AU2006225275B2

AU2006225275B2 - A Mobilizer

Info

Publication number: AU2006225275B2
Application number: AU2006225275A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gregory McCallum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2006-10-06
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-06
Also published as: AU2006225275A1

Description

-1- Gregory McCallum

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A Mobilizer The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: O -2- FIELD OF THE INVENTION SAccording to one aspect, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for o transporting a structure from one location to another. According to another aspect, the 0 invention concerns a mobile animal enclosure, such as a mobile chicken pen.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sometimes it is necessary to move structures, such as sheds, animal enclosures chicken pens) and large containers, from one location to another. Usually, such t structures are dragged along the ground to the desired location. However, the structures Smay be heavy and difficult to move, and damage may be caused to both the structures and the ground when dragging the structures along the ground.

Some structures are equipped with skids and/or one or more lifting handles to making dragging and/or lifting of the structures easier. Nevertheless, the structures may still be difficult to lift and move, and damage may still be caused to both the structures and the ground. Also, if the structure lacks a floor and is used to house small animals, then such animals could potentially escape if the structure is raised too far above the ground.

OBJECTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to minimise or overcome at least one of the problems referred to above, or to provide the public with a useful commercial choice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobilizer for mobilizing a structure such that the structure may be wheeled from one location to another, said mobilizer comprising: a first wheeled assembly attachable to a first region of the structure and being moveable between a resting position in which the first region rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised above the ground surface; and a second wheeled assembly attachable to a second region of the structure and being moveable between a resting position in which the second region rests on the ground I-3surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the ground surface, O wherein when the first and second wheeled assemblies are in the transporting position, the structure may be wheeled from one location to another.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transporting a structure from one location to another, said method comprising the steps of: IN attaching a first wheeled assembly to a first region of the structure such that the first wheeled assembly is moveable between a resting position in which the first region rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised above the ground surface; attaching a second wheeled assembly to a second region of the structure such that the second wheeled assembly is moveable between a resting position in which the second region rests on the ground surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the ground surface; and moving the first and second wheeled assemblies to the transporting position such that the structure may be wheeled from one location to another.

The structure may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. The structure may be made of any suitable material or materials. The structure may be in the form of an enclosure for an animal, a shed or other type of portable building. Alternatively, the structure may be in the form of a platform, a deck, a tray, or a container. Preferably, the structure serves as an enclosure for animals, such as a chicken pen.

Preferably, the first region is at one end of the enclosure and the second region is at an opposing end of the enclosure.

The first wheeled assembly may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. The first wheeled assembly may have any suitable number of wheels. The wheels may be of the type that can swivel (i.e.

castors) or the wheels may not be able to swivel. Preferably, the first wheeled assembly comprises a pair of wheels and one or more mounts for attaching the wheels to the first region. Any suitable type of mount may be used.

IND -4- The first wheeled assembly may be able to steer the structure.

The first wheeled assembly may be moveable between the resting position and O transporting position in any suitable way. For example, the wheels may be pivotally mounted to the first region or otherwise mounted and movable relative to the first region.

Preferably, the wheels are pivoted between the resting and transporting positions.

Pivoting of the wheels may be achieved in any suitable way. Preferably, each mount of the first wheeled assembly comprises a lever extending from a said wheel, a pivot pin extending laterally of each said lever and a retainer attachable to a free end of each said pivot pin. The pivot pin may extend through an opening in the first region and the retainer may hold the pivot pin in place such that the wheel may be pivoted using the lever.

A free end of the lever may serve as a handle for raising and lowering the wheel.

An over-centre pivoting arrangement may enable the first region to be raised relative to the ground surface when the lever is raised, and vice-versa.

Preferably, the lever is a tube, the wheel is pinned to an end of the lever, the pivot pin has a threaded end, and the retainer is a nut.

The first wheeled assembly may include a retaining mechanism for retaining the free end of the lever when the first region has been raised. Any suitable type of retaining mechanism may be used. For instance, the retaining mechanism may comprise a collar that is attached to the structure and is engageable by the free end of the lever.

Alternatively, the retaining mechanism may be an over-centre locking arrangement.

The second wheeled assembly may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. The second wheeled assembly may be made of any suitable material or materials. The second wheeled assembly may have any suitable number of wheels, but preferably has two wheels. The wheels may be able to swivel or the wheels may not be able to swivel.

The second wheeled assembly may be as described for the first wheeled assembly.

Preferably, the second wheel assembly may be used to steer the structure, and this may be achieved in any suitable way.

Preferably, the second wheeled assembly comprises a trolley jack or hand truck attached to or attachable to the second region, and pivoting of the trolley jack causes the second region to be either raised or lowered relative to the ground surface.

IThe trolley jack or hand truck may be attached to or attachable to the second region in any suitable way, eg. by way of a universal joint or a tow bar and lifting pin arrangement.

Preferably, the second wheeled assembly comprises a tow bar extending from the second region and a trolley jack having a lifting pin that is engagable with an opening in the tow bar.

The tow bar may be extendable relative to the structure so as to provide additional clearance for the wheels should the structure need to be steered. The tow bar may be extendable in any suitable way.

The trolley jack may comprise an axle, a pair of wheels connected to the axle, a lever extending upwardly from the axle, a lifting arm extending laterally and forwardly of the lever or axle, and a lifting finger extending upwardly from the lifting arm. A free end of the lever may serve as a handle and may be of any suitable shape. Preferably, the lever is tubular and a handle extends laterally of the lever.

The trolley jack may comprise support members, such as gussets.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transportable animal enclosure comprising: an enclosure structure for enclosing an animal; a first wheeled assembly attached or attachable to a first region of the enclosure structure and being moveable between a resting position in which the first region rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised above the ground surface; and a second wheeled assembly attached or attachable to a second region of the enclosure structure and being moveable between a resting position in which the second region rests on the ground surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the ground surface, O) -6- O with the construction and arrangement being such that when both the first and ri second regions are raised, the enclosure may be wheeled from one location to another.

Preferably, the enclosure structure is a pen for chickens.

oO 00 The enclosure structure may be of any suitable size, shape and construction, and may be made of any suitable material or materials. The enclosure structure may be, for example, rectangular or dome-shaped. Preferably, the enclosure structure has a pair of (Ni side walls, a pair of end walls and a roof. The enclosure structure may have a floor. The Nenclosure structure may have a framework and mesh extending between frame members Sof the framework. The enclosure structure may have a gate that may be locked when in a closed position. The enclosure structure may have typical features of chicken pens, such as a laying box and a roost. Part of the enclosure structure may be clad with panels so as to protected an enclosed animal from the elements.

The first and second wheeled assemblies may be as described in respect of the first and second aspects of the invention.

Definitions of the specific embodiments of the invention as claimed herein follow.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a mobilizer for mobilizing a structure such that the structure may be wheeled from one location to another, said mobilizer comprising: a first wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand-operable lever extending from the wheel; and a second wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand-operable lever extending from the wheel, wherein the first wheeled assembly is attachable to a first region of the structure and the wheel of the first wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the first wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the first region rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised above the ground surface, wherein the second wheeled assembly is attachable to a second region of the structure and the wheel of the second wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the second wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the second region 00 -7rests on the ground surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the ground surface, and wherein when the wheels of the first and second wheeled assemblies are in the 00

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Otransporting position, the structure may be wheeled from one location to another.

t 5 According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided a transportable animal enclosure comprising: an enclosure structure for enclosing an animal; a first wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand-operable lever extending from the wheel; and a second wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand-operable lever extending from the wheel, wherein the first wheeled assembly is attached or attachable to a first region of the enclosure structure and the wheel of the first wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the first wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the first region rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised above the ground surface, wherein the second wheeled assembly is attached or attachable to a second region of the enclosure structure and the wheel of the second wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the second wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the second region rests on the ground surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the ground surface, and with the construction and arrangement being such that when the wheels of the first and second wheeled assemblies are in the transporting position, the enclosure structure may be wheeled from one location to another.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for transporting a structure from one location to another, said method comprising the steps of: attaching a first wheeled assembly, comprising a least one wheel and a handoperable lever extending from the wheel, to a first region of the structure such that the wheel is pivotable by way of the lever between a resting position in which the first region o00 -8- O rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised C above the ground surface; attaching a second wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand- 00 0operable lever extending from the wheel to a second region of the structure such that the wheel of the second wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the second wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the second region rests on the N ground surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the N, ground surface, and

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moving the wheels of the first and second wheeled assemblies to the transporting position such that the structure may be wheeled from one location to another.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile pen according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the mobile pen shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an end elevation view of part of the mobile pen shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side elevation view of part of the mobile pen shown in Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a front elevation view of part of the mobile pen shown in Figure 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like features.

The figures show a mobile pen 1 for chickens a chicken tractor). The mobile pen 1 includes a rectangular enclosure 2 for chickens, a first wheeled assembly 10 Oa, at a first region 3 of the enclosure 2 and a second wheeled assembly 20a, 20b at a second region 5 of the enclosure 2.

00 -9- O The enclosure 2 comprises a framework of metal frame members and mesh extending between those frame members. The second region 5 is clad with metal panels c317 and these protect the chickens from the elements.

00 SThe enclosure 2 has a pair of end walls 11, 12, a pair of side walls 13, 14 and a roof 15. The clad section of the roof 15 is hinged to a remainder of the roof 15 and may be raised and lowered. A prop may be used to keep the clad section of the roof 15 raised.

t¢ End wall 11 has a hinged gate 16 (only shown in Figure 1) that is lockable by way of a locking bolt 19 when in a closed position. The enclosure 2 also has a laying box and a roost (not shown) located within the clad end of the enclosure 2. The enclosure 2 lacks a NI 10 base wall, although this need not necessarily be the case.

The first wheeled assembly 10a, 10b comprises a pair of wheels 30 and mounts for mounting the wheels 30 to a respective side wall 13, 14. Each mount comprises a lever 31 having an end to which is pinned a wheel 30 and a free end which serves as a handle.

As seen in Figure 4, a bolt 33 extends laterally of the lever 31 and serves as a pivot pin. A threaded end 36 of the bolt 33 is extendable through an opening (not shown) in a side wall 13, 14 of the enclosure 2. The mounts also include nuts (not shown) that are attachable to the threaded ends 36 of the bolts 33, to retain the bolts 33 within the openings. A head of the bolt 33 serves as a spacer between the lever 31 and the side wall 13, 14.

Each mount also comprises a D-shaped bolt 40 attached to each side wall 13, 14 and a respective ring 41 extending therefrom. The ring 41 may be raised and lowered relative to the D-shaped bolt The wheels 30 may each be pivoted between a resting position (as seen in Figures 1 and 2) and a transporting position (as seen in Figure When the wheels 30 are in the resting position, then the enclosure 2 rests of the ground surface. When the wheels 30 are in the transporting position, then the enclosure 2 is raised above the ground surface. In order to move the wheels 30 to the transporting position, an operator grips the free end of the lever 31 and pivots the lever 31 upwardly, as seen in Figure 3. The over-centre pivot arrangement causes the first region 3 to rise as the lever 31 is lifted. In the transportation position, the lever 31 can engage the ring 41 and be retained by the ring 41.

Referring now to Figures 1, 5 and 6, the second wheeled assembly 20a, comprises a trolley jack 20a and a tow bar 20b. The trolley jack 20a comprises an axle 00 O 50, a lever 51 extending upwardly from the axle 50, a lifting arm 55 extending laterally N, and forwardly of the lever 51, and a lifting pin 56 extending upwardly from the lifting Sarm 55. The trolley jack 20a also comprises a pair of wheels 53 connected to the axle 00 A free-end of the lever 51 has a laterally extending handle 58. A pair of support gussets 59 extend between the axle 50 and the lever 51.

The tow bar 20b is Z-shaped, it has a lower end 63 attached to end wall 12 and an t upper end 64 having an opening for the lifting pin 56.

IND In use, the enclosure 2 rests on the ground surface with wheels 30 in the resting position and the trolley jack 20a disengaged from the tow bar 20b, as seen in Figure 1. In order to transport the mobile pen 1 to another location, each lever 31 is raised and retained by the rings 41, and the lifting pin 56 is made to engage and lift the tow bar by way of pulling down on lever 51. In the transportation position the enclosure 2 is about 80 mm above the ground surface (too small a clearance through which chickens could escape). The trolley jack 20a may then be used to pull and steer the enclosure 2.

An advantage of the present invention is that the enclosure may be readily wheeled from one location to another without much effort.

Another advantage is that the enclosure can be made to rest flat on the ground surface when not being transported.

Yet another advantage is that animals would find it difficult to escape from the enclosure during transport as there will only ever be clearance of about 80mm between the ground surface and the enclosure.

Yet another advantage is that the first and second wheeled assemblies may be readily retrofitted to different types of structures, such as animal enclosures, sheds, containers and trays, so as to mobilize those structures.

The term "comprise" and variants of the term such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

00 -11o Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, c many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art Swithout departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

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Claims

2. The mobilizer of claim 1, wherein the structure is an enclosure for an animal.
3. The mobilizer of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first wheeled assembly comprises a pair of wheels and a pair of mounts for attaching the wheels to the first region.
4. The mobilizer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second wheeled assembly comprises a trolley jack. 00 -13- The mobilizer of claim 4, wherein the second wheeled assembly further comprises N, a tow bar extending from the second region and the trolley jack has a lifting pin that is Zengagable with an opening in the tow bar. 00
6. The mobilizer of claim 5, wherein the trolley jack comprises a pair of wheels, an axle extending between the wheels, said lever extending upwardly from the axle, a lifting arm extending laterally and forwardly of the lever or axle, and a lifting finger extending Supwardly from the lifting arm. IN 7. A transportable animal enclosure comprising: an enclosure structure for enclosing an animal; a first wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand-operable lever extending from the wheel; and a second wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand-operable lever extending from the wheel, wherein the first wheeled assembly is attached or attachable to a first region of the enclosure structure and the wheel of the first wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the first wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the first region rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised above the ground surface, wherein the second wheeled assembly is attached or attachable to a second region of the enclosure structure and the wheel of the second wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the second wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the second region rests on the ground surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the ground surface, and with the construction and arrangement being such that when the wheels of the first and second wheeled assemblies are in the transporting position, the enclosure structure may be wheeled from one location to another.
8. The transportable animal enclosure of claim 7, wherein the enclosure structure is a pen for chickens. I 00 -14- O 9. The transportable animal enclosure of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the enclosure I structure comprises a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The transportable animal enclosure of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first 00 wheeled assembly comprises a pair of wheels and a pair of mounts for attaching the wheels to the first region.
11. The transportable animal enclosure of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the second wheeled assembly comprises a trolley jack. (-i
12. The transportable animal enclosure of claim 11, wherein the second wheeled assembly further comprises a tow bar extending from the second region and the trolley jack has a lifting pin that is engagable with an opening in the tow bar.
13. The transportable animal enclosure of claim 12, wherein the trolley jack comprises a pair of wheels, an axle extending between the wheels, said lever extending upwardly from the axle, a lifting arm extending laterally and forwardly of the lever or axle, and a lifting finger extending upwardly from the lifting arm.
14. A method for transporting a structure from one location to another, said method comprising the steps of: attaching a first wheeled assembly, comprising a least one wheel and a hand- operable lever extending from the wheel, to a first region of the structure such that the wheel is pivotable by way of the lever between a resting position in which the first region rests on a ground surface and a transporting position wherein the first region is raised above the ground surface; attaching a second wheeled assembly comprising at least one wheel and a hand- operable lever extending from the wheel to a second region of the structure such that the wheel of the second wheeled assembly is pivotable by way of the lever of the second wheeled assembly between a resting position in which the second region rests on the ground surface and a transporting position wherein the second region is raised above the ground surface, and moving the wheels of the first and second wheeled assemblies to the transporting position such that the structure may be wheeled from one location to another. 00 O 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the structure is an enclosure for an animal.
16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the first wheeled assembly -n comprises a pair of wheels and a pair of mounts for attaching the wheels to the first 00 region.
17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the second wheeled assembly ,IC comprises a trolley jack. In
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second wheeled assembly further comprises I a tow bar extending from the second region and the trolley jack has a lifting pin that is engagable with an opening in the tow bar.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein trolley jack comprises a pair of wheels, an axle extending between the wheels, said lever extending upwardly from the axle, a lifting arm extending laterally and forwardly of the lever or axle, and a lifting finger extending upwardly from the lifting arm. A transportable animal enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. By the patent attorneys for the applicant CULLEN CO. Date: 8 July 2008