PELTING BOARD SYSTEM COMPRISING A PELTING BOARD AND A PELTING BOARD BLOCK

Abstract

 The present invention concerns a pelting board system for a pelt, wherein the pelting board system includes at least one, however preferably two or more generally elongated pelting boards, wherein a pelting board includes a surface and a longitudinal axis, the surface adapted for contact against a skin side of a pelt, wherein the elongated surface of a pelting board includes a nose end and a socket end, and wherein the individual pelting board at the socket end includes a socket part, e.g. for placing the pelting board in a holding system of a pelting board block, the pelting board divided into at least two axially displaceable pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, where in the pelting board there is arranged axial displacing means for axially moving at least one pelting board section in relation to at least one other pelting board section. The invention further concerns a method for operating such a pelting board system.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention concerns a pelting board system for a pelt, the pelting board system including at least one, however preferably two or more generally elongated pelting boards, wherein a pelting board includes a surface and a longitudinal axis, the surface adapted for contact against a skin side of a pelt, wherein the elongated surface of a pelting board includes a nose end and a socket end, and wherein the individual pelting board at the socket end includes a socket part, e.g. for placing the pelting board in a holding system of a pelting board block, the pelting board divided into at least two axially displaceable pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, where in the pelting board there is arranged axial displacing means for axially moving at least one pelting board section in relation to at least one other pelting board section. The invention further concerns a method for operating such a pelting board system.

Background of the Invention

[0002] It commonly known that when the fur animal has been put down and skinned, it is necessary to remove as much as possible of the meat and fat residues located at the inner side of the fur, the skin side. These processes are performed with equipment suited for the purpose, i.a. under application of scraping machines by which the skin side is scraped. The skin side is the back side, so to say, whereas the front side is called the fur side.

[0003] When the pelt has been scraped and possibly cleaned in other ways on the skin side, it is common that the pelt is mounted on a pelting board upon which the pelt is fixed and subsequently dried. A typical pelting board is an elongated item with a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the pelt. A pelting board may in principle have any kind of cross-sectional shape since the pelt is to be kept distended, but traditionally pelting boards have two wide side faces and two narrow edge faces, and the thickness as well as the width vary from the tip of the pelting board to the base of the pelting board. The cross-sectional shape transversely of the longitudinal direction of the pelting board is typically elliptical, or at least with a convex shape at the side faces and with either a convex shape or with plane faces at the edge faces. By such a shape is achieved an optimal contact surface between pelt and pelting board.

[0004] In the recent years, pelting boards have gone through a development from being made of wood with a relatively modest thickness and a certain width, with a pointed end and obviously with a length corresponding to the length of the pelt, to being made of plastic but with the same general shape. The shape of a pelting board is typically determined by fixed standards, and therefore there is no great difference in external dimensions of respective pelting boards, but of course there are different pelting boards for different species and for males and females which are typically somewhat different in size.

[0005] In the following there are described pelting boards and associated items which are particularly suited for mink pelts, but since the principles are the same as used for other types of pelts the same principles can immediately be applied to fox pelts and other types of pelts to which pelting boards are used.

[0006] From DK 176385 B1 is known e.g. a pelting board which is not made in a traditional way of wood, but which is still provided with areas that suitably can be made of wood. The purpose herewith is still to enable fixing the pelt after finishing stretching in connection with pelting. The pelts can thus still be fixed in the stretched position under use of staples that are shot through the pelt at its rear end and into the wood, thus keeping the pelt in the desired position. This method has been used for many years, but with the great drawback that holes are produced in the pelt and that it takes relatively long time to mount and, not the least, dismount the pelts from the pelting boards. The use of staples is therefore an unwanted method of fixing.

[0007] The process of stretching the pelt and keeping it in this position/length during the drying is very important as the price of the pelts depends on their length within some particularly defined zones. A zone can e.g. be 6 cm long, and if a pelt does not reach into the actual zone, the price will be lower. Therefore it is stated wish to perform pelting so well that the pelt can be stretched optimally and thereby possibly be stretched into the next zone and result in a higher pay.

[0008] From DK 176032 B1 is known yet an example of a type of pelting boards that deviate from traditional technique where the pelting boards are typically made of wood. This variant indicates pelting boards made of a metal wire mesh possibly coated with lacquer or plastic. Alternatively, the pelting board can be moulded in plastic or metal or made of punched plate pieces. By designing the pelting board with wire-mesh-like surfaces there is allegedly achieved certain advantages in connection with the subsequent drying process. This document also indicates a solution for fixing a pelt on the pelting board where no staples are used but instead straps or a clamp pressing on the fur side of the pelt and in against the surface of the pelting board, whereby the pelt is fixed in the stretched position.

[0009] From DK 176032 B1 is also known a pelting board that can be divided into several sections in longitudinal direction, and where these sections can be mutually displaced in longitudinal direction of the pelting board. A pelt can then be mounted on the pelting board without stretching the pelt as the stretching action is effected by displacing the mentioned sections in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, after which the necessary force is maintained or the sections of the pelting board are locked together in the actual position.

[0010] Pelting boards according to DK 176032 B1 are, however, not available on the market, but pelting boards according to the utility model DK 2012 00145 U3 or according to related technology are those most in use presently. These types of pelting boards are made up of two shell parts and with a wedge part there between. The two shell parts can be retained by the wedge part in a position entailing a first thickness of the pelting board, and by displacing the wedge part in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, the thickness of the pelting board can be minimised to a different thickness, whereby it becomes easier to dismount the pelt from the board after finishing the drying. It is not so that the pelt is stretched by the said wedge which only serves the purpose of facilitating the removal of the pelt.

[0011] In order to achieve the greatest possible length of the pelts it is common to vibrate the pelting board and the pelt during application and stretching the pelt, which is effected mechanically, as the pelt more easily slides into position on the pelting board and thereby can be fixed in an optimally stretched position, and with a higher price as a result.

[0012] However, there are some inexpediencies by the way pelting is performed as the pelt is not stretched optimally across its entire length by the prior art methods and pelting boards. This will be explained in more detail in the following.

Object of the Invention

[0013] It is the object of the invention to indicate a pelting board system that allows optimal and uniform stretching of a pelt in its longitudinal direction. It is furthermore the object of the invention to indicate a method for performing an optimal stretching of a pelt in its longitudinal direction in a pelting board system.

Description of the Invention

[0014] As mentioned in the introduction, the invention concerns a pelting board system for a pelt, the pelting board system including at least one, however preferably two or more generally elongated pelting boards, wherein a pelting board includes a surface and a longitudinal axis, the surface adapted for contact against a skin side of a pelt, wherein the elongated surface of a pelting board includes a nose end and a socket end, and wherein the individual pelting board at the socket end includes a socket part, e.g. for placing the pelting board in a holding system of a pelting board block, the pelting board divided into at least two axially displaceable pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, where in the pelting board there is arranged axial displacing means for axially moving at least one pelting board section in relation to at least one other pelting board section.

[0015] The new feature of a pelting board system according to the invention is that the axial displacing means in a pelting board include at least one first displaceable rod member with a first end and a second end, the first displaceable rod member extending substantially in longitudinal direction of the pelting board and internally of the pelting board, and at the first end being connected directly or indirectly with at least one first pelting board section that includes the nose end, and at the second end being connected directly or indirectly with at least one other pelting board section that includes the socket end of the pelting board, where the at least one first displaceable rod member at the second end is arranged with force transmitting means for actuating the displaceable rod member in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, the pelting board system including at least one force transmitting mechanism for actuating the force transmitting means.

[0016] The mentioned first displaceable rod member is used for extending the pelting board after fixing the pelt on the surface of the pelting board, whereby the pelt is stretched on the pelting board. The first displaceable rod member is actuated in longitudinal direction of the pelting board in that the rod is pressed and/or pulled by a force transmitting mechanism operating displaceable rod members in one or more pelting boards.

[0017] By actuating the displaceable rod member in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, the pelting board can be extended to a given length. The actual length is generally determined by the design of the pelting board, i.e. what it actually has been dimensioned for, which e.g. may be 20 cm. During use of the pelting board it is, however, the pelt mounted on the pelting board and fixed at the socket end that determines how much the pelting board is to be extended, as a sufficient and defined force is applied on the axial displacing means of the pelting board. It may e.g. be so that a force corresponding to 60 to 100 kg is applied, or more or less. For example, it can mentioned that experiments have shown that about 80 kg is suitable in certain cases. When a pelting board is applied the desired force, the displaceable rod member may advantageously be held in the actual position, and the pelting board may then remain with a constantly acting force. The pelting board system can thus be adapted such that a given pressure or a given force from the pelting board is maintained inside the pelt.

[0018] Hereby is ensured that at any time a pressing force is exerted inside in longitudinal direction of the pelt. This is particularly expedient as the best distended pelt is thus achieved, while at the same time a longer pelt is achieved as well and consequently a higher payment for the pelt.

[0019] By the prior art pelting boards without possibility of continuously stretching the pelt but where the pelt is put on the pelting board, drawn and fixed, there is not achieved such an optimal result, neither with regard to optimal stretching nor length. The reason for this is that the pelt is traditionally stretched and fixed on the pelting board in one continuous operation. No allowance is therefore made for the existence of an appreciable friction between pelt and pelting board. The pelt is therefore stretched most at the rear end where pulling is performed by a machine adapted for the purpose, while the pelt is stretched gradually less and less the closer it is to the nose end. If a pelting board is regarded as frictionless, the pelt will be stretched completely evenly, but the reality is not so. In fact it is so that in some cases a vibration of pelt and pelting board is performed in order that the pelt more easily can slide into position on the pelting board. In other words, the problem has been realised in part, and it is known to tighten the pelt up after some time when it has settled on the pelting board, but such an action is both time-consuming and logistically not easy to handle. In other words it will be too expensive to perform such a double tightening of the pelts.

[0020] By a pelting board according to the invention, which is divided into sections, and which so to say grows from the nose end by activating the axial displacing means, a distinctly better and much more uniform stretching of the pelt in its entire longitudinal direction can be achieved as the friction is markedly less corresponding to the fact that respective sections are relatively short compared with the pelt. Moreover, there is the advantage that a constant force can be applied continuously on the pelt in its longitudinal direction due to the displaceable rod member.

[0021] Furthermore, as mentioned previously it is the length of the pelt measured after drying that determines the price of respective pelts, why it is of utmost importance for a breeder that an optimal stretching is achieved so that a pelt possibly can move up to the next category of length.

[0022] In a variant of a pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention, the axial displacing means in a pelting board can include at least one second displaceable rod member with a first end and a second end, the second displaceable rod member extending substantially in longitudinal direction of the pelting board and internally of the pelting board, and where the first end is arranged at the first pelting board section including the nose end, and where the second displaceable rod member includes an end part which in a first position is within the surface of the pelting board and in a second position extends out of the surface of the pelting board at the first pelting board section and in longitudinal direction of the pelting board.

[0023] The second displaceable rod member is arranged and used for pushing a pelt off the pelting board after loosening the rear end of the pelt at the socket end of the pelting board. By activating the second displaceable rod member the pelt is, so to say, lifted off the surface of the pelting board, after which it can be pulled off the pelting board, either manually or mechanically. Then the first as well as the second displaceable rod member are retracted, and the pelting board is ready for mounting a new pelt.

[0024] The second displaceable rod member may advantageously be arranged such that it can be moved up to 10 cm or more out of the first pelting board section at the nose end of the pelting board. By experiments it has appeared that 4 cm is sufficient in some cases, but this extension length can be adapted according to need without deviating from the object of the invention.

[0025] The first as well as the second displaceable rod member may advantageously be actuated in longitudinal direction of the pelting board in that the rod is pressed and/or pulled by a force transmitting mechanism that may operate displaceable rod members in one or more pelting boards. It may thus be an actuator of a suitable type operating a first as well as a second displaceable rod member, and additionally operating displaceable rod members in one or more further pelting boards. Such an actuator may advantageously be a pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or manual mechanical actuator. Any kind of mover can be used in principle, though there are certain advantages by using a pneumatic actuator as a spring action is achieved in the air column pressing the displaceable rod members. This spring action has the advantage that a certain action of force is maintained when the pelt is stretched. However, it is obvious that one can advantageously monitor the force or the pressure by which the pelt is acted on, and in case of variation it can be regulated to a suitable level. One or more actuators can either be regulated individually or interactively as a number of pelting boards advantageously can be arranged in a pelting board block and regulated as an assembled unit. An example hereof appears below.

[0026] In a variant of a pelting board for a pelt according to the invention, the pelting board may advantageously include return means which are connected between at least two pelting board sections, preferably between the section including the nose end and the section including the socket end, wherein the return means by relieving the first displaceable rod member draw respective pelting board sections more or less together in longitudinal direction of the pelting board. This is an advantage in connection with releasing the pelt for removal from the pelting board. There is achieved the advantage that the pelt is loosened from the pelting board and that it becomes easier to draw the pelt off the pelting board as it is possible to grip around the nose end of the pelt without pressing the pelt against the pelting board as the nose end of the pelting board is retracted, typically up to 20 cm in relation to where the pelt is located.

[0027] A pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention can be designed such that the second end of the second displaceable rod member is connected directly or indirectly with at least one other pelting board section that includes the socket end of the pelting board, where the at least one second displaceable rod member at the second end is arranged with force transmitting means for actuating the displaceable rod member in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, the pelting board system including at least one force transmitting mechanism for actuating the force transmitting means.

[0028] The second displaceable rod member can advantageously be operated by the same force transmitting mechanism as the first displaceable rod member. The two displaceable rod members can be arranged with a coupling ensuring that the first displaceable rod member is pressing on the pelting board in its longitudinal direction, and only after a given travel activation of the second displaceable rod member is allowed. For example, the case may be a first travel of 16 cm that only extends the pelting board, and a second travel of 4 cm that only presses the second displaceable rod member out of the nose end of the pelting board, thereby lifting the pelt free. The mentioned travels can of course be adapted to respective needs and the shape of the pelting boards, and whatever may have influence thereon.

[0029] In yet a variant of a pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention, a pelting board in a pelting board system can include three, four, five six, seven, eight, or a plurality of pelting board sections that are mutually displaceable in longitudinal direction of the pelting board.

[0030] Experiments have shown that 6, 7 or 8 sections function about optimally as an optimal stretching of the pelt is achieved while at the same time the pelting board still has the required stiffness in order to perform the required function. In order to ensure that each section is stretched as much as it can and no more, these are advantageously made such that the next section is automatically drawn along when maximum separation between two sections is reached. As the pelting board traditionally has a pointed shape, it is the smallest or, more correctly, narrowest pelting board sections that are activated at first and brought into position inside the pelt. Hereby is achieved the best stretching of the pelt without such a large friction appearing between pelt and pelting board sections. A uniform and optimal stretching of the entire pelt is therefore ensured, and thereby an increased quality and length of the pelt as well. As mentioned, the length is attractive due to the price, but the quality is also an important parameter in that the uniform stretching means a uniform extension/stretching of the pelt, thereby resulting in a more uniform fur and quality. An overstretching of the pelt will mean that the fur is thinned in principle, and there is actually a tendency to this by the prior art pelting boards, particularly in the rearmost part of the pelt, as stretching of the pelt is uneven due to friction against the pelting board. This notable problem is solved by a pelting board system as indicated here.

[0031] Such a pelting board can include many sections that are mutually displaceable axially and which are independently joined such that when one section is completely assembled or separated, the next section will be activated. In an embodiment, the sections can also be adapted such that respective sections are displaced uniformly during stretching of the pelting board.

[0032] A pelting board according to the invention may advantageously be adapted such that it can be extended between 10 and 30 cm, or more or less. In a preferred embodiment the pelting board can be adapted to be extended about 20 cm, which is fitting for e.g. mink pelts, whereas other types of fur pelts may require different longitudinal movement options.

[0033] By actuating the section that includes the nose end of the pelting board in relation to the section that includes the socket end, a relatively simple construction of the pelting board can be provided as possible intermediate pelting board sections can be coupled to each other in a simple way such that the next section is automatically drawn along when the previous section has moved its maximum travel. Besides, this is known technique in connection with telescoping solutions and thus do not require any detailed elaboration.

[0034] Displacement of respective sections can be effected by a rod connection which is connected to a kind of actuator. The rod connection can be a pushrod extending out of the socket end of the section forming the other end of the pelting board.

[0035] In a variant of a pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention, the pelting board system can include at least one force transmitting mechanism where the force transmitting mechanism or mechanisms is/are arranged entirely or partially in the socket end of one or more pelting boards.

[0036] The force transmitting mechanism, e.g. an actuator, can thus be incorporated in the pelting board, though it may also be arranged in a suitable way in continuation of a pelting board.

[0037] In a variant of a pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention, a pelting board system can include one, two, three, four, five six, seven, eight, or a plurality of pelting boards arranged by their respective socket ends in an elongated pelting board block.

[0038] A pelting board block is, so to say, an elongated holder where a number of pelting boards are placed side by side and in which the pelting boards can be disposed loosely or firmly. It is possible, for example, to perform pelting and then mount the pelting boards in a pelting board block, or the pelts can be pelted while the pelting boards are secured in a pelting board block. A pelting board block can advantageously be adapted for 8 or 10 pelting boards.

[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, 15 pelting board blocks may e.g. be arranged on a vehicle - e.g. a drying cart. The pelting board blocks may be arranged such that they are mounted displaceably on a cart or other platform such that each pelting board block can be drawn out and operated, and after ending operation be displaced back on a cart or platform. The pelting board block can also be loose, separate elements that are in a pelting position while the pelts are pelted and which are subsequently moved to another position for e.g. drying. This movement between a pelting position and e.g. a drying position can occur before or after the displaceable rod members are activated, thereby tensioning the pelt.

[0040] A pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention can include at least one pelting board block where the at least one pelting board block includes a first set of connecting means for fixing a number of pelting boards to the pelting board block, and a pelting board block can include a set of coupling means for coupling one or more force transmitting mechanisms to the force transmitting means.

[0041] In its simplest form, the said force transmitting means may be a piston rod in a pneumatic actuator which is connected directly to at least one first and maybe to a second displaceable rod member. Different, more or less complex coupling means may be used as well. However, it is preferred that a separation between a pelting board and the pelting board block itself can be provided without also performing any substantial action in order to release these coupling means.

[0042] Irrespective whether the pelting boards are adapted to be removed from the pelting board block or not, by a pelting board block there may be achieved the advantage that one or more actuators for actuating the displaceable rod members can be arranged herein. Also, advantageously there may be arranged equipment used for regulating and maintaining a given force/pressure on the displaceable rod members.

[0043] A pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention can also include at least one pelting board block including at least one duct for conveying drying air from a drying air source to the socket end of a pelting board.

[0044] Drying air can be conducted into the interior of the pelting board and from there to contact with the skin side, or the drying air can be conducted more or less to the nose end of the pelting board and from there out on the surface of the pelting board where the drying air will come in contact with the skin side of a pelt. A pelting board block can be a kind of integrated control and regulating unit with ducts for drying air and with connections, e.g. air hoses, supplying the said actuators. These connections can also include the supply of a kind of energy (air, electricity or similar) to the actuators/pelting boards whereby a monitoring of pressing force and e.g. also a supply of energy to a pelting board lock by which the pelt is fixed to the pelting board at the rear end of the pelt. All functions of a pelting board system, including a number of pelting boards and one pelting board block or more can therefore be supplied with energy via installations in a pelting board block.

[0045] A pelting board system for a pelt according to the invention can also, as indicated above, include at least one pelting board block, the at least one pelting board block further including a pelting board lock for each pelting board in the pelting board system, the pelting board lock arranged with fixing means for fixing a pelt to the surface of a pelting board.

[0046] These fixing means may include activation means that may be operated individually during the mounting of pelts, but may as well be operated centrally, e.g. during release of pelts from the pelting boards after ending drying. All pelts on pelting board in an individual pelting board block can thus be loosened at once.

[0047] As mentioned in the introduction, the invention also includes a method for operating a pelting board system, the method including arranging a pelt on a pelting board, the pelting board generally including an elongated piece with a surface and with a longitudinal axis, the surface adapted for contact with a fur side of a pelt, wherein the elongated surface includes a nose end and a socket end, and wherein the pelting board at the socket end includes a socket part, e.g. for placing the pelting board in a holding system of a pelting board block, the pelting board being divided into at least two axially displaceable pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, where in the pelting board there are arranged axial displacing means for axially moving at least one pelting board section in relation to at least one other pelting board section.

[0048] The new feature of such a method is that it at least includes the following steps:

• arranging a pelt on a pelting board;
• activating fixing means for fixing a pelt on a pelting board at the bottom end of the pelt;
• activating a first displaceable rod member between two or more pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of a pelting board, where the first displaceable rod member is included by the axial displacing means;
• actuating the first displaceable rod member by a defined force;
• maintaining the defined force.

[0049] In case that the first displaceable rod member is activated by a pneumatic actuator there is achieved a resilient effect due to the compressive properties of the air, meaning that even if the pelt is stretched a certain tension can be maintained therein. Irrespective of using air, oil, water or a rigid mechanical connection for maintaining the force in the pelting board and thereby the tension in the pelt, this can be monitored and regulated, either manually or automatically by means suited for the purpose.

[0050] A method for operating a pelting board system according to the invention can furthermore include that after the first activation of the axial displacing means, one or more subsequent tensionings of the axial displacing means by a predetermined force can be performed. As mentioned above, this can be effected manually or automatically, and irrespective of applying one or the other method it can be achieved that a pelt is stretched optimally on the pelting board.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of a method for operating a pelting board system according to the invention, the method can include at least the following steps:

• loosening the fixing means;
• activating at least one second displaceable rod member included in the axial displacing means, the second displaceable rod member including a first end and a second end, the second displaceable rod member extending substantially in longitudinal direction of the pelting board and internally of the pelting board, and where the first end is arranged at the first pelting board section including the nose end, and where the second displaceable rod member includes an end part which in a first position is within the surface of the pelting board and in a second position extends out of the surface of the pelting board at the first pelting board section and in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, thereby lifting the pelt off the surface of the pelting board;
• retracting the first as well as the second displaceable rod member.

[0052] By this method the pelt is loosened from pelting board after finishing drying and is pulled/pushed free mechanically in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, whereby it becomes easier to remove the pelt from the pelting board either mechanically or manually.

Description of the Drawing

[0053] The invention is described in the following with reference to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an untightened pelting board in sections.

Fig. 2 shows a tightened pelting board in sections.

Fig. 3 shows a pelting board system with ten pelting boards and one pelting board block.

Fig. 4 shows a pelting board system with ten pelting boards and one pelting board block, including internal details.

Fig. 5 shows a pelting board in a first position.

Fig. 6 shows a pelting board in a second position.

Fig. 7 shows a pelting board in a third position.

List of designations

[0054] 

1 pelting board

2 surface

3 nose end

4 socket end

5 socket part

6 pelting board section

7 first displaceable rod member

8 force transmitting means/coupling means

9 pressing force

10 projection on first displaceable rod member

11 pelting board system

12 fixing means/pelting board lock

13 pelting board block

14 actuator/force transmitting mechanism

15 force transmitting means/coupling means

16 second displaceable rod member

17 coupling between first and second displaceable rod member.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0055] In Fig. 1 appears a pelting board 1 with a surface 2, a nose end 3, a socket end 4 and a socket part 5. The pelting board 1 is divided into pelting board sections 6 that are mutually displaceable such that the pelting board 1 can be lengthened. The pelting board 1 is adapted for mounting of a pelt which is to be stretched, and the nose end of the pelt is arranged at the nose end 3 of the board and the rear end of the pelt at the socket end 4 where the pelt is also secured to the pelting board by fixing means 6 arranged for the purpose, also called a pelting board lock. A first displaceable rod member 7 extends from the socket end 4 of the pelting board. In this example it appears that the end of the displaceable rod is adapted to be rotated as indicated by an arrow. The end, which can also be termed force transmitting means 8 or coupling means, is arranged to be actuated by a defined pressing force 9 in longitudinal direction of the pelting board and of the pressing rod.

[0056] Recesses/projections 10 that can be used for fixing the first displaceable rod member 7 at a given axial position in the pelting board 1 under lengthening of the latter appear along the first displaceable rod member 7. This is achieved in that the recesses/projections are brought into engagement against (not shown) corresponding locking means.

[0057] In Fig. 2 is seen the same pelting board 1 as shown in Fig. 1, but here shown with the first displaceable rod member 7 pressed into the pelting board 1 and thereby with respective pelting board sections 6 in separated position. The first displaceable rod member is here locked by rotating in opposite direction compared with Fig. 1. At the socket end 4 of the pelting board is also seen a socket part 5 of the pelting board serving the purpose of securing the pelting board 1, both during mounting and dismounting a pelt.

[0058] Between respective pelting board sections 6 appear support means, which here include fingers on the surfaces and at the side edges, and a skirt at the most of the periphery of the lower end of a section. Hereby it is ensured that a pelt does not "drop" into the narrower area between two pelting board sections 6 that are pressed away from each other as shown in Fig. 2.

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a pelting board system 11, here including ten pelting boards 1, where fixing means/a pelting board lock 12 is arranged on each pelting board 1 for securing a pelt to the socket end 4 of the pelting board. The pelting boards are seen arranged in a pelting board block 13 at their socket parts 5. Five of the pelting boards 1' are shown here in extended position corresponding to the position assumed by a pelting board 1 when a pelt has been mounted and is ready for drying.

[0060] The shown pelting board locks 12 are seen here with a connection 14 which advantageously can be connected to the pelting board block 13 as access to the required energy resources is arranged in the block.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows in principle the same as Fig. 3, though here with the difference that a detail of the pelting board block 13 and the socket end 4 are shown on a pair of pelting boards 1. Here is seen an example of how a force transmitting mechanism 15 in the form of a pneumatic actuator 15 can be arranged. Five of the ten pelting boards 1 are shown again in extended position, corresponding to the actuator 15 via coupling means 8 pressing on the first displaceable rod member 7 which successively draws the pelting board sections 6 upwards and away from each other. The pelting boards 1 can be fixed to the pelting board block 13 at their socket part 5, either in a more permanent way or in a way that allows for easy uncoupling. Using one or the other method for that matter is of less significance to the invention, but there may be advantages associated with both variants.

[0062] Finally, in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are seen the same pelting board 1 in three different positions.

[0063] In Fig. 5 the pelting board 1 is seen in contracted and unextended position where the pelting board sections 6 are close together, and where the first displaceable rod member 7 as well as the second displaceable rod member 16 are completely withdrawn.

[0064] In Fig. 6 the pelting board 1 is seen in lengthened position where the pelting board sections 6 are displaced away from each other as the first displaceable rod member 7 is pressed into the pelting board 1. By this variant of the invention, the second displaceable rod member 16 is continuous with the first displaceable rod member 7, and the two displaceable rod members 7, 16 go together in the part of the movement that only moves the pelting board sections away from each other.

[0065] In Fig. 7 the pelting board 1 is seen in lengthened position as in Fig. 6 where the pelting board sections 6 are displaced away from each other in that the first displaceable rod member 7 is pressed into the pelting board 1. The second displaceable rod member 16 is here pushed further into the pelting board 1 at its socket end 4 and is therefore also pushed out of the nose end 3 of the pelting board, whereby the second displaceable rod member acts as a kind of a push-off that loosens a pelt from the pelting board 1. This is effected in that the second displaceable rod member is pressed against the internal side of a pelt at the nose end.

[0066] The invention is not limited to the above mentioned embodiments which only serve the purpose of clarifying the preferred embodiments of the invention. It is therefore obvious that after reading this description, the skilled in the art will be able to perform variants of the invention which are not described in detail in this document.

Claims

1. A pelting board system for a pelt, the pelting board system including at least one, however preferably two or more generally elongated pelting boards, wherein a pelting board includes a surface and a longitudinal axis, the surface adapted for contact against a skin side of a pelt, wherein the elongated surface of a pelting board includes a nose end and a socket end, and wherein the individual pelting board at the socket end includes a socket part, e.g. for placing the pelting board in a holding system of a pelting board block, the pelting board divided into at least two axially displaceable pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, where in the pelting board there is arranged axial displacing means for axially moving at least one pelting board section in relation to at least one other pelting board section, characterised in that the axial displacing means in a pelting board include at least one first displaceable rod member with a first end and a second end, the first displaceable rod member extending substantially in longitudinal direction of the pelting board and internally of the pelting board, and at the first end connected directly or indirectly with at least one first pelting board section that includes the nose end, and at the second end connected directly or indirectly with at least one other pelting board section that includes the socket end of the pelting board, where the at least one first displaceable rod member at the second end is arranged with force transmitting means for actuating the displaceable rod member in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, the pelting board system including at least one force transmitting mechanism for actuating the force transmitting means.

2. Pelting board system for a pelt according to claim 1, characterised in that the axial displacing means in a pelting board include at least one second displaceable rod member with a first end and a second end, the second displaceable rod member extending substantially in longitudinal direction of the pelting board and internally of the pelting board, and where the first end is arranged at the first pelting board section including the nose end, and where the second displaceable rod member includes an end part which in a first position is within the surface of the pelting board and in a second position extends out of the surface of the pelting board at the first pelting board section and in longitudinal direction of the pelting board.

3. Pelting board system for a pelt according to claim 2, characterised in that the second end of the second displaceable rod member is connected directly or indirectly with at least one other pelting board section that includes the socket end of the pelting board, where the at least one second displaceable rod member at the second end is arranged with force transmitting means for actuating the displaceable rod member in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, the pelting board system including at least one force transmitting mechanism for actuating the force transmitting means.

4. Pelting board system for a pelt according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a pelting board in a pelting board system includes three, four, five six, seven, eight, or a plurality of pelting board sections that are mutually displaceable in longitudinal direction of the pelting board.

5. Pelting board system for a pelt according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pelting board system includes at least one force transmitting mechanism where the force transmitting mechanism or mechanisms is/are arranged entirely or partially in the socket end of one or more pelting boards.

6. Pelting board system for a pelt according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a pelting board system includes one, two, three, four, five six, seven, eight, or a plurality of pelting boards arranged by their respective socket ends in an elongated pelting board block.

7. Pelting board system for a pelt according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the pelting board system includes at least one pelting board block where the at least one pelting board block includes a first set of connecting means for fixing a number of pelting boards to the pelting board block, and a set of coupling means for coupling one or more force transmitting mechanisms to the force transmitting means.

8. Pelting board system for a pelt according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the pelting board system includes at least one pelting board block including at least one duct for conveying drying air from a drying air source to the socket end of a pelting board.

9. Pelting board system for a pelt according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the pelting board system includes at least one pelting board block, the at least one pelting board block further including a pelting board lock for each pelting board in the pelting board system, the pelting board lock arranged with fixing means for fixing a pelt to the surface of a pelting board.

10. A method for operating a pelting board system, the method including arranging a pelt on a pelting board, the pelting board generally including an elongated piece with a surface and with a longitudinal axis, the surface adapted for contact with a skin side of a pelt, wherein the elongated surface includes a nose end and a socket end, and wherein the pelting board at the socket end includes a socket part, e.g. for placing the pelting board in a holding system of a pelting board block, the pelting board being divided into at least two axially displaceable pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, where in the pelting board there are arranged axial displacing means for axially moving at least one pelting board section in relation to at least one other pelting board section, characterised in that the method includes at least the following steps:

- arranging a pelt on a pelting board;

- activating fixing means for fixing a pelt on a pelting board at the bottom end of the pelt;

- activating a first displaceable rod member between two or more pelting board sections in longitudinal direction of a pelting board, where the first displaceable rod member is included by the axial displacing means;

- actuating the first displaceable rod member by a defined force;

- maintaining the defined force.

11. Method for operating a pelting board system according to claim 10, characterised in that the method, after the first activation of the axial displacing means, further includes one or more subsequent tensionings of the axial displacing means by a predetermined force.

12. Method for operating a pelting board system according to any of claims 10 and 11, characterised in that the method includes at least the following steps:

- loosening the fixing means;

- activating at least one second displaceable rod member included in the axial displacing means, the second displaceable rod member including a first end and a second end, the second displaceable rod member extending substantially in longitudinal direction of the pelting board and internally of the pelting board, and where the first end is arranged at the first pelting board section including the nose end, and where the second displaceable rod member includes an end part which in a first position is within the surface of the pelting board and in a second position extends out of the surface of the pelting board at the first pelting board section and in longitudinal direction of the pelting board, thereby lifting the pelt off the surface of the pelting board;

- retracting the first as well as the second displaceable rod member.

Drawing