WO2020181338A1

WO2020181338A1 - Horse safety device

Info

Publication number: WO2020181338A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/050246
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom HOTCHKIN
Original assignee: Carbon Areion Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-14
Filing date: 2020-03-16
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Also published as: AU2019201780A1

Abstract

A safety device for restraining a horse when the horse is being transported in a horse transport vehicle, the safety device being adapted to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury, the safety device including a retractable belt assembly that includes a retractable belt adapted to wrap around a section of the horse and/or an inflatable air bag that inflates in response to stabilising movement of the horse.

Description

HORSE SAFETY DEVICE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for

restraining horses to protect the horses from injury.

The present invention relates particularly, although by no means exclusively, to a safety device for

restraining horses while the horses are being transported in horse transport vehicles to protect the horses from injury.

The present invention also relates to horse transport vehicles that include the safety device as part of the vehicles .

The safety device of the invention is also suitable for use with other animals that are transported in animal transport vehicles or otherwise need to be protected from injury. Background of the Invention

There are often situations in which it is important to protect horses from injury.

One example is when horses are being transported in vehicles from one location to another location.

Vehicles designed to transport horses, including (a) road vehicles such as floats, trailers and trucks, and (b) rail transport vehicles such as carriages, provide little protection to horses during abrupt manoeuvres, vehicle collisions and rollovers.

Horses can easily slip and fall, or otherwise move in a dangerous way, causing them to impact hazards such as the floor, walls, dividers of the vehicles or other horses. This often results in significant injuries or death of the horses . Description of Prior Art

It is known in the field of horse transportation to restrain a horse within a horse transport vehicle during transit. A function of these restraints is to protect the horses from injury during transportation.

GB 2550109 A teaches an apparatus for securing a horse in a vehicle, such as a horsebox. The purpose of the GB 2550109 is to prevent a horse from getting into an unsafe position in a vehicle, particularly small

horseboxes with breast bars. The apparatus, as shown in Figure 3 of GB 2550109 A, comprises a harness 305 that is fitted around the horse and a belt 303 that connects the harness to a breast bar 302 attached to the inside of the vehicle. The apparatus limits the extent of movement of the horse within the horsebox.

US 6612265 B1 teaches a safety harness for

transporting and training large animals. The safety harness, as shown in Figure 5 of US 6612265 B1 , comprises a harness 10 and front and rear tether straps 19, 20 which connect the harness to an overhead structural member within the vehicle and maintain the animal in a natural standing position. The safety harness allows very limited freedom of movement for the animal.

WO 2006/014137 A1 teaches a method and a device for securing a horse in a horse carrier or trailer to

safeguard the horse in the vehicle, particularly when the vehicle brakes suddenly. The method is characterised by mounting a device in the form of a harness around the breast of a horse and securing it around the withers and rib cage of the horse before leading the horse into the vehicle and then tethering the device to the vehicle. An embodiment of the device, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of WO 2006/014137 A1 , comprises harnesses 25, 26 and safety belts 28, 29, 30, 31 which, when horses are in the

vehicle, connect the harnesses to the internal walls 14, 15, 16 of the vehicle at the level of the breasts of the horses .

In each of the above prior art documents , the

restraining mechanisms simply limit the maximum

displacement of the horse relative to the vehicle. This maximum displacement is fixed and does not change

depending on the type or severity of the movement of the vehicle. In other words, the restraining mechanisms of the prior art are unreactive or passive to movement of the vehicle and/or the horse.

A problem with unreactive or passive restraining mechanisms is that not all horse movements within a vehicle or vehicle movements result in the same effect on the horse. For example, a vehicle performing a slow manoeuvre around a corner in a road would affect a horse differently to if the same vehicle was subjected to sudden braking or a collision or a rollover.

Ideally, the type of restraint required for a horse depends on the magnitude and duration of the resulting acceleration on the horse. Whilst the unreactive or passive restraining mechanisms of the prior art documents are satisfactory for some vehicle movements, such as slow manoeuvres, the same cannot be said for more severe vehicle movements, such as abrupt manoeuvres (including sudden braking) , collisions and rollovers.

The invention provides an alternative to the above- described devices for restraining horses while the horses are being transported in horse transport vehicles.

More generally, the invention provides a safety device that has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to transporting horses in vehicles. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a safety device that, in use, can restrain a horse or another animal in response to movement of the horse or other animal that would otherwise destabilise the horse or other animal.

One particular application of the invention is for the transportation of horses in horse transport vehicles.

In use in this application, the safety device of the invention responds to movements of a vehicle that can destabilise a horse and cause the horse to slip or to fall.

In addition, in use in this application, the safety device of the invention responds to any movement of a horse, whether that be a result of direct action of the horse independent of vehicle movement or as a result of destabilising movements of the vehicle.

The word "restrain" is understood herein to mean any action that prevents movement of the horse all together or that keeps movement to within safe limits.

The phrase "in response" is understood herein to mean any reaction to something, i.e. the opposite of unreactive or passive. The word "destabilise" is understood herein to mean any action that results in loss of balance, slipping, tripping, falling over, being thrown about, or otherwise promoting uncontrolled movement.

In general terms , the invention provides a safety device that, in use, can restrain a horse or another animal in response to movement of the horse or other animal that would otherwise destabilise the horse or other animal .

In general terms , the invention provides a safety device for restraining a horse in a horse transport vehicle , the safety device being adapted to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

The safety device may include a retractable belt assembly that includes a retractable belt that is adapted to be wrapped around a section of the horse in use of the safety device and to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

The section of the horse may be a barrel of the horse .

The retractable belt assembly may also be adapted to allow the horse to move freely while there is stable movement of the horse and/or the vehicle , including relative movement of the horse and the vehicle. In other words, the retractable belt assembly is adapted to allow what could be described as "safe" movement of the horse within the vehicle and does not severely confine movement of the horse as is the case with the safety harness of US 6612265 B1. The retractable belt assembly may be adjustable in a lengthwise direction of the horse in use of the safety device to allow the section of the horse, such as the barrel of the horse, to be selected having regard to the length of the horse to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly in relation to the horse.

The retractable belt assembly may be adjustable upwardly or downwardly in relation to the horse in use of the safety device to optimise the position of the

retractable belt assembly having regard to the height of the horse.

The safety device may include an inflatable air bag that is adapted to inflate in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

The air bag may be adapted to inflate when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop or there is a substantial change in momentum of the vehicle .

The air bag may be adapted to inflate when the vehicle decelerates with a force equal to hitting a solid object at a speed above a predetermined threshold speed.

The safety device may include the retractable belt assembly and the inflatable device.

It is noted that the safety device of the invention is not limited to horse transport applications.

It is also noted that the invention is not limited to use with horses and extends to other animals that require protection from injury.

The invention also provides in general terms a horse transport vehicle including at least one stall for a horse and a safety device for restraining a horse, wherein the safety device is adapted to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that

destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

The section of the horse may be a barrel of the horse .

The retractable belt assembly may also be adapted to allow the horse to move freely while there is stable movement of the horse and/or the vehicle , including relative movement of the horse and the vehicle.

The retractable belt assembly may be adjustable in a lengthwise direction of the horse in use of the safety device to allow the section of the horse, such as the barrel of the horse, to be selected to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly having regard to the length of the horse to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly in relation to the horse.

retractable belt assembly having regard to the height of the horse.

The safety device may include an inflatable air bag that is adapted to inflate in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury. The air bag may be adapted to inflate when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop or there is a substantial change in momentum of the vehicle.

The horse transport vehicle may include a body having a support frame, a floor, side walls, and a roof that defines an enclosure for the horse and optionally includes any one or more than one of a chest bar for the horse, and a tie-up ring or other fittings for tying the horse in the chamber connected to the body, and wherein the retractable belt assembly is connected to the body or the chest bar or the tie-up ring or the other fittings for tying up the horse .

The horse transport vehicle may include a plurality of dividers that extend between and are connected to opposite side walls of the body and divide the horse enclosure into a plurality of stalls for a plurality of horses, and wherein the retractable belt assembly is mounted or otherwise connected to or forms a part of at least one of the dividers.

The retractable belt assembly may include a retractor for housing the retractable belt and a mount for receiving and securing a buckle of the retractable belt.

The retractor may be mounted to an upper section of the divider and the mount may be mounted to a lower section of the divider, so that in use the belt can be unwound from the retractor and wrapped around the barrel of the horse and the buckle can be received and secured in the mount.

The upper section of the divider may include a channel and the retractor of the retractable belt assembly may be received in the channel for sliding movement along the length of the channel, thereby to allow adjustment of the position of the retractable belt assembly around the barrel of the horse.

The divider may include a head divider, and the inflatable air bag may be mounted to the head divider.

The invention also provides in general terms an assembly of :

(a) a divider for dividing an enclosure within a horse transport vehicle into a plurality of stalls for horses; and

(b) the above-described safety device mounted or otherwise connected to or forming a part of the divider that, in use, can restrain a horse in response to movement of the horse that would otherwise destabilise the horse.

In more general terms the invention also provides a safety device for restraining an animal, for example in an animal transport vehicle, the safety device being adapted to restrain the animal in response to movement of the vehicle and/or the animal that destabilises the animal and thereby protects the animal from injury.

It is noted that the word "animal" is understood to mean a non-human animal . Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is an image of a typical horse transport vehicle ;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a safety device in accordance with the invention formed as a part of a divider of a horse transport vehicle, such as the vehicle shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safety device in accordance with the invention formed as a part of one of a divider of a horse transport vehicle, such as the vehicle shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

The Figures illustrate several of many possible embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical horse transport vehicle that includes a body having a support frame, a floor, side walls, and a roof that defines an enclosure for horses.

The horse transport vehicle shown in Figure 1 also includes a plurality of dividers 1 that extend between and are connected to opposite side walls of the body and divide the horse enclosure into a plurality of stalls for the horses .

With reference to Figure 2, one embodiment of a safety device in accordance with the invention includes a retractable belt assembly that is mounted or otherwise connected to or forms a part of a divider 1 of the horse transport vehicle shown in Figure 1.

The retractable belt assembly comprises a belt 2 that is wound on a retractable spool 4 which is secured to an upper section of a divider 1 of the horse transport vehicle shown in Figure 1 and a buckle 3 which is secured to a lower section of the divider.

In use, the belt 2 is secured around the barrel of a horse and allows the horse to move freely while relative movement between the horse and vehicle is stable. For example, if the movement is stable movement, the horse can move within a stall, with the retractable belt extending as required to accommodate the movement.

However, if the horse or the vehicle becomes

unstable, for example as a result of the horse becoming frightened and reacting in an uncontrolled way, for example stumbling, or as a consequence of sudden vehicle braking or a collision or rollover destabilising the horse, the belt system will lock, or recoil, securing the barrel of the horse to the divider. This system may be operated mechanically, electronically or by other means.

The retractable belt assembly is adapted to be adjustable in a lengthwise direction of the horse to allow a section of the barrel of the horse that the retractable belt is wrapped around, to be selected having regard to the length of the horse.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, this is achieved by providing the upper section of the divider 1 with a channel and a retractor of the retractable belt assembly being received in the channel for sliding

movement along the length of the channel . The retractable belt assembly is adapted to be adjustable upwardly or downwardly in relation to the horse to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly having regard to the height of the horse.

In one embodiment (not shown) , this is achieved by the retractable belt assembly being mounted for movement upwardly or downwardly to the divider 1.

With reference to Figure 3, another embodiment of a safety device in accordance with the invention comprises an inflatable airbag 2 that is mounted at the head end of each divider 1. The airbags are positioned to protect horses from impact injuries caused by a head of a horse being thrown against the divider 1, such as may occur in a vehicle collision or rollover.

Whilst in the above embodiments the retractable belt assembly and the air bag are both mounted to a divider 1 of the horse transport vehicle, the invention is by no means limited to use in these options. The retractable belt assembly and the air bag can be incorporated in any one of, or combination of, the components located inside a horse transport vehicle, such as: the frame, the floor, side walls, roof, chest bar, tie-up ring or other fittings for tying up a horse.

Whilst in the above embodiments the vehicle includes a plurality of stalls, the invention also extends to single stall vehicles.

Whilst the above embodiments are directed to horses, in the context of horse transport vehicles, this is by no means limiting. The scope of this invention extends to the transport of other animals where protection form injury is a consideration. In addition, the safety device of the invention is not limited to the retractable belt assembly and the air bag shown in the Figures .

In addition, the safety device of the invention is not limited to use in horse transport vehicles and extends to any applications in which it is important to protect horses from injury.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art

publication is referred to herein , such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention , except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication , the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense , i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention .

Claims

1. A safety device for restraining a horse when the horse is being transported in a horse transport vehicle, the safety device being adapted to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

2. The safety device defined in claim 1 includes a retractable belt assembly that includes a retractable belt that is adapted to be wrapped around a section of the horse, such as a barrel of the horse, in use of the safety device and to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

3. The safety device defined in claim 2 wherein the retractable belt assembly is also adapted to allow the horse to move freely while there is stable movement of the horse and/or the vehicle, including relative movement of the horse and the vehicle.

4. The safety device defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the retractable belt assembly is adapted to be adjustable in a lengthwise direction of the horse in use of the safety device to allow a section of the horse, such as a barrel of the horse, that the retractable belt is wrapped around to be selected having regard to the length of the horse to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly in relation to the horse.

5. The safety device defined in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the retractable belt assembly is adapted to be adjustable upwardly or downwardly in relation to the horse in use of the safety device to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly having regard to the height of the horse.

6. The safety device defined in any one of the preceding claims includes an inflatable air bag that is adapted to inflate in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

7. The safety device defined in claim 6 wherein the air bag is adapted to inflate when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop or there is a substantial change in momentum of the vehicle.

8. The safety device defined in claim 6 wherein air bag is adapted to inflate when the vehicle decelerates with a force equal to hitting a solid object at a speed above a predetermined threshold speed.

9. The safety device defined in any one of claims 6 to 8 includes the retractable belt assembly and the inflatable air bag.

10. A horse transport vehicle including at least one stall for a horse and a safety device for restraining a horse, wherein the safety device is adapted to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

11. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 10 wherein the safety device includes a retractable belt assembly that includes a retractable belt that is adapted to be wrapped around a section of the horse, such as a barrel of the horse, and to restrain the horse in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that

destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

12. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 11 wherein the retractable belt assembly is also adapted to allow the horse to move freely while there is stable movement of the horse and/or the vehicle, including relative movement of the horse and the vehicle.

13. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the retractable belt assembly is adapted to be adjustable in a lengthwise direction of the horse to allow a section of the horse, such as the barrel of the horse, that the retractable belt is wrapped around to be selected having regard to the length of the horse to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly in relation to the horse.

14. The horse transport vehicle defined in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the retractable belt assembly is adapted to be adjustable upwardly or downwardly in relation to the horse to optimise the position of the retractable belt assembly having regard to the height of the horse.

15. The horse transport vehicle defined in any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the safety device includes an inflatable air bag that is adapted to inflate in response to movement of the horse and/or the vehicle that

destabilises the horse and thereby protects the horse from injury.

16. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 15 wherein the air bag is adapted to inflate when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop or there is a substantial change in momentum of the vehicle .

17. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 15 wherein the air bag is adapted to inflate when the vehicle decelerates with a force equal to hitting a solid object at a speed above a predetermined threshold speed.

18. The horse transport vehicle defined in any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the safety device includes the retractable belt assembly and the inflatable air bag.

19. The horse transport vehicle defined in any one of claims 10 to 18 includes a body having a support frame, a floor, side walls, and a roof that defines an enclosure for the horse and optionally includes any one or more than one of a chest bar for the horse, and a tie-up ring or other fittings for tying the horse in the chamber

connected to the body, and wherein the retractable belt assembly is connected to the body or the chest bar or the tie-up ring or the other fittings for tying up the horse.

20. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 19 includes a plurality of dividers that extend between and are connected to opposite side walls of the body and divide the horse enclosure into a plurality of stalls for a plurality of horses, and wherein the retractable belt assembly is mounted or otherwise connected to or forms a part of at least one of the dividers.

21. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 20 wherein the retractable belt assembly includes a retractor for housing the retractable belt and a mount for receiving and securing a buckle of the retractable belt, and wherein the retractor is mounted to an upper section of the divider and the mount is mounted to a lower section of the divider, so that in use the belt can be unwound from the retractor and wrapped around the barrel of the horse and the buckle can be received and secured in the mount.

22. The horse transport vehicle defined in claim 21 wherein the upper section of the divider includes a channel and the retractor of the retractable belt assembly is received in the channel for sliding movement along the length of the channel, thereby to allow adjustment of the position of the retractable belt assembly around the barrel of the horse.

23. The horse transport vehicle defined in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the divider includes a head divider, and the inflatable air bag that is mounted to the head divider and is adapted to inflate in response to the horse being destabilised to further protect the horse from injury.

24. An assembly of :

(a) a divider for dividing an enclosure within a

horse transport vehicle into a plurality of stalls for horses; and

(b) the safety device defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 mounted or otherwise connected to or forming a part of the divider that, in use, can restrain a horse in response to movement of the horse that would otherwise destabilise the horse .

25. A safety device for restraining an animal in an animal transport vehicle, the safety device being adapted to restrain the animal in response to movement of the vehicle and/or the animal that destabilises the animal and thereby protects the animal from injury.