NZ264041A - Relocatable shelter; one piece sheet with at least four cords, two being extensible - Google Patents

Description

* + 264041 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 264041 Date: 19 July 1994 N.Z. patent offic 1 9 OCT 1995 received COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A MULTI-PURPOSE SHELTER I, IAN FULLERTON MATHIESON, a New Zealand citizen, of Bushview, Wairuna, South Otago, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 264041 This invention relates to a multi-purpose relocatable shelter that has a durable one-piece construction and is easily set up and taken down and to a method for providing shelter for stock or plants. In particular, the shelter is designed to offer some protection to stock and plants from the elements, most particularly from the wind. More particularly, the shelter is designed to offer protection to newly bom stock, such as lambs or calves, from the elements by significantly reducing die chill factor that will be experienced when there are extreme climatic changes.

Existing sheeting type shelters are usually cut from a roll of a suitable material and, while there are plenty of wind-break type materials on the market, it is left to the ingenuity of the purchaser to devise some way of fixing the shelter to a fence or other support system. Usually, this involves relatively permanent methods of attachment, and as such, they are not at all convenient for ready relocation of the shelter. There is a need for a multi-purpose shelter which can be easily set up and easily relocated, particularly for stock that are continually being moved. Because most shelter belts, even fairly compact lawsoniana hedges, are unable to provide sufficient protection for new-born stock, such that such stock perish because of the increased chill factor experienced with extreme climatic changes, there is a need for a portable shelter that can be easily set up in the field to provide the necessary shelter in such conditions.

The most common wind-break type of material is a woven mesh material. This, like other commonly used materials, is not particularly suitable for a multi-purpose shelter. Besides the fact that wind can pass through the material, such materials can slacken in use and when whipped around by the wind can even be torn. In case? vhere the material is fixed by cords or tapes to the fence or other support system, problems arise where the cords shrink when wet and relax when dry. This results in the wind-break becoming slack, and again, if it is whipped around in the wind, it will tear more readily, particularly where it is tied. Furthermore, when such a wind-break whips around in the wind it is noisy and this can be disturbing to stock seeking shelter.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a relocatable multi-purpose shelter that can be easily set up, preferably in an upstanding way, and subsequently, easily taken down, and which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of existing shelters of similar type. Additionally or alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide the public with a useful choice.

In one aspect, the invention consists in a multi-purpose, relocatable shelter comprising a sheet of a durable material and at least four attachment cords which are each fixed at one end about the periphery of the sheet, wherein at least two of said attachment cords are at least partly elastically extensible and each of said attachment cords has 26 40 41 attachment means at its free end, said attachment means being releasably engagable with a support system to which said shelter is attached when in use.

A durable material suitable for the present invention, is defined as one which is capable of withstanding exposure to the usual range of weather conditions without rapidly breaking down. In particular, the durable material is capable of withstanding variable impacting forces, especially wind forces. The durable material is preferably a woven mesh material coated with a plastics coating, more preferably coated on both sides. These types of materials exhibit exceptional durability in all weathers. The preferred material for the present invention is a "poly-fabric" supplied under the trade name Canvacon"' by Rheem Australia Limited.

Preferably, the durable material is substantially non-perforated.

Preferably all the attachment cords are elastically extensible.

Preferably, the attachment cords are fully elasticised shock cords.

Preferably, the sheet of durable material is a rectangular sheet with at least one attachment cord at each corner. More preferably, further attachment cords are fixed along both edges of one pair of opposite edges of the rectangular sheet. Most preferably, at least one further attachment cord is fixed along each of the other two edges.

Preferably the attachment cords are all the same length. More preferably the attachment cords along the other two edges are longer in length than those along the edges of the one pair of opposite edges.

Preferably the perimeter of the sheet is reinforced.

Preferably the sheet has a length of from about 4 to about 12 metres, more preferably about 10 metres.

Preferably, the sheet has a width of from about 0.5 to about 1 metre, more preferably about 0.75 to 0.8 metres.

Preferably, the attachment cords are permanently fixed to the sheet, thus providing a shelter of a one-piece construction.

Preferably the attachment means are of a "dog-clip" type made of metal and/or plastics materials.

The construction and arrangement of the shelter is such that in use it can be releasably attached to a multi-strand wire fence or a mesh fence by having the sheet placed in a substantially upright position against the wires or the mesh of the fence and the attachment means releasably attached to the wires or the mesh of the fence such that the attachment cords are stretched to keep the sheet under tension while it is attached to the fence.

In another aspect, the invention consists in a method of providing shelter suitable for stock or plants, said method comprising: 264041 providing a relocatable, multi-purpose shelter as defined above; positioning the sheet relative to a support system; and releasably engaging the attachment means to the support system so that the attachment cords are stretched to keep the sheet under sufficient tension to prevent undue movement of the sheet when it is subjected to variable climatic conditions; and subsequently disengaging the attachment mesas and repositioning the sheet to provide shelter in another location.

Preferably the sheet is positioned in a substantially upright position relative to the support system.

Preferably the sheet is positioned relative to the support system so that there is a gap left between the bottom of the shelter and a surface on which the support system stands. Preferably, the support system is a multi-strand wire, or a mesh, fence.

Preferably, the sheet is attached to a multi-strand wire fence by releasably engaging the attachment means associated with the attachment cords fixed at a top edge of the sheet with the top or an upper wire of the fence, by passing the attachment cords fixed along a bottom edge of the sheet under the bottom or a lower wire of the fence, releasably engaging the associated attachment means to a wire or wires higher up in the fence and behind the sheet and releasably engaging the attachment means associated with the attachment cords fixed along the other two edges with vertical aspects of the fence, such as a dropper, batten or fence post. More preferably the bottom edge is attached to the fence first followed by the top edge and side edges. Most preferably the bottom edge is attached by passing the bottom edge itself under the bottom, or a lower, wire.

Preferably, the positioning of the shelter relative to the support system and the attachment to the support system can be performed within a short period of time by one person.

Preferably the shelter which is attached to the support system can be detached therefrom within a short period of time by one person.

Preferably the short period of time is less than about one minute.

In still another aspect, the invention consists in a method of providing shelter for newly-born stock to significantly increase their chances of survival by decreasing the chill factor associated with adverse climatic changes, said method comprising the steps of: providing a relocatable, multi-purpose shelter as defined above; positioning the sheet relative to an upstanding support system so that there is no gap between the bottom of the shelter and the surface on which the support system stands; and releasably engaging the attachment means to the support system so that the attachment cords are stretched to keep the sheet under sufficient tension to prevent undue 264041 movement of the sheet when it is subjected to variable climatic conditions; and subsequently disengaging the attachment means and repositioning the sheet to provide shelter in another location.

In a still further aspect, the invention consists in a multi-purpose relocatable shelter substantially as described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in die foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples, wherein: Figure 1 shows a preferred form of the shelter; Figure 2 shows the preferred form of the shelter when in use where part of the shelter is specifically drawn cutaway to show the attachment arrangement at the back of the shelter; and Figure 3 shows a preferred form of attachment means.

Figure 1 shows the preferred form of a multi-purpose, relocatable shelter 10 of the present invention. It consists of a rectangular sheet of a durable material 11 reinforced around the perimeter by doubling over the edges and securing them with stitchings 12. Before or after sewing the stitchings 12, eyelets 13, preferably made from metal, are positioned in the four comers of the sheet 11 and preferably along each edge of the sheet. The eyelets 13 are positioned so that they will be encompassed by the stitchings 12. Other than the eyelets, for most uses of the shelter, it is preferable that the sheet be substantially non-perforated.

To each eyelet 13 is affixed an attachment cord 14, which at its free end has an attachment means 15. It is essential that the attachment means 15 can easily be engaged with a support system, such as a multi-strand wire fence, or a mesh fence, and just as easily disengaged when the shelter is to be repositioned or stored away. The attachment means 15 shown in Figure 3 is a "dog-clip" type of attachment with a hook 16 and a depressible resilient tongue 17 which will always re-engage the hook 16 once it is released following depression. This type of attachment means is available as a one-piece plastics construction. Other types of attachment means, such as a hook, a ring, etc., could be used instead as long as they can be easily engaged and easily released once they have been engaged with the support system.

It is essential that a sufficient number of the attachment cords 14 are, at least in part, elastically extensible so that when the shelter 10 is in use, the sheet 11 will always be under tension. By keeping the sheet 11 under tension when the shelter 10 is properly mounted on a support system, it stops the sheet 11 being whipped about in the wind and so reduces wear and, in particular, reduces the risk of the sheet tearing. The minimum number of attachment cords 14 that must be elastically extensible would be two and those 264041 preferably along one edge. Usually all of the attachment cords 14 will be elastically extensible, and usually fully elastically extensible. The preferred attachment cords 14 are of the type known in the trade as shock cords, which are basically stretchy rubber ropes similar to those commonly used in bungy jumping.

However, the attachment cords 14 can be of any suitable type, such as tape, string, cord, chain, metal, plastic, etc., which can serve as a link between the attachment means and the sheet, as long as a sufficient number are at least partly elastically extensible. A combination of any suitable type with an elastically extensible type, such as a piece of elastic, a spring, etc., will also suffice.

The attachment cords 14 can be fixed to the sheet 11 by any known methods. Although they can be tied or just clipped to the sheet 11, it is preferable that the attachment cords are permanently fixed to the sheet 11. This can be achieved in a number of known ways, for example, by sewing, etc., but most preferably by using eyelets 13 (as shown) and doubling the fixed end of each cord through its eyelet and securing the cord with a clip 26, as shown in Figure 3, or other suitable fastening means.

Figure 2 shows the shelter 10 in use, as attached to a wire fence 20 having a number of wires 21 kept in relative position by a fence post 18 and droppers 19. The shelter 10 is positioned such that the bottom edge 22 and its attachment cords 14b can pass under the bottom wire 21b, or one of the lower wires, of the fence 20 behind the sheet 11 so that the attachment means 15 can engage a wire 21c higher up the fence 20. The bottom edge is secured in this position first. The top edge 23 is then secured by engaging the attachment means 15 associated with the attachment cords 14a with the top wire 21a, or one of the higher wires, of the fence 20. Finally the side edges 24 are secured by engaging the attachment means 15 associated with attachment cord 14c with a vertical aspect of the fence, either directly as to the dropper 19 or indirectly as to the fence post 18 (or to a batten) by taking the attachment cord 14c around the post 18 and releasably engaging with itself. This enables anyone erecting the shelter to apply as much tension as they like. If more tension is required the attachment means are engaged with wires higher in the fence, or with a different dropper 19, and vice versa. To facilitate the arrangement, it is preferable that the attachments cords 14c are longer than the other attachment cords which will usually be all the same length.

It is desirable that there is a gap left between the bottom of the shelter and the surface 25 on which the fence is positioned. This is to ensure that pressure from the wind, for example, will not build up too greatly behind the shelter 10 and tend to dump in turbulent flow on the lower pressure lee side of the shelter which would negate some of its benefit. 264041 Notwithstanding this however, one use of the shelter is to provide protection for newly-born stock, such as lambs or calves, from the elements. In adverse climatic conditions, numbers of newly-born stock perish because of a significant increase in the chill factor associated with the adverse conditions. For this use it is necessary to position the shelter so that it is as close to the surface 25 as possible. This can be achieved in a number of ways, the simplest of which is to place the bottom wire of the fence 20 at the level of the surface 25. Alternatively, the bottom wire, or the shelter itself could be pegged to the ground. In testing conditions, it has been found that lambs sheltering behind a fairly compact lawsoniana hedge perished because, even there, the chill factor was significant, whereas in the same conditions, lambs sheltering behind a shelter of the invention survived.

As can also be seen from Figure 2, the shelter 10 can easily, and quickly, be set up and just as easily, and quickly, taken down. It can then be relocated in whatever po: »<ion just as easily, and quickly. It should only take up to about one minute for one person to assemble a shelter according to the present invention, and a similar time to disassemble the shelter, even in windy conditions.

Because of its simplicity in construction the shelter can conveniently be custom made, or made to measure, in any size suitable for the user. A deer shelter for example would most likely be wider along sides 24 than a sheep shelter. For its preferred use in mounting to a multi-strand wire fence as used on farms, the shelter may be made from a sheet having a length of from about 4 to about 12 metres, although the shelter may be made from any number of sheets, even ones with different lengths. The most preferable length for its convenience in size and handling by one person is about 10 metres, which provides a shelter which is not only easy to assemble by that person but also is easy for that person to roll up for repositioning or storage. The width of the sheet may be between about 0.5 and about 1 metre, preferably about 0.75 to 0.8 metres. The spacing of the attachment cords 14a and 14b with their associated attachment means 15 can be at any convenient interval along the longer edges 22 and 23 of the sheet 11, preferably up to about VA metres, while along the side edges 24 there will usually be just one attachment cord 14c in the middle. For wider sheets more can be spaced along the side edges 24.

While the preferred sheet is rectangular, it can have other shapes, for example having rounded ends, or be shaped to suit some particular situation when a shape other than rectangular is desirable. Furthermore while a plastics coated, woven sheet is preferred, other sheeting materials can be used provided they are sufficiently durable when exposed to the elements and when used as a shelter. The sheets can be made in a variety of colours for aesthetic effect if desired. 26 4 0 41 The shelter is multi-purpose in that, besides its main use for sheltering stock, such as deer, cattle or sheep, it can also be used as a shelter for gardens, young trees, plants, etc., or even as a cover for hay bales, etc. In some uses as a cover, the sheet may be positioned in a generally horizontal position. It is also possible to position the sheet so that it provides some sort of "roof' as well to the shelter. In this aspect the shelter would have an inverted L shape with the attachment cords 14a along edge 23 being releasably attached to, for example, stanchions suitably positioned alongside the fence 20. It is just a matter of positioning the sheet according to the requirement and this can easily and quickly be done by just one person. The acceptability of this shelter relies on the shear convenience and the immediate shelter it provides as well as its strong and reliable construction. Also, if stored correctly when not in use, it will last for many seasons.

While the foregoing describes the preferred embodiment of the invention, with some variations and modifications, it is to be understood that it is not intended to cover all changes and modifications possible in light of the above teachings, which would be evident to persons in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described and that it is only to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (29)

WHAT I CLAIM IS: -9- 264041

1. A multi-purpose, relocatable shelter comprising a sheet of a durable material, as herein defined, and at least four attachment cords which are each fixed at one end about the periphery of the sheet, wherein at least two of said attachment cords are at least partly elastically extensible and each of said attachment cords has attachment means at its free end, said attachment means being releasably engagable with a support system to which said shelter is attached when in use.

2. A shelter according to claim 1, wherein the durable material is a woven mesh material coated with a plastic coating.

3. A shelter according to claim 2, wherein the woven mesh material is coated on both sides.

4. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the durable material is substantially non-perforated.

5. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the attachment cords are all elastically extensible.

6. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 5. wherein the attachment cords are fully elasticized shock cords.

7. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet of durable material is a rectangular sheet with at least one attachment cord at each corner.

8. A shelter according to claim 7 wherein further attachment cords are fixed along both edges of one pair of opposite edges of the rectangular sheet.

9. A shelter according to claim 8, wherein at least one further attachment cord is fixed along each of the other two edges of die rectangular sheet

10. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the attachment cords are all the same length. t - 10- 264 041

11. A shelter according to claim 9, wherein the attachment cords along the other two edges of the rectangular sheet are longer in length than those along the edges of the one pair of opposite edges of the rectangular sheet

12. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the perimeter of the sheet is reinforced.

13. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sheet is from 4 to 12 metres in length.

14. A shelter according to claim 13, wherein the length is about 10 metres.

15. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sheet is from 0.5 to 1 metre in width.

16. A shelter according to claim 15, wherein the width is from 0.75 to 0.8 metres.

17. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the attachment cords are permanently fixed to the sheet.

18. A shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein each attachment means is of a "dog-clip" type made of metal and/or plastic materials.

19. A method of providing shelter suitable for stock or plants, said method comprising: providing a relocatable, multi-purpose shelter as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18; positioning the sheet relative to a support system; and releasably engaging the attachment means to the support system so that the attachment cords are stretched to keep the sheet under sufficient tension to prevent undue movement of the sheet when it is subjected to variable climatic conditions; and subsequently disengaging the attachment means and repositioning the sheet to provide shelter in another location.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the sheet is positioned in a substantially upright position relative to the support system. -11 - 2640 A1

21. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the sheet is positioned relative to the support system so that there is a gap between the bottom of the shelter and a surface on which the support system stands.

22. A method of providing shelter for newly-born stock to significantly increase their chances of survival by decreasing the chill factor associated with adverse climatic changes, said method comprising the steps of: providing a relocatable, multi-purpose shelter as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18; positioning the sheet relative to an upstanding support system so that there is no gap between the bottom of the shelter and the surface on which the support system stands; and releasably engaging the attachment means to the support system so that the attachment cords are stretched to keep the sheet under sufficient tension to prevent undue movement of the sheet when it is subjected to variable climatic conditions; and subsequently disengaging the attachment means and repositioning the sheet to provide shelter in another location.

23. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the support system is a multi-strand wire, or a mesh, fence.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the sheet is positioned by passing the bottom edge of the sheet under the bottom, or a lower, wire of the wire fence, the attachment means associated with each attachment cord along the bottom edge of the sheet are releasably engaged with a wire higher up on the wire fence, and the attachment means associated with the attachment cords along the top edge of the sheet are releasably engaged with a suitable wire on the wire fence so as to provide the sufficient tension.

25. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the positioning of the shelter relative to the support system and the attachment to the support system can be performed within a short period of time by one person.

26. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the shelter which has been attached to the support system can be detached therefrom within a short period of time by one person. - 12- 26 4 0 41

27. A method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the short period of time is less than one minute.

28. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 27, substantially as herein described.

29. A multi-purpose relocatable shelter, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS ,f\Junited. ,! ti c authorised agents A J PARK & SON /] Per. H ■ A N.Z. PATENT OFFICII. 1 9 OCT 1935 RECEIVED 1