the front of the horsebox and upper part of grill 6 is removable to permit this by disengaging upper end to shaft 15 from lug 17 and then pivoting anticlockwise and raising. I0

Claims

CLAIMS1. Connection means (12) for enabling two components (4, 6) to be connected together preferably an upper separating member (6) of a horsebox with a lower separating member, comprising a shaped connector member (20) mountable on a first component (9, 24), a slotted mounting portion or member (25) on or locatable on said second component (2) with lateral oppositely extending limbs (27, 28) defining a slot (26) each presenting inner lower and outer upper stop surfaces (29, 30 and 31, 32), and said connector member (20) having an insertion portion (33) insertable into the slot (26) and which insertion portion (33) has a first stop surface (34) abuttable by executing relative rotary or angular movement (36) against the first inner stop surface (29) of the first said limb (28) on a first side of said slot (26), and said connection member (20) having a second stop surface (35) extending on the opposite side and abuttable upon execution of said rotary or angular movement (36) against the second and upper outer stop surface (32) of the second said limb (27) on a second side of said slot (26), a third stop surface (37) adjacent said second stop surface (35) juxtaposable against a first slot defining edge (38) of said second limb (27).
2. Connection means as claimed in claim 1, further including a fourth stop surface (39) adjacent said.first stop surface (34) and abuttable against a second slot defining edge (40) of said first limb (28) and extending out of said slot (26) when in the connected position.II
3. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the first stop surface (34) of the connector member (20) lies in a plane spaced from the plane in which lies the outer stop surface (32) of the second limb (27) by a distance (d) which is equal to or substantially equal to the thickness of each of the limbs (27, 28) to prevent movement away from the inner stop surfaces (29, 31) in the connected position.
4. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 or claims I and 2, in which the fourth stop surface (39) is spaced from the third stop surface (37) by a distance equal or substantially equal to the distance between the slot defining edges (38, 40).
5. Connection means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the connector member (20) has mounting portions formed by side walls of a channelled portion (21) extending away from the stop surfaces and being mounted or mountable on said second component (6) preferably by dovetail-like functioning or curved over portions (22) engaging oppositely curved-over track portions (23) and slideable into position from one end of said track.
6. Connection means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the connector member (20) is rigid or substantially rigid (e.g. of plastics material or metal).
7. Connection means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the second component (6) is securable against rotary movement when in the connected position.
8. Connection means as claimed in claim 7, in which the second component is securable so as to be pivotable (about axes) with the first component (4) about a common pivotable axis.
9. Connection means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which a channel section (4B) of the main dividing partition (4) extends therearound defining a continuous slot (4C).
10. Connection means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in which the frame portion (7) of the headguard (which is preferably in the form of a grill) also extends around three sides of the thus formed rectangular frame with the fourth side being connected to a hollow member receiving a displaceable pivot means.
11. Connection means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, where because the second component is rotated into the mounted position and is then secured to be pivotable about a vertical axis, it is retained against undesired movement in the upper track section of the main partition but is readily removable by a reverse operation.
12. Connection means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.