IES20020380A2 - Slat mat and connector - Google Patents

Abstract

Slat mat (10) has a leg (13) at each side (13) and a separate flap valve (12). The legs (13) sit down by the sides of the slats A and B into gaps C formed between the slats. A plurality of connectors (15 - 115) is used to secure the slats A and B in position. Each connector (15 - 115) is an interference fit expandable to be secured in the gap by a variety of means. <Figure 1>

Description

SLAT MAT AND CONNECTOR TRUE COPY AS The present invention relates to a floor covering for placement on the individual slats of a slatted floor in an animal house for beef animals and dairy animals, referred to in brief as a slat mat. The invention also relates to a connector for securing such slat mats to a slatted floor.

The invention relates to an improvement in the invention disclosed in the applicant’s International Patent Application No. PCT/EP 02/00274 dated January 4 2002 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The floor covering of that apparatus comprises an elastomeric mat which is designed for cleanliness and enhanced protection and. comfort for animals and includes an openable flap along both or one longitudinal edge of the mat to close the gap between adjacent slats of a slatted floor so as to reduce the emission of gases and fumes emanating from a tank beneath the floor. The flap valve however can open to allow waste material to pass through the slatted floor to the tank.

The above slat mat is securable to an individual slat mat by screws which are securable in rigid strips located at the base of the mat. While this method of securing a slat mat is very effective and strong, it is a relatively slow and laborious method and generally requires a trained fitter to accomplish the task.

The object of the invention is to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the use and installation of slat mats.

The present invention provides a floor covering apparatus for an animal house adapted to provide comfort and protection for beef and dairy animals, comprising an elongated elastomeric mat adapted to be fixed to a concrete floor slat by fixing means, the mat having a leg at each longitudinal side of the mat, each leg being adapted to extend into the gap between adjacent slats and wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of connectors or bungs which are securable in the said gaps and engageabie with the legs of the mats.

| OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION | j UNDER SECTION 28 AND RUfcgIS ( V The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, a number of embodiments of floor covering apparatus according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view through portions of two mats of a first embodiment secured on two slats with a first embodiment of a connector securing the two mats; Figure la is a cross-sectional side view of the mat showing a leg in a relaxed position, i.e. not engaged in a gap between slats but not having a flap valve; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure la but showing a flap valve in addition to a leg; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a second embodiment of connector; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a third embodiment of connector; Figure 4a is a cross-sectional side view of the third embodiment of connectors showing its operation; Figures 4b to 4e are a number of views showing modified versions of the third embodiment of connector; Figure 5 and 6 are perspective views showing further modified versions of the third embodiment of the connector; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a fourth embodiment of connector with a retaining screw in position; Figure 7a is a cross-sectional side view of the connector with the retaining screw removed; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a fifth embodiment of connector; Figure 8a is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment of connector with a retaining nut partially removed; Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a sixth embodiment of connector; Figure 9a is a separate side view of the sixth embodiment of connector; Figures 10 and 11 are separate side views of the sixth embodiment of the connector located in different sized gaps; Figure 12 is a further side view similar to Figure 1 showing a seventh embodiment of connector; Figure 12a is a separate side view of the seventh embodiment of connector; Figure 13 is a fourth view similar to Figure 1 showing an eighth embodiment of connector and Figures 13a and 13b are separate side views of the components of the eighth embodiment of connector; Figure 14 is a fifth view similar to Figure 1 showing a ninth embodiment of connector and Figure 14a is a separate side view of the ninth embodiment of connector.

Figures 15, 15a and 15b are a series of three cross- sectional side views of a tenth embodiment of connector; and Figures 16, 16a and 16b are a series of these cross-sectional side views of an eleventh embodiment of connector in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 and la, the first embodiment of floor covering apparatus comprises a mat 10 of elastomeric material having a series of internal voids 11 similar to the construction described in detail in the applicant’s above mentioned PCT application. Each mat 10 has a leg 13 at each side and a separate flap valve 12. The legs 13 sit down by the side of the slats A and B into gaps C formed between the two slats. Securing the mats 10 to the slats A and B are a plurality of connectors 15 located at specific intervals along the length of the gap C. In its most basic form the connector 15 is in the form of a rubber bung which is an interference fit in the gap C. Each of the legs 13 can be formed in the shape shown in Figure la with a natural bias to grip the sides of the concrete slats. The flap valve 12 which is formed at one side can be slit with a knife at either side of the connector 15 so that it is free to pivot about its hinge 14.

The connector 25 shown in Figure 3 is similar to connector 15 but is provided with a screw 26 engageable in an orifice 27 which when engaged forces the connector to expand and therefore increase its grip against the legs 13.

The connector 35 shown in Figure 4 is provided with an orifice 37 for retaining a screw 36. A gripping plate 38 is held in position on the connector block by the screw 36 and engages the mats 10. Figure 4a shows how the connector block 35 expands as the screw 36 travels into it. Different shapes and sizes of connector blocks 35 are shown in Figures 4b to 4e with the block in Figure 4e being provided with a slot 39 to accommodate the screw 36. More details of connector blocks 35a and 35b are shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figures 7 and 7a show in detail connector 45 which includes an orifice 77 to accommodate a gripping screw 46. Typically the orifice is 4mm in diameter and the screw 46 is 5mm or greater so as to expand the connector in width as it travels into it. The connector 45 also includes an integrally formed gripping section 48 which engages the upper surfaces of the mat 10 and a pair of removable strips 39 at either side. One or both of the strips 39 can be removed to allow for variations in the width between the slats.

The connector 55 shown in Figures 8 and 8a is similar to the connector 45 but includes a retaining nut 52 for the screw 56 and includes a depression or hollow 53 to accommodate the head of screw 56. The connector 55 also includes a gripping section 58 and removable strips 59.

Figures 9 and 9a illustrate the features of connector 65 which includes a gripping section 68, two removable strips 69 and a rigid centre core 66 which allows the connector 65 to be hammered in to achieve a tight fit. An arrow head formation 63 also acts to retain the connector in position after it has been hammered into position.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate how the connector 65 can be used in slat gaps of 45mm and 37mm respectively with the two strips 69 being removed in the latter situation.

The connector 75 shown in Figures 12 and 12A has a gripping section 78, removable strips 79 and an arrow head formation 73.

The eighth embodiment shown in Figures 13,13a and 13b comprises a connector 85 which includes a gripping section 88, a locking orifice or slot 87 into which a screw 86 or a wedge 86a is engaged. Removable strips 89 and an arrow head formation 83 are also provided.

Figures 14 and 14a illustrate the ninth embodiment which comprises connector 95 having a gripping section 98 and a removable flexible strips 99. The interference fit of the connector 95 in the slot C is achieved by a plug 92 being forced into the wedge shaped orifice 97 from underneath by means of the screw 96.

Connector 105, which provides the tenth embodiment shown in Figures 15, 15a and 15b, comprises a gripping section 108, removable flexible strips 109, a wedge shaped orifice 107 into which a rigid plug 102 is hammered to achieve an interference fit of the connector 105 into the gap between two adjacent slats.

The eleventh embodiment shown in Figures 16, 16a and 16b comprises a connector 115 which is similar to the connector 105 but the plug 112 and the receiving orifice 117 have a series of complimentary engagable formations 111 and 113 respectively which ensure that it is extremely difficult to withdraw the plug 112. Gripping section 118 and removable flexible strips 119 are also provided.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A floor covering apparatus for an animal house adapted to provide comfort and protection for beef and dairy animals, comprising an elongated elastomeric mat adapted to be fixed to a concrete floor slat by fixing means, the mat having a leg at each longitudinal side of the mat, each leg being adapted to extend into the gap between adjacent slats and wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of connectors or bungs which are securable in the said gaps and engageable with the legs of the mats.

2. A floor covering apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which each connector or bung is an interference fit rubber element which is an interference fit in the gap between adjacent slats; optionally in which the connector or bung includes a screw or plug and an orifice, the screw or plug being engageable with the orifice so as to force the connector to expand and therefore increase its grip against the legs of the mats; optionally in which the connector or hung includes a gripping plate to be held in position by the screw or plug; and optionally in which the connector or bung includes a retaining nut for the screw or a retainer for the plug.

3. A floor covering apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the connector or bung includes an integrally formed gripping section engageable with the upper sections of adjacent mats; and optionally in which the connector or bung includes one or more of removable strips, the or each of which is selectively removable to reduce the width of the bung or connector to allow for variation in the width of the gap between slats. j EO2038

4. A floor covering apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the bung or connector includes a rigid centre core and a locking formation at the lower end of the connector to allow the bung or connector to be retained in position.

5. 5. A floor covering apparatus including a bung or connector substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.