VENTILATION SYSTEMS

Abstract: A ventilation system for a moveable structure, such as a mobile livestock container. The system incorporates a number of elongate louvre panels (1) arranged within a rectangular frame structure (2) positioned within an elongate side panel of the container. The panels (1) are pivotable about a vertical axis (7), so as to regulate airflow within the container. The invention includes remote actuation of the panels, automatic control of panel position and motorised vehicles including the ventilation system.

Description: VENTILATION SYSTEMS The invention relates to ventilation systems, in particular for movable structures, such as mobile livestock containers. Livestock containers are usually provided with side vents which may be opened to control the airflow. The vents, known from the prior art are generally independent lengths of a material such as wood, running horizontally along the length of the container. These vents are opened or closed by moving along the vehicle and manually adjusting each one individually by moving them from a fully closed position to fully open, there being no provision for any intermediate setting. In addition, livestock containers are conventionally provided with internal guide rails to prevent the animals from pushing any parts of their bodies out of the vent apertures when the vents are open. Guard rails are typically horizontal bars, the maximum spacing between each bar being determined by official regulations. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ventilation system. The invention provides a ventilation system for a movable structure, the ventilation system being characterised by a support structure having a plurality of elongate panels extending upwardly, the panels each being pivotable about an upwardly extending axis, to allow and promote air flow between the panels, as the structure moves. Preferably, the movable structure is a mobile livestock container. The elongate panels are preferably interconnected by an actuating member for pivotal movement as a group. The actuating member may have a plurality of guide members, one for each panel, each guide member being in sliding engagement with the associated panel. The actuating member may be provided with an operating member, for example a handle. The position of each panel may be infinitely variable between a fully open and a fully closed position. The spacing and positioning of the elongate panels may be such that animals are unable to push any parts of their bodies between the elongate panels, thus rendering horizontal guard rails unnecessary. Each of the panels may be removable from the support structure. Each panel may be removable by means of an axially movable pivot member. The movable pivot member may be biased into a projecting position, but be movable against the bias into a retracted position, to free the panel. The ventilation system may include remote actuating means operable from a vehicle cab. There may be a temperature sensor provided within the interior of the movable structure, associated with a control means for the automatic regulation of the position of the panels. The invention includes a motorised vehicle for the transportation of livestock, equipped with a ventilation system as described above. Some or all of the novel features described above may be usefully applied to the prior art arrangement, having horizontal panels. By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the invention in three different operating states; Figure 4(a) to 4(c) are schematic plan views of one of the panels of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3; and Figures 5a and 5b show further details of one of the panels. Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, it can be seen that the ventilation system of the present invention incorporates a number of elongate louvre panels 1 arranged vertically within a rectangular frame structure 2. The frame structure 2 is designed to be positioned within the elongate side panels of a mobile livestock container. Each panel 1 is connected to the frame by a pivot mechanism 6 (to be described in more detail later) which permits the vent to rotate about a vertical axis 7. Movement of the panels from one position to another is achieved by means of a handle 9 connected to an actuating rod 5, common to all the panels within the frame. Pegs 3 project downwardly from the rod 5 at intervals. Each panel has a guide channel 4 formed in its uppermost surface and one peg 3 projects into each channel 4. Horizontal movement of the actuating rod 5 from left to right, as viewed in Figures 1 to 3, causes the pegs 3 to slide within the guide channels 4 which brings about a corresponding rotational movement of the panels around pivot points 6. Therefore, as can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, manipulation of the handle 9 enables an infinitely variable adjustment of the ventilation system. Figure 1 shows the ventilation system in the fully open maximum airflow position. Forward motion of the container, represented by arrow "A" will tend to force air into the livestock container in proportion to the forward velocity. Figure 2 illustrates the 90° position. This position affords maximum viewing access to the interior of the livestock container for inspection of the animals. The longitudinal spacing D, of the panels is limited to a maximum of approximately 100 millimetres. By restricting the spacing in this manner, animals being transported within the container are unable to push any parts of their bodies between the panels. Thus, the necessity for guard rails is avoided and regulations complied with, without the need for additional expense. Figure 3 shows the panels in their fully closed position. This configuration enables maximum protection from adverse weather conditions. The panels are each provided with a rubber seal 8 of an appropriate profile such that closure of the vents will cause compression of the seal 8 against the next panel in the line, thus forming an effective seal. Figures 4(a), (b) and (c) are schematic plan views of the three operating positions of Figures 1 to 3 respectively and show more clearly the movement of each peg 3 within the associated guide channel 4, as explained previously. Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional front elevation of one of the panels in its closed position. The frame 2 of the system is held in place by top and bottom brackets 10 and 11, which may be of an identical construction. The brackets are joined to the frame and the walls of the container by conventional fixing means (not shown) and cause the ventilation mechanism to be slightly recessed within the body of the container. Figure 5(b) is a schematic front view of the panels in their closed position showing details of the lower portion of the pivoting mechanism. A bottom pivot 12 is shown which, in the preferred embodiment, is held in position within a recess or channel 13 by a spring 14. Compression of the spring 14 enables the panel 1 to be removed. In this manner all the individual panels are detachable, so that the side inspection and access doors required by current legislation may be unnecessary and could be replaced by simply removing some of the panels. In addition to the above features preferred embodiments of the invention include remote actuation means (not shown) so that the position of the panels may be adjusted from a remote position, such as, from within the driving cab of a vehicle. The adjustment may be manual or alternatively, automatic adjustment may be provided for. For example, temperature sensors (not shown), may be located within the interior of the livestock container, associated control means (not shown) automatically adjusting the angle of the panels to maintain a given temperature within the container. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims: CLAEMS 1. A ventilation system for a movable structure, the ventilation system being characterised by : a support structure (2) having a plurality of elongate panels (1) extending upwardly, the panels each being pivotable about an upwardly extending axis (6), to allow and promote air flow between the panels, as the structure moves. 2. A system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the movable structure is a mobile livestock container. 3. A system according to Claim 1 or 2. characterised in that the elongate panels (11) are interconnected by an actuating member (15) for pivotal movement as a group. 4. A system according to Claim 3 characterised in that the actuating member has a plurality of guide members (3), one for each panel (1), each guide member (3) being in sliding engagement with the associated panel. 5. A system according to any of the preceding Claims characterised in that the position of each panel is infinitely variable between a fiilly open and a fully closed position. 6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each panel is removable from the support structure (2). 7. A system according to Claim 6, further characterised in that each panel (1) is removable by means of an axially movable pivot member (12). 8. A system according to Claim 7, further characterised in that the movable pivot member (12) can be biased into a projecting position, but is movable against the bias into a retracted position, to free the panel (1). 9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that remote actuating means are provided operable from inside a vehicle cab. 10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that a temperature sensor is provided within the interior of the movable structure, associated with a control means for the automatic regulation of the position of the panels. 11. A motorised vehicle for transportation of livestock characterised in that the vehicle is equipped with a ventilation system according to any one of the preceding Claims.

Inventors: HOUGHTON MICHAEL JOHN, HOUGHTON, MICHAEL, JOHN
Applicants: HOUGHTON MICHAEL JOHN, HOUGHTON, MICHAEL, JOHN
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B65D88
IPC codes: A01K1, B65D88