Corral panel

The corral panel is a generally V-shaped body generally forming an isosceles triangle. A first pole, a second pole and at least one crossbar form the corral panel. The first and second poles are substantially equal in length. Each pole has a first end and a second end. The second end of each pole is joined together to define a vertex of the V-shaped body. The corral panel is used to create an oblique corral assembly by joining an inverted triangular corral panel between adjoining rectangular corral panels to form a round corral in which the corral panels slope obliquely outward relative to vertical.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to corral panels. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable corral panel and a method for creating oblique corral assemblies.

2. Description of the Related Art

Corral panels may be arranged to make any shape of enclosure, the most common shapes being circular or of the square/rectangular variety. Portable corrals are often formed by joining together a number of rectangular panels in a shape that, while technically polygonal, has a sufficient number of panels that the corral is referred to as a round corral. In such a corral, the panels are disposed perpendicular to the ground.

Corrals come in a variety of sizes and are effective for fencing in or keeping out animals. Horse corrals are effective in retaining horses, but can be harmful to both a rider and a reined horse. For instance, in the type of corral described above, it is highly possible that the rider's foot can become caught on the perpendicular corral panels, or between the joints in the panels. It is also possible that reins on a horse may be caught on the erect corral panel or in the joints between panels, jerking and possibly harming the horse.

A corral panel is desired that can be positioned to create an oblique corral assembly that angles out or slopes outward as the corral rises above the ground to provide room for the rider's feet when riding the horse in the corral and to prevent the reined horse from accidentally being caught on the corral panel. Thus, a corral panel solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The corral panel is a generally V-shaped body. A first pole, a second pole, and at least one crossbar form the corral panel into a substantially isosceles triangle shape. The first and second poles are substantially equal in length. Each pole has a first end and a second end, the second end of the poles being joined together to define a vertex of the V-shaped body. The crossbar may be placed across the first ends of the poles, forming the base of the triangle, and/or one or more crossbars may be placed between the two poles to form substantially isosceles triangles of smaller area. The corral panel is used to create an oblique corral assembly by joining the corral panel in an inverted position between generally rectangular corral panels. This causes the corral panels to slope or tilt obliquely outward from vertical as the panels rise above the ground, providing a buffer area at the height of a rider's boots or a horse's reins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a corral panel, designated generally as10in the drawings. As shown inFIG. 1, the corral panel10has a V-shaped body generally forming an isosceles triangle. The corral panels10create an oblique corral assembly50by being placed in an inverted position between generally rectangular corral panels30, which causes the corral panels10and30to tilt at outwardly at an oblique angle relative to vertical as the panels10and30rise above the ground. The oblique corral assembly50provides an enclosure for animals, such as horse, cattle or pets.

The oblique corral assembly50is especially useful as a horse corral. The sloping arrangement of the oblique corral assembly50provides added room at the top of the corral that provides additional room in order to prevent a rider from catching their foot on the panels or between the joints in the panels. The added room at the top of the oblique corral assembly50also helps to prevent a horse's reins from being caught on the corral, which could harm the horse.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the corral panel10is formed by a first pole13, a second pole14and a crossbar12. The first and second poles13,14are substantially equal in length and may be any length. Preferably, the poles13,14are about sixty inches long. Each pole13,14has a first end and a second end. The second ends of the poles13,14are joined together to define a vertex20of the V-shaped body.

The crossbar12has a first end and a second end connected between the first end of the first pole13and the second pole14. The crossbar12may be any length. A preferred length is about fifteen inches. The corral panel10may further comprise one or more intermediate crossbars16disposed between the first pole13and the second pole14parallel to crossbar12and defining similar isosceles triangles of smaller area than the triangle defined by crossbar12. The crossbars16provide added strength to the framework of the corral panel10. Panel10may be made to have any one of the intermediate crossbars16, a plurality of crossbars16, or simply just crossbar12across the ends of poles13and14.

The corral panels10are fastened to the generally rectangular panels30by connector pins P. Specifically, connection elements18, extending from outer portions of the poles13,14, are aligned with connection elements32, which extend from the generally rectangular corral panels30. The connector pins P are inserted through holes defined in the connection elements18of panel10and the connection elements32of the generally rectangular panel30to unite the panels together and to create the oblique corral assembly50. Placing inverted corral panels10between the generally rectangular corral panels30creates the oblique corrals. Corral panel10may have two pairs of parallel connector arms18extending from one pole14and a pair of single connector arms18extending from the other pole13that are adapted to link with complementary connector arms32on conventional rectangular portable corral panels30

Referring now toFIG. 3, an alternative corral panel100may be made without the connection elements18of panel10. Corral panel100, like corral panel10, is made of crossbars112,116and poles113,114, which form a vertex120. The corral panel100is designed for use with generally rectangular panels that lack connection elements32or other connection adapters, such as Priefert type corral panels, made by the Priefert Mfg Co. Inc. of Mt. Pleasant, Tex.

Priefert-type panels are assembled into a corral using chains as connectors. The chains are wound between and supported by crossbars on the Priefert-type panels. Therefore, when using panels100with the Priefert type panels, chains are wound around the crossbars116of panels100and the crossbars on the Priefert-type panels to create the oblique corral assembly. Crossbars116, therefore, not only provide support for the poles113,114, but they also provide support for chains when using Priefert-type panels to create the oblique corrals. Placing inverted corral panels100between the Priefert-type corral panels also creates an oblique corral.

The panels10,100are made of lightweight tubing generally used in the art of making portable corral panels. For instance, the panels10,100should be made of lightweight yet sturdy steel that can be easily lifted by one person. The panels10,100may be made using sixteen gauge tubular steel, but other gauges of steel may be used equally as well.