U.S. patent application number 11/965246 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for plate element for ground preparation of horse-riding fields and method of manufacturing the plate element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Heidi Moosdorf. Invention is credited to Werner Otto.
Application Number | 20080260459 11/965246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39466137 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080260459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Otto; Werner |
October 23, 2008 |
Plate Element for Ground Preparation of Horse-Riding Fields and
Method of Manufacturing the Plate Element
Abstract
A plate element for ground preparation of horse-riding fields
with a plate element body is made of a plastic and/or rubber
material. An entire surface of the plate element body is provided
with a sealant made of petroleum jelly, for example. The sealant
provides long-lasting protection from damage/destruction, and
ensures long-lasting protection from the environment.
Inventors: |
Otto; Werner; (Altdorf,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER GREENBERG STEMER LLP
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Assignee: |
Moosdorf; Heidi
Ursensollen
DE
Otto; Werner
Altdorf
DE
Otto; Wolfgang
Altdorf
DE
|
Family ID: |
39466137 |
Appl. No.: |
11/965246 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/18 ;
264/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 5/20 20130101; E01C
13/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/18 ;
264/39 |
International
Class: |
E01C 5/22 20060101
E01C005/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 19, 2007 |
DE |
20 2007 005 678.8 |
Claims
1. A plate element for ground preparation of horse-riding fields,
the plate element comprising: a plate element body made of at least
one material selected from the group consisting of plastics and
rubber materials and having a surface; and a sealant entirely
covering said surface of said plate element body.
2. The plate element according to claim 1, wherein said sealant is
a resistant, fluid-proof coating.
3. The plate element according to claim 2, wherein said coating is
formed of a weather-resistant material.
4. The plate element according to claim 3, wherein said coating is
formed form a material selected from the group consisting of
petroleum jelly, lacquer, and paint.
5. The plate element according to claim 1, wherein said plate
element body (10) contains recycled material.
6. A method for manufacturing a plate element for ground
preparation of horse-riding fields, which comprises the steps of:
producing a plate element body made from at least one material
selected from the group consisting of plastics and rubber
materials; and sealing of an entire surface of the plate element
body.
7. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises
carrying out the sealing step by at least one of immersion,
spraying, atomization and a vapor deposition method.
8. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises
applying a resistant, fluid-proof coating made of a
weather-resistant material during the sealing step.
9. The method according to claim 8, which further comprises
selecting the coating from the group consisting of petroleum jelly,
lacquer, and paint.
10. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises:
cleaning surfaces of the plate element body; immersing the plate
element body in a petroleum jelly-containing fluid; and air drying
the plate element body coated with a petroleum jelly layer.
11. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises
producing the plate element body at least partially from recycled
material.
12. A method for manufacturing a plate element for ground
preparation of horse-riding fields, which comprises the steps of:
producing a plate element body from at least one material selected
from the group consisting of plastic and rubber material; cleaning
surfaces of the plate element body; immersing the plate element
body in a petroleum jelly-containing fluid; and air drying the
plate element body coated with a petroleum jelly layer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119, of German application DE 20 2007 005 678.8, filed Apr. 19,
2007; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a plate element for ground
preparation of horse-riding fields as well as to a method for its
manufacture.
[0003] Plates for ground preparation of horse-riding fields should
ensure both elasticity when exposed to loads and also
sure-footedness for the horses. Depending on the soil constitution
and the climate conditions, they should also possess the capacity
to hold water, or drain off excess water.
[0004] The plates for ground preparation of horse-riding fields are
appropriate for horse-riding fields of any type, i.e., both for
outside facilities and also for inside facilities. In particular,
using such plates for ground preparation of horse-riding fields,
the foundations for tournament fields for show jumping and dressage
competitions, paddocks, stables, and similar facilities, can be
prepared optimally.
[0005] Plates for ground preparation of horse-riding fields of this
type are known to the person skilled in the art, for example, from
European patent EP 0 667 927 B1, or from German Utility Model DE
200 19 812 U1, or as the riding mats of the company Otto Sport-und
Reitplatz GmbH, Germany. These plates for ground preparation of
horse-riding fields are formed substantially of a plate element
body made of an elastic material (plastic, rubber). The latter body
presents a sheet-like plate body, on whose bottom side, for
example, a plurality of projections are provided for anchoring the
plate element on a foundation and for increasing the elasticity of
the entire plate, and whose top side is configured, for example,
with projections and cup-shaped recesses. The projections on the
top side are preferably configured with two different heights, and
their purpose is to ensure a sure foothold for the horses, while
the cup-shaped recesses function as water reservoirs. In addition,
the plate body can be provided with perforations to allow excess
water to drain off.
[0006] If the plates for ground preparation of horse-riding fields
have been placed according to their intended purpose, they are
generally exposed to high loads. In addition being exposed to
mechanical loads due to vehicle traffic or foot traffic on the
horse-riding fields that have been prepared with such plates, the
plates for fixing to the ground are also exposed to (bio)chemical
stresses, particularly caused by water (rainwater, groundwater) and
horse excretions (urine, feces). Therefore, there is a potential
risk of foreign substances attacking the plate elements, or
penetrating into them, so that the plate elements are damaged or
destroyed, or they generate noxious substances, or odors, which are
then released into the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
plate element for ground preparation of horse-riding fields that
overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art
devices of this general type, which element, when used according to
its intended purpose, provides long-lasting protection from
damage/destruction, and ensures long-lasting protection of the
environment.
[0008] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a plate element for
ground preparation of horse-riding fields. The plate element
contains a plate element body made of a plastic and/or rubber
material and has a surface. A sealant entirely covers the surface
of the plate element body.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is
solved by a plate element for ground preparation of horse-riding
fields, which includes a plate element body made of a plastic
and/or rubber material whose entire surface is provided with a
sealant.
[0010] As a result of the complete sealing of the plate element
body, the plate element is provided with long-lasting protection
from attacks by foreign substances. A reliable way is provided to
prevent foreign substances from attacking the plate elements or
penetrating into them, and in this way one prevents that the plate
elements are damaged or destroyed, or that they generate noxious
substances, or odors, which are then released into the environment.
Furthermore, as a result of the sealing, the possibility also
exists of using any material for the manufacture of the plate
element body, without endangering the environment, because no
noxious substances from the plate element body can be released
outside into the environment. As a secondary effect, the sealant,
if the material is chosen appropriately, can also achieve an even
coloration of the plate element, which improves the appearance of
the plate element.
[0011] The sealant is formed of preferably a resistant (if the
plate elements are used according to their intended purpose),
long-lastingly fluid-proof (gases and fluids) coating made of a
weathering-resistant material (for example, petroleum jelly,
lacquer, paint, or a similar material).
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate
element body is formed entirely or partially of a recycled
material.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, the
above-mentioned problem is solved by a method for the manufacture
of a plate element for ground preparation of horse-riding fields,
with the steps of producing a plate element body from a plastic
and/or rubber material, and of sealing the entire surface of the
plate element body.
[0014] The sealing step can be carried out, for example, by an
immersion method or by a spraying, atomization or vapor deposition
method.
[0015] A currently preferred method for manufacturing the plate
element includes the steps of producing a plate element body,
cleaning the surfaces of the plate element body, immersing the
clean plate element body in liquid petroleum jelly, and air-drying
the plate element body which has been coated with a petroleum jelly
layer.
[0016] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0017] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a plate element for ground preparation of
horse-riding fields, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited
to the details shown, since various modifications and structural
changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of
the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the
claims.
[0018] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a top side of
a preferred embodiment of a plate element according to the
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 2 is diagrammatic, perspective view of a bottom side of
a plate element according to the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and
first, particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a
plate element body 10 of a plate for ground preparation of
horse-riding fields, as sold currently, for example, by the company
Otto Sport-und Reitplatz GmbH, Germany.
[0022] The plate element body 10 is formed of an elastic plastic
and/or rubber material, and it presents a sheet-like plate body. On
a top side of the plate element body 10 (see FIG. 1), a plurality
of projections 12 and cup-shaped recesses 14 (formed by ring-shaped
projections) are formed. The projections 12 are configured
preferably with two different heights, and they ensure a sure
foothold for the horses; the cup-shaped recesses 14 function as
water reservoirs. In addition, the plate element body 10 is
provided with a plurality of perforations 16, which allow the rapid
drainage of excess water on the surface of the plate element body
10.
[0023] As represented in FIG. 2, a plurality of ring-shaped
projections 18 is provided on the bottom side of the plate element
body 10 for anchoring the plate element on the foundation and for
increasing the elasticity of the entire plate element. The
ring-shaped projections 18 are here configured to be concentric
with respect to the circular perforations 16 in the plate element
body 10.
[0024] Although the invention is explained in reference to the
plate element body 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 as a preferred embodiment
example, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to
it, rather numerous changes and modifications can be made to the
plate element body.
[0025] Thus, for example, the perforations 16 in the plate element
body can be omitted. Moreover, the projections or knobs 12 on the
top side of the plate element body 10 do not necessarily have to
have two different heights. The cup-shaped recesses 14 can also be
formed, if so desired, by recesses in the surface of the sheet-like
plate body, or they can be omitted entirely. In addition, the plate
element body 10 is not limited to the conical configuration of the
projections 12, 14, 18.
[0026] The plate element bodies 10 of the plate elements are
produced, for example, from a recycled material, and manufactured
by injection molding, or compression molding and stamping.
[0027] A preferred embodiment example of a method for manufacturing
a plate element according to the invention for the ground
preparation of horse-riding fields will now be described in greater
detail.
[0028] After the production of the plate element body 10, for
example, in the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the entire
surfaces of the plate element body 10 are sealed.
[0029] For the sealing, the plate element bodies are first cleaned
to remove dirt, oil and fat, before a coating of a sealing material
20 is applied. The sealant here is formed preferably of a coating
20, which (if the plate elements are used according to the intended
purpose) is resistant (i.e., particularly resistance to weathering,
resistance to shock, etc.), long-lastingly fluid-proof (i.e., for
gases and fluids of any type), and made of a weather-resistant
material, (for example, petroleum jelly, lacquer, paint, or a
similar material). Alternatively, the sealing can also be a
nanotechnical coating.
[0030] The application of the given coating is carried out, for
example, by an immersion method, or by a spraying, atomization or
vapor deposition method, or, if so desired, by a combination of
several of these methods, for the purpose of coating the entire
surface of the plate element body 10. Subsequently, the applied
coating 20 is hardened (for example, simply by air drying).
[0031] In the currently preferred embodiment, after the plate
element body has been produced, its surfaces are first cleaned.
Then, the plate element body 10 is immersed in a petroleum
jelly-containing fluid (for example, fluid petroleum jelly, or a
fluid petroleum jelly-water mixture). Depending on the type of
petroleum jelly used, it has a melting point of approximately
35-60.degree. C. After the plate element body 10 has been pulled
out of the fluid and optionally after excess fluid has been shaken
off, the plate element body 10, which is coated with a petroleum
jelly layer, is simply subjected to air drying, during which the
petroleum jelly sealing of the surfaces of the plate element body
10 hardens sufficiently.
[0032] Alternatively, it is also possible to consider producing the
plate element body 10 from a granulate, whose grains are coated
with a sealing material, i.e., for example, the body may be
entirely coated, or just simply wetted. During the melting of this
granulate to produce the plate element body 10 (the melting point
of petroleum jelly, for example, is substantially lower than the
melting point of, for example, a plastic material that is
appropriate for the plate element body), enough sealing material
automatically reaches the surface area of the form of the plate
element body 10. Thus, in the step of producing the plate element
body, the latter's entire surfaces are sealed at the same time.
[0033] The sealing achieves an effective protection of the plate
elements against the penetration of foreign substances (for
example, urine, feces, contaminants in rainwater or groundwater)
into the plate element bodies, and the release of noxious
substances or odors from the plate element bodies into the
environment. As a result, it is also possible particularly to use
any recycled materials for the plate element bodies without
restrictions, because environmental protection is ensured in any
case.
[0034] In addition, the sealing coating can contribute, depending
on the selection of the coating material, to an even coloration of
the plate element.
[0035] The above described plate element and the above described
method for its manufacture can be used appropriately for any riding
mats, and particularly also for the currently marketed riding mats
of the Otto Sport-und Reitplatz GmbH or the Wannerplast GmbH (both
Germany).
* * * * *