WO2000078129A1

WO2000078129A1 - Animal shelter fabricated from freight container

Info

Publication number: WO2000078129A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Pestell; Ruth Jarosch Pestell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 2000-06-19
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2001-12-17

Abstract

An animal shelter (1) fabricated from a freight container of the type comprising a base (7), a roof (2), end and side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) defining a generally cubic internal space, wherein the shelter (1) includes: at least one penetration (8, 9, 10) in at least one side wall (3) and which is proportioned so as to allow large animals access therethrough; at least one gate (13, 14, 15) fixed to said wall (3) at an edge of said at least one penetration (8, 9, 10) and spanning at least one dimension of said penetration (8, 9, 10), wherein said at least one gate (13, 14, 15) is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate (13, 14, 15) is closed across said at least one penetration (8, 9, 10) and is substantially parallel to said wall (3) and a second position in which the gate (13, 14, 15) is open and is disposed at an angle to said wall (3) within the range 1-180 degrees, thereby allowing animals access into said shelter (1).

Description

ANIMAL SHELTER FABRICATED FROM FREIGHT CONTAINER The present invention relates to animal shelters but more particularly relates to portable animal shelters fabricated from freight containers and also relates to methods for creating such shelters. Whilst the present invention generally relates to shelters for large animals, it may be equally applicable to the production of shelters for smaller animals and in this respect the size of animal to be sheltered might dictate the size of freight container chosen. PRIOR ART

Animal shelters currently come in a wide variety of sizes shapes and are formed from traditional

methods of construction applied to traditional building materials. These may be quite small in the

case where transportation of small animals is required and large in the case of a non portable fixed structure. One problem with large animal shelters is the cost of construction and another is that the resultant product is usually not portable due to the ground engaging anchorage required

for fixtures. Shelters for large animals such as horses are physically large with a substantial foot

print traditionally necessitating their construction as fixtures.

In these circumstances siting of the shelter is critical as the finished structure will be permanent.

As such, the owner cannot easily move the shelter either off site to another location or to another location on the same site. Once the shelter is constructed as a fixture, the proprietor is unable to

shift the shelter from its foundations without interfering with the structural integrity of the shelter.

To do so would be a massive operation and is undesirable.

Known animal shelters are generally constructed from metals or timber or a combination of both.

Their construction is labour intensive, time consuming and costly including significant foundation

works which must satisfy council requirements. Traditional animal shelters must be designed

according to size requirements involving cutting of materials and site fabrication. Due to the

nature of construction of traditional animal shelters it is generally not feasible to transport such structures once constructed. In the case for instance, where a keeper of large animals such as horses does not own the property where horses are kept, a fixed structure involves a significant financial outlay and would amount to a loss in the event where the tenant wished to relocate. A fixed structure also precludes rearrangement of animal housing should the need arise.

Another prior art animal shelter is disclosed in US patent 4161 24. This patent discloses a

moulded reinforced plastic dome shaped shelter for animals having a door a base having a floor spaced from the ground, a feeding stall and a track to tether an animal. The patent teaches that

the container may be used as a shipping container. The shelter described is the carry type which is suitable for transport of small animals and was intended to provide a light weight container which

overcame the problem of traditional heavy timber containers. This container is however unsuitable

for shelter of large animals such horses. There is a need for convenient transportable of large animal shelters to enable relocation on a site or to an alternative site and without the risk of

damage to the structure. There is a further need to provide portable animal housing and

particularly large animal housing not subject to the strict regulatory requirements which govern

fixed structures and which include services for maintenance of an animal therein such as water and

electricity.

INVENTION

The present invention seeks to overcome the aforesaid and other prior art disadvantages by

providing an animal shelter which results form the conversion of a heavy duty freight container.

As constructed, freight containers are not suitable for animal housing or transportation as they are

fully enclosed without adequate ventilation and without basic animal requirements such as feed

accessories, compartments and external vision means. The very nature of containers therefore precludes their use for anything other than storage of inert objects. However, the present inventor found that the shell of a container might be adapted to enable the container to be used for purposes other than inert object storage such as livestock and without compromise to the structural integrity of the container during transportation and such that the adequate requirements for the safety and health of animals are satisfied. This was also seen as a solution to the

disadvantages of fixed animal shelters.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable animal shelter fabricated from a shipping or freight container and a convenient method of fabrication thereof which allows use of the

container for portable animal stables. More particularly, the invention provides a free standing large portable animal shelter of robust and solid construction which does not require support by

or anchorage to footings, foundations or the like.

In one broad form of the apparatus aspect the invention comprises:

an animal shelter fabricated from a freight container of the type comprising a base, a roof, end and

side walls, wherein the shelter comprises; a penetration in at least one said walls proportioned so

as to allow animal access therethrough; at least one gate fixed to said wall and spanning at least

one dimension of said opening, wherein each said gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed and is substantially parallel to said wall and a second position

in which the gate is open and disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

Preferably, the animal shelter includes at least one internal partition which divides the shelter into

a plurality of stables. An edge of said partitions engages said base and spans between opposing

inner faces of said walls of said container. Preferably, each said partitions are abbreviated to allow

an opening between an upper edge of said partitions and an inside surface of said roof. Preferably,

the base, roof, ends and sidewalls are made from steel, and the shelter further includes water and

electrical services. The shelter further include an external roof spaced apart from the roof which joins said side walls. According to one embodiment there are at least three stables inside the shelter.

A typical shelter will be is greater in length than its width or height and the penetrations are of the same dimension and are equidistant from each other. At least one gate is mounted on an outer

surface of the wall wherein each said gate has a width greater than the width of each said opening and a height less than half the height of each said opening.

Preferably, the shelter is air conditioned for air quality and/or air temperature.

According to an alternative embodiment the shelter includes on a front wall an awning which

moves between a first state in which it lies in a plane parallel to a wall of said shelter and a second

state in which it is disposed at an angle to said wall wherein in the first state said awning closes at least one opening in said shelter and in the second state said awning closes said at least one opening.

Preferably, the walls and roof of the shelter are corrugated.

In a broad form of the method aspect the present invention comprises:

a method of conversion of a freight container of the type comprising a ground engaging base, a

roof, side and end walls defining a generally cubic internal space, into a portable shelter for housing at least one animal therein: the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming at least one opening in at least one wall of said container;

(c) mounting a gate to a wall of said container wherein the gate is proportioned to span at least one dimension of said at least one opening;

wherein said gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed and substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and disposed at

an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees. In another broad form of the method aspect the present invention comprises: a method of conversion of a freight container into a portable shelter for housing at least one animal therein wherein the container is of the type comprising a ground engaging base, a roof, side and end walls defining a generally cubic internal space,

: the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming at least one opening in at least one wall of said container;

(d) connecting at least one service to said container such as water and /or electricity;

wherein said gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed and

substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and disposed at

an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

In another broad form of the method aspect the present invention comprises:

a method of conversion of a freight container into a portable shelter for housing at least one

animal therein wherein the container is of the type comprising a ground engaging base, a

roof, side and end walls defining a generally cubic internal space,

the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming at least one opening in at least one wall of said container;

(c) mounting a gate to a wall of said container wherein the gate is proportioned to span at

least one dimension of said at least one opening;

(e) introducing at least one dividing wall between sidewalls to form separate internal stables; wherein said gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed and substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

In another broad form of the method aspect the present invention comprises:

roof, side and end walls defining a generally cubic internal space, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming two, three or four openings in at least one sidewall of said container;

(c) mounting a gate or door to a wall of said container wherein the gate or door is

proportioned to span at least one dimension of each said openings;

is substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and

disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

In another broad form of the apparatus aspect, the present invention comprises:

a portable animal shelter fabricated from a metal freight container of the type comprising a base,

a roof, ends and side walls, wherein the shelter comprises; at least one penetration in at least one said walls wherein each said penetration is proportioned so as to allow animal access

therethrough; at least one gate fixed to said wall such that said at least one gate fully or partially

obstructs one or more said openings; wherein, each said gate is hinged to a wall of said container

and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed fully or partially obstructing said opening and substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

According to a preferred embodiment there Is provided a portable freight container converted to an animal shelter wherein the shelter may be formed by removal of part of a wall of the container to form openings through which animals may pass and internally dividing the internal container space so as to form separate animal stables. A typical container might comprise up to four

separate stables depending upon the size of the container for accommodating one animal in

each stable.

The present invention will now be described according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container converted into a three stable animal

shelter according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a freight container converted into a four stable animal

shelter according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of figure 1 with the shelter located on a foundation;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a gate hinging arrangement according to one

embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a freight container according to an alternative

embodiment of the invention including an awning which closes the openings in said walls.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a freight container according to an alternative

embodiment including means for air conditioning the shelter.

Referring to figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of an animal shelter formed from a typical

freight container 1 of the type which may be used in shipping or rail transport. Such containers are of typically robust steel construction enhancing their suitability for the present application. Conventional container construction precludes its suitability for use as animal shelters or in transport of animals without significant modification. As typically constructed, a freight container would not be considered for or suitable for housing animals as they confine an unventilated space, become extremely hot in summer months and cold in winter. Whilst large animals such as horses can withstand extremes of cold they are intolerant to heat

extremes necessitating proper and efficient design of shelters including adequate light and

ventilation. Freight containers have in the past been converted into structures such as storage

sheds out houses and other like applications where the environment is of little importance which a

By referring to figure 1 it may be seen according to one embodiment how these problems may be

overcome in an economic and cost effective manner. A conventional container such as that shown in figure 1 comprises a roof 2 supported by side walls 3 and 4 and end walls 5 and 6. Walls 3, 4, 5

and 6 are supported by a ground engaging base 7. The walls and roof are of ribbed construction for increased strength and resistance against unwanted lateral loads. This inherent strength

renders the container potentially suitable as a robust animal shelter but the advantages cannot be

realised in the absence of further modification to the container as will be described below.

According to the embodiment shown, penetrations 8, 9, and 10 are introduced into wall 3 of sufficient dimension to allow animal access with the size of the openings dictated largely by the size of the animal to be housed in the animal shelter. The openings are positioned to maximise the

available space for each animal.

In the embodiment shown, the shelter will accommodate three large animals such as horses. This

necessitates provision of sufficient space to allow the animal adequate freedom of movement within the container. The internal space of the container will be divided by internal walls 1 1 and 12 providing three compartments. To fully contain the animal within each compartment the shelter is adapted at openings 8, 9 and 10 with gates 13, 14 and 15 providing sufficient closure but allowing adequate ventilation. Openings 8, 9 and 10 are formed by cutting through the ribbed steel which forms wall 3. Due to the sharp edges which result these are trimmed or covered by protective channels eliminating the possibility of injury to animals as they enter and exit the container shelter. Container 1 may be placed directly on the ground surface or may be mounted on feet at the corners of the shelter to slightly elevate the base of the container to minimise risk of galvanic corrosion. Gates 13, 14 and 15 are hinged to wall 3 in a manner which allows rotation

between a closed configuration in which each gate closes of its respective opening and an open

configuration in which each gate is rotated up to 180 degrees such that it is clear of its respective

opening. In order to reduce heat load on particularly the roof of the shelter the container is

adapted with a second roof structure 16 shown exploded from roof 2. Structure 16 comprises

cladding 17 spaced apart from roof 2 by battens 18 which are fixed to roof 2 by either screwing bolting ( or welding in the case of metal battens). This additional roof structure provides an air

gap between container roof 2 and cladding 17 which minimises radiant heat on roof 2 thereby

reducing the temperature inside container 1 and ensuring animal comfort.

Figure 2 shows a similar arrangement to that shown in figure 1 but with an additional

compartment. The shelter in figure 2 is numbered such that it corresponds to the shelter of figure

1 except for the additional compartment 20. Compartment 20 comprises an opening 21 which is

opened and closed by gate 22 which is hinged to wall 3.

Figure 3 shows the container 1 of figure 1 mounted on a slab footing 25. This eliminates ground

contact with base 7 and will be particularly beneficial where the shelter would otherwise be placed

on reactive soils which might damage base 7 by galvanic corrosion or rusting. This additional

elevation assists in keeping the shelter and more particularly the base, waterproof.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a hinging arrangement for gate 15. The enlarged view shows gate 15 outstanding from architrave 26 thereby allowing full rotation within the range 0 -180 degrees. This is enabled by hinge assembly 27 which includes mounting bracket 28 which receives and retains bracket 29 affixed to gate 15. This allows the gate to be conveniently removed at will and enables the gate edge 30 to clear architrave 26.

The arrangements described above have numerous advantages over the prior art arrangements and provide a cost effective and safe method of housing animals in a portable shelter. The

modification to a conventional container along with the containers inherent qualities allows an

animal to move inside the container once converted with complete safety and free of risk of injury

by impact with irregular surfaces or objects such as might be found in the prior art shelters. Also, the shelters will withstand repeated lateral impact from moving animals without risk of structural

weakening.

Horses in particular are prone to vigorous activity inside their shelters necessitating smooth

surface free from protrusion which might injure an animal. Sharp edges are thus eliminated.

This is also the case at the edge of penetration where sharp edges formed upon cutting are

protected by a channel or the like.

According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in figures 1 -4 container 1 is adapted with service

conduits 40 which will be water and /or electricity. These will provide lighting and water for the

animals. Likewise feed bins not shown may be introduced into each compartment.

One of the major advantages of the invention is that unlike conventional animal shelter

construction and not being a fixture, approval from building authorities will generally not be

required in view of the portability of the shelter.

Referring to figure 5 there is shown a perspective view of an animal shelter according to an

alternative embodiment of the invention. According to the embodiment shown, the shelter which is a modified version of the embodiment shown in figure 3 and which has numbers corresponding to those of figure 3 includes an awning 40 which is adapted to move between a closed state in which openings 8, 9 and 10 are covered by awning 40 and an open state in which openings 8, 9 and 10 are uncovered. A typical The range of movement of awning 40 is shown by arrow 41. Typically the roof of the shelter will be sloping to promote runoff with the runoff collected in a

drainage system according to convention means.

Figure 6 shows an animal shelter 50 according to an alternative embodiment. Shelter 50

is a converted freight container which is airtight and air conditioned to provide an optimum

environment for an animal housed therein. This enables a predetermined mix of environmental

gases for an animal housed in the shelter. In the case of horses housed in the shelter a

predetermined mix of oxygen and nitrogen can be introduced into the shelter. This may be

beneficial where horse performance is important and altitude acclimatisation is necessary. According to one embodiment, the shelter is adapted with nitrogen and oxygen cylinders 51 and

52 which deliver a mix which increases the red blood cells of an animal held within the shelter.

According to this embodiment the shelter includes windows 53 and 54.

It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may

be made to the invention as broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and

scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 An animal shelter fabricated from a freight container of the type comprising a base, a roof, end and side walls defining a generally cubic internal space, wherein the shelter includes; at least one penetration in at least one said walls and which is proportioned so

as to allow large animal access therethrough; at least one gate fixed to said wall at an edge of said

at least one penetration and spanning at least one dimension of said opening, wherein said at least

one gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed across said at

least one penetration and is substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in

which the gate is open and is disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 1 - 180 degrees thereby allowing animal access into said shelter.

2 An animal shelter according to claim 1 wherein the container further includes at least one

internal partition which divides the shelter into a plurality of stables.

3 A shelter according to claim 2 wherein an edge of said partitions engages said base and

spans between opposing inner faces of said walls of said container.

4 A shelter according to claim 3 wherein each said partitions are abbreviated to allow an

opening between an upper edge of said partitions and an inside surface of said roof.

5 A shelter according to claim 4 wherein said penetration in said at least one wall spans the

length of one dimension of the wall of said shelter.

6 A shelter according to claim 5 wherein the base, roof, ends and sidewalls are made from

steel.

7 A shelter according to claim 6 further including water and electrical services.

8 A shelter according to claim 7 further including an external roof spaced apart from the

roof joining said side walls. 9 A shelter according to claim 8 wherein there are at least three stables inside the shelter.

10 A shelter according to claim 9 wherein the shelter is greater in length than its width or height.

1 1 A shelter according to claim 10 wherein said penetrations are of the same dimension and are equidistant from each other.

12 A shelter according to claim 1 1 wherein a large animal such as a horse is accommodated in the shelter.

13 A shelter according to claim 12 wherein said at least one gate is mounted on an outer

surface of the wall.

14 A shelter according to claim 13 wherein each said gate has a width greater than the width

of each said opening and a height less than half the height of each said opening.

15 A shelter according to claim 14 wherein the shelter is air conditioned for air quality and/or

air temperature.

16 A shelter according to claim 15 further comprising on a front wall an awning which moves

between a first state in which it lies in a plane parallel to a wall of said shelter and a second state in which it is disposed at an angle to said wall wherein in the first state said awning closes at least

one opening in said shelter and in the second state said awning closes said at least one opening.

17 A shelter according to claim 16 wherein said walls and roof of the shelter are corrugated.

18 A method of conversion of a freight container of the type comprising a ground engaging

base,, side and end walls a roof defining a generally cubic internal space, into a portable shelter for housing at least one large animal therein: the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming at least one opening in at least one wall of said container; (c) mounting a gate to a wall of said container wherein the gate is proportioned to span at least one dimension of said at least one opening; wherein said gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed and substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

19 A method of conversion of a freight container into a portable shelter for housing at least

one animal therein wherein the container is of the type comprising a ground engaging base, a

roof, side and end walls defining a generally cubic internal space,

: the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming at least one opening in at least one wall of said container;

an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

20 A method of conversion of a freight container into a portable shelter for housing at least

roof, side and end walls defining a generally cubic internal space,

the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming at least one opening in at least one wall of said container;

(c) mounting a gate on a wall of said container wherein the gate is proportioned to span at least one dimension of said at least one opening;

(e) introducing at least one dividing wall between sidewalls to form at least two stables; wherein said gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed and substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and disposed at

an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

21 A method of conversion of a freight container into a portable shelter for housing at least

roof, side and end walls defining a generally cubic internal space,

: the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a freight container of the type described,

(b) forming two three or four openings in at least one sidewall of said container;

proportioned to span at least one dimension of said two three or four openings least one

opening;

wherein each said gate is hinged and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed

and substantially parallel to said wall closing off one said opening and a second position in which

the gate is open and disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

22 A portable animal shelter fabricated from a metal freight container of the type comprising

a base, a roof, end and side walls, wherein the shelter comprises; at least one penetration in at

least one said walls wherein each said penetration is proportioned so as to allow animal access therethrough; at least one gate fixed to said wall such that said at least one gate fully or partially obstructs one or more said openings; wherein, each said gate is hinged to a wall of said container and moves between a first position in which the gate is closed fully or partially obstructing said opening and substantially parallel to said wall and a second position in which the gate is open and disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 0 - 180 degrees.

23 An animal shelter according to claim 22 an animal shelter wherein the shelter may be

formed by removal of part of a wall of the container to form openings through which animals may

pass and internally dividing the internal container space so as to form separate animal

compartments.

24 An animal shelter fabricated from a freight container of the type comprising a base, a roof,

end and side walls defining a generally cubic internal space, wherein the shelter includes; at least

one penetration in at least one said walls and which is proportioned so

as to allow large animal access therethrough; at least one door fixed to said wall at an edge of said

one door is hinged and moves between a first position in which the door is closed across said at

which the door is open and is disposed at an angle to said wall within the range 1 - 180 degrees

thereby allowing animal access into said shelter: wherein the shelter is air tight when said door is closed and further includes air conditioning enabling control of the internal shelter environment

25 An animal shelter according to claim 24 wherein the environment inside said shelter is a

mixture of oxygen and nitrogen which increases an animal red blood cells.