Vehicle for transporting an equine hydrotherapy spa

Abstract

A wheeled vehicle comprising a load carrying platform mounted above the wheels, a bath, bath moving means, and at least one fluid tank, in which at least a portion of the fluid tank is disposed below the load carrying platform, in which the bath moving means are adapted to move the bath between a first position on the load carrying platform, and a second position on the ground adjacent the vehicle, and in which fluid contained in the fluid tank can be placed in the bath when the bath is in the second position.

1 . A wheeled vehicle comprising a load carrying platform mounted above the wheels, a bath, bath moving means, and at least one fluid tank, in which at least a portion of the fluid tank is disposed below the load carrying platform, in which the bath moving means are adapted to move the bath between a first position on the load carrying platform, and a second position on the ground adjacent the vehicle, in use, and in which fluid contained in the fluid tank is placed in the bath when the bath is in the second position, in use.  
   
   
       2 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 1  in which fluid placed in the bath can be placed back in the fluid tank.  
   
   
       3 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 2  in which the vehicle is a lorry comprising an elongate central chassis member with the wheels attached laterally thereto, and with the load carrying platform mounted on the central chassis member and disposed above the wheels.  
   
   
       4 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 3  in which two fluid tanks are provided, and in which at least a portion of one fluid tank is disposed in the space between the front wheel and the rear wheel on one side of the vehicle, and in which at least a portion of the other fluid tank is disposed on the space between the front wheel and the rear wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 4  in which the elongate central chassis member extends beyond the back wheels, and in which a refrigeration unit for use with the bath is disposed in the space behind the rear wheel on one side of the vehicle, and in which an electricity generator for use with the bath is disposed in the space behind the rear wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle.  
   
   
       6 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bath moving means comprises slide means and a load lifting platform, in which the load lifting platform comprises a substantially level platform adapted to be raised and lowered between a position level with the load carrying platform and the ground, in use, and in which the slide means are provided under the bath, such that the bath is moved between the load carrying platform and the load lifting platform when the two are level with one another, in use.  
   
   
       7 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 6  in which the load lifting platform may be attached to the vehicle in a hinged arrangement, so it can be rotated through substantially 90 degrees between a stowed position and an in-use position.  
   
   
       8 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 7  in which the load lifting platform is moved by means of substantially vertically mounted hydraulically operated arms.  
   
   
       9 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 6  in which the load lifting platform is disposed on one side of the vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 4  in which fluid pumping means are provided and are adapted to pump fluid between the fluid tanks and the bath, in use.  
   
   
       11 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 10  in which the fluid pumping means are also adapted to pump fluid between the fluid tanks and the refrigeration unit and/or between the bath and the refrigeration unit, in use.  
   
   
       12 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 1  in which a body is provided on the load carrying platform, and in which the body contains the bath when the bath is disposed in the first position.  
   
   
       13 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 1  in which legs are provided, which are adapted to be lowered to the ground and to support the vehicle when the bath is moved between the first position and the second position, in use.  
   
   
       14 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bath is an equine hydrotherapy spa.  
   
   
       15 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 14  in which the spa comprises a bath area defined by two side compartments, and with liquid-tight entry doors at one end, and liquid tight exit doors at the opposite end.  
   
   
       16 . A wheeled vehicle as claimed in  claim 15  in which the load lifting platform is provided on one side of the vehicle, and adjacent one end of the vehicle, and in which when the spa is disposed in the second position the side compartments of the spa are substantially parallel to said side of said vehicle and the exit doors of the spa are disposed adjacent said end of the vehicle, such that a pen area defined by the side of the vehicle and the front of the spa is provided in front of the entry doors of the spa.  
   
   
       17 . (Canceled)