GB2073802A - Mobile Box Shape Cover Net - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention consists of a large box shaped net, supported by ropes attached to trolley mounted masts. Constructed of reinforced concrete (or metal) the trolley frames are mounted on reinforced concrete roller wheels; the trolleys being interconnected by chains for towing purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mobile Box Shape Cover Net General The invention consists of a box shaped net of sizeable proportions, eg 36 m longx36 m wide xl 0 m high, supported by a grid of ropes attached to trolley mounted masts-called trolley units-which permit the erected net to be moved without dismantling.

Capable of withstanding extreme wind loading, the net and its supports have been specifically designed to remedy the problems of scavenging birds and wind blown litter on waste disposal sites. The system can, however, be used for any agricultural or industrial situation which requires a mobile netted enclosure.

Details 1. Trolley Units (Figs 1, 2 and 3) The trolley unit consists of a high strength reinforced concrete (or metal) rectangular grid frame (1) mounted on four high strength reinforced concrete roller wheels (2). Attached to the frame by heavy duty low friction bearings (3) the roller wheels provide additional restraint against overturning forces. A typical frame would have external dimensions in the region of 5 m longx3 m widex0.25 m deep with roller wheels 1 m longx0.6 m diameter. The size of frames and/or rollers can, however, be varied according to circumstances.

Stay anchors (4), towing hooks (5) and a cleat (6) are incorporated in the frame-or attached to the frame by welding or other means if metal-at appropriate locations. Provision in the form of holes (7) (or brackets if metal) is made for the attachment of buffer boards to facilitate movement of the trolley unit by pushing rather than towing.

The mast (8)-typical height abqut 10 m, normally of wood though other materials can be used-is secured in position by 2 forestays (9) and 2 backstays (10), each stay being capable of adjustment by a rigging screw (1 1). The bottom of the mast is secured in a shallow recess in the concrete (12) (or secured by brackets if metal). A rope halyard (13) of man-made fibre-used when raising or lowering the net-is operated by means of a winch (14) attached near the foot of the mast and a single sheave pulley block (15) fixed to the top. For ease of handling a marine pattern winch is advantageous.

2. Connection of trolley units (Figs 4 and 5) Trolley units are connected together by diagonal chains (16), each length of chain being shackled to a towing hook (5) at one end and a central oval or circular master link (17) at the other. The arrangement of chains permits a whole line of trolley units to be towed and manoeuvred around corners by a tractor connected by towing chains to the leading trolley unit. A rope shock absorber of man-made fibre (or equivalent) can be incorporated between the towing vehicle and the .towing chains to reduce shock loads under tow.

3. The Net (Figs 6, 7 and 8) The net is made up from large rectangular panels of netting. A typical assembly consists of 2 end panels (18) and 2 side panels (19) (the walls) and 3 or more roof panels (20), but alternative configurations of panels which produce walls and a roof would be equally satisfactory. The material of the net is normally of man-made fibre, mesh size and twine diameter being selected according to the prosposed use but plastic netting could be used provided it satisfies the necessary strength/weight criteria. A rectangular grid of primary (21) and secondary (22) ropes is used to support the net in both roof and walls. All ropes are made of man-made fibre (normally pre stressed polyster) of known properties, ie load extension, resistance to ultra-violet light etc.The primary ropes of the roof section are coupled to the mast halyards to permit the whole box net assembly (roof and walls) to be raised or lowered as one unit. The net is attached to the primary support ropes by individual whippings, stitching or plastic connectors. Secondary ropes (used in both roof and walls) are laced through the mesh of the net before being secured in position.

Overlaps (if used) are secured by lacing with small diameter rope. The lower ends of the support ropes can be secured to the ground by pegs or other appropriate means, as required.

4. General Arrangement (Figs 6, 7 and 8) The trolley units are arranged in 2 directly opposite parallel lines, 4 trolley units to a line are usual but more (or fewer) can be used-the width between the lines being sufficient to accommodate the net in its erected form. The connecting chains ensure that the masts are spaced equidistantly apart. Using 2 tractors, both lines of trolley units can be moved simultaneously, the box net remaining in position but with the halyards eased slightly to accommodate differential movement. To move the net a short distance, eg 10 m or so, one tractor alone can be used-moving one line of trolley units at a time (additional slackening of the halyards may however be required).

Claims

1. A box shape net of sizeable proportions, eg 36 m longx36 m widex 10 m high supported by a grid of ropes attached to trolley mounted masts called "trolley units", which are connected by chains to enable the erected net to be moved without dismantling-the complete assembly being capable of resisting extreme wind loading.

2. A trolley unit, as claimed in Clairn 1, consisting of a single wooden (or other material) mast mounted on a reinforced concrete (or metal) grid frame, supported on reinforced concrete roller wheels, which in conjunction with other trolley units provides the necessary mobility and resistance to overturning for the erected net.

3. Chain connectors, as claimed in Claim 1, which in conjunction with a central master link

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mobile Box Shape Cover Net General The invention consists of a box shaped net of sizeable proportions, eg 36 m longx36 m wide xl 0 m high, supported by a grid of ropes attached to trolley mounted masts-called trolley units-which permit the erected net to be moved without dismantling. Capable of withstanding extreme wind loading, the net and its supports have been specifically designed to remedy the problems of scavenging birds and wind blown litter on waste disposal sites. The system can, however, be used for any agricultural or industrial situation which requires a mobile netted enclosure. Details

1. Trolley Units (Figs 1, 2 and 3) The trolley unit consists of a high strength reinforced concrete (or metal) rectangular grid frame (1) mounted on four high strength reinforced concrete roller wheels (2). Attached to the frame by heavy duty low friction bearings (3) the roller wheels provide additional restraint against overturning forces. A typical frame would have external dimensions in the region of 5 m longx3 m widex0.25 m deep with roller wheels 1 m longx0.6 m diameter. The size of frames and/or rollers can, however, be varied according to circumstances.

Stay anchors (4), towing hooks (5) and a cleat (6) are incorporated in the frame-or attached to the frame by welding or other means if metal-at appropriate locations. Provision in the form of holes (7) (or brackets if metal) is made for the attachment of buffer boards to facilitate movement of the trolley unit by pushing rather than towing.

The mast (8)-typical height abqut 10 m, normally of wood though other materials can be used-is secured in position by 2 forestays (9) and 2 backstays (10), each stay being capable of adjustment by a rigging screw (1 1). The bottom of the mast is secured in a shallow recess in the concrete (12) (or secured by brackets if metal). A rope halyard (13) of man-made fibre-used when raising or lowering the net-is operated by means of a winch (14) attached near the foot of the mast and a single sheave pulley block (15) fixed to the top. For ease of handling a marine pattern winch is advantageous.

2. Connection of trolley units (Figs 4 and 5) Trolley units are connected together by diagonal chains (16), each length of chain being shackled to a towing hook (5) at one end and a central oval or circular master link (17) at the other. The arrangement of chains permits a whole line of trolley units to be towed and manoeuvred around corners by a tractor connected by towing chains to the leading trolley unit. A rope shock absorber of man-made fibre (or equivalent) can be incorporated between the towing vehicle and the .towing chains to reduce shock loads under tow.

3. Chain connectors, as claimed in Claim 1, which in conjunction with a central master link (oval or circular) and arranged in a diagonal pattern, enable a number of trolley units to be connected together and enjoy a high degree of manoeuvrability when under tow.

3. The Net (Figs 6, 7 and 8) The net is made up from large rectangular panels of netting. A typical assembly consists of 2 end panels (18) and 2 side panels (19) (the walls) and 3 or more roof panels (20), but alternative configurations of panels which produce walls and a roof would be equally satisfactory. The material of the net is normally of man-made fibre, mesh size and twine diameter being selected according to the prosposed use but plastic netting could be used provided it satisfies the necessary strength/weight criteria. A rectangular grid of primary (21) and secondary (22) ropes is used to support the net in both roof and walls. All ropes are made of man-made fibre (normally pre stressed polyster) of known properties, ie load extension, resistance to ultra-violet light etc.The primary ropes of the roof section are coupled to the mast halyards to permit the whole box net assembly (roof and walls) to be raised or lowered as one unit. The net is attached to the primary support ropes by individual whippings, stitching or plastic connectors. Secondary ropes (used in both roof and walls) are laced through the mesh of the net before being secured in position.

Overlaps (if used) are secured by lacing with small diameter rope. The lower ends of the support ropes can be secured to the ground by pegs or other appropriate means, as required.

4. General Arrangement (Figs 6, 7 and 8) The trolley units are arranged in 2 directly opposite parallel lines, 4 trolley units to a line are usual but more (or fewer) can be used-the width between the lines being sufficient to accommodate the net in its erected form. The connecting chains ensure that the masts are spaced equidistantly apart. Using 2 tractors, both lines of trolley units can be moved simultaneously, the box net remaining in position but with the halyards eased slightly to accommodate differential movement. To move the net a short distance, eg 10 m or so, one tractor alone can be used-moving one line of trolley units at a time (additional slackening of the halyards may however be required).

Claims

1. A box shape net of sizeable proportions, eg 36 m longx36 m widex 10 m high supported by a grid of ropes attached to trolley mounted masts called "trolley units", which are connected by chains to enable the erected net to be moved without dismantling-the complete assembly being capable of resisting extreme wind loading.

2. A trolley unit, as claimed in Clairn 1, consisting of a single wooden (or other material) mast mounted on a reinforced concrete (or metal) grid frame, supported on reinforced concrete roller wheels, which in conjunction with other trolley units provides the necessary mobility and resistance to overturning for the erected net.