GB2516020A

GB2516020A - Cross divisions in livestock transport containers

Info

Publication number: GB2516020A
Application number: GB1312118.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Clive Browning Davis; Stuart David Wharton; Kevin Philip Shuttleworth
Original assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Current assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-11
Filing date: 2013-07-11
Publication date: 2015-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-11
Also published as: GB2517252B; GB2517252A; GB201409855D0; GB2517253A; GB201312118D0; GB201409852D0; GB2516020B

Abstract

A livestock transporter (10, Figure 1) having a rear opening, a deck which can be raised and lowered and having upper and lower cross divisions (12, 14, Figure 7) intermediate a front and rear of the container and having a latch mechanism mounted on an opposing side wall to secure the cross divisions when extending across the width of the container. Where (i) each latch mechanism having a release mechanism 24 of bent configuration extending through the opposing side wall to an exterior handle , where the handle of the upper (12) cross division is connected to a vertically extending post 30 selectively connectable to the handle 35 of the lower (14) cross division. (ii) that a lever operated slider is mounted adjacent the latch for the lower cross division to push a projecting finger of a cross division out of engagement with the related latch mechanism. Or (iii) that a mechanism is provided to selectively connect upper (12) and lower (14) cross divisions comprising tubular elements at corresponding positions on upper and lower cross divisions which when aligned can be connected by an elongate slidable bolt mounted in a bore of the tubular element of the upper (12) cross division (Figures 7 and 8).

Description

Cross divisions in livestock transport containers

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to cross divisions in livestock transport containers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Livestock transport containers are commonly compartmented to prevent animals at the front being crushed upon braking and more generally to even out the weight of livestock throughout the container. Compartments are formed by cross divisions in the form of a single gate swingable between an inoperative open condition against the container sidewall and a closed condition extending across the container to define front and rear compartments.

[0003] Livestock containers may be designed to carry only cattle, in which case only a single, more or less full height cross division is provided. Other livestock containers may be designed to carry sheep and, in the interests of carrying the maximum number, a deck is provided to subdivide the space into upper and lower compartments. These "deck" containers require upper and lower, approximately half height, cross divisions, namely one for the upper compartment and one for the lower compartment, which can be opened and closed independently.

[0004] However, in many cases, containers/trailers with decks, appropriate for carrying sheep, are capable of being modified to alternatively carry cattle. In this respect systems for folding the unwanted sheep deck up against the sides and/or the front of the container are well known as also are decks which can be raised or lowered to stowage positions adjacent the ceiling or adjacent the floor when the container is required to transport cattle. However, the independent upper and lower cross divisions remain and must be capable of being made to act as a single cross division.

[0005] Another feature of cattle transport is that, by virtue of their bulk, cattle can be dangerous. If a farmer has to walk inside the container to release the cross divisions there is a danger that he will be knocked down and trampled by panicking cattle or crushed between the opening cross division and the side of the container. The greater the length of the container, the greater the risk.

[0006] A feature of sheep transport in a container equipped with decks is that the deck height is inconveniently low for humans, perhaps 1.2 m. In the absence of any other arrangement the farmer has to crawl forward in the available height to open the cross divisions.

[0007] Another problem often encountered is that even when the cross divisions are unlatched the cattle or the sheep will not always push them open.

[0008] The invention aims to tackle these problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention a livestock transport container is provided having a rear opening, having a deck which is movable so that it may be deployed to an intermediate height between the floor and the ceiling of the container to subdivide the container into upper and lower compartments for accommodating sheep or it may be placed in a stored position, either folded against side or front wall of the container or raised to lie adjacent ceiling or lowered to lie adjacent the floor, to allow substantially the full height of the container to be used to accommodate cattle, having upper and lower cross divisions deployable at a location intermediate the front and rear of the container to subdivide each of the upper and lower compartments, when the deck is deployed, into front and rear compartments, each cross division having a first side end which is hingedly connected adjacent a first side wall of the container and a free side end with a projecting finger, and having respective latch mechanisms mounted in or on an opposing second side wall of the container for engagement of these respective projecting fingers to secure each of the upper and lower cross divisions in their respective deployed positions extending across the width of the container, characterised in that each latch mechanism has a release portion of bent configuration extending through the second side wall of the container to a handle accessible at the exterior of the container and the handle of the latch of the upper cross division is connected to an elongate downwardly extending post which is selectively connectable to the handle of the latch of the lower cross division so that, when the post and the lower handle are not connected, the upper and lower cross divisions can be released independently by manual actuation, outside the container, of the post and the lower handle respectively, or when the post is attached to the lower handle, the upper and lower cross divisions can be released in unison, as required during cattle transport, by manual actuation, outside the container, of only the lower handle.

(0010] This aspect of the invention enables intrinsically safe release of the cross divisions from outside the container. In the event that there are two small cross divisions, with two separate latches, but these cross divisions are joined together to act as one cross division for the purpose of carrying cattle, this aspect of the invention allows release of both latches from the outside, simultaneously and at a height conveniently reached from the ground. In the event that sheep are carried in the container, the mechanism is capable of disconnection such that the small cross divisions, both upper and lower, can be independently unlatched from outside the container and at a convenient height from the ground.

(0011] As mentioned above, even when cross divisions are unlatched, livestock will not always push them open. It the farmer has to go inside the container to pull the cross divisions open this defeats the purpose of the aforesaid proposal for keeping him out of the container for releasing latches.

[0012] Therefore, a second aspect of the invention is characterised in that a lever actuated slider is mounted in or on the second side wall of the container adjacent the latch for the lower cross division with a handle portion of the lever accessible at the exterior of the container to move the slider so as to push the projecting finger of the cross division out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism once the latch mechanism has been released.

[0013] In preferred embodiments the projecting finger is provided with an enlarged head which, when the finger is engaged in the latch mechanism, projects beyond the location of engagement of the latch mechanism with the finger. This enhances the stability of the container structure as it has the effect of using the cross division to hold the side walls of the container together to counter the possible considerable load which may be imposed on the container walls by the weight of livestock, cattle especially, pressing against the walls. Further, the slider of what may be termed "the ejection mechanism" is configured and/or positioned to contact the head of the finger to push the finger out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism.

[0014] This ejection mechanism may be provided on any livestock transport container separately/independently from provision of the above defined external latch connection mechanism.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention a mechanism is provided to selectively connect the upper and lower cross divisions of such a livestock container so that the cross divisions move in unison, as required, for transport of cattle or other large livestock, or disconnect them to move independently, as required for transport the sheep or other small livestock. This mechanism comprises tubular elements mounted in an upright disposition at corresponding positions on each of the upper and lower cross divisions so that they can be brought into alignment (particularly easy when the cross divisions are both fully opened or fully closed) and an elongate bolt slidably mounted in the bore of the tubular element of the upper cross division for axial movement therein between a withdiawn position in which said bolt lies substantially within said bore of said upper tubular element and an extended position in which said bolt projects downwards and engages into the bore of the tubular element of the lower cross division, the upper tubular element having an axially extending access slot through which a lateral handle of the bolt projects whereby the bolt can be moved between its withdrawn and extended positions, the slot communicating at or near its upper end with a notch in which the handle is engageable to hold the bolt in its withdrawn position when the cross divisions are required to be independently movable.

[0016] In preferred embodiments, the tubular elements are constituted by side elements of the upper and lower cross divisions at the first or second side ends thereof.

[0017] In accordance with this aspect of the invention the two small cross divisions are made to act as one when required for cattle. Preferably the outer (free, distal) side elements of the cross divisions are tubular. As noted, a substantial bolt member, constrained by a projecting handle moving in a slot in the upper cross division, is either lowered down to join the cross divisions together or lifted up to separate them. It is a simple mechanism but very strong.

[0018] This further aspect of the invention may be provided on any livestock transport container separately/independently from provision of the above defined external latch connection mechanism and from the above defined external ejection mechanism for a cross division latch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The aspects of the invention are further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the side of a livestock trailer incorporating aspects of the invention relating to external latch release; Figure 2 is an enlarged scale view of the same latch release mechanism in a condition where the upper and lower latches are connected; Figure 3 is a view corresponding to figure 2 in a condition where the upper and lower latches are disconnected; Figure 4 is a larger scale perspective view of the same latch release mechanism in the connected condition, as in figure 2, but at a different angle of view to figure 2 and with overlying sidewall parts removed for clarity; Figure 5 is a view corresponding to figure 4 in the condition where the upper and lower latches are disconnected (as in figure 3); Figure 6 is a perspective view of components of the latch mechanism in isolation; Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of adjacent corners of the upper and lower cross divisions inside a livestock transport container, the cross divisions being separate (disconnected) from each other; and Figure 8 is a view corresponding to figure 7 showing the cross divisions connected to each other by a preferred practical embodiment of a related aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A livestock transport container 10 in accordance with the invention may be integrally provided at the rear of an automotive vehicle or, more commonly, may be a trailer towed by another powered vehicle. It is provided with conventional features (not visible in the drawings) of a rear opening and a deck which is movable so that it may be deployed to an intermediate height between the floor and the ceiling of the container to subdivide the container into upper and lower compartments for accommodating sheep or it may be placed in a stored position, either folded against side or front wall of the container or raised to lie adjacent the ceiling or lowered to lie adjacent the floor, to allow substantially the full height of the container to be used to accommodate cattle. The container also has upper and lower cross divisions 12, 14, parts of which are visible in figuies 7 and 8, which are deployable at a location intermediate the front and rear of the container 10 to subdivide each of the upper and lower compartments, when the deck is deployed, into fiont and rear compartments. Each cross division 12,14 has a first side end which is hingedly connected adjacent a first side wall of the container 10 and a free side end with a projecting finger. Respective upper and lower latch mechanisms 20, one of which is shown in isolation in figure 6, are mounted to an opposing second side wall 16 of the container for engagement of these respective projecting fingers to secure each of the upper and lower cross divisions in conventional latching manner in theft lespective deployed positions extending across the width of the container.

[0021] Each latch mechanism 20 has a pivoting or rocking latch element 24 held between side plates 21, 22 and co-operating with a slotted plate 23, also held between the side plates 21, 23.

The element 24 provides a tapered stop 25 which drops into the slot under gravity and is withdrawn from the slot upon pivoting of the latch element 24. The latch element 24 has a release portion of bent configuration extending through the side wall 16 of the container 10, as best shown in figures 4 and 5, to a handle 26 accessible at the exterior of the container 10. The handle 26 of the latch of the upper cross division is connected to an elongate downwardly extending post 30, as shown in figures 1 to 3. This post 30 is selectively connectable at its lower end to the handle 26 of the latch of the lower cross division 14, as shown in figuies 1, 2 and 4. This may be accomplished by a peg 27 inserted through aligned apertures in these components and having a projecting head through which a cioss pin (not shown) may be inserted. When the lower end of the post 30 is not connected to the lower handle 26 it is instead connected to a biangular "parking" plate 28, as shown in figuies 3 and 5. Obviously, this parking plate could be of any suitable shape in other embodiments. Again, this is accomplished by use of a peg 29 inserted through aligned apertures. When the post 30 is attached to the lower handle 26 the upper and lower cross divisions 12, 14 can be released (unlatched) in unison, as required during cattle transport, by manual actuation, outside the container, of only the lower handle, by lifting of the peg 27. Alternatively, when the post 30 is not connected to the lower handle 26 and instead is connected to the parking plate 28, the upper and lower cross divisions 12, 14 can be released (unlatched) independently by manual actuation, outside of the containel, of the post and the lower handle 26 respectively, the foimer by firstly being released from the parking plate 28 and then pulled downwards.

[0022] As shown in figures 4 and 5, and also visible in figures 7 and 8, the finger projecting from the free side end of the lower cross division 14 is provided with an enlarged head 18 which, when the finger is engaged in the latch mechanism 20, projects beyond the location of engagement of the latch mechanism with the finger, namely the slot in the plate 23 where the finger is retained by the tapered stop 25 until the stop is withdrawn upon unlatching. A piominent lever 34 with a handle poition 35 ieadily visible and accessible at the exterior of the container side wall 16 can be actuated to move a slider 36 which is mounted in or on the containel side wall adjacent the latch 20 for the lower cross division 14. Once the latch mechanism has been released, as described above, the aforesaid slider 36 and its actuating lever 34 serve as an ejection mechanism to push the finger out of engagement with the respective latch since movement of the slidei 30 causes an enlarged end of the slidei 36 to but against the projecting head 18, thus pushing the cross division 14 out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism, and opening the cross division 14.

[0023] Turning now to figures 7 and B this livestock trailers 10 is also provided with a mechanism to selectively connect the upper and lower cross divisions 12, l4so that they can move in unison, as required for transport of cattle or other lar9e livestock, or disconnect them to move independently, as required for transport the sheep or other small livestock. This mechanism comprises tubular side frame elements 13, 15 at the outer, free side of each of the upper and lower cross divisions 12, 14 and an elongate bolt 17 slidably mounted in the bore of the tubular element 13 of the upper cross division 12 for axial movement therein. Said upper tubular element 13 has an axially extending access slot (not visible) through which a lateral handle 19 of the bolt 17 projects whereby the bolt can be moved between a withdrawn position, shown in figure 7, in which it lies substantially within said bore of said upper tubulai element 13 and an extended position, shown in figure 8, in which it projects downwards and engages into the bore of the tubular element 15 of the lower cross division 14. At or neai an uppei end of the slot a notch 11, extending sideways from the slot is formed in which notch lithe handle 19 is engageable to hold the bolt 17 in its withdiawn position (figure 7) when the cross divisions 12, 14 are required to be independently movable. The position of the bolt 17, by use of the handle 19, may be set by the farmer from inside the container 10 as the cross divisions 12, 14 are selected at the outset to be connected or disconnected before any animals are loaded into the container 10.

L0024] The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments and many variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. In particular, it is possible and may be advantageous to piovide more than one cross division between the front and rear of the container above and below the position of the deployed deck. Thus, there may be two or more appropriately spaced apart upper cross divisions and two or more appropriately spaced apart lower cross divisions, each upper cross division having a corresponding lower cross division which will be in alignment one above the other when both are closed. Therefore, all references in the general description above to front and rear compartments should be understood as referring to front and iear with lespect to any particular cross division. Moieover, appiopriate modification of the illustrated embodiment to provide more than one cross division in each of the upper and lowei compartments can readily be envisaged as modified embodiments of the invention. As regards other variations, , a different design of latch may be employed, the various components may be differently configured, the tubular elements foi leception of the boat need not be side elements, the only requirement being that they are capable of being aligned for purposes of bolt attachment.

[0025] The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings).

[0026] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise' and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components. Thioughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particulai, where the indefinite aiticle is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0027] Features desciibed in conjunction with a particulai aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings) may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features are mutually exclusive.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A livestock transport container having a rear opening; having a deck which is movable so that it may be deployed at an intermediate height between the floor and the ceiling of the container to subdivide the container into upper and lower compartments for accommodating sheep or it may be placed in a stored position to allow substantially the full height of the container to be used to accommodate cattle; having upper and lower cross divisions deployable at a location intermediate the front and rear of the container to subdivide each of the upper and lower compartments, when the deck is deployed, into front and rear compartments, each cross division having a first side end which is hingedly connected adjacent a first side wall of the container and a free side end with a projecting finger; and having respective latch mechanisms mounted in or on an opposing second side wall of the container for engagement of these respective projecting fingers to secure each of the upper and lower cross divisions in their respective deployed positions extending across the width of the container; characterised in that each latch mechanism has a release portion of bent configuration extending through the second side wall of the container to a handle accessible at the exterior of the container and the handle of the latch of the upper cross division is connected to an elongate downwardly extending post which is selectively connectable to the handle of the latch of the lower cross division so that, when the post and the lower handle are not connected, the upper and lower cross divisions can be released independently by manual actuation, outside the container, of the post and the lower handle respectively, or when the post is attached to the lower handle, the upper and lower cross divisions can be released in unison, as required during cattle transport, by manual actuation, outside the container, of only the lower handle.
2. A livestock transport container according to claim 1 further comprising a lever actuated slider mounted in or on the second side wall of the container adjacent the latch for the lower cross division with a handle portion of the lever accessible at the exterior of the container to move the slider so as to push the projecting finger of the cross division out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism once the latch mechanism has been released.
3. A livestock transport container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the projecting finger is provided with an enlarged head which, when the finger is engaged in the latch mechanism, projects beyond the location of engagement of the latch mechanism with the finger and the slider is configured and/or positioned to contact the head of the finger to push the finger out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism.
4. A livestock transport container having a rear opening; having a deck which is movable so that it may be deployed at an intermediate height between the floor and the ceiling of the container to subdivide the container into upper and lower compartments for accommodating sheep or it may be placed in a stored position to allow substantially the full height of the container to be used to accommodate cattle; having upper and lower cross divisions deployable at a location intermediate the front and rear of the container to subdivide each of the upper and lower compartments, when the deck is deployed, into front and rear compartments, each cross division having a first side end which is hingedly connected adjacent a first side wall of the container and a free side end with a projecting finger; and having respective latch mechanisms mounted in or on an opposing second side wall of the container for engagement of these respective projecting fingers to secure each of the upper and lower cross divisions in their respective deployed positions extending across the width of the container; characterised in that a lever actuated slider is mounted in or on the second side wall of the container adjacent the latch for the lower cross division with a handle portion of the lever accessible at the exterior of the container to move the slider so as to push the projecting finger of the cross division out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism once the latch mechanism has been released.
5. A livestock transport container according to claim 4 wherein the projecting finger is provided with an enlarged head which, when the finger is engaged in the latch mechanism, projects beyond the location of engagement of the latch mechanism with the finger and the slider is configured and/or positioned to contact the head of the finger to push the finger out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism.
6. A livestock transport container having a rear opening; having a deck which is movable so that it may be deployed at an intermediate height between the floor and the ceiling of the container to subdivide the container into upper and lower compartments for accommodating sheep or it may be placed in a stored position to allow substantially the full height of the container to be used to accommodate cattle; having upper and lower cross divisions deployable at a location intermediate the front and rear of the container to subdivide each of the upper and lower compartments, when the deck is deployed, into front and rear compartments, each cross division having a first side end which is hingedly connected adjacent a first side wall of the container and a free side end with a projecting finger; characterised in that a mechanism is provided to selectively connect the upper and lower cross divisions so that the cross divisions move in unison, as required, for transport of cattle or other large livestock, or disconnect them to move independently, as required for transport the sheep or other small livestock, this mechanism comprising tubular elements mounted in an upright disposition at corresponding positions on each of the upper and lower cross divisions so that they can be brought into alignment and an elongate bolt slidably mounted in the bore of the tubular element of the upper cross division for axial movement therein between a withdrawn position in which said bolt lies substantially within said bore of said upper tubular element and an extended position in which said bolt projects downwards and engages into the bore of the tubular element of the lower cross division, the upper tubular element having an axially extending access slot through which the lateral handle of the bolt projects whereby the bolt can be moved between its withdrawn and extended positions, the slot communicating at or near its upper end with a notch in which the handle is engageable to hold the bolt in its withdrawn position when the cross divisions are required to be independently movable.
7. A livestock transport container according to claim 6 wherein the tubular elements are constituted by side elements of the upper and lower cross divisions at the first or second side ends thereof.
8. A livestock transport container having a latch mechanism for upper and lower cross divisions substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
9. A livestock transport container having a released latch ejection mechanism for a lower cross division substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures ito 5 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A livestock transport container having a selective upper and lower cross division connection mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:CLAIMS1. A livestock transport container having a rear opening; having a deck which is movable so that it may be deployed at an intermediate height between the floor and the ceiling of the container to subdivide the container into upper and lower compartments for accommodating sheep or it may be placed in a stored position to allow substantially the full height of the container to be used to accommodate cattle; having upper and lower cross divisions deployable at a location intermediate the front and rear of the container to subdivide each of the upper and lower compartments, when the deck is deployed, into front and rear compartments, each cross division having a first side end which is hingedly connected adjacent a first side wall of the container and a free side end with a projecting finger; and having respective latch mechanisms mounted in or on an opposing second side wall of the container for engagement of these respective projecting fingers to secure each of the 15 upper and lower cross divisions in their respective deployed positions extending across the width of the container; ii, characterised in that each latch mechanism has a release portion of bent configuration 0 extending through the second side wall of the container to a handle accessible at the exterior of c the container and the handle of the latch of the upper cross division is connected to an elongate (Y)20 downwardly extending post which is selectively connectable to the handle of the latch of the lower cross division so that, when the post and the lower handle are not connected, the upper and lower cross divisions can be released independently by manual actuation, outside the container, of the post and the lower handle respectively, or when the post is attached to the lower handle, the upper and lower cross divisions can be released in unison, as required during cattle transport, by manual actuation, outside the container, of only the lower handle.2. A livestock transport container according to claim 1 further comprising a lever actuated slider mounted in or on the second side wall of the container adjacent the latch for the lower cross division with a handle portion of the lever accessible at the exterior of the container to move the slider so as to push the projecting finger of the cross division out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism once the latch mechanism has been released.3. A livestock transport container according to claim 2 wherein the projecting finger is provided with an enlarged head which, when the finger is engaged in the latch mechanism, projects beyond the location of engagement of the latch mechanism with the finger and the slider is configured and/or positioned to contact the head of the finger to push the finger out of engagement with the respective latch mechanism.4. A livestock transport container according to any preceding claim and further comprising a mechanism to selectively connect the upper and lower cross divisions so that the cross divisions move in unison, as required, for transport of cattle or other large livestock, or disconnect them to move independently, as required for transport the sheep or other small livestock, this mechanism comprising tubular elements mounted in an upright disposition at corresponding positions on each of the upper and lower cross divisions so that they can be brought into alignment and an elongate bolt slidably mounted in the bore of the tubular element of the upper cross division for axial movement therein between a withdrawn position in which said bolt lies substantially within said bore of said upper tubular element and an extended position in which said bolt projects downwards and engages into the bore of the tubular element of the lower cross division, the upper tubular element having an axially extending access slot through which the lateral handle of the bolt projects whereby the bolt can be moved between its withdrawn and extended positions, the slot communicating at or near its upper end with a notch in which the handle is engageable to hold the bolt in its withdrawn position when the cross divisions are required to be independently movable.5. A livestock transport container according to claim 4 wherein the tubular elements are constituted by side elements of the upper and lower cross divisions at the first or second side LI) ends thereof.6. A livestock transport container having a latch mechanism for upper and lower cross divisions substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.