Abstract:
An end section for a rail which is engageable with a post having a slot. The end section is so arranged that in one orientation the end section is releasable from a slot of the post, and when rotated to a second orientation, the end section is in a locked position and cannot be released from the slot of the post. The end section may be fastened, or otherwise attached to a rail and used in a demountable enclosure or support structure having at least two posts. Each post of the demountable enclosure or support structure has at least one slot for receiving a rail and the at least one rail is releasably mountable between an adjacent pair of the posts. The end section of the rail is engageable in a slot provided in one of the adjacent posts, and each slot is complementary, at least in part, to the end section of a rail. Each rail, when mounted to an adjacent post, is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotation of the respective rail.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to demountable enclosures or support structures. The invention is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, demountable enclosures for the confinement of animals such as horses and cattle. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There is often a need to confine animals such as horses and cattle in temporary or semi-permanent enclosures, for example, at competitive events such as camp drafting, equestrian, show jumping, and rodeos. 
         [0003]    Large fencing panels are often transported to event sites and assembled into an enclosure or support structure of suitable size. Such fencing panels are heavy, bulky and often difficult to assemble. The panels are generally large and therefore take up a considerable amount of space on a vehicle. 
         [0004]    Electric fences are also used to confine animals to a certain area. These fences may not physically restrain the animal, but rather provide a psychological or virtual barrier. Such fences can be ineffective because a stressed or startled animal can run through the fence, potentially causing damage to itself and its surroundings. Another disadvantage of electric fences is that the entire fence can be disabled due to a break in a conducting wire or during a power failure. Further, members of the general public could be shocked or injured as a result of accidently coming into contact with the electric fence. 
         [0005]    The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above described disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide the consumer with a useful commercial choice. 
         [0007]    It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a demountable enclosure or support structure which can be easily transported, assembled and disassembled. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Throughout the specification, the terms “rotating” and “lowering” shall be taken to include the opposite i.e. “lowering” and “rotating”. Similarly, “raising” and “rotating” should be taken to also include “rotating” and “raising”. The phase “complementary, at least in part” shall be taken to mean at least part of the recited feature, for example the head, matches at least part of another recited feature, for example a slot. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest aspect, the invention resides in an end section for a rail which is engageable with a post having a slot, the end section being so arranged that in one orientation the end section is releasable from a slot of the post; and when rotated to a second orientation, the end section is in a locked position and cannot be released from the slot of the post. 
         [0010]    The end section may be integrally formed with a rail, or be manufactured as a separate piece which can be welded, or otherwise fastened, to one end of a body of the rail. 
         [0011]    In a second aspect, the invention resides in a demountable enclosure or support structure, including:
       at least one post with at least one slot; and   at least one rail releasably mountable to the post;   wherein, the rail includes at least one end section which is engageable in a complementary slot in the post; and   wherein the rail is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position.       
 
         [0016]    In a third aspect, the invention resides in a demountable enclosure or support structure, including:
       a plurality of posts, each post having one or more slots;   wherein adjacent posts are connected by a plurality of rails, each rail engageable in complementary slots in the posts; and   wherein the rails are releasably mountable to the posts and each rail is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position.       
 
         [0020]    Preferably, each rail has a body interconnecting respective end sections, each end section having a neck and a head, wherein the shape of the head is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of the slot in the post. 
         [0021]    Preferably, each slot in each post is of regular or irregular shape. The regular shapes may include triangles, rectangles, pentagons, or other polygonal shapes, ellipses, stars, crosses, and the like. The irregular shapes may include keyhole shapes, arrows, zigzag shapes, and the like. 
         [0022]    In a preferred form, the slots in the posts are keyhole shaped with an enlarged portion above an elongated portion. Preferably, the slots have a planar section at the top of the enlarged portion. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the head of the end section of each rail is substantially circular with a planar top. The planar top on the head preferably corresponds to the planar section on the slots of the posts. The dimensions of the head are preferably slightly less than the dimensions of the enlarged portion of the keyhole shaped slots of the posts, such that the head is receivable in a slot. 
         [0024]    The width of the neck of each end section of each rail is preferably slightly less than the width of the elongated portion of the keyhole shaped slots of the posts. Preferably, the height of the neck is greater than the width of the elongated portion of the keyhole shaped slots of the posts. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the end section of the rail is receivable in the body of the rail. In a preferred form, the head of the end section includes a flange and the body of the rail abuts the flange when it is pushed over the end section. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the end section includes an aperture which corresponds with an aperture in the body of the rail, for securing the end section to the body of the rail. 
         [0027]    In use, a rail is moved into a locked position by inserting the head of the end section into the enlarged portion of a slot of a post, rotating the rail, and lowering the rail toward the elongated portion of the slot. Preferably, the rail is rotated approximately 180 degrees. The rail can then be moved into an unlocked position by raising the rail towards the enlarged portion of the slot of the post and then rotating the rail, preferably 180 degrees. The rail can be released from the post when the planar top on the head of the rail is aligned with the planer section on the enlarged portion of the slot of the post. 
         [0028]    Preferably, each rail is telescopic, or otherwise adjustable, in length. 
         [0029]    Preferably, each rail includes a spring loaded button which, when pushed, allows the rail to be adjusted in length. 
         [0030]    Preferably, each post and rail is comprised of square hollow tubing. However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the posts and rails may be of other suitable shapes, including rectangular or circular. The posts and rails may also be of solid construction, with recesses in the body of the posts associated with the slots. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the end sections of the posts are circular. In another preferred form, the end sections are substantially square. 
         [0032]    Suitably, each post may have one or more slots on one or more sides of the post for connecting multiple rails. 
         [0033]    In a fourth aspect, the invention resides in a method of connecting a rail to a post, including the steps of:
       inserting an end section of a rail into a slot in a post; and   rotating the rail, optionally through 180 degrees, and lowering the rail, such that the end section is in a locked position;   wherein the rail cannot be released from the post when in the locked position; and   wherein the rail can be moved to an unlocked position and thereby released from the post by raising and rotating the rail, optionally through 180 degrees.       
 
         [0038]    Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]    To assist in the understanding of the invention, and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of an assembled enclosure or support structure according to the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  are respective side, isometric, and sectional views of an end section of a rail for an enclosure or support structure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 3   a  is a side view of a post for an enclosure or support structure; 
           [0043]      FIG. 3   b  is enlarged side view of the post of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0044]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a post and a rail; 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the post and rail of  FIG. 4  when connected; and 
           [0046]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  and  6   d  are respective front, side, rear and sectional views of an alternative embodiment of an end section of a rail. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to obscure the disclosure with excessive detail that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light having the benefit of the present description. 
         [0048]    In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to distinguish one element from another element without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or order. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements included in a particular embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways, and that this description is given by way of example only. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is a shown a portion of an assembled enclosure or support structure  10  according to the present invention. One post  20  of the enclosure or support structure  10  is shown and three rails  30  are connected to two sides of the post  20 . The post contains slots  22  for receiving the rails  30 . Although not shown in this figure, the rails  30  in this example are telescopic with a spring loaded button. When the spring loaded button is pushed, the rail  30  slides into itself which allows for easy storage. 
         [0050]    In this example, the post  20  and the rails  30  of the enclosure or support structure  10  are formed from square hollow tubing. However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the post and rails of the enclosure or support structure may be of other suitable shapes, including rectangular or circular. 
         [0051]      FIG. 2   a  shows a side view of an end section  40  of a rail (not shown). As shown in  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c , the end section  40  in this example is substantially circular. Attached to the end section  40  are a neck  42  and a head  44 . The dimensions and shape of the neck  42  and head  44  is largely dependent on the dimensions and shape of the slots  22  of the posts  20 , and vice versa. 
         [0052]    In this embodiment, the head  44  is largely circular with a planar top  46 . This shape is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of the enlarged portion  26  of the slot  22  of a support structure, such as a post  20  (shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ). 
         [0053]    The end section  40  in this embodiment is manufactured as a separate piece which is fastened, for example by welding, to one end of the body of the rail. However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the end section  40  could be integrally formed with a rail. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3   a  shows a side view of a post  20  having three slots  22  in one side of the post  20 . An enlarged view of one of the slots  22  of the post  20  is provided in  FIG. 3   b . In this example, the slot  22  is keyhole shaped with an enlarged portion  24  located above an elongated portion  26 . The enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22  is adapted to receive a head  44  of an end section  40  of a rail  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22  is substantially circular with a planar portion  28  at the top. However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the shape of the slot  22  could be of any suitable size and shape. 
         [0055]    In use, the posts  20  are mounted substantially vertically by affixing the bottom of the posts  20  to the ground by suitable means. The posts  20  may have bases for added stability. Such bases may be secured to the ground by way of tent pegs or other means. Further, the posts  20  may have reinforcing elements, such as a metal plate, attached to the post to stabilize the enclosure or support structure  10 . For example, the post  20  may have a triangular metal plate protruding from one or more sides. When the enclosure or support structure  10  is assembled, the rail  30  may rest on one side of the metal plate for added stability. 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  shows an enlarged view of a section of a post  20  and a rail  30  of the enclosure or support structure  10 . The rail  30  has an end section  40  which includes a neck  42  and a head  44 . The end section  40  of the rail  30  is sized and shaped so as to fit in the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22  of the post  20 . It is clear from this figure that the post  20  has slots  22  in three sides of the post  20 , for connecting with three rails  30 . Persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the post  20  could have slots  22  in two sides of the post  20 , or in all four sides. In this embodiment, the end section  40  of the rail  30  has been welded to the body of the rail  30 . Numeral  48  denotes the welding points. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the end section may be fastened to the rail by other suitable means, for example by brazing, using locking pins, or crimping the rail. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a perspective view of a section of a rail  30  connected to a post  20 . In this example, the head  44  of the end section  40  of the rail  30  has been inserted into the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22  of the post  20 . The rail  30  has then been rotated, by approximately 180 degrees, and lowered towards the bottom of the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22 . In this arrangement, the neck  42  abuts the bottom of the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22 , and the head  44  of the rail  30  abuts an inner wall of the post  20 . The planar top  46  of the head  44  now faces downward i.e. in the opposite orientation to the planar portion  28  of the slot  22 . 
         [0058]    It will be appreciated that the width of the head  44  is greater than the width of the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22  to prevent the head  44 , and therefore the rail  30 , from being removed from the post  30  via the elongated portion  26  of the slot  20 . Ideally, the width of the neck  42  is slightly less than the width of the elongated portion  26  of the keyhole shaped slots  22  of the posts  20 , to enable the neck  42  to fit into the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22 , when the rail  30  is lowered. However, the height of the neck  42  is greater than the width of the elongated portion  26  of the keyhole shaped slots  22  of the posts  20  (shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 ), so that once the neck is lowered into the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22 , the end section  40  cannot be rotated and the rail  30  is now in the locked position. The rail  20  remains in locked position until it is raised to the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22 , and then rotated by approximately 180 degrees. This rotation aligns the planar top  46  of the head  44  with the planar portion  28  of the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22 . In this orientation, the rail  30  is in the unlocked position, and the rail  30  can be removed from the post  20 . 
         [0059]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the post  20  is made from square hollow tubing. However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the posts  20  may be of other suitable shapes, for example circular. The posts  20  could even be solid with recesses rather than slots  22 , for connection with the rails  30 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 6   a  to  6   d  show an alternative embodiment of an end section  50  of a rail  30 . In this embodiment, the end section  50  is substantially square. Attached to the end section  50  are a neck  52  and a head  54  with a planar top  58 , similar to that shown in  FIG. 2   a . The shape of the head  54  is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22  in a support structure, such as a post  20  (shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ). The end section  50  can be received in, and fastened to, the body of a rail  30  (not shown), which may be formed from square hollow tubing. 
         [0061]    For fastening purposes, the end section  50  in this embodiment includes an aperture  60  which corresponds with an aperture on the rail  30  (not shown). In use, the body of the rail  30  is pushed over the end section  50  so that the apertures are aligned. The end section  50  can then be fastened to the body of the rail  30  by inserting a roll pin, dowel or other suitable fastener into the apertures. As shown in  FIGS. 6   b  and  6   c , the end section  50  also includes a flange  56 , which abuts the body of the rail  30  once the end section  50  is received in the rail  30 . 
         [0062]    As discussed in relation to  FIG. 5 , the width of the neck  52  is slightly less than the width of the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22  of the post  20 , so that the neck  52  can fit into the elongated portion  26 , when the rail  30  is lowered. However, the height of the neck  52  is greater than the width of the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22  to prevent translational movement of the rail  30  when it is in the locked position. 
         [0063]    In operational use, the head  44 ,  54  of an end section  40 ,  50  of a rail  30  is inserted into the enlarged portion  24  of a slot  22  of a support structure, such as a post  20 . The rail  30  is then moved to the locked position by rotating the rail  30 , preferably through 180 degrees, and lowering the rail  30  towards the bottom of the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22  of the post  20 . In this position, the head  44 ,  54  of the end section  40 ,  50  abuts an inner wall of the post  20  and the neck  42 ,  52  of the end section  40 ,  50  abuts the bottom of the elongated portion  24  of the slot  22  of the post  20 . As described in relation to  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   c  and  FIG. 6   a , the head  44 ,  54  of the end section  40 ,  50 , in these embodiments, is circular with a planar top  46 ,  58 . This shape is complementary to the shape of the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22  of the post  20 , as described in relation to  FIG. 3   b . Accordingly, the head  44 ,  54  of the end section  40 ,  50  of the rail  30  must be oriented with the planar top  46 ,  58  facing upward in order for the head  44 ,  54  to fit in the elongated portion  26  of the slot  22  of the post  20 . Once the rail  30  is rotated and lowered, the planar top  46 ,  58  faces downward. Thus, if the rail  30  is vertically displaced, it cannot be released from the enlarged portion  24  of the slot  22  of the post  20  because the circular portion of the head  44  will abut an inner wall of the post  20 . In order to be released from the slot  22  of the post  20 , the rail  30  must be lifted and rotated, preferably through 180 degrees, thereby aligning the planar top  46 ,  58  of the head  44 ,  54  with the planar portion  28  of the slot  22  of the post  20 . 
         [0064]    Advantages of the present invention over the prior art include, but are not limited to, the compactness and portability of the demountable enclosure  10  or support structure. By way of example, approximately thirty panels comprised of two rails  30  and two posts  20  can be placed in a tool box that is 1200 mm in length, 350 mm in width and 300 mm in height. This is sufficient to assemble an enclosure  10  that is 4 metres square. 
         [0065]    Further, the enclosure  10  or support structure is easy to assemble and disassemble. The locking feature of the rails  30  makes the enclosure  10  safe for confining animals such as horses for temporary periods. In addition, the demountable enclosure  10  is safer to use than some prior art enclosures such as electric fences. As the posts  20  of the enclosure  10  can be connected with any rail  30 , the size and shape of the enclosure  10  can be selected by the user, and varied according to the type or number of animals being housed, and the available space. 
         [0066]    The demountable enclosure  10  of the present invention could be used to confine larger animals. The enclosure  10  could also be used to confine wild or lively animals. In this application, the rails  30  and posts  20  of the enclosure  10  could be manufactured out of a heavy material such as solid metal to withstand the force of such animals. The height of the posts  20  could be increased and additional rails  30  could be added to the enclosure for greater stability. 
         [0067]    The present invention could be used as a support structure for a variety of uses, such as for stacking pallets. The present invention could also be adapted for use as a fence, a trellis for a garden, click together shelving, scaffolding, and vet crushes. Persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention could be used in many additional applications. 
         [0068]    The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.