Free stall divider having coated fiberglass apparatus portions

Abstract

Free stall systems having free stall units arranged in a substantially parallel relationship having coated rail members. The coated rail members comprising an elongated fiberglass material manufactured by grinding a starting fiberglass material prior to a coating being applied. The starting fiberglass material can be reclaimed and reused from other industries such that the fiberglass material may be cut to remove unwanted metal end portions and/or cut to a desired size prior to the grinding and coating steps. The coated fiberglass material can be coated with a UV-resistant material or other coating to maintain the longevity of the fiberglass member during its use. The coated fiberglass apparatus may be utilized in free stall systems, gates, fencing materials and other applications where a solid fiberglass rod or hollow fiberglass tube having a desired coating is desired.

1 . A free stall apparatus for maintaining a mammal comprising:
 a first stall divider comprising a first coated elongated fiberglass member spaced apart a first distance and located above a second coated elongated fiberglass member in a first substantially vertical plane, wherein the first coated elongated fiberglass member operably connected to the second coated elongated fiberglass member by a first arcuate connection loop, the first and second coated elongated fiberglass members each having a distal end and a proximal end, the first arcuate connection loop having a first end operably coupled to the proximal end of the first elongated fiberglass member, and the first arcuate connection loop having a second end operably coupled to the proximal end of the second elongated fiberglass member;   a second stall divider comprising a third coated elongated fiberglass member spaced apart a second distance and located above a fourth coated elongated fiberglass member in a second substantially vertical plane, wherein the third coated elongated fiberglass member operably connected to the fourth coated elongated fiberglass member by a second arcuate connection loop, the third and fourth coated elongated fiberglass members each having a distal end and a proximal end, the second arcuate connection loop having a first end operably coupled to the proximal end of the third elongated fiberglass member, and the second arcuate connection loop having a second end operably coupled to the proximal end of the fourth elongated fiberglass member;   wherein the first stall divider located in the first substantially vertical plane is spaced apart a third distance from the second stall divider located in the second substantially vertical plane, such that the third distance between the first and second stall dividers is capable of maintaining a mammal; and   wherein the first, second, third and fourth coated elongated fiberglass members each having a coating material directly coated on an outer circumferential surface of each elongated fiberglass apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first arcuate connection loop comprises a corrosion resistant material. 
     
     
         3 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first arcuate connection loop comprises a metal material. 
     
     
         4 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the metal material is chosen from aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, and a metal alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coating material is a UV-resistant material. 
     
     
         6 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coating material is a dried liquid coating. 
     
     
         7 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coating material is a powder coating. 
     
     
         8 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated fiberglass apparatus of the first, second, third and fourth coated elongated fiberglass members comprises a solid fiberglass rod. 
     
     
         9 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first distance between the first and second coated elongated fiberglass members is substantially the same as the second distance between the third and fourth coated elongated fiberglass members. 
     
     
         10 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and third coated elongated fiberglass members are operably connected to a top rail that is configured substantially perpendicular to the first and third coated elongated fiberglass members. 
     
     
         11 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second and fourth coated elongated fiberglass members are operably connected to a bottom rail that is configured substantially perpendicular to the second and fourth coated elongated fiberglass members. 
     
     
         12 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the top rail is located above the bottom rail in a third vertical plane. 
     
     
         13 . A free stall apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of free stall units arranged in a substantially parallel relationship to one another and spaced apart so as to define an opening sized to accommodate a livestock animal, each of the plurality of free stall units having a first divider and a second divider, the first and second dividers each comprising an upper rail member located above a lower rail member that are operably joined by a connection loop having a generally arcuate configuration, wherein each of the upper and lower rail members having a coating material directly on an outer circumferential surface of an elongated fiberglass apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the connection loops comprises a corrosion resistant material. 
     
     
         15 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the connection loops comprises metal material chosen from aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, and a metal alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the coating material is a UV-resistant material. 
     
     
         17 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the coating material is a dried liquid coating. 
     
     
         18 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the coating material is a powder coating. 
     
     
         19 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated fiberglass apparatus is a solid fiberglass rod. 
     
     
         20 . The free stall apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the upper rail members are operably connected to a common upper rail member in a substantially perpendicular configuration, and wherein each of the lower rail members are operably connected to a common lower rail member in a substantially perpendicular configuration, the common upper rail member located above the common lower rail member.