IES20010006A2 - Improvements in and relating to mats for concrete floors of slatted houses - Google Patents

Abstract

Mat (1) for use on concrete slats comprises flanges (2) provided along two opposite edges of the mat and flaps (3) covering the flanges (2). In use mat (1) is placed on slat (6), the flaps (3) are lifted and screws (5) secure the flanges (2) to the slat (6). The flaps (3) are then lowered to cover the screws (5) and protect the animals using the mat (1). <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to mats for concrete floors of slatted houses.

It is known to place a mat comprising a rubber strip onto the concrete slats in slatted houses used for housing cattle. The known mat is secured on the concrete slat by either tying the mat on to the slat using a wrap around band or by directly screwing the mat into the concrete slat. Securing the mat using the band has not proved to be successful primarily because the band can become damaged. Furthermore the mat is not fully secured to the slat and the mat is likely to come loose and become slideable relative to the slat.

The disadvantage of screwing the mat into the concrete slat is that the screws can pose a hazard either when an animal kneels directly onto the screws resulting in injury to the animal or if and when the screw rusts, again posing a danger to the animal.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a mat for use on concrete slats in slatted houses comprising a flange provided along two opposing edges of the mat, through which flange a screw can be inserted so as to secure the mat onto the concrete slab and further comprising a flap provided along said two opposing edges of the mat, the flap being moveable between an open position and a closed position whereby in the open position, the flap is lifted up and the flange is exposed so that a screw can be inserted into the flange and in the closed position, the flap is lying down over the flange thereby covering over any screw inserted through the flange.

Ideally, the mats are formed using different materials. The mats may be formed from a rigid material or a soft material depending on their particular function.

UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL No. OF oTpoQ2.

OPEN TO PUBUC INSPECTION ΙΕ ο 1 0 0 0 6 In a preferred embodiment, the mats are extruded having a central core and a covering skin. This allows the manufacturer to use an inexpensive material for the core and then cover the core with a rigid skin.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the covering skin is provided by nitrile.

Preferably, the mat is formed using a multi-extrusion process. Using this technique, components of the mat can be formed separately and then co-extruded in a final step of the overall process.

Preferably, the flaps of the mat are formed separately from the main body and are then coextruded in a final step of the overall process.

Ideally, the separately extruded components can also be formed using different materials. This allows the manufacturer to combine a soft mat and a rigid flap where the mats may be required for houses holding lighter animals.

Preferably, the components are provided having different colours. Different colours are used to differentiate between the two edges of the mat assisting with their installation.

Ideally, the mats are manufactured from any extrudable rubber or synthetic material.

Advantageously, in one embodiment of the mat, a shock absorbent material may be located underneath the mat and is securable thereto.

In an alternative embodiment of the mat a plurality of ridges may be provided on the underneath of the mat to provide a cushioning effect.

The mat of the present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying figures 1 to 8 of the drawings which show, by way of example only, two embodiments of the mat.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of the mat of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of one of the edges of the mat showing the flange and flap; Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of one of the edges of the mat showing the flap in the open position and showing a screw inserted through the flange; Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of one of the edges of the mat showing the flap in the closed position in which it covers over the flange and the screw inserted therethrough; Figure 5 is a side view of the mat in use with a sheet of shock absorbent material located 15 under the mat and secured to the mat and to the concrete slat; Figure 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the mat in which a plurality of ridges are provided on the underneath of the mat.

Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of the mat in the first embodiment showing a screw inserted at an angle into the flange; Figure 8 is a side view of the mat and shock absorbent material located on an individual concrete slat; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the prior art mat located on an individual concrete slat and showing a screw and a band, used in the prior art; and Figure 10 is a side view of a third embodiment of the mat in accordance with the invention. 30 Referring to the drawings and initially to figures 1 to 5, 7 and 8, the mat of the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The mat 1 comprises a flange 2 and a flap 3 IE 0 1 0 Ο Ο 6 which are provided along the length of both major edges of the mat 1. The flap 3 and flange 2 are formed by a slot 4 made in the mat 1.

In use, the mat 1 is placed on a concrete slat 6, the flap 3 is lifted up into the open position as shown in figure 3 and a number of screws 5 are inserted through the flange 2 along the length of the mat 1 at both major edges, thereby securing the mat to the concrete slat 6.

The flap 3 is then lowered to the closed position as shown in figure 4 and the screw is covered thus protecting animals from injury and preventing the screw from rusting.

A shock absorbent material 8 may be placed underneath the mat 1 as shown in figure 5. The shock absorbent material 8 offers protection to the mat 1 and the shock absorbent material 8 is secured by the mat 1 lying thereon and by the screw 5.

It will be appreciated that the shock absorbent material 8 may be inserted as a separate sheet under the mat 1 or may be attached to the mat 1.

A second embodiment of the mat is shown in figure 6. The mat in the second embodiment is indicated generally by reference numeral 21. The mat 21 includes a flap 23 and a flange 22 which have the same form and function as described above in relation to the first embodiment. The mat 21 is provided with a plurality of ridges 27 on the underside of the mat 21. The ridges 27 provide a cushioning effect for the mat 21 and provide an alternative to the inclusion of the shock absorbent material 8 referred to above.

Referring to the drawings and finally to Figure 10, there is shown a third embodiment of the mat 31 formed using a multi-extrusion process. The main body 32 of the mat 31 is extruded in one piece and the flaps 33 are both extruded separately. In a final step of the multi-extrusion process the flaps 33 are co-extruded with the main body 32 of the mat 31 completely covering the flanges 34. The mat 31 is provided with a plurality of ridges 37 on the underside of the mat 31. The ridges 3 7 provide a cushioning effect for the mat 31.

IE ο 1 Ο Ο Ο 6 It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON, Applicants’ Agents, 47 Merrion Square, DUBLIN 2.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A mat for use on concrete slats in slatted houses comprising a flange provided along two opposing edges of the mat, through which flange a fixing means can be inserted so as to secure the mat onto the concrete slat and further comprising a flap provided along said two opposing edges of the mat, the flap being moveable between an open position and a closed position whereby in the open position, the flap is lifted up and the flange is exposed so that the fixing means can be inserted into the flange and in the closed position, the flap is lying down over the flange thereby covering over the fixing means inserted through the flange.

2. A mat for use on concrete slats as claimed in Claim 1, in which the mat is formed using different materials, the mat being formed from a rigid material or a soft material depending on its particular function; optionally in which, the mat is extruded having a central core and a covering skin, thereby allowing a manufacturer to use an inexpensive material for the core and then cover the core with a rigid skin and optionally in which the covering skin is provided by nitrile rubber.

3. A mat for use on concrete slats as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the mat is formed using a multi-extrusion process, whereby components of the mat can be formed separately and then co-extruded in a final step of the overall process, optionally in which the flaps of the mat are formed separately from the main body and are then coextruded in a final step of the overall process and optionally in which the separately extruded components are formed using different materials, thereby allowing the manufacturer to combine a soft mat and a rigid flap where the mats may be required for houses holding lighter animals.

4. A mat for use on concrete slats as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the components are provided having different colours whereby different colours are used to differentiate between the two edges of the mat assisting with its installation, optionally in which the mat is manufactured from any extrudable rubber or synthetic material, optionally in which a shock absorbent material is located underneath the mat ΙΕ Ο 1 Ο 0 0 6 Ί and is securable thereto and optionally in which a plurality of ridges are provided on the underneath of the mat to provide a cushioning effect.

5. A mat for use on concrete slats substantially in accordance with any of the 5 embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.