Pelt board system and a fastening assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board comprises a first wall element, a second wall element being spaced apart from the first wall element in the first radial direction, a third wall element and a fourth wall element being spaced apart from the third wall element in a second radial direction. The wall elements together define a cavity along a longitudinal direction. The wall elements defining a contracted state in which the first and second radial distances are reduced, and an expanded state in which the first and second radial distances are increased. The pelt board further comprising an elongated core element being movable in relation to each of the wall elements. The elongated core element allows the wall elements to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A pelt board system comprising a pelt board for receiving a pelt thereon, and a fastening assembly for fastening said pelt relative to said pelt board, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end; said pelt board comprising: a top end configured for fixing said nose end of said pelt; a circumferential apertured wall defining an inner cavity and an outer surface configured for facing leather side of said pelt; and a profiled outer bottom end opposite said top end; said fastening assembly comprising: a pair of opposing rigid fastening sections; a pair of opposing flexible sections, each of said flexible sections being connected to one of said rigid fastening sections; a rigid section interconnecting said flexible sections; and a plurality of gripping members protruding from said rigid section, said rigid fastening sections, and said flexible sections; wherein said fastening assembly is shiftable between an open position and a closed position; wherein said fastening assembly is positionable circumferentially encircling said rear end of said pelt at said profiled outer bottom end of said pelt board when in said open position; and wherein said fastening assembly is engageable with said pelt at said rear end and engages with said profiled outer bottom end of said pelt board by said opposing rigid fastening sections.

2. The pelt board system according to claim 1, said system further comprising a fixation bag configured to be tightly positioned around said rear end of said pelt and interlayered between said rigid fastening sections of said fastening assembly and said rear end of said pelt.

3. The pelt board system according to claim 1, further comprising a wrapping polymer strap configured to be wrapped around said rear end of said pelt at said profiled outer bottom end of said pelt board and to be sandwiched between said rear end of said pelt and said rigid fastening sections of said fastening assembly.

4. The pelt board system according to claim 1, said profiled outer bottom end having protruding circumferential ribs defining a first spacing there between in the longitudinal direction of said pelt board, and said rigid fastening sections of said fastening assembly having contacting elements defining a second spacing there between corresponding to said first spacing of said ribs of said pelt board for firmly arresting said fastening assembly relative to said ribs of said pelt board.

5. The pelt board system according to claim 4, said fastening elements constituting rows of pads for engaging the skin side of the pelt without to any substantial extent squeezing the hairs of the pelt between said fastening pads and said skin side of the pelt.

6. A fastening assembly for use in combination with a pelt board for receiving a pelt thereon and for fastening said pelt relative to said pelt board, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, said pelt board including a top end configured for accommodating and fixing said nose end of said pelt, a circumferential apertured wall defining an inner cavity and an outer surface for facing said inwardly oriented leather side of said pelt, and a profiled outer bottom end opposite said top end, said fastening assembly comprising: a pair of opposing rigid fastening sections; a pair of opposing flexible sections, each of said opposing rigid flexible sections being connected to one of said fastening sections; a rigid section interconnecting said flexible sections; and a plurality of gripping members protruding from said rigid section, said rigid fastening sections, and said flexible sections; wherein said fastening assembly is shiftable between an open position and a closed position; wherein said fastening assembly is positionable circumferentially encircling said rear end of said pelt at said profiled outer bottom end of said pelt board when in said open position; and wherein said fastening assembly is engageable with said pelt at said rear end and engages with said profiled outer bottom end of said pelt board by said opposing rigid fastening sections.

7. The fastening assembly according to claim 6, said fastening elements constituting rows of pads for engaging the skin side of the pelt without to any substantial extent squeezing the hairs of the pelt between said fastening pads and said skin side of the pelt.

8. The fastening assembly according to claim 6, said profiled outer bottom end having protruding circumferential ribs defining a first spacing there between in the longitudinal direction of said pelt board, and said rigid fastening sections of said fastening assembly having contacting elements defining a second spacing there between corresponding to said first spacing of said ribs of said pelt board for firmly arresting said fastening assembly relative to said ribs of said pelt board.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A illustrates a contracted pelt board according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1B illustrates an expanded pelt board according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2A illustrates a cut out view of a contracted pelt board.

(4) FIG. 2B illustrates a cut out view of an expanded pelt board.

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates a further pelt board embodiment according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates the upper part of a pelt board according to the present invention.

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates the lower part of a pelt board according to the present invention.

(8) FIG. 6A illustrates the assembly of a pelt board according to the present invention.

(9) FIG. 6B illustrates an elongated core element and wall elements of the pelt board.

(10) FIG. 7A illustrates the working principle of the peripheral part.

(11) FIG. 7B illustrates the expansion of the peripheral part.

(12) FIG. 8A illustrates an actuator member interacting with the opposite core surface.

(13) FIG. 8B illustrates the elongated core element and wall elements of the pelt board.

(14) FIG. 9A illustrates actuator members and cooperating members of the pelt board.

(15) FIG. 9B illustrates the movement of the actuator members and cooperating members.

(16) FIG. 9C illustrates the fastening member and the track of the pelt board.

(17) FIG. 9D illustrates the movement of the fastening member in relation to the track.

(18) FIG. 10A illustrates the assembly of the upper part of the pelt board.

(19) FIG. 10B illustrates the finished upper part of the pelt board.

(20) FIG. 11A illustrates the upper part of the pelt board in the contracted state.

(21) FIG. 11B illustrates the upper part of the pelt board in the expanded state.

(22) FIG. 12A illustrates the use of intermediate sections.

(23) FIG. 12B illustrates the working principle of the intermediate sections.

(24) FIG. 13 illustrates a further embodiment of the pelt board.

(25) FIG. 14 illustrates the assembly of the bottom part of the pelt board.

(26) FIG. 15 illustrates the connecting element of the pelt board.

(27) FIG. 16 illustrates the protrusions of the locking mechanism of the core element.

(28) FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D are a series illustrating the working principle of the locking mechanism.

(29) FIG. 18A illustrates a further embodiment of the pelt board in the contracted state.

(30) FIG. 18B illustrates a further embodiment of the pelt board in the expanded state.

(31) FIG. 19 illustrates a pelt board and a drying unit.

(32) FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are a series illustrating the working principal of a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the present invention.

(33) FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate the expansion of the pelt board in a first transversal direction.

(34) FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate the expansion of the pelt board in a second transversal direction.

(35) FIGS. 23A, 23B and 23 C are a series illustrating the expansion of the pelt board in two different transversal directions.

(36) FIG. 24 illustrates details of a further and presently preferred embodiment of the pelt board according to the present invention.

(37) FIG. 25 illustrates the pelt board also shown in FIG. 24 in a disassembled state.

(38) FIG. 26 illustrates details of the pelt board also shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

(39) FIG. 27 illustrates further details of the pelt board, also shown in FIGS. 24-26.

(40) FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C are a series illustrating schematically a first embodiment of a pelt board according to the present invention.

(41) FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C are a series similar to the series of FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C, respectively, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the pelt board according to the present invention.

(42) FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C are a series similar to the series of FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C, respectively, illustrating a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C.

(43) FIGS. 31A and 31B are illustrations similar to the illustrations of FIGS. 28A and 28B, respectively, of a complete pelt board.

(44) FIG. 32 illustrates details of the pelt board shown in FIGS. 28A-28C.

(45) FIG. 33 illustrates further details of the assembling of the pelt board shown in FIG. 32.

(46) FIG. 34 illustrates a pelt board, a pelt and a clip.

(47) FIG. 35A illustrates a clip.

(48) FIG. 35B illustrates gripping members of the clip.

(49) FIG. 35C illustrates gripping members and hair of a pelt.

(50) FIG. 35D illustrates a rounded gripping member.

(51) FIG. 36 illustrates, similar to FIG. 34, a pelt with a fixating plastic bag, a pelt board and a clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(52) In the below detailed description of the various embodiments described with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures identifying identical components described only once in the first occurrence of the element. Elements or components serving the same purpose or being configured similar to previously described components or elements, respectively, are designated the same reference numeral as previously indicated, however, added a marking to identify the geometrical difference from the previously described component or element, still, to the use of the same integer identifying the correspondence as to function and structure. It is further contemplated that elements or components from one embodiment described below may readily be combined with another embodiment with reference to a different figure, as the various variants of embodiments are readily interchangeable and/or elements or components from one embodiment being readily substituted with or by components or elements of another embodiment.

(53) FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pelt board 10 in the contracted state. The pelt board 10 comprises a lower part 12 and an upper part 14. The lower part 12 comprises a first arched wall element 16, a second wall element 18, a third wall element 20, a fourth wall element 22 which together define a cavity 24 in which an elongated core element 26 is located. The first arched wall element 16, the second wall element 18, the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 are shown here schematically as being solid, it is however understood that for optimal drying of the pelt, they should be louvered for allowing ventilation air to pass from the pelt board to the pelt. The upper part 14 comprise a fifth wall element 28 and a sixth wall element 30, both which in the present case are arched and tapered but which also may be made non-arched and non-tapered. The elongated core element 26 extends into the upper part 14 in the form of a core extension element 26.

(54) The first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 comprises respective peripheral elements 16 16 18 18, which are flexibly connected to the center elements of the respective first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18. The third wall element 20 will in the present contracted state overlap the peripheral elements 16 18 and the fourth wall element 20 will in the present contracted state overlap the peripheral elements 16 18. The fifth wall element 28 and a sixth wall element 30 both mutually overlap each other. An extension element 32 is interconnecting the lower part 12 and the upper part 14.

(55) FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the pelt board 10 in the expanded state. By pushing the elongated core element 26 in a longitudinal direction as shown by the arrows, the wall elements are all forced in outwardly oriented directions as shown by the arrows. The first wall element 16 and the fifth wall element 28 are moved along a first radial dimension while the second wall element 18 and the sixth wall element 30 are moved along the first radial dimension but in the opposite direction, the first radial dimension being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction defined by the elongated core element 26. The third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 are forced in opposite directions along a second radial direction as shown by the arrows, which second radial direction is perpendicular to both the first radial dimension and to the longitudinal dimension. The peripheral portions 16 16 18 18 of the respective first wall element 16 and second wall element 18 move along both the first and second radial dimensions such that the expanded pelt board 10 form a smooth outer surface.

(56) FIG. 2A shows a cut-out perspective view of another embodiment of a pelt board 10 in the contracted state. The third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 comprise actuator members 34 along the longitudinal dimension and the elongated core element 26 comprise cooperating members 36 along the longitudinal dimension. The actuator members 34 and cooperating members 36 define opposing wedges. In the contracted state of the pelt board 10, the sloping surfaces of the opposing wedges are non-overlapping or overlapping such that no outwardly oriented force is generated, i.e. that the protruding portions of the opposing wedges are non-overlapping.

(57) The fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 comprise actuator members 34 along the longitudinal dimension and the elongated core element 26 comprise cooperating members 36 along the longitudinal dimension. The actuator members 34 define curved grooves along the longitudinal dimension of the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 whereas the cooperating members 36 define pins of the core extension element 26.

(58) FIG. 2B shows a cut-out perspective view of the pelt board 10 in the expanded state. The sloping surfaces of the opposing wedges are now overlapping such that an outwardly oriented force is achieved, i.e. the protruding parts of the opposing wedges are overlapping causing the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 to move outwardly in opposite directions.

(59) When the core extension element 26 moves together with the elongated core element 26 along the longitudinal dimension, the pins constituting the cooperating members 36 move along the curved grooves constituting the actuator members 34 and thereby causing the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element to move outwardly in opposite directions.

(60) The movement of the first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 will be explained in detail in the following figures.

(61) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pelt board 10. In the present embodiment, the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 are substantially flat in order to be able to accommodate the neck part of the animal pelt. The surface of the arched wall elements 16 18 20 22 have ribs 38 for allowing the pelt to be properly fixated to the pelt board 10. Further all of the wall elements 16 18 20 22 have ventilation holes 40.

(62) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the upper part 14 of the pelt board 10. It shows in detail how the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 both connect to the core extension element 26. The actuator elements 34 in form of curved grooves connect to the cooperating members 36 in the form of pins. By longitudinal movement of the core extension element 26, the pins will follow the path defined by the curved grooves and thus cause the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 to move outwardly along the curve defined by the interaction between the curved grooves and the pins.

(63) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the lower part 12 of the pelt board 10. In the present embodiment the first wall element 16 is composed of two elements designated the reference numerals 16A and 16B which are interconnected by means of a snap fit connection 42. Also, the second wall element 18 is composed of two elements designated the reference numerals 18A and 18B and which are interconnected by means of a snap fit connection 42.

(64) FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of the lower part 12 of the pelt board 10. The present view especially shows a close-up view of the elements 16A 16B 18A 18B making up the first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18, respectively. In order to make the first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 move in the first radial direction, the snap fit mechanisms 42 42, when assembled, define actuator members 34 in the form of pins. The elongated core element 26 defines cooperating members 36 in the form of curved grooves. The working principle of the curved groove and the pin is the same as for the upper part of the pelt board 10. The pins are guided by the curved grooves and forced inwardly/outwardly according to the longitudinal movement of the elongated core element 26. Thereby, the first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 move along the first radial dimension and at the same time the first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 are held by the elongated core element 26.

(65) The wall elements 16A 16B 18A 18B also each comprise a number of respective peripheral parts 44 which are flexibly connected to its corresponding wall elements 16A 16B 18A 18B.

(66) FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of the lower part 12 of the pelt board 10 when assembled. When interconnected, each of the snap fit mechanism 42 42 will form a pin 34 to be guided in the curved groove of the elongated core element 26. The peripheral parts 44, which will be described in detail below, form a substantially smooth and continuous surface together with it corresponding wall element 16 18.

(67) FIG. 7A shows a close up view describing the functional principle of the elongated core element 26, the wall element 16A and the corresponding peripheral part 44. The present view represents the contracted state of the pelt board. The elongated core element 26 comprises a further cooperating member 36 constituting a wedge and which is adapted to cooperate with an actuator member 34 constituting a protrusion on the peripheral part 44.

(68) FIG. 7B shows the setup of FIG. 7B when in the expanded state. The elongated core element 26 moves in the longitudinal direction relative to the wall element 16a and causes the wall element 16A to move outwardly in the first radial direction as shown by the arrows. The outwardly movement of the wall element 16A is caused by the interaction between the cooperating member 36 and the actuator member 34. The longitudinal movement of the elongated core 26 causes the actuator member 34 constituting a protrusion to slide on the cooperating member 36 constituting a wedge and thereby the peripheral part 44 is caused to move outwardly in both the first and second radial directions as shown by the arrow.

(69) FIG. 8A shows a perspective view illustrating how the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 are fastened together and to the elongated core element 26. The third and fourth wall elements 20 22 each comprise further actuator members in the form of fastening members 46, which are cooperating with corresponding tracks 48 of the elongated core element 26. The third and fourth wall elements 20 22 are in the present embodiment additionally joined together via corresponding clip-on mechanisms 50 50 at the bottom end of the pelt board.

(70) FIG. 8B shows the lower part 12 of the pelt board when the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 are fastened together and to the elongated core element 26.

(71) FIG. 9A shows a close-up view illustrating the working principle of the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22. The third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 each comprise actuator members 34 and the elongated core element 26 comprises cooperating members 36. The actuator members 34 and the cooperating members 36 define wedges having sloped in opposite direction. In the present contracted state, the wedges of the actuator members 34 and the cooperating members 36 are located such that the protruding parts of the wedges are non-overlapping, allowing the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 to define a small distance between themselves. The fastening members 46, described in detail in the previous figure, will in the present case be interacting with the corresponding tracks 48 of the elongated core element 26 such that each of the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 are pulled inwardly towards the elongated core element 26.

(72) FIG. 9B shows a close-up view illustrating the working principle of the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 when in the expanded state. In the present expanded state, the wedges of the actuator members 34 and the cooperating members 36 are located such that the protruding parts of the wedges are overlapping, causing the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 to define a larger distance between themselves. The moving principle of the third wall element 20, the fourth wall element 22 and the elongated core element 26 is illustrated by the arrows.

(73) FIG. 9C shows a close-up view illustrating the working principle of the fastening member 46 when the pelt board is in the expanded state. The fastening member 46 has a wedged shape for controlling the distance between the elongated core element 26 and the respective third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 depending on the longitudinal position of the elongated core element 26. The fastening member 46 of the respective third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 grasps the track 48 of the elongated core element 26 which is located opposite the third wall element 20 of which the present fastening member 46 is part of.

(74) FIG. 9D shows a close-up view illustrating the working principle of the fastening member 46 when the pelt board is in the expanded state. The contraction of the wall third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 may be controlled in that the slope of the fastening member causes the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 to move closer to the elongated core element 26 when the pelt board is assuming the contracted state.

(75) FIG. 10A shows the mounting principle of the upper part 14. In the first step, the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 are positioned in a partial overlapping position about the core extension element 26. In the next step, the cooperating members 36, which constitute pins, are positioned through the actuator members 34, which constitute curved grooves, and through the center of the core extension element 26.

(76) FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the upper part 14 when mounted and when in the expanded state.

(77) FIG. 11A shows the moving principle of the upper part 14 of the pelt board. The cooperating members 36 are guided in the actuator members 34 for causing the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 to minimize the radial dimension between themselves and relative to the core extension element 26.

(78) FIG. 11B shows the moving principle of the upper part 14 of the pelt board. The cooperating members 36 are guided in the actuator members 34 for causing the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 to increase the radial dimension between them and relative to the core extension element 26 when the core extension element 26 is moved in the longitudinal direction as shown by the arrows.

(79) FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pelt board 10. The pelt board 10 resembles the pelt boards of the previous embodiments however in order to be able to adjust the length of the pelt board 10, there has been included intermediate sections 52 in-between the upper part 14 and the lower part 12. The intermediate sections 52 constitute elliptic cylindrical spacer elements which are non-expandable. The intermediate sections 52 may be made non-expandable since the pelt is most likely to stick to the upper part 14 and the lower part 12. However, the intermediate sections 52 may of course also be made expandable similar to the lower part 12 or the upper part 14. For large pelts, a plurality of intermediate sections 52 may be used. A core connecting element 26 may be used for interconnecting the elongate core element of the lower part 12 and the core extension element of the upper part 14.

(80) FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a pelt board 10 and illustrates how the lower part 12 and the upper part 14 is expanding as shown by the arrows, while the intermediate sections remain constant in circumference.

(81) FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a pelt board 10.sup.IV. The present pelt board 56 comprises a number of ribs 56 which contribute to holding the pelt on the pelt board. Further, a number of ventilation holes 40 are present for allowing the pelt to dry quickly. The pelt board 10.sup.IV is of elliptical configuration and the third and fourth wall elements 20 22, having an arched configuration, may overlap the first and second wall elements 16 18 in order to assume the expanded state and the contracted state. The elongated core element has in the present view been omitted. A large opening 58 is present at the bottom end of the pelt board 10.sup.IV for allowing a large amount of dry ventilation air to enter the pelt board 10.sup.IV.

(82) FIG. 14 shows the bottom end of the lower part 12 of the pelt board. The lower ends of the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 are fixated by means of cooperating clip-on mechanisms 50 50 such that the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 cannot move in relation to each other adjacent the lower end of the pelt board. Typically, the pelt does stop a few centimeters above the lower end, otherwise a longer pelt board should be used. Thus, it is not necessary that the third wall element 20 and the fourth wall element 22 are movable adjacent the lower end of the pelt board. A connecting element 60 is used for moving the elongated core element 26 in the longitudinal direction. Also shown are first locking protrusions 62 located on each of the third wall element 20 and fourth wall element 22. Second locking protrusions 64 are located on the connecting element 60. The locking protrusions 62 64 are used to lock the elongated core element 26 in the expanded state. This will be explained further below.

(83) FIG. 15 shows the lower part 12 of the pelt board when it has been assembled. The connecting element 60 extends from an opening 58 at the lower end of the pelt board. The opening 58 is preferably large for allowing a large flow of air to enter the interior of the pelt board 10 and most preferably the opening 58 defines the greater part of the entire bottom surface of the pelt board 10. The opening 58 typically constitutes the limiting flow surface which determines the amount of air which will flow through the pelt board. A small opening 58 would limit the flow which would cause a less efficient drying of the pelt.

(84) FIG. 16 shows a perspective close up of the connecting element 60 and the locking principle employed to lock the pelt board in the expanded state. The third and fourth wall elements comprise first locking protrusions 62, whereas the connecting element 60 comprises second locking protrusions 64. The connecting element 60 is flexible in the first radial direction in relation to the third and fourth wall elements. The present locking mechanism is located adjacent the bottom end of the pelt board and together with the friction between the internal moving parts of the pelt board, i.e. the actuator members and the cooperating members, it will eliminate the need of any further locking mechanisms inside the pelt board. The present locking mechanism should be located adjacent the bottom end of the pelt board in order to avoid it being jammed by fatty substances which may come from the pelt. The change from expanded state to contracted state may preferably be made when the bottom end of the elongated core element is attached to the drying unit, e.g. by tilting the pelt board sideways, thereby also taking advantage of the leverage provided by the pelt board for overcoming the friction between the first and second protrusions.

(85) FIG. 17A shows the locked position of the pelt board. The first locking protrusions 62 are located below the second locking protrusions 64. The first locking protrusion 62 thus prevents the longitudinal movement of the connecting element 60 and thus of the elongated core element.

(86) FIG. 17B shows the unlocking of the pelt board. By moving the connecting element 60 in the first radial direction, the second locking protrusion 64 is free to move past the first locking protrusion 62.

(87) FIG. 17C shows the movement from expanded state to contracted state of the unlocked pelt board. By moving the connecting element 60 in the longitudinal direction, such that the second locking protrusion 64 moves past the first locking protrusion 62, the state may be altered from the expanded state to the contracted state.

(88) FIG. 17D shows the connecting element 60 when the pelt board is in the contracted state. By releasing the connecting element 60, it flexes back to its central relaxed position.

(89) FIG. 18A shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pelt board 10.sup.V when in the contracted state. The pelt board 10.sup.V comprises movable wall elements 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 22 which together do not cover the complete circumference of the pelt board. In-between the wall elements 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 22 fixed wall elements 54 are located. When in the contracted state, the wall elements 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 22 form an even outer surface together with the fixed wall elements 54.

(90) FIG. 18B shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pelt board 10.sup.V when in the expanded state. When in the expanded state, the wall elements 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 22 move outwardly and form contact surfaces for the pelts. The moving principle of the wall elements 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 22 have not been shown, however, preferably the same principles are used as for the previous embodiments.

(91) FIG. 19 shows the pelt board during drying when connected to a drying unit 66. The drying unit 66 has a ventilator 68 and a number of ventilation apertures 70. The ventilator produces a flow of air which is led via the ventilation apertures 70 into the pelt board 10 through the openings 58 at the lower part 12 of the pelt board 10.

(92) FIG. 20A shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the pelt board 10.sup.VI, in which the first wall element 16 is integrally joint to the third wall element 20 as indicated by a line of junction 17 and similarly, the second wall element 18 is integrally joint to the fourth wall element 22 through a line of junction 19. The embodiment of the pelt board 10.sup.VI shown in FIGS. 20A-20C presents the further feature of allowing the pelt board to be expanded in two alternative and separate directions; a first direction shown in FIG. 20B as indicated by arrows, according to which expansion the third wall element and the fourth wall element 22 are separated from one another for expanding the pelt board in a first transversal direction and likewise in FIG. 20C, the expansion of the pelt board 10.sup.VI caused by shifting the first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 relative to one another for expanding the pelt board in a direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 20C, which direction is orthogonal to the direction of expansion shown in FIG. 20B.

(93) FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate in greater details the expansion of the pelt board 10.sup.VI in the first transversal direction indicated in FIG. 20B and similarly, in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the expansion in the second transversal direction is illustrated in greater details.

(94) As is indicated in FIG. 20B and FIG. 20C and likewise in FIGS. 21A and 22A, the expansion in the second transversal direction is accomplished as a further movement of the elongated core element 26 as the movement of the central core element 26 from the position shown in FIG. 20A to the position shown in FIG. 20B accomplishes the expansion of the pelt board in the first transversal direction and further motion of the central core element 26 as indicated in FIG. 20C creates the further expansion in the second transversal direction. By modifying the actuator members 34, 36 and 46, 48 or repositioning them relative to one another, the shifting from the non-expanded state to the full expansion shown in FIG. 20C may be accomplished in a different way by firstly shifting the first and second wall element 16, 18 relative to one another and then afterwards shifting the third and fourth wall elements 18 and 20 relative to one another. In a still further variant of the pelt board 10.sup.VI, the shifting of the pelt board from the non-expanded state to the first or the second expanded states shown in FIGS. 20B and 20C, respectively, may be accomplished selectively by shifting the central core element 26 sidewise in order to contact the one set of actuators 34, 36 shown in FIG. 21B, or alternatively the second set 46, 48 shown in FIG. 22B.

(95) FIGS. 24-27 illustrate a 3-component embodiment of the pelt board 10.sup.IV, which embodiments constitutes the presently preferred embodiment of the pelt board according to the present invention.

(96) In FIG. 24, the two shell parts 28 and 29 are shown exposing the exterior surfaces of the two shell parts and in addition, in the left hand part of FIG. 24 exposing the upper ends of the two shell parts, which upper ends serve to catch and fixate a part of the pelt at the head of the pelt. As is evident from the enlarged views of FIG. 24 at the left hand side of FIG. 24, the upper ends are provided with catching claws or teeth serving to fixate the head of the pelt relative to the pelt board.

(97) In FIG. 25, the two shell parts 28 and 30 are shown in disassembled state exposing the central elongated core element 29 having at its lower end an outwardly protruding part serving to cooperate with a conventional tanning machine and a conventional drying machine.

(98) In FIGS. 26 and 27, further details illustrated in enlarged views A-G of the pelt board is shown. In A and B, the outer surface of the top part of the pelt board is shown illustrating the longitudinal ridges of the pelt board and edgewise located apertures. In C, the upper end of the shell part 28 is shown illustrating the catching teeth, also shown in FIG. 24. In D, the cam surfaces of the elongated element 29 are shown in greater details and in E, the inner locking elements of the shell part 30 are shown. In F, the lower outwardly extending or protruding element constituting a so-called stubby element is shown, and in G, the locks of the shell part 30 are shown in greater details.

(99) In general, the above described presently preferred embodiment 10.sup.VI of the pelt board according to the present invention fulfill the following features characteristic of the embodiment. The shell parts 28 and 30 are forcedly guided relative to the elongated core element 29 at a total of six locations along the shell parts, as the forcedly guiding or controlling is established during expansion of as well as during collapsing of the pelt board. The locks of the pelt board serve as a frictional lock preventing collapsing and expansion of the pelt board until an outer force generated by a pelt position on the pelt board activates the lock. The expansion in both transversal directions and likewise the collapsing in both transversal directions is forcedly controlled and guided. The above stubby elements together with the lower end of the shell parts serve to center the pelt board in a drying box or drying machine and provides a stop in the drying box. Further, the stubby element, as distinct from previously used stubby elements serving to catch and lock in the tanning machine and in the drying box or drying machine provides gripping flanges or elements for an improved fixation. For providing individual recordal of the pelt received on a specific pelt board, the pelt board is further provided with an internal holder for receiving an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device).

(100) The shell parts further exhibit the following additional features by providing holes for the drying of the back part of the pelt and providing an increased air through flow as compared to conventional and commercially available pelt boards. In the longitudinal direction of the pelt board, the shell parts are reinforced every 60 mm and transversal bands are further provided every 30 mm. The overall surfaces of the two shell parts prevent vertical shifting of the pelt relative to the pelt board, and the teeth at the upper ends of the two shell parts fixate the upper end, i.e. the head of the pelt relative to the pelt board. The number of teeth for catching the head of the pelt may be constituted by any arbitrary numbers such as 2, 4, 6, 8 or even further teeth as the presently preferred embodiment exhibit a total of four teeth in each of the two shell parts 28 and 30. The assembled pelt board 10.sup.VI shown in FIGS. 24-27 further provide the advantage of collapsing the pelt board in its entire length and allows for machinery operated removal of the pelt from the pelt board. The overall cross section of the pelt board is similar to the geometry of an ellipse in the non-expanded or collapsed state, which provides an improved function as to easy mounting of the pelt and easy removal of the pelt after collapsing the pelt board. The high number of air apertures serving to allow air to circulate through the pelt board and further through the pelt allows for the drying air to be passed from the inside of the pelt board to the outside. The overall opening air layer of the overall transversal opening area of the pelt board is approximately 1200 mm.sup.2 calculated as the open area. In the drying of the pelt, the air is, as is evident from FIGS. 25 and 26 guided inside the pelt board along approximately 60% of the overall length of the pelt board and then transferred to the outer surface of the pelt board through the apertures shown in the enlarged views A and B of FIG. 26.

(101) FIG. 28A shows a perspective view of a part of a further embodiment of a pelt board 10.sup.VII in its contracted or non-expanded state. The pelt board 10.sup.VII resembles the above described embodiments 10.sup.VI shown in FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, 23A, 23B and 23C. The part of the pelt board 10.sup.VII shown in FIG. 28A constitutes the lower part 12.sup.I of the pelt board, which is shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, which will be described in greater details below.

(102) The lower part 12.sup.I of the pelt board 10.sup.VII is composed of a total of three components, namely two identically shaped shell parts 72 and 74 and a central elongated core element 26.

(103) Each of the shell parts 72 and 74 comprise a major low curvature wall part 22.sup.I and 20.sup.I, respectively, and a minor high curvature wall part 18.sup.I and 16.sup.I, respectively. The major low curvature wall parts 22.sup.I and 20.sup.I are joint to the minor high curvature parts 18.sup.I and 16.sup.I, respectively, through imaginary lines 17.sup.I and 19.sup.I, respectively.

(104) The embodiment of the pelt board 10.sup.VII shown in FIG. 28A is of a structure, in which the two identically shaped shell parts 72 and 74 in the contracted or non-expanded state shown in FIG. 28A constitute an almost perfectly configured elliptical cross sectional configuration as the longitudinal edges of the oppositely positioned shell parts 72 and 74 join one another in a basically unbroken elliptically cross sectional configuration. The elliptical cross sectional configuration of the pelt board 10.sup.VII shown in FIG. 28A is believed to improve the ability of the pelt board to allow an easy removal of the pelt from the pelt board after the tanning of the pelt as the outer surface of the pelt board 10.sup.VII in its contracted or collapsed state is almost perfectly uniform without any substantive discontinuities.

(105) In FIG. 28B, the embodiment of the pelt board 10.sup.VII is shown in its expanded state, in which the two shell parts 72 and 74 are caused to be shifted away from one another establishing a gap between the edges of the oppositely positioned shell parts 72 and 74. The shift of the shell parts 72 and 74 away from one another as illustrated in FIG. 28B and indicated by arrows is accomplished by shifting the central elongated core element 26 in a direction also indicated by an arrow inwardly into the interior of the pelt board 10.sup.VII forcing the shell parts 72 and 74 away from one another.

(106) The separation or the shifting of the shell parts 72 and 74 is accomplished by means of cooperating actuator elements 34 and 36 shown in FIG. 28C identical to the actuator elements 34 and 36 shown in FIG. 21B and described above, the actuator elements 34 being constituted by triangularly shaped bodies extending inwardly from the central part of the major low curvature wall part 22.sup.I of the shell part 72 and likewise from the major low curvature wall part 20.sup.I of the shell part 74, and the central elongated rod 26 is provided with actuator members 36 defining cooperating sloping cam surfaces with which the actuator members 34 cooperate for pushing the shell parts 72 and 74 away from one another to the expanded state shown in FIG. 28C.

(107) In FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C, a further embodiment of the pelt board 10.sup.VIII is shown having the same shell parts 72 and 74 as illustrated in FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C as described above and the central elongated core element 26. Whereas in FIGS. 28B and 28C, the expansion of the pelt board is established as a vertical separation by pushing the shell parts away from one another, the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C establishes the expansion of the pelt board by shifting the shell parts 72 and 74 sidewise as illustrated in FIG. 29B and as accomplished by the cooperation between actuator members 34.sup.I and 36.sup.I shown in FIG. 29C. To be more precise, in FIG. 29B, the shell part 72 is shifted to the right and similarly, the shell part 74 is shifted to the left relative to the central elongated core elements 26.

(108) In FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C, a modified or alternative embodiment of the further embodiment 10.sup.IX shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C, respectively, is illustrated differing from the above described further embodiment 10.sup.VIII in that the modified embodiment shifts the shell parts 72 and 74 in opposite directions as compared to the shifting shown in FIG. 29B and as illustrated in FIG. 30B, the shell part 72 is shifted to the left and simultaneously, the shell 74 is shifted to the right as accomplished by the modified cooperating actuator members 34.sup.II and 36.sup.II.

(109) In FIGS. 31A and 31B, the entire pelt board 10.sup.VII is shown having in addition to the lower part 12.sup.I shown in FIG. 28A, an upper part 14 constituting a geometrical extension and continuation of the lower part 12.sup.I and having a tapering configuration. The upper part 14.sup.I also comprises two shell parts 28.sup.I and 30.sup.I which, like the shell parts 72 and 74 of the lower part 12, are caused to be separated similar to the separation of the shell parts 72 and 74 of the embodiment 10.sup.VII described above with reference to FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C. It is readily understood that the separation of the two shell parts 28.sup.I and 30.sup.I of the upper part 28.sup.I is accomplished in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C in relation to the lower part 12.sup.I of the pelt board 10.sup.VII, and like the further embodiment 10.sup.VIII shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C and the modified embodiment 10.sup.IX shown in FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C, the complete pelt board 10.sup.VII shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B may be modified into establishing the sidewise expansion described above with reference to FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C and also FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C.

(110) FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 illustrate in greater details a further embodiment 10.sup.X of the pelt board according to the present invention, which embodiment exhibits the highly advantageous feature of being composed of no more than three components, namely two identically shaped shell parts 72.sup.I and 74.sup.I and the central core element 36. The shell parts 72.sup.I and 74.sup.I integrally comprise the shell parts 72, 72 and 28.sup.I, 30, respectively, of the embodiment 10.sup.VII of the pelt board, as the shell parts 72 and 72 and similarly the shell parts 28.sup.I and 30.sup.I of the lower and upper parts 12.sup.I and 14.sup.I, respectively, of the pelt board 10.sup.VII are constituted by a single integral component 72.sup.I and 74.sup.I, respectively. Likewise, the central elongated core element serving to shift in a forced manner the shell parts 72.sup.I and 74I from the contracted or non-expanded state to the expanded state and vice versa serve to engage with the actuator elements of the shell parts 72.sup.I and 74.sup.I.

(111) FIG. 34 shows a perspective view of a pelt board 10.sup.II which is accommodating a pelt 76. The pelt 76 is stretched on the board and fastened in the stretched position by a clip 94 adjacent the tail part of the pelt 76. The clip 94 is positioned above ribs 38 of the pelt board 10.sup.II which ribs 38 interacts with the clip 94 for retaining the pelt 76 on the pelt board 10.sup.II.

(112) FIG. 35A shows a perspective view of the clip 94 of the previous figure. The clip 94 constitutes a strip of plastic material which is clamped onto the pelt 76 on the board 10.sup.II. The clip 94 is straight when not applied to the pelt board. The clip 94 comprise a pair of opposing rigid fastening sections 96 96, a pair of opposing flexible sections 98 98 each connected to a fastening section and a rigid section 90 interconnecting the flexible sections 98 98. The flexible sections 98 98 may easily be bent such that the fastening sections 96 96 meet about the pelt board 10.sup.II. The fastening sections 96 96 may be joined together by a screw or similar via a hole 96. The combination of rigid sections and flexible sections allow the clip 94 to assume a substantially uniform fixation pressure on the pelt 76. The clip 94 comprise gripping members 100 having a small spacing in-between themselves and the flexible section 98 98 of the clip 94 comprise a larger spacing 92 between gripping members 100 in order to allow the flexible sections 98 98 to be easily bent.

(113) FIG. 35B shows a close-up view of the clip 94. The clip 94 comprises a plurality of gripping members 100 intended to face the pelt on the pelt board. The gripping members 100 define a small distance between themselves allowing hair to pass in between the gripping members 100. Each of the gripping members 100 have a T-shape, i.e. a short and slender element extending outwardly from the clip 94 and a contact element extending parallel to the clip 94 at the outward end of the short and slender element and intended to be facing the pelt board 10.sup.II.

(114) FIG. 35C shows a close-up view of the clip 94 and the pelt 76. The clip 94 comprises gripping members 100 having the T-shape facing the pelt board 10.sup.II. The T-shape of the gripping members 100 allow the gripping members 100 to penetrate the hair 102 of the pelt 76 such that the inwardly oriented fixation pressure generated by the clip 94 is applied to the leather of the pelt 76 and not the hair of the pelt 76. Thus, any deformation of the hair 102 of the pelt is avoided.

(115) FIG. 35D shows a close-up view of the clip 94 at the flexible section 98 of the clip 94 comprising rounded gripping members 100 and spacing 92 between the gripping members to prevent squeezing of the hair 102 of the pelt 76 when the flexible section 98 are bend.

(116) FIG. 36 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 34 illustrating the pelt 76 onto which a fixation bag 106 is applied prior to the application of the strip onto the pelt 76.

(117) Although the present invention has above been described with reference to several advantageous embodiments, it would be evident to a person having ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications and variants of the above technical disclosure may be deduced without deviating from the overall inventive concept as defined in the appending claims, and it would be evident to a person having ordinary skill in the art to deduce variants of the above described advantageous embodiments by combining the embodiments, i.e. by including features of one embodiment into a different embodiment.

REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS

(118) 10. Pelt board 12. Lower part 14. Upper part 16. First wall element 18. Second wall element 20. Third wall element 22. Fourth wall element 24. Cavity 26. Elongated core element 28. Fifth wall element 30. Sixth wall element 32. Extension element 34. Actuator member 36. Cooperating member 38. Ribs 40. Ventilation holes 42. Snap fit mechanism 44. Peripheral part 46. Fastening member 48. Track 50. Clip-on mechanism 52. Intermediate sections 54. Fixed wall elements 56. Ribs 58. Opening 60. Connecting element 62. First locking protrusion 64. Second locking protrusion 66. Drying unit 68. Ventilator 70. Apertures 72. Shell part 74. Shell part 76. clip 90. Rigid section 92. Spacing 94. Clip 96. Fixating section 98. Flexible section 100. Gripping member 102. Hair 104. Rounded gripping member 106. Plastic bag.
First Set of Points Defining Features of the Invention

(119) 1. An elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising: a first wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, a second wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing the first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, the first and second wall elements being spaced apart in the first radial direction, a third wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member, a fourth wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface facing the third inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member, the third wall element and the fourth wall element being spaced apart in the second radial direction, the first inwardly oriented surface, the second inwardly oriented surface, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along the longitudinal direction, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element defining: a contracted state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and, the second radial distance between the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and an expanded state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is increased, and, the second radial distance between the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface is increased, and an elongated core element extending within the cavity along the longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to each of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element, the elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with the first actuator member of the first wall element, a second cooperating member interacting with the second actuator member of the second wall element, a third cooperating member interacting with the third actuator member of the third wall element and a fourth cooperating member interacting with the fourth actuator member of the fourth wall element for allowing the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element.

(120) 2. The pelt board according to point 1, wherein when in the contracted state, the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges overlapping respective edges of the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges or alternatively the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges overlapping respective edges of the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges, and, when in the expanded state the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges are substantially flush with respective edges of the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges.

(121) 3. The pelt board according to point 2, wherein any of the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and/or the fourth wall element define a central part and a peripheral part, the peripheral part encompassing the set of edges, the central part and the peripheral part being flexibly joined together and when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the contracted state the peripheral part assume an inwardly oriented position, whereas when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the expanded state the peripheral part assume an outwardly oriented position.

(122) 4. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute pins and the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, wherein the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute pins and the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.

(123) 5. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member constitute wedge members for contacting the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member, or, wherein the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member constitute wedge members for contacting the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member.

(124) 6. The pelt board according to point 5, wherein the third actuator member and the fourth actuator members further engage the cooperating members opposite the elongated core element.

(125) 7. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein any of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element comprise ventilation grooves between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board, and/or, wherein the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define an opening between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board at the bottom end for allowing ventilation air to enter the cavity, and/or wherein the third wall element and the fourth wall element are fixedly connected at the bottom end.

(126) 8. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein any of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element have an arched shape such that any of the first outwardly oriented surface, second outwardly oriented surface, third outwardly oriented surface and fourth outwardly oriented surface define a convex shape.

(127) 9. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first wall element defines a first radial edge adjacent the top end of the elongated core, the second wall element comprising a second radial edge adjacent the top edge of the elongated core, the pelt board further comprising: a fifth wall element adjacent to the first wall element at the first radial edge, the fifth wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and away from the second wall element, the fifth wall element defining a fifth outwardly oriented surface and a fifth actuator member, a sixth wall element adjacent to the second wall element at the second radial edge, the sixth wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and away from the second wall element, the sixth wall element defining a sixth outwardly oriented surface and a sixth actuator member, the fifth and sixth wall elements being spaced apart in the first radial direction, and a core extension element connected to the top end of the elongated core element and extending along the longitudinal direction away from the elongated core element, the core extension element being movable in relation to the fifth wall element and sixth wall element, the core extension element comprising a fifth cooperating member interacting with the fifth actuator member of the fifth wall element and a sixth cooperating member interacting with the sixth actuator member of the sixth wall element for allowing the fifth wall element and the sixth wall element to change between the contracted state and the expanded states by moving the elongated core element and the core extension element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element, the fourth wall element, the fifth wall element and the sixth wall element.

(128) 10. The pelt board according to point 9, wherein the third wall element and the fourth wall element comprise opposing extension elements partially enclosing the core extension element.

(129) 11. The pelt board according to any of the points 9-10, wherein the pelt board comprises: a lower section including the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element, the fourth wall element and the elongated core element, an upper section comprising the fifth wall element, the sixth wall element and the core extension element, and an intermediate section located between the lower section and the upper section and comprising a core connecting element interconnecting the elongated core element and the core extension element, and a number of substantially elliptic cylindrical elements surrounding the core connecting element.

(130) 12. The pelt board according to any of the points 9-11, wherein the fifth cooperating member and the sixth cooperating member constitute pins and the fifth actuator member and the sixth actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, the fifth actuator member and the sixth actuator member constitute pins and the fifth cooperating member and the sixth cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.

(131) 13. The pelt board according to any of the point 9-12, wherein the fifth wall element being connected to the first wall element at the first radial edge and the sixth wall element being connected to the second wall element at the second radial edge.

(132) 14. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the elongated core element comprises a first protrusion adjacent the bottom end, the elongated core element being spring-loaded at the bottom end and defines a centralized relaxed position and a non-centralized loaded position in the first radial direction and/or second radial direction, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element or the fourth wall element comprise a second protrusion cooperating with the first protrusion such that when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the expanded state and the elongated core element define the centralized related position, the first and second protrusions prevent any longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, whereas when the elongated core element define the non-centralized loaded position, the first and second protrusions allow longitudinal movement of the elongated core element.

(133) 15. A method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising: providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, providing a third wall element defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member, providing a fourth wall element defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member, providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member, a second cooperating member, a third cooperating member and a fourth cooperating member, positioning the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element along a longitudinal direction such that the first inwardly oriented surface is facing the second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the third inwardly oriented surface facing the fourth inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, such that the first inwardly oriented surface, the second inwardly oriented surface, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along the longitudinal direction, interacting the first cooperating member, the second cooperating member, the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member with the first actuator member of the first wall element, the second actuator member of the second wall element, the third actuator member of the third wall element and the fourth actuator member of the fourth wall element, respectively, and moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element thereby causing the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element to move between a contracted state and an expanded state, when in the contracted state the first radial distance and the second radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface, and, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are reduced, whereas, when in the expanded state the first radial distance and the second radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface, and, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are increased.
Second Set of Points Defining Features of the Invention

(134) 1. An elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising: a first wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, a second wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing the first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, the first and second wall elements being spaced apart in the first radial direction, a third wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member, a fourth wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface facing the third inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member, the third wall element and the fourth wall element being spaced apart in the second radial direction, the first inwardly oriented surface, the second inwardly oriented surface, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along the longitudinal direction, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element defining:

(135) a contracted state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and, the second radial distance between the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and an expanded state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is increased, and, the second radial distance between the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface is increased, and an elongated core element extending within the cavity along the longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to each of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element, the elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with the first actuator member of the first wall element, a second cooperating member interacting with the second actuator member of the second wall element, a third cooperating member interacting with the third actuator member of the third wall element and a fourth cooperating member interacting with the fourth actuator member of the fourth wall element for allowing the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element.

(136) 2. The pelt board according to point 1, wherein when in the contracted state, the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges overlapping respective edges of the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges or alternatively the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges overlapping respective edges of the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges, and, when in the expanded state the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges are substantially flush with respective edges of the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges.

(137) 3. The pelt board according to point 2, wherein any of the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and/or the fourth wall element define a central part and a peripheral part, the peripheral part encompassing the set of edges, the central part and the peripheral part being flexibly joined together and when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the contracted state the peripheral part assume an inwardly oriented position, whereas when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the expanded state the peripheral part assume an outwardly oriented position.

(138) 4. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute pins and the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, wherein the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute pins and the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.

(139) 5. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member constitute wedge members for contacting the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member, or, wherein the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member constitute wedge members for contacting the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member.

(140) 6. The pelt board according to point 5, wherein the third actuator member and the fourth actuator members further engage the cooperating members opposite the elongated core element.

(141) 7. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein any of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element comprise ventilation grooves between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board, and/or, wherein the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define an opening between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board at the bottom end for allowing ventilation air to enter the cavity, and/or wherein the third wall element and the fourth wall element are fixedly connected at the bottom end.

(142) 8. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein any of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element have an arched shape such that any of the first outwardly oriented surface, second outwardly oriented surface, third outwardly oriented surface and fourth outwardly oriented surface define a convex shape.

(143) 9. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first wall element defines a first radial edge adjacent the top end of the elongated core, the second wall element comprising a second radial edge adjacent the top edge of the elongated core, the pelt board further comprising: a fifth wall element adjacent to the first wall element at the first radial edge, the fifth wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and away from the second wall element, the fifth wall element defining a fifth outwardly oriented surface and a fifth actuator member, a sixth wall element adjacent to the second wall element at the second radial edge, the sixth wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and away from the second wall element, the sixth wall element defining a sixth outwardly oriented surface and a sixth actuator member, the fifth and sixth wall elements being spaced apart in the first radial direction, and a core extension element connected to the top end of the elongated core element and extending along the longitudinal direction away from the elongated core element, the core extension element being movable in relation to the fifth wall element and sixth wall element, the core extension element comprising a fifth cooperating member interacting with the fifth actuator member of the fifth wall element and a sixth cooperating member interacting with the sixth actuator member of the sixth wall element for allowing the fifth wall element and the sixth wall element to change between the contracted state and the expanded states by moving the elongated core element and the core extension element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element, the fourth wall element, the fifth wall element and the sixth wall element.

(144) 10. The pelt board according to point 9, wherein the third wall element and the fourth wall element comprise opposing extension elements partially enclosing the core extension element.

(145) 11. The pelt board according to any of the points 9-10, wherein the pelt board comprises: a lower section including the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element, the fourth wall element and the elongated core element, an upper section comprising the fifth wall element, the sixth wall element and the core extension element, and an intermediate section located between the lower section and the upper section and comprising a core connecting element interconnecting the elongated core element and the core extension element, and a number of substantially elliptic cylindrical elements surrounding the core connecting element.

(146) 12. The pelt board according to any of the points 9-11, wherein the fifth cooperating member and the sixth cooperating member constitute pins and the fifth actuator member and the sixth actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, the fifth actuator member and the sixth actuator member constitute pins and the fifth cooperating member and the sixth cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.

(147) 13. The pelt board according to any of the point 9-12, wherein the fifth wall element being connected to the first wall element at the first radial edge and the sixth wall element being connected to the second wall element at the second radial edge.

(148) 14. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the elongated core element comprises a first protrusion adjacent the bottom end, the elongated core element being spring-loaded at the bottom end and defines a centralized relaxed position and a non-centralized loaded position in the first radial direction and/or second radial direction, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element or the fourth wall element comprise a second protrusion cooperating with the first protrusion such that when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the expanded state and the elongated core element define the centralized related position, the first and second protrusions prevent any longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, whereas when the elongated core element define the non-centralized loaded position, the first and second protrusions allow longitudinal movement of the elongated core element.

(149) 15. The elongated pelt board according to any of the preceding points, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element further defining a first intermediate state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly orientated surface and the second inwardly orientated surface is increased as compared to the contracted state.

(150) 16. The elongated pelt board according to any of the preceding points, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element further defining a second intermediate state in which the second radial distance between third inwardly orientated surface and the fourth inwardly orientated surface is increased as compared to the contracted state.

(151) 17. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, the first wall element defining a first edge among the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and the second wall element defining a second edge among the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the first and second edges being positioned adjacent one another, and the first wall element and the second wall element being integrally connected along the first and second edges, and the third wall element defining a third edge among the third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and the fourth wall element defining a fourth edge among the fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the third and fourth edges being positioned adjacent one another, and the third wall element and the fourth wall element being integrally connected along the third and fourth edges.

(152) 18. The pelt board according to point 17, the first actuator member and the second actuator member being constituted by a single first integral actuator member, and the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member being constituted by a single second integral actuator member.

(153) 19 A method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising: providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, providing a third wall element defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member, providing a fourth wall element defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member, providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member, a second cooperating member, a third cooperating member and a fourth cooperating member, positioning the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element along a longitudinal direction such that the first inwardly oriented surface is facing the second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the third inwardly oriented surface facing the fourth inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, such that the first inwardly oriented surface, the second inwardly oriented surface, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along the longitudinal direction, interacting the first cooperating member, the second cooperating member, the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member with the first actuator member of the first wall element, the second actuator member of the second wall element, the third actuator member of the third wall element and the fourth actuator member of the fourth wall element, respectively, and moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element thereby causing the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element to move between a contracted state and an expanded state, when in the contracted state the first radial distance and the second radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface, and, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are reduced, whereas, when in the expanded state the first radial distance and the second radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface, and, the third inwardly oriented surface and the fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are increased.
Third Set of Points Defining Features of the Invention

(154) 1. An elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising: a first wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, a second wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing the first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, the first wall element and the second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in the longitudinal direction, the low curvature part of the first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the low curvature part of the second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the first edge of the first wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the second wall element and the first edge of the second wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the first wall element, the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along the longitudinal direction, the first wall element and the second wall element defining: a contracted state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which the first edge of the first wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the second wall element, and in which the first edge of the second wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the first wall element, and an expanded state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which the first edge of the first wall element and the second edge of the second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in the first radial direction, and in which the first edge of the second wall element and the second edge of the first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and the first radial direction and an elongated core element extending within the cavity along the longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to the first wall element and second wall element, the elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with the first actuator member of the first wall element and second cooperating member interacting with the second actuator member of the second wall element, for allowing the first wall element and the second wall element, to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element and the second wall element.

(155) 2. An elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising: a first wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, a second wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing the first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, the first wall element and the second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in the longitudinal direction, the low curvature part of the first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the low curvature part of the second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the first edge of the first wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the second wall element and the first edge of the second wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the first wall element, the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along the longitudinal direction, the first wall element and the second wall element defining: a contracted state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which the first edge of the first wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the second wall element, and in which the first edge of the second wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the first wall element, and an expanded state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which the first edge of the first wall element and the second edge of the second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in the second radial direction, and in which the first edge of the second wall element and the second edge of the first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and the second radial direction and an elongated core element extending within the cavity along the longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to the first wall element and second wall element, the elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with the first actuator member of the first wall element and second cooperating member interacting with the second actuator member of the second wall element, for allowing the first wall element and the second wall element, to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element and the second wall element.

(156) 3. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute pins and the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, wherein the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute pins and the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.

(157) 4. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first wall element and the second wall element comprise ventilation grooves between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board.

(158) 5. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first wall element and the second wall element define an opening between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board at the bottom end for allowing ventilation air to enter the cavity.

(159) 6. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first wall element and the second wall element have an arched shape such that the first outwardly oriented surface and the second outwardly oriented surface define a convex shape.

(160) 7. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the first wall element defines a first radial edge adjacent the top end of the elongated core and the second wall element defines a second radial edge adjacent the top edge of the elongated core, the pelt board further comprising: a third wall element adjacent to the first wall element at the first radial edge, the third wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and away from the second wall element, the third wall element defining a third outwardly oriented surface and a third actuator member, a fourth wall element adjacent to the second wall element at the second radial edge, the fourth wall element extending along the longitudinal direction and away from the second wall element, the fourth wall element defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface and a fourth actuator member, the third and fourth wall elements being spaced apart in the first radial direction, and a core extension element connected to the top end of the elongated core element and extending along the longitudinal direction away from the elongated core element, the core extension element being movable in relation to the third wall element and fourth wall element, the core extension element comprising a third cooperating member interacting with the third actuator member of the third wall element and a fourth cooperating member interacting with the fourth actuator member of the fourth wall element for allowing the third wall element and the fourth wall element to change between the contracted state and the expanded states by moving the elongated core element and the core extension element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element.

(161) 8. The pelt board according to point 7, the first wall element and the third wall element being constituted by a first unitary wall element structure, the second wall element and the fourth wall element being constituted by a second unitary wall element structure and the core element and the core extension element being constituted by a single unitary core element structure.

(162) 9. The pelt board according to any of the points 7-8, wherein the pelt board comprises: a lower section including the first wall element and the second wall element and the elongated core element, an upper section comprising the third wall element, the fourth wall element and the core extension element, and an intermediate section located between the lower section and the upper section and comprising a core connecting element interconnecting the elongated core element and the core extension element.

(163) 10. The pelt board according to any of the point 7-9, wherein the third wall element being connected to the first wall element at the first radial edge and the fourth wall element being connected to the second wall element at the second radial edge.

(164) 11. The pelt board according to any of the points 7-9, wherein the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member constitute pins and the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or wherein the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member constitute pins and the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.

(165) 12. The pelt board according to any of the preceding points, wherein the elongated core element comprises a first protrusion adjacent the bottom end, the elongated core element being spring-loaded at the bottom end and defines a centralized relaxed position and a non-centralized loaded position in the first radial direction and/or second radial direction, the first wall element and the second wall element comprise a second protrusion cooperating with the first protrusion such that when the first wall element and the second wall element define the expanded state and the elongated core element define the centralized related position, the first and second protrusions prevent any longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, whereas when the elongated core element define the non-centralized loaded position, the first and second protrusions allow longitudinal movement of the elongated core element.

(166) 13. A method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising: providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, the first wall element and the second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in the longitudinal direction, the low curvature part of the first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the low curvature part of the second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the first edge of the first wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the second wall element and the first edge of the second wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the first wall element, the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along the longitudinal direction, providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member and a second cooperating member, positioning the first wall element and the second wall element along a longitudinal direction such that the first inwardly oriented surface is facing the second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along the longitudinal direction, interacting the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member with the first actuator member of the first wall element and the second actuator member of the second wall element, respectively, and moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element and the second wall element causing the first wall element and the second wall element to move between a contracted state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which the first edge of the first wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the second wall element, and in which the first edge of the second wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the first wall element, and an expanded state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which the first edge of the first wall element and the second edge of the second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in the first radial direction, and in which the first edge of the second wall element and the second edge of the first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and the first radial direction.

(167) 14. A method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising: providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member, providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, the first wall element and the second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in the longitudinal direction, the low curvature part of the first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the low curvature part of the second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the high curvature part of the second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the first edge of the first wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the second wall element and the first edge of the second wall element being positioned juxtaposed the second edge of the first wall element, the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along the longitudinal direction, providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member and a second cooperating member, positioning the first wall element and the second wall element along a longitudinal direction such that the first inwardly oriented surface is facing the second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along the longitudinal direction, interacting the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member with the first actuator member of the first wall element and the second actuator member of the second wall element, respectively, and moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction relative to the first wall element and the second wall element causing the first wall element and the second wall element to move between a contracted state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which the first edge of the first wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the second wall element, and in which the first edge of the second wall element is positioned closely against the second edge of the first wall element, and an expanded state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly oriented surface and the second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which the first edge of the first wall element and the second edge of the second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in the second radial direction, and in which the first edge of the second wall element and the second edge of the first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and the first radial direction.
Fourth Set of Points Defining Features of the Invention

(168) 1. A system for drying a pelt, the system comprising a drying unit and a pelt board, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, the pelt board defining a top end for accommodating and fixating the nose end of the pelt, a circumferential and apertured wall defining an inner cavity and an outer surface for facing the inwardly oriented leather side of the pelt and a bottom end opposite the top end, the pelt board defining an outer bottom end contour at the bottom end, the outer bottom end contour defining a bottom end area, the pelt board further having a connector extending outwardly from the bottom end and adapted for connecting the pelt board to the drying unit, the drying unit having a housing defining a top surface and including a blower or communicating with a blower assembly for supplying air into the housing, the top surface defining a receptor aperture having a configuration matching the connector of the pelt board and serving to receive the connector for supporting the pelt board in an upright position relative to the top surface, an air inlet being provided into the inner cavity at the bottom end of the pelt board for allowing air to be introduced into the inner cavity and to be forced out through the apertured wall for the drying of the inwardly oriented leather side of the pelt, the air inlet defining an inlet area constituting at least 15% of the bottom area of the pelt board and less than approximately 95% of the bottom area, and preferably more than 30% of the bottom area, such as further preferably approximately 45-50% of the bottom area of the pelt board, and an air outlet being provided at the top surface of the housing for communicating with the air inlet and defining an outlet area constituting between 15% and 95% of the bottom area, such as preferably more than 30%, such as preferably 45-50% of the bottom area of the pelt board.

(169) 2. The aperture according to point 1, the air inlet area and the air outlet area being of the same size.

(170) 3. The system according to points 1 or 2, the air inlet being divided into sub air inlets circumferentially encircling the connector.

(171) 4. The system according to point 3, the air outlet circumferentially encircling the receptor aperture.

(172) 5. The system according to any of the points 1-4, the connector having inlet slots for allowing air to be introduced into the inner cavity from the housing of the drying unit through the slots.

(173) 6. The system according to any of the points 1-5, further comprising a first adaptor having an inlet end configured in conformity with the bottom end of the pelt board and having an opposite closed-off upper end, in which a minor air outlet aperture, such as an aperture of the size of 400 mm.sup.2, is provided for allowing air to be output through the minor air outlet aperture for input into a conventional pelt board having a smaller size connector through which air is input into the inner cavity of the pelt board through the connector, the first adaptor having a first inner air passage from the air inlet to the minor air outlet aperture.

(174) 7. The system according to any of the points 1-6, further comprising a second adaptor having an outlet configured in conformity with the bottom end of the pelt board and having an opposite closed-off bottom end, from which a smaller size connector extends, the smaller size connector having inlet slots for allowing air to be introduced into the inner space of the second adaptor through the smaller size connector, the second adaptor having a second inner air passage from the small size connector to the air outlet.

(175) 8. The system according to any of the points 1-7, further comprising a set of pelt boards and the housing of the drying unit having a plurality of receptor apertures and air outlets.

(176) 9. The system according to point 8, the drying unit having biased closing-off plates for closing off receptor apertures and corresponding air outlets in which receptor apertures no pelt board is received.

(177) 10. A drying unit for use in combination with a pelt board and for drying a pelt, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, the drying unit having a housing defining a top surface and including a blower or communicating with a blower assembly for supplying air into the housing, the top surface defining a receptor aperture having a configuration matching a connector of the pelt board and serving to receive the connector for supporting the pelt board in an upright position relative to the top surface, and an air outlet being provided at the top surface of the housing defining an outlet area constituting between 15% and 95% of the bottom area, such as preferably more than 30%, such as preferably 45-50% of the bottom area of the pelt board.

(178) 11. The drying unit according to point 10, the air outlet circumferentially encircling the receptor aperture.

(179) 12. The drying unit according to any of the points 10-11, further comprising a plurality of receptor apertures and air outlets.

(180) 13. The system according to point 12, the drying unit having biased closing-off plates for closing off receptor apertures and corresponding air outlets in which receptor apertures no pelt board is received.

(181) 14. A pelt board for use in combination with a drying unit for drying a pelt, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, the pelt board defining a top end for accommodating and fixating the nose end of the pelt, a circumferential and apertured wall defining an inner cavity and an outer surface for facing the inwardly oriented leather side of the pelt and a bottom end opposite the top end, the pelt board defining an outer bottom end contour at the bottom end, the outer bottom end contour defining a bottom end area, the pelt board further having a connector extending outwardly from the bottom end and adapted for connecting the pelt board to the drying unit, and an air inlet being provided into the inner cavity at the bottom end of the pelt board for allowing air to be introduced into the inner cavity and to be forced out through the apertured wall for the drying of the inwardly oriented leather side of the pelt, the air inlet defining an inlet area constituting at least 15% of the bottom area of the pelt board and less than approximately 95% of the bottom area, and preferably more than 30% of the bottom area, such as further preferably approximately 45-50% of the bottom area of the pelt board.

(182) 15. The pelt board according to point 14, the air inlet being divided into sub air inlets circumferentially encircling the connector.

(183) 16. The pelt board according to any of the points 14-15, the connector having inlet slots for allowing air to be introduced into the inner cavity.

(184) 17. An adaptor for use in combination with a drying unit for drying a pelt, and a pelt board, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, the pelt board and the drying unit defining an air transfer area between the bottom end of the pelt board and an air outlet of the drying unit constituting between 15% and 95% of the bottom end area of the pelt board, such as preferably more than 30%, such as preferably 45-50% of the bottom area of the pelt board, the adaptor having an inlet end configured in conformity with the bottom end of the pelt board and having an opposite closed-off upper end, in which a minor air outlet aperture, such as an aperture of the size of 400 mm.sup.2, is provided for allowing air to be output through the minor air outlet aperture for input into a conventional pelt board having a smaller size connector through which air is input into the inner cavity of the pelt board through the connector, the first adaptor having an inner air passage from the air inlet to the minor air outlet aperture.

(185) 18. An adaptor for use in combination with a drying unit for drying a pelt, and a pelt board, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, the pelt board having a smaller size connector at its bottom end, through which smaller size connector air is input into the inner cavity of the pelt board, and the drying unit having a minor receptor and air outlet aperture for receiving the smaller size connector, such as an aperture of the size of 400 mm.sup.2, the adaptor having an inlet end including the smaller size connector and having an opposite upper end, in which an air outlet aperture of the size of 1000 mm.sup.2-2500 mm.sup.2 is provided for allowing air to be output through the air outlet aperture for input into a pelt board having an air inlet of the size of 1000 mm.sup.2-2500 mm.sup.2 into an inner cavity of the pelt board, the adaptor having an inner air passage from the smaller size connector to the air outlet aperture.

(186) 19. A system for drying a pelt, the system comprising a drying unit and a pelt board, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, the pelt board defining a top end for accommodating and fixating the nose end of the pelt, a circumferential and apertured wall defining an inner cavity and an outer surface for facing the inwardly oriented leather side of the pelt and a bottom end opposite the top end, the pelt board defining an outer bottom end contour at the bottom end, the outer bottom end contour defining a bottom end area, the drying unit having a housing defining a top surface and including a blower or communicating with a blower assembly for supplying air into the housing, an air inlet being provided into the inner cavity at the bottom end of the pelt board for allowing air to be introduced into the inner cavity and to be forced out through the apertured wall for the drying of the inwardly oriented leather side of the pelt, and an air outlet being provided at the top surface of the housing for communicating with the air inlet via an interface there between, the interface establishing connection between the pelt board and the drying unit for supporting the pelt board in an upright position relative to the top surface defining an interface area constituting at least 15% of the bottom area of the pelt board less than approximately 95% of the bottom area, and preferably more than 30% of the bottom area, such as further preferably approximately 45-50% of the bottom area of the pelt board.

(187) 20. The aperture according to point 19, the interface being constituted by an interchangeable adaptor of the drying unit.

(188) 21. The system according to point 19 or 20, the interface circumferentially encircling the receptor and the receptor aperture.

(189) 22. The system according to any of the points 19-21, further comprising a set of pelt boards and the housing of the drying unit having a plurality of receptor apertures and air outlets.

(190) 23. A drying unit for use in combination with a pelt board and for drying a pelt, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, the drying unit having a housing defining a top surface and including a blower or communicating with a blower assembly for supplying air into the housing, the top surface defining an interface relative to the pelt board for supporting the pelt board in an upright position relative to the top surface and for allowing air to be input to an inner cavity of the pelt board from the drying unit, the interface defining an interface area between the pelt board and the top surface constituting between 15% and 95% of the bottom area of the pelt board, such as preferably more than 30%, such as preferably 45-50% of the bottom area of the pelt board.

(191) 24. The drying unit according to point 23, the interface being constituted by an interchangeable adaptor of the drying unit.

(192) 25. The drying unit according to any of the points 23-24, further comprising a plurality of interfaces for a corresponding plurality of pelt boards.